An International Survey of the Management of Atrial Fibrillation in Critically Unwell Patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the current management of new-onset atrial fibrillation and compare differences in practice regionally. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. SUBJECTS: Critical care attending physicians/consultants and fellows. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 386 surveys were included in our analysis. Rate control was the preferred treatment approach for hemodynamically stable patients (69.1%), and amiodarone was the most used antiarrhythmic medication (70.9%). For hemodynamically unstable patients, a strategy of electrolyte supplementation and antiarrhythmic therapy was most common (54.7%). Physicians responding to the survey distributed by the Society of Critical Care Medicine were more likely to prescribe beta-blockers as a first-line antiarrhythmic medication (38.4%), use more transthoracic echocardiography than respondents from other regions (82.4%), and more likely to refer patients who survive their ICU stay for cardiology follow-up if they had new-onset atrial fibrillation (57.2%). The majority of survey respondents (83.0%) were interested in participating in future studies of atrial fibrillation in critically ill patients. CONCLUSIONS: Significant variation exists in the management of new-onset atrial fibrillation in critically ill patients, as well as geographic variation. Further research is necessary to inform guidelines in this population and establish if differences in practice impact long-term outcomes.

The Influence of Crown-to-Implant Ratio on Crestal Bone Loss at Implants with Single Crowns and Bridges.

PURPOSE: To evaluate how the crown-to-implant (C/I) ratio affects the loss of crestal bone at single-crown implants and bridges in patients with periodontal disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients treated for periodontitis were rehabilitated with 108 implant-supported single crowns and bridges. Each patient was examined over a 5- to 20-year period on a 3 to 6-month recall schedule. At each session, we recorded periodontal clinical parameters. In addition, intraoral radiographs were taken after superstructure insertion (baseline) and then at 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 20 years. The study population was divided by anatomical C/I ratio (C/I ≤1, group 1 or C/I 1, group 2). RESULTS: Implants had a 96.2% 5-year survival rate, and 92.6% 20-year survival rate. The overall prevalence was 10.1% for mucositis and 1.1% for peri-implantitis. The survival rate (p = 0.68), mucositis (p = 0.325), or peri-implantitis (p = 0.077) did not significantly differ in the group comparison. The mean annual peri-implant bone loss was 0.09 0.41 mm and not significantly different between the groups. Mean bone loss was not significantly different until the 10th year of observation, during which group 2 presented significantly less bone loss. The correlation of annual bone loss and clinical C/I ratio showed a small but significant negative effect throughout the entire study period (R = -0.217; p <0.01). CONCLUSION: Increased crestal bone loss was not observed with implants with higher C/I ratios, both anatomical and clinical, and they even showed signs of less crestal bone loss.

Correlation between crestal bone loss and PPD at teeth and implants: a 5- to 20-year long-term cohort study in patients with treated periodontal disease.

OBJECTIVE: The correlation between crestal bone loss at teeth and probing pocket depth (PPD) has been established. Whether these findings can also be applied to implants is not known. The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between crestal bone loss and PPD at teeth and implants. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Thirty-one periodontitis-susceptible patients were rehabilitated with fixed implant-supported single crowns and fixed partial dentures. Each patient was examined over a 5- to 20-year period in a 3- to 6-month strict recall program. At each session, periodontal clinical parameters were recorded at teeth and implants. In addition, standardized periapical radiographs were taken after superstructure insertion (baseline) and then at 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 20 years. RESULTS: The survival rate of implants (94.0%) and teeth (97.3%) did not significantly differ in all patients after 20 years (P = .68). Almost all patients had a PPD ≥ 5 mm at implants and teeth throughout the observation period. The crestal bone loss at implants and teeth increased continuously, especially in patients with advanced periodontitis, without a correlation with PPD. A few patients (n = 5) had a PPD ≥ 5 mm and annual bone loss ≥ 0.2 mm at one implant, with a correlation between bone loss and PPD. CONCLUSION: In healthy implants and teeth, moderate crestal bone loss is present without correlation with PPD. A few patients showed progressive crestal bone loss at only one implant, with a correlation with PPD.

Turned surface implants in patients treated for periodontitis: Preliminary 10- to 20-year results of a long-term cohort study.

PURPOSE: This long-term cohort study investigated the prevalence of mucositis, peri-implantitis, bone loss and survival of turned surface implants in partially edentulous patients treated for periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 19 patients treated for generalised chronic periodontitis (GCP) and 20 patients treated for generalised aggressive periodontitis (GAP) were orally rehabilitated with a total of 126 dental implants. Examinations were performed before implant insertion, at the time of superstructure insertion, and in the subsequent years during a 3-month recall schedule over a 10- to 20-year period. At every session, clinical parameters were recorded. Intraoral radiographs were taken after insertion of superstructures and 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 20 years later. RESULTS: In total, nine implants were lost during the 20-year observation period. The implant survival rate was 92.1% (GCP patients) and 90.1% (GAP patients). After 10 years, mucositis was present in 21.9% and 21.2% of implants in GCP and GAP patients, respectively. The risk of mucositis was significantly lower in patients with a removable superstructure (OR = 0.061 with P = 0.001). Peri-implantitis was present in 12.2% implants (GCP patients) and 14.1% implants (GAP patients). Implants inserted in bone quality grade 3 showed a significantly higher risk of peri-implantitis (OR = 5.658 with P = 0.003). After 10 years, implants in GAP patients did not show a significant higher bone loss (1.87 ± 1.40 mm) compared with implants in GCP patients (1.50 ± 1.30 mm). After 20 years, the total mean peri-implant bone loss was 1.98 ± 1.64 mm, almost every fifth implant revealed a bone loss > 3 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The implant survival rate in both patient groups was > 90%, and implants showed a moderate mucositis (< 30%) and peri-implantitis (< 25%) rate. Bone quality and type of superstructure seem to have had an influence on peri-implant health. These results suggest that patients with a history of periodontitis treated in a tight recall schedule can be successfully rehabilitated with turned surface implants for a follow-up period of 10 to 20 years.

Regional citrate anticoagulation for continuous renal replacement therapy in severe burns-a retrospective analysis of a protocol-guided approach.

INTRODUCTION: For critically ill patients, the use of regional citrate anticoagulation as part of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) has become increasingly common in recent years. However, there are scarce data on the use of this technique in patients with burns. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness, feasibility and complications of regional citrate anticoagulation for CRRT in burn patients, as well as the effects on coagulation and the electrolyte and acid-base balance. METHODS: This retrospective study included all patients who received renal replacement therapy with citrate anticoagulation to treat acute kidney injury (AKI) between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2009 at the burn unit of St. Georg Hospital GmbH in Leipzig. RESULTS: During the examination period, 18 patients were treated using CRRT with regional citrate anticoagulation (CVVHDF in the pre-dilution mode). The median patient age was 64 years (49.5; 71), with a median TBSA of 42.5% (33.25; 52.5) and a median ABSI score of 10 (9; 10). The CRRT was initiated on a median of 6 days (4; 8.75) after admission to the hospital and continued for a median duration of 7 days (5; 8). The median dialysis dose was 38.2mlkgBW(-1)h(-1) (31.8; 42.1). The median effective filter operation time was 67h (46; 72). No relevant disorders associated with acid-base balance, electrolytes or coagulation occurred, and there were no bleeding complications. CONCLUSION: In terms of bleeding risk and electrolyte and acid-base balance, regional citrate anticoagulation may be considered to be an effective, safe and user-friendly procedure for patients with severe burns and AKI.

Safety of resuscitation with Ringer's acetate solution in severe burn (VolTRAB)--an observational trial.

BACKGROUND: A variety of crystalloids are available during fluid resuscitation of the severely burnt patient. There is a paucity of literature evidence on the comparative influence of these with regard to clinical outcomes. Significant differences in crystalloids may be clinically relevant given the large volumes employed during shock resuscitation. METHODS: The study compared two groups of severely burnt patients (TBSA 20-70%). Prospectively 40 consecutive patients treated with Ringer's acetate (RA group) against a retrospective control group of 40 patients treated with Ringer's lactate (RL group). Outcome parameters analysed included Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA)-scores at Days 3 and 7 after injury, mortality at 28 and 60 days, electrolyte and renal function, infection rates, cumulative volume administration and duration of ventilator support. RESULTS: Groups RA and RL were comparable w.r.t. age, total body surface area burn size and ABSI. SOFA-scores on Day 1 of admission also showed no significant difference but were significantly lower in RA group between the 3rd and 6th day. By Day 7 these differences could be attributed as a group effect (P=0.019). In particular low cardiovascular organ function scores contributed to this. Total crystalloid use within the first 28 days were equal in both but differed within the RA group having lower observed volumes of colloid and incidence of blood transfusion. Furthermore group RA had distinctly higher levels of platelets throughout treatment. Elevated lactate levels were noted in RL group during the initial three days. Survival rates at 28 days and 60 days showed no significant difference. CONCLUSION: Ringer's acetate solution is a suitable medium for the initial fluid management of the acutely burnt patient. In comparison to Ringer's lactate solution the study revealed lower SOFA-scores for Ringer's acetate solution (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00609700).

Major sources of critical incidents in intensive care.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, critical incident (CI) reporting has increasingly been regarded as part of ongoing quality management. CI databanks also aim to improve health and safety issues for patients as well as staff. The aim of this study was to identify frequent causes of adverse events in critical care with the potential to harm patients, staff or visitors by analysing data from a voluntary and optionally anonymous critical incident reporting system. METHODS: The study includes all critical incidents reported during a 90-month period in a 13-bed adult general intensive care unit (ICU). Reporting of incidents was performed via an electronic reporting system or by a manual critical incident report. All CIs were classified in the following main categories: equipment, administration, pharmaceuticals, clinical practice, and health & safety hazards. The overall distribution of incidents within the different categories was compared with the regional database of ICUs in the Cheshire and Mersey region of northwest England for 2008. RESULTS: A total of 1127 CIs were reported during the study period. The frequencies within the main categories were: equipment 338 (30%), clinical practice 257 (22.8%), pharmaceuticals 238 (21.1%), administration 213 (18.9%), health and safety hazards 81 (7.2%). The regional database had a similar frequency of critical incidents within the different categories, suggesting that our results may reflect a general distribution pattern of CIs in intensive care. CONCLUSIONS: Critical incident reporting helps to identify frequent causes of adverse events in critical care. Improvements in quality of care following implementation of preventative strategies such as introduction of regular equipment training sessions will have to be assessed further in future studies.