Intensive Care Unit Mortality Trends during the First Two Years of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece: A Multi-Center Retrospective Study.

Data on COVID-19 mortality among patients in intensive care units (ICUs) from Eastern and/or Southern European countries, including Greece, are limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ICU mortality trends among critically ill COVID-19 patients during the first two years of the pandemic in Greece and to further investigate if certain patients' clinical characteristics contributed to this outcome. We conducted a multi-center retrospective observational study among five large university hospitals in Greece, between February 2020 and January 2022. All adult critically ill patients with confirmed COVID-19 disease who required ICU admission for at least 24 h were eligible. In total, 1462 patients (66.35% males) were included in this study. The mean age of this cohort was 64.9 (±13.27) years old. The 28-day mortality rate was 35.99% (n = 528), while the overall in-hospital mortality was 50.96% (n = 745). Cox regression analysis demonstrated that older age (≥65 years old), a body mass index within the normal range, and a delay in ICU admission from symptom onset, as well as worse baseline clinical severity scores upon ICU admission, were associated with a greater risk of death. Mortality of critically ill COVID-19 patients was high during the first two years of the pandemic in Greece but comparable to other countries. Risk factors for death presented in this study are not different from those that have already been described for COVID-19 in other studies.

Role of source control in critically ill candidemic patients: a multicenter retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Candidemia is associated with high mortality especially in critically ill patients. Our aim was to identify predictors of mortality among critically ill patients with candidemia with a focus on early interventions that can improve prognosis. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective study. SETTING: This retrospective study was conducted in Intensive Care Units from three European university hospitals from 2015 to 2021. Adult patients with at least one positive blood culture for Candida spp. were included. Patients who did not require source control were excluded. Primary outcome was 14-day mortality. RESULTS: A total of 409 episodes of candidemia were included. Most candidemias were catheter related (173; 41%), followed by unknown origin (170; 40%). Septic shock developed in 43% episodes. Overall, 14-day mortality rate was 29%. In Cox proportional hazards regression model, septic shock (P 0.001; HR 2.20, CI 1.38-3.50), SOFA score ≥ 10 points (P 0.008; HR 1.83, CI 1.18-2.86), and prior SARS-CoV-2 infection (P 0.003; HR 1.87, CI 1.23-2.85) were associated with 14-day mortality, while combined early appropriate antifungal treatment and source control (P < 0.001; HR 0.15, CI 0.08-0.28), and early source control without appropriate antifungal treatment (P < 0.001; HR 0.23, CI 0.12-0.47) were associated with better survival compared to those without neither early appropriate antifungal treatment nor source control. CONCLUSION: Early source control was associated with better outcome among candidemic critically ill patients.

Intubation Time, Lung Mechanics and Outcome in COVID-19 Patients Suffering Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Single-Center Study.

Background: We examined the effect of intubation time and the lung mechanics on clinical outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Methods: Based on the patient's hospital admission, intubation time was defined as early (≤ 2 days) or late (> 2 days). Patients were further divided into three groups; early (≤ 3 days), late (4 - 6 days), and very late (> 6 days) intubated. Results: A total of 194 patients were included; 66.5% male, median age 65 years. Fifty-eight patients (29.9%) were intubated early and 136 (70.1%) late. Early intubated patients revealed lower mortality (44.8% vs. 72%, P < 0.001), were younger (60 vs. 67, P = 0.002), had lower sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores (6 vs. 8, P = 0.002) and higher lung compliance on admission days 1, 6 and 12 (42 vs. 36, P = 0.006; 40 vs. 33, P < 0.001; and 37.5 vs. 32, P < 0.001, respectively). Older age (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.15, P < 0.001), intubation time (aOR = 1.15, P = 0.004), high SOFA scores (aOR = 1.81, P < 0.001), low partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)/fractional inspired oxygen tension (FiO2) ratio (aOR = 0.96, P = 0.001), and low lung compliance on admission days 1 and 12 (aOR = 1.12, P = 0.012 and aOR = 1.14, P < 0.001, respectively) were associated with higher mortality. Very late and late intubated patients had higher mortality rates than patients intubated early (78.4% vs. 63.4% vs. 44.6%, respectively, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Among COVID-19 intubated patients, age, late intubation, high SOFA scores, low PaO2/FiO2 ratio, and low lung compliance are associated with higher intensive care unit (ICU) mortality.

Efficacy of Fosfomycin-Containing Regimens for Treatment of Bacteremia Due to Pan-Drug Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in Critically Ill Patients: A Case Series Study.

Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) has evolved over the last decades as a major problem in carbapenem-resistant gram-negative nosocomial infections, associated with high mortality rates especially in the intensive care unit (ICU). Recent reports highlight the increasing prevalence of resistance to colistin, a last resort therapeutic option for carbapenem-resistant AB. We retrospectively evaluated the characteristics, treatment regimens and outcomes of twenty patients with pan-drug resistant (PDR) AB primary bacteremia hospitalized in the ICU of the University General Hospital of Patras, during a two-year period (October 2020-September 2022). The 28-day mortality reached 50%. Between survivors and non-survivors, no differences were found regarding age, gender, and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). However, non-survivors had higher APACHE II scores and higher prevalence of septic shock and COVID-19 infection. A significantly higher percentage in the survivor group received Fosfomycin as part of the combination regimen. Inclusion of fosfomycin in the combination therapeutic regimen was associated with significantly better survival as compared to non-fosfomycin-containing regimens. In view of the increasing prevalence of PDR-AB infections in ICUs, its associated high rates of mortality and the lack of effective treatment options, the observed survival benefit with fosfomycin inclusion in the therapeutic regimen merits further validation in larger prospective studies.

Increased incidence of candidemia in critically ill patients during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) are treated with corticosteroids. AIM: We aimed to evaluate the role of corticosteroid treatment in candidemia development during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in a Greek ICU, from 2010 to August 2021, encompassing a pre-pandemic and a pandemic period (pandemic period: April 2020 to August 2021). All adult patients with candidemia were included. RESULTS: During the study period, 3,572 patients were admitted to the ICU, 339 patients during the pandemic period, of whom 196 were SARS-CoV-2-positive. In total, 281 candidemia episodes were observed in 239 patients, 114 in the pandemic period. The majority of candidemias in both periods were catheter-related (161; 50.4%). The incidence of candidemia in the pre-pandemic period was 5.2 episodes per 100 admissions, while in the pandemic period was 33.6 (p < 0.001). In the pandemic period, the incidence among COVID-19 patients was 38.8 episodes per 100 admissions, while in patients without COVID-19 incidence was 26.6 (p = 0.019). Corticosteroid administration in both periods was not associated with increased candidemia incidence. CONCLUSIONS: A significant increase of candidemia incidence was observed during the pandemic period in patients with and without COVID-19. This increase cannot be solely attributed to immunosuppression (corticosteroids, tocilizumab) of severe COVID-19 patients, but also to increased workload of medical and nursing staff.

Increased incidence of candidemia in critically ill patients during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic

Abstract Background Patients with severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) are treated with corticosteroids. Aim We aimed to evaluate the role of corticosteroid treatment in candidemia development during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This retrospective study was conducted in a Greek ICU, from 2010 to August 2021, encompassing a pre-pandemic and a pandemic period (pandemic period: April 2020 to August 2021). All adult patients with candidemia were included. Results During the study period, 3,572 patients were admitted to the ICU, 339 patients during the pandemic period, of whom 196 were SARS-CoV-2-positive. In total, 281 candidemia episodes were observed in 239 patients, 114 in the pandemic period. The majority of candidemias in both periods were catheter-related (161; 50.4%). The incidence of candidemia in the pre-pandemic period was 5.2 episodes per 100 admissions, while in the pandemic period was 33.6 (p < 0.001). In the pandemic period, the incidence among COVID-19 patients was 38.8 episodes per 100 admissions, while in patients without COVID-19 incidence was 26.6 (p= 0.019). Corticosteroid administration in both periods was not associated with increased candidemia incidence. Conclusions A significant increase of candidemia incidence was observed during the pandemic period in patients with and without COVID-19. This increase cannot be solely attributed to immunosuppression (corticosteroids, tocilizumab) of severe COVID-19 patients, but also to increased workload of medical and nursing staff.

Risk factors for isolation of fluconazole and echinocandin non-susceptible Candida species in critically ill patients.

Introduction. Resistance rates to azoles and echinocandins of Candida spp. increased over the last decade.Hypothesis/Gap Statement. Widespread use of antifungals could lead to development and dissemination of resistant Candida spp.Aim. To identify risk factors for isolation of Candida spp. non-susceptible to either fluconazole or echinocandins.Methodology. All patients hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the University General Hospital of Patras, Greece with Candida spp. isolated from clinical specimens during a ten-year period (2010-19) were included. Candida isolates were identified using Vitek-2 YST card. Consumption of antifungals was calculated.Results. During the study period, 253 isolates were included. C. non-albicans predominated (64.4 %) with C. parapsilosis being the most commonly isolated (42.3 %) followed by C. glabrata (nomenclatural change to Nakaseomyces glabrataa; 8.7 %) and C. tropicalis (11.9 %). Among all isolates, 45.8 and 28.5 % were non-susceptible and resistant to fluconazole, respectively. Concerning echinocandins, 8.7 % of isolates were non-susceptible to at least one echinocandin (anidulafungin or micafungin) and 3.1 % resistant. Multivariate analysis revealed that hospitalization during 2015-19, as compared to 2010-14, isolate being non-albicans or non-susceptible to at least one echinocandin was associated with isolation of fluconazole non-susceptible isolate. Administration of echinocandin, isolate being C. glabrata or C. tropicalis, or Candida spp. non-susceptible to fluconazole were independently associated with isolation of Candida spp. non-susceptible to at least one echinocandin. Fluconazole's administration decreased during the study period, whereas liposomal-amphotericin B's and echinoncandins' administration remained stable.Conclusion. Fluconazole's non-susceptibility increased during the study period, despite the decrease of its administration. Although echinocandins' administration remained stable, non-susceptibility among Candida spp. increased.

Computed tomography angiography scoring systems and the role of skull defects in the confirmation of brain death.

To assess and compare all current computed tomography angiography (CTA) scoring systems for the diagnostic workup of brain death (BD) to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and clinical tests. Fifty-two patients with a clinical suspicion of BD underwent CTA and subsequently DSA. The diagnostic performance of all current CTA scoring systems was compared to that of DSA, in all patients with a suspicion of BD. A comparison to clinical tests was made only in DSA-positive for BD patients (n = 49), since in DSA-negative BD patients (n = 3) clinical tests were not performed. Further subgroup analysis was performed in relation to skull defects (SDs) stratification. Statistical analysis was conducted by applying statistics-contingency tables, Cochran's-Q test and McNemar's test. The CTA -10, and -7- and all 4-point scoring systems, showed overall sensitivities of 81,6%, 87.8% and 95.9% respectively and 100% specificity, when compared to DSA. In patients with a clinical verification of BD, the CTA -10 and -7-point scoring systems were significantly inferior to clinical tests (p = 0.004 and p = 0.031), while the 4-point scoring systems showed no such difference (p = 0.5). All 4-point scoring systems showed 100% sensitivity in patients with a minor SD or no SD. In patients with a major SD, all CTA scoring systems (- 10, - 7- and all 4-point) were less sensitive (62.5%, 62.5% and 75% respectively). The presence of a major SD was associated with an 8 × relative risk for false negative results in all 4-point scoring systems. CTA showed excellent diagnostic performance in patients with a suspicion of BD. The 4-point CTA scoring systems are the most sensitive for the diagnosis of BD, although in patients with a major SD patient, the role of CTA is ambiguous.

Antegrade Hybrid Chimney TEVAR Endograft in a Patient with Blunt Aortic Injury: A Challenging Case with Technical Success but Unfavorable Result.

Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) has modified aortic medicine, particularly in patients with traumatic aortic injury (TAI). Conventional repair of TAI in the aortic arch is technically demanding as it requires cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic arrest with still a significant number of complications. Despite recent improvements in endovascular techniques, many patients have been excluded from endovascular repair due to unfavorable anatomy. To increase the feasibility of endovascular repair, adjunctive open extra-anatomical bypasses may be required to provide an adequate proximal landing zone. Several methods, for instance, chimney technique, hybrid technique, and fenestrated or branched stent-grafts, have been proposed as options to preserve the supra-aortic branches, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. We herein present a patient with complex anatomical features and blunt aortic injury, who underwent antegrade chimney stent-graft deployment through the ascending aorta, not otherwise amenable to standard retrograde delivery because of severe peripheral artery disease. The remarkable aspect, in this case, is that both stents were placed antegrade, through the ascending aorta.

Predictors of mortality of trauma patients admitted to the ICU: a retrospective observational study☆.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Worldwide, trauma is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study is to identify the predictors of mortality of trauma patients requiring Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in the ICU of our institution in Greece during a six-year period (2010-215). RESULTS: Among 326 patients, trauma was caused by road traffic accidents in .5%, followed by falls (21.1%) and violence (7.4%). Thirty-day mortality was 27.3%. Multivariate analysis showed that higher New Injury Severity Score (NISS), severe head/neck injury, acute kidney injury, septic shock and hemorrhagic shock were significantly associated with mortality while higher Revised Injury Severity Classification, version II (RISC II) and the administration of enteral nutrition were associated with survival. NISS showed the higher accuracy in predicting 30-day mortality followed by RISC II, while scores based only in physiological variables had lower predictive ability. CONCLUSIONS: Increased mortality was strongly associated with the severity of the injury upon admission. Traumatic brain injury, septic shock and acute kidney injury have also been found among the strongest predictors of mortality. NISS can be considered as a statistically superior score in predicting mortality of severely injured patients.

Multimodal analgesia protocol for pain management after total knee arthroplasty: comparison of three different regional analgesic techniques.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate three different analgesic techniques, continuous epidural analgesia (EA), continuous intra-articular (IA) infusion analgesia and continuous femoral nerve block (FNB) in postoperative pain management, length of hospital stay (LOS), and time of patient mobilization after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: Seventy-two patients undergoing TKA were randomly allocated into three groups according to the analgesic technique used for postoperative pain management. Group EA patients received epidural analgesia (control group), group IA received intra-articular infusion and group FNB received femoral nerve block. RESULTS: Upon analyzing the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores at rest, at passive and active movement, up to 3 days postoperatively, we observed no statistically significant differences at any time point among the three groups. Similarly, no association among these analgesic techniques (EA, IA, FNB) was revealed regarding LOS. However, significant differences emerged concerning the time of mobilization. Patients who received IA achieved earlier mobilization compared to FNB and EA. CONCLUSIONS: Both IA and FNB generate similar analgesic effect with EA for postoperative pain management after TKA. However, IA appears to be significantly more effective in early mobilization compared to EA and FNB. Finally, no clinically important differences could be detected regarding LOS among the techniques studied.

Missed Nursing Care in the Postanesthesia Care Unit: A Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, activities, and reasons for missed nursing care in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and the effect of intensive care unit (ICU) overflow patients. DESIGN: This is a single-center, cross-sectional survey. METHODS: Nineteen PACU-registered nurses of a tertiary care hospital participated. Over a 7-month period, participants were asked to complete a validated questionnaire, which included 19 items related to missed nursing care activities and 10 items related to reasons for missed nursing care. χ2 test and 1-way analysis of variance were used for data analysis. FINDINGS: Questionnaires (N = 397) were completed. Prevalence of missed nursing care activities was 78.1% and was significantly higher in cases of ICU overflow patients (P < .001). The three most reported missed nursing care activities were "drug preparation, administration, and assessment of effectiveness," "patient surveillance and assessment," and "care associated with pain"; prevalence was significantly higher in cases of ICU overflow patients (P = .036, P = .003, and P = .004, respectively). The three most reported reasons for missed nursing care were "inadequate number of nursing personnel," "unexpected rise in patient volume or acuity," and "heavy admission or discharge activity". CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicated missed nursing care was common in the PACU and increased in case of ICU overflow patients. Therefore, missed nursing care needs to be identified and minimized, while the number and length of stay of critically ill patients admitted to the PACU should be limited.

Correlation of Immunoglobulins and Lymphocytes Levels With the Clinical and Microbiological Response of Septic Patients With Gram-Negative Bacteremia.

BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulins (Igs) and cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems play a critical role in a host's response to sepsis. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible differences in the levels of Igs, white blood cells (WBCs), and T and B lymphocytes cells in relation to the microbiological and clinical responses of patients with sepsis or septic shock from carbapenem non-susceptible Gram-negative bacteria (CnS-GNB). METHODS: This pilot cohort study involved 24 hospitalized patients with sepsis or septic shock due to bacteremia from CnS-GNB. The microbiological and clinical responses of the patients were evaluated in relation to their blood levels of IgA, IgE, IgM and IgG, as well as WBCs and subpopulations of T and B cells upon sepsis diagnosis. A microbiological response was determined as clearance of bacteremia at 14 days of active antibiotic treatment for the isolated bacterial pathogen. Clinical response was defined as the resolution of all clinical and laboratory signs of infection and sepsis at 14 days of active antibiotic treatment for the isolated pathogen. RESULTS: From the 24 patients included in the study 18 (75%) and six patients (25%) presented and did not present microbiological response respectively, while 16 patients presented clinical response (64%) and eight patients (36%) did not have clinical response. The levels of the Igs did not show statistically significant differences between patients with sepsis from CnS-GNB bacteremia who exhibited microbiological or clinical response. There were also no statistically significant differences in the levels of WBCs and the subpopulations of T and B cells levels for these patients (P > 0.05). According to this pilot study, peripheral blood Igs and lymphocyte subpopulations levels do not affect the clinical and microbiological response of septic patients with bacteremia from CnS-GNB. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with sepsis or septic shock from CnSGNB, there were no differences in the levels of Igs, circulating WBCs and T and B cells subpopulations between those with microbiological or clinical response and non-responders.

External validation of INCREMENT-CPE score in a retrospective cohort of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections in critically ill patients.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to validate the INCREMENT-CPE score (ICS) in patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) with bacteraemia due to carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CP-Kp). METHODS: The study was conducted in the ICU of the University General Hospital of Patras, Greece, during a 10-year period (2010-2019). Patients with monomicrobial bacteraemia due to CP-Kp were included. Primary outcome was 14-day mortality. MICs of meropenem, tigecycline, fosfomycin and ceftazidime/avibactam were determined by Etest, whereas for colistin the broth microdilution method was applied. PCR for blaKPC, blaVIM, blaNDM and blaOXA genes was used. RESULTS: Among 384 CP-Kp bacteraemias, most were primary (166, 43.2%) followed by catheter-related (143, 37.2%). Most isolates carried blaKPC (318, 82.8%). Fourteen-day mortality was 26.3% (101 patients). ICS score was 11.1 ± 4.2. An ICS ≥10 showed a sensitivity of 98.0% and a negative predictive value of 98.7%. The area under the curve of ICS (0.800) was comparable to those of the Pitt bacteraemia score (0.799), the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II) (0.797) and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (SOFA) (0.815). CONCLUSIONS: ICS showed predictive efficacy similar to that of the SAPS II, SOFA and Pitt bacteraemia scores.

Mortality of Pandrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Bloodstream Infections in Critically Ill Patients: A Retrospective Cohort of 115 Episodes.

BACKGROUND: The increased frequency of bacteraemias caused by pandrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (PDR-Kp) has significant implications. The aim of the present study was to identify predictors associated with mortality of PDR-Kp bacteraemias. METHODS: Patients with monomicrobial bacteraemia due to PDR-Kp were included. K. pneumoniae was considered PDR if it showed resistance to all available groups of antibiotics. Primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of meropenem, tigecycline, fosfomycin, and ceftazidime/avibactam were determined by Etest, whereas for colistin, the broth microdilution method was applied. bla KPC, bla VIM, bla NDM, and bla OXA genes were detected by PCR. RESULTS: Among 115 PDR-Kp bacteraemias, the majority of infections were primary bacteraemias (53; 46.1%), followed by catheter-related (35; 30.4%). All isolates were resistant to tested antimicrobials. bla KPC was the most prevalent carbapenemase gene (98 isolates; 85.2%). Thirty-day mortality was 39.1%; among 51 patients with septic shock, 30-day mortality was 54.9%. Multivariate analysis identified the development of septic shock, Charlson comorbidity index, and bacteraemia other than primary or catheter-related as independent predictors of mortality, while a combination of at least three antimicrobials was identified as an independent predictor of survival. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality of PDR-Kp bloodstream infections was high. Administration of at least three antimicrobials might be beneficial for infections in critically ill patients caused by such pathogens.

Predictors of Operative Mortality of 928 Intact Aortoiliac Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to identify preoperative and intraoperative factors associated with in-hospital mortality of intact abdominal aortoiliac aneurysm repair. METHODS: In this observational study, prospectively collected information included demographics, risk factors, comorbidities, aneurysm characteristics (including special aneurysm presentation, i.e., inflammatory, mycotic/infected, aortocaval fistula), investigations, and operative variables. Receiver operating characteristic) curve analysis of the Glasgow aneurysm score (GAS) and the Vascular Study Group of New England (VSGNE) score was performed in the subgroup of bland aneurysms undergoing isolated elective repair. RESULTS: A total of 928 cases with intact aortoiliac aneurysms had an elective (n = 882) or urgent (n = 46) repair, associated with an in-hospital mortality of 1.7% and 8.7%, respectively (P = 0.01). Open repair (n = 514) was a predictor of higher mortality (3.3% vs. 0.5% for endovascular aneurysm repair [EVAR], n = 414, odds ratio [OR] 7.1, P = 0.003), and so was the pre-EVAR era (4.8% vs. 1.3% in the EVAR era, OR 4.0, P = 0.004). Other significant predictors included the presence of abdominal/back pain (7.5% vs. 1.3%, OR = 6.0, P = 0.001), preoperative angiography (7% vs. 1.6%, OR = 4.5, P = 0.01), special aneurysm presentation (10.9% vs. 1.5%, OR = 8.1, P < 0.001), concomitant major procedures (19% vs. 1.7%, OR = 14.0, P < 0.001), serious intraoperative complications (9.1% vs. 1.5%, OR = 6.6, P = 0.001), median number of transfused units of blood intraoperatively (2 and 0 for cases with and without mortality, respectively, P < 0.001), and procedure duration (270 and 150 min for cases with and without mortality, respectively, P < 0.001). Open repair (OR = 4.5, P = 0.05), special aneurysm presentation (OR = 6.58, P = 0.001), and concomitant major procedures (OR = 14.3, P < 0.001) were independent predictors of higher mortality. ROC curve analysis for the GAS (P = 0.87) and VSGNE score (P = 0.10) failed to demonstrate statistical significance in the subgroup of bland aneurysms undergoing isolated elective repair. CONCLUSIONS: Our study has demonstrated independent risk factors for mortality, which should be considered when contemplating aortoiliac aneurysm repair. We failed to externally validate the GAS and VSGNE score.

Impact of Tigecycline's MIC in the Outcome of Critically Ill Patients with Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Bacteraemia Treated with Tigecycline Monotherapy-Validation of 2019's EUCAST Proposed Breakpoint Changes.

BACKGROUND: Tigecycline is a therapeutic option for carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CP-Kp). Our aim was to evaluate the impact of the tigecycline's minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the outcome of patients with CP-Kp bacteraemia treated with tigecycline monotherapy. METHODS: Patients with monomicrobial bacteraemia due to CP-Kp that received appropriate targeted monotherapy or no appropriate treatment were included. Primary outcome was 30-day mortality. MICs of meropenem, tigecycline, and ceftazidime/avibactam were determined by Etest, whereas for colistin, the broth microdilution method was applied. PCR for blaKPC, blaVIM, blaNDM, and blaOXA genes was applied. RESULTS: Among 302 CP-Kp bacteraemias, 32 isolates (10.6%) showed MICs of tigecycline ≤ 0.5 mg/L, whereas 177 (58.6%) showed MICs that were 0.75-2 mg/L. Colistin and aminoglycoside susceptibility was observed in 43.0% and 23.8% of isolates, respectively. The majority of isolates carried blaKPC (249; 82.5%), followed by blaVIM (26; 8.6%), both blaKPC and blaVIM (16; 5.3%), and blaNDM (11; 3.6%). Fifteen patients with tigecycline MIC ≤ 0.5 mg/L and 55 with MIC 0.75-2 mg/L were treated with tigecycline monotherapy; 30-day mortality was 20.0% and 50.9%, respectively (p = 0.042). Mortality of 150 patients that received other antimicrobials was 24.7%; among 82 patients that received no appropriate treatment, mortality was 39.0%. No difference in 30-day mortality was observed between patients that received tigecycline (MIC ≤ 0.5 mg/L) or other antimicrobials. CONCLUSION: Tigecycline monotherapy was as efficacious as other antimicrobials in the treatment of bloodstream infections due to CP-Kp isolates with a tigecycline's MIC ≤ 0.5 mg/L.

Differences in brand versus generic esmolol in the treatment of perioperative supraventricular tachycardia and hypertension: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Once a patent expires, generic analogue drugs are alternatives to brand name drugs. Because bioequivalence/biodistribution problems have been reported for many generic analogue drugs, we prospectively evaluated 31 patients to reveal the differences in the doses used and the efficacy and adverse events of two different intravenous esmolol formulations. METHODS: This was a prospective observational pilot study. Our aim was to reveal the possible differences in the required doses between two different formulations (brand name drug vs generic analogue drug) of intravenous esmolol in beats per minute, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure in intra- and postoperative patients with supraventricular tachycardia and hypertension. The patients were categorised into two groups according to the medication they received (brand name drug or generic analogue drug). RESULTS: Esmolol was given to 31 patients (16 generic analogue drug and 15 brand name drug). Although there was a statistically significant difference in bolus (mg/kg) and continued (mg/kg/h) drug dose used (brand name drug/generic analogue drug, mean (standard deviation), 0.3 (0.1) vs 0.38 (0.1), p = 0.03 for bolus dose, and 0.22 (0.09) vs 0.29 (0.08) for continued dose at 10 min (p = 0.03), 0.19 (0.06) vs 0.24 (0.05) at 20 min (p = 0.01) and 0.14 (0.05) vs 0.18 (0.05) at 30 min (p = 0.02)), there were no time-related statistical significant differences in the reduction rates of the two drugs (p = 0.47). There were no time-related statistically significant differences between the two groups in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and beats per minute, nor in their adverse events. CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, smaller doses were given for controlling the patient's haemodynamics when a brand name drug was used. Because there were no significant time-related differences in the reduction rates of the two drugs nor in any haemodynamic differences between the two groups, optimal titration of the drug used could effectively control the patient's haemodynamics. The adverse events were also similar in both groups.

High flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy in adults with COVID-19 respiratory failure. A case report.

The novel corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) continuous to spread around the globe causing high mortality, tremendous stress on healthcare systems and an unprecedented disruption of everyday life with unpredictable socioeconomic ramifications. The diseaseis typically affecting the respiratory system and some patients will develop refractory hypoxemic respiratory insufficiency requiring mechanical ventilation. The role of non-invasive ventilation (NIV), high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) or continuous positive airway pressure devices (C-PAP) in the treatment of the 2019 corona virus disease (COVID-19) is not yet clear. We hereby report a case of a 44-year-old COVID-19 positive male patient suffering from hypoxic respiratory failure that was successfully treated with high flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy in a negative pressure intensive care room. Although specific criteria for the use of high flow nasal canula devices COVID-19 are not available at this time, clinicians could use this non-invasive modality as analternative method of respiratory support in selected patients presenting with respiratory failure.