The Report of Sustained Low-Efficiency Dialysis (SLED) Treatment in Fifteen Patients of Severe Snakebite

To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of sustained low-efficiency dialysis (SLED) in severe snakebite patients. Fifteen patients of severe snakebite was treated with SLED from July 2005 to August 2009 were included in the study. Central venous access was established in all patients. SLED was administered using Dialog⁺ dialyzer (B. Braun, Germany). SLED sessions were 6–12 h in duration at a blood flow rate of 200 ml/min and a dialysate flow rate of 300 ml/min. Heparin or low molecular weight heparin was used as anticoagulant. Biochemical indicators, APACHE II scores before and after SLED, and clinical outcomes were evaluated. The levels of serum creatinine, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, creatine kinase isozyme MB, and creatine kinase were significantly lower than the level before SLED (P < 0.05); the level of cholinesterase was significantly higher after SLED (P < 0.01); the APACHE II score before SLED was 14.1 ± 3.8, but decreased significantly to 7.9 ± 1.4, 6.2 ± 1.1, and 4.2 ± 0.8 on days 1, 2, and 7 after SLED, respectively (P < 0.01). Three patients died on days 1, 3, and 4 after SLED, respectively. The remaining twelve patients were either cured or showed improvement at the time of discharge. The survival rate was 80 % where as mortality was 20 %. SLED may be an effective treatment option in severe snakebite patients. It can reduce mortality, thereby, resulting in increased survival rates.     

血乳酸水平动态监测在危重症患者的应用的临床价值分析

目的:探讨动态监测动脉乳酸水平对危重患者的应用的临床价值分析。方法:对2010年2月~2011年6月间收治的危重病患者的血乳酸水平进行动态监测,通过比较死亡组患者和存活组患者乳酸水平及其它临床指标,比较不同乳酸水平组患者的临床资料来分析乳酸在危重症患者的应用价值。结果:死亡组和存活组患者在性别、年龄差异无明显的统计学意义(P>0.05);病死组乳酸水平、APACHEⅡ评分、住ICU时间(天)、机械通气时间明显高于生存组,差异有显著的统计学意义(P<0.01);严重乳酸酸中毒组患者在APACHEⅡ评分、休克发生率、MODS发生率、死亡发生率均明显高于乳酸酸中毒组和高乳酸血症组,差异有明显的统计学意义(P<0.05),乳酸酸中毒组休克发生率、MODS发生率、死亡发生率均明显高于高乳酸血症组,差异有明显的统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:动态监测动脉乳酸水平是判断危重患者预后的一个良好指标,动脉乳酸越高,预后差。     

Clinical Validation of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Imipenem in Spent Effluent in Critically Ill Patients Receiving Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy: A Pilot Study

ObjectivesThe primary objective of this pilot study was to investigate whether the therapeutic drug monitoring of imipenem could be performed with spent effluent instead of blood sampling collected from critically ill patients under continuous renal replacement therapy.MethodsA prospective open-label study was conducted in a real clinical setting. Both blood and effluent samples were collected pairwise before imipenem administration and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 h after imipenem administration. Plasma and effluent imipenem concentrations were determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of blood and effluent samples were calculated.ResultsEighty-three paired plasma and effluent samples were obtained from 10 patients. The Pearson correlation coefficient of the imipenem concentrations in plasma and effluent was 0.950 (P<0.0001). The average plasma-to-effluent imipenem concentration ratio was 1.044 (95% confidence interval, 0.975 to 1.114) with Bland-Altman analysis. No statistically significant difference was found in the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters tested in paired plasma and effluent samples with Wilcoxon test.ConclusionSpent effluent of continuous renal replacement therapy could be used for therapeutic drug monitoring of imipenem instead of blood sampling in critically ill patients.     

Proteomic Profiling of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid in Critically Ill Patients with Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

Rationale

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common complication in patients with acute lung injury (ALI) and can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Identifying protein profiles specific to VAP in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) may aid in earlier diagnosis, elucidate mechanisms of disease, and identify putative targets for therapeutic intervention.

Methods

BALF was obtained from 5 normal subjects and 30 ALI patients: 14 with VAP (VAP⁺) and 16 without VAP (VAP^–). Each sample underwent shotgun proteomic analysis based on tandem mass spectrometry. Differentially expressed proteins between the groups were identified using statistical methods based on spectral counting. Mechanisms of disease were explored using functional annotation and protein interaction network analysis. Supervised classification algorithms were implemented to discover a proteomic classifier for identifying critically ill patients with VAP.

Results

ALI patients had distinct BALF proteomic profiles compared to normal controls. Within the ALI group, we identified 76 differentially expressed proteins between VAP⁺ and VAP^–. Functional analysis of these proteins suggested activation of pro-inflammatory pathways during VAP. We identified and validated a limited proteomic signature that discriminated VAP⁺ from VAP^– patients comprised of three proteins: S100A8, lactotransferrin (LTF), and actinin 1 (ACTN1).

Conclusions

Combining proteomic with computational analyses is a powerful approach to study the BALF proteome during lung injury and development of VAP. This integrative methodology is a promising strategy to differentiate clinically relevant subsets of ALI patients, including those suffering from VAP.     

连续性血液净化在肾衰危重病人抢救中的应用及效果评价

目的:探讨连续性血液净化在危重病人抢救中的应用及效果评价.方法:选取2010年1月～2012年11月我院收治的危重病人共26例,均采用连续性静脉-静脉血液滤过方法治疗,比较治疗前后的心脏血流动力学参数、肾功能与电解质的变化,观察全部患者治疗前后的临床症状改善情况及临床转归.结果:治疗前后的心率、中心静脉压、平均动脉压、心指数及心排出量差异均存在统计学意义(P＜0.05);治疗后患者的血尿素氮、肌酐及钾水平均明显低于治疗前(P＜0.05);治疗后患者的低血压、低血氧、昏迷改善率分别为66.67％、71.43％及62.50％;26例患者中死亡14例(53.85％),存活12例(46.15％).结论:连续性血液净化可以积极有效地治疗危重病患者,选择治疗的时候需要针对患者的情况进行综合判断和全面评估.     

连续性血液净化治疗对急性胰腺炎的临床效果和预后状况分析

目的:探讨连续性血液净化(CBP)对急性胰腺炎(AP)的治疗效果及预后的影响。方法:选取2010年1月至2016年12月间我院1200例AP患者作为研究对象,按照随机数字表法分为常规治疗组及CBP治疗组,每组600例。常规治疗组接受常规药物治疗,CBP治疗组在常用药物治疗的基础上联合应用CBP治疗。对比治疗后两组患者临床症状消失时间以及治疗前、治疗后72h炎性因子水平变化情况和肠道功能变化情况,并对比两组治疗后7 d的死亡率。结果:CBP治疗组治疗后的腹痛消失时间、腹胀消失时间及腹部压痛消失时间均低于常规治疗组(P0.05)。两组治疗前内毒素、C反应蛋白(CRP)、淀粉酶(AMS)、二胺氧化酶及丙二醛比较无统计学差异(P0.05);治疗后72 h,内毒素、CRP、AMS、二胺氧化酶及丙二醛水平均较治疗前降低,且CBP治疗组低于常规治疗组(P0.05)。治疗后7 d CBP治疗组死亡率低于常规治疗组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:CBP可有效的提高AP的临床治疗效果,并改善患者的临床预后。     

Association of Patient Care with Ventilator-Associated Conditions in Critically Ill Patients: Risk Factor Analysis

BackgroundVentilator-associated conditions (VACs), for which new surveillance definitions and methods were issued by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are respiratory complications occurring in conjunction with the use of invasive mechanical ventilation and are related to adverse outcomes in critically ill patients. However, to date, risk factors for VACs have not been adequately established, leading to a need for developing a better understanding of the risks. The objective of this study was to explore care-related risk factors as a process indicator and provide valuable information pertaining to VAC preventive measures.MethodsThis retrospective, single-center, cohort study was conducted in the intensive-care unit (ICU) of a university hospital in Japan. Patient data were automatically sampled using a computerized medical records system and retrospectively analyzed. Management and care-related, but not host-related, factors were exhaustively analyzed using multivariate analysis for risks of VACs. VAC correlation to mortality was also investigated.ResultsOf the 3122 patients admitted in the ICU, 303 ventilated patients meeting CDC-specified eligibility criteria were included in the analysis. Thirty-seven VACs (12.2%) were found with a corresponding rate of 12.1 per 1000 ventilator days. Multivariate analysis revealed four variables related to patient care as risk factors for VACs: absence of intensivist participation in management of ventilated patients [adjusted HR (AHR): 7.325, P < 0.001)], using relatively higher driving pressure (AHR: 1.216, P < 0.001), development of edema (AHR: 2.145, P = 0.037), and a larger body weight increase (AHR: 0.058, P = 0.005). Furthermore, this research confirmed mortality differences in patients with VACs and statistically derived risks compared with those without VACs (HR: 2.623, P = 0.008).ConclusionFour risk factors related to patient care were clearly identified to be the key factors for VAC preventive measures.     

强化肠内营养对急诊重症患者血糖控制及病情转归的影响

摘要 目的：考察强化肠内营养对急诊重症患者血糖、营养状态以及并发症的影响。方法：以300例2018年4月-2020年3月就入住我院ICU的患者为研究对象,分为对照组和研究组,每组150例。对照组患者进行肠外营养支持,研究组患者予以肠内营养治疗,通过考察患者血糖、24 h胰岛素使用量、血清总蛋白(Total protein,Tp)、白蛋白(albumin,Alb)、肌酐(creatinine,Scr)以及并发症等指标,评价其对病情的影响。结果：研究组24 h内平均血糖为89.8±38.4 mg/dl,显著低于对照组的157.6±68.3 mg/dl(P＜0.05),研究组24 h内胰岛素使用量为18.6±12.3 μ,显著低于对照组的34.7±30.6 μ(P＜0.05)。治疗前,两组患者Tp、Alb和肌酐清除率 (creatinine clearance,CCR)水平均无显著差异(P＞0.05),治疗后,两组Tp和Alb水平显著升高,CCR水平显著降低(P＜0.05);与对照组相比,研究组患者Tp和Alb水平显著升高,CCR水平显著降低(P＜0.05)。两组均存在不同程度的腹泻、腹胀以及上消化道出血情况,其中对照组的总发生率为23.33 %,研究组的为26.67 %,经比较,无显著差异(P＞0.05)。结论：强化肠内营养能有效改善急诊重症患者的血糖水平,改善患者的营养状态,安全性高。     

连续性血液净化治疗对脓毒症患者炎性因子及免疫功能的影响

目的:探究连续性血液净化(CBP)治疗对脓毒症患者炎性因子及免疫功能的影响,为临床治疗脓毒症提供参考。方法:选取2014年6月-2016年12月我院ICU收治的76例严重脓毒症患者,根据患者所采用的治疗方式分为常规组(n=36)与CBP组(n=40)。常规组患者采取目标针对性治疗和生命支持治疗,CBP组在目标针对性治疗的基础上采用CBP治疗。检测并比较治疗前和治疗3 d后两组患者白介素-6(IL-6)、白介素-10(IL-10)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和C反应蛋白(CRP)水平。检测并比较治疗前和治疗3 d后两组患者CD3~+,CD4~+,CD8~+T细胞并计算CD4~+/CD8~+比值。结果:两组治疗前的血清炎性因子水平均无统计学差异(P0.05)。治疗3 d后两组的血清炎性因子水平均明显下降,且CBP组的IL-6、TNF-α和CRP水平均明显低于常规组(P0.05)。常规组与CBP组治疗前的免疫功能指标均无统计学差异(P0.05)。治疗3 d后两组患者CD3~+、CD4~+以及CD4~+/CD8~+比值均明显升高,且CBP组的CD4~+及CD4~+/CD8~+比值明显高于常规组(P0.05)。结论:CBP应用于脓毒症的治疗,可明显改善患者体内炎性因子的表达,并能明显改善患者的免疫功能,促进患者免疫功能的恢复。     

肠内营养对长期禁食危重症患者炎性因子和免疫功能的影响

目的:探讨肠内营养对长期禁食危重症患者炎性因子和免疫功能的影响。方法:选取我院收治的已禁食14天以上的危重病人56例,分别于实施肠内营养前,实施肠内营养后第1,3,7天检测患者外周血中的内毒素、肿瘤坏死因子-α、C反应蛋白、白细胞、白细胞介素及T淋巴细胞亚群和抗组织相容性抗原-DR水平,分析肠内营养实施前后指标。结果:实施肠内营养第1,3天内毒素、肿瘤坏死因子-α、C反应蛋白、白细胞、白细胞介素-1及白细胞介素-6水平高于实施前,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);实施肠内营养第7天CD4、CD4/CD8水平高于实施前,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);内毒素、肿瘤坏死因子-α、白细胞、C反应蛋白、白细胞介素-1、白细胞介素-6、白细胞介素-4、白细胞介素-10、CD3、抗组织相容性抗原-DR差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:危重病人在长期禁食后恢复肠内营养后初期全身炎症反应明显,随着实施过程逐步减轻,并可增强患者免疫功能。     

连续性血液净化联合血液灌流对糖尿病肾病合并难治性心衰的治疗效果分析

目的:研究连续性血液净化联合血液灌流技术治疗糖尿病肾病合并难治性心衰患者的临床效果。方法:选择我院收治的60例糖尿病肾病合并难治性心衰患者为研究对象,按入院先后顺序随机分为对照组和观察组,每组各30例患者,对照组患者给予常规对症治疗,而观察组患者在常规对症治疗的基础上应用连续性血液净化联合血液灌流技术,比较两组患者的肾、心功能变化和治疗效果。结果:治疗后,观察组的总有效率、好转率及1年存活率均明显高于对照组(P0.05)。对照组患者的肾、心功能指标均较治疗前显著改善(除Scr、E/A),而观察组的各项肾、心功能指标均较治疗前明显改善,且均明显优于对照组,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:连续性血液净化联合血液灌流技术治疗糖尿病肾病合并难治性心衰较常规药物对症治疗更有效。     

Presence of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps and Citrullinated Histone H3 in the Bloodstream of Critically Ill Patients

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), a newly identified immune mechanism, are induced by inflammatory stimuli. Modification by citrullination of histone H3 is thought to be involved in the in vitro formation of NETs. The purposes of this study were to evaluate whether NETs and citrullinated histone H3 (Cit-H3) are present in the bloodstream of critically ill patients and to identify correlations with clinical and biological parameters. Blood samples were collected from intubated patients at the time of ICU admission from April to June 2011. To identify NETs, DNA and histone H3 were visualized simultaneously by immunofluorescence in blood smears. Cit-H3 was detected using a specific antibody. We assessed relationships of the presence of NETs and Cit-H3 with the existence of bacteria in tracheal aspirate, SIRS, diagnosis, WBC count, and concentrations of IL-8, TNF-α, cf-DNA, lactate, and HMGB1. Forty-nine patients were included. The median of age was 66.0 (IQR: 52.5–76.0) years. The diagnoses included trauma (7, 14.3%), infection (14, 28.6%), resuscitation from cardiopulmonary arrest (8, 16.3%), acute poisoning (4, 8.1%), heart disease (4, 8.1%), brain stroke (8, 16.3%), heat stroke (2, 4.1%), and others (2, 4.1%). We identified NETs in 5 patients and Cit-H3 in 11 patients. NETs and/or Cit-H3 were observed more frequently in “the presence of bacteria in tracheal aspirate” group (11/22, 50.0%) than in “the absence of bacteria in tracheal aspirate” group (4/27, 14.8%) (p<.01). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that only the presence of bacteria in tracheal aspirate was significantly associated with the presence of NETs and/or Cit-H3. The presence of bacteria in tracheal aspirate may be one important factor associated with NET formation. NETs may play a pivotal role in the biological defense against the dissemination of pathogens from the respiratory tract to the bloodstream in potentially infected patients.     

Usefulness of Cellular Analysis of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid for Predicting the Etiology of Pneumonia in Critically Ill Patients

Background

The usefulness of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid cellular analysis in pneumonia has not been adequately evaluated. This study investigated the ability of cellular analysis of BAL fluid to differentially diagnose bacterial pneumonia from viral pneumonia in adult patients who are admitted to intensive care unit.

Methods

BAL fluid cellular analysis was evaluated in 47 adult patients who underwent bronchoscopic BAL following less than 24 hours of antimicrobial agent exposure. The abilities of BAL fluid total white blood cell (WBC) counts and differential cell counts to differentiate between bacterial and viral pneumonia were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

Bacterial pneumonia (n = 24) and viral pneumonia (n = 23) were frequently associated with neutrophilic pleocytosis in BAL fluid. BAL fluid median total WBC count (2,815/µL vs. 300/µL, P<0.001) and percentage of neutrophils (80.5% vs. 54.0%, P = 0.02) were significantly higher in the bacterial pneumonia group than in the viral pneumonia group. In ROC curve analysis, BAL fluid total WBC count showed the best discrimination, with an area under the curve of 0.855 (95% CI, 0.750–0.960). BAL fluid total WBC count ≥510/µL had a sensitivity of 83.3%, specificity of 78.3%, positive likelihood ratio (PLR) of 3.83, and negative likelihood ratio (NLR) of 0.21. When analyzed in combination with serum procalcitonin or C-reactive protein, sensitivity was 95.8%, specificity was 95.7%, PLR was 8.63, and NLR was 0.07. BAL fluid total WBC count ≥510/µL was an independent predictor of bacterial pneumonia with an adjusted odds ratio of 13.5 in multiple logistic regression analysis.

Conclusions

Cellular analysis of BAL fluid can aid early differential diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia from viral pneumonia in critically ill patients.     

连续性血液净化对多发伤并发脓毒症患者炎症状态及免疫功能的影响

目的:探讨连续性血液净化对多发伤并发脓毒症患者炎症状态及免疫功能的影响。方法:选择2015年1月至2016年5月在我院接受治疗的88例多发伤并发脓毒症患者作为研究对象,按照随机数字表法分为对照组(n=44)和观察组(n=44),对照组给予常规治疗,观察组给予连续性血液净化治疗,治疗3 d后观察两组患者的急性生理学与慢性健康状况Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)评分,采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测血清白介素-2(IL-2)、白介素-4(IL-4)、白介素-10(IL-10)和干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)含量,流式细胞仪分析CD3+、CD4+、CD8+及NK细胞水平,全自动生化分析仪检测尿素氮(BUN)、血肌酐(Scr)、凝血酶原时间(PT)、凝血酶时间(TT)、活化部分凝血活酶时间(APTT)。结果:观察组患者APACHEⅡ评分、BUN和Scr水平均低于对照组(P0.05)。观察组患者IL-2、IL-4、IL-10和IFN-γ含量均低于对照组(P0.05)。观察组患者CD3+、CD4+、CD8+及NK水平高于对照组(P0.05)。观察组患者PT、TT、APTT均低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:连续性血液净化对多发伤并发脓毒症患者具有较好的临床疗效,可减轻炎症反应,提高免疫功能,改善凝血功能。     

连续性血液净化对重症胰腺炎患者炎症因子、内毒素及肠道黏膜屏障功能的影响

目的:研究连续性血液净化对重症胰腺炎患者炎症因子、内毒素及肠道黏膜屏障功能的影响。方法:选取2014年2月至2015年1月本院收治的86例重症胰腺炎患者,按照投硬币法分为观察组(43例)和对照组(43例)。对照组采取常规治疗,观察组在此基础上加以连续性血液净化治疗。比较两组患者治疗前后炎症因子、内毒素、肠道黏膜屏障功能变化情况,分析两组患者临床症状缓解时间。结果:治疗后,观察组血清白介素-6(IL-6)、白介素-8(IL-8)、白介素-1β(IL-1β)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、内毒素、D-乳酸、二胺氧化酶水平明显低于对照组(P0.05),压痛、腹痛、腹胀症状缓解时间显著短于对照组(P0.05)。结论:连续性血液净化能有效改善重症胰腺炎患者炎症因子水平、内毒素及肠道黏膜屏障功能,促进患者临床症状快速恢复。     

Clinical Usefulness of Procalcitonin and C-Reactive Protein as Outcome Predictors in Critically Ill Patients with Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock

Sepsis is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in critically ill patients. Procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are the most frequently used biomarkers in sepsis. We investigated changes in PCT and CRP concentrations in critically ill patients with sepsis to determine which biochemical marker better predicts outcome. We retrospectively analyzed 171 episodes in 157 patients with severe sepsis and septic shock who were admitted to the Samsung Medical Center intensive care unit from March 2013 to February 2014. The primary endpoint was patient outcome within 7 days from ICU admission (treatment failure). The secondary endpoint was 28-day mortality. Severe sepsis was observed in 42 (25%) episodes from 41 patients, and septic shock was observed in 129 (75%) episodes from 120 patients. Fifty-five (32%) episodes from 42 patients had clinically-documented infection, and 116 (68%) episodes from 99 patients had microbiologically-documented infection. Initial peak PCT and CRP levels were not associated with treatment failure and 28-day mortality. However, PCT clearance (PCTc) and CRP (CRPc) clearance were significantly associated with treatment failure (p = 0.027 and p = 0.030, respectively) and marginally significant with 28-day mortality (p = 0.064 and p = 0.062, respectively). The AUC for prediction of treatment success was 0.71 (95% CI, 0.61–0.82) for PCTc and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.61–0.81) for CRPc. The AUC for survival prediction was 0.77 (95% CI, 0.66–0.88) for PCTc and 0.77 (95% CI, 0.67–0.88) for CRPc. Changes in PCT and CRP concentrations were associated with outcomes of critically ill septic patients. CRP may not be inferior to PCT in predicting outcome in these patients.     

Prognostic Value of Blood Zinc, Iron, and Copper Levels in Critically Ill Children with Pediatric Risk of Mortality Score III

We aimed to explore the association of blood Zn, Fe, and Cu concentrations and changes in the pediatric risk of mortality (PRISM) score in critically ill children, to predict prognosis. We included 31 children (22 boys and 9 girls, 1 month to 5 years old), who had been admitted to the intensive care unit of our hospital and who were critically ill according to PRISM score of III. Another 20 children (12 boys, 8 girls, 3 months to 5 years old) who were brought to the hospital for a health checkup were included as controls. We recorded clinical data, time in the intensive care unit, prognosis, and PRISM III score for critically ill children. Blood Cu, Zn, and Fe values were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometry. Zn and Fe levels were significantly lower in patients than in controls (all p?<?0.05). Cu levels differed between patients and controls, but not significantly (p?>?0.05). In ill children, blood Zn and Fe concentrations were inversely correlated with PRISM III score (Zn: r?=??0.36; Fe: r?=??0.50, both p?<?0.05), with no significant correlation of blood Cu level and PRISM III score (r?=??0.13, p?>?0.05). Serious illness in children may lead to decreased Zn and Fe blood concentrations. Zn and Fe supplements may be beneficial for critically ill children.