Impact of active surveillance and infection control measures on carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacterial colonization and infections in intensive care.

BACKGROUND: Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CRGNB) infections constitute a global threat for critically ill patients and the outcome of their hospitalization. Early identification of CRGNB through rectal surveillance cultures and routine infection control measures including contact precautions, use of appropriate disinfectants, staff education on cleaning, and hand hygiene may reduce the dissemination of CRGNB. AIM: To assess the impact of enhanced infection control measures on CRGNB infections in a nine-bed polyvalent intensive care unit in a tertiary level hospital in an endemic area. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study, which included patients with CRGNB infection retrospectively for six months and those participating in an active surveillance programme prospectively for the subsequent 22 months. Active surveillance programme (weekly rectal swabs) was implemented including two sub-periods with infection control measures and enhanced infection control measures. CRGNB incidence, prevalence, colonization pressure, infections and compliance with infection control measures and enhanced infection control measures were recorded. Analysis was performed through time-series and interrupted time-series. FINDINGS: During the active surveillance programme, enhanced infection control measures led to a steeper downwards trend in incidence, prevalence, and colonization pressure for CRGNB compared to the infection control measures sub-period. The linear trend was for carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) infections to decrease from 19.6 to 8.1 infections per 1000 bed-days (IBD) (P = 0.001) and from 5.1 to 1.79 IBD (P = 0.043), respectively. By contrast, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections increased from 5.2 to 15.3 IBD (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Enhanced infection control measures including enhanced hand hygiene, active surveillance combined with contact precautions, education, audits and feedback policies and interventions could reduce CRKP and CRPA in endemic areas.

Impact of the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score on liver transplantation in Greece.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of preoperative Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score in postoperative mortality remains unclear. The assumption that patients with a higher MELD score will have a higher mortality rate is not confirmed and studies are contradictory. AIM: The study of the clinical course of patients with a higher MELD score and its impact in immediate and later mortality in comparison with patients with a lower MELD score in the only liver transplantation center in Greece. METHOD: We retrospectively studied 71 patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in the time period between 1-1-2011 and 31-12-2013. The patients were divided into 2 groups: Group A with a MELD score ≥23 and Group B with a MELD score <23. RESULTS: In the patients with a MELD score ≥23 the duration of mechanical ventilation and length of stay in the ICU were prolonged (P = .013 and .009, respectively), the transfusions were more (P = .005), and the rates of ICU readmissions (22.5% vs 7.31%, P = .001) and infections (42.5% vs 17.5%, P = .011) were higher. Thirty-day mortality did not differ between the 2 groups (P = .420), but there was a statistically significant difference in morbidity and in 180-day mortality. CONCLUSION: The patients with a higher MELD score have more complex pathophysiology. This score seems to affect morbidity and late, but not early, mortality.

Comparison of RIFLE and AKIN criteria in the evaluation of the frequency of acute kidney injury in post-liver transplantation patients.

BACKGROUND: Acute renal dysfunction is presented quite often after orthotopic liver transplantation (LT), with a reported incidence of 12-64%. The "RIFLE" criteria were introduced in 2004 for the definition of acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients, and a revised definition was proposed in 2007 by the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN), introducing the AKIN criteria. The aim of this study was to record the incidence of AKI in patients after LT by both classifications and to evaluate their prognostic value on mortality. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the records of patients with LT over 2 years (2011-2012) and recorded the incidence of AKI as defined by the RIFLE and AKIN criteria. Preoperative and admission severity of disease scores, duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit length of stay, and 30- and 180-day survivals were also recorded. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were included, with an average age of 51.78 ± 10.3 years. The incidence of AKI according to the RIFLE criteria was 39.43% (Risk, 12.7%; Injury, 12.7%; Failure, 14.1%), whereas according to the AKIN criteria it was 52.1% (stage I, 22.5%; stage II, 7%; stage II 22.55%). AKI, regardless of the classification used, was related to the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, the volume of transfusions, the duration of mechanical ventilation, and survival. The presence of AKI was related to higher mortality, which rose proportionally with the severity of AKI as defined by the stages of either the RIFLE or the AKIN criteria. CONCLUSIONS: AKI classifications according to the RIFLE and AKIN criteria are useful tools in the recognition and classification of the severity of renal dysfunction in patients after LT, because they are associated with higher mortality, which rises proportionally with the severity of renal disease.

Causes and incidence of renal replacement therapy application in orthotopic liver transplantation patients: our experience.

BACKGROUND: Renal dysfunction is commonly found in patients with end-stage liver disease, as well as after liver transplantation, and it often needs renal replacement therapy (RRT) with the application of continuous or intermittent methods. The aim of this study was the recording of the patients who underwent continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) in the early postoperative period, as well as the recording of mortality and risk factors. METHODS: We retrospectively examined 71 patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation during a 2-year period (2011-2012). We recorded the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria, and we distinguished 2 groups of patients. Group A included those who needed RRT during the 1st 7 days after transplantation, and group B included the patients who did not require RRT. The RRT method of choice was CVVHDF. RESULTS: In group A, the population of patients who presented AKI reached 52.1%, and 22.5% of the them underwent RRT. The mean Model for End-Stage Liver Disease and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation scores were higher in group A, who also presented greater hemodynamic instability and more frequent infections and required more transfusions. The transfusion of >10 units of red blood cells was recognized as a risk factor for RRT (P = .024; odds ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-7.53). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who required RRT immediately after surgery had a significantly higher rate of mortality and it seemed that the number of transfusions played an important role in this.

Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation: initial results from a center in Greece.

AIM: The outcome of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK) in type 1 diabetes has dramatically improved in recent years. We report the initial results of our SPK program. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2008 to 2010, we performed and prospectively obtained data on 4 SPKs in 4 type 1 diabetic patients with chronic renal failure. The recipients were 3 men and 1 woman, of overall mean age of 40.75 ± 4.78 years, mean time from diabetes diagnosis of 27 ± 15 years, and time on dialysis of 3.5 ± 0.57 years. All grafts were procured from multiorgan brain-dead donors of mean age 26 ± 8.16 years and mean body weight of 74 ± 4.34 kg. The pancreatic grafts were transplanted first into the right iliac fossa with mean cold ischemia times of 10.62 ± 3.09 hours for the pancreatic and 14.00 ± 2.97 hours for the renal grafts. Pancreas arterial inflow was re-established by an end-to-side anastomosis of an extension Y-graft to the recipient right iliac artery. The portal vein was sutured to the iliac vein directly. The exocrine secretions of the pancreas were managed by duodenojejunostomy extraperitoneally (n = 3) or intraperitoneally (n = 1). The ureteral anastomosis was performed using the Taguchi technique. RESULTS: After SPK, endocrine pancreatic function was immediately restored in all patients. Insulin administration was stopped within the first 24 hours after surgery. Two patients displayed delayed renal graft function necessitating dialysis for 9 and 23 days, respectively. The postoperative course was prolonged with a mean hospital stay of 82 ± 1 day. At a 31.75 ± 9.03 months follow up all patients are alive with functioning grafts. CONCLUSION: Our experience with SPK, although limited, has shown encouraging results over a short follow-up period.

The effect of hyponatremia on the outcome of patients after orthotopic liver transplantation.

Predicting the prognosis of cirrhotic patients is considered to achieve a fair allocation among patients awaiting orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Serum sodium (Na) concentrations are associated with reduced survival among patients with cirrhosis. The mortality risk of cirrhotic patients, as defined by the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, is considered to be higher in hyponatremic patients. The aim of this study was to record complications and outcomes of severely hyponatremic patients after OLT. We retrospectively studied 75 recipients of OLT over the last 3 years. Hyponatremic patients showed lower 30-day and intensive care unit (ICU) survivals (P = .022 and .028, respectively), higher rates of neurological complications (P = .038), renal failure (P = .001), and prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation (P = .000) and ICU stay (P = .000). Severe hyponatremia was related to a greater risk for neurological and renal complications after OLT.

Acute kidney injury after orthotopic liver transplantation.

Acute kidney injury (AKI), one of the most frequent complications in the early period after liver transplantation, causes serious obstacles in the management of these patients affecting their outcomes. We studied retrospectively 79 subjects who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). AKI was defined as an elevation of serum creatinine 1.5 times above baseline or an absolute serum creatinine level > 2 mg/dL. Our aim was to analyze the incidence, correlation with prior renal impairment, outcomes of AKI after OLT. Twenty-two patients (29.3%) developed AKI after OLT with 31.81% of the requiring renal replacement therapy. Among patients with AKI the duration of mechanical ventilation was prolonged (P = .001), length of stay in the intensive care unit was greater (P = .001), infections were more common (P = .016), and 30-day and 1-year mortality rates higher (P = .018). Logistic regression analysis showed post-OLT AKI to be an independent risk factor for 1-year mortality after OLT.

Hepatic artery thrombosis after orthotopic liver transplantation: 3 patients with collateral formation and conservative treatment.

Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT), a serious complication after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), can lead to patient death in the absence of revascularization or retransplantation. Herein we have presented clinical characteristics, imaging findings, and long-term outcomes of 3 OLT patients with HAT who were treated conservatively and developed hepatic arterial collaterals. These patients underwent transplantation due to hepatitis B cirrhosis, cryptogenic cirrhosis, or hepatitis C infection and alcoholic disease. They presented with bile duct stenosis and/or a bile leak at 1, 3, and 36 months after transplantation, respectively, and were treated with percutaneous drainage and stent placement, endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP), or reanastomosis of the bile duct over a T tube. HAT was confirmed using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) 3-dimensional (3D) angiography and Doppler sonography. They survive in good condition with normal liver function at 30, 50, and 42 months after OLT, respectively. Development of collateral arterial circulation to the liver graft was detected with MDCT 3D angiography and Doppler sonography. From our experience with 3 patients and a literature review, we believe that there are a number of patients who experience long-term survival after the diagnosis of irreversible HAT and the development of collaterals. Although this group is at high risk for sepsis and biliary complications, these are usually self-limiting complications due to improved treatment regimens. The development of collateral arterial flow may also be beneficial.

Infections after orthotopic liver transplantation in the intensive care unit.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to assess the characteristics and risk factors of infections in the early period after orthopic liver transplantation (OLT) among adult patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 75 patients who underwent OLT over 3 years from 2008 to 2010. We recorded all infections that developed during hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU) their outcomes, and the possible risk factors. RESULTS: During the study period in 80 OLT we recorded 19 bloodstream infections (47.5%), 7 ventilator-associated pneumonias (VAP; 17.5%), and 14 intra-abdominal infections (35%). Among the 40 isolated microbes, 72.5% were Gram negative, 25% were Gram positive, and 2.5% were fungi. The median time to developing the infection was 4.95 days (range 2-10). Patients with infections showed longer durations of mechanical ventilation, longer lengths of ICU stay, and lower 1-year survivals.

Preterm delivery in a parturient candidate for emergency liver transplantation after hepatitis B virus infection related fulminant liver failure.

This case shows the development of fulminant hepatic failure due to acute hepatitis B virus infection in a multipara (32(nd) week of gestation) candidate for an emergency liver transplantation. Preterm labor began and she delivered a preterm healthy male baby. Postpartum, there were complications including a massive hemorrhage that was managed adequately. We also reviewed the literature regarding causes, complications, and management of acute liver failure during pregnancy and labor.