Prognosis of patients receiving intensive care for lifethreatening medical complications of haematological malignancy

The mortality of patients admitted to intensive care units with haematological malignancy is high. A humane approach to the management of the critically ill as well as efficient use of limited resources requires careful selection of those patients who are most likely to benefit from intensive care. To delineate more accurately the factors influencing outcome in these patients the records of 60 consecutive admissions to the intensive care unit (37 male, 23 female) with haematological malignancy were reviewed retrospectively. Fifty patients were in acute respiratory failure, most commonly (34 patients) with a combination of pneumonia and septicaemic shock. The severity of the acute illness was assessed by the APACHE II (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II) score and number of organ systems affected. Thirteen patients survived to leave hospital. The mortality of patients with haematological malignancy was consistently higher than predicted from a large validation study of APACHE II in a mixed population of critically ill patients. Moreover, no patient with an APACHE II score of greater than 26 survived. Mortality among the 22 patients with relapsed malignancy (21 deaths), was significantly higher than among the 35 patients at first presentation (26 deaths). On discharge from the intensive care unit all survivors had responded well to chemotherapy and had normal or raised peripheral white cell counts. They included seven patients who had recovered from leucopenia (white cell count <0.5 × 10⁹/1). In contrast, 36 of the 47 patients who died were leucopenic at the time of death.The overall mortality of critically ill patients with haematological malignancy is higher than equivalently ill patients without cancer. The dysfunction of an increasing number of organ systems, an APACHE II score of greater than 30, failure of the malignancy to respond to chemotherapy, and persistent leucopenia all point to a poor outcome.     

Blood Lactate/ATP Ratio,as an Alarm Index and Real-Time Biomarker in Critical Illness

Objective

The acute physiology, age and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score and other related scores have been used for evaluation of illness severity in the intensive care unit (ICU), but there is still a need for real-time and sensitive prognostic biomarkers. Recently, alarmins from damaged tissues have been reported as alarm-signaling molecules. Although ATP is a member of the alarmins and its depletion in tissues closely correlates with multiple-organ failure, blood ATP level has not been evaluated in critical illness. To identify real-time prognostic biomarker of critical illness, we measured blood ATP levels and the lactate/ATP ratio (ATP-lactate energy risk score, A-LES) in critically ill patients.

Methods and Results

Blood samples were collected from 42 consecutive critically ill ICU patients and 155 healthy subjects. The prognostic values of blood ATP levels and A-LES were compared with APACHE II score. The mean ATP level (SD) in healthy subjects was 0.62 (0.19) mM with no significant age or gender differences. The median ATP level in severely ill patients at ICU admission was significantly low at 0.31 mM (interquartile range 0.25 to 0.44) than the level in moderately ill patient at 0.56 mM (0.38 to 0.70) (P<0.01). Assessment with ATP was further corrected by lactate and expressed as A-LES. The median A-LES was 2.7 (2.1 to 3.3) in patients with satisfactory outcome at discharge but was significantly higher in non-survivors at 38.9 (21.0 to 67.9) (P<0.01). Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that measurement of blood ATP and A-LES at ICU admission are as useful as APACHE II score for prediction of mortality.

Conclusion

Blood ATP levels and A-LES are sensitive prognostic biomarkers of mortality at ICU admission. In addition, A-LES provided further real-time evaluation score of illness severity during ICU stay particularly for critically ill patients with APACHE II scores of ≥20.0.     

Effective use of regional intensive therapy units.

OBJECTIVE--To determine the effectiveness of regional intensive therapy units. DESIGN--Retrospective and prospective study of patients transferred to a regional intensive therapy unit over four years. SETTING--Glasgow regional intensive therapy unit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Severity of illness was assessed at the time of referral to the unit with the acute physiological and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) scoring system. Mortality was calculated. RESULTS--A significant association was found between increasing duration of illness before transfer and mortality, which was independent of the severity of illness. Mortality also varied depending on the referring hospital. CONCLUSIONS--When transfer of critically ill patients is required this should be done as early as possible to make best use of the services available. The mortality of patients transferred after 10 days casts doubt on whether further aggressive intensive therapy is appropriate.     

Does HIV status influence the outcome of patients admitted to a surgical intensive care unit? A prospective double blind study.

OBJECTIVES: (a) To assess the impact of HIV status (HIV negative, HIV positive, AIDS) on the outcome of patients admitted to intensive care units for diseases unrelated to HIV; (b) to decide whether a positive test result for HIV should be a criterion for excluding patients from intensive care for diseases unrelated to HIV. DESIGN: A prospective double blind study of all admissions over six months. HIV status was determined in all patients by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence assay, western blotting, and flow cytometry. The ethics committee considered the clinical implications of the study important enough to waive patients'' right to informed consent. Staff and patients were blinded to HIV results. On discharge patients could be advised of their HIV status if they wished. SETTING: A 16 bed surgical intensive care unit. SUBJECTS: All 267 men and 135 women admitted to the unit during the study period. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: APACHE II score (acute physiological, age, and chronic health evaluation), organ failure, septic shock, durations of intensive care unit and hospital stay, and intensive care unit and hospital mortality. RESULTS: No patient had AIDS. 52 patients were tested positive for HIV and 350 patients were tested negative. The two groups were similar in sex distribution but differed significantly in age, incidence of organ failure (37 (71%) v 171 (49%) patients), and incidence of septic shock (20 (38%) v 54 (15%)). After adjustment for age there were no differences in intensive care unit or hospital mortality or in the durations of stay in the intensive care unit or hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Morbidity was higher in HIV positive patients but there was no difference in mortality. In this patient population a positive HIV test result should not be a criterion for excluding a patient from intensive care.     

Impaired Postoperative Hyperglycemic Stress Response Associated with Increased Mortality in Patients in the Cardiothoracic Surgery Intensive Care Unit

ObjectiveTo describe the association of tight glycemic control with intensive insulin therapy and clinical outcome among patients in the cardiothoracic surgery intensive care unit.MethodsAll patients who underwent cardiothoracic surgery and were admitted to the cardiothoracic surgery intensive care unit between September 13, 2007, and November 1, 2007, were enrolled. Clinical and metabolic data were prospectively collected. All patients received intensive insulin therapy using a nurse-driven dynamic protocol targeting blood glucose values of 80 to 110 mg/dL. Four stages of critical illness were defined as follows: acute critical illness (intensive care unit days 0-2), prolonged acute critical illness (intensive care unit 3 or more days), chronic critical illnesss (tracheotomy performed), and recovery (liberated from ventilator).ResultsOne hundred fourteen patients were enrolled. Seventy-three (64%) recovered during acute critical illness, 26 (23%) recovered during prolonged acute critical illness, and 15 (13%) progressed to chronic critical illness. All 6 deaths were among patients in chronic critial illness. Admission blood glucose and average blood glucose values for the first 12 hours were lower in patients who developed chronic critical illness and died and were higher in patients who developed chronic critical illness and survived (P = .007 and P = .007, respectively). Severe hypoglycemia (blood glucose < 40 mg/dL) occurred once (0.03% of all measurements). Lower initial blood glucose values, which reflect an impaired stress response immediately after surgery, were associated with increased mortality, and a significant delay in achieving tight glycemic control with intensive insulin therapy was associated with prolonged intensive care unit course, but no increase in mortality.ConclusionThe study findings suggest that acute postoperative hyperglycemia and its prompt correction with intensive insulin therapy are associated with favorable outcomes in patients in the cardiothoracic surgery intensive care unit. (Endocr Pract. 2010;16:798-804)     

Predictors of mortality of patients with acute respiratory failure secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease admitted to an intensive care unit: A one year study

Background

Patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) commonly require hospitalization and admission to intensive care unit (ICU). It is useful to identify patients at the time of admission who are likely to have poor outcome. This study was carried out to define the predictors of mortality in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD and to device a scoring system using the baseline physiological variables for prognosticating these patients.

Methods

Eighty-two patients with acute respiratory failure secondary to COPD admitted to medical ICU over a one-year period were included. Clinical and demographic profile at the time of admission to ICU including APACHE II score and Glasgow coma scale were recorded at the time of admission to ICU. In addition, acid base disorders, renal functions, liver functions and serum albumin, were recorded at the time of presentation. Primary outcome measure was hospital mortality.

Results

Invasive ventilation was required in 69 patients (84.1%). Fifty-two patients survived to hospital discharge (63.4%). APACHE II score at the time of admission to ICU {odds ratio (95 % CI): 1.32 (1.138–1.532); p < 0.001} and serum albumin (done within 24 hours of admission) {odds ratio (95 % CI): 0.114 (0.03-0.432); p = 0.001}. An equation, constructed using the adjusted odds ratio for the two parameters, had an area under the ROC curve of 91.3%. For the choice of cut-off, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for predicting outcome was 90%, 86.5%, 79.4% and 93.7%.

Conclusion

APACHE II score at admission and SA levels with in 24 hrs after admission are independent predictors of mortality for patients with COPD admitted to ICU. The equation derived from these two parameters is useful for predicting outcome of these patients.     

Intensive Care Society's APACHE II study in Britain and Ireland--II: Outcome comparisons of intensive care units after adjustment for case mix by the American APACHE II method.

OBJECTIVES--To compare outcome between intensive care units in Britain and Ireland both before and after adjustment for case mix with the American APACHE II method and to validate the American APACHE II method in Britain and Ireland. DESIGN--Prospective, cohort study of consecutive admissions to intensive care units. SETTING--26 general intensive care units in Britain and Ireland. SUBJECTS--8796 admissions to the study intensive care units. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Death or survival at discharge from intensive care unit and hospital. RESULTS--At discharge from both intensive care unit and hospital there was a greater than twofold variation in crude mortality between the 26 units. After adjustment for case mix, variations in mortality were still apparent. For four intensive care units the observed numbers of deaths were significantly different from the number predicted by the American APACHE II equation. The overall goodness of fit, or predictive ability, of the APACHE II equation for the British and Irish data was good, being only slightly inferior to that obtained when the equation was tested on the data from which it had been derived. When patients were grouped by various factors such as age and diagnosis, the equation did not adjust across the subgroups in a uniform manner. CONCLUSIONS--The American APACHE II equation did not fit the British and Irish data. Use of the American equation could be of advantage or disadvantage to individual intensive care units, depending on the mix of patients treated.     

Intensive Care Society's APACHE II study in Britain and Ireland--I: Variations in case mix of adult admissions to general intensive care units and impact on outcome.

OBJECTIVES--To describe the extent of variation in the case mix of adult admissions to general intensive care units in Britain and Ireland and investigate the impact of such variation on outcome. DESIGN--Prospective, cohort study of consecutive admissions to intensive care units. SETTING--26 general intensive care units in Britain and Ireland. SUBJECTS--9099 admissions to the intensive care units studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Death or survival at discharge before and after adjustment of case mix (age, history of chronic conditions, surgical status, diagnosis, and severity of illness) according to the APACHE II method. RESULTS--Important differences in case mix were found, with large variations between the units. Hospital mortality was significantly associated with most of the case mix factors investigated. CONCLUSIONS--Comparing crude death rates in hospital between intensive care units may be misleading indicators of performance. The collection of data on case mix needs to be standardised and differences in case mix adjusted for when comparing outcome between different intensive care units.     

Short and long term prognosis of acute myocardial infarction since introduction of thrombolysis.

OBJECTIVE--To record prognosis and determinants of outcome in patients with acute myocardial infarction since thrombolysis was introduced. DESIGN--Observational study. SETTING--London district general hospital. PATIENTS--608 consecutive patients admitted to the coronary care unit with acute myocardial infarction between 1 January 1988 and 31 December 1991. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--All cause mortality, non-fatal ischaemic events (myocardial infarction, unstable angina), and revascularisation. RESULTS--Of the 608 patients, 89 (14.6%) died in hospital. 507 [corrected] patients were followed up after discharge from hospital. Mortality (95% confidence interval) at 30 days, one year, and three years was 16.0% (13.4% to 19.2%), 21.7% (18.6% to 25.2%), and 29.4% (25.3% to 33.9%) respectively. Event free survival (survival without a non-fatal ischaemic event) was 80.4% (77.0% to 83.4%) at 30 days, 66.8% (62.8% to 70.5%) at one year, and 56.1% (51.3% to 60.6%) at three years. Survival in patients treated with thrombolysis was considerably higher than in those not given thrombolysis (three year survival: 76.7% v 54.3%), although the incidence of non-fatal ischaemic events was the same in the two groups. Multivariate determinants of six month survival were left ventricular failure, treatment with thrombolysis and aspirin, smoking history, bundle branch block, and age. For patients who survived six months, age was the only factor related to long term survival. CONCLUSIONS--Although patients treated by thrombolysis had a relatively good prognosis, long term mortality and the incidence of non-fatal recurrent ischaemic events remained high. Effective strategies for the identification and treatment of high risk patients need to be reassessed.     

Acute Kidney Injury Enhances Outcome Prediction Ability of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score in Critically Ill Patients

Introduction

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and serious complication in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and also often part of a multiple organ failure syndrome. The sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score is an excellent tool for assessing the extent of organ dysfunction in critically ill patients. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome prediction ability of SOFA and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III score in ICU patients with AKI.

Methods

A total of 543 critically ill patients were admitted to the medical ICU of a tertiary-care hospital from July 2007 to June 2008. Demographic, clinical and laboratory variables were prospectively recorded for post hoc analysis as predictors of survival on the first day of ICU admission.

Results

One hundred and eighty-seven (34.4%) patients presented with AKI on the first day of ICU admission based on the risk of renal failure, injury to kidney, failure of kidney function, loss of kidney function, and end-stage renal failure (RIFLE) classification. Major causes of the ICU admissions involved respiratory failure (58%). Overall in-ICU mortality was 37.9% and the hospital mortality was 44.7%. The predictive accuracy for ICU mortality of SOFA (areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves: 0.815±0.032) was as good as APACHE III in the AKI group. However, cumulative survival rates at 6-month follow-up following hospital discharge differed significantly (p<0.001) for SOFA score ≤10 vs. ≥11 in these ICU patients with AKI.

Conclusions

For patients coexisting with AKI admitted to ICU, this work recommends application of SOFA by physicians to assess ICU mortality because of its practicality and low cost. A SOFA score of ≥ “11” on ICU day 1 should be considered an indicator of negative short-term outcome.     

降钙素原与APACHEⅡ评分对急性胰腺炎病情严重程度及预后的评估价值

目的:探讨血清降钙素原(PCT)与急性生理学与慢性健康状况评分(APACHE Ⅱ)对急性胰腺炎(AP)患者病情严重程度及预后的评估价值。方法:选取本院2012年5月-2015年5月收治的急性胰腺炎患者280例为研究对象。根据急性胰腺炎患者病情严重程度将其分为低危组(83例)、中危组(102例)和高危组(95例);按患者临床结局将其分为存活组(248例)及死亡组(32例),采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测各组血清PCT水平同时记录APACHE Ⅱ评分情况,分别比较PCT水平的差异以及与APACHE Ⅱ评分的相关性,评价血清PCT及APACHEⅡ评分对急性胰腺炎患者病情严重程度及预后的评估价值。结果:低危组、中危组及高危组间血清PCT水平和APACHE Ⅱ评分的差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。其中,高危组血清PCT水平和APACHE Ⅱ评分最高,中危组次之,低危组最低(P0.05);死亡组PCT水平及APACHE Ⅱ评分显著高于存活组(P0.05)。相关性分析显示血清PCT水平与APACHE Ⅱ评分呈正相关(r=0.64,P0.01)。以PCT2.13 ng/m L为评估急性胰腺炎患者预后不佳界限时,其敏感性和特异性分别79.2%和91.3%;以APACHE Ⅱ评分18.1分为评估急性胰腺炎患者预后不佳界限时,其敏感性和特异性分别为82.7%和90.1%;两者指标串联评估敏感性及特异性分别为86.1%和92.9%,ROC曲线下面积为0.921(95%CI 0.824~0.938)。结论:急性胰腺炎患者血清PCT水平和APACHE Ⅱ评分具有较好的相关性,血清PCT水平越高,APACHEⅡ评分越高,患者病情越严重及预后也越差,二者联合可作为预测急性胰腺炎患者病情严重程度及预后的敏感指标,具有较好的临床应用价值。     

Outcome prediction in sepsis combined use of genetic polymorphisms - A study in Japanese population

Genetic polymorphisms have recently been found to be related to clinical outcome in septic patients. The present study investigated to evaluate the influence of genetic polymorphisms in Japanese septic patients on clinical outcome and whether use of genetic polymorphisms as predictors would enable more accurate prediction of outcome. Effects of 16 genetic polymorphisms related to pro-inflammatory mediators and conventional demographic/clinical parameters (age, sex, past medical history, and APACHE II score) on ICU mortality as well as disease severity during ICU stay were examined in the septic patients (n=123) admitted to the ICU between October 2001 and November 2007 by multivariable logistic regression analysis. ICU mortality was significantly associated with TNF -308GA, IL1β -31CT/TT, and APACHE II score. Receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) analysis demonstrated that, compared with APACHE II score alone (ROC-AUC=0.68), use of APACHE II score and two genetic parameters (TNF -308 and IL1β -31) enabled more accurate prediction of ICU mortality (ROC-AUC=0.80). Significant association of two genetic polymorphisms, TNF -308 and IL1β -31, with ICU mortality was observed in septic patients. In addition, combined use of these genetic parameters with APACHE II score may enable more accurate prediction of outcome in septic patients.     

APACHEIV和APACHEII预测危重症患者预后的比较性研究

目的：比较不同版本的急性生理和慢性健康评分（Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation,APACHE）（APACHEⅣ和APACHEⅡ）对于成人危重症患者预后评估的应用价值。方法：收集2011年1月至10月入住我院重症监护病房患者的临床资料,分别计算其入ICU24小时内的APACHEⅣ和APACHEII评分,并计算其各自预测病死率,通过标准化死亡率（Standardized Mortality Ratios,SMR）来比较这两个评分系统对危重症患者预后评估的准确性。结果：本研究共纳入184例患者,死亡率为41．8％。APACHEII得分为25±8分,预测死亡率为53．31％;APACHEⅣ得分为93±24分,预测死亡率为30．76％。APACHEII预测死亡率比实际死亡率高（SMR为0．78,95％CI0．614-0．972）;APACHEIV预测死亡率比实际死亡率低（SMR=1.35,95％CI1．066-1．688）。但二者对于危重症患者死亡率的预测没有统计学差异（P〉0．05）。结论：APACHEII和APACHEIV对于危重症患者死亡率预测准确性高;与APACHEII相比,APACHEIV无表现出更为优越的性能,二者之间的差异不存在统计学意义。     

Prognosis of mechanically ventilated patients.

In this Department of Veterans Affairs cooperative study, we examined predictors of in-hospital and 1-year mortality of 612 mechanically ventilated patients from 6 medical intensive care units in a retrospective cohort design. The outcome variable was vital status at hospital discharge and after 1 year. The results showed that 97% of patients were men, the mean age was 63 +/- 11 years (SD), and hospital mortality was 64% (95% confidence interval, 60% to 68%). Within the next year, an additional 38% of hospital survivors died, for a total 1-year mortality of 77% (95% confidence interval, 73% to 80%). Hospital and 1-year mortality, respectively, for patients older than 70 years was 76% and 94%, for those with serum albumin levels below 20 grams per liter it was 92% and 96%, for those with an Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score greater than 35 it was 91% and 98%, and for patients who were being mechanically ventilated after cardiopulmonary resuscitation it was 86% and 90%. The mortality ratio (actual mortality versus APACHE II-predicted mortality) was 1.15. Conclusions are that patient age, APACHE II score, serum albumin levels, or the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation may identify a subset of mechanically ventilated veterans for whom mechanical ventilation provides little or no benefit.     

Nucleated Red Blood Cells as Predictors of All-Cause Mortality in Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background

The presence of nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) in the peripheral blood of critically ill patients is associated with a poorer prognosis, though data on cardiovascular critical care patients is lacking. The aim of the present study was to assess the role of NRBCs as a predictor of intensive care unit (ICU) and in hospital all-cause mortality among cardiologic patients.

Methods

NRBCs were measured daily in consecutive cardiac ICU patients, including individuals with both coronary and non-coronary acute cardiac care. We excluded patients younger than 18 years, with cancer or hematological disease, on glucocorticoid therapy, those that were readmitted after hospital discharge and patients who died in the first 24 hours after admission. We performed a multiple logistic analysis to identify independent predictors of mortality.

Results

We included 152 patients (60.6 ± 16.8 years, 51.8% female, median ICU stay of 7 [4–11] days). The prevalence of NRBCs was 54.6% (83/152). The presence of NRBC was associated with a higher ICU mortality (49.4% vs 21.7%, P<0.001) as well as in-hospital mortality (61.4% vs 33.3%, p = 0.001). NRBC were equally associated with mortality among coronary disease (64.71% vs 32.5% [OR 3.80; 95%CI: 1.45–10.0; p = 0.007]) and non-coronary disease patients (61.45% vs 33.3% [OR 3.19; 95%CI: 1.63–6.21; p<0.001]). In a multivariable model, the inclusion of NRBC to the APACHE II score resulted in a significant improvement in the discrimination (p = 0.01).

Conclusions

NRBC are predictors of all-cause in-hospital mortality in patients admitted to a cardiac ICU. This predictive value is independent and complementary to the well validated APACHE II score.     

血浆D-二聚体、CRP及血乳酸在急诊创伤性休克患者中的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨血浆D-二聚体、C反应蛋白(CRP)及血乳酸在急诊创伤性休克患者中的表达及临床意义。方法:选取2015年2月到2017年9月期间在我院接受治疗的创伤性休克患者186例,根据患者的最终结局分为存活组和死亡组,其中在病情平稳后转出重症监护室的作为存活组(106例),死亡的患者作为死亡组(80例)。比较两组患者的急性生理学与慢性健康状况评分Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)评分,并比较两组患者在入院时、入院后12h、入院后24h的血浆D-二聚体、C反应蛋白(CRP)及血乳酸水平,分析血浆D-二聚体、CRP及血乳酸水平与APACHEⅡ评分的相关性。结果:死亡组的APACHEⅡ评分显著高于存活组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);两组的D-二聚体、CRP水平均随着时间的推移逐渐升高,血乳酸水平逐渐降低,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);存活组患者的D-二聚体、CRP、血乳酸水平在各个时间点均低于死亡组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。急诊创伤性休克患者血浆D-二聚体、CRP及血乳酸水平与APACHEⅡ评分均呈正相关(r=0.564、0.676、0.506,P0.05)。结论:血浆D-二聚体、CRP及血乳酸水平与急诊创伤性休克患者的APACHEⅡ评分存在相关性,临床上可对其进行检测来评估患者的病情和预后情况。     

Dissociation of LPS-induced monocytic ex vivo production of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and TNF-alpha in patients with septic shock

Over a 6 month period, in 192 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), a longitudinal analysis of whole blood lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ex vivo cytokine production was performed on a daily basis until discharge from the ICU or death. Twenty-one patients with proven infections were in septic shock for the first time and for at least 3 days' duration. Ex vivo LPS-inducible release of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was upregulated and that of TNF-alpha was downregulated in patients with septic shock, regardless whether they survived or died. In conclusion, LPS-induced ex vivo TNF-alpha and G-CSF cytokine release by monocytes is regulated differentially in patients with septic shock. Since upregulation of LPS-induced production of G-CSF occurred earlier in survivors than in non-survivors, rapidly elevated and sustained G-CSF responsiveness may contribute to survival in septic shock.     

Long term follow up of severely ill patients who underwent urgent cardiac transplantation.

OBJECTIVE--To assess long term survival (> 5 years) and quality of life in severely ill patients referred for urgent cardiac transplantation. SETTING--Tertiary referral centres: before transplantation at the National Heart Hospital (late 1984 to end 1986); after transplantation at Harefield Hospital. SUBJECTS--Eighteen patients (15 men; three women) who had required intensive support in hospital before cardiac transplantation and were alive at short term follow up. INTERVENTIONS--Intravenous infusions of cardiac drugs (mean 2.2 infusions), intravenous diuretics (17 patients), and many other drugs before transplantation. Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (four patients), temporary pacing (two), and resuscitation from cardiac arrest (three). Patients had specialised nursing care on a medical intensive care unit in almost every case. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Long term survival in patients after urgent cardiac transplantation and perceived quality of life. RESULTS--Of 18 patients who were alive at short term follow up (mean (range) 19.4 (10-33) months), 14 were still alive in 1992 (69 (61-83) months). Ten still worked full time, and 11 reported no restrictions in their daily activities. Three of four patients who died in the intervening period survived > 5 years after transplantation. Overall, 17 of 18 patients survived at least 5 years. CONCLUSIONS--In severely ill patients who undergo urgent cardiac transplantation and survive in the short term, long term (5-7 year) survival and quality of life seem good.     

Survival of extremely premature babies in a geographically defined population: prospective cohort study of 1994-9 compared with 2000-5

Objective To assess changes in survival for infants born before 26 completed weeks of gestation.Design Prospective cohort study in a geographically defined population.Setting Former Trent health region of the United Kingdom.Subjects All infants born at 22+0 to 25+6 weeks’ gestation to mothers living in the region. Terminations were excluded but all other births of babies alive at the onset of labour or the delivery process were included.Main outcome measures Outcome for all infants was categorised as stillbirth, death without admission to neonatal intensivecare, death before discharge from neonatal intensivecare, and survival to discharge home in two time periods: 1994-9 and 2000-5 inclusive.Results The proportion of infants dying in delivery rooms was similar in the two periods, but a significant improvement was seen in the number of infants surviving to discharge (P<0.001). Of 497 infants admitted to neonatal intensive care in 2000-5, 236 (47%) survived to discharge compared with 174/490 (36%) in 1994. These changes were attributable to substantial improvements in the survival of infants born at 24 and 25 weeks. During the 12 years of the study none of the 150 infants born at 22 weeks’ gestation survived. Of the infants born at 23 weeks who were admitted to intensive care, there was no significant improvement in survival to discharge in 2000-5 (12/65 (18%) in 2000-5 v 15/81 (19%) in 1994-9).Conclusions Survival of infants born at 24 and 25 weeks of gestation has significantly increased. Although over half the cohort of infants born at 23 weeks wasadmitted to neonatalintensive care, there was no improvement in survival at this gestation. Care for infants born at 22 weeks remained unsuccessful.