Fluid Responsiveness Is Associated with Successful Weaning after Liver Transplant Surgery.

A positive fluid balance may evolve to fluid overload and associate with organ dysfunctions, weaning difficulties, and increased mortality in ICU patients. We explored whether individualized fluid management, assessing fluid responsiveness via a passive leg-raising maneuver (PLR) before a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), is associated with less extubation failure in ventilated patients with a high fluid balance admitted to the ICU after liver transplantation (LT). We recruited 15 LT patients in 2023. Their postoperative fluid balance was +4476 {3697, 5722} mL. PLR maneuvers were conducted upon ICU admission (T1) and pre SBT (T2). Cardiac index (CI) changes were recorded before and after each SBT (T3). Seven patients were fluid-responsive at T1, and twelve were responsive at T2. No significant differences occurred in hemodynamic, respiratory, and perfusion parameters between the fluid-responsive and fluid-unresponsive patients at any time. Fluid-responsive patients at T1 and T2 increased their CI during SBT from 3.1 {2.8, 3.7} to 3.7 {3.4, 4.1} mL/min/m2 (p = 0.045). All fluid-responsive patients at T2 were extubated after the SBTs and consolidated extubation. Two out of three of the fluid-unresponsive patients experienced weaning difficulties. We concluded that fluid-responsive patients post LT may start weaning earlier and achieve successful extubation despite a high postoperative fluid balance. This highlights the profound impact of personalized assessments of cardiovascular state on critical surgical patients.

Coexistence of a fluid responsive state and venous congestion signals in critically ill patients: a multicenter observational proof-of-concept study.

BACKGROUND: Current recommendations support guiding fluid resuscitation through the assessment of fluid responsiveness. Recently, the concept of fluid tolerance and the prevention of venous congestion (VC) have emerged as relevant aspects to be considered to avoid potentially deleterious side effects of fluid resuscitation. However, there is paucity of data on the relationship of fluid responsiveness and VC. This study aims to compare the prevalence of venous congestion in fluid responsive and fluid unresponsive critically ill patients after intensive care (ICU) admission. METHODS: Multicenter, prospective cross-sectional observational study conducted in three medical-surgical ICUs in Chile. Consecutive mechanically ventilated patients that required vasopressors and admitted < 24 h to ICU were included between November 2022 and June 2023. Patients were assessed simultaneously for fluid responsiveness and VC at a single timepoint. Fluid responsiveness status, VC signals such as central venous pressure, estimation of left ventricular filling pressures, lung, and abdominal ultrasound congestion indexes and relevant clinical data were collected. RESULTS: Ninety patients were included. Median age was 63 [45-71] years old, and median SOFA score was 9 [7-11]. Thirty-eight percent of the patients were fluid responsive (FR+), while 62% were fluid unresponsive (FR-). The most prevalent diagnosis was sepsis (41%) followed by respiratory failure (22%). The prevalence of at least one VC signal was not significantly different between FR+ and FR- groups (53% vs. 57%, p = 0.69), as well as the proportion of patients with 2 or 3 VC signals (15% vs. 21%, p = 0.4). We found no association between fluid balance, CRT status, or diagnostic group and the presence of VC signals. CONCLUSIONS: Venous congestion signals were prevalent in both fluid responsive and unresponsive critically ill patients. The presence of venous congestion was not associated with fluid balance or diagnostic group. Further studies should assess the clinical relevance of these results and their potential impact on resuscitation and monitoring practices.

Secondary respiratory early and late infections in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Patients with COVID-19 receiving mechanical ventilation may become aggravated with a secondary respiratory infection. The aim of this study was to describe secondary respiratory infections, their predictive factors, and outcomes in patients with COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A cohort study was carried out in a single tertiary hospital in Santiago, Chile, from 1st June to 31st July 2020. All patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit that required mechanical ventilation were included. RESULTS: A total of 175 patients were enrolled, of which 71 (40.6%) developed at least one secondary respiratory infection during follow-up. Early and late secondary infections were diagnosed in 1.7% and 31.4% respectively. Within late secondary infections, 88% were bacterial, 10% were fungal, and 2% were of viral origin. One-third of isolated bacteria were multidrug-resistant. Bivariate analysis showed that the history of corticosteroids used before admission and the use of dexamethasone during hospitalization were associated with a higher risk of secondary infections (p = 0.041 and p = 0.019 respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that for each additional day of mechanical ventilation, the risk of secondary infection increases 1.1 times (adOR = 1.07; 95% CI 1.02-1.13, p = 0.008) CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit and requiring mechanical ventilation had a high rate of secondary infections during their hospital stay. The number of days on MV was a risk factor for acquiring secondary respiratory infections.

Intubation timing as determinant of outcome in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome by SARS-CoV-2 infection.

PURPOSE: To determine whether time-to-intubation was associated with higher ICU mortality in patients with COVID-19 on mechanical ventilation due to respiratory insufficiency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an observational, prospective, single-center study of patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection hospitalized with moderate to severe ARDS, connected to mechanical ventilation in the ICU between March 17 and July 31, 2020. We examined their general and clinical characteristics. Time-to-intubation was the time from hospital admission to endotracheal intubation. RESULTS: We included 183 consecutive patients; 28% were female, and median age was 62 years old. Eighty-eight patients (48%) were intubated before 48 h (early) and ninety-five (52%) after 48 h (late). Patients intubated early had similar admission PaO2/FiO2 ratio (123 vs 99; p = 0.179) but were younger (59 vs 64; p = 0.013) and had higher body mass index (30 vs 28; p = 0.006) compared to patients intubated late. Mortality was higher in patients intubated late (18% versus 43%), with admission PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 100 mmHg (OR 5.2; p = 0.011), of older age (OR 1.1; p = 0.001), and with previous use of ACE inhibitors (OR 4.8; p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: In COVID-19 patients, late intubation, Pafi <100, older age, and previous ACE inhibitors use were associated with increased ICU mortality.

La criticidad de las Unidades de Intensivo. Ampliando las Unidades en tiempos de pandemia / Expanding ICU facilities in a pandemic scenario

Our country is suffering the effects of the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Because the vulnerability of healthcare systems, especially the intensive care areas they can rapidly be overloaded. That challenge the ICUs simultaneously on multiple fronts making urgent to increase the number of beds, without lowering the standards of care. The purpose of this article is to discuss some aspects of the national situation and to provide recommendations on the organizational management of intensive care units such as isolation protocols, surge in ICU bed capacity, ensure adequate supplies, protect and train healthcare workers maintaining quality clinical management.

[Expanding ICU facilities in a pandemic scenario]. / La criticidad de las Unidades de Intensivo. Ampliando las Unidades en tiempos de pandemia.

Our country is suffering the effects of the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Because the vulnerability of healthcare systems, especially the intensive care areas they can rapidly be overloaded. That challenge the ICUs simultaneously on multiple fronts making urgent to increase the number of beds, without lowering the standards of care. The purpose of this article is to discuss some aspects of the national situation and to provide recommendations on the organizational management of intensive care units such as isolation protocols, surge in ICU bed capacity, ensure adequate supplies, protect and train healthcare workers maintaining quality clinical management.

Factores asociados a bajo gradiente en estenosis aórtica severa con fracción de eyección preservada / Factors associated with low gradient in severe aortic valve stenosis with preserved ejection fraction

Introducción: La estenosis aórtica es frecuente en países desarrollados, cuando es severa (EAS) y sintomática se recomienda reemplazo valvular. Su diagnóstico ecocardiográfico se realiza con cualquiera de; área valvular aórtica (AVA) <1.0 cm², gradiente medio (GM) >40 mmHg, velocidad máxima >4 m/s. Habitualmente existe concordancia entre estos criterios, pero diversas razones generan discordancia hasta en un 40%, principalmente entre área y gradiente (DAG), causando incertidumbre diagnóstica en presencia de fracción de eyección preservada del ventrículo izquierdo (FEp) (FEVI >50%). Objetivos: Caracterizar pacientes con EAS en la red UC. Establecer prevalencia y factores asociados a DAG en pacientes con EAS y FEp. Métodos: Estudio de corte transversal, incluyó todos los pacientes con AVA<1.0 cm2 durante 17.5 años en la red UC. Se registraron variables biodemográficas y eco-cardiográficas. Los pacientes con EAS y FEp se subdivi-dieron en 2 grupos según GM, bajo (<40 mmHg) y alto (>40mmHg), se utilizó t-student y Chi cuadrado. Resultados: 1281 pacientes cumplieron criterio de AVA<1.0 cm2. Edad 71.8±13 años, mujeres 51.4%, hombres el 48.6%. FEVI 68.71 ± 14.62%, FEp 89,2%, Características grupo GM Bajo: Edad 81.66 ± 6.56 años, Mujeres 56.3%, fibrilación auricular (FA) 14.1%. Grupo GM Alto. 68.08 ± 13.21 años, mujeres 47.6%, FA 8%. Presencia de DAG 42.5%. Factores asociados a bajo gradiente con FEp fueron: edad avanzada (>70 años), mujer y fibrilación auricular. Conclusiones: La EAS en nuestro medio se observa en personas mayores con FEp. La presencia de DAG es frecuente y el principal factor asociado en presencia de FEp es la FA.

Introduction: Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most prevalent valvular heart disease in developed countries. Symptomatic severe AS requires surgical intervention, and its echocardiographic criteria encompass: Aortic valve area (AVA) < 1.0 cm2, aortic mean gradient (MG) > 40 mmHg, peak aortic jet velocity > 4 m/s. Usually there is agreement among these criteria, but several reasons can cause up to 40% discordant results, mainly between AVA an MG, casting doubt about severity in the setting of preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (pLVEF). Objectives: Characterize patients with severe AS. Assess prevalence and factors related to AG discordance (AGD) in patients with pLVEF. Methods: Cross-sectional study, that included all patients with an AVA <1.0 cm2 during the last 17.5 years in UC health network. Bio-demographic and echocardiographic variables were registered. Patients with severe AS and pLVEF where allocated in 2 subgroups according to the MG as low (<40 mmHg) and high (>40 mmHg), 2 sides t-student and chi-squared test were performed. Results: 1281 patients fulfill criteria of AVA<1.0 cm2. Age 71.8±13 years, women 51.4%, male 48.6%, LVEF 68.71 ± 14.62%. pLVEF 89.2%. Low MG group: Age 81.66 ± 6.56 y, women 56.3%, atrial fibrillation (AF) 14.1%. High MG group: Age 68.08 ± 13.21 y, women 47.6%, AF 8%. AGD prevalence was 42.5%. Factors related to low MG with pLVEF were; advance age (>70 y), women and AF. Conclusions: Severe AS occurs mainly in advance age patients with pLVEF. AGD is frequent and the foremost related factor is AF.