The Evolution of Central Venous-to-arterial Carbon Dioxide Difference (PCO2 Gap) during Resuscitation Affects ICU Outcomes: A Prospective Observational Study.

Introduction: The usual methods of perfusion assessment in patients with shock, such as capillary refill time, skin mottling, and serial serum lactate measurements have many limitations. Veno-arterial difference in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2 gap) is advocated being more reliable. We evaluated serial change in PCO2 gap during resuscitation in circulatory shock and its effect on ICU outcomes. Materials and methods: This prospective observational study included 110 adults with circulatory shock. Patients were resuscitated as per current standards of care. We recorded invasive arterial pressure, urine output, cardiac index (CI), PCO2 gap at ICU admission at 6, 12, and 24 hours, and various patient outcomes. Results: Significant decrease in PCO2 gap was observed at 6 h and was accompanied by improvement in serum lactate, mean arterial pressure, CI and urine output in (n = 61). We compared these patients with those in whom this decrease did not occur (n = 49). Mortality and ICU LOS was significantly lower in patients with low PCO2 gap, while more patients with high PCO2 gap required RRT. Conclusion: We found that a persistently high PCO2 gap at 6 and 12 h following resuscitation in patients with shock of various etiologies, was associated with increased mortality, need for RRT and increased ICU LOS. High PCO2 gap had a moderate discriminative ability to predict mortality. How to cite this article: Zirpe KG, Tiwari AM, Kulkarni AP, Vaidya HS, Gurav SK, Deshmukh AM, et al. The Evolution of Central Venous-to-arterial Carbon Dioxide Difference (PCO2 Gap) during Resuscitation Affects ICU Outcomes: A Prospective Observational Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(4):349-354.

Impact of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program on Broad Spectrum Antibiotics Consumption in the Intensive Care Setting.

Background and objectives: Antibiotics are the most commonly exploited agents in intensive care units. An antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) helps in the optimal utilization of antibiotics and prevents the development of antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of ASP on broad-spectrum antibiotic consumption in terms of defined daily dose (DDD) and days of therapy (DOT) before and after the implementation of an ASP. Materials and methods: It was a prospective, quasi-experimental, pre- and post-study. Group A consisted of 5 months of ASP data, ASP activities were implemented during the next 2 months and continued. Group B (post-ASP) data was collected for the next 5 months. Total and individual DDDs and DOTs of broad-spectrum antibiotics utilized were compared between group A and group B. Results: Total DDDs used per 100 patient bed days were reduced by 18.72% post-ASP implementation (103.46 to 84.09 grams). The total DOT per 100 patient bed days used was 90.91 vs 71.25 days (21.62% reduction). As per the WHO classification of antibiotics use, the watch category (43.4% vs 43.04%) as well as reserve category (56.6% vs 56.97%) used between the two groups were found similar. The average length of stay (8.9 ± 2 days) after ASP was found significantly lesser than baseline (10.8 ± 3.4 days) (p < 0.05), however, there was no significant change in mortality between the two groups. Conclusion: Antimicrobial stewardship program implementation may reduce overall antibiotic consumption both in terms of DDD and DOT. How to cite this article: Zirpe KG, Kapse US, Gurav SK, Tiwari AM, Deshmukh AM, Suryawanshi PB, et al. Impact of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program on Broad Spectrum Antibiotics Consumption in the Intensive Care Setting. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(10):737-742.

Utility of Bedside Ultrasound Measurement of Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter as a Screening Tool for raised Intracranial Pressure in Neurocritical Care Prospective Observational Study.

Intracranial pressure (ICP) needs to be monitored in neurocritical patients. There is a need for portable bedside optic nerve ultrasound (ONUS) for early diagnosis to initiate the measures to reduce ICP Objective: To find the utility of bedside ONUS to diagnose raised ICP in neurocritical care. Materials and methods: After approval from the ethical committee, a prospective observational study was conducted. Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) was measured in two groups: control group patients with neurological symptoms but computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) not suggestive of raised ICP, and second was study group patients with neurological symptoms and CT/MRI suggestive of elevated ICP Result: In patients with normal ICP, the mean ONSD in females was 4.47mm, and in males was 4.66mm. In patients with raised ICP, the mean ONSD in females was 6.45 ± 0.78 mm, and in males was 6.33 ± 0.70 mm. Regarding the correlation between Glasgow coma scale (GCS) and mean ONSD parameters, the coefficient of correlation (R) is 0.14; thus, there is a weak negative correlation. In our study, no difference was observed in raised mean ONSD in patients with different diagnoses. At a cut-off value of >4.8 mm, the sensitivity and specificity are 100% to diagnose raised ICP. Conclusion: Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) is a reliable, rapid bedside screening tool in the Emergency Department/Critical Care/Operation Theatre to diagnose raised ICP. In order to keep a record of trends in ICP, we need to measure ONSD frequently. There was no correlation between GCS and ONSD measurement.

Incidence, Subtypes, Risk factors, and Outcome of Delirium: A Prospective Observational Study from Indian Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Delirium is a common, under-recognized, and often fatal condition in critically ill patients, characterized by acute disorder of attention and cognition. The global prevalence varies with a negative impact on outcomes. A paucity of Indian studies exists that have systematically assessed delirium. Objective: A prospective observational study designed to determine the incidence, subtypes, risk factors, complications, and outcome of delirium in Indian intensive care units (ICUs). Patients and methods: Among 1198 adult patients screened during the study period (December 2019-September 2021), 936 patients were included. The confusion assessment method score (CAM-ICU) and Richmond agitation sedation scale (RASS) were used, with additional confirmation of delirium by the psychiatrist/neurophysician. Risk factors and related complications were compared with a control group. Results: Delirium occurred in 22.11% of critically ill patients. The hypoactive subtype was the most common (44.9%). The risk factors recognized were higher age, increased acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE-II) score, hyperuricemia, raised creatinine, hypoalbuminemia, hyperbilirubinemia, alcoholism, and smoking. Precipitating factors included patients admitted on noncubicle beds, proximity to the nursing station, requiring ventilation, as well as the use of sedatives, steroids, anticonvulsants, and vasopressors. Complications observed in the delirium group were unintentional removal of catheters (35.7%), aspiration (19.8%), need for reintubation (10.6%), decubitus ulcer formation (18.4%), and high mortality (21.3% vs 5%). Conclusion: Delirium is common in Indian ICUs with a potential effect on length of stay and mortality. Identification of incidence, subtype, and risk factors is the first step toward prevention of this important cognitive dysfunction in the ICU. How to cite this article: Tiwari AM, Zirpe KG, Khan AZ, Gurav SK, Deshmukh AM, Suryawanshi PB, et al. Incidence, Subtypes, Risk factors, and Outcome of Delirium: A Prospective Observational Study from Indian Intensive Care Unit. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(2):111-118.

Timing of Invasive Mechanical Ventilation and Mortality among Patients with Severe COVID-19-associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome associated with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) (CARDS) pneumonitis presents a clinical challenge as regards to the timing of intubation and ambiguity of outcome. There is a lack of clear consensus on when to switch patients from trials of noninvasive therapies to invasive mechanical ventilation. We investigated the effect of the timing of intubation from the time of admission on the clinical outcome of CARDS. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim and objective was to analyze the effect of timing of intubation early (within 48 hours of admission to critical care unit) versus delayed (after 48 hours of admission to critical care unit) on mortality in severe CARDS patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study performed in a 28-bedded COVID-19 intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital in Pune, India. All patients admitted between April 1, 2020, and October 15, 2020, with confirmed COVID-19 (RT-PCR positive) requiring mechanical ventilation were included in the study. RESULTS: The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Among 2,230 patients that were admitted to the hospital, 525 required critical care (23.5%), invasive mechanical ventilation was needed in 162 patients and 147 (28%) of critical care admission were included in the study cohort after exclusion. Seventy-five patients (51%) were intubated within 48 hours of critical care admission (early group) and 72 (48.9%) were intubated after 48 hours of critical care admission (delayed group). With regards to the total of 147 included patients; male patients were 74.1% with a median age of 59 years (interquartile range, 51-68 years). Diabetes (44.9%) and hypertension (43.5%) were the most common comorbidities. Higher admission acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II scores and lower absolute lymphocyte count were observed in patients intubated within 48 hours. The early intubated group had a mortality of 60% whereas the same was observed as 77.7% in delayed intubation group, and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Current study concludes that early intubation is associated with improved survival rates in severe CARDS patients. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Zirpe KG, Tiwari AM, Gurav SK, Deshmukh AM, Suryawanshi PB, Wankhede PP, et al. Timing of Invasive Mechanical Ventilation and Mortality among Patients with Severe COVID-19-associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(5):493-498.