Defeating the Silent Enemy: Antimicrobial Resistance Looming as the Next Global Pandemic.

Antibiotics are the magic bullets that have saved millions worldwide. Enormous and irresponsible use of antibiotics has led to resistance to antibiotics, which is a matter of global health concern. The superbugs are responsible for life-threatening infections, treatment failure, and high mortality worldwide. The urgent healthcare threat caused by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to nonfermenting gram-negative bacteria is being increasingly acknowledged worldwide. Antibiotic resistance found in organisms in hospital settings is now increasingly found in the community. Although antimicrobial stewardship requiring a multidisciplinary approach is developing rapidly at the hospital level, it needs more attention at the community level. New therapeutics are certainly required, but the major challenge is rapidly identifying resistant infections and tailoring treatment. This review highlights the crisis that reflects the current scenario of AMR, common resistant pathogens, and the major challenges in the fight against AMR. It also discusses potential methods and strategies to address the intricacies of antibiotic resistance.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Pain, Agitation, Delirium, Immobility, and Sleep Disturbance in the Intensive Care Unit: The ABCDEF Bundle.

It is crucial to prevent and manage intensive care unit (ICU) distress caused by a pentad of pain, agitation, delirium, immobility, and sleep disturbance (PADIS) to optimize immediate and longterm recovery and outcomes of critically ill patients. This clinical practice guideline provides an update on the prevention, management, and liberation of PADIS in adult ICU patients using an integrated, evidence-based, multidisciplinary ICU protocol: the ABCDEF bundle. ABCDEF bundle incorporates assessment, prevention, and management of pain; both spontaneous awakening trial (SAT) and spontaneous breathing trial (SBT); choice of sedation and analgesia; delirium: assessment, prevention and management, and early mobility and exercise; family involvement and empowerment (ABCDEF) together as a PADIS care bundle. This is a multidimensional ICU liberation bundle which is a patient-oriented, holistic team approach to the management of critically ill patients aimed at reducing ICU distress and immediate and long-lasting consequences of PADIS.

Assessment of Fluid Responsiveness by Changes in End Tidal Carbon Dioxide During Passive Leg Raising Test and Fluid Challenge.

PURPOSE: It is rationale to predict fluid responsiveness for optimum hemodynamic management. Passive Leg Raising (PLR) causes reversible increase in cardiac output (CO) and changes in end-tidal CO2& pressure (ETCO2 ) can be considered surrogate for CO variations. We aimed to assess the variations in EtCO2 with PLR and fluid challenge (FC) and also compared it with systolic arterial pressure (SAP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and central venous pressure (CVP). METHODOLOGY: This Prospective study was conducted in the ICU of a tertiary care teaching public hospital. PLR was performed before FC in patients of circulatory failure on mechanical ventilation. ETCO2 and hemodynamics were monitored and compared and correlated after PLR and FC. ROC curve of parameters, based on their Area under the Curve (AUC) was compared. MS Excel, PSPP version 1.0.1 was used for analysis. RESULTS: Among hundred patients studied, 74 showed ETCO2 change≥ 2 mmHg (>5%) and were fluid responders. Increase in Etco2 after PLR at 1minute and FC at 30 minutes was statistically significant (p=2.73×10-73) so is SAP(p=4.02×10-75) and MAP(p=1.75×10-75). AUC of predictive performance of parameters showed change in ETCO2 (AUC ROC 0.985 [0.938 to 0.999]) had significantly outperformed CVP (AUCROC 0.822 [0.733-0.892]), SAP (AUCROC 0.793 [0.701-0.868]), MAP (AUCROC 0.810 [0.719-0.881]), HR (AUCROC 0.574 [0.471-0.673]).

Conclusion: Variations in ETCO2 >5% induced by PLR can predict fluid responsiveness and is a reliable, non-invasive, easy, quick, and reversible method. ETCO2 is better predictor than SAP, MAP, CVP, and HR during PLR and FC. We may recommend PLR-induced changes in ETCO2 to predict fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients.

Appraisal of Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients at a Dedicated COVID Hospital.

PURPOSE: To study the pattern of severe COVID-19 to reduce morbidity and mortality. METHODS: It was an observational cohort study for comprehensive clinical analysis of critically ill COVID-19 patients at a dedicated COVID public hospital. RESULTS: Total 373(13.6%) patients were critically ill with 254(68.1%) males and 119(31.9%) females (including 25 pregnant) and death occurred in 69(18.5%) patients. Mean of parameters associated with critical COVID illness and having significant difference among dead and recovered were; age (47.08,p= 5.67E- 09), SpO2 (86.08), blood sugar(168.47,p= 1.86E-08), IL-6(210.5,p=0.0058) D-dimer(0.753,p= 0.00178). All the patients were given oxygen by non invasive technique, in 46(12.3%) intubation and invasive ventilation required. Use of hydroxychloroquin in 284(76.1%) (p=0.041,OR0.555,95%CI 0.314-0.981), lopinavir/ ritonavir in 283(75.9%) (p=4.222E-009,OR0.198, 95%CI0.114-0.345), tocilizumab in 124(33.2%) patients, (p=3.27E006, OR0.150, 95%CI0.063-0.358) were associated with recovery. Factors that influenced mortality were presence of co-morbidities (p=0.088,OR1.784,95%CI0.911-3.492), hypertension(p=0.0031,OR2.432,95% CI1.370 -4.318), low SpO2 (p=3.91E-010,OR0.017,95%CI0.002-0.137), high blood sugar(p=7.75E-009,OR8.514,95%CI 3.776-19.201), high LDH(p=0.00064,OR2.7 22,95%CI1.545-4.798) high ferritin(p=0.00014,OR4.606,95%CI 2.035-10.422), high D-dimer(p=2.85E-007,OR4.090,95%CI 2.371-7.056), low PFR(p=4.84E-008), and endotracheal intubation(p=3.14E-043,OR165.936,95%CI48.160-571.731). Using binary logistic regression, elevated IL-6(0.02441), low PFR(0.00082), and endotracheal intubation(2.04E-10) were statistically significant predictors of death. CONCLUSION: "Happy Hypoxia", hyperglycemia, high inflammatory markers (IL-6, ferritin), and ARDS were hallmark of critical COVID-19, early detection of factors associated with severity and mortality and starting the multipronged management with oxygen in prone position, hydroxychloroquin, antiviral, methylprednisolone, anticoagulants, tocilizumab early may help in halting the worsening of COVID and reduce morbidity and mortality.

Analysis of Poisoning in Urban Setting: A Single Centre Study.

BACKGROUND: Poisoning are common emergencies associated with high mortality and morbidity in India. This study aims to analyse the pattern of poisoning, clinico-epidemiological features, course and outcome of patients and factors affecting the outcome. METHODOLOGY: This was an observational, prospective study conducted at a tertiary care, teaching, public, urban hospital. We noted demographic profile, nature and class of poison, clinical manifestations, duration of stay in ICU and hospital, investigations, management and outcome. Association between qualitative variables was assessed by Chi-Square test, Fisher's exact test and Binary Logistic Regression. RESULTS: Among 250 patients mortality was 24%. Common agents of poisoning used were chemicals seen in 102 patients (41%), followed by pesticides (52 patients, 21%) and rodenticides (33 patients, 13%). Ventilator support was needed in 63 patients (25%) and mean hospital stay of patients was 3.7 days with range being 5-15 days. Deranged liver function test was present in 22 (41.51%) cases of rodenticides poisoning, Deranged renal function test was present in 44 (59.46%) cases of Chemicals. CONCLUSIONS: Poisoning was predominant in unmarried young males from lower economic class. The most common type of poisoning was suicidal, route was oral and agent was chemicals. Vomiting and pain in abdomen were the most common clinical features. Chemical poisoning was highly associated with renal failure and aspiration chemical pneumonitis requiring ventilator support and high mortality. Chemical agent of poisoning, Intravenous route of poisoning, requirement of mechanical ventilation, duration of hospital stay were significantly associated with mortality.

Thrombocytopenia in Pregnancy Nearing Term: A Clinical Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy varies from benign to severe with fetomaternal complications. We aimed to evaluate thrombocytopenia in pregnant Indian females in third trimester mainly during labor and delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a prospective observational study done in a tertiary care teaching public hospital over 1 year. Consecutive 150 pregnant patients admitted to labor ward with thrombocytopenia were analyzed for etiology of thrombocytopenia, severity, mode of delivery, type of anesthesia, and fetomaternal complications. SPSS version 17 was used for the analysis. RESULTS: Most common cause of thrombocytopenia was preeclampsia 50 (33.3%) and preeclampsia with hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme, and low platelet count syndrome (HELLP syndrome) 31 (20.7%) together followed by gestational 42 (28%). Infectious causes such as malaria, dengue, and leptospirosis were found in 19 patients (12.7%). Moderate to severe thrombocytopenia was seen in preeclampsia, preeclampsia with HELLP syndrome, and infectious etiology. Eleven patients (7.3%) developed antepartum hemorrhage (APH), 24 (16%) postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), 12 (8%) required ICU admission, and 3 (2%) mortalities were noted. Fifteen neonates (10%) needed ICU admission. Complications were observed in preeclampsia with HELLP syndrome (82%) and infectious causes (18%) and none in gestational. Sixty-eight patients underwent lower segment cesarean section (LSCS), among them 41 (27.3%) were given spinal anesthesia (SA) and none of them developed any neurological complications. CONCLUSION: Study widened the spectrum of causes for thrombocytopenia in pregnant patients. Preeclampsia with or without HELLP syndrome and vector-borne infections such as malaria, dengue, and leptospirosis were found to be very important causes of moderate to severe thrombocytopenia and were associated with complications. Spinal anesthesia is safe in parturients with mild thrombocytopenia. Awareness and vigilance about thrombocytopenia is vital to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Harde M, Bhadade R, deSouza R, Jhingan M. Thrombocytopenia in Pregnancy Nearing Term: A Clinical Analysis. IJCCM 2019;23(11):503-508.

A study of partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide and end-tidal carbon dioxide correlation in intraoperative and postoperative period in neurosurgical patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Monitoring carbon dioxide (CO2) is of utmost importance in neurosurgical patients. It is measured by partial pressure of arterial CO2 (PaCO2) and end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2). We aimed to study the correlation between PaCO2 and ETCO2 in neurosurgical patients in the intraoperative and postoperative period on mechanical ventilation in Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU). METHODOLOGY: This was prospective observational study done at tertiary care teaching public hospital over a period of 1 year. We studied 30 patients undergoing elective craniotomy intraoperatively and in the postoperative period on mechanical ventilation for 24 h. Serial measurement of ETCO2 and PaCO2 at baseline, hourly intraoperatively and every 6 hourly in the PACU were studied. Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 20. RESULTS: The mean PaCO2-ETCO2 gradient intraoperatively over 4 h is 3.331 ± 2.856 and postoperatively over 24 h is 2.779 ± 2.932 and lies in 95% confidence interval. There was statistically significant correlation between PaCO2 and ETCO2 intraoperatively baseline, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, and 4 h with Pearson's correlation coefficients of 0.799, 0.522, 0582, 0.439, and 0.547, respectively (P < 0.05). In PACU at baseline, 6 h, 12 h, 18 h, and 24 h Pearson's correlation coefficients were. 534, -0.032, 0.522, 0.242, 0.592, and 0.547, respectively, which are highly significant at three instances (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: ETCO2 correlates PaCO2 with acceptable accuracy in neurosurgical patients in the intraoperative and postoperative period on mechanical ventilation in Intensive Care Unit. Thus, continuous and noninvasive ETCO2 can be used as a reliable guide to estimate arterial PCO2 during neurosurgical procedures and in PACU.

Comparison between Two Endotracheal Tube Cuff Inflation Methods; Just-Seal Vs. Stethoscope-Guided.

INTRODUCTION: The Endotracheal Tube (ETT) cuff performs a critical function of sealing the airway during positive pressure ventilation. There is a narrow range of cuff pressure required to maintain a functionally safe seal without exceeding capillary blood pressure. AIM: We aimed to compare Just-Seal (JS) and Stethoscope-Guided (SG) method of ETT cuff inflation with respect to the volume of air required to inflate the cuff, the manometric cuff pressure achieved and also to assess for the occurrence of postoperative sore throat after extubation in both the groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a prospective observational study done in a Tertiary Teaching Public Hospital over a period of 1½ years on 100 patients with 50 each in two groups; JS or SG method of cuff inflation. SPSS Version 17 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Statistically significant difference (p-value of less than 0.05) was noted between the two methods based on the volume of air injected into the cuff {the mean volume injected in JS was 6.79 ml and in the SG was 4.95 ml with p=5.71E-16 (< 0.05)} and cuff pressure achieved {mean cuff pressure achieved was 38.80 cm H2O in the JS and 29.64 cm H2O in SG with p=2.29E-14 (< 0.05)}. The incidence of post extubation sore throat was 54% (27 in 50) in the JS group and only 12% (6 in 50) in the SG; p= 0.00000797. CONCLUSION: ETT cuff inflation guided by a stethoscope is an effective technique for ensuring appropriate cuff pressures thus accomplishing the objective of providing safe and superior quality care of the patient both during and after anaesthesia and reducing the likelihood of even minimal risk complications that may still have legal implications.

Emerging trends of nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care unit of a tertiary care public teaching hospital in Western India.

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial pneumonia poses great challenge to an intensivist. Detailed information about hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-acquired pneumonia (VAP) is crucial for prevention and optimal management, thus improving quality Intensive Care Unit (ICU) care. Hence, we aimed to study the current trend of nosocomial pneumonia in ICU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a prospective observational cohort study, conducted in the ICU of a tertiary care teaching public hospital over a period of 18 months. We studied clinical profile and outcome of 120 adult patients who developed VAP/HAP during the study period. We also analyzed the causative organisms, antibiotic sensitivity, and resistance pattern in these patients. RESULTS: Out of 120 patients, 29 patients were HAP and 91 patients were VAP. Mortality was 60% (72), and development of VAP and requirement of mechanical ventilation showed significant association with mortality (P < 0.00001). Most common organism causing HAP was Staphylococcus aureus (43.4%) and VAP was Klebsiella pneumoniae (49%). Maximum antibiotic sensitivity was found to piperacillin + tazobactam (58.8%), followed by imipenem (49.5%) and meropenem (41.8%), whereas maximum antibiotic resistance was found to cefepime (95.1%), followed by ceftazidime and amoxicillin (91.2%). CONCLUSION: Nosocomial pneumonia showed high incidence (17.44%) and mortality (60%). Common organisms identified were S. aureus and K. pneumoniae. Resistance was high for commonly used antibiotics and high antibiotic sensitivity for piperacillin + tazobactam and carbapenem. Contexte: La pneumonie nosocomiale pose un grand défi à un intensiviste. Des informations détaillées sur la pneumonie acquise dans les hôpitaux (HAP) et la pneumonie acquise par le ventilateur (VAP) sont essentielles pour la prévention et la gestion optimale, améliorant ainsi les soins de soins intensifs de qualité (UTI). Par conséquent, nous avons cherché à étudier la tendance actuelle de la pneumonie nosocomiale en UTI. Matériaux et méthodes: il s'agissait d'une étude de cohorte observationnelle prospective menée dans l'UCI d'un hôpital public d'enseignement tertiaire sur une période de 18 mois. Nous avons étudié le profil clinique et le résultat de 120 patients adultes qui ont développé le VAP / HAP pendant la période d'étude. Nous avons également analysé les organismes responsables, la sensibilité aux antibiotiques et le modèle de résistance chez ces patients. Résultats: Sur 120 patients, 29 patients étaient HAP et 91 patients étaient VAP. La mortalité était de 60% (72), et le développement du VAP et l'exigence de ventilation mécanique ont montré une association significative avec la mortalité (P < 0,00001). L'organisme le plus fréquent causant HAP était Staphylococcus aureus (43,4%) et VAP était Klebsiella pneumoniae (49%). Une sensibilité antibiotique maximale a été observée chez la pipéracilline + tazobactam (58,8%), suivie de l'imipénème (49,5%) et du méropénem (41,8%), alors que la résistance antibiotique maximale a été observée à cefépime (95,1%), suivie de ceftazidime et de l'amoxicilline (91,2%) . CONCLUSION: la pneumonie nosocomiale a montré une incidence élevée (17,44%) et la mortalité (60%). Les organismes communs identifiés étaient S. aureus et K. pneumoniae. La résistance était élevée pour les antibiotiques couramment utilisés et une forte sensibilité aux antibiotiques pour la pipéracilline + le tazobactam et le carbapénème.

A comparative study of epidural catheter colonization and infection in Intensive Care Unit and wards in a Tertiary Care Public Hospital.

Infection is a potentially serious complication of epidural analgesia and with an increase in its use in wards there is a necessity to demonstrate its safety. We aimed to compare the incidence of colonization of epidural catheters retained for short duration (for 48 h) postoperative analgesia in postanesthesia care unit and wards. It was a prospective observational study done in a tertiary care teaching public hospital over a period of 2 years and included 400 patients with 200 each belonged to two groups PACU and ward. We also studied epidural tip culture pattern, skin swab culture at the entry point of the catheter, their relation to each other and whether colonization is equivalent to infection. Data were analyzed using statistical software GraphPad. Overall positive tip culture was 6% (24), of them 7% (14) were from PACU and 5% (10) were from ward (P = 0.5285). Positive skin swab culture was 38% (150), of them 20% (80) were from PACU and 18% (70) were from ward (P = 0.3526). The relation between positive tip culture and positive skin swab culture in same patients is extremely significant showing a strong linear relationship (95% confidence interval = 0.1053-0.2289). The most common microorganism isolated was Staphylococcus epidermidis. No patient had signs of local or epidural infection. There is no difference in the incidence of epidural catheter tip culture and skin swab culture of patients from the general ward and PACU. Epidural analgesia can be administered safely for 48 h in general wards without added risk of infection. The presence of positive tip culture is not a predictor of epidural space infection, and colonization is not equivalent to infection; hence, routine culture is not needed. Bacterial migration from the skin along the epidural track is the most common mode of bacterial colonization; hence, strict asepsis is necessary.

A Prospective Study of Acute Kidney Injury According to KDIGO Definition and its Mortality Predictors.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury is no longer considered to be an innocent bystander merely reflecting co-existent pathologies but an independent risk factor for mortality in the ICU. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study clinical profile and correlation of patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) according to KDIGO definition with respect to incidence, outcome and different causes of AKI in critical care unit. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: It is a prospective observational study; and was carried out in the ICU of a tertiary care, teaching, public hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 316 patients developing AKI in ICU over a period of 1 year. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Incidence of AKI in our ICU was 37.71% and mortality rate was 51.9%. Tropical Acute febrile illnesses followed by sepsis were the most common causes of AKI in ICU. Most common cause of AKI among tropical acute febrile illnesses (AFI) was malaria and among sepsis group was lung infection. In our study KDIGO staging could not predict outcome because majority of patients had multisystem failure. Pre-existing co-morbidities, multi-organ system failure were associated with high mortality. APACHE II scoring system under- predicted the mortality in patients with AKI.

Mortality Predictors of ARDS in Medical Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary Care Centre in a Tropical Country

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a clinical syndrome of severe dyspnoea of rapid onset, hypoxemia, and diffuse pulmonary infiltrates leading to respiratory failure in the absence of cardiac failure. We did the study to asses various aetiologies of ARDS, to determine the correlation between the diagnostic criteria, mortality predictors, need of mechanical ventilation and the outcome of patients. This was an observational, prospective study in medical intensive care unit (MICU) of a tertiary care hospital, over a period of 15 months. Methods and Material: This study encompassed 116 patients of ARDS admitted to an MICU at a tertiary care centre in Mumbai. We included all consecutive patients with ARDS in this study. We excluded patients with known ischemic heart diseases, valvular heart diseases or in congestive cardiac failure, chronic kidney diseases with fluid overload states and age below 18 years. Results: Males comprised almost 70% (81) of the study population and the presentation was more common in younger age group with total mortality of 57.8% (67 out of 116). Factors attributable for ARDS were malaria in 31 patients (26.72%), pneumonia in 23 (19.82%), sepsis in 20 (17.2%), dengue in 15 (12.96%), undiagnosed fever in 13 (11.1%), leptospirosis in 7 (6.03%), pancreatitis in 3 (2.58%), H1N1 infection in 2 (1.72%), urinary tract infection (UTI) in 1 (0.86%) and UTI with pyelonephritis and Dengue in 1 (0.86 %) patients. Tropical diseases in present study constituted 66 (56.89%) cases of which 31 (47%) died. This difference was statistically found to be significant. Mean PaO2/FiO2 was 178.32 amongst discharged and 127.69 amongst those who expired. Sixty patients had severe LIS, out of which 45 (75%) patients expired, as compared to 56 patients with moderate LIS out of which 22 (39.3%) expired. Conclusion: Tropical diseases like malaria, dengue, and leptospirosis were the main factors responsible for ARDS. LIS, Modified LIS and PaO2/FiO2 ratio predicted outcome as well as need for mechanical ventilation. Renal failure, metabolic acidosis appeared to be good predictors of mortality.

Prospective evaluation of maternal morbidity and mortality in post-cesarean section patients admitted to postanesthesia intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Critical illness may complicate any pregnancy. Timely intensive care management of critically ill obstetric patients has better outcomes than expected from the initial severity of illness. The aim was to study the indications of transfer of post-cesarean section patients to post-anesthesia intensive care unit (PACU). (PACU transfer indicated that the patient required intensive care). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective observational study carried out in the PACU of a tertiary care teaching public hospital over a period of 2 years. Sixty-one postoperative lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) females admitted consecutively in PACU were studied. The study included obstetric PACU utilization rate, intensive care unit interventions, outcome of mother, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score, and its correlation with mortality. RESULTS: Postanesthesia intensive care unit admission rate was 2.8% and obstetric PACU utilization rate was 3.22%. Of 61 patients, four had expired. Obstetric indications (67.2%) were the most common cause of admission to PACU. Among the obstetric indications hemorrhage (36.1%) was found to be a statistically significant indication for PACU admission followed by hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (29.5%). Cardiovascular disease (16.4%) was the most common nonobstetric indication for PACU transfer and was associated with high mortality. The observed mortality was 6.557%, which was lower than predicted mortality by APACHE II Score. CONCLUSION: Obstetric hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of PACU admission in post LSCS patients. Prompt provision of intensive care to critically ill obstetric patients can lead to a significant drop in maternal morbidity and mortality.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased mortality in critically ill patients especially in those requiring ventilatory support.

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D (VitD) classically recognized for its role in the musculoskeletal system, has been implicated in myriad of conditions such as diabetes, immune dysfunction, cancers, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, etc. We studied the role of VitD in acute care setting and its correlation with mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 85 consecutive consenting patients admitted in medical intensive care unit of tertiary care hospital who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included. All patients were evaluated clinically, and blood samples were collected for hemogram, biochemical investigations including serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, magnesium, along with 25(OH) VitD, 1,25(OH) VitD and intact parathormone levels. Simplified acute physiology score (SAPS II) was calculated for all patients. RESULTS: VitD was deficient (<30 ng/ml) in 27 patients (32%). The overall mortality was more in VitD deficient group as compared to VitD sufficient group (74 vs. 41%; P < 0.05). The actual mortality in VitD deficient group was higher than the mortality predicted by SAPS II score (50 vs. 74%; P < 0.0507). VitD deficiency was also associated with more mortality among those requiring ventilator support (95% vs. 40%; P < 0.05) as well as with higher blood glucose (124.5 ± 29.7 vs. 94.8 ± 19.8: P < 0.01) levels. CONCLUSION: VitD deficiency was associated with increased mortality, poor ventilator outcomes, and increased blood glucose in critically ill patients.

Intravenous administration of ulinastatin (human urinary trypsin inhibitor) in severe sepsis: a multicenter randomized controlled study.

PURPOSE: Ulinastatin, a serine protease inhibitor, inhibits several pro-inflammatory proteases and decreases inflammatory cytokine levels and mortality in experimental sepsis. We studied the effect of ulinastatin on 28-day all-cause mortality in a double-blind trial in patients with severe sepsis in seven Indian hospitals. METHODS: Patients with sepsis were randomized within 48 h of onset of one or more organ failures to receive intravenous administration of ulinastatin (200,000 IU) or placebo 12 hourly for 5 days. RESULTS: Of 122 randomized subjects, 114 completed the study (55 receiving ulinastatin, 59 receiving placebo). At baseline, the mean APACHE II score was 13.4 (SD = 4.4), 48 (42 %) patients were receiving mechanical ventilation, 58 (51 %) were on vasopressors, and 35 % had multiple organ failure. In the modified intention-to-treat analysis (patients receiving six or more doses of study drugs), 28-day all-cause mortality was 7.3 % with ulinastatin (4 deaths) versus 20.3 % (12 deaths) with placebo (p = 0.045). On multivariate analysis too, treatment with ulinastatin (odds ratio 0.26, 95 % CI 0.07-0.95; p = 0.042) independently decreased 28-day all-cause mortality. However, the mortality difference did not reach statistical significance in the intention-to-treat analysis [10.2 % (6/59 deaths) with ulinastatin versus 20.6 % (13/63 deaths) in the placebo group; p = 0.11]. The ulinastatin group had lower incidence of new-onset organ failure (10 vs. 26 patients, p = 0.003), more ventilator-free days (mean ± SD 19.4 ± 10.6 days vs. 10.2 ± 12.5 days, p = 0.019), and shorter hospital stay (11.8 ± 7.1 days vs. 24.2 ± 7.2 days, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, intravenous administration of ulinastatin reduced mortality in patients with severe sepsis in the modified intention-to-treat analysis, but not in the intention-to-treat analysis.

Lower segment cesarean section in a patient with severe thrombocytopenia and pregnancy induced hypertension.

Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy carries a major risk of feto-maternal morbidity and mortality. We present a case of hypocellular bone marrow with severe thrombocytopenia with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) for emergency lower segment cesarean section (LSCS). This disease is characterized by pancytopenia and hypocellular bone marrow with impaired morphology and maturation. Causes of death due to this disease include hemorrhage and infection secondary to thrombocytopenia and neutropenia especially following surgery. We report successful management of emergency LSCS with severe thrombocytopenia with severe PIH.

Maternal outcomes in critically ill obstetrics patients: A unique challenge.

BACKGROUND: A pregnant woman is usually young and in good health until she suffers from some acute injury. Her prognosis will hopefully be better if she receives timely intensive care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aims of this study were to study the indications of medical intensive care unit (MICU) transfers for critically ill pregnant and postpartum females, biochemical and hematological profile, organ failure, ICU interventions, outcome of mother/fetus, APACHE II score and its correlation with mortality. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: It is a prospective observational study, carried out in the MICU of a tertiary care teaching hospital over a period of 18 months. One hundred and twenty-two pregnant and postpartum females (up to 42 days after delivery) were studied. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Maternal age >30 years was associated with high mortality (68.2%). Majority of the females were admitted in the third trimester (50 patients) and postpartum period (41 patients), and mortality was highest in the postpartum period (39%). Increasing parity and gravida was associated with significantly high mortality (59.5%). Acute viral hepatitis E (45 patients) was most common indication for MICU transfer, followed by malaria and pregnancy-induced hypertension. The mortality rate was 30.3%. The most common cause of death was acute viral hepatitis E (24 patients), with hepatic failure (53 patients) being the most common organ failure. Majority of the females (88 patients) were ANC registered. Low Glasgow coma score and high APACHE II score on admission were associated with significantly high mortality (85.2%). Prompt treatment with oseltamivir in H1N1 infection was associated with good maternal and fetal outcomes.