Therapeutic hypothermia as a treatment option after out-ofhospital cardiac arrest: our experience.

Aim To examine the effects of therapeutic hypothermia on the outcome of patients with the diagnosis of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Methods The study included 76 patients who were hospitalised at the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) of the Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo, with the diagnosis of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, following the return of spontaneous circulation. Therapeutic hypothermia was performed with an average temperature of 33oC (32.3 - 34.1o C) on the patients who had coma, according to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Results Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) significantly affected survival (p=0.0001), as its presence reduced patients' survival by 96%. In addition, ventricular fibrillation (VF) as the presenting rhythm, also significantly affected survival (p=0.019). A degree of patient's coma, as measured by the GCS, significantly affected survival (p=0.011). For each increasing point on the GCS, the chance for survival increased twice. Moreover, other physiological factors such as the pH and the lactate serum levels significantly affected patients' survival (p=0.012 and p=0.01, respectively). Conclusion In patients with the diagnosis of OHCA who underwent to the treatment with therapeutic hypothermia, verified VF as a presenting rhythm was a positive predictive factor for their outcome. Therefore, therapeutic hypothermia represents an option of therapeutic modality for this type of patients.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients with Poorly Controlled Diabetes Mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus(DM) is considered an independent cardiovascular risk factor. Having in mind concomitant occurence of diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors, it is expected that patients with poor glucoregulation will have more cardiovascular risk factors and higher cardiovascular risk than patients with good glucoregulation. AIM: To compare cardiovascular risk and cardiovascular risk factors between patients with poorly controlled and patients with well-controlled Diabetes mellitus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hundered ten patients aged 40-70 years suffering from Diabetes mellitus type 2 were included. Research is designed as a retrospective, descriptive study. Patients with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) > 7% were considered to have poorly controlled diabetes. The following data and parameters were monitored: age,sex, family history, data on smoking and alcohol consumption, BMI (body mass index), blood pressure, blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL, fibrinogen, uric acid. For the assessment of cardiovascular risk, the WHO / ISH (World Health Organization/International Society of hypertension) tables of the 10-year risk were used, and due to the assessment of the risk factors prevalence, the optimal values of individual numerical variables were defined. RESULTS: Differences in the mean values of systolic, diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol are statistically significant higher in patients with poorly controlled diabetes. Hypertension more frequently occurre in patients with poorly controlled DM. The majority of patients with well-controlled DM belong to the group of low and medium cardiovascular risk, while the majority of patients with poorly controlled DM belong to the group of high and very high cardiovascular risk. In our research, there was a significant difference in cardiovascular risk in relation to the degree of DM regulation, and HbA1c proved to be an important indicator for the emergence of the CVD. CONCLUSION: There are significant differences in certain risk factors between patients with poorly controlled and well controlled DM. Patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus have a higher cardiovascular risk than patients with well controlled diabetes. The value of HbA1c should be considered when assessing cardiovascular risk.

Impact of Different Types of Statins on Clinical Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized for Ischemic Heart Failure.

INTRODUCTION: The effect of statins on risk of heart failure (HF) hospitalization and lethal outcome remains dubious. AIM: To investigate whether statin therapy improves clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized for ischemic heart failure (HF), to compare the efficacy of lipophilic and hydrophilic statins and to investigate which statin subtype provides better survival and other outcome benefits. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Total amount of 155 patients in the study were admitted to the Clinic for Cardiology, Rheumatology and Vascular diseases in Clinical Center University of Sarajevo in the period from January 2014- December 2017. Inclusion criteria was HF caused by ischemic coronary artery disease upon admission. For each patient the following data were obtained: gender, age, comorbidities and medications on discharge. New York Heart Association (NYHA) class for heart failure was determined by physician evaluation and left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) was determined by echocardiography. The patients were followed for a period of two years. Outcome points were: rehospitalization, in-hospital death, mortality after 6 months, 1 year and 2 years. All-cause mortality included cardiovascular events or worsening heart failure. RESULTS: Overall, 58.9% of HF patients received statin therapy, with 33.9% patients receiving atorvastatin and 25.0% rosuvastatin therapy. The most frequent rehospitalization was in patients without statin therapy (66.7%), followed by patients on rosuvastatin (64.1%), and atorvastatin (13.2%), with statistically significant difference p = 0.001 between the groups. Mortality after 6 months, 1 year and 2 years was the most frequent in patients without statin therapy with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.001). Progression of HF accounted for 31.7% of mortality in patients without statin therapy, 12.8% in patients on rosuvastatin therapy and 3.8% in patients on atorvastatin therapy (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Lipophilic statin therapy is associated with substantially better long-term outcomes in patients with HF.

Targeted temperature management after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in three young patients.

OBJECTIVE: We present the use of targeted temperature management in a tertiary-level intensive care unit, in three patients who experienced an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. CASE REPORT: Three young patients experienced an out-of-hospital non-coronary cardiac arrest. The causes of the cardiac arrest were: Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome, drug overdose and long-QT syndrome. All patients were resuscitated according to the advanced cardiac life support guidelines, and treated with targeted temperature management, with a target temperature of 33°C for 24 hours. After completion of targeted temperature management, all the patients regained full consciousness and were discharged from hospital without any neurological sequelae. CONCLUSION: Targeted temperature management may improve survival and neurological outcome in patients after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Hyperlactatemia and the Importance of Repeated Lactate Measurements in Critically Ill Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence of hyperlactatemia and emphasis on repeated lactate measurements in critically ill patients, and the associated mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 70 patients admitted in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at the Clinical Center, University of Sarajevo, in a 6-month period (July - December 2015). The following data were obtained: age, gender, reason for admission, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation, lactate concentrations upon admission, after 24 and 48 hours, and outcome (discharge from hospital or death). RESULTS: Upon admission,hyperlactatemia was present in 91.4% patients with a mean concentration of lactate 4.13 ±1.21 mmol/L. Lactate concentration at 48 hours was independently associated within creased in-hospital mortality (P = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Persistent hyperlactatemia is associated with adverse outcome in critically ill patients. Lactate concentration at 48 hours is independently associated within creased in-hospital mortality and it represents a statistically significant predictive marker of fatal outcomes of patients. Blood lactate concentrations > 2.25 mmol/L should be used by clinicians to identify patients at higher risk of death.

Predictive value of SAPS II and APACHE II scoring systems for patient outcome in a medical intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: The aim is to determine SAPS II and APACHE II scores in medical intensive care unit (MICU) patients, to compare them for prediction of patient outcome, and to compare with actual hospital mortality rates for different subgroups of patients. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-four patients were included in this analysis over a oneyear period in the MICU, Clinical Center, University of Sarajevo. The following patient data were obtained: demographics, admission diagnosis, SAPS II, APACHE II scores and final outcome. RESULTS: Out of 174 patients, 70 patients (40.2%) died. Mean SAPS II and APACHE II scores in all patients were 48.4±17.0 and 21.6±10.3 respectively, and they were significantly different between survivors and non-survivors. SAPS II >50.5 and APACHE II >27.5 can predict the risk of mortality in these patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the clinical values of SAPS II vs APACHE II (p=0.501). A statistically significant positive correlation was established between the values of SAPS II and APACHE II (r=0.708; p=0.001). Patients with an admission diagnosis of sepsis/septic shock had the highest values of both SAPS II and APACHE II scores, and also the highest hospital mortality rate of 55.1%. CONCLUSION: Both APACHE II and SAPS II had an excellent ability to discriminate between survivors and non-survivors. There was no significant difference in the clinical values of SAPS II and APACHE II. A positive correlation was established between them. Sepsis/septic shock patients had the highest predicted and observed hospital mortality rate.

Hyperglycemia in Critically Ill Patients: Management and Prognosis.

INTRODUCTION: Hyperglycemia is a common complication of critical illness. Patients in intensive care unit with stress hyperglycemia have significantly higher mortality (31%) compared to patients with previously confirmed diabetes (10%) or normoglycemia (11.3%). Stress hyperglycemia is associated with increased risk of critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) and prolonged mechanical ventilation. Intensive monitoring and insulin therapy according to the protocol are an important part of the treatment of critically ill patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of stress hyperglycemia, complications and outcome in critically ill patients in our Medical intensive care unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 100 patients hospitalized in Medical intensive care unit during the period January 2014-March 2015 which were divided into three groups: Diabetes mellitus, stress-hyperglycemia and normoglycemia. During the retrospective-prospective observational clinical investigation the following data was obtained: age, gender, SAPS, admission diagnosis, average daily blood glucose, highest blood glucose level, glycemic variability, vasopressor and corticosteroid therapy, days on mechanical ventilation, total days of hospitalization in Medical intensive care unit, and outcome. RESULTS: Patients with DM treated with a continuous insulin infusion did not have significantly more complications than patients with normoglycemia, unlike patients with stress hyperglycemia, which had more severe prognosis. There was a significant difference between the maximum level of blood glucose in recovered and patients with adverse outcome (p = 0.0277). Glycemic variability (difference between max. and min. blood glucose) was the strongest predictor of adverse outcome. The difference in glycemic variability between the stress-hyperglycemia and normoglycemic group was statistically significant (p = 0.0066). There was no statistically significant difference in duration of mechanical ventilation and total days of hospitalization in the intensive care unit between the groups. CONCLUSION: Understanding of the objectives of glucose regulation and effective glycemic control is essential for the proper optimization of patient outcomes.

Poorly regulated blood glucose in diabetic patients--predictor of acute infections.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus, the most frequent endocrinology disease is a predisposing factor for infections. Diabetic patients have 4,4 times greater risk of systemic infection than non diabetics. AIM: a) To determine the prevalence and characteristics of acute infectious diseases in hospitalized diabetics; b) To correlate values of blood glucose levels and HbA1c with acute infections in hospitalized diabetics; c) To identify the etiology of infectious diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 450 diabetic patients hospitalized in the 24-month period in the Intensive care unit of the Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders CCUS. In 204 patients (45,3%) there was an acute infectious condition and the following data was registered: a) gender and age; b) basic illness; c) laboratory parameters of inflammation (Le, CRP); d) blood glucose upon admission, parameters ofglucoregulation (HbA1c, fructosamine); e) type of infection; f) verification of etiological agent; g) late complications of diabetes; and h) outcome. RESULTS: Out of 204 diabetic patients with infection, there was 35,3% men and 64,7% women. More than half of patients (61%) were in the age group 61-80 years. The most common primary disease was Diabetes mellitus type 2. HbA1c and fructosamine were significantly increased in diabetic patients with acute infection compared to diabetics without acute infection. There is a positive correlation between HbA1c levels and CRP, and blood glucose and CRP in diabetic patients with acute infection. Most frequent infections: urinary tract infection (70,0%), followed by respiratory infections (11,8%), soft tissue infections (10,3%), generalized-bacteremia / sepsis (6,9%). The most common cause of urinary infection and generalized infection was Escherichia colli. The most common bacteria causing soft tissue infections was Staphylococcus aureus. CONCLUSION: Almost half (45,3%) of hospitalized diabetic patients had acute infectious condition. They present most frequently in women, aged 61-80 years, with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus. HbA1c and fructosamine were significantly increased in diabetic patients with acute infection. There is a positive correlation between the parameters of inflammation and glucoregulation in diabetics with acute infection. Most frequent was a urinary tract infection and the most common causative agent was Escherichia coli. The most common cause of soft tissue infections was Staphylococcus aureus. Out of 21 patients with verified soft tissue infections, 18 of them (85,7%) had confirmed diagnosis of diabetic microangiopathy diabetica. A total of 96,1% of patients fully recovered.

Poorly Regulated Blood Glucose in Diabetic Patients-predictor of Acute Infections.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus, the most frequent endocrinology disease is a predisposing factor for infections. Diabetic patients have 4,4 times greater risk of systemic infection than non diabetics. AIM: a) To determine the prevalence and characteristics of acute infectious diseases in hospitalized diabetics; b) To correlate values of blood glucose levels and HbA1c with acute infections in hospitalized diabetics; c) To identify the etiology of infectious diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 450 diabetic patients hospitalized in the 24-month period in the Intensive care unit of the Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders CCUS. In 204 patients (45,3%) there was an acute infectious condition and the following data was registered: a) gender and age; b) basic illness; c) laboratory parameters of inflammation (Le, CRP); d) blood glucose upon admission, parameters of glucoregulation (HbA1c, fructosamine); e) type of infection; f) verification of etiological agent; g) late complications of diabetes; and h) outcome. RESULTS: Out of 204 diabetic patients with infection, there was 35,3% men and 64,7% women. More than half of patients (61%) were in the age group 61-80 years. The most common primary disease was Diabetes mellitus type 2. HbA1c and fructosamine were significantly increased in diabetic patients with acute infection compared to diabetics without acute infection. There is a positive correlation between HbA1c levels and CRP, and blood glucose and CRP in diabetic patients with acute infection. Most frequent infections: urinary tract infection (70,0%), followed by respiratory infections (11,8%), soft tissue infections (10,3%), generalized-bacteremia / sepsis (6,9%). The most common cause of urinary infection and generalized infection was Escherichia colli. The most common bacteria causing soft tissue infections was Staphylococcus aureus. CONCLUSION: Almost half (45,3%) of hospitalized diabetic patients had acute infectious condition. They present most frequently in women, aged 61-80 years, with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus. HbA1c and fructosamine were significantly increased in diabetic patients with acute infection. There is a positive correlation between the parameters of inflammation and glucoregulation in diabetics with acute infection. Most frequent was a urinary tract infection and the most common causative agent was Escherichia coli. The most common cause of soft tissue infections was Staphylococcus aureus. Out of 21 patients with verified soft tissue infections, 18 of them (85,7%) had confirmed diagnosis of diabetic microangiopathy diabetica. A total of 96,1% of patients fully recovered.

Inflammatory markers in patients with hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus type 1.

INTRODUCTION: The accumulation of macrophages what happens in atherosclerotic process is associated with increased concentration of fibrinogen and CRP (C-reactive protein), and these two markers of inflammation are considered early signs of atherosclerosis. AIM: The aim of the study was to compare levels of inflammatory markers (CRP and fibrinogen) and HbAlc as a parameter of quarterly blood glucose control in patients with both diabetes mellitus type 1 and hypothyroidism who have ischemic heart disease with the patients with same autoimmune diseases, but without ischemic heart disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 30 patients who were all diagnosed with both hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus type 1. Patients were divided into two groups according to the persistence of ischemic hearth disease. The first group (I) included patients with previously diagnosed ischemic heart disease (N = 12), and second group( II) was without ischemic heart disease (N = 18). CRP, fibrinogen and HbA1c as a parameter of quarterly glycemic control were measured in all patients. RESULTS: CRP level in group I was higher than in group II, and the difference between groups is statistically significant (t = -4125, p = 0.0001). Fibrinogen level was also significantly higher in first group (t = -4.7; p = 0.0001). Both, CRP and fibrinogen levels were in two groups above the upper reference values. The average value of HbAlc as a parameter of quarterly glycemic control in both groups showed bad controlled diabetes mellitus, 8.77% (+/- 1.89) vs. 8.16% (+/- 1.71), but among the groups there were not statistically significant differences (t = -0.921 p = 0.365). CONCLUSION: Patients with both type 1 diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism who have ischemic heart disease had significantly higher levels of inflammatory markers: CRP and fibrinogen, than patients with the same diseases who did not have coronary heart disease, while HbAlc as a parameter of quarterly blood glucose control did not differ between groups, but in both groups showed values that corresponded to poor disease control. While future medical research has not reached full answers to the atherosclerotic process, seems reasonable therapeutic affect all identified biochemical markers associated with this process. Key

Insulin resistance and lipid accumulation product in corelation to body mass index in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are at increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and metabolic disorders including: dyslipidaemia, hypertension, insulin resistance, gestational diabetes, type 2 diabetes, systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. The prevalence of obesity and insulin resistance in women with PCOS is significantly higher compared to the general population. Lipid accumulation product is a new, cheap and easily available predictor for metabolic syndrome both in general population and in women with PCOS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 50 patients at the Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo. All patients were diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam ESHRE criteria and were divided into two groups according to their body mass index (BMI). A prospective study established the following parameters: anthropometric measurements (waist circumference, height, weight), BMI, and serum triglycerides and insulin resistance. LAP was calculated using the formula: LAP (women) = [waist circumference (cm)-58] x [triglycerides (mmol/L)]. RESULTS: Waist circumference in women with BMI < or = 24.9 kg/m2 was 31 cm lower than waist circumference in women with a BMI > 25 kg/m2. Mean triglyceride value of the patients in group BMI < or = 24.9 kg/m2 was 1.15 mmol/l lower than the mean value of triglycerides in women with a BMI > 25 kg/m2. Insulin resistance was present in 66.7% in group with BMI < or = 24.9 kg/m2, and in 75.0% in the group with BMI > 25.0 kg/m2. LAP was shown to be a marker for the differentiation of insulin-resistant and nonresistant patients with a cut-off value of 17.91. CONCLUSION: Patients with PCOS and BMI < or = 24.9 kg/m2 were significantly different from those with BMI > 25 kg/m2 in the values of body weight, waist circumference and triglycerides. There was no statistically significant difference in insulin resistance. LAP values were higher in patients in the group with BMI > 25 kg/m2. LAP was a marker for differentiation of insulin--resistant and non-resistant women with PCOS.