Terlipressin in the treatment of late phase catecholamine-resistant septic shock.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Norepinephrine, but also dopamine and epinephrine are recommended as first line vasopressors in the treatment of septic shock. In some patients, septic shock deteriorates and becomes to be resistant to catecholamines. In this situation, addition of vasopressin or terlipressin can be advantageous. The aim of our pilot study was to evaluate the impact of terlipressin on open label norepinephrine requirements and mortality. METHODOLOGY: In a randomized, controlled, single centre study we assigned patients with late advanced septic shock refractory to catecholamines (norepinephrine >0.6µg/kg/min for more than 24h) to receive either continuously terlipressin 4mg/24h for 72 hours in addition to open label norepinephrine (TERLI group) or to continue therapy only with catecholamines (CON group). All vasopressor infusions were titrated to maintain a target blood pressure. RESULTS: We enrolled 30 patients, of whom 13 were assigned to terlipressin and in 17 we continued in catecholamine therapy. There was no significant difference in norepinephrine consumption between the groups. Open label norepinephrine infusion rates decreased significantly in the TERLI group as compared with initial consumption, but the decrease we observed only in 7 (54%) patients. There was no significant difference between groups in the rate of death at day 28 (77% in TERLI group and 94% in CON group; p=0.18) or at day 90 (91% vs. 94%; p=0.85). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous terlipressin infusion was not effective in reducing norepinephrine consumption or in the mortality of patients, if administered in late phase of catecholamine refractory septic shock.

Our experience with transoral incisionless plication of gastroesophageal reflux disease: NOTES procedure.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Natural Orifice Transluminal Surgery (NOTES) has been introduced in endoscopic surgery as a new system offering the advantage of a less invasive procedure. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) appears to be the most promising application of NOTES treatment. The aims of our study were to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this procedure and length of hospital stay. METHODOLOGY: Patients indicated for surgery of GERD were randomly assigned (ratio 2:1) to transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF group, n=34) and control group, where gold standard Nissen laparoscopic fundoplication was performed (NLF group, n=18). For TIF the Plicator® method was initially used for 18 patients, but the company terminated production in 2008 without a follower. During the last 2 years the EsophyX® method was used for 16 patients. RESULTS: After the evaluation of 34 TIF patients and 18 NLF patients we observed similar efficacy of TIF procedures compared with NLF after 3 and 12 months. The hospital stay was significantly shorter (p<0.0001) in TIF group (average, 2.9±0.8 days) than in NLF group (6.4±0.7). The TIF procedure was safe; we observed 1 serious adverse event in the TIF group and 3 in the NLF group. CONCLUSIONS: It can be summarized that both NOTES TIF procedures are, after the initial learning curve, safe and effective methods for treatment of GERD, allowing substantial shortening of hospital stay. The effect of both procedures was sustained over 12 months. Longer follow-up is necessary to verify efficacy for more years.

Brain natriuretic peptide in decompensation of liver cirrhosis in non-cardiac patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Brain natriuretic peptide is recently widely used as a diagnostic and prognostic marker of heart failure. Plasma levels of this peptide are elevated in other, non-cardiac conditions as well, among others in liver cirrhosis, especially presenting with fluid retention and,--ascites. METHODS: Circulating levels of BNP was determined in 25 non-cardiac patients, 20 men, 5 women admitted at our medicine department from March 2006 to September 2007 with decompensate ascitic liver cirrhosis. Severity of disease was measured by Child and MELD (Model of End Stage of Liver Disease) score. RESULTS: Plasma BNP was increased in our patients (range 21-1078 pg/ml) and significantly correlated with the severity of liver failure assigned as Child's classification (r = 0.51; p = 0.009) and MELD score (r = 0.56; p = 0.003) as well as with the glomerular filtration rate (r = -0.62; p = 0.0009). Four patients with initial BNP > 600 ng/L died, while all 21 patients with BNP < 600 ng/L survived (p = 0.0019). CONCLUSION: B-type natriuretic peptide in plasma correlated significantly with the severity of liver disease in cirrhotic patients. High plasma BNP seems to be a good negative prognostic factor of the death in cirrhosis.

Therapeutic influence of 20 % albumin versus 6% hydroxyethylstarch on extravascular lung water in septic patients: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent studies demonstrated that extravascular lung water (EVLW) is a reliable and independent marker for outcome. The primary therapeutically goal in critically ill patients is to resuscitate and retain adequate organ perfusion by fluid administration, where is necessary to achieve adequate intravascular filling, but avoid initiation of pulmonary edema. METHODOLOGY: Patients with severe sepsis were randomly allocated to a group treated with 20% Albumin 100 ml every 12 hours (ALB; n = 30) or with 6% hydroxyethylstarch 130/0, 4 250 ml every 6 hours (HES; n = 26). Both treatments were completed by crystalloids or norephinephrin as necessary. We analyzed amount of developed EVLW, and relation with mortality, PaO2/FiO2 and alveolo-arterial oxygen difference. RESULTS: We observed significantly greater decrease of EVLW when compared with baseline during whole monitored period of 72 hours in ALB group in contrast to HES patients (p < 0.05). Despite no significant changes of EVLW in HES group, we noted improve of PaO2/FiO2 and AaDO2 in both groups. We did not observed significant difference in mortality. CONCLUSION: The present study results show can summarize that albumin reduces in a higher amount and earlier the extravascular lung water than HES, but this reduction was not associated with improvement of oxygenation functions, which was better in HES group.

Can procalcitonin help us in timing of re-intervention in septic patients after multiple trauma or major surgery?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In surgical sepsis, the rapid identification of source of infection at an early stage after surgery or serious trauma is crucial for favorable outcome. The discrimination between local and generalized infection is critical for correct treatment. METHODOLOGY: In a randomized, controlled, single-centre study we investigated 72 patients with severe sepsis after major abdominal surgery or surgery for multiple trauma. Patients were divided in 2 groups: in the first group (PCT, n=38), more important role in the treatment decision was given to PCT level (severe sepsis with PCT >2 ng/mL signalled bacteremia and pushed us to change antibiotics and intravascular devices, severe sepsis with PCT < or =2 ng/mL prompted use of ultrasonography and/or CT, followed by repeated surgery in patients with localized infection). The control group (CON, n=34) was treated by standard evaluation of all parameters by consultant surgeon. We investigated 28-day all-cause mortality, sepsis-related complications, the duration of stay in the intensive care unit, and ventilated days. RESULTS: The hospital mortality was in PCT group 26% and 38% in control group (p = 0.28). Average SOFA score was 7.9 +/- 2.8 in PCT group vs. 9.3 +/- 3.3 (p = 0.06). The decline of ICU days (16.1 +/- 6.9 vs. 19.4 +/- 8.9; p = 0.09) and ventilated days (10.3 +/- 7.8 vs. 13.9 +/- 9.4; p = 0.08) in PCT group was observed, but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a clear tendency to decrease extent of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in patients, in which therapeutic decision was made earlier using procalcitonin as an additional marker separating local infection from generalized one.