Dynamic changes of hepatic vein Doppler velocities predict preload responsiveness in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of dynamic parameters to guide fluid administration is one of the mainstays of current resuscitation strategies. Each test has its own limitations, but passive leg raising (PLR) has emerged as one of the most versatile preload responsiveness tests. However, it requires real-time cardiac output (CO) measurement either through advanced monitoring devices, which are not routinely available, or echocardiography, which is not always feasible. Analysis of the hepatic vein Doppler waveform change, a simpler ultrasound-based assessment, during a dynamic test such as PLR could be useful in predicting preload responsiveness. The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of hepatic vein Doppler S and D-wave velocities during PLR as a predictor of preload responsiveness. METHODS: Prospective observational study conducted in two medical-surgical ICUs in Chile. Patients in circulatory failure and connected to controlled mechanical ventilation were included from August to December 2023. A baseline ultrasound assessment of cardiac function was performed. Then, simultaneously, ultrasound measurements of hepatic vein Doppler S and D waves and cardiac output by continuous pulse contour analysis device were performed during a PLR maneuver. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were analyzed. 63% of the patients were preload responsive defined by a 10% increase in CO after passive leg raising. A 20% increase in the maximum S wave velocity after PLR showed the best diagnostic accuracy with a sensitivity of 69.6% (49.1-84.4) and specificity of 92.8 (68.5-99.6) to detect preload responsiveness, with an area under curve of receiving operator characteristic (AUC-ROC) of 0.82 ± 0.07 (p = 0.001 vs. AUC-ROC of 0.5). D-wave velocities showed worse diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic vein Doppler assessment emerges as a novel complementary technique with adequate predictive capacity to identify preload responsiveness in patients in mechanical ventilation and circulatory failure. This technique could become valuable in scenarios of basic hemodynamic monitoring and when echocardiography is not feasible. Future studies should confirm these results.

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.

Diaphragmatic Ultrasound Predictors of High-Flow Nasal Cannula Therapeutic Failure in Critically Ill Patients With SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia.

OBJECTIVES: High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is frequently used in patients with acute respiratory failure, but there is limited evidence regarding predictors of therapeutic failure. The objective of this study was to assess diaphragmatic ultrasound criteria as predictors of failure to HFNC, defined as the need for orotracheal intubation or death. METHODS: Prospective cohort study including adult patients consecutively admitted to the critical care unit, from July 24 to October 20, 2020, with respiratory failure secondary to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia who required HFNC. After 12 hours of HFNC initiation we measured ROX index (ratio of SpO2 /FiO2 to respiratory rate), excursion and diaphragmatic contraction speed (diaphragmatic excursion/inspiratory time) by ultrasound, both in supine and prone position. RESULTS: In total, 41 patients were analyzed, 25 succeeded and 16 failed HFNC therapy. At 12 hours, patients who succeeded HFNC therapy presented higher ROX index in supine position (9.8 [9.1-15.6] versus 5.4 [3.9-6.8], P < .01), and higher PaO2 /FiO2 ratio (186 [135-236] versus 117 [103-162] mmHg, P = .03). To predict therapeutic failure, the supine diaphragmatic contraction speed presented sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 57%, while the ROX index presented a sensitivity of 92.8% and a specificity of 75%. CONCLUSIONS: Diaphragmatic contraction speed by ultrasound emerges as a diagnostic complement to clinical tools to predict HFNC success. Future studies should confirm these results.

Presencia de trombosis y hallazgos anatomopatológicos post mortem en 109 pacientes con COVID-19 / Presence of thrombosis and post-mortem pathological findings in 109 patients with COVID-19

INTRODUCCIÓN: En 6 meses se notificaron más de 400 mil fallecidos por COVID-19. Han surgido múltiples investigaciones para comprender su etiopatogenia, siendo la autopsia médica uno de los mejores procedimientos para obtener información. Presentamos una revisión respecto a hallazgos post mortem publicados hasta mayo, 2020. RESULTADOS: Se recolectaron 12 estudios, de un total de 109 pacientes cuyo deceso fue por complicación respiratoria, predominó el sexo masculino, edad avanzada y con múltiples comorbilidades. El estudio PCR se realizó principalmente para diagnóstico. Se demostró ARN viral en riñón, hígado, corazón, cerebro y otros órganos. Los autores relataron presencia de micro y/o macro trombosis, en 50 de 109 casos, sobre todo a nivel pulmonar y renal, de tipo microscópica y relacionados a signos de shock. Desde la perspectiva anatomopatológica, se centra en alteraciones pulmonares y renales: daño alveolar difuso, injuria tubular aguda, microtrombos y otros signos de alteración microcirculatoria. Los estudios inmunohistoquímicos, de inmunofluoresencia y microscopía electrónica sugieren tropismo del virus por células epiteliales y estromales a nivel pulmonar y renal. En otros órganos se encuentran elementos morfológicos inespecíficos, atribuibles a patologías de base o shock. CONCLUSIÓN: El patrón histopatológico de daño alveolar difuso es frecuente, principalmente en fase exudativa o temprana. En el tejido renal destaca la injuria tubular aguda y daño microcirculatorio. El número y la descripción de muestras en otros órganos es reducida, siendo necesaria mayor casuística. La trombosis, es un trastorno prevalente en pulmones y riñones de pacientes con signos de shock. El tipo de trombo con más frecuencia descrito, es el microtrombo. Si bien se puede explicar como gatillante del fenómeno trombótico la interacción entre agente y huésped, otros factores deben ser estudiados para dilucidar la patogenia.

Presence of anti-HBc is associated to high rates of HBV resolved infection and low threshold for Occult HBV Infection in HIV patients with negative HBsAg in Chile.

HBV-HIV coinfection is prevalent. Frequently, anti-HBc is the only serological marker of HBV, which can be indicative of HBV resolved infection, when found together with anti-HBs reactivity; or present as "isolated anti-HBc," related to HBV occult infection with presence of detectable DNA HBV, more prevalent in HIV-positive individuals. Regional data about this condition are scarce. Anti-HBc rapid test has been used as screening, but its performance has not been described in HIV-positive patients. The aim of this study was determine prevalence of anti-HBc in HIV-positive patients, serological pattern of HBV resolved infection and isolated anti-HBc, evaluating presence of HBV occult infection. Assess anti-HBc rapid test compared to ECLIA. Methods included measurement of anti-HBc and anti-HBs in HIV-positive patients with negative HBsAg. Serum HBV DNA quantification and HBV booster vaccination to "isolated anti-HBc" individuals. Detection of anti-HBc by rapid test and ECLIA. In 192 patients, prevalence of anti-HBc was 42.7% (82/192); associated to male gender, drug use, men-sex-men, positive-VDRL, and longer time HIV diagnosis. 34.4% (66/192) had presence of anti-HBs, mean titers of 637 ui/ml. Isolated anti-HBc in 8.3% (16/192), associated to detectable HIV viral load and no-use of HAART; in them, HBV DNA was undetectable, and 60% responded to HBV vaccination booster. Anti-HBc rapid test showed low sensibility (32.9%) compared to ECLIA. These results show that prevalence of anti-HBc in HIV-positive individuals is high, in most cases accompanied with anti-HBs as HBV resolved infection. Low prevalence of "isolated anti-HBc," with undetectable HBV DNA, and most had anamnestic response to HBV vaccination; suggest low possibility of occult HBV infection. Anti-HBc rapid test cannot be recommended as screening method for anti-HBc.

Resultados del tratamiento laparoscópico de la colecistitis aguda / Laparoscopy treatment of acute cholecystitis: results

INTRODUCCIÓN. Desde la introducción de la colecistectomía laparoscópica, numerosos autores han documentado las ventajas de esta técnica sobre la colecistectomía abierta, y se considera el abordaje estándar para el tratamiento de la colelitiasis no complicada. Sin embargo, existía cierta resistencia por parte de los cirujanos cuando se trataba de la colecistitis aguda. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue presentar los resultados obtenidos con el tratamiento laparoscópico precoz de la colecistitis aguda en nuestro servicio. MÉTODOS. De un total de 142 pacientes ingresados con el diagnóstico de colecistitis aguda, 49 fueron intervenidos mediante colecistectomía laparoscópica de urgencia durante el período comprendido entre febrero del 2003 y febrero del 2007. Se establecieron 5 criterios para la selección de los pacientes: comienzo de los síntomas antes de 72 h, diagnóstico clínico y ultrasonográfico de colecistitis aguda, vía biliar principal no dilatada, ausencia de imagen sugestiva de litiasis coledociana, ausencia de cirugía del abdomen superior y pacientes sin contraindicación para la cirugía laparoscópica. RESULTADOS. El tiempo quirúrgico promedio fue de 65 min. Hubo una lesión de la vía biliar principal que se detectó durante la cirugía (herida de colédoco), 2 infecciones de la herida, 2 pacientes precisaron de conversión: uno por lesión de la vía biliar y otro por sangrado del lecho vesicular. La estadía hospitalaria promedio fue de 2,5 días. No hubo reintervenciones ni mortalidad en esta serie. CONCLUSIONES. Se concluyó que el método laparoscópico en la colecistitis aguda, cuando se indica precozmente, es seguro y factible. Recomendamos que sea la primera opción terapéutica en estos pacientes(AU)

INTRODUCTION: From introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, many authors have verified advantages of this technique on open cholecystectomy, and it is consider the standard approach for treatment of non-complicated cholelitiasis. However, there was some resistance by surgeons when to be about the acute cholecystitis. Aim of present paper was to present results achieved with early laparoscopic treatment of acute cholecystitis in our service. METHODS: From a total of 142 patients admitted diagnosed with acute cholecystitis, 49 of them were operated on by means emergent laparoscopic cholecystectomy from February 2003 to February 2007. Five criteria was established for patients selection: start of symptoms before 72 hours, clinical and ultrasound diagnosis of acute cholecystitis, non-dilated main biliary route, lack of suggestive image of choledochal lithiasis, lack of high abdomen surgery, and patients with contraindications for laparoscopic surgery. RESULTS: Average surgical time was of 65 minutes. There was a lesion of main biliary route detected at surgery (choledochal wound), two wound infections, and two patients needed conversion: one by biliary route lesion and another by vesicular roof bleeding. Average hospital stay was or 2, 5 days. There were neither re-interventions nor mortality in this series. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that laparoscopic method in case of acute cholecystitis, when it is early prescribed, is safe and feasible. We suggested that it be the first therapeutical option in these patients(AU)

Resultados del tratamiento laparoscópico de la colecistitis aguda / Laparoscopy treatment of acute cholecystitis: Results

Desde la introducción de la colecistectomía laparoscópica, numerosos autores han documentado las ventajas de esta técnica sobre la colecistectomía abierta, y se considera el abordaje estándar para el tratamiento de la colelitiasis no complicada. Sin embargo, existía cierta resistencia por parte de los cirujanos cuando se trataba de la colecistitis aguda. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue presentar los resultados obtenidos con el tratamiento laparoscópico precoz de la colecistitis aguda en nuestro servicio. De un total de 142 pacientes ingresados con el diagnóstico de colecistitis aguda, 49 fueron intervenidos mediante colecistectomía laparoscópica de urgencia durante el período comprendido entre febrero del 2003 y febrero del 2007. Se establecieron 5 criterios para la selección de los pacientes: comienzo de los síntomas antes de 72 h, diagnóstico clínico y ultrasonográfico de colecistitis aguda, vía biliar principal no dilatada, ausencia de imagen sugestiva de litiasis coledociana, ausencia de cirugía del abdomen superior y pacientes sin contraindicación para la cirugía laparoscópica. El tiempo quirúrgico promedio fue de 65 min. Hubo una lesión de la vía biliar principal que se detectó durante la cirugía (herida de colédoco), 2 infecciones de la herida, 2 pacientes precisaron de conversión: uno por lesión de la vía biliar y otro por sangrado del lecho vesicular. La estadía hospitalaria promedio fue de 2,5 días. No hubo reintervenciones ni mortalidad en esta serie. Se concluyó que el método laparoscópico en la colecistitis aguda, cuando se indica precozmente, es seguro y factible. Recomendamos que sea la primera opción terapéutica en estos pacientes(AU)

From introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, many authors have verified advantages of this technique on open cholecystectomy, and it is consider the standard approach for treatment of non-complicated cholelitiasis. However, there was some resistance by surgeons when to be about the acute cholecystitis. Aim of present paper was to present results achieved with early laparoscopic treatment of acute cholecystitis in our service. From a total of 142 patients admitted diagnosed with acute cholecystitis, 49 of them were operated on by means emergent laparoscopic cholecystectomy from February 2003 to February 2007. Five criteria was established for patients selection: start of symptoms before 72 hours, clinical and ultrasound diagnosis of acute cholecystitis, non-dilated main biliary route, lack of suggestive image of choledochal lithiasis, lack of high abdomen surgery, and patients with contraindications for laparoscopic surgery. Average surgical time was of 65 minutes. There was a lesion of main biliary route detected at surgery (choledochal wound), two wound infections, and two patients needed conversion: one by biliary route lesion and another by vesicular roof bleeding. Average hospital stay was or 2, 5 days. There were neither re-interventions nor mortality in this series. We conclude that laparoscopic method in case of acute cholecystitis, when it is early prescribed, is safe and feasible. We suggested that it be the first therapeutical option in these patients(AU)

A propósito de un caso de liposarcoma retroperitoneal / Apropos of a case of retroperitoneal liposarcoma

El liposarcoma retroperitoneal es un tumor maligno de origen mesenquimatoso, y el más frecuente de los sarcomas de partes blandas de localización retroperitoneal. Su crecimiento es lento e insidioso, lo que le permite adquirir grandes dimensiones permaneciendo asintomático. Se detecta en el examen físico o mediantes exámenes complementarios. Se presenta el caso de una paciente con una gran masa irregular hacia la mitad derecha y superior del abdomen y se muestran los resultados de los estudios complementarios que sugieren la presencia de un tumor retroperitoneal. Se encontró un tumor bien encapsulado que se extirpó totalmente. El estudio histológico confirmó un liposarcoma retroperitoneal bien diferenciado. La paciente ha tenido una evolución satisfactoria durante 2 años de seguimiento(AU)

The retroperitoneal liposarcoma is a malignant tumor of mesenchymatous origin, and it is the most frequent of the sarcomas of soft tissues of retroperitoneal localization. Its growth is slow and insidious, which allows it to acquire large dimensions in an asymptomatic way. It is detected in the physical examination or by complementary tests. The case of a patient with a large irregular mass on the upper right half of the abdomen is presented. The results of the complementary studies suggesting the presence of a retroperitoneal tumor are showed. A well encapsulated tumor that was totally removed was found. The histological study confirmed a well differentiated retroperitoneal liposarcoma. The patient has had a satisfactory evolution during 2 years of follow-up(AU)

A propósito de un caso de liposarcoma retroperitoneal / Apropos of a case of retroperitoneal liposarcoma

El liposarcoma retroperitoneal es un tumor maligno de origen mesenquimatoso, y el más frecuente de los sarcomas de partes blandas de localización retroperitoneal. Su crecimiento es lento e insidioso, lo que le permite adquirir grandes dimensiones permaneciendo asintomático. Se detecta en el examen físico o mediantes exámenes complementarios. Se presenta el caso de una paciente con una gran masa irregular hacia la mitad derecha y superior del abdomen y se muestran los resultados de los estudios complementarios que sugieren la presencia de un tumor retroperitoneal. Se encontró un tumor bien encapsulado que se extirpó totalmente. El estudio histológico confirmó un liposarcoma retroperitoneal bien diferenciado. La paciente ha tenido una evolución satisfactoria durante 2 años de seguimiento(AU)

The retroperitoneal liposarcoma is a malignant tumor of mesenchymatous origin, and it is the most frequent of the sarcomas of soft tissues of retroperitoneal localization. Its growth is slow and insidious, which allows it to acquire large dimensions in an asymptomatic way. It is detected in the physical examination or by complementary tests. The case of a patient with a large irregular mass on the upper right half of the abdomen is presented. The results of the complementary studies suggesting the presence of a retroperitoneal tumor are showed. A well encapsulated tumor that was totally removed was found. The histological study confirmed a well differentiated retroperitoneal liposarcoma. The patient has had a satisfactory evolution during 2 years of follow-up(AU)