Pulmonary complications after non-cardiac surgeries: temporal patterns and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative complications are the primary determinants of survival following major surgery. We aimed to characterize the early perioperative risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications (POPCs) in patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgeries. METHODS: This study utilized a multicenter prospective observational cohort design. Adult patients undergoing non-cardiac surgeries and admitted to 21 Brazilian ICUs were screened for inclusion in the study. POPCs were defined as the presence of acute pulmonary oedema, nosocomial pneumonia, and extubation failure in the postoperative period. RESULTS: Of the 581 patients enrolled, 110 (19%) had at least one POPC, of whom 5% had acute pulmonary oedema, 10% extubation failure while 10% had pneumonia. Most cases of pulmonary oedema occurred in the first week after surgery, while pneumonia was more frequently a later occurrence. The mortality rate was significantly higher in the group with POPCs compared to the group of patients without POPCs (62% vs. 11%, RR: 5.1, 95% CI: 4.23-7.69; P < 0.001). A low functional capacity (RR: 4.6, 95% CI: 2.1-10.0), major surgery (RR: 3.6, 95% CI: 1.2-10.7), preoperative hemodynamic instability (RR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.1-10.6), alcoholism (RR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.0-10.7), unplanned surgery (RR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.0-5.2), the SOFA score (RR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0-1.2), and increased central venous pressure (RR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0-1.1) were independent predictors of POPCs. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary complications are common in intensive care units after major non-cardiac surgeries. Awareness of the risk factors for POPCs may help multidisciplinary teams develop strategies to prevent these complications.

Doença de Haff associada ao consumo de carne de Mylossoma duriventre (pacu-manteiga) / Haff disease associated with the ingestion of the freshwater fish Mylossoma duriventre (pacu-manteiga)

A rabdomiólise associada à doença de Haff é correlacionada com a ingestão de certos peixes e crustáceos de água doce, sendo causada por uma toxina não identificada. Relatamos o caso de um paciente que apresentou rabdomiólise cerca de 2 horas após ingerir o peixe de água doce Mylossoma duriventre (pacu-manteiga) cerca de 3 anos após o relato de um surto de doença de Haff em Manaus.

Haff disease associated rhabdomyolysis is correlated with the ingestion of certain freshwater fish and shellfish and is caused by an unidentified toxin. We report the case of a patient who experienced rhabdomyolysis approximately 2 hours after ingestion of the freshwater fish Mylossoma duriventre (pacu-manteiga) approximately 3 years after an outbreak had been reported in Manaus, Brazilian Amazon.

Haff disease associated with the ingestion of the freshwater fish Mylossoma duriventre (pacu-manteiga).

Haff disease associated rhabdomyolysis is correlated with the ingestion of certain freshwater fish and shellfish and is caused by an unidentified toxin. We report the case of a patient who experienced rhabdomyolysis approximately 2 hours after ingestion of the freshwater fish Mylossoma duriventre (pacu-manteiga) approximately 3 years after an outbreak had been reported in Manaus, Brazilian Amazon.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia: epidemiology and impact on the clinical evolution of ICU patients.

OBJECTIVE: Although ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a major cause of nosocomial infection, its role in the prognosis of patients remains undefined. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of VAP on the clinical evolution of patients. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study involving 233 patients on mechanical ventilation (VAP group, n = 64; control group, n = 169). Primary outcomes were time on mechanical ventilation (TMV), time in ICU (TICU), overall length of hospital stay (LHS) and in-ICU mortality. Secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, microbiological profile, prior use of antibiotics and risk factors for VAP acquisition. RESULTS: Control and VAP group outcomes were, respectively, as follows: median TMV (days), 9 (interquartile range [IQR]: 5-15) and 23 (IQR: 15-37; p < 0.0001); median TICU (days), 12 (IQR: 8-21) and 27 (IQR: 17-42; p < 0.0001); median LHS (days), 33 (IQR: 18-64) and 46 (IQR: 25-90; p = 0.05); and in-ICU mortality, 38% (95% CI: 31-45) and 55% (95% CI: 42-67; p = 0.02). VAP was a predictor of in-ICU mortality (OR = 3.40; 95% CI: 1.54-7.48). TMV (OR = 2.27; 95% CI: 1.05-4.87) and prior use of antibiotics (OR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.04-1.10) were risk factors for VAP. VAP did not affect in-hospital mortality. Acinetobacter spp. was the most common isolate (28%). Inappropriate empirical antibiotic therapy was administered in 48% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, there was a high incidence of infection with resistant bacteria and inappropriate initial antibiotic therapy. Long TMV and prior use of antibiotics are risk factors for VAP.

Pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica: epidemiologia e impacto na evolução clínica de pacientes em uma unidade de terapia intensiva / Ventilator-associated pneumonia: epidemiology and impact on the clinical evolution of ICU patients

OBJETIVO: Apesar de representar uma das principais causas de infecção nosocomial, o papel da pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica (PAVM) no prognóstico ainda permanece indefinido. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto dessa doença na evolução clínica dos pacientes. MÉTODOS: Estabeleceu-se uma coorte prospectiva de 233 pacientes sob ventilação mecânica (grupo PAV, n = 64; grupo controle, n = 169). Os desfechos primários foram tempo de ventilação mecânica (TVM), tempo de permanência na UTI (TUTI), tempo de permanência hospitalar (TH) e mortalidade na UTI. Os desfechos secundários foram mortalidade hospitalar, perfil microbiológico, uso prévio de antibióticos e fatores de risco para PAVM. RESULTADOS: Os desfechos dos grupos controle e PAVM foram, respectivamente, os seguintes: mediana do TVM (dias), 9 (intervalo interquartílico [II]: 5-15) e 23 (II: 15-37; p < 0,0001); mediana do TUTI (dias), 12 (II: 8-21) e 27 (II: 17-42; p < 0,0001); mediana do TH (dias), 33 (II: 18-64) e 46 (II: 25-90; p = 0,02); e mortalidade na UTI, 38 por cento (IC95 por cento: 31-45) e 55 por cento (IC95 por cento: 42-67; p = 0,02). A PAVM foi um preditor de mortalidade na UTI (OR = 3,40; IC95 por cento: 1,54-1,78). O TVM (OR = 2,27; IC95 por cento: 1,05-4,87) e o uso prévio de antibióticos (OR = 1,07; IC95 por cento: 1,04-1,10) foram fatores de risco para PAVM. A PAVM não afetou a mortalidade hospitalar. Acinetobacter spp. foi o isolado mais frequente (28 por cento). Antibioticoterapia empírica inadequada foi administrada em 48 por cento dos casos. CONCLUSÕES: No presente estudo, houve uma alta incidência de bactérias resistentes e de antibioticoterapia inicial inadequada. TVM longo e o uso prévio de antibióticos são fatores de risco para PAVM.

OBJECTIVE: Although ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a major cause of nosocomial infection, its role in the prognosis of patients remains undefined. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of VAP on the clinical evolution of patients. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study involving 233 patients on mechanical ventilation (VAP group, n = 64; control group, n = 169). Primary outcomes were time on mechanical ventilation (TMV), time in ICU (TICU), overall length of hospital stay (LHS) and in-ICU mortality. Secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, microbiological profile, prior use of antibiotics and risk factors for VAP acquisition. RESULTS: Control and VAP group outcomes were, respectively, as follows: median TMV (days), 9 (interquartile range [IQR]: 5-15) and 23 (IQR: 15-37; p < 0.0001); median TICU (days), 12 (IQR: 8-21) and 27 (IQR: 17-42; p < 0.0001); median LHS (days), 33 (IQR: 18-64) and 46 (IQR: 25-90; p = 0.05); and in-ICU mortality, 38 percent (95 percent CI: 31-45) and 55 percent (95 percent CI: 42-67; p = 0.02). VAP was a predictor of in-ICU mortality (OR = 3.40; 95 percent CI: 1.54-7.48). TMV (OR = 2.27; 95 percent CI: 1.05-4.87) and prior use of antibiotics (OR = 1.07; 95 percent CI: 1.04-1.10) were risk factors for VAP. VAP did not affect in-hospital mortality. Acinetobacter spp. was the most common isolate (28 percent). Inappropriate empirical antibiotic therapy was administered in 48 percent of cases. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, there was a high incidence of infection with resistant bacteria and inappropriate initial antibiotic therapy. Long TMV and prior use of antibiotics are risk factors for VAP.

Epidemiologia e desfecho de pacientes cirúrgicos não cardíacos em unidades de terapia intensiva no Brasil / Epidemiology and outcomes of non-cardiac surgical patients in Brazilian intensive care units

OBJETIVO: Devido aos avanços da medicina e ao envelhecimento da população, a proporção de pacientes em risco de morte após cirurgias está aumentando. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar o desfecho e a epidemiologia de cirurgias não cardíacas em pacientes admitidos em unidade de terapia intensiva. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo, observacional, de coorte, realizado em 21 unidades de terapia intensiva. Um total de 885 pacientes adultos, cirúrgicos, consecutivamente admitidos em unidades de terapia intensiva no período de abril a junho de 2006 foi avaliado e destes, 587 foram incluídos. Os critérios de exclusão foram; trauma, cirurgias cardíacas, neurológicas, ginecológicas, obstétricas e paliativas. Os principais desfechos foram complicações pós-cirúrgicas e mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva e 90 dias após a cirurgia. RESULTADOS: Cirurgias de grande porte e de urgência foram realizadas em 66,4 por cento e 31,7 por cento, dos pacientes, respectivamente. A taxa de mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva foi de 15 por cento, e 38 por cento dos pacientes tiveram complicações no pós-operatório. A complicação mais comum foi infecção ou sepse (24,7 por cento). Isquemia miocárdica foi diagnosticada em apenas 1,9 por cento. Um total de 94 por cento dos pacientes que morreram após a cirurgia tinha co-morbidades associadas (3,4 ± 2,2). A principal causa de óbito foi disfunção de múltiplos órgãos (53 por cento). CONCLUSÃO: Sepse é a causa predominante de morbidade em pacientes submetidos a cirurgias não cardíacas. A grande maioria dos óbitos no pós-operatório ocorreu por disfunção de múltiplos órgãos.

OBJECTIVES: Due to the dramatic medical breakthroughs and an increasingly ageing population, the proportion of patients who are at risk of dying following surgery is increasing over time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and the epidemiology of non-cardiac surgical patients admitted to the intensive care unit. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, observational, cohort study was carried out in 21 intensive care units. A total of 885 adult surgical patients admitted to a participating intensive care unit from April to June 2006 were evaluated and 587 patients were enrolled. Exclusion criteria were trauma, cardiac, neurological, gynecologic, obstetric and palliative surgeries. The main outcome measures were postoperative complications and intensive care unit and 90-day mortality rates. RESULTS: Major and urgent surgeries were performed in 66.4 percent and 31.7 percent of the patients, respectively. The intensive care unit mortality rate was 15 percent, and 38 percent of the patients had postoperative complications. The most common complication was infection or sepsis (24.7 percent). Myocardial ischemia was diagnosed in only 1.9 percent of the patients. A total of 94 percent of the patients who died after surgery had co-morbidities at the time of surgery (3.4 ± 2.2). Multiple organ failure was the main cause of death (53 percent). CONCLUSION: Sepsis is the predominant cause of morbidity in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. In this patient population, multiple organ failure prevailed as the most frequent cause of death in the hospital.

Epidemiology and outcomes of non-cardiac surgical patients in Brazilian intensive care units. / Epidemiologia e desfecho de pacientes cirúrgicos não cardíacos em unidades de terapia intensiva no Brasil.

OBJECTIVES: Due to the dramatic medical breakthroughs and an increasingly ageing population, the proportion of patients who are at risk of dying following surgery is increasing over time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and the epidemiology of non-cardiac surgical patients admitted to the intensive care unit. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, observational, cohort study was carried out in 21 intensive care units. A total of 885 adult surgical patients admitted to a participating intensive care unit from April to June 2006 were evaluated and 587 patients were enrolled. Exclusion criteria were trauma, cardiac, neurological, gynecologic, obstetric and palliative surgeries. The main outcome measures were postoperative complications and intensive care unit and 90-day mortality rates. RESULTS: Major and urgent surgeries were performed in 66.4% and 31.7% of the patients, respectively. The intensive care unit mortality rate was 15%, and 38% of the patients had postoperative complications. The most common complication was infection or sepsis (24.7%). Myocardial ischemia was diagnosed in only 1.9% of the patients. A total of 94 % of the patients who died after surgery had co-morbidities at the time of surgery (3.4 ± 2.2). Multiple organ failure was the main cause of death (53%). CONCLUSION: Sepsis is the predominant cause of morbidity in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. In this patient population, multiple organ failure prevailed as the most frequent cause of death in the hospital.

Anemia e transfusões de concentrados de hemácias em pacientes graves nas UTI brasileiras (pelo FUNDO-AMIB) / Transfusion practices in brazilian Intensive Care Units (pelo FUNDO-AMIB)

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A anemia é uma condição comum em pacientes graves. A transfusão de hemoderivados aumenta de forma significativa o risco de transmissão de agentes infecciosos e afeta o perfil imunológico. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a incidência de anemia e a prática de transfusão de hemácias em UTI brasileiras. MÉTODO: Estudo prospectivo, multicêntrico, realizado em 19 UTI em um período de duas semanas. A presença de anemia, as indicações e a utilização de concentrados de hemácias, foram avaliadas diariamente. As complicações que ocorreram durante a internação na UTI e após a transfusão da primeira unidade de concentrado de hemácias foram registradas. RESULTADOS: Um total de 33 por cento apresentava anemia na admissão na UTI e esta proporção aumentou para 55 por cento no final de sete dias de internação. Um total de 348 unidades de concentrado de hemácias foi transfundido em 86 pacientes (36,5 por cento). A média de suas unidades por paciente foi 4,1 ± 3,3 U. O nível de hemoglobina limiar para a transfusão de CH foi 7,7 ± 1,1 g/dL. Pacientes transfundidos tinham mais disfunções orgânicas avaliadas pelo escore SOFA (7,9 ± 4,6 versus 5,6 ± 3,8, transfundidos versus não transfundidos, p < 0,05). As taxas de mortalidade foram 43,5 por cento e 36,3 por cento em pacientes transfundidos e não transfundidos, respectivamente (RR 0,61-11,7, NS). Pacientes transfundidos tiveram número maior de complicações (1,58 ± 0,66 versus 1,33 ± 0,49, p = 0,0001). CONCLUSÕES: A anemia é comum em UTI brasileiras. O limiar transfusional de hemoglobina foi menor do que o observado em outros paises.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Anemia of critical illness is a multifactorial condition caused by blood loss, frequent phlebotomies and inadequate production of red blood cells (RBC). Controversy surrounds the most appropriate hemoglobin concentration "trigger" for transfusion of RBC. We aimed to evaluate transfusion practices in Brazilian ICUs. METHODS: A prospective study throughout a 2-week period in 19 Brazilian ICUs. Hemoglobin (Hb) level, transfusion rate, organ dysfunction assessment and 28-day mortality were evaluated. Primary indication for transfusion and pretransfusion hemoglobin level were collected for each transfusion. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-one patients with an ICU length of stay longer than 48h were included. An Hb level lower than 10 g/dL was found in 33 percent on admission in the ICU. A total of 348 RBC units were transfused in 86 patients (36.5 percent). The mean pretransfusion hemoglobin level was 7.7 ± 1.1 g/dL. Transfused-patients had significantly higher SOFA score (7.9 ± 4.6 vs 5.6 ± 3.8, p < 0.05, respectively), days on mechanical ventilation (10.7 ± 8.2 vs 7.2 ± 6.4, p < 0.05) and days on vasoactive drugs (6.7 ± 6.4 vs 4.2 ± 4.0, p < 0.05) than non-transfused patients despite similar APACHE II scores (15.2 ± 8.1 vs 14.2 ± 8.1, NS). Transfused patients had higher mortality rate (43.5 percent) than non-transfused patients (36.3 percent) (RR 0.60-1.15, NS). Only one patient (0.28 percent) had febrile non-hemolytic transfusion and urticarial reactions. CONCLUSIONS: Anemia is common in critically ill patients.It seems from the present study that transfusion practices in Brazil have had a more restrictive approach with a lower limit "transfusion trigger".

[Transfusion practices in brazilian Intensive Care Units (pelo FUNDO-AMIB)]. / Anemia e transfusões de concentrados de hemácias em pacientes graves nas UTI brasileiras (pelo FUNDO-AMIB).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Anemia of critical illness is a multifactorial condition caused by blood loss, frequent phlebotomies and inadequate production of red blood cells (RBC). Controversy surrounds the most appropriate hemoglobin concentration "trigger" for transfusion of RBC. We aimed to evaluate transfusion practices in Brazilian ICUs. METHODS: A prospective study throughout a 2-week period in 19 Brazilian ICUs. Hemoglobin (Hb) level, transfusion rate, organ dysfunction assessment and 28-day mortality were evaluated. Primary indication for transfusion and pretransfusion hemoglobin level were collected for each transfusion. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-one patients with an ICU length of stay longer than 48h were included. An Hb level lower than 10 g/dL was found in 33% on admission in the ICU. A total of 348 RBC units were transfused in 86 patients (36.5%). The mean pretransfusion hemoglobin level was 7.7 ± 1.1 g/dL. Transfused-patients had significantly higher SOFA score (7.9 ± 4.6 vs 5.6 ± 3.8, p < 0.05, respectively), days on mechanical ventilation (10.7 ± 8.2 vs 7.2 ± 6.4, p < 0.05) and days on vasoactive drugs (6.7 ± 6.4 vs 4.2 ± 4.0, p < 0.05) than non-transfused patients despite similar APACHE II scores (15.2 ± 8.1 vs 14.2 ± 8.1, NS). Transfused patients had higher mortality rate (43.5%) than non-transfused patients (36.3%) (RR 0.60-1.15, NS). Only one patient (0.28%) had febrile non-hemolytic transfusion and urticarial reactions. CONCLUSIONS: Anemia is common in critically ill patients.It seems from the present study that transfusion practices in Brazil have had a more restrictive approach with a lower limit "transfusion trigger".

Hipernatremia grave em paciente portadora de provável meningite asséptica / Acute hypernatremia in patient with probable asseptic meningitis

Nós descrevemos o caso de uma paciente que desenvolveu níveis séricos de sódio de 196 meq/L na véspera do óbito, e 202 meq/L nas amostras de sangue colhidas na manhä do óbito.

EPAP: pressäo positiva nas vias aéreas: estudo de revisäo / EPAP: positive airways pressure: a review study

A utilizaçäo terapêutica da PEEP (pressäo positiva expiratória final) na restauraçäo da CRF (capacidade residual funcional) e melhora da insuficiência respiratória hipoxêmica encontra-se bem estabelecida, tanto na literatura quanto na prática diária da Terapia Intensiva. Esta modalidade terapêutica, comumente utilizada em ventilaçäo mecânica, também pode ser utilizada com pacientes em respiraçäo espontâneo que se encontram hipoxêmicos e normocápnicos. Sao conhecidas na atualidade duas formas da aplicaçäo da PEEP em respiraçäo espontânea: A EPAP (pressäo positiva expiratória) e a CPAP (pressäo positiva contínua nas vias aéreas). Em ambas as formas, a fase expiratória será sempre desenvolvida contra uma resistência predeterminada pelo terapeuta, convencionalmente chamada PEEP. A diferença entre ambas as formas está estabelecida na fase inspiratória, a qual na EPAP o paciente näo recebe nenhum tipo de ajuda externa, tendo o mesmo que gerar suficiente pressäo subatmosférica, tal qual na respiraçäo espontânea normal. Na CPAP, a inspiraçäo é feita com uma ajuda externa, geralmente através de elevados fluxos, minimizando assim o trabalho inspiratório do paciente. Tanto a EPAP quanto a CPAP podem ser aplicadas terapeuticamente aos pacientes, através de máscara facial ou diretamente no tubo endotraqueal e na traqueostomia. Neste estudo de revisäo , abordaremos apenas a aplicaçäo terapêutica da EPAP, a qual consideramos um recurso de ampla aplicaçäo, principalmente na profilaxia da insuficiência respiratória aguda hipoxêmica. A nosso ver, todo o potencial terapêuttico da EPAP ainda näo vem sendo aproveitado no nosso meio, o que consideramos injustificável, tendo em vista o baixo custo do equipamento e sua vasta utilizaçao, trazendo quase sempre resultados significantes.

Traumatismo cranioencefalico / Craniocerebral traumatism

Refere que o traumatismo cranioencefalixo e uma das principais causas de morte e invalidez nas grandes cidades. Mostra os principais tipos de lesoes sugerindo metodos de avaliaçao e a conduta indicada em cada caso

Corticóide x pulmäo: III. Corticóides em outras doenças pulmonares que näo a asma / Corticoid x lung: III. Corticoids in other pulmonary diseases than asthma

Os autores fazem uma revisäo da farmacologia, indicaçöes terapêuticas e efeitos adversos dos glicocorticóides nas doenças pulmonares