Postoperative Hypotension After Cardiac Surgery Is Associated With Acute Kidney Injury.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the incidence of postoperative hypotension in patients undergoing cardiac surgery during the first 12 hours in the intensive care unit (ICU) and any relationship between hypotension and the development of acute kidney injury (AKI). DESIGN: This was a retrospective, observational cohort study. SETTING: The study took place in a single-center tertiary teaching hospital in London, UK. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients (n = 100) who underwent elective cardiac surgery requiring intraoperative cardiopulmonary bypass between May and November 2021 were enrolled. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A hypotensive event was defined as mean arterial pressure <65 mmHg lasting at least 1 minute. Invasive blood pressure data was analyzed for the first 12 hours after surgery, and any association between postoperative hypotension and AKI was assessed. A total of 91% of patients experienced hypotension in the first 12 hours postprocedure. On average, patients experienced 9 hypotensive events, with events lasting an average of 5 minutes. A total of 16 patients (16%) developed at least stage 1 AKI. The average duration of hypotension was significantly higher in the AKI group (4.6 min [IQR 3.3, 8.0] v 8.1 min [IQR 5.2, 14.2], p = 0.029). Those suffering AKI had longer ICU and hospital stays. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that hypotension in the first 12 hours following cardiac surgery is common and prolonged hypotensive events are associated with developing AKI. This emphasizes the importance of treating hypotension aggressively and highlights a target for further research and intervention.

Information sharing between intensive care and primary care after an episode of critical illness; A mixed methods analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Poor quality communication between hospital doctors and GPs at the time of hospital discharge is associated with adverse patient outcomes. This may be more marked after an episode of critical illness, the complications of which can persist long after hospital discharge. AIMS: 1. to evaluate information sharing between ICU staff and GPs after a critical illness 2. to identify factors influencing the flow and utilisation of this information. METHODS: Parallel mixed methods observational study in an Irish setting, with equal emphasis on quantitative and qualitative data. Descriptive analysis was performed on quantitative data derived from GP and ICU consultant questionnaires. Qualitative data came from semi-structured interviews with GPs and consultants, and were analysed using directed content analysis. Mixing of data occurred at the stage of interpretation. RESULTS: GPs rarely received information about an episode of critical illness directly from ICU staff, with most coming from patients and relatives. Information received from hospital sources was frequently brief and incomplete. Common communication barriers reported by consultants were insufficient time, low perceived importance and difficulty establishing GP contact. When provided information, GPs seldom actioned specific interventions, citing insufficient guidance in hospital correspondence and poor knowledge about critical illness complications and their management. A majority of all respondents thought that improved information sharing would benefit patients. Cultural influences on practice were identified in qualitative data. A priori qualitative themes were: (1) perceived benefits of information sharing, (2) factors influencing current practice and (3) strategies for optimal information sharing. Emergent themes were: (4) the central role of the GP in patient care, (5) the concept of the "whole patient journey" and (6) a culture of expectation around a GP's knowledge of hospital care. CONCLUSIONS: Practical and cultural factors contribute to suboptimal information sharing between ICU and primary care doctors around an episode of critical illness in ICU. We propose a three-milestone strategy to improve the flow and utilisation of information when patients are admitted, discharged or die within the ICU.

What's new in multidrug-resistant pathogens in the ICU?

Over the last several decades, antibacterial drug use has become widespread with their misuse being an ever-increasing phenomenon. Consequently, antibacterial drugs have become less effective or even ineffective, resulting in a global health security emergency. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) varies widely among regions and countries. The primary aim of antibiotic stewardship programs is to supervise the three most influential factors contributing to the development and transmission of MDROs, namely: (1) appropriate antibiotic prescribing; (2) early detection and prevention of cross-colonization of MDROs; and (3) elimination of reservoirs. In the future, it is expected that a number of countries will experience a rise in MDROs. These infections will be associated with a high consumption of healthcare resources manifested by a prolonged hospital stay and high mortality. As a counteractive strategy, minimization of broad-spectrum antibiotic use and prompt antibiotic administration will aid in reduction of antibiotic resistance. Innovative management approaches include development and implementation of rapid diagnostic tests that will help in both shortening the duration of therapy and allowing early targeted therapy. The institution of more accessible therapeutic drug monitoring will help to optimize drug administration and support a patient-specific approach. Areas where further research is required are investigation into the heterogeneity of critically ill patients and the need for new antibacterial drug development.

Duration of antibiotic therapy in the intensive care unit.

There are certain well defined clinical situations where prolonged therapy is beneficial, but prolonged duration of antibiotic therapy is associated with increased resistance, medicalising effects, high costs and adverse drug reactions. The best way to decrease antibiotic duration is both to stop antibiotics when not needed (sterile invasive cultures with clinical improvement), not to start antibiotics when not indicated (treating colonization) and keep the antibiotic course as short as possible. The optimal duration of antimicrobial treatment for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is unknown, however, there is a growing evidence that reduction in the length of antibiotic courses to 7-8 days can minimize the consequences of antibiotic overuse in critical care, including antibiotic resistance, adverse effects, collateral damage and costs. Biomarkers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) do have a valuable role in helping guide antibiotic duration but should be interpreted cautiously in the context of the clinical situation. On the other hand, microbiological criteria alone are not reliable and should not be used to justify a prolonged antibiotic course, as clinical cure does not equate to microbiological eradication. We do not recommend a 'one size fits all' approach and in some clinical situations, including infection with non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli (NF-GNB) clinical evaluation is needed but shortening the antibiotic course is an effective and safe way to decrease inappropriate antibiotic exposure.