Predictors of outcomes of patients ≥ 80 years old admitted to intensive care units in Poland - a post-hoc analysis of the VIP2 prospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Elderly patients pose a significant challenge to intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians. In this study we attempted to characterise the population of patients over 80 years old admitted to ICUs in Poland and identify associations between clinical features and short-term outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study is a post-hoc analysis of the Polish cohort of the VIP2 European prospective observational study enrolling patients > 80 years old admitted to ICUs over a 6-month period. Data including clinical features, clinical frailty scale (CFS), geriatric scales, interventions within the ICU, and outcomes (30-day and ICU mortality and length of stay) were gathered. Univariate analyses comparing frail (CFS > 4) to non-frail patients and survivors to non-survivors were performed. Multivariable models with CFS, activities of daily living score (ADL), and the cognitive decline questionnaire IQCODE as predictors and ICU or 30-day mortality as outcomes were formed. RESULTS: A total of 371 patients from 27 ICUs were enrolled. Frail patients had significantly higher ICU (58% vs. 44.45%, P = 0.03) and 30-day (65.61% vs. 54.14%, P = 0.01) mortality compared to non-frail counterparts. The survivors had significantly lower SOFA score, CFS, ADL, and IQCODE than non-survivors. In multivariable analysis CFS (OR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.00-1.34) and SOFA score (OR 1.29, 95% CI: 1.19-1.41) were identified as significant predictors for ICU mortality; however, CFS was not a predictor for 30-day mortality ( P = 0.07). No statistical significance was found for ADL, IQCODE, polypharmacy, or comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: We found a positive correlation between CFS and ICU mortality, which might point to the value of assessing the score for every patient admitted to the ICU. The older Polish ICU patients were characterised by higher mortality compared to the other European countries.

COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Intensive Care Unit Patients from Poland.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been shown to be a favoring factor for aspergillosis, especially in a severe course requiring admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of the study was to assess the morbidity of CAPA among ICU patients in Poland and to analyze applied diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Medical documentation of patients hospitalized at the temporary COVID-19 dedicated ICU of the University Hospital in Krakow, Poland, from May 2021 to January 2022 was analyzed. In the analyzed period, 17 cases of CAPA were reported with an incidence density rate of 9 per 10 000 patient days and an incidence rate of 1%. Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger were isolated from lower respiratory samples. Antifungal therapy was administered to 9 patients (52.9%). Seven patients (77.8%) received voriconazole. The CAPA fatality case rate was 76.5%. The results of the study indicate the need to increase the awareness of medical staff about the possibility of fungal co-infections in ICU patients with COVID-19 and to use the available diagnostic and therapeutic tools more effectively.

Use of Continuous Veno-Venous Hemodialysis (CVVHD) in Treatment of a Polytrauma Patient with Severe Hemophilia A.

BACKGROUND There are very few reports in the literature worldwide on how to deliver continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) to patients with multi-organ trauma and severe hemophilia A. The aim of this case report is to describe successful multidisciplinary, intensive treatment of a patient with multi-organ trauma suffering from severe hemophilia A with the use of continuous veno-venous hemodialysis with regional citrate anticoagulation (Ci-Ca CVVHD). CASE REPORT We report a case of a 47-year-old man with severe hemophilia A, who had multi-organ trauma as a result of a serious traffic accident and was admitted to the Trauma Centre of Emergency and Disaster Medicine in Krakow, Poland in critical condition. Due to elevated laboratory markers of kidney damage (creatinine 204 mmol/l, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) 32 ml/min/1.73 m²), very high myoglobin level (>1000 µ/l) associated with rhabdomyolysis, oliguria (diuresis <0.5 ml/kg/h), and overhydration as a consequence of massive transfusion of blood products and fluids, on day 2 after the injury Ci-Ca CVVHD was initiated as a part of intensive, multidisciplinary treatment. This approach proved to be successful in our patient as he was discharged from the Intensive Care Unit on day 45 after the injury in good general condition, with stable circulatory and respiratory system, without any apparent neurological deficits, and with good renal function (creatinine 50 mmol/l, GFR >60 ml/min/1.73 m²). CONCLUSIONS Our case report shows that intensive, multidisciplinary treatment with implementation of Ci-Ca CVVHD may be an effective and safe method of care for patients with multi-organ trauma and hemophilia A.