Improving mobility in the intensive care unit with a protocolized, early mobilization program: observations of a single center before-and-after the implementation of a multidisciplinary program.

BACKGROUND: Early intensive care unit (ICU) protocolized rehabilitative programs have been described previously, yet with differing starting time points and mostly on mechanically ventilated patients. We extended the concept to all admitted ICU patients and investigate the efficacy of early mobilization in improving mobility of the critically ill, address issues surrounding the timing and intensity of an early rehabilitative program. METHODS: Prospective cohorts of patients admitted consecutively before-and-after (control, n=92; intervention, n=90) the introduction of an early mobilization program in a single center, general hospital ICU. Improvement in mobility as assessed by ICU mobility score, on ICU admission and upon ICU discharge, was measured as a primary outcome. RESULTS: Those receiving early mobilization in the intensive care unit had higher ICU mobility score (2.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.65-4.61; P<0.001) upon discharge from the intensive care, with earlier out of bed mobilization on day 5 compared to the control group of day 21 (P<0.001). No differences were found in terms of mortality, intensive care hospitalization and subsequent hospitalization duration after discharge from ICU. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we report that improvement in mobility score earlier in the course of intensive care hospitalization with the introduction of a protocolized early rehabilitative program.

Body volume is the major determinant of worsening renal function in acutely decompensated heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.

AIMS: Little is known about the relative importance of body volume and haemodynamic parameters in the development of worsening of renal function in acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF). To study the relationship between haemodynamic parameters, body water content and worsening of renal function in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) hospitalised for ADHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: This prospective observational study involved 51 consecutive patients with HFrEF (age: 73±14 years, male: 60%, left ventricular ejection fraction: 33.3%±9.9%) hospitalised for ADHF. Echocardiographic-determined haemodynamic parameters and body volume determined using a bioelectric impedance analyser were serially obtained. All patients received intravenous furosemide 160 mg/day for 3 days. There was a mean weight loss of 3.95±2.82 kg (p<0.01), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) reduced from 1380±901 pg/mL to 797±738 pg/mL (p<0.01). Nonetheless serum creatinine (SCr) increased from 134±46 µmol/L to 151±53 µmol/L (p<0.01), and 35% of patients developed worsening of renal function. The change in SCr was positively correlated with age (r=0.34, p=0.017); and negatively with the ratio of extracellular water to total body water, a parameter of body volume status (r=-0.58, p<0.001); E:E' ratio (r=-0.36, p=0.01); right ventricular systolic pressure (r=-0.40, p=0.009); and BNP (r=-0.40, p=0.004). Counterintuitively, no correlation was observed between SCr and cardiac output, or total peripheral vascular resistance. Regression analysis revealed that normal body volume and lower BNP independently predicted worsening of renal function. CONCLUSIONS: Normal body volume and lower serum BNP on admission were associated with worsening of renal function in patients with HFrEF hospitalised for ADHF.