Timing of troponin T measurements in triage of pulmonary embolism patients.

AIM: To determine the appropriate timing of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) measurement for the early triage of pulmonary embolism (PE) patients. METHODS: In this single-center prospective study, PE was confirmed in all patients using computed tomography. 104 consecutive patients were divided into three groups (high-risk, intermediate, and low-risk) based on their hemodynamic status and echocardiographic signs of right ventricular dysfunction. cTnT levels were measured on admission and then after 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours with threshold values greater than 0.1 ng/mL. RESULTS: Intermediate-risk PE patients had higher cTnT levels than low-risk patients already in the first measurement (P=0.037). Elevated cTnT levels significantly correlated with disease severity after 6 hours (intermediate vs low risk patients, P=0.016, all three groups, P=0.009). CONCLUSION: In hemodynamically stable patients, increased cTnT level on admission differentiated intermediate from low-risk patients and could be used as an important element for the appropriate triage of patients.

The epidemiology and diagnostic approach to acute pulmonary embolism in the university hospital.

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the demographics and clinical characteristics of patients with pulmonary embolism treated in medical intensive care unit (ICU) at the University Hospital during a six-year period, and to assess the impact of several risk factors on patients' survival. The study included 165 patients, mean age 69.3 +/- 13.7 years, predominantly female (70.3%). Dominant symptom was dyspnea (97.0%), the most common sign tachypnea (69.6%). Pulmonary embolism was confirmed by high-probability ventilation/perfusion lung scan or multidetector computed tomography in 71.5% and was regarded as massive in 63 (38.2%), submassive in 23 (13.9%) and non massive in 79 patients (47.9%). Mean hospital stay was 5.7 +/- 4.4 days for ICU, and 14.8 +/- 9.1 days, overall. The ICU mortality was 26.7% and in-hospital mortality 30.9%. No statistical difference in mortality between male and female patients was observed (30.6% and 31.0%, respectively; p = 0.965), but prolonged immobilization (p = 0.002), recent operation (p = 0.034) or malignancy (p = 0.009) were shown to influence the outcome. Although a number of risk factors for developing pulmonary embolism have been identified and heparin prophylaxis along with early mobilization proposed to reduce the incidence, pulmonary embolism remains an important clinical problem with high mortality rate. The diagnostics should not wait and the therapy should start as soon as possible.

Inferior vena cava agenesia and a massive bilateral iliofemoral venous thrombosis.

The absence of the inferior vena cava is a rare congenital anomaly and represents a modest risk for deep-venous thrombosis. When associated with genetic polymorphism or other hypercoagulable states, the risk can increase several times. A case of young man with the inferior vena cava agenesia and deep-venous thrombosis of both legs triggered by the physical effort is reported. The view that the congenital inferior vena cava malformation represents a predisposition to deep-venous thrombosis in spite of well-developed collateral circulation is supported. In these circumstances, various external triggers (physical effort, hormonal contraception etc) may precipitate thrombosis. Because the patient had no other convincing and permanent risk factors for thrombosis, the lifelong anticoagulant therapy was not recommended.

Survival analysis of 314 episodes of sepsis in medical intensive care unit in university hospital: impact of intensive care unit performance and antimicrobial therapy.

AIM: To evaluate epidemiology of sepsis in medical intensive care unit (ICU) in a university hospital, and the impact of ICU performance and appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy on survival of septic patients. METHODS: Observational, partly prospective study conducted over 6 years assessed all patients meeting the criteria for sepsis at ICU admission at the Sisters of Mercy University Hospital. Clinical presentation of sepsis was defined according to 2001 International Sepsis Definitions Conference. Demographic data, admission category, source of infection, severity of sepsis, ICU or hospital stay and outcome, ICU performance, and appropriateness of empirical antibiotic therapy were analyzed. RESULTS: The analysis included 314 of 5022 (6.3%) patients admitted to ICU during the study period. There were 176 (56.1%) ICU survivors. At the ICU admission, sepsis was present in 100 (31.8%), severe sepsis in 89 (28.6%), and septic shock in 125 (39.8%) patients with mortality rates 17%, 33.7%, 72.1%, respectively. During ICU treatment, 244 (77.7%) patients developed at least one organ dysfunction syndrome. Of 138 (43.9%) patients who met the criteria for septic shock, 107 (75.4) were non-survivors (P<0.001). Factors associated with in-ICU mortality were acquisition of sepsis at another department (odds ratio [OR] 0.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02-0.19), winter season (OR 0.42; 0.20-0.89), limited mobility (OR 0.28; 0.14-0.59), ICU length of stay (OR 0.82; 0.75-0.91), sepsis-related organ failure assessment (SOFA) score on day 1 (OR 0.80; 0.72-0.89), history of global heart failure (OR 0.33; 0.16-0.67), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-connected respiratory failure (OR 0.50; 0.27-0.93), septic shock present during ICU treatment (OR 0.03; 0.01-0.10), and negative blood culture at admission (OR 2.60; 0.81-6.23). Microbiological documentation of sepsis was obtained in 235 (74.8%) patients. Urinary tract infections were present in 168 (53.5%) patients, followed by skin or soft tissue infections in 58 (18.5%) and lower respiratory tract infections in 44 (14.0%) patients. Lower respiratory tract as focus of sepsis was connected with worse outcome (P<0.001). Empirical antibiotic treatment was considered adequate in 107 (60.8%) survivors and 42 (30.4%) non-survivors. Patients treated with adequate empirical antibiotic therapy had significantly higher survival time in hospital (log-rank, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: The mortality rate of sepsis was unacceptably high. The odds for poor outcome increased with acquisition of sepsis at another department, winter season, limited mobility, higher SOFA score on day 1, history of chronic global heart failure, COPD-connected respiratory failure, and septic shock present during ICU treatment, whereas longer ICU length of stay, positive blood culture, and adequate empirical antibiotic therapy were protective factors.

Efficacy and safety of propofol sedation during urgent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy--a prospective study.

The aim of this study was to investigate both the efficacy and safety of sedation with propofol during urgent therapeutic gastroscopy in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. This prospective study included a total of 110 patients. Propofol was administered intravenously at the starting dose of 1 mg/kg body weight and was followed by repeated doses. Oxygen saturation and heart rate were monitored by pulse oxymetry. The mean dose of propofol administered was 161 +/- 49 mg. Urgent upper GI endoscopy under propofol sedation was successful in 98% of cases. Endoscopists rated the sedation as good in 83.6%, satisfactory in 14.5%, and poor in 1.8% of patients. Potentially harmful drop in oxygen saturation below 85% was observed in 5.5% of patients, whereas a temporary drop in heart rate below 50 beats/min was observed in 11.8%, not requiring any intervention. Almost 93% of patients could not remember the beginning or the end of the intervention. This data demonstrates that sedation with propofol is suitable for use in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding undergoing urgent endoscopy.