Effects of dexmedetomidine and esmolol on systemic hemodynamics and exogenous lactate clearance in early experimental septic shock.

BACKGROUND: Persistent hyperlactatemia during septic shock is multifactorial. Hypoperfusion-related anaerobic production and adrenergic-driven aerobic generation together with impaired lactate clearance have been implicated. An excessive adrenergic response could contribute to persistent hyperlactatemia and adrenergic modulation might be beneficial. We assessed the effects of dexmedetomidine and esmolol on hemodynamics, lactate generation, and exogenous lactate clearance during endotoxin-induced septic shock. METHODS: Eighteen anesthetized and mechanically ventilated sheep were subjected to a multimodal hemodynamic/perfusion assessment including hepatic and portal vein catheterizations, total hepatic blood flow, and muscle microdialysis. After monitoring, all received a bolus and continuous infusion of endotoxin. After 1 h they were volume resuscitated, and then randomized to endotoxin-control, endotoxin-dexmedetomidine (sequential doses of 0.5 and 1.0 µg/k/h) or endotoxin-esmolol (titrated to decrease basal heart rate by 20 %) groups. Samples were taken at four time points, and exogenous lactate clearance using an intravenous administration of sodium L-lactate (1 mmol/kg) was performed at the end of the experiments. RESULTS: Dexmedetomidine and esmolol were hemodynamically well tolerated. The dexmedetomidine group exhibited lower epinephrine levels, but no difference in muscle lactate. Despite progressive hypotension in all groups, both dexmedetomidine and esmolol were associated with lower arterial and portal vein lactate levels. Exogenous lactate clearance was significantly higher in the dexmedetomidine and esmolol groups. CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine and esmolol were associated with lower arterial and portal lactate levels, and less impairment of exogenous lactate clearance in a model of septic shock. The use of dexmedetomidine and esmolol appears to be associated with beneficial effects on gut lactate generation and lactate clearance and exhibits no negative impact on systemic hemodynamics.

Comparison of APACHE II and three abbreviated APACHE II scores for predicting outcome among emergency trauma patients.

OBJECTIVE: to compare the ability of the APACHE II score and three different abbreviated APACHE II scores: simplified APACHE II (s-APACHE II), Rapid Acute Physiology score (RAPS) and Rapid Emergency Medicine score to evaluate in-hospital mortality of trauma patients at the emergency department (ED). METHODS: retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort study. All patients' victims of trauma admitted to the ED, during a 5 months period. For all entries to the ED, APACHE II score was calculated. APACHE II system was abbreviated by excluding the laboratory data to calculate s-APACHE II score for each patient. Individual data were reanalyzed to calculate RAPS and REMS. APACHE II score and its subcomponents were collected, and in-hospital mortality was assessed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was used to determine the predictive value of each score. RESULTS: 163 patients were analyzed. In-hospital mortality rate was 10.4%. s-APACHE II, RAPS and REMS scores were correlated with APACHE II score (r2= 0.96, r2= 0.82, r2= 0.92; p < 0.0001). Scores had similar accuracy in predicting mortality ([AUROC 0.777 [95% CI 0.705 to 0.838] for APACHE II, AUROC 0.788 [95% CI 0.717 to 0.848] for s-APACHE II, AUROC 0.806 [95% CI 0.737 to 0.864] for RAPS, AUROC 0.761 [95% CI 0.688 to 0.824] for REMS. CONCLUSION: abbreviated APACHE II scores have similar ability to evaluate in-hospital mortality of emergency trauma patients in comparison to APACHE II score.

Comparison of APACHE II and three abbreviated APACHE II scores for predicting outcome among emergency trauma patients / Comparação do escore APACHE II e três escores APACHE II abreviados para predizer desfecho entre pacientes traumatizados na emergência

Objective: to compare the ability of the APACHE II score and three different abbreviated APACHE II scores: simplified APACHE II (s-APACHE II), Rapid Acute Physiology score (RAPS) and Rapid Emergency Medicine score to evaluate in-hospital mortality of trauma patients at the emergency department (ED). Methods: retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort study. All patients' victims of trauma admitted to the ED, during a 5 months period. For all entries to the ED, APACHE II score was calculated. APACHE II system was abbreviated by excluding the laboratory data to calculate s-APACHE II score for each patient. Individual data were reanalyzed to calculate RAPS and REMS. APACHE II score and its subcomponents were collected, and in-hospital mortality was assessed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was used to determine the predictive value of each score. Results: 163 patients were analyzed. In-hospital mortality rate was 10.4%. s-APACHE II, RAPS and REMS scores were correlated with APACHE II score (r2= 0.96, r2= 0.82, r2= 0.92; p < 0.0001). Scores had similar accuracy in predicting mortality ([AUROC 0.777 [95% CI 0.705 to 0.838] for APACHE II, AUROC 0.788 [95% CI 0.717 to 0.848] for s-APACHE II, AUROC 0.806 [95% CI 0.737 to 0.864] for RAPS, AUROC 0.761 [95% CI 0.688 to 0.824] for REMS. Conclusion: abbreviated APACHE II scores have similar ability to evaluate in-hospital mortality of emergency trauma patients in comparison to APACHE II score. .

Objetivo: escore Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II é considerado "inválido" e de difícil aplicação em pacientes traumatizados no departamento de emergência (DE). Objetivamos comparar a abilidade do escore APACHE II e três diferentes escores APACHE II abreviados: APACHE II simplificado (s-APACHE II), Rapid Acute Physiology score (RAPS) e Rapid Emergency Medicine score para avaliar a mortalidade hospitalar de pacientes truamatizados no DE. Métodos: análise retrospectiva de uma coorte prospectiva. Todos são pacientes vítimas de trauma admitidos no DE, durante 5 meses. Para todas as admissões, o escore APACHE II foi calculado. O escore APACHE II foi abreviado através da exclusão dos dados de laboratório para calcular o escore s-APACHE II. Dados individuais foram reanalisados para calcular RAPS e REMS. APACHE II e seus subcomponentes foram coletados, e a mortalidade hospitalar foi assessada. A área abaixo da curva ROC (receiver operating characteristic - AUROC) foi usada para determinar o valor preditivo de cada escore. Resultados: 163 pacientes foram analisados. A taxa de mortalidade hospitalar foi de 10,4%. s-APACHE II, RAPS e REMS escores se correlacionaram com o escore APACHE II (r2= 0.96, r2= 0.82, r2= 0.92; p < 0.0001). Os escores tiveram acurácia similar para predizer a mortalidade: ([AUROC 0,777 [95% CI 0,705 a 0,838] para APACHE II; AUROC 0,788 [95% CI 0,717 a 0,848] para s-APACHE II; AUROC 0,806 [95% CI 0,737 a 0,864] para RAPS; AUROC 0,761 [95% CI 0,688 a 0,824] para REMS. Conclusão: escores APACHE II abreviados possuem habilidade similar para avaliar a mortalidade hospitalar de pacientes traumatizados na emergência quando compados ao escore APACHE II. .

Hemodynamic effects of 6% and 10% hydroxyethyl starch solutions versus 4% albumin solution in septic patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the hemodynamic effects of two different concentrations of pentastarch hydroxyethyl starch (HES; 200/0.5) solutions with a 4% human albumin solution for fluid resuscitation. DESIGN: Open-label, randomized, controlled study. SETTING: Medical-surgical intensive care unit. PATIENTS: 34 consecutive, hemodynamically stable, adult patients with sepsis and suspected hypovolemia. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received a 400 mL infusion of either 10% HES (n = 11), 6% HES (n = 10), or 4% albumin (n = 13) over 40 minutes. MEASUREMENTS: Hemodynamic and blood data were collected 40, 70, 100, and 160 minutes after the start of the fluid challenge. MAIN RESULTS: Cardiac index, stroke volume index, and left ventricular stroke work index increased more in the 10% HES group than the 6% HES or albumin groups (P < 0.05). Oxygen delivery increased only in the 10% HES group. A decrease in hemoglobin concentration occurred in all three groups but was greatest in the 10% HES group. CONCLUSIONS: HES is as effective as albumin for volume resuscitation in septic patients.

Prevalência de infecção nosocomial em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva do Rio Grande do Sul / The prevalence of nosocomial infection in Intensive Care Units in the State of Rio Grande do Sul

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Determinar a prevalência de infecções adquiridas em UTI e os fatores de risco para estas infecções, identificar os organismos infectantes mais prevalentes, avaliar a relação entre infecção adquirida na UTI e mortalidade. MÉTODO: Estudo de prevalência de um dia. Participaram do estudo 16 UTI do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, excluindo unidades coronarianas ou pediátricas. Todos os pacientes com idade maior que 12 anos, ocupando um leito de UTI por um período de 24h, foram incluídos. As 16 UTI coletaram dados de 174 pacientes. Principais desfechos: taxas de infecção adquirida na UTI, padrões de resistência dos patógenos isolados e fatores potenciais de risco para infecção adquirida na UTI e mortalidade. RESULTADOS: Um total de 122 pacientes (71 por cento) estava infectado, e 51 (29 por cento) adquiriram infecção na UTI. Pneumonia (58,2 por cento), infecção do trato respiratório inferior (22,9 por cento), infecção do trato urinário (18 por cento) foram os tipos mais freqüentes de infecção. Os microorganismos mais relatados foram stafilococos aureus (42 por cento [64 por cento resistentes a oxacilina]) e pseudomonas aeruginosa (31 por cento). Seis fatores de risco foram identificados para infecção adquirida na UTI: cateter urinário, acesso vascular central, intubação traqueal por tempo prolongado (> 4 dias), doença crônica, trauma e internação prolongada na UTI (> 30 dias). Os fatores de risco associados à morte foram idade, APACHE II, falência orgânica e prótese em via aérea com ou sem ventilação mecânica. CONCLUSÕES: A infecção adquirida na UTI é comum e freqüentemente associada a isolados de microorganismos resistentes. Este estudo, apesar de sua abrangência regional, serve de referência epidemiológica para ajudar a programar políticas de controle de infecção.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired infections and the risk factors for these infections, identify the predominant infecting organisms, and evaluate the relationship between ICU-acquired infection and mortality. METHODS: A 1-day point prevalence study. Sixteen ICU of the State of Rio Grande do Sul-Brazil, excluding coronary care and pediatric units. All patients < 12 yrs occupying an ICU bed over a 24-hour period. The 16 ICU provided 174 case reports. Main outcomes: rates of ICU-acquired infection, resistance patterns of microbiological isolates, and potential risks factors for ICU-acquired infection and death. RESULTS: A total of 122 patients (71 percent) was infected and 51 (29 percent) had ICU-acquired infection. Pneumonia (58.2 percent), lower tract respiratory infection (22.9 percent), urinary tract infection (18 percent) were the most frequents types of ICU infection. Most frequently microorganisms reported were staphylococcus aureus (42 percent [64 percent resistant to oxacilin]) and pseudomonas aeruginosa (31 percent). Six risk factors for ICU acquired infection were identified: urinary catheterization, central vascular line, tracheal intubation for prolonged time (> 4 days), chronic disease and increased length of ICU stay (> 30 days). The risks factors associated with death were age, APACHE II, organ dysfunction, and tracheal intubation with or without mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: ICU-acquired infection is common and often associated with microbiological isolates of resistant organisms. This study may serve as an epidemiological reference to help the discussion of regional infection control policies.

[The prevalence of nosocomial infection in Intensive Care Units in the State of Rio Grande do Sul]. / Prevalência de infecção nosocomial em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva do Rio Grande do Sul.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired infections and the risk factors for these infections, identify the predominant infecting organisms, and evaluate the relationship between ICU-acquired infection and mortality. METHODS: A 1-day point prevalence study. Sixteen ICU of the State of Rio Grande do Sul-Brazil, excluding coronary care and pediatric units. All patients < 12 yrs occupying an ICU bed over a 24-hour period. The 16 ICU provided 174 case reports. MAIN OUTCOMES: rates of ICU-acquired infection, resistance patterns of microbiological isolates, and potential risks factors for ICU-acquired infection and death. RESULTS: A total of 122 patients (71%) was infected and 51 (29%) had ICU-acquired infection. Pneumonia (58.2%), lower tract respiratory infection (22.9%), urinary tract infection (18%) were the most frequents types of ICU infection. Most frequently microorganisms reported were staphylococcus aureus (42% [64% resistant to oxacilin]) and pseudomonas aeruginosa (31%). Six risk factors for ICU acquired infection were identified: urinary catheterization, central vascular line, tracheal intubation for prolonged time (> 4 days), chronic disease and increased length of ICU stay (> 30 days). The risks factors associated with death were age, APACHE II, organ dysfunction, and tracheal intubation with or without mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: ICU-acquired infection is common and often associated with microbiological isolates of resistant organisms. This study may serve as an epidemiological reference to help the discussion of regional infection control policies.

Embolismo gorduroso / Fat embolism

Embolia gordurosa é uma síndrome associada com trauma ortopédico e considerada um subtipo da síndrome de angústia respiratória aguda. O prognóstico depende, sobretudo, da perspicácia do médico em suspeitar precocemente do embolismo e iniciar as medidas preventivas o mais cedo possível...

Deficiencia de proteína S / Protein S deficiency

Apresenta-se caso de Síndrome Hereditária de Hiper-coagulabilidade sanguínea causada por deficiência de proteína S. O diagnóstico foi sugerido pela anamnese e confirmado por dosagens quantitativas das proteínas S, C e antitrombina III. A paciente apresentava episódios trombo-embólicos recorrentes incluindo trombose venosa profunda, embolia pulmonar e trombose mesentérica. As dosagens plasmáticas demonstraram diminuiçäo da atividade de proteína S, corroborando hipótese de Síndrome de Hiper-coagulabilidade. Objetiva-se chamar a atençäo dos médicos em geral para os casos de trombose venosa profunda e embolia pulmonar recorrente, especialmente aqueles que envolvem membros de uma mesma família, que podem estar associadas aos estados de hiper-coagulabilidade sanguínea