Invasive scedosporiosis in lung transplant recipients: A nine-year retrospective study in a tertiary care hospital

BackgroundScedosporium species and Lomentospora prolificans (Sc/Lp) are emerging molds that cause invasive disease associated with a high mortality rate. After Aspergillus, these molds are the second filamentous fungi recovered in lung transplant (LT) recipients.AimsOur objective was to evaluate the incidence, risk factors and outcome of Sc/Lp infections in LT recipients at a tertiary care hospital with a national reference LT program.MethodsA nine-year retrospective study was conducted.ResultsDuring this period, 395 LT were performed. Positive cultures for Sc/Lp were obtained from twenty-one LT recipients. Twelve patients (incidence 3.04%) developed invasive scedosporiosis (IS). In 66.7% of the patients with IS the invasive infection was defined as a breakthrough one. The main sites of infection were lungs and paranasal sinuses. Most of the patients received combination antifungal therapy. The IS crude mortality rate after 30 days was 16.7%, and 33.3% after a year.ConclusionsOur study highlights improved survival rates associated with combination antifungal therapy in LT recipients and underlines the risk of breakthrough infections in patients with allograft dysfunction on nebulized lipidic amphotericin B prophylaxis. In addition to pretransplant colonization, acute or chronic organ dysfunctions seem to be the main risk factors for IS.     

Fungal Infections in COVID-19 Intensive Care Patients

Opportunistic fungal infections increase morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients monitored in intensive care units (ICU). As patients’ hospitalization days in the ICU and intubation period increase, opportunistic infections also increase, which prolongs hospital stay days and elevates costs. The study aimed to describe the profile of fungal infections and identify the risk factors associated with mortality in COVID-19 intensive care patients. The records of 627 patients hospitalized in ICU with the diagnosis of COVID-19 were investigated from electronic health records and hospitalization files. The demographic characteristics (age, gender), the number of ICU hospitalization days and mortality rates, APACHE II scores, accompanying diseases, antibiotic-steroid treatments taken during hospitalization, and microbiological results (blood, urine, tracheal aspirate samples) of the patients were recorded. Opportunistic fungal infection was detected in 32 patients (5.10%) of 627 patients monitored in ICU with a COVID-19 diagnosis. The average APACHE II score of the patients was 28 ± 6. While 25 of the patients (78.12%) died, seven (21.87%) were discharged from the ICU. Candida parapsilosis (43.7%) was the opportunistic fungal agent isolated from most blood samples taken from COVID-19 positive patients. The mortality rate of COVID-19 positive patients with candidemia was 80%. While two out of the three patients (66.6%) for whom fungi were grown from their tracheal aspirate died, one patient (33.3%) was transferred to the ward. Opportunistic fungal infections increase the mortality rate of COVID-19-positive patients. In addition to the risk factors that we cannot change, invasive procedures should be avoided, constant blood sugar regulation should be applied, and unnecessary antibiotics use should be avoided.     

Predictive Factors for Reintubation following Noninvasive Ventilation in Patients with Respiratory Complications after Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Background

Postoperative respiratory complications are a major cause of mortality following liver transplantation (LT). Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) appears to be effective for respiratory complications in patients undergoing solid organ transplantation; however, mortality has been high in patients who experienced reintubation in spite of NIV therapy. The predictors of reintubation following NIV therapy after LT are not exactly known.

Methods

Of 511 adult patients who received living-donor LT, data on the 179 who were treated by NIV were retrospectively examined.

Results

Forty-three (24%) of the 179 patients who received NIV treatment required reintubation. Independent factors associated with reintubation by multivariate logistic regression analysis were controlled preoperative infections (odds ratio [OR] 8.88; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.64 to 48.11; p = 0.01), ABO-incompatibility (OR 4.49; 95% CI, 1.50 to 13.38; p = 0.007), and presence of postoperative pneumonia at the time of starting NIV (OR 3.28; 95% CI, 1.02 to 11.01; p = 0.04). The reintubated patients had a significant higher rate of postoperative infectious complications and a significantly longer intensive care unit stay than those in whom NIV was successful (p<0.0001). Of the 43 reintubated patients, 22 (51.2%) died during hospitalization following LT vs. 8 (5.9%) of the 136 patients in whom NIV was successful (p<0.0001).

Conclusions

Because controlled preoperative infection, ABO-incompatibility or pneumonia prior to the start of NIV were independent risk factors for reintubation following NIV, caution should be used in applying NIV in patients with these conditions considering the high rate of mortality in patients requiring reintubation following NIV.     

Incidence of Carbapenem-Resistant Gram Negatives in Italian Transplant Recipients: A Nationwide Surveillance Study

Background

Bacterial infections remain a challenge to solid organ transplantation. Due to the alarming spread of carbapenem-resistant gram negative bacteria, these organisms have been frequently recognized as cause of severe infections in solid organ transplant recipients.

Methods and Findings

Between 15 May and 30 September 2012 we enrolled 887 solid organ transplant recipients in Italy with the aim to describe the epidemiology of gram negative bacteria spreading, to explore potential risk factors and to assess the effect of early isolation of gram negative bacteria on recipients’ mortality during the first 90 days after transplantation. During the study period 185 clinical isolates of gram negative bacteria were reported, for an incidence of 2.39 per 1000 recipient-days. Positive cultures for gram negative bacteria occurred early after transplantation (median time 26 days; incidence rate 4.33, 1.67 and 1.14 per 1,000 recipient-days in the first, second and third month after SOT, respectively). Forty-nine of these clinical isolates were due to carbapenem-resistant gram negative bacteria (26.5%; incidence 0.63 per 1000 recipient-days). Carbapenems resistance was particularly frequent among Klebsiella spp. isolates (49.1%). Recipients with longer hospital stay and those who received either heart or lung graft were at the highest risk of testing positive for any gram negative bacteria. Moreover recipients with longer hospital stay, lung recipients and those admitted to hospital for more than 48h before transplantation had the highest probability to have culture(s) positive for carbapenem-resistant gram negative bacteria. Forty-four organ recipients died (0.57 per 1000 recipient-days) during the study period. Recipients with at least one positive culture for carbapenem-resistant gram negative bacteria had a 10.23-fold higher mortality rate than those who did not.

Conclusion

The isolation of gram-negative bacteria is most frequent among recipient with hospital stays >48 hours prior to transplant and in those receiving either heart or lung transplants. Carbapenem-resistant gram negative isolates are associated with significant mortality.     

The potential influence of common viral infections diagnosed during hospitalization among critically ill patients in the United States

Viruses are the most common source of infection among immunocompetent individuals, yet they are not considered a clinically meaningful risk factor among the critically ill. This work examines the association of viral infections diagnosed during the hospital stay or not documented as present on admission to the outcomes of ICU patients with no evidence of immunosuppression on admission. This is a population-based retrospective cohort study of University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) academic centers in the U.S. from the years 2006 to 2009. The UHC is an alliance of over 90% of the non-profit academic medical centers in the U.S. A total of 209,695 critically ill patients were used in this analysis. Eight hospital complications were examined. Patients were grouped into four cohorts: absence of infection, bacterial infection only, viral infection only, and bacterial and viral infection during same hospital admission. Viral infections diagnosed during hospitalization significantly increased the risk of all complications. There was also a seasonal pattern for viral infections. Specific viruses associated with poor outcomes included influenza, RSV, CMV, and HSV. Patients who had both viral and bacterial infections during the same hospitalization had the greatest risk of mortality RR 6.58, 95% CI (5.47, 7.91); multi-organ failure RR 8.25, 95% CI (7.50, 9.07); and septic shock RR 271.2, 95% CI (188.0, 391.3). Viral infections may play a significant yet unrecognized role in the outcomes of ICU patients. They may serve as biological markers or play an active role in the development of certain adverse complications by interacting with coincident bacterial infection.     

The Influential Roles of Antibiotics Prophylaxis in Cirrhotic Patients with Peptic Ulcer Bleeding after Initial Endoscopic Treatments

The influential roles of antibiotic prophylaxis on cirrhotic patients with peptic ulcer bleeding are still not well documented. The purpose of this study is to clarify these influential roles and to identify the risk factors associated with rebleeding, bacterial infection and in-hospital mortality. A cross-sectional, chart review study was conducted on 210 cirrhotic patients with acute peptic ulcer hemorrhage who underwent therapeutic endoscopic procedures. Patients were divided into group A (with prophylactic intravenous ceftriaxone, n = 74) and group B (without antibiotics, n = 136). The outcomes were length of hospital days, prevention of infection, rebleeding rate and in-hospital mortality. Our results showed that more patients suffered from rebleeding and infection in group B than group A (31.6% vs. 5.4%; p<0.001 and 25% vs. 10.8%; p = 0.014 respectively). The risk factors for rebleeding were active alcoholism, unit of blood transfusion, Rockall score, model for end-stage liver disease score and antibiotic prophylaxis. The risk factors for infection were active alcoholism, Child-Pugh C, Rockall score and antibiotic prophylaxis. Rockall score was the predictive factor for in-hospital mortality. In conclusions, antibiotic prophylaxis in cirrhotic patients after endoscopic interventions for acute peptic ulcer hemorrhage reduced infections and rebleeding rate but not in-hospital mortality. Rockall score was the predictive factor of in-hospital mortality.     

Missing Dosages and Neuroleptic Usage May Prolong Length of Stay in Hospitalized Parkinson's Disease Patients

Background

Parkinson’s disease patients are more likely to be hospitalized, have higher rates of hospital complications, and have an increased risk of deterioration during hospitalization. Length of stay is an important underlying factor for these increased risks. We aimed to investigate potential medication errors that may occur during hospitalization and its impact on length of hospital stay.

Methods

A cross-sectional chart review of 339 consecutive hospital encounters from 212 PD subjects was performed. Medication errors were defined as wrong timing or omission of administration for dopaminergic drugs and administration of contraindicated dopamine blockers. An analysis of covariance was applied to examine whether these medication errors were related to increased length of hospital stays.

Results

A significant effect for dopaminergic administration (p<0.01) on length of hospital stay was observed. Subjects who had delayed administration or missed at least one dose stayed longer (M=8.2 days, SD=8.9 vs. M=3.6 days SD=3.4). Contraindicated dopamine blocking agents were administered in 23% (71/339) of cases, and this was also significantly related to an increased length of stay (M=8.2 days, SD=8.9 vs. M=3.6 days SD=3.4), p<0.05. Participants who received a contraindicated dopamine blocker stayed in the hospital longer (M=7.5 days, SD=9.1) compared to those who did not (M=5.9 days, SD=6.8). Neurologists were consulted in 24.5% of encounters. Specialty consultation had no effect on the medication related errors.

Conclusions

Missing dopaminergic dosages and administration of dopamine blockers occur frequently in hospitalized Parkinson’s disease patients and this may impact length of stay. These potentially modifiable factors may reduce the risk of a longer stay related to hospitalization.     

In-Hospital Disease Burden of Sarcoidosis in Switzerland from 2002 to 2012

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease with an unpredictable and sometimes fatal course while the underlying pathomechanism is still unclear. Reasons of the increasing hospitalization rate and mortality in the United States remain in dispute but incriminated are a number of distinct comorbidities and risk factors as well as the application of more aggressive therapeutic agents. Studies reflecting the recent development in central Europe are lacking. Our aim was to investigate the recent mortality and hospitalization rates as well as the underlying comorbidities of hospitalized sarcoidosis patients in Switzerland. In this longitudinal, nested case-control study, a nation-wide database provided by the Swiss Federal Office for Statistics enclosing every hospital entry covering the years 2002–2012 (n = 15,627,573) was analyzed. There were 8,385 cases with a diagnosis of sarcoidosis representing 0.054% (8,385 / 15,627,573) of all hospitalizations in Switzerland. These cases were compared with age- and sex-matched controls without the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Hospitalization and mortality rates in Switzerland remained stable over the observed time period. Comorbidity analysis revealed that sarcoidosis patients had significantly higher medication-related comorbidities compared to matched controls, probably due to systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy. Sarcoidosis patients were also more frequently re-hospitalized (median annual hospitalization rate 0.28 [IQR 0.15-0.65] vs. 0.19 [IQR 0.13-0.36] per year; p < 0.001), had a longer hospital stay (6 [IQR 2-13] vs. 4 [IQR 1-8] days; p < 0.001), had more comorbidities (4 [IQR 2-7] vs. 2 [IQR 1-5]; p < 0.001), and had a significantly higher in-hospital mortality (2.6% [95% CI 2.3%-2.9%] vs. 1.8% [95% CI 1.5%-2.1%] (p < 0.001). A worse outcome was observed among sarcoidosis patients having co-occurrence of associated respiratory diseases. Moreover, age was an important risk factor for re-hospitalization.     

胸腔镜下肺叶切除术后发生肺部并发症的危险因素分析

目的:探讨胸腔镜下肺叶切除术后发生肺部并发症的危险因素。方法:连续收集从2015年1月至2017年6月份我科收治的因肺癌行胸腔镜下肺叶切除的患者,收集患者的基本资料,包括性别、年龄、一秒用气呼气容积百分比(Percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s,FEV1%)、美国麻醉医师协会评分(American Society of Anesthesiologists,ASA)、BMI指数、慢性阻塞性肺疾病(Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,COPD)和肿瘤的发生情况。统计患者的术后住院时间、ICU停留时间和住院死亡率,收集患者术后肺部并发症的发生情况、术后第一天活动和是否需要理疗。对比分析发生肺部并发症和不发生并发症患者的差异,对有差异的因素利用Logistic回归分析发生肺部并发症的独立危险因素。结果:根据纳入排除标准,共有256例患者纳入研究,其中男性126例,平均年龄为67.2±13.7岁,术后共有19例(7.4%)患者发生肺部并发症。发生并发症的患者较未发生并发症的患者术后住院时间长、ICU停留时间长、死亡率高(P0.05)。发生并发症的患者术后下地活动情况差。两组患者的年龄、COPD和吸烟情况有统计学差异(P0.05),Logistic回归分析显示吸烟是术后发生肺部并发症的独立危险因素。结论:胸腔镜下肺叶切除患者术后肺部并发症增加术后死亡率,吸烟是患者术后发生肺部并发症的独立危险因素。     

Obesity and Mortality,Length of Stay and Hospital Cost among Patients with Sepsis: A Nationwide Inpatient Retrospective Cohort Study

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to examine the association between obesity and all-cause mortality, length of stay and hospital cost among patients with sepsis 20 years of age or older.ResultsAfter weighting, our sample projected to a population size of 1,763,000, providing an approximation for the number of hospital discharges of all sepsis patients 20 years of age or older in the US in 2011. The overall all-cause mortality rate was 14.8%, the median hospital length of stay was 7 days and the median hospital cost was $15,917. After adjustment, the all-cause mortality was lower (adjusted OR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.81 to 0.88); the average hospital length of stay was longer (adjusted difference = 0.65 day; 95% CI = 0.44 to 0.86) and the hospital cost per stay was higher (adjusted difference = $2,927; 95% CI = $1,606 to $4,247) for obese sepsis patients as compared to non-obese ones.ConclusionWith this large and nationally representative sample of over 1,000 hospitals in the US, we found that obesity was significantly associated with a 16% decrease in the odds of dying among hospitalized sepsis patients; however it was also associated with greater duration and cost of hospitalization.     

E-PASS评分系统用于评估老龄患者消化道手术后并发症和转归的临床价值研究

目的:评价日常活动和手术应激评估(Estimation of physiologic ability and surgical stress,E-PASS)系统用于评估老龄患者消化道手术后并发症和转归的临床价值。方法:回顾性分析2011年7月至2013年7月西京医院消化外科所有65岁以上的患者的临床资料,计算其中行消化道手术者的E-PASS评分,并记录这些患者术后并发症的发生情况和患者术后的住院时间。分析E-PASS评分和几项该评分未涉及的因素与老龄患者消化道手术后并发症的发病率、死亡率、住院时间的相关性。结果:研究共纳入1236例老龄行消化道手术的患者,其中521例发生术后并发症(42.15%),8例死亡(0.65%)。患者术前E-PASS评分系统中,三项评分均与术后住院时间相关,术前风险评分(Preoperative risk score,PRS)和综合风险评分(Comprehensive risk score,CRS)与术后并发症的发病率和死亡率显著相关(P均0.05)。E-PASS评分系统未包含的指标中,麻醉方法与术后并发症发生和住院时间无关,术后入ICU、术中使用血管活性药物和急诊手术与术后发病率、死亡率和住院时间相关(P均0.05)。结论:E-PASS评分系统可用于预测老龄患者行消化道手术后并发症的发生情况和转归,纳入术后入ICU、术中使用血管活性药物和急诊手术三项指标可能进一步提高E-PASS评分系统的预测准确性。     

Factores pronósticos de mortalidad al año de una fractura de cadera por fragilidad ósea. Estudio Maluc Anoia

IntroductionMost of the patients who had a hip fragility fracture are characterized by advanced age, frailty, multimorbidity and high mortality rate into the first year. Our aim is to describe the prognostic factors of mortality one year after a hip fragility fracture.Material and methodsObservational prospective study. During the study period we included patients older than 69 years with hip fragility fracture who were admitted to the Acute Geriatric Unit.ResultsWe have followed 364 patients, 100 of them died (27.5%). The independent prognostic factors of mortality one year after a hip fragility fracture had been: have a less basis score in Lawton and Brody Scale 0.603 (0.505-0.721) (p< 0.001); have a higher score in Charlson Comorbidity Index 2.332 (1.308-4.157) p = 0.04); have a surgical waiting time ≥ 3 days 3.013 (1.330-6.829) p = 0.008); finding hydroelectrolytic disorders and/or deterioration of glomerular filtration 1.212 (1.017-1.444) p = 0.031) during hospital stay; discriminatory capacity of the area under the curve (AUC) (± 95%): 0.888 (0.880-0.891).ConclusionsPrognostic predictors of mortality at one year after a hip fragility fracture are those variables that reflect a worse state of health, complications during hospital stay and a longer surgical waiting time.     

The Incidence,Clinical Outcomes,and Risk Factors of Thrombocytopenia in Intra-Abdominal Infection Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background

Studies on the incidence and risk factors of thrombocytopenia among intra-abdominal infection patients remain absent, hindering efficacy assessments regarding thrombocytopenia prevention strategies.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 267 consecutively enrolled patients with intra-abdominal infections. Occurrence of thrombocytopenia was scanned for all patients. All-cause 28-day mortality was recorded. Variables from univariate analyses that were associated with occurrence of hospital-acquired thrombocytopenia were included in a multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine thrombocytopenia predictors.

Results

Median APACHE II score and SOFA score of the whole cohort was 12 and 3 respectively. The overall ICU mortality was 7.87% and the 28-day mortality was 8.98%. The incidence of thrombocytopenia among intra-abdominal infection patients was 21.73%. Regardless of preexisting or hospital-acquired one, thrombocytopenia is associated with an increased ICU mortality and 28-day mortality as well as length of ICU or hospital stay. A higher SOFA and ISTH score at admission were significant hospital-acquired thrombocytopenia risk factors.

Conclusions

This is the first study to identify a high incidence of thrombocytopenia in patients with intra-abdominal infections. Our findings suggest that the inflammatory milieu of intra-abdominal infections may uniquely predispose those patients to thrombocytopenia. More effective thrombocytopenia prevention strategies are necessary in intra-abdominal infection patients.     

Post-Stroke Mortality,Stroke Severity,and Preadmission Antipsychotic Medicine Use – A Population-Based Cohort Study

Background and Purpose

It has been suggested that antipsychotic medication may be neuroprotective and may reduce post-stroke mortality, but studies are few and ambiguous. We aimed to investigate the post-stroke effects of preadmission antipsychotic use.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide, population-based cohort study of 81,143 persons admitted with stroke in Denmark from 2003–2010. Using Danish health care databases, we extracted data on preadmission use of antipsychotics and confounding factors. We examined the association between current, former, and never use of antipsychotics and stroke severity, length of hospital stay, and 30-day post-stroke mortality using logistic regression analysis, survival analysis, and propensity score matching.

Results

Current users of antipsychotics had a higher risk of severe or very severe stroke on The Scandinavian Stroke Scale than never users of antipsychotics (adjusted odds ratios, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.29–1.58). Current users were less likely to be discharged from hospital within 30 days of admission than never users (probability of non-discharge, 27.0% vs. 21.9%). Antipsychotics was associated with an increased 30-day post-stroke mortality among current users (adjusted mortality rate ratios, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.29–1.55), but not among former users (adjusted mortality rate ratios, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.98–1.14).

Conclusions

Preadmission use of antipsychotics was associated with a higher risk of severe stroke, a longer duration of hospital stay, and a higher post-stroke mortality, even after adjustment for known confounders. Antipsychotics play an important role in the treatment of many psychiatric conditions, but our findings do not support the hypothesis that they reduce stroke severity or post-stroke mortality.     

Vitamin D Status and the Risk for Hospital-Acquired Infections in Critically Ill Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study

Introduction

To identify patient characteristics associated with low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations in the medical intensive care unit (ICU) and examine the relationship between serum 25(OH)D and the risk for hospital-acquired infections.

Methods

This is a prospective observational cohort of adult patients admitted to the medical ICU at an urban safety net teaching hospital in Atlanta, Georgia from November 1, 2011 through October 31, 2012 with an anticipated ICU stay ≥ 1 day. Phlebotomy for serum 25(OH)D measurement was performed on all patients within 5 days of ICU admission. Patients were followed for 30 days or until death or hospital discharge, whichever came first. Hospital-acquired infections were determined using standardized criteria from review of electronic medical record.

Results

Among the 314 patients analyzed, 178 (57%) had a low vitamin D at a serum 25(OH)D concentration < 15 ng/mL. The patient characteristics associated with low vitamin D included admission during winter months (28% vs. 18%, P = 0.04), higher PaO2/FiO2 (275 vs. 226 torr, P = 0.03) and a longer time from ICU admission to study phlebotomy (1.8 vs. 1.5 days, P = 0.02). A total of 36 (11%) patients were adjudicated as having a hospital-acquired infection and in multivariable analysis adjusting for gender, alcohol use, APACHE II score, time to study phlebotomy, ICU length of stay and net fluid balance, serum 25(OH)D levels < 15 ng/mL were not associated with risk for hospital-acquired infections (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.40-1.80, P = 0.7).

Conclusions

In this prospective, observational cohort of adults admitted to a single-center medical ICU, we did not find a significant association between low 25(OH)D and the risk for hospital-acquired infections.     

Predicting 30-day mortality of aortic valve replacement by the AVR score

Objectives

The objective of this study is to develop a simple risk score to predict 30-day mortality of aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Methods

In a development set of 673 consecutive patients who underwent AVR between 1990 and 1993, four independent predictors for 30-day mortality were identified: body mass index (BMI) ≥30, BMI <20, previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and recent myocardial infarction. Based on these predictors, a 30-day mortality risk score—the AVR score—was developed. The AVR score was validated on a validation set of 673 consecutive patients who underwent AVR almost two decennia later in the same hospital.

Results

Thirty-day mortality in the development set was ≤2% in the absence of any predictor (class I, low risk), 2–5% in the solitary presence of BMI ≥30 (class II, mild risk), 5–15% in the solitary presence of previous CABG or recent myocardial infarction (class III, moderate risk), and >15% in the solitary presence of BMI <20, or any combination of BMI ≥30, previous CABG or recent myocardial infarction (class IV, high risk). The AVR score correctly predicted 30-day mortality in the validation set: observed 30-day mortality in the validation set was 2.3% in 487 class I patients, 4.4% in 137 class II patients, 13.3% in 30 class III patients and 15.8% in 19 class IV patients.

Conclusions

The AVR score is a simple risk score validated to predict 30-day mortality of AVR.     

Standardised pre-hospital care of acute myocardial infarction patients: MISSION! guidelines applied in practice

Background. To improve acute myocardial infarction (AMI) care in the region ‘Hollands-Midden’ (the Netherlands), a standardised guideline-based care program was developed (MISSION!). This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of the pre-hospital part of the MISSION! program and to study potential differences in pre-hospital care between four areas of residency. Methods. Time-to-treatment delays, AMI risk profile, cardiac enzymes, hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, and pre-AMI medication was evaluated in consecutive AMI patients (n=863, 61±13years, 75% male) transferred to the Leiden University Medical Center for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Results. Median time interval between onset of symptoms and arrival at the catheterisation laboratory was 150 (interquartile range [IQR] 101-280) minutes. The alert of emergency services to arrival at the hospital time was 48 (IQR 40-60) minutes and the door-to-catheterisation laboratory time was 23 (IQR 13-42) minutes. Despite significant regional differences in ambulance transportation times no difference in total time from onset of symptoms to arrival at the catheterisation room was found. Peak troponin T was 3.33 (IQR 1.23-7.04) µg/l, hospital stay was 2 (IQR 2-3) days and in-hospital mortality was 2.3%. Twelve percent had 0 known risk factors, 30% had one risk factor, 45% two to three risk factors and 13% had four or more risk factors. No significant differences were observed for AMI risk profiles and medication pre-AMI. Conclusions. This study shows that a standardised regional AMI treatment protocol achieved optimal and uniformly distributed pre-hospital performance in the region ‘Hollands-Midden’, resulting in minimal time delays regardless of area of residence. Hospital stay was short and in-hospital mortality low. Of the patients, 88% had ≥1 modifiable risk factor. (Neth Heart J 2010;18:408-15.)     

重症监护室患者压力性损伤的危险因素及Braden评分和经皮氧分压的预测价值分析

摘要 目的：分析重症监护室（ICU）患者压力性损伤（PI）的危险因素并探讨Braden评分和经皮氧分压（TcPO₂）对其的预测价值。方法：选取2019年12月～2021年12月我院ICU 45例发生PI患者为PI组,另选取ICU 45例未发生PI患者为非PI组,收集患者基线资料、Braden评分及TcPO₂。比较两组患者基线资料和Braden评分、TcPO₂,采用多因素Logistic回归模型分析ICU患者发生PI的危险因素,绘制受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析Braden评分与TcPO₂对ICU患者PI发生风险的预测价值。结果：PI组年龄大于非PI组,机械通气比例和体温高于非PI组,住院时间长于非PI组,血清白蛋白、Braden评分、TcPO₂低于非PI组（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,年龄增长（OR=1.100,95％CI：1.003～1.206）、体温上升（OR＝1.217,95％CI：1.014～1.460）、住院时间延长（OR=1.240,95％CI：1.049～1.467）、Braden评分下降（OR=1.950,95％CI：1.312～2.898）、TcPO₂下降（OR=1.128,95％CI：1.053～1.209）为ICU患者发生PI的危险因素（P＜0.05）。ROC曲线分析显示,Braden评分和TcPO₂单独与联合预测ICU患者PI发生风险的曲线下面积（AUC）分别为0.785、0.794、0.898,Braden评分联合TcPO₂预测ICU患者PI发生风险的AUC大于二者单独预测。结论：年龄增长、体温上升、住院时间延长、Braden评分下降、TcPO₂下降是ICU患者发生PI的危险因素,Braden评分、TcPO₂对ICU患者PI发生风险具有一定的预测价值,二者联合效能更佳。     

ICU下呼吸道多重耐药菌医院感染的病原学临床特征及易感因素分析

摘要 目的：研究ICU下呼吸道多重耐药菌医院感染的病原学临床特征及易感因素。方法：选择2020年1月到2022年12月于我院ICU住院治疗的216例下呼吸道感染者,按照是否发生多重耐药菌感染分为研究组113例,对照组103例。分析两组患者感染相关因素的数量分布情况,通过Logistic回归分析多重耐药菌医院感染的危险因素。采用全自动细菌鉴定仪对菌种进行鉴定,采用K-B纸片法进行药敏试验,并分析多重耐药菌感染的病原学分布及对常用抗菌药物的耐药性。结果：（1）与对照组相比,研究组患者感染相关因素的分布率更高;（2）住院时间>3个月、使用糖皮质激素治疗、应用机械通气治疗、其他细菌感染、血红蛋白含量<100 g/L、抗菌药物使用时间>15 d、抗菌药物使用种类>4种、使用免疫抑制剂是ICU下呼吸道多重耐药菌感染的危险因素;（3）113例研究组共培养出细菌菌株93株,其中革兰氏阴性菌52株（55.91%）,革兰氏阳性菌25株（26.88%）,革兰氏阴性菌中较多的是铜绿假单胞菌（22株）、鲍曼不动杆菌（13株）、肺炎克雷伯菌（12株）;革兰氏阳性菌中最多的是肺炎链球菌（11株）和金黄色葡萄球菌（11株）;（4）耐药情况：铜绿假单胞菌对莫西沙星耐药率较低（15.83%）,肺炎克雷伯菌对亚胺培南耐药率较低（17.56%）,鲍曼不动杆菌对头孢哌酮/舒巴坦耐药率较低（16.37%）,金黄色葡萄球菌、肺炎链球菌对万古霉素无耐药性。结论：住院时间>3个月、使用糖皮质激素治疗、应用机械通气治疗、其他细菌感染、血红蛋白含量<100 g/L、抗菌药物使用时间>15 d、抗菌药物使用种类>4种、使用免疫抑制剂是多重耐药感染的独立危险因素。本院ICU下呼吸道感染以革兰氏阴性杆菌为主,应根据病原菌选择耐药性低的药物,并针对危险因素采取有效措施。     

Downgrading MELD improves the outcomes after liver transplantation in patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure

Background

High score of model for end-stage liver diseases (MELD) before liver transplantation (LT) indicates poor prognosis. Artificial liver support system (ALSS) has been proved to effectively improve liver and kidney functions, and thus reduce the MELD score. We aim to evaluate whether downgrading MELD score could improve patient survival after LT.

Methodology/Principal Findings

One hundred and twenty-six LT candidates with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure and MELD score ≥30 were included in this prospective study. Of the 126 patients, 42 received emergency LT within 72 h (ELT group) and the other 84 were given ALSS as salvage treatment. Of the 84 patients, 33 were found to have reduced MELD score (<30) on the day of LT (DGM group), 51 underwent LT with persistent high MELD score (N-DGM group). The median waiting time for a donor was 10 for DGM group and 9.5 days for N-DGM group. In N-DGM group there is a significantly higher overall mortality (43.1%) than that in ELT group (16.7%) and DGM group (15.2%). N-DGM (vs. ECT and DGM) was the only independent risk factor of overall mortality (P = 0.003). Age >40 years and the interval from last ALSS to LT >48 h were independent negative influence factors of downgrading MELD.

Conclusions/Significance

Downgrading MELD for liver transplant candidates with MELD score ≥30 was effective in improving patient prognosis. An appropriate ALSS treatment within 48 h prior to LT is potentially beneficial.