Clinical outcomes after discontinuing anticoagulant therapy in patients with first unprovoked venous thromboembolism.

BACKGROUND: The duration of anticoagulation for a first episode of unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) should balance the likelihood of VTE recurrence against the risk of major bleeding. OBJECTIVES: Analyze rates and case-fatality rates (CFRs) of recurrent VTE and major bleeding after discontinuing anticoagulation in patients with a first unprovoked VTE after at least 3 months of anticoagulation. METHODS: We compared the rates and CFRs in patients of the Registro Informatizado Enfermedad Trombo Embólica (RIETE) and Contemporary management and outcomes in patients with venous thromboembolism registries. We used logistic regression models to identify predictors for recurrent pulmonary embolism (PE) and major bleeding. RESULTS: Of 8261 patients with unprovoked VTE in RIETE registry, 4012 (48.6%) had isolated deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and 4250 had PE. Follow-up (median, 318 days) showed 543 recurrent DVTs, 540 recurrent PEs, 71 major bleeding episodes, and 447 deaths. The Contemporary management and outcomes in patients with venous thromboembolism registry yielded similar results. Corresponding CFRs of recurrent DVT, PE, and major bleeding were 0.4%, 4.6%, and 24%, respectively. On multivariable analyses, initial PE presentation (hazard ratio [HR], 3.03; 95% CI, 2.49-3.69), dementia (HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.01-2.13), and anemia (HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.57-0.91) predicted recurrent PE, whereas older age (HR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.15-3.87), inflammatory bowel disease (HR, 4.39; 95% CI, 1.00-19.3), and anemia (HR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.35-3.73) predicted major bleeding. Prognostic scores were formulated, with C statistics of 0.63 for recurrent PE and 0.69 for major bleeding. CONCLUSION: Recurrent DVT and PE were frequent but had low CFRs (0.4% and 4.6%, respectively) after discontinuing anticoagulation. On the contrary, major bleeding was rare but had high CFR (24%). A few clinical factors may predict these outcomes.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) developing after ankle sprain. Comparison with VTE after knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a critical complication after non-major trauma or surgery. While the risk and severity of VTE following major orthopedic surgery is well-documented, there is significant knowledge gap regarding, non-major trauma such as ankle sprains. METHODS: We analyzed data from the RIETE registry to assess the clinical characteristics, VTE prophylaxis usage, and outcomes in patients with VTE following ankle sprain versus those post elective knee arthroplasty. We aimed to assess the risk and severity of VTE in a population traditionally considered at lower risk. Risk stratification was performed using the TRiP(cast) score. RESULTS: Among 1,250 patients with VTE, those with ankle sprain (n = 459) were much younger than those post knee arthroplasty (n = 791), less often female, had fewer comorbidities, and received VTE prophylaxis less often (27% vs. 93 %). During anticoagulation, 26 patients developed recurrent VTE, 31 had major bleeding, and 12 died (fatal PE 3, fatal bleeding 2). There were no differences between the two groups in the rates of VTE recurrences (rate ratio (RR): 1.65; 95%CI: 0.69-3.88) or death (RR: 1.12; 95%CI: 0.33-3.46), but patients with VTE after ankle sprain had a lower rate of major bleeding (RR: 0.39; 95%CI: 0.13-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Ankle sprain patients are often undertreated for VTE prophylaxis and have similar severity of VTE than those undergoing elective knee surgery, indicating the need for a more customized approach to VTE management.

Comparison of inferior vena cava filter use and outcomes between cancer and non-cancer patients in a tertiary hospital.

BACKGROUND: While accepted indications for the use of inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) in patients with a venous thromboembolism (VTE) have remained stable, their use continues to be frequent. Retrieval rates are still low, being particularly notable in the population with cancer. This study aims to review the rate of adherence to guidelines recommendation and to compare retrieval rates and complications in both cancer and non-cancer patients. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed including 185 patients in whom an IVCF was placed in Hospital Clinic of Barcelona. Baseline characteristics, clinical outcomes, and IVCF-related outcomes were analyzed. A strongly recommended indication (SRI) was considered if it was included in all the revised clinical guidelines and non-strongly if it was included in only some. RESULTS: Overall, 47 % of the patients had a SRI, without differences between groups. IVCF placement after 29 days from the VTE event was more frequent in the cancer group (46.1 vs. 17.7 %). Patients with cancer (48.1 % of the cohort) were older, with higher co-morbidity and bleeding risk. Anticoagulation resumption (75.3 % vs. 92.7 %) and IVCF retrieval (50.6 % vs. 66.7 %) were significantly less frequent in cancer patients. No significant differences were found regarding IVCF-related complications, hemorrhagic events and VTE recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: SRI of IVCF placement was found in less than half of the patients. Cancer patients had higher rates of IVCF placement without indication and lower anticoagulation resumption and IVCF retrieval ratios, despite complications were similar in both groups.

Inferior Vena Cava Filters: Adherence to Clinical Practice Guidelines Recommendations, Retrieval Rates, and Filter Complications in a Tertiary Hospital.

The present study evaluated the adherence to guideline recommendations regarding the indication for inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) placement, retrieval rates, complications, thrombotic recurrences, and mortality. Patients in whom an IVCF was placed between 2015 and 2020 in a tertiary hospital were retrospectively included. We considered absolute indication of IVCF placement if all the guidelines evaluated agreed on the indication, relative indication if only some guidelines recommended it and without indication if none of the evaluated guidelines recommended it. From the 185 patients included; 47% had an absolute indication, 15% a relative indication, and 38% had no indication. Filter-associated complications and non-removal rates were 12.4% and 41%, respectively. Venous thromboembolism recurrence rate was 17.8%, being filter-associated complications (24.2 vs 9.8%, P = .02) and thrombosis of the inferior cava or iliac veins (12.1 vs 2.6%, P = .03) more frequent in this group. The mortality rate was 40%, with higher mortality risk in patients with co-existing cancer. Previous major bleeding, filter-associated complications, and mortality were associated with a major risk of non-removal. In conclusion, the adherence to guidelines regarding the indication of IVCF placement is still low and IVCF complications are not negligible. This fact is of special concern in the elderly, comorbid, and cancer patients.

Efficacy and Safety of Tinzaparin in Prophylactic, Intermediate and Therapeutic Doses in Non-Critically Ill Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19: The PROTHROMCOVID Randomized Controlled Trial.

Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 are at increased risk of thrombosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome and death. The optimal dosage of thromboprophylaxis is unknown. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tinzaparin in prophylactic, intermediate, and therapeutic doses in non-critical patients admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia. PROTHROMCOVID is a randomized, unblinded, controlled, multicenter trial enrolling non-critical, hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Patients were randomized to prophylactic (4500 IU), intermediate (100 IU/kg), or therapeutic (175 IU/kg) groups. All tinzaparin doses were administered once daily during hospitalization, followed by 7 days of prophylactic tinzaparin at discharge. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite endpoint of symptomatic systemic thrombotic events, need for invasive or non-invasive mechanical ventilation, or death within 30 days. The main safety outcome was major bleeding at 30 days. Of the 311 subjects randomized, 300 were included in the prespecified interim analysis (mean [SD] age, 56.7 [14.6] years; males, 182 [60.7%]). The composite endpoint at 30 days from randomization occurred in 58 patients (19.3%) of the total population; 19 (17.1 %) in the prophylactic group, 20 (22.1%) in the intermediate group, and 19 (18.5%) in the therapeutic dose group (p = 0.72). No major bleeding event was reported; non-major bleeding was observed in 3.7% of patients, with no intergroup differences. Due to these results and the futility analysis, the trial was stopped. In non-critically ill COVID-19 patients, intermediate or full-dose tinzaparin compared to standard prophylactic doses did not appear to affect the risk of thrombotic event, non-invasive ventilation, or mechanical ventilation or death. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT04730856). Edura-CT registration number: 2020-004279-42.

Prognostic impact of acute kidney injury in patients with acute pulmonary embolism data from the RIETE registry.

Risk stratification is recommended for patients with pulmonary embolism (PE), and usually starts with the assessment of the hemodynamic status and the simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (sPESI). The influence of acute kidney injury (AKI) on the prognostic stratification has not been evaluated according to the "Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes" (KDIGO). AKI was computed according to the KDIGO definition in patients with acute PE in the RIETE (Registro Informatizado Enfermedad TromboEmbolica) registry. Patients with hemodynamic instability were considered high-risk. Normotensive patients were stratified according to the sPESI score (low-risk: sPESI = 0; intermediate-risk: sPESI > 0). The primary outcome was all-cause 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were major bleeding and VTE recurrences during the same period. Among 30,532 patients with PE, 1108 (3.6%) were classified to be at high-risk, 10,577 (34.6%) at low-risk, and the remaining 18,847 (61.8%) at intermediate-risk of adverse events. At baseline, 7879 (26%) had AKI. Overall, 1543 of 30,532 patients (5.1%) died within the first 30 days. The presence of AKI was associated with increased mortality rates in all subgroups of patients: in those at low-risk it increased from 0.46 to 3%, in intermediate-risk from 5.4 to 10%, and in high-risk patients from 9.4 to 18%. The presence of AKI was also associated with an increased risk of major bleeding in all subgroups. The addition of the AKI status to the sPESI score improved the prediction of the 30-day mortality and may be particularly helpful for decisions such as identification of low-risk patient for home discharge.

Ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scanning in contemporary patients with pulmonary embolism: utilization rates and predictors of use in a multinational study.

Ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) imaging and computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) are common tools for acute pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosis. Limited contemporary data exist about the utilization of each modality, including the predictors of using V/Q versus CTPA. We used the data from patients diagnosed with PE using V/Q or CTPA from 2007 to 2019 in Registro Informatizado Enfermedad ThromboEmbolica, an international prospective registry of patients with venous thromboembolism. Outcomes was to determine the trends in utilization of V/Q vs. CTPA and, in a contemporary subgroup fitting with current practices, to evaluate predictors of V/Q use with multivariable logistic regression. Among 26,540 patients with PE, 89.2% were diagnosed with CTPA, 7.1% with V/Q and 3.7% with > 1 thoracic imaging modality. Over time, the proportional use of V/Q scanning declined (13.9 to 3.3%, P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, heart failure history (odds ratio [OR]:1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-1.98), diabetes ([OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.39-2.10]), moderate and severe renal failure (respectively [OR 1.87; 95% CI 1.47-2.38] and [OR 9.36; 95% CI 6.98-12.55]) were the patient-level predictors of V/Q utilization. We also observed an influence of geographical and institutional factors, partly explained by time-limited V/Q availability (less use over weekends) and regional practices. Use of V/Q for the diagnosis of PE decreased over time, but it still has an important role in specific situations with an influence of patient-related, institution-related and logistical factors. Local and regional resources should be evaluated to improve V/Q accessibility than could benefit for this population.

Anticoagulation strategies and risk of bleeding events in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rate of thrombosis, bleeding and mortality comparing anticoagulant doses in critically ill COVID-19 patients. DESIGN: Retrospective observational and analytical cohort study. SETTING: COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital between March and April 2020. PATIENTS: 201 critically ill COVID-19 patients were included. Patients were categorized into three groups according to the highest anticoagulant dose received during hospitalization: prophylactic, intermediate and therapeutic. INTERVENTIONS: The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), bleeding and mortality was compared between groups. We performed two logistic multivariable regressions to test the association between VTE and bleeding and the anticoagulant regimen. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: VTE, bleeding and mortality. RESULTS: 78 patients received prophylactic, 94 intermediate and 29 therapeutic doses. No differences in VTE and mortality were found, while bleeding events were more frequent in the therapeutic (31%) and intermediate (15%) dose group than in the prophylactic group (5%) (p<0.001 and p<0.05 respectively). The anticoagulant dose was the strongest determinant for bleeding (odds ratio 2.4, 95% confidence interval 1.26-4.58, p=0.008) but had no impact on VTE. CONCLUSIONS: Intermediate and therapeutic doses appear to have a higher risk of bleeding without a decrease of VTE events and mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Recurrent bleeding and thrombotic events after resumption of oral anticoagulants following gastrointestinal bleeding: Communication from the ISTH SSC Subcommittee on Control of Anticoagulation.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal bleeding frequently complicates anticoagulant therapy causing treatment discontinuation. Data to guide the decision regarding whether and when to resume anticoagulation based on the risks of thromboembolism and recurrent bleeding are scarce. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to retrospectively evaluate the incidence of these events after anticoagulant-related gastrointestinal bleeding and assess their relationship with timing of anticoagulation resumption. METHODS: Patients hospitalized because of gastrointestinal bleeding during oral anticoagulation for any indication were eligible. All patients were followed up to 2 years after the index bleeding for recurrent major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding, venous or arterial thromboembolism, and mortality. RESULTS: We included 948 patients hospitalized for gastrointestinal bleeding occurring during treatment with vitamin K antagonists (n = 531) or direct oral anticoagulants (n = 417). In time-dependent analysis, anticoagulant treatment was associated with a higher risk of recurrent clinically relevant bleeding (hazard ratio [HR] 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-2.22), but lower risk of thromboembolism (HR 0.34; 95% CI 0.21-0.55), and death (HR 0.50; 95% CI 0.36-0.68). Previous bleeding, index major bleeding, and lower glomerular filtration rate were associated with a higher risk of recurrent bleeding. The incidence of recurrent bleeding increased after anticoagulation restart independently of timing of resumption. CONCLUSIONS: Anticoagulant treatment after gastrointestinal bleeding is associated with a lower risk of thromboembolism and death, but higher risk of recurrent bleeding. The latter seemed to be influenced by patient characteristics and less impacted by time of anticoagulation resumption.

Arterial Thrombosis in Patients with Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A Review and Meta-Analysis.

There is a scarcity of high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing antithrombotic regimens for secondary prevention of arterial thrombosis (AT) in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). We reviewed different antithrombotic regimens used for this purpose. We searched for studies on management of AT in APS on PubMed and Web of Science. Eleven studies (5 RCTs, 3 prospective, and 3 retrospective cohort studies) comparing different regimens and reporting outcomes specifically for patients with index AT events were identified. Treatments were vitamin K antagonists (VKA; 9 studies), non-VKA oral anticoagulant (NOAC; 3 studies), single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT; 7 studies), dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT; 2 studies), and VKA combined with SAPT (4 studies). We performed a meta-analysis for the outcomes: recurrent AT, any (arterial or venous) recurrent thromboembolism, and major bleeding. Recurrent AT was reduced with VKA plus SAPT versus VKA (risk ratio [RR]: 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22-0.85) and with DAPT versus SAPT (RR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.09-0.99). Any recurrent thromboembolism was reduced with VKA plus SAPT versus VKA alone (RR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.24-0.69) and versus SAPT alone (RR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.13-0.96). There were no significant differences between other treatments for thromboembolism and for none of the comparisons regarding major bleeding. In a sensitivity analysis, excluding low-quality studies, VKA was more effective than NOAC to prevent recurrent AT (RR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.07-0.93). Combined antithrombotic therapy might be more effective than single agents as secondary prophylaxis in APS with AT, and does not seem to compromise with safety, but the quality of evidence is generally low. NOACs should be avoided for patients with APS and AT.

New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Sepsis: A Narrative Review.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequently identified arrhythmia during the course of sepsis. The aim of this narrative review is to assess the characteristics of patients with new-onset AF related to sepsis and the risk of stroke and death, to understand if there is a need for anticoagulation. We searched for studies on AF and sepsis on PubMed, the Cochrane database, and Web of Science, and 17 studies were included. The mean incidence of new-onset AF in patients with sepsis was 20.6% (14.7% in retrospective studies and 31.6% in prospective). Risk factors for new-onset AF included advanced age, white race, male sex, obesity, history of cardiopulmonary disease, heart or respiratory failure, and higher disease severity score. In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with than in those without new-onset AF in 10 studies. In four studies the overall intensive care unit and hospital mortality rates were comparable between patients with and without new-onset AF, while three other studies did not provide mortality data. One study reported on the in-hospital incidence of stroke, which was 2.6 versus 0.69% in patients with or without new-onset AF, respectively. Seven of the studies provided follow-up data after discharge. In three studies, new-onset AF was associated with excess mortality at 28 days, 1 year, and 5 years after discharge of 34, 21, and 3% patients, respectively. In two studies, the mortality rate was comparable in patients with and without new-onset AF. Postdischarge stroke was reported in five studies, whereof two studies had no events after 30 and 90 days, one study showed a nonsignificant increase in stroke, and two studies demonstrated a significant increase in risk of stroke after new-onset AF. The absolute risk increase was 0.6 to 1.6%. Large prospective studies are needed to better understand the need for anticoagulation after new-onset AF in sepsis.

Massive deep venous thrombosis in a patient addicted to cocaine / Trombosis venosa profunda masiva en un paciente adicto a la cocaína

No disponible

Implementation of Home Hospitalization and Early Discharge as an Integrated Care Service: A Ten Years Pragmatic Assessment.

Home Hospitalization has proven efficacy, but its effectiveness and potential as an Integrated Care Service in a real world setting deserves to be explored. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate implementation and 10 years follow-up of Home Hospitalization and Early Discharge as an Integrated Care Service in an urban healthcare district in Barcelona. METHODS: Prospective study with pragmatic assessment. Patients: Surgical and medical acute and exacerbated chronic patients requiring admission into a highly specialized hospital, from 2006 to 2015. Intervention: Home-based individualized care plan, administered as a hospital-based outreach service, aiming at substituting hospitalization and implementing a transitional care strategy for optimal discharge. Main measurements: Emergency Department, readmissions and mortality. Patients' and professionals' perspectives, technologies and costs were evaluated. RESULTS: 4,165 admissions (71 ± 15 yrs; Charlson Index 4 ± 3). In-hospital stay was 1 (0-3) days and the length of home-based stay was 6 (5-7) days. The 30-day readmission rate was 11% and mortality was 2%. Patients, careers and health professionals expressed high levels of satisfaction (98%). At the start, the service was reimbursed at a flat rate of 918€ per patient discharged, significantly lower than conventional hospitalization (2,879€) but still allowing the hospital to keep a balanced budget. At present, there is no difference in the payment schemes for both types of services. CONCLUSIONS: The service freed an average of 6 in-hospital days per patient. The program showed health value generation, as well as potential for synergies with community-based Integrated Care Services.

Viabilidad de la evaluación domiciliaria del estado funcional de pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en fase de recuperación de una exacerbación / Feasibility of Home-Based Functional Status Assessment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients Recovering From an Exacerbation

Introducción: La prueba de actividades de la vida diaria de Glittre (prueba ADL) es, en un entorno de laboratorio, una medida fiable del estado funcional de los pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) estable. Nos propusimos adaptar la prueba para poder llevarla a cabo en el entorno domiciliario (test ADLm) y supervisar la recuperación del estado funcional de pacientes con EPOC después de una exacerbación atendida en un programa de hospitalización domiciliaria (HD). Método: Evaluamos a 17 pacientes con EPOC moderada a muy grave después de una exacerbación en 3 visitas domiciliarias: el día del alta de HD (V0), al cabo de 10días (V10post) y un mes después del alta (V30post). Los pacientes realizaron la prueba ADLm (vueltas VO2 y VE), impacto de la EPOC (CAT), el Cuestionario de disnea para las ADV London Chest (LCADL), la escala de disnea Medical Research Council modificada (MRCm) y una dinamometría de las extremidades superiores (fuerza de prensión). Resultados: el número de vueltas al circuito en la prueba ADLm (4, 5 y 5, p < 0,05), el CAT (19, 12 y 12, p < 0,01), la MRCm (2, 1,5 y 1, p < 0,01) y el dominio de cuidado personal del LCADL (6, 5 y 5, p < 0,01) mejoraron durante el seguimiento (V0, V10post y V30post, respectivamente). No se constataron cambios significativos en el VO2, el VE o la fuerza de prensión. Conclusión: Nuestros resultados indican que, tras una exacerbación de la EPOC, es factible realizar la prueba ADLm en el entorno domiciliario, y que el estado funcional continúa mejorando 10 días después del alta de HD

Introduction: The Glittre Activities of Daily Living Test (ADL-Test) is a reliable functional status measurement for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in a laboratory setting. We aimed to adapt the test to the home setting (mADL-Test) and to follow-up the functional status recovery of post-exacerbation COPD patients included in a home hospitalization (HH) program. Method: We assessed 17 exacerbated moderate-to-very-severe COPD patients in 3 home visits: at discharge to HH (V0), 10days (V10post) and 1month after discharge (V30post). Patients completed the mADL-Test (laps, VO2 and VE), COPD assessment test (CAT), London Chest ADL Test (LCADL), modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) and upper limb strength (handgrip). Results: The number of laps of the mADL-Test (4, 5 and 5, P < .05), CAT (19, 12 and 12, P < .01), mMRC (2, 1.5 and 1, P < .01) and the self-care domain of the LCADL (6, 5 and 5, P < .01) improved during follow-up (V0, V10post and V30post, respectively). No significant changes were evidenced in VO2, VE or handgrip. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the mADL-test can be performed in the home setting after a COPD exacerbation, and that functional status continues to improve 10 days after discharge to HH

Feasibility of Home-Based Functional Status Assessment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients Recovering From an Exacerbation. / Viabilidad de la evaluación domiciliaria del estado funcional de pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en fase de recuperación de una exacerbación.

INTRODUCTION: The Glittre Activities of Daily Living Test (ADL-Test) is a reliable functional status measurement for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in a laboratory setting. We aimed to adapt the test to the home setting (mADL-Test) and to follow-up the functional status recovery of post-exacerbation COPD patients included in a home hospitalization (HH) program. METHOD: We assessed 17 exacerbated moderate-to-very-severe COPD patients in 3 home visits: at discharge to HH (V0), 10days (V10post) and 1month after discharge (V30post). Patients completed the mADL-Test (laps, VO2 and VE), COPD assessment test (CAT), London Chest ADL Test (LCADL), modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) and upper limb strength (handgrip). RESULTS: The number of laps of the mADL-Test (4, 5 and 5, P<.05), CAT (19, 12 and 12, P<.01), mMRC (2, 1.5 and 1, P<.01) and the self-care domain of the LCADL (6, 5 and 5, P<.01) improved during follow-up (V0, V10post and V30post, respectively). No significant changes were evidenced in VO2, VE or handgrip. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the mADL-test can be performed in the home setting after a COPD exacerbation, and that functional status continues to improve 10days after discharge to HH.

Pattern of soluble CD5 and CD6 lymphocyte receptors in critically ill patients with septic syndromes.

PURPOSE: Soluble forms of CD5 and CD6 lymphocyte surface receptors (sCD5 and sCD6) are molecules that seem to prevent experimental sepsis when exogenously administered. The aim of this study was to assess sCD5 and sCD6 levels in patients with septic syndromes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 218 patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) presenting either septic syndromes or noninfectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome at admission or within the first 48 hours. The sCD5 and sCD6 levels were analyzed by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Almost 50% of the patients had undetectable levels of sCD5 or sCD6, with no differences in clinical or biological variables with detectable patients. There was a correlation between the delta Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score and both sCD6 and sCD5 levels in all groups. Patients with sCD5 or sCD6 levels greater than 1500 ng/mL presented a higher in-ICU mortality (P < .05). Logistic regression analysis showed that increased sCD6 levels were associated with an increased risk of in-ICU mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of sCD5 and sCD6 in critically ill patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome present a high variation and an elevated proportion of undetectability. Levels of sCD6 are associated with an increased risk of mortality in these patients.

Assessment of health status and program performance in patients on long-term oxygen therapy.

BACKGROUND: Despite well established clinical guidelines, performance of long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) programs shows marked variability among territories. The current study assessed the LTOT program and the health status of patients on LTOT prior to the deployment of community-based integrated care in an urban health district of Barcelona (Spain). AIMS: To assess: i) the LTOT program and health status of the patients on LTOT in the health district; ii) their frailty profile; and, iii) the requirements for effective deployment of integrated care services for these patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study design including all patients (n = 406) on LTOT living in the health district. Health status, frailty, arterial blood gases, forced spirometry and hand-grip muscle strength were measured. Network analysis of frailty was carried out. RESULTS: Adequacy of LTOT prescription (n = 362): 47% and 31% of the patients had PaO2 ≤ 60 mmHg and ≤55 mmHg, respectively. Adherence to LTOT: 31% of all patients used LTOT ≥15 h/d; this figure increased to 67% in those with PaO2≤60 mmHg. Assessment of frailty: Overall, LTOT patients presented moderate to severe frailty. Care complexity was observed in 42% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Adequacy and adherence to LTOT was poor and many patients were frail and complex. The outcomes of the network analysis may contribute to enhance assessment of frailty in LTOT patients. These observations suggest that an integrated care strategy has the potential to improve the health outcomes of these patients.