Predictors of Outcome in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Acute Febrile Illness in Medical Intensive Care Unit.

AIMS: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a known complication of acute febrile illness (AFI). The in-hospital mortality rate of ARDS is between 35-44%. Our study aimed to identify the different parameters that could be used to detect patients at higher risk of poor outcome in AFI complicated by ARDS. METHODS: 130 patients with AFI complicated by ARDS as per Berlin definition, admitted at the Medical Intensive Care Unit of Seth GS Medical College KEM Hospital Mumbai, were studied over a period of 18 months. Investigations done during the course of MICU stay were noted. From the reports, SOFA score, delta SOFA score, Lung Injury Score (LIS), Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) score (by ISTH scoring system) were also calculated. Main outcome was recorded as transfer out from the MICU or death. RESULTS: Etiology of the 130 patients of AFI with ARDS was as follows-dengue 32 patients (24.6%), H1N1 -31(23.8%), undifferentiated fever -30 (23.1%), leptospirosis-22 (16.9%), malaria-15 (11.5%). Our study had a mortality rate of 25.4 %( n=33). 40.8% of the study population required invasive ventilation at admission. SOFA score at admission and 48 hours, delta SOFA score, PaO2/ FiO2 ratio at admission and 48 hours, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, bicarbonate and albumin were the significant predictors of overall outcome. Hemoglobin, platelets and leukocyte counts, pH, pO2 , pCO2 at admission and 48 hours, Lung Injury Score (LIS) and DIC score were not significant predictors of outcome. CONCLUSION: SOFA score at admission and 48 hours, delta SOFA score and PaO2 / FiO2 ratio were significant predictors of outcome in patients of acute febrile illness with ARDS. LIS and DIC score were not significant predictors of outcome.

COVID-19 Associated Stroke-A Single Centre Experience.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Various neurological complications have been reported in association with COVID-19. We report our experience of COVID-19 with stroke at a single center over a period of eight months spanning 1 March to 31 October 2020. METHODS: We recruited all patients admitted to Internal Medicine with an acute stroke, who also tested positive for COVID-19 on RTPCR. We included all stroke cases in our analysis for prediction of in-hospital mortality, and separately analyzed arterial infarcts for vascular territory of ischemic strokes. RESULTS: There were 62 stroke cases among 3923 COVID-19 admissions (incidence 1.6%). Data was available for 58 patients {mean age 52.6 years; age range 17-91; F/M=20/38; 24% (14/58) aged ≤40; 51% (30/58) hypertensive; 36% (21/58) diabetic; 41% (24/58) with O2 saturation <95% at admission; 32/58 (55.17 %) in-hospital mortality}. Among 58 strokes, there were 44 arterial infarcts, seven bleeds, three arterial infarcts with associated cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, two combined infarct and bleed, and two of indeterminate type. Among the total 49 infarcts, Carotid territory was the commonest affected (36/49; 73.5%), followed by vertebrobasilar (7/49; 14.3%) and both (6/49; 12.2%). Concordant arterial block was seen in 61% (19 of 31 infarcts with angiography done). 'Early stroke' (within 48 hours of respiratory symptoms) was seen in 82.7% (48/58) patients. Patients with poor saturation at admission were older (58 vs 49 years) and had more comorbidities and higher mortality (79% vs 38%). Mortality was similar in young strokes and older patients, although the latter required more intense respiratory support. Logistic regression analysis showed that low Glasgow coma score (GCS) and requirement for increasing intensity of respiratory support predicted in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: We had a 1.6% incidence of COVID-19 related stroke of which the majority were carotid territory infarcts. In-hospital mortality was 55.17%, predicted by low GCS at admission.

Leptospirosis in Intensive Care Unit.

Tropical infections constitute 20 - 30% of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions in developing countries. Leptospirosis is a spectrum with mild form presenting as an acute febrile illness with jaundice, complicating in few as acute kidney injury (AKI), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). The poor prognostic markers are hemorrhagic ARDS, acute renal failure, DIC, severe metabolic acidosis, older age, chronic alcohol abuse, high SOFA score, and septic shock. The confirmatory diagnosis relies on antibody testing, such as microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and IgM ELISA, while the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test being reserved for clinically suspected antibody negative cases. The spectrum of multi-organ involvement necessitates a complete hematological, biochemical workup, including electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray, and two-dimensional echocardiography. Specific antimicrobial therapy consists of the following-benzylpenicillin, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, and doxycycline. The reported mortality ranges from 6% to as high as 44%. Various ICU scores like SPiRO, THAI LEPTO score, and Faine's criteria have been useful in risk stratification. Optimizing intensive care treatment with appropriate antibiotics, lung protection ventilation strategies, strict fluid management, and if need be timely initiation of renal replacement therapy (RRT) helps in reducing mortality. How to cite this article: Karnik ND, Patankar AS. Leptospirosis in Intensive Care Unit. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(Suppl 2): S134-S137.

A Study of the Outcome of Critically Ill Elderly Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital Using SOFA Score.

BACKGROUND: With a rapidly rising geriatric population, the magnitude of elderly patients requiring intensive care is a major cause of concern. Data on critically ill geriatric patients is scarce, especially in developing countries. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to identify the etiology, clinical profile, and outcome in elderly patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and to predict their survival using the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed over a period of 18 months with analysis of 100 patients admitted to the ICU, above the age of 60 years, with multi-organ dysfunction. The outcome of discharge or death was studied using the SOFA score on admission, on day 2, and the delta SOFA score. RESULTS: In this study of 100 patients, 88% of patients were in the 60-70 years age-group. The number of male and female patients was equal. Seventy percent of patients had comorbidities, of which hypertension was most common. The two most common etiologies were acute febrile illness and pneumonia. The use of mechanical ventilation, inotropic support, and serum creatinine has a significant association with the outcome. The SOFA score at admission did not have a significant association, but the score at 48 hours and delta SOFA score co-related with the outcome of the patients. Sixty-four patients got discharged; thus, there was a survival rate of 64%. CONCLUSION: The SOFA score at 48 hours is the most sensitive predictor of outcome, followed closely by the delta SOFA score, as compared to the SOFA score on admission, for critically ill elderly patients. There is a significant association of use of mechanical ventilation, inotropic support, and serum creatinine with the outcome. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Chopra S, Pednekar S, Karnik ND, Londhe C, Pandey D. A Study of the Outcome of Critically Ill Elderly Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital Using SOFA Score. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(6):655-659.

Dermatomyositis during COVID-19 Pandemic (A Case Series): Is there a Cause Effect Relationship?

Viruses have been shown to modify the clinical picture of several autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Viral infections have also been considered as a possible trigger for autoimmune disorders like myositis through myositis specific antibodies. Dermatomyositis is an acquired inflammatory myopathy which is relatively rare with incidence of 9.3 per 1 million persons. Usually we come across 1-2 patients of dermatomyositis per year, amongst 800-1000 new patients in our tertiary care rheumatology services. A surge in the incidence was noted this year during the months of April-August of 2020, the period coinciding with the occurrence of corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic in the city of Mumbai, the total number of cases encountered being five in a span of six months. The following case series includes five such cases with review of available literature on virus-triggered autoimmunity with special reference to SARS-CoV-2 and the challenges of immunosuppression during this pandemic.

Impact of COVID-19 on maintenance haemodialysis patients: The Indian scenario.

There is a lack of data describing the impact of the novel coronavirus 19 pandemic on the patients of chronic kidney disease stage V-dialysis (CKD V-D) from resource-limited countries. A growing body of literature describes an increased susceptibility of CKD V-D to COVID-19 with adverse outcomes in those with severe disease. In the current retrospective report, we elucidate the outcome in consecutive 37 CKD V-D patients with COVID-19 from two dialysis centres in Mumbai, India. Of the 37 patients included in the study, 56.7% of patients were asymptomatic or had mild disease and 27% presented with severe symptoms. The recovery rate was 63%, all those who presented with a severe disease succumbed to the infection. Thirty per cent of patients presented with an extended dialysis break due to various logistic and social issues. Though the overall clinical presentation and outcomes of this cohort from a limited resource setting mimic the global scenario, unique social and logistic issues are an additional burden to the patient, caregivers and the health-care facilities, which may worsen the outcomes in the future as the pandemic continues to spread.

Single-dose and Steady-state Pharmacokinetics of Vancomycin in Critically Ill Patients Admitted to Medical Intensive Care Unit of India.

RATIONALE: Vancomycin remains the standard of care for gram-positive bacterial infections, though there are significant developments in newer antibacterial agents. Efficacy can be improved by linking pharmacokinetic with pharmacodynamic principles, thus leading to optimum antibiotic exposure. There is scarcity of pharmacokinetic data in Indian intensive care unit (ICU) population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen subjects with suspected or proven gram-positive bacterial infection of either gender between 18 years and 65 years of age were enrolled. Vancomycin at the dose of 1 g every 12 hours was administered over 1-hour period and pharmacokinetic assessments performed on blood samples collected on days 1 and 3. Vancomycin concentrations were measured on validated liquid chromatography mass spectrometry method. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using Winnonlin (Version 6.3; Pharsight, St. Louis, MO). RESULTS: The mean C max, elimination half-life, AUC0-12hours, volume of distribution, and clearance of single dose were 36.46 µg/mL (±14.87), 3.98 hours (±1.31), 113.51 µg/mL (±49.51), 52.01 L (±31.31), and 8.90 mL/minute (±3.29), respectively, and at steady state were 40.87 µg/mL (±19.29), 6.27 hours (±3.39), 147.94 µg/mL (±72.89), 56.39 L (±42.13), and 6.98 mL/minute (±4.48), respectively. The elimination half-life increased almost two-fold at steady state. The steady state mean AUC0-24 was 295.89 µg/mL (±153.82). Out of 45 trough levels, 32 (71.11%) concentrations were below recommended range. CONCLUSION: Recommended AUC0-24hours and trough concentrations were not achieved in majority of patients with current dosing, suggesting reevaluation of current vancomycin dosing. Individualized treatment based on close monitoring of vancomycin serum concentrations in critically ill patients is imperative. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Mali NB, Deshpande SP, Wandalkar PP, Gupta VA, Karnik ND, Gogtay NJ, et al. Single-dose and Steady-state Pharmacokinetics of Vancomycin in Critically Ill Patients Admitted to Medical Intensive Care Unit of India. IJCCM 2019;23(11):513-517.

A Multicentric, Prospective, Observational Antibacterial Utilization Study in Indian Tertiary Referral Centers.

RATIONALE: Antibacterials are largely prescribed to the intensive care unit (ICU) patients due to high prevalence of infections. However, appropriate use of antibacterials is imperative; since the misuse of antibacterials increases antibacterial resistance and ultimately, it has negative impact on health care and economic system. Hence, continuous antibacterials prescription assessments are very important to judge and improve prescription patterns. The present work was carried out at public and private hospitals to assess the differences in antibacterial prescribing pattern. METHODS: The present study was conducted at three public and two private hospitals over the period of 14 months. Demographic and drug use details were captured daily from patients admitted to medical ICUs to assess the World Health Organization indicators. RESULTS: A total of 700 patients were enrolled across the five centers (140 per center), among them 424 were male and 276 were female. Average number of drugs and antibacterials prescribed at public hospitals are significantly higher than the private hospital. However, percentage of antibacterial agents prescribed at public hospitals was significantly lower than the private hospitals (P = 0.0381). Private hospitals had significantly lower percentage of antibacterial agents prescribed by generic name (P < 0.0001). Differences in change of antibacterial agents required were not statistically significantly different (P = 0.1888); however, significant difference was observed in percentage of patients who received antibacterial treatment as per sensitivity pattern (P = 0.0385) between public and private hospitals. Significantly higher mortality was observed in public hospitals compared to private hospitals (<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: More generic prescriptions and more number of prescriptions as per the sensitivity pattern are required at each public and private hospital.

SOFA Score and Critically Ill Elderly Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To study correlation between SOFA Score and Outcome in Elderly Patients admitted In Intensive Care Unit. METHODS: A single centre prospective observational study in Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) of large teaching Institute. A total of 84 elderly patients were studied and the outcome was correlated with SOFA Score at admission and 48 hours after admission. RESULTS: Elderly patients constituted 10.94% (84 out of 764) of total MICU admissions. Critically ill elderly patients had a very high mortality of 73.8% (62 out of 84), as compared to their younger counterparts with mortality rates of 43.53% (296 out of 680) with a highly significant P value of <0.0001. The mean SOFA scores are statistically significantly higher at both time points in the expired group (7.84±3.74 and 8.64±3.72 respectively on admission and at 48 hours). CONCLUSIONS: There is positive correlation between mortality and SOFA score at admission and at 48 hours. SOFA score thus can be effectively used as predictive scoring system for critically ill elderly patients.

Life-threatening Medical Complications Due to Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome: A Hidden Etiology.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is usually an iatrogenic complication in women taking ovulation induction medications during assisted reproduction. We hereby report the case of a 25 years old female who presented with hypertension, polyserositis with tense ascites and large cystic ovaries. She developed sigmoid and transverse sinus thrombosis. She had undergone a clandestine ovulation induction therapy as a commercial ovum donor. She fitted in severe category of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Guillain Barré Syndrome, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Acute Intermittent Porphyria ­ A Deadly Trio.

Peripheral nervous system involvement occurs in 3-18% patients of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) cases. American College of Rheumatology (ACR) includes 19 neuropsychiatric syndromes for diagnosis of SLE divided into neurological syndromes of central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems along with the psychiatric syndromes. Sensorimotor quadriparesis in a suspected case of SLE could be due to a Guillain Barré (GBS)-like illness, mononeuritis multiplex presenting as plexopathies, an anterior spinal artery syndrome or it can present like an acute transverse myelitis or hypokalemic periodic paralysis related to Sjogren's syndrome with renal tubular acidosis. We here report a case of a fulminant quadriparesis due to a SLE flare which subsequently was also found to be a case of Acute Intermittent Porphyria.

Clinical Profile of Patients Requiring Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation and their Outcome in a Tertiary Care Medical ICU.

INTODUCTION: An increasing number of patients require mechanical ventilation and there has been a proportional increase in patients needing prolonged mechanical ventilation (ventilated for ≥ 21 days, for atleast 6 hours per day). It accounts for about 10% of all mechanically ventilated patients. Although these patients represent a smaller proportion of intensive care unit (ICU) patients, they consume substantial ICU resources. We studied etiology, metabolic and clinical profile, complications and outcome of these patients. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study in the medical ICUs of a tertiary hospital over 18 months. All patients above 12 years of age requiring prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation were recruited. Detailed clinical and laboratory records were noted. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was calculated on admission. RESULTS: Of a total 1150 patients who were admitted in ICU during study duration, 34.5% (n= 397) needed mechanical ventilation and 3.91% (n=45) required prolonged mechanical ventilation. Most common patient subsets were: acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) 28.50% (n=13), cerebro-vascular accident (CVA): 17.30% (n=8), tetanus 8.60% (n=4) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) 6.50% (n=3). The mean age of patients was 32 years. Electrolyte imbalances observed were hypocalcaemia (84.44%), hypomagnesaemia (40.9%), hypokalemia (31.11%) and hypophosphatemia (23.8%). Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) (53.33%) was the most frequent complication, followed by decubitus ulcers (40%) and deep vein thrombosis (8.89%). Mean duration of ICU stay was 57.02 days ± 44.73 days. Twenty six out of 45 patients (57.75%) were successfully weaned off ventilator support and discharged from the hospital. The SOFA score of patients who survived (mean 2.15) was lesser than that of patients who expired (mean 2.89) (p= 0.36, ns). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of prolonged mechanical ventilation in our study was 3.91% of total 1150 ICU admissions and 11.3% of the 397 patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. AIDP, CVA, tetanus and ARDS were the most common diagnoses. Survival in the study population was 57.75%. VAP was the most common complication. High incidence of hypocalcaemia, hypomagnesaemia, hypokalemia and hypophosphatemia was noted in patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation.

A case of lung mass: a common association between uncommon diseases.

A young man presented with a history of cough, chest pain and streaky haemoptysis with low-grade fever. Further evaluation revealed a mass in the left hemithorax, which was biopsied to reveal cryptococcoma. The patient was HIV negative. Flow cytometry lymphocyte subset analysis showed reduced CD4+ T lymphocytes. Absolute CD4+ lymphocyte count was only 230 (normal range 530-1300). The patient was started on injectable amphotericin B, which was given for 1 month, and he was discharged on oral fluconazole.

CYP2C9*3 polymorphism presenting as lethal subdural hematoma with low-dose warfarin.

Warfarin is the most common and cheap oral anticoagulant currently used in clinical practice. A high inter-individual variation is seen in the response to warfarin. Recently, pharmacogenetics has gained importance in managing patients on warfarin, both in predicting the optimum required dose as well as in decreasing the risk of bleeding. This case report is a description of a 49-year-old patient who had a lethal subdural hematoma with low-dose warfarin. He was subsequently found to have CYP2C9 gene polymorphism (*1/*3). This case report stresses the importance of pre-prescription assessment of genetic analysis for those initiated on warfarin.

Delayed onset neuropathy along with recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy due to organophosphate poisoning and the role of physiotherapy rehabilitation.

Organophosphorus poisoning is a major global cause of health problems and the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the developing countries. In this, the inhibition of acetyl-choline esterase and neurotoxic esterase along with nicotinic receptor involvement produces three well-identified and documented clinical phases: The initial cholinergic phase, which is a medical emergency often requiring management in an intensive care unit; the intermediate syndrome, during which prolonged ventilator care is necessary; and finally delayed neurotoxicity. Vocal cord paralysis is rare and leads to aphonia. Role of physiotherapy rehabilitation is substantial in all three stages and aims at early weaning off from mechanical ventilator until the functional independence and community integration of the patient.