Experiencia en shock séptico en emergencias. Factores asociados a falta de respuesta a fluídos / Experience in septic shock in Emergencies. Factors associated with lack of response to fluid resuscitation

Introducción: La sepsis es una de las principales causas de muerte infantil a nivel mundial. Las guías de tratamiento utilizadas en nuestro servicio se basan en parámetros clínicos para un soporte hemodinámico temprano con énfasis en el uso de fluidos e inotrópicos guiados por metas clínicas. Objetivos: Describir las características epidemiológicas y clínicas en una cohorte de niños con diagnóstico de shock séptico (SS) en el área de emergencias, controlando tasa de respuesta a fluidos, mortalidad y su relación con las características de los pacientes. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional de cohorte prospectivo entre Julio del 2009 y Julio del 2010. Se incluyeron 83 pacientes entre 0 a 18 años que cumplieron con los criterios diagnósticos de SS. La respuesta a volumen se definió como: respondedores (RE) a los pacientes que solo requirieron expansión con volumen y no respondedores (nRE) a aquellos que requirieron inotrópicos luego de llegar a 60 ml/kg o aparición de signos de sobrecarga cardíaca. Resultados: 64% fueron varones con mediana de edad de 5,8 años (RIC 2-12). 71% presentaban alguna enfermedad crónica preexistente, siendo 40% pacientes oncológicos. El 25 % requirió asistencia respiratoria mecánica y 65% inotrópicos. La mediana de estadía hospitalaria fue 10 días (RIC 7-16 días). Un 35% fue RE. Solo la hipotensión al ingreso resultó ser factor de riesgo para nRE (p0,035), pero en el modelo multivariado no resultó estadísticamente significativo. El 8% de los pacientes fallecieron. Conclusiones: En nuestra población, los pacientes con enfermedades oncológicas representan un número importante de los casos de SS y posiblemente tengan una mayor mortalidad. La tasa de respuesta a volumen ocurrió en 35% de los casos. La hipotensión inicial constituye un probable factor de riesgo para nRE (AU)

Introduction: Sepsis is one of the main causes of childhood death worldwide. Treatment guidelines used at our department are based on clinical parameters for early hemodynamic support with emphasis on fluid resuscitation and inotropics use guided by clinical goals. Objectives: To describe the epidemiologic and clinical features of a cohort of children with septic shock (SS) seen at the emergency department evaluating response rate to fluid resuscitation and mortality related to patient characteristics. Materials and methods: A prospective, observational cohort study was conducted between July 2009 and July 2010. Overall, 83 patients between 0 and 18 years of age that met the diagnostic criteria of SS were included. Response to fluid resuscitation was defined as: responders (RE), those patients that only required volume expansion, and non-responders (nRE), those that required inotropes after having reached 60 ml/kg or appearance of signs of fluid overload. Results: 64% were boys; median age was 5.8 years (IQR 2-12); 71% had some type of preexisting chronic disease, consisting of cancer in 40%. Overall, 25% required mechanical ventilation and 65% inotropes. Median length of hospital stay was 10 days (IQR 7-16 days). 35% of the patients were RE. Only hypotension on admission was found to be a risk factor for nRE (p 0.035); however, in a multivariate model, this finding did not show to be statistically significant. Eight percent of the patients died. Conclusions: In our cohort, patients with cancer accounted for a large number of those who developed SS; in these patients mortality may be increased. Response rate to fluid resuscitation was 35%. Initial hypotension may be a risk factor for nRE.

Características epidemiológicas de los pacientes atendidos en el sector de reanimación de un servicio de emergencia en un hospital de tercer nivel de Argentina / Epidemiological features of patients admitted to the resuscitation unit at an emergency department of a third level hospital in Argentina

Introducción. Conocer las características epidemiológicas (CE) de una población resulta primordial para la definición de estrategias sanitarias. Nuestro objetivo es describir las características de pacientes críticos ingresados al sector reanimación (SR). Materiales y métodos. Estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo realizado en un servicio de urgencias de un hospital de tercer nivel entre 2/7/2018 y 1/7/2019. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes ingresados a SR. Se registró edad, sexo, motivo de ingreso, condición crónica, procedimientos diagnósticos y terapéuticos efectuados. Los datos fueron obtenidos del libro de registro y la historia clínica informatizada, y analizados con software Redcap Versión 8.9.2. Las variables categóricas se expresaron como frecuencias y porcentajes y las continuas con mediana y rango intercuartílico. Resultados. Ingresaron 2292 pacientes. El 94% fueron menores de 16 años. El 56,5% presentaba condiciones crónicas (CC), siendo más frecuentes las enfermedades neurológicas (29%), endocrino/metabólicas (15,5%) y cardiovasculares (11%). Los motivos de ingreso más habituales: enfermedad respiratoria aguda baja (31%), estado epiléptico (13%), sepsis (13%) y deshidratación grave (7%). Estudios complementarios más utilizados: laboratorio (54%), radiografía (28%), hemocultivos (23%). Los procedimientos realizados con más frecuencia fueron la colocación de acceso venoso periférico (67%), cánula nasal de alto flujo (6%) y ventilación mecánica (5%). Las drogas más indicadas: oxígeno (42%), fluidos (34%), antibióticos (22%). El 14% ingresó a cuidados intensivos. Hubo 11 paros cardiorrespiratorios y 6 óbitos. Conclusiones. En el SR se asisten pacientes críticos con patologías de alta prevalencia como también pacientes con enfermedades crónicas complejas. La evaluación periódica de CE resulta una herramienta fundamental para detectar dificultades y elaborar estrategias de mejora (AU)

Introduction. Knowledge on the epidemiological characteristics (EC) of a population is essential to define healthcare strategies. Our aim was to describe the characteristics of critical patients admitted to the resuscitation unit (RU). Materials and methods. A descriptive and retrospective study was conducted at an emergency department of a third-level hospital between 2/7/2018 and 1/7/2019. All patients admitted to the RU were included. Age, sex, reason for admission, underlying disease, and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed were recorded. The data were obtained from the logbook and electronic records, and analyzed using Redcap software Version 8.9.2. Categorical variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages and continuous variables as median and interquartile range. Results. 2292 patients were admitted; 94% were younger than 16 years of age. Overall, 56.5% had underlying diseases (UD), the most common of which were neurological (29%), endocrine/metabolic (15.5%), and cardiovascular (11%) disorders. The most common reasons for admission were acute lower respiratory tract disease (31%), status epilepticus (13%), sepsis (13%), and severe dehydration (7%). The most frequently used complementary studies were laboratory tests (54%), x-rays (28%), and hemocultures (23%). The most frequently performed procedures were peripheral venous line (67%), high-flow nasal cannula (6%), and mechanical ventilation (5%) placement. The most frequently indicated medications were oxygen (42%), fluids (34%), and antibiotics (22%). Overall, 14% required admission to the intensive care unit. There were 11 cardiorespiratory arrests and six deaths. Conclusions. Critical patients with highly prevalent diseases as well as patients with complex underlying diseases are seen at the RU. Periodic EC evaluation is a key tool for detecting difficulties and developing improvement strategies (AU)

Uso de tarjetas de medicación en el manejo de estado epiléptico en un servicio de emergencias. Mejoras en prescripción, preparación y administración de drogas / Use of medication cards in the management of statu epilepticus at an emergency department. Improvements in drug prescription, preparation and administration

Introducción: Los errores de medicación (EM) causan una elevada morbimortalidad y generan costos innecesarios. El servicio de emergencias (SE) presenta un mayor riesgo de EM que otras áreas. El desarrollo de una herramienta que estandarice el uso de fármacos podría mejorar la seguridad y el proceso de medicación. Objetivos: Evaluar las mejoras en el proceso de medicación mediante el uso de tablas de medicación (TM) durante la atención del estado epiléptico (EE). Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio de tipo antes y después no controlado. La intervención fue el desarrollo e implementación de TM. Se relevó in situ la prescripción, preparación y administración de fármacos incluidos en las TM durante segunda quincena de Octubre y mes de Noviembre 2016, previo a la implementación de la herramienta, y en el mismo período de 2017, luego de la inducción e implementación de las tablas. Se registraron los EM y se categorizaron de acuerdo a la etapa del proceso en que ocurrieron. Resultados: En el período pre-intervención se realizaron 14 registros, 86% (12) tenía al menos un error; 57% (8) errores en la etapa de prescripción, 57% (8) en la de preparación y 21% (3) en la de administración. En el período post-intervención se realizaron 17 registros, 12% (2) tenía por lo menos un EM. No se registraron errores en la fase de prescripción, hubo 12% (2) de errores de preparación y 6% (1) de administración. Conclusión: La implementación de las TM para la estandarización del uso de fármacos en EE resultó una medida muy positiva, mejorando la seguridad en el proceso de medicación (AU)

Introduction: Medication errors (ME) are associated with high morbidity mortality and lead to unnecessary costs. The risk of ME is higher at the emergency department (ED) than in other areas. Developing a tool that standardizes drug use may improve safety and medication processes. Objectives: To evaluate improvements in the medication process by using medication cards (MCs) during status epilepticus (SE) care. Materials and methods: An uncontrolled before-and-after study was conducted. The intervention was the development and implementation of MCs. The in situ prescription, preparation, and administration of drugs included in the MCs was recorded during the second half of October and November 2016, prior to the implementation of the tool, and in the same period of 2017, after the introduction and implementation of the MCs. ME were recorded and categorized according to the stage of the process in which they occurred. Results: In the pre-intervention period 14 episodes were recorded; in 86% (12) at least one error occurred; 57% (8) were ME in the prescription stage, 57% (8) were ME in the preparation stage, and 21% (3) were ME in the administration stage. In the post-intervention period 17 errors were recorded, in 12% (2) at least one ME occurred. No errors were recorded in the prescription stage, 12% (2) were preparation errors, and 6% (1) administration errors. Conclusion: The implementation of MCs for the standardization of medications used in the RU was successful, improving safety in the medication process (AU)

Triage hospitalario. La clasificación de la atención según el nivel de urgencia, en los servicios de urgencias / Hospital triage. Classification of care according to level of urgency, at emergency departments

El triage hospitalario en los servicios de urgencias es un proceso de valoración clínica preliminar. Permite clasificar a los pacientes según su nivel de urgencia y no por orden de llegada. Prioriza la asistencia de los pacientes graves. Organiza la atención de acuerdo a la demanda, los recursos físicos y humanos disponibles. Debe incluir protocolos que definan la clasificación del nivel de urgencia, los tiempos de asistencia y reevaluación, las intervenciones que se pueden ejecutar en el sector y el registro de las actuaciones. La clasificación del nivel de urgencia se define mediante el triángulo de evaluación pediátrica, el problema principal, las constantes vitales y la consideración de modificadores o alertas. Aunque resulta imprescindible, su uso no está uinversalmente difundido(AU)

At emergency departments, triage is the process of initial clinical assessment. It allows for the classification of patients based on their level of emergency regardless of order of arrival. It prioritizes care for severe patients and organizes care according to the demand and available physical and human resources. The triage should include protocols that define classification of the level of urgency, necessary times for care and reassessment, interventions that may be performed in the area, and recording of the activities. The level of emergency is classified based on the triad of pediatric assessment, consisting of the main complaint, vital signs, and consideration of modifiers or alerts. Although essential, it is not universally used (AU).

Notch signaling promotes intestinal crypt fission in the infant rat.

BACKGROUND: Growth of the small intestine in the infant rat is promoted by crypt fission and later by increased crypt cell proliferation. Notch signaling could promote crypt fission. Hes-1 is a Notch target gene. AIM: We assessed the effect of Notch signaling on intestinal crypt fission and on growth of the intestine in the infant rat. METHODS: Hes-1 expression was determined in the small intestine of litters of Hooded Wistar rats aged between 3 and 72 days. Hes-1 RNA expression was measured by quantitative RT-PCR. Four groups of rats (n = 8 or 9) were injected daily, ip, either with vehicle or with the Notch inhibitor DAPT at doses of 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg, from days 9 to 13 of life, and killed on day 14. A microdissection technique was used to measure crypt fission, mitotic count, and apoptotic count. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and by use of Dunnett's F test. RESULTS: Hes-1 expression and crypt fission peaked on day 14. DAPT reduced Hes-1 immunostaining in proportion to dose. DAPT reduced villous area to 72 % (p < 0.01), 53 % (p < 0.001), and 38 % (p < 0.001) of control values for 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg doses, respectively, and reduced crypt fission to 53 % (p < 0.001) and 38 % (p < 0.001) of control values, respectively, for 10 and 30 mg/kg doses. Crypt mitotic count was not affected by any DAPT dose. DAPT at 10 and 30 mg/kg significantly increased apoptosis in crypts, by 6.5 and 4.8-fold, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that Notch signaling promotes crypt fission and growth of the intestine by maintaining low apoptosis of crypt cells.

Wnt blockade with dickkopf reduces intestinal crypt fission and intestinal growth in infant rats.

OBJECTIVES: Intestinal crypt fission peaks during infancy. In human and experimental familial polyposis coli, increased crypt fission is due to activation of Wnt/ß-catenin signalling, but the molecular basis of crypt fission during intestinal growth has not been examined. The aim of this project was to investigate whether crypt fission and intestinal growth are affected by experimental blockade of the Wnt/ß-catenin signalling pathway. METHODS: Hooded Wistar rats were given either the Wnt inhibitor, dickkopf (30 and 100 ng), daily or vehicle control intraperitoneally from days 11 to 15 and were killed at day 16. Intestinal morphometry was used to measure villous area, crypt area, percentage of crypt fission, and crypt mitotic count. Intestinal stem cells were assessed by expression of real time-polymerase chain reaction for Lgr5 (a stem cell marker), and the number of ß-catenin-expressing crypts by immunostaining was determined after 100-ng dickkopf treatment. RESULTS: Dickkopf at 30 and 100 ng/day reduced villous area to 71% (P = 0.013) and 29% (P < 0.0001), crypt area to 42% (P = 0.0026) and 30% (P = 0.0067), and crypt fission to 51% (P = 0.006) and 29% (P < 0.0001), respectively, of control values. Mitotic count per crypt did not change. Lgr5 RNA expression and the number of ß-catenin-expressing crypts decreased in dickkopf-treated animals. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that intestinal crypt fission during infancy is mediated by Wnt signalling. It is possible that local treatment with Wnt agonists could be used to increase intestinal growth.

Studying permeability in a commonly used epithelial cell line: T84 intestinal epithelial cells.

The integrity, or barrier function, of the intestinal epithelium is of paramount importance in -maintaining good health. This is largely imparted by a single layer of epithelial cells linked by the transmembrane tight junction protein complex near their apical surface. Disruption of epithelial permeability via the tight junctions can contribute to disease progression. The cytokine IFNγ is involved in many inflammatory processes and has been shown to dramatically increase permeability via changes at the tight junction in experimental models. One of its key effectors is the transcription factor, -IRF-1. In our studies of the role of IRF-1 in barrier function using the human T84 intestinal epithelial cell monolayer model, we have found that induction of IRF-1 alone is insufficient to change permeability and that if IRF-1 is involved in mediating the permeability effects of IFNγ, then other factors must also be required.