The use of computed tomography images as a prognostic marker in critically ill cancer patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: In the intensive care unit (ICU) setting, body composition is typically estimated through anthropometry, which does not specifically quantify skeletal muscle (SM). Recent findings have shown that computed tomography (CT) is a useful tool to identify low SM in critically ill patients, which in turn is associated with poor clinical outcomes. So, the present study aims at comparing low SM assessed by CT to BMI anthropometric data and its association with outcomes in critically ill patients. METHODS: Observational study was used, which included >18 year-old patients, with over 72 h of ICU length of stay, who had an abdominal CT at ICU admission. Demographic, body mass index (BMI), hospital outcomes and abdominal CT data (SM and adipose tissue at the 3rd lumbar vertebrae) were collected for analysis. ROC curve optimal stratification analysis for hospital mortality was applied to classify people into low SM (sarcopenic) versus normal SM (non-sarcopenic). A Cox regression was applied to find independent associations between sarcopenia and 30-day survival. RESULTS: The study involved 99 patients, 56% male, mean-age of 61.6 years old, BMI 24.19 ± 4.49 kg/m2; hospital mortality was 26%. According to BMI, 19.4% of the patients were underweight. However, a poor correlation was observed between BMI and SM index by CT: R2 = 0.39, P < 0.001. The cutoff point for determining sarcopenia by CT was 41.2 cm2/m2 (sensitivity 70%, specificity 69.5%, AUC 70.3) for both sexes. The sarcopenia diagnosis by CT as nutritional evaluation parameters was correlated with malnutrition BMI diagnosis in only 35.5%. When compared to non-sarcopenic patients, those with sarcopenia presented worse 30-day survival adjusted by age and SAPS 3 (HR = 2.74, 95%CI = 1.02-7.35, P = 0.04), higher hospital mortality (41.9% vs 14.6%, P = 0.006) and ICU non-infectious complications (76.7% vs 52.1%, P = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia assessed by abdominal CT demonstrated low correlation with BMI and was a risk factor for lower 30-day survival, higher hospital mortality and higher complications in critically ill patients.

A large Venous-Arterial PCO(2) Is Associated with Poor Outcomes in Surgical Patients.

Background. This study evaluated whether large venous-arterial CO(2) gap (PCO(2) gap) preoperatively is associated to poor outcome. Method. Prospective study which included adult high-risk surgical patients. The patients were pooled into two groups: wide [P(v-a)CO(2)] versus narrow [P(v-a)CO(2)]. In order to determine the best value to discriminate hospital mortality, it was applied a ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve for the [P(v-a)CO(2)] values collected preoperatively, and the most accurate value was chosen as cut-off to define the groups. Results. The study included 66 patients. The [P(v-a)CO(2)] value preoperatively that best discriminated hospital mortality was 5.0 mmHg, area = 0.73. Preoperative patients with [P(v-a)CO(2)] more than 5.0 mmHg presented a higher hospital mortality (36.4% versus 4.5% P = 0.004), higher prevalence of circulatory shock (56.8% versus 22.7% P = 0.01) and acute renal failure postoperatively (27.3% versus 4.5% P = 0.02), and longer hospital length of stays 20.0 (14.0-30.0) versus 13.5 (9.0-25.0) days P = 0.01. Conclusions. The PCO(2) gap values more than 5.0 mmHg preoperatively were associated with worse postoperatively outcome.

Transfusão sangüínea no intra-operatório, complicações e prognóstico / Transfusión sanguínea en el intraoperatorio, complicaciones y pronóstico / Complications and prognosis of intraoperative blood transfusion

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Transfusões sangüíneas no intra-operatório estão associadas a aumento de complicações no pós-operatório e custos hospitalares. Portanto, este estudo avaliou as características, complicações e possíveis fatores de riscos para morte em pacientes cirúrgicos que necessitaram de transfusões sangüíneas no intra-operatório. MÉTODO: Coorte prospectiva, durante período de um ano, no centro cirúrgico de hospital terciário. Incluíram-se pacientes com idade acima de 18 anos que necessitaram de transfusões sangüíneas no intra-operatório. Testemunhas de Jeová, pacientes que receberam transfusões prévias, falência coronariana e lesão encefálica aguda foram excluídos. RESULTADOS: O estudo envolveu 80 pacientes, com idade média de 68,4 ± 14,1 anos. Os pacientes ASA II foram prevalentes com 69,6 por cento dos casos, os escores APACHE II e POSSUM foram em média, respectivamente, 13,6 ± 4,4 e 37,5 ± 11,4. A hemoglobina média no momento da transfusão era 8,2 ± 1,8 g.dL-1 e 19 por cento dos pacientes apresentavam hemoglobina maior que 10 g.dL-1. Os pacientes receberam em média 2,2 ± 0,9 UI de concentrados de hemácias. A mortalidade hospitalar foi 26,3 por cento. As complicações pós-transfusões totalizaram 57,5 por cento dos casos no pós-operatório e a mais freqüente foi infecção. Foram fatores independentes de morte na regressão logística os escores APACHE II (OR = 1,34; IC 95 por cento 1,102 - 1,622), POSSUM (OR = 1,08; IC 95 por cento 1,008 - 1,150) e número de unidades de concentrados de hemácias recebidas (OR = 2,22; IC 95 por cento 1,100 - 4,463). Quanto maior o número de transfusões sangüíneas, maiores as incidências de complicações e mortalidade. CONCLUSÕES: O valor de hemoglobina e o número de unidades de concentrados de hemácias utilizados foram elevados comparados com os estudos que preconizam estratégias restritivas. Foi encontrada nesta amostra alta incidência...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Intraoperative blood transfusions are associated with an increase in postoperative complications and hospital costs. Thus, this study evaluated the characteristics, complications, and probable risk factors for death in surgical patients who needed intraoperative blood transfusions. METHODS: This is a prospective study that spanned a one-year period, undertaken at the surgical suite of a tertiary hospital. Patients older than 18 years who needed intraoperative blood transfusions were included in this study. Jehovah witnesses, patients with a history of prior blood transfusions, coronary failure, and acute brain lesions were excluded. RESULTS: Eighty patients with mean age of 68.4 ± 14.1 years participated in the study. Most patients were ASA II, representing 69.6 percent of the study group; APACHE and POSSUM scores were 13.6 ± 4.4 and 37.5 ± 11.4, respectively. Mean hemoglobin at the time of transfusion was 8.2 ±1.8 g.dL-1 and 19 percent of the patients had hemoglobin levels higher than 10 g.dL-1. Patients received an average of 2.2 ± 0.9 IU of packed red blood cells. Hospital mortality was 26.3 percent. Post-transfusion complications totaled 57.5 percent of the cases in the postoperative period, and most of them were due to infections. In the logistic regression, independent factors for death included APACHE II (OR = 1.34; 95 percent CI 1.102-1.622), POSSUM (OR = 1.08; 95 percent CI 1.008-1.150) and the number of packed red blood cells received (OR = 2.22; 95 percent CI 1.100-4.463). Thus, the higher the number of transfusions, the greater the incidence of complications and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Hemoglobin level, and the number of packed red blood cells used were elevated when compared with studies that suggest restrictive strategies. This sample presented a high incidence of complications, especially infections, and complications. APACHE II and POSSUM scores and the number of transfusions were independent...

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Transfusiones sanguíneas en el intraoperatorio están asociadas al aumento de complicaciones en el postoperatorio y costes hospitalarios. Por tanto, este estudio evaluó las características, complicaciones y los posibles factores de riesgos para muerte en pacientes quirúrgicos que necesitaron transfusiones sanguíneas en el intraoperatorio. MÉTODO: Categoría prospectiva, durante el período de un año, en el centro quirúrgico de hospital terciario. Se incluyeron pacientes con edad por encima de los 18 años que necesitaron transfusiones sanguíneas en el intraoperatorio. Testigos de Jeová, pacientes que recibieron transfusiones previas, fracaso coronario y lesión encefálica aguda quedaron excluidos del estudio. RESULTADOS: El estudio involucró a 80 pacientes, con una edad promedio entre los 68,4 ± 14,1 años. Los pacientes ASA II eran prevalecientes con 69,6 por ciento de los casos, las puntuaciones APACHE II y POSSUM fueron, como promedio respectivamente de 13,6 ± 4,4 y 37,5 ± 11,4. La hemoglobina promedio al momento de la transfusión era de 8,2 ± 1,8 g.dL-1 y un 19 por ciento de los pacientes tuvieron hemoglobina por encima de 10 g.dL-1. Los pacientes recibieron como promedio 2,2 ± 0,9 UI de concentrados de hematíes. La mortalidad hospitalaria fue de un 26,3 por ciento. Las complicaciones postransfusiones totalizaron un 57,5 por ciento de los casos en el postoperatorio y la más frecuente fue la infección. Fueron factores independientes de muerte en la regresión logística las puntuaciones APACHE II (OR = 1,34; IC 95 por ciento 1,102-1,622), POSSUM (OR = 1,08; IC 95 por ciento 1,008 - 1,150) y número de unidades de concentrados de hematíes recibidos (OR = 2,22; IC 95 por ciento 1,100 - 4,463). Mientras mayor es el número de transfusiones sanguíneas, mayores son las incidencias de las complicaciones y de la mortalidad. CONCLUSIONES: El valor de la hemoglobina y el número de unidades de concentrados de hematíes utilizados...

Complications and prognosis of intraoperative blood transfusion.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Intraoperative blood transfusions are associated with an increase in postoperative complications and hospital costs. Thus, this study evaluated the characteristics, complications, and probable risk factors for death in surgical patients who needed intraoperative blood transfusions. METHODS: This is a prospective study that spanned a one-year period, undertaken at the surgical suite of a tertiary hospital. Patients older than 18 years who needed intraoperative blood transfusions were included in this study Jehovah witnesses, patients with a history of prior blood transfusions, coronary failure, and acute brain lesions were excluded. RESULTS: Eighty patients with mean age of 68.4 +/- 14.1 years participated in the study. Most patients were ASA II, representing 69.6% of the study group; APACHE and POSSUM scores were 13.6 +/- 4.4 and 37.5 +/- 11.4, respectively. Mean hemoglobin at the time of transfusion was 8.2 +/-1.8 g x dL(-1) and 19% of the patients had hemoglobin levels higher than 10 g x dL(-1). Patients received an average of 2.2 +/- 0.9 IU of packed red blood cells. Hospital mortality was 26.3%. Post-transfusion complications totaled 57.5% of the cases in the postoperative period, and most of them were due to infections. In the logistic regression, independent factors for death included APACHE II (OR = 1.34; 95% CI 1.102-1.622), POSSUM (OR = 1.08; 95% CI 1.008-1.150) and the number of packed red blood cells received (OR = 2.22; 95% CI 1.100-4.463). Thus, the higher the number of transfusions, the greater the incidence of complications and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Hemoglobin level, and the number of packed red blood cells used were elevated when compared with studies that suggest restrictive strategies. This sample presented a high incidence of complications, especially infections, and complications. APACHE II and POSSUM scores and the number of transfusions were independent risk factors for a worse postoperative prognosis.