Un primer paso hacia una analgosedación más segura: evaluación sistemática de objetivos y grado de analgesia y sedación en el paciente crítico con ventilación mecánica / A first step towards safer sedation and analgesia: A systematic evaluation of outcomes and level of sedation and analgesia in the mechanically ventilated critically ill patient

Introducción: Para garantizar el bienestar y la seguridad en los pacientes críticos es necesario aplicar estrategias de analgosedación seguras que eviten la infra- y sobresedación. Objetivos: Comparar un protocolo multidisciplinar de evaluación sistemática y manejo de la analgosedación del paciente crítico con ventilación mecánica frente a la praxis habitual. Material y métodos: Estudio de cohorte con series contemporáneas, realizado en UCI polivalente de hospital terciario, febrero-noviembre de 2013-2014. Criterios de inclusión: ventilación mecánica ≥ 24h y sedación en infusión continua. Se monitorizó sedación con Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale o índice biespectral y analgesia con escala verbal numérica o escala indicadora de conductas dolorosas. Variables de estudio: tiempo de ventilación mecánica, tiempo de destete, tiempo de soporte ventilatorio, tiempo de vía aérea artificial, tiempo de sedación en infusión, dosis diaria y frecuencia de uso de fármacos sedantes y analgésicos, estancia y mortalidad en UCI y hospitalaria, mediciones Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale, índice biespectral, escala verbal numérica y escala indicadora de conductas dolorosas. Se empleó Kruskal Wallis y chi cuadrado, significación p < 0,05. Resultados: Se incluyeron 153 ingresos, 75 preintervención y 78 postintervención, edad 55,7±13años, 67% hombres. Ambos grupos fueron similares en cuanto a edad, motivo de ingreso y APACHE. Se disminuyó sin significación estadística el tiempo de ventilación mecánica 4 (1,4-9,2); 3,2 (1,4-8,1) días; p=0,7, días de sedación 6 (3-11); 5 (3-11) días; p=0,9, estancia hospitalaria 29 (18-52); 25 (14-41) días; p=0,1, mortalidad UCI 8 vs. 5%; p=0,4 y hospitalaria 10,6 vs. 9,4%: p=0,8. Las dosis diarias de midazolam y remifentanilo disminuyeron 347 (227-479) mg/día; 261 (159-358) mg/día; p=0,02 y 2.175 (1.427-3.285) mcg/día; 1.500 (715-2.740) mcg/día; p=0,02 respectivamente. Se incrementó el uso de remifentanilo (32 vs. 51%; p=0,01), dexmedetomidina (0 vs. 6%; p=0,02), dexquetoprofeno (60 vs.76%; p=0,03) y haloperidol (15 vs. 28%; p=0,04) y el uso de cloruro mórfico descendió (71 vs. 54%; p=0,03). Se incrementó el número de valoraciones y registro de Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale 6 (3-17); 21 (9-39); p < 0,0001, escala indicadora de conductas dolorosas 6 (3-18); 19 (8-33); p < 0,001 y escala verbal numérica 4 (2-6); 8 (6-17); p < 0,0001. Conclusiones: Al implementar un protocolo multidisciplinar de evaluación sistemática y manejo de la analgosedación se consigue una correcta monitorización y mayor adecuación de las dosis a las necesidades del paciente, mejorando los resultados

Introduction: Safe analgesia and sedation strategies are necessary in order to avoid under or over sedation, as well as improving the comfort and safety of critical care patients. Objectives: To compare and contrast a multidisciplinary protocol of systematic evaluation and management of analgesia and sedation in a group of critical care patients on mechanical ventilation with the usual procedures. Materials and methods: A cohort study with contemporary series was conducted in a tertiary care medical-surgical ICU February to November during 2013 and 2014. The inclusion criteria were mechanical ventilation ≥ 24h and use of sedation by continuous infusion. Sedation was monitored using the Richmond agitation-sedation scale or bispectral index, and analgesia were measured using the numeric rating scale, or behavioural indicators of pain scale. The study variables included; mechanical ventilation time, weaning time, ventilation support time, artificial airway time, continuous sedative infusion time, daily dose and frequency of analgesic and sedative drug use, hospital stay, and ICU and hospital mortality, Richmond agitation-sedation scale, bispectral index, numeric rating scale, and behavioural indicators of pain scale measurements. Kruskal Wallis and Chi2, and a significance of p<.05 were used. Results: The study included 153 admissions, 75 pre-intervention and 78 post-intervention, with a mean age of 55.7±13 years old, and 67% men. Both groups showed similarities in age, reason for admission, and APACHE. There were non-significant decreases in mechanical ventilation time 4 (1.4-9.2) and 3.2 (1.4-8.1) days, respectively; p = 0.7, continuous sedative infusion time 6 (3-11) and 5 (3-11) days; p = 0.9, length of hospital stay 29 (18-52); 25 (14-41) days; p = 0.1, ICU mortality (8 vs. 5%; p = 0.4), and hospital mortality (10.6 vs. 9.4%: p = 0.8). Daily doses of midazolam and remifentanil decreased 347 (227-479) mg/day; 261 (159-358) mg/day; p = 0.02 and 2175 (1427-3285) mcg/day; 1500 (715-2740) mcg/day; p = 0.02, respectively. There were increases in the use of remifentanil (32% vs. 51%; p = 0.01), dexmedetomidine (0 vs.6%; p = 0.02), dexketoprofen (60 vs. 76%; p = 0.03), and haloperidol (15 vs.28%; p = 0.04). The use of morphine decreased (71 vs. 54%; p = 0.03). There was an increase in the number of measurements and Richmond agitation-sedation scale scores 6 (3-17); 21 (9-39); p < 0.0001, behavioural indicators of pain scale 6 (3-18); 19(8-33); p < 0.001 and numeric rating scale 4 (2-6); 8 (6-17); p < 0.0001. Conclusions: The implementation of a multidisciplinary protocol of systematic evaluation of analgesia and sedation management achieved an improvement in monitoring and adequacy of dose to patient needs, leading to improved outcomes

[A first step towards safer sedation and analgesia: A systematic evaluation of outcomes and level of sedation and analgesia in the mechanically ventilated critically ill patient]. / Un primer paso hacia una analgosedación más segura: evaluación sistemática de objetivos y grado de analgesia y sedación en el paciente crítico con ventilación mecánica.

INTRODUCTION: Safe analgesia and sedation strategies are necessary in order to avoid under or over sedation, as well as improving the comfort and safety of critical care patients. OBJECTIVES: To compare and contrast a multidisciplinary protocol of systematic evaluation and management of analgesia and sedation in a group of critical care patients on mechanical ventilation with the usual procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort study with contemporary series was conducted in a tertiary care medical-surgical ICU February to November during 2013 and 2014. The inclusion criteria were mechanical ventilation ≥ 24h and use of sedation by continuous infusion. Sedation was monitored using the Richmond agitation-sedation scale or bispectral index, and analgesia were measured using the numeric rating scale, or behavioural indicators of pain scale. The study variables included; mechanical ventilation time, weaning time, ventilation support time, artificial airway time, continuous sedative infusion time, daily dose and frequency of analgesic and sedative drug use, hospital stay, and ICU and hospital mortality, Richmond agitation-sedation scale, bispectral index, numeric rating scale, and behavioural indicators of pain scale measurements. Kruskal Wallis and Chi2, and a significance of p<.05 were used. RESULTS: The study included 153 admissions, 75 pre-intervention and 78 post-intervention, with a mean age of 55.7±13 years old, and 67% men. Both groups showed similarities in age, reason for admission, and APACHE. There were non-significant decreases in mechanical ventilation time 4 (1.4-9.2) and 3.2 (1.4-8.1) days, respectively; p= 0.7, continuous sedative infusion time 6 (3-11) and 5 (3-11) days; p= 0.9, length of hospital stay 29 (18-52); 25 (14-41) days; p= 0.1, ICU mortality (8 vs. 5%; p= 0.4), and hospital mortality (10.6 vs. 9.4%: p= 0.8). Daily doses of midazolam and remifentanil decreased 347 (227-479) mg/day; 261 (159-358) mg/day; p= 0.02 and 2175 (1427-3285) mcg/day; 1500 (715-2740) mcg/day; p= 0.02, respectively. There were increases in the use of remifentanil (32% vs. 51%; p= 0.01), dexmedetomidine (0 vs.6%; p= 0.02), dexketoprofen (60 vs. 76%; p= 0.03), and haloperidol (15 vs.28%; p= 0.04). The use of morphine decreased (71 vs. 54%; p= 0.03). There was an increase in the number of measurements and Richmond agitation-sedation scale scores 6 (3-17); 21 (9-39); p< 0.0001, behavioural indicators of pain scale 6 (3-18); 19(8-33); p< 0.001 and numeric rating scale 4 (2-6); 8 (6-17); p< 0.0001. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a multidisciplinary protocol of systematic evaluation of analgesia and sedation management achieved an improvement in monitoring and adequacy of dose to patient needs, leading to improved outcomes.

Fibroids and female reproduction: a critical analysis of the evidence.

Observational epidemiological studies aimed at elucidating the relationship between fibroids and infertility are inconclusive due to methodological limitations. However, two main pieces of clinical evidence support the opinion that the fibroids interfere with fertility. First, in IVF cycles, the delivery rate is reduced in patients with fibroids but is not affected in patients who have undergone myomectomy. Second, even if randomized studies are lacking, surgical treatment appears to increase the pregnancy rate: approximately 50% women who undergo myomectomy for infertility, subsequently conceive. Available evidence also suggests that submucosal, intramural and subserosal fibroids interfere with fertility in decreasing order of importance. Although more limited, some data supports an impact of the number and dimension of the lesions. Drawing clear guidelines for the management of fibroids in infertile women is difficult due to the lack of large randomized trials aimed at elucidating which patients may benefit from surgery. At present, physicians should pursue a comprehensive and personalized approach clearly exposing the pros and cons of myomectomy to the patient, including the risks associated with fibroids during pregnancy on one hand, and those associated with surgery on the other hand.

Race and blood pressure status influences cardiovascular responses to challenge.

The influence of race and blood pressure status on cardiovascular responses to three challenges (interview, video game and cold pressor) was investigated in 50 healthy normotensive and 30 unmedicated mild-to-moderate hypertensive black and white men, aged 25-44 years old. Group differences were obtained for two tasks. The interview evoked race and blood pressure status differences: higher heart rate responses were elicited from normotensives compared with hypertensives and larger diastolic blood pressure (DBP) responses were elicited from whites compared with blacks. For the video game, black hypertensives displayed larger DBP responses than white hypertensives and greater systolic blood pressure and DBP responses than black normotensives. The video game heart rate response of white normotensives exceeded that of black normotensives and white hypertensives. These findings suggest that cardiovascular responses to challenge are affected by race and blood pressure status. The blood pressure hyperresponsiveness of black hypertensives compared with black normotensives to a psychological challenge (video game) provides generality to previous research conducted only on whites.

Posture, place, and mood effects on ambulatory blood pressure.

Ambulatory blood pressure was studied as a function of posture, place, and mood in 131 subjects classified according to race, gender, and hypertensive status. The effect of posture was significant and explained a substantial proportion of within-subject variability. After controlling for posture, significant place and mood effects were observed when subjects were sitting but not when they were standing. Home vs. work differences in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly greater in Whites than in Blacks. Similar differences in systolic blood pressure were greater in mild hypertensive than in normotensive subjects. The results of this study underscore the need to control for effects of posture when interpreting ambulatory blood pressure readings.

Predicting home and work blood pressure measurements from resting baselines and laboratory reactivity in black and white Americans.

The relationship between blood pressure in the laboratory (both at rest and in response to laboratory tasks) and ambulatory blood pressure at home and at work was evaluated. One hundred nineteen normotensive and unmedicated mild-moderate hypertensive black and white females and males participated in laboratory blood pressure monitoring at rest and during four challenging tasks (structured interview, video game, bicycle exercise, and cold pressor test) as well as ambulatory blood pressure monitoring while at home and at work. Baseline blood pressure taken while subjects were at rest was the strongest predictor of ambulatory systolic blood pressure (r = .64) and diastolic blood pressure (r = .77) at work. Among reactivity tasks the strongest predictors of ambulatory blood pressure in the total population were the structured interview and the video game (both psychological tasks) followed by the cold pressor test. Racial comparisons, however, determined that the cold pressor test predicted diastolic blood pressure significantly better for blacks (r = .73) than for whites (r = .40), suggesting a possible difference in blood pressure regulation.

Cardiovascular and neurohumoral responses to behavioral challenge as a function of race and sex.

Cardiovascular and hormonal responses to a structured interview, an electronic video game, a cold pressor test, and exercise on a bicycle ergometer were assessed in eighty-three 25- to 44-year-old normotensive Black and White men and women. Blacks showed significantly greater diastolic blood pressure (DBP) responses than Whites during the cold pressor test, which were not accounted for by an increase in plasma catecholamines. Exercise produced reliably greater systolic blood pressure (SBP) increases in Black women than in Black men or White women. Men showed significantly greater SBP and DBP changes than women during the video game. These findings suggest that the pattern of physiological reactivity elicited by challenge is related to the race and sex of the subjects.

Harassment, hostility, and type A as determinants of cardiovascular reactivity during competition.

Anger/hostility and Type A behavior have been implicated in elevated cardiovascular reactivity and disease. In the present experiment systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were monitored during conditions of competition alone or in conjunction with goal blocking or harassment. Cardiovascular reactivity was examined as a function of conditions, Type A or B pattern, and various measures of anger/hostility. Harassment elicited significantly elevated SBP and HR changes relative to goal-blocking and control conditions. Type As reliably exceeded Type Bs in magnitude of SBP change during the harassment condition only. However, exploratory analyses correlating anger/hostility measures and cardiovascular reactivity indicated that only subjects scoring high on the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory showed significantly elevated SBP reactivity as a function of Type A behavior pattern, rated hostility during the A-B interview, or outward expression of anger assessed by the Framingham Anger-In vs Anger-Out Scale.