Complications of Congenital Hernia in Pregnancy: A Case Report.

Congenital hernias, frequently misdiagnosed during pregnancy, are potentially fatal and require prompt repair. A pregnant woman with medical history of repaired congenital hernia was admitted with misdiagnosis of preeclampsia. Physical examination and chest x-ray revealed a Bochdalek hernia. Transitory stabilization prompted surgeons to postpone hernia repair, but an urgent thoracotomy was required to relieve a subsequent bowel obstruction that was complicated by an intrathoracic colonic perforation. Emergent cesarean delivery was required with a good maternal and fetal outcome. A multidisciplinary team was present in the operating room. All monitoring catheters were placed in advance in the intensive care unit. During recovery, the patient experienced ventricular fibrillation, presumed to be a manifestation of takotsubo syndrome, which responded favorably to cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Symptom burden and health-related quality of life among intensive care unit survivors in Argentina: A prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Our goal was to describe the evolution of selected physical and psychologic symptoms and identify the determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge. METHODS: The study is a prospective cohort of consecutive adult patients admitted to a mixed ICU in a university-affiliated hospital, mechanically ventilated for more than 48 hours. During ICU stay, epidemiological data and events probably associated to worsening outcomes were recorded. After discharge, patients were interviewed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Health-related quality of life was assessed with EuroQoL Questionnaire-5 Dimensions, which includes the EQ-index and EQ-Visual Analogue Scale. RESULTS: One hundred twelve patients were followed up, aged 33 [24-49] years, 68% male, 76% previously healthy, and cranial trauma was the main diagnosis. Physical and psychologic symptoms and moderate/severe problems according to the EQ index progressively decreased after discharge, yet were still highly prevalent after 1 year. EQ index improved from 0.22 [0.01-0.69] to 0.52 [0.08-0.81], 0.66 [0.17-0.79], and 0.68 [0.26-0.86] (P < .001, for all vs month 1). EQ-Visual Analogue Scale remained stable, within acceptable values. Independent determinants of EQ-index were time, duration of mechanical ventilation, shock, weakness, and return to study/work. CONCLUSIONS: Determinants of HRQOL after ICU discharge were both related to late sequelae of critical illness and to some events occurring in the ICU. Notwithstanding the high symptom burden, patients still perceived their HRQOL as good.

Impacto de la internación en terapia intensiva en la calidad de vida después de 1, 3, 6 y 12 meses / The impact of hospitalization in intensive care units on quality of life after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months

INTRODUCCION: A medida que más pacientes sobreviven a una internación en Unidades de Terapia Intensiva (UTI), se hace necesario conocer las secuelas a largo plazo. La calidad de vida relacionada a la salud tras la enfermedad crítica se mantiene por debajo de la media de la población general aún cinco años después del alta.OBJETIVO: Evaluar la calidad de vida de los pacientes a egreso de UTI mediante el cuestionario EuroQol 5D y predictores de mala evolución. Evaluar secuelas psíquicas y físicas una vez transcurridos 1, 3, 6 y 12 meses después del alta de UTI.METODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo en un Hospital Interzonal de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (estudio prospectivo de serie de casos). Fueron incluidos aquellos pacientes sometidos a asistencia respiratoria mecánica invasiva por un período ≥ 48 horas que egresaron de UTI entre el 01/04/2010 y el 01/04/2011.RESULTADOS: Los criterios de inclusión fueron cumplidos por 51 pacientes. Se entrevistó a 36/46 pacientes (tras un mes), 25/34 pacientes (a los 3 meses), 12/15 pacientes (a los 6 meses) y 5/7 pacientes (a los 12 meses). Los datos demográficos reflejaron edad 33 [25-50] años, 71% de los pacientes de sexo masculino, 57% sin comorbilidades y con un puntaje APACHE II de 14,6 ± 6. El principal motivo de ingreso fue el trauma (50%). La dimensión más afectada fue la realización de actividades cotidianas, seguida de dolor/malestar y movilidad. La incidencia de ansiedad/depresión y estrés postraumático fue la reportada en otros estudios. La anemia, la traqueostomía y la alimentación enteral al alta fueron predictores de mala evolución según el índice EuroQol.CONCLUSIONES: La calidad de vida al alta de UTI se encontró muy deteriorada en la mayoría de las dimensiones. Las secuelas psíquicas se presentaron dentro del rango esperado. El índice EuroQol fue bajo en el primer mes, pero evolucionó favorablemente junto a la percepción de la propia calidad de vida medida por Escala Visual Análoga EuroQol.

INTRODUCTION: As more and more patients survive their hospitalization in Intensive Care Units (ICU), it is of utmost importance to find out and understand the long-term outcomes. Health-related quality of life after a critical illness is still below the average, even five years after discharge.OBJECTIVE: To assess patients quality of life after ICU discharge using the EuroQol-5D score and predictors of unfavorable prognosis. To assess psychological after-effects like anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), along with physical morbodity at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after ICU discharge.METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted in a public hospital located in the province of Buenos Aires (prospective case study). It included all patients treated with invasive mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours that survived ICU from April 1, 2010 through April 1, 2011.RESULTS: 51 patients qualified for inclusion in this study. Interviews were made to 36/46 patients after 1 month; 25/34 patients after 3 months; 12/15 patients after 6 months and 5/7 patients after 12 months. The demographic data showed age 33 [25-50], 71% male, 57% with no comorbidities and 14,6 ± 6,4 points in APACHE II score. The main reason for ICU admission was trauma (50%). The most affected dimension, as measured by EQ-5D, was usual activities, followed by pain/discomfort and self-care or morbility. The incidence of PTSD and anxiety/depression was similar was to what was reported in other studies. Anemia, tracheostomy and enteral feeding at discharge were predictors of unfavorable prognosis as indicated by the EuroQol index.CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life after ICU discharge was severely deteriorated in most dimensions. Psychological after-effects were within the expected values. The EuroQol index was low in the first month, but then it improved along with the quality of life as measured by the EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale.

Impacto de la internación en terapia intensiva en la calidad de vida después de 1, 3, 6 y 12 meses / The impact of hospitalization in intensive care units on quality of life after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months

INTRODUCCION: A medida que más pacientes sobreviven a una internación en Unidades de Terapia Intensiva (UTI), se hace necesario conocer las secuelas a largo plazo. La calidad de vida relacionada a la salud tras la enfermedad crítica se mantiene por debajo de la media de la población general aún cinco años después del alta.OBJETIVO: Evaluar la calidad de vida de los pacientes a egreso de UTI mediante el cuestionario EuroQol 5D y predictores de mala evolución. Evaluar secuelas psíquicas y físicas una vez transcurridos 1, 3, 6 y 12 meses después del alta de UTI.METODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo en un Hospital Interzonal de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (estudio prospectivo de serie de casos). Fueron incluidos aquellos pacientes sometidos a asistencia respiratoria mecánica invasiva por un período ≥ 48 horas que egresaron de UTI entre el 01/04/2010 y el 01/04/2011.RESULTADOS: Los criterios de inclusión fueron cumplidos por 51 pacientes. Se entrevistó a 36/46 pacientes (tras un mes), 25/34 pacientes (a los 3 meses), 12/15 pacientes (a los 6 meses) y 5/7 pacientes (a los 12 meses). Los datos demográficos reflejaron edad 33 [25-50] años, 71% de los pacientes de sexo masculino, 57% sin comorbilidades y con un puntaje APACHE II de 14,6 ± 6. El principal motivo de ingreso fue el trauma (50%). La dimensión más afectada fue la realización de actividades cotidianas, seguida de dolor/malestar y movilidad. La incidencia de ansiedad/depresión y estrés postraumático fue la reportada en otros estudios. La anemia, la traqueostomía y la alimentación enteral al alta fueron predictores de mala evolución según el índice EuroQol.CONCLUSIONES: La calidad de vida al alta de UTI se encontró muy deteriorada en la mayoría de las dimensiones. Las secuelas psíquicas se presentaron dentro del rango esperado. El índice EuroQol fue bajo en el primer mes, pero evolucionó favorablemente junto a la percepción de la propia calidad de vida medida por Escala Visual Análoga EuroQol.

INTRODUCTION: As more and more patients survive their hospitalization in Intensive Care Units (ICU), it is of utmost importance to find out and understand the long-term outcomes. Health-related quality of life after a critical illness is still below the average, even five years after discharge.OBJECTIVE: To assess patients quality of life after ICU discharge using the EuroQol-5D score and predictors of unfavorable prognosis. To assess psychological after-effects like anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), along with physical morbodity at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after ICU discharge.METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted in a public hospital located in the province of Buenos Aires (prospective case study). It included all patients treated with invasive mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours that survived ICU from April 1, 2010 through April 1, 2011.RESULTS: 51 patients qualified for inclusion in this study. Interviews were made to 36/46 patients after 1 month; 25/34 patients after 3 months; 12/15 patients after 6 months and 5/7 patients after 12 months. The demographic data showed age 33 [25-50], 71% male, 57% with no comorbidities and 14,6 ± 6,4 points in APACHE II score. The main reason for ICU admission was trauma (50%). The most affected dimension, as measured by EQ-5D, was usual activities, followed by pain/discomfort and self-care or morbility. The incidence of PTSD and anxiety/depression was similar was to what was reported in other studies. Anemia, tracheostomy and enteral feeding at discharge were predictors of unfavorable prognosis as indicated by the EuroQol index.CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life after ICU discharge was severely deteriorated in most dimensions. Psychological after-effects were within the expected values. The EuroQol index was low in the first month, but then it improved along with the quality of life as measured by the EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale.