Prognostic value of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin in non-cardiac surgical patients in intensive care units.

Type II myocardial injury following surgical procedures is associated with adverse outcomes. The prognostic value of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) due to type II myocardial injury in surgical patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess prognostic value of hs-cTn in type II acute myocardial injury in non-cardiac surgical patients requiring post-operative ICU admission. Retrospective analysis of patients admitted to two level III ICUs following surgery and had hs-cTn measured on the day of ICU admission. Patients who had type I acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during their admission were excluded from the study. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included ICU mortality, ICU length of stay (LOS) and hospital LOS. A total of 420 patients were included. On univariable analysis, higher hs-cTn was associated with increased hospital mortality (14.6% vs 6.3%, p = 0.008), ICU LOS (41.1 h, vs 25 h, p = 0.004) and hospital LOS (253 h vs 193 h, p = 0.02). On multivariable analysis, hs-cTn was not independently associated with increased risk of hospital mortality. However, in patients who had elective surgery, hs-cTn was associated with increased risk (OR 1.048; 95% CI 1.004-1.094; p = 0.031) of hospital mortality with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.753 (95% CI 0.598-0.908). In elective surgical patients, hs-cTn was associated with increased risk of mortality. Larger multicentre studies are required to confirm this association that may assist in risk stratification of elective surgical patients requiring ICU admission.

Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State (HHS) complicated by life-threatening large vessel occlusive arterial thrombosis - A mini case series and important reminder for clinicians.

Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State (HHS) is a known life-threatening complication of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). As the incidence of T2DM continues to grow, it is important to remember some of its lesser-known complications. HHS has been described in the literature to result in small vessel thrombosis, leading to coronary or cerebral arterial thrombosis, resulting in acute myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accidents. The underlying pathology of this relates to the prothrombotic and hyperviscous state caused by HHS. On our review of the literature, however, we are unable to find a consistent description or HHS complicated by large vessel thrombotic occlusion. The authors of this paper present a mini case series describing two cases of HHS which were complicated by life or limb-threatening large vessel occlusive arterial thrombosis. This is particularly unique as we have otherwise only been able to identify single case reports in the existing literature from other authors. The purpose of this case discussion is to highlight this rare complication of HHS and to encourage clinicians to remember that HHS is not just a physiological or biochemical derangement, can also lead to true surgical emergencies requiring immediate treatment.

Comparison of clinical characteristics and outcomes between alcohol-induced and gallstone-induced acute pancreatitis: An Australian retrospective observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the characteristics and outcomes of patients presenting to hospital with alcohol-induced and gallstone-induced acute pancreatitis. METHODS: Retrospective study of all patients with alcohol-induced or gallstone-induced pancreatitis during the period 1 June 2012 to 31 May 2016. The primary outcome measure was hospital mortality. Secondary outcome measures included hospital length of stay, requirements for intensive care unit admission, intensive care unit mortality, mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, requirement of inotropes and total parenteral nutrition. RESULTS: A total of 642 consecutive patients (49% alcohol; 51% gallstone) were included. No statistically significant differences were found between alcohol-induced and gallstone-induced acute pancreatitis with respect to hospital mortality, requirement for intensive care unit admission, intensive care unit mortality and requirement for mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, inotropes or total parenteral nutrition. There was significant difference in hospital length of stay (3.07 versus 4.84; p < 0.0001). On multivariable regression analysis, Bedside Index of Severity in Acute Pancreatitis score (estimate: 0.393; standard error: 0.058; p < 0.0001) and admission haematocrit (estimate: 0.025; standard error: 0.008; p = 0.002) were found to be independently associated with prolonged hospital length of stay. CONCLUSION: Hospital mortality did not differ between patients with alcohol-induced and gallstone-induced acute pancreatitis. The duration of hospital stay was longer with gallstone-induced pancreatitis. Bedside Index of Severity in Acute Pancreatitis score and admission haematocrit were independently associated with hospital length of stay.

A practice survey of airway management in Australian and New Zealand intensive care units.

OBJECTIVE: To characterise intubation practices in Australian and New Zealand intensive care units (ICUs) and investigate clinician support for establishing airway management guidelines in Australian and New Zealand ICUs. DESIGN: An online survey was designed, piloted and distributed to members of the mailing list of the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS), with medical members invited to participate. Respondents were excluded if their primary practice was in paediatric ICUs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data collected included the respondents' demographics and airway management practices and whether respondents supported the formulation of Australian and New Zealand intubation guidelines for critically ill patients in ICU and mandatory airway management training for Fellows of the College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand (CICM). RESULTS: Over a quarter of ANZICS medical members completed the survey (203/756, 27%), of which 166 (22%) were included in the analysis. The majority of respondents were male (80%), consultant intensivists (80%), and from tertiary centres (59%). Seventeen per cent worked concurrently in ICU and anaesthesia, and 52% had not completed formal airway training within the previous 3 years. Propofol was the preferred induction agent (67%) and rocuronium was the preferred neuromuscular blocking agent (58%). Videolaryngoscopy was immediately available in 97% of the ICUs and used first-line by 43% of respondents. Sixty-one per cent of respondents were in favour of the development of Australian and New Zealand ICU airway management guidelines, and 80% agreed that airway management training should be mandatory for CICM Fellows. CONCLUSION: Variation of practices in intubation was noted in the participants. Approximately 61% of respondents supported the development of Australian and New Zealand ICU airway management guidelines, and 80% supported mandatory airway management training.