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ICU procedures of the critically ill.

Respirology. 2009 Nov;14(8):1092-7

Authors: Phua GC, Wahidi MM

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients often require urgent, high-risk diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. However, they are particularly vulnerable to procedural complications due to the severity and instability of their illnesses. We discuss the complications associated with bronchoscopy, percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy, pleural interventions for example thoracentesis and chest tube placement, central venous catheterization and pulmonary artery catheterization. Invasive procedures are frequently performed in critically ill patients. It is important for the operator to be familiar with the specific complications of each procedure, as well as steps to take in order to enhance safety and reduce adverse events. High standards of training and credentialing are crucial to ensure that the ICU physicians are proficient in performing these procedures.

PMID: 19909459 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Is external jugular vein cannulation feasible in emergency care? A randomised study in open heart surgery patients.

Resuscitation. 2009 Dec;80(12):1361-4

Authors: Lahtinen P, Musialowicz T, Hyppölä H, Kiviniemi V, Kurola J

The optimal intravenous catheterisation site for emergencies is unknown. The external jugular vein might be preferable route compared to cubital veins in emergencies due to more rapid circulation time to heart and faster cardiac responses. However, the feasibility of the different venous catheterisation sites has not been compared in relation to catheterisation time and success rate. METHODS: We examined the time differences and success rates of external jugular compared to antecubital vein catheterisations. 32 paramedics and 28 emergency department residents performed external jugular and antecubital venous catheterisations on anesthetized patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery. The primary outcome was catheterisation time and the secondary outcomes the failure rate and catheterisation times needed to succeed. RESULTS: Antecubital venous catheterisation was faster (113+/-89s) compared to external jugular vein catheterisation (156+/-112s), p=0.008 and the success rate was higher (93% compared to 68%, respectively, p=0.001). Less attempts were needed for antecubital vein catheterisations compared to external jugular vein catheterisations (p=0.002). For the antecubital vein, subjects needed two attempts in 6 patients and three attempts in 6 patients. For the external jugular vein, subjects needed two attempts in 13 patients and three attempts in 20 patients. Two (6%) paramedics and two (7%) residents failed to catheterise the antecubital vein. Nine (28%) paramedics and 10 (36%) residents failed to catheterise the external jugular vein. CONCLUSIONS: Antecubital vein catheterisation was faster and had a superior success rate compared to external jugular vein catheterisation.

PMID: 19804930 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Laboratory investigation of thrombophilia: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Semin Thromb Hemost. 2009 Oct;35(7):695-710

Authors: Favaloro EJ, McDonald D, Lippi G

Thrombophilia can be broadly defined as an increased tendency toward hypercoagulability and venous thrombosis. There are several defined risk factors for thrombosis, and these are generally distinguished as either acquired or congenital, although sometimes this distinction is blurred because of interrelationships. Congenital risk factors include deficiencies or defects in natural anticoagulants, such as antithrombin, Protein C and Protein S, and genetic polymorphisms such as prothrombin G20210A and cleavage-resistant forms of factor V (in particular factor V Leiden), that lead to a condition commonly known as activated protein C resistance. Acquired risk factors include antiphospholipid antibodies, detected as lupus anticoagulants and/or anticardiolipin antibodies and/or anti-beta-2-glycoprotein-I antibodies. High levels of clotting factors, dysfibrinogenemia, hyperhomocysteinemia, prolonged immobilization, increasing age, surgery, trauma, cancer, obesity, poor nutrition, pregnancy, oral contraceptives, and hormone replacement therapy comprise just some of the other risk factors. Each of these elements constitutes a component of increased risk, which is compounded when concomitant. There is ongoing debate regarding relative and compound risks, the value of laboratory screening, whom and when to screen for these markers, which tests and methodologies to use, and the form and duration of therapeutic management. The current article explores several important issues primarily from a scientific perspective and predominantly related to laboratory testing. Many of these issues appear to be simply overlooked by some clinicians managing patients with thromboses. In brief, although there is potential significance in testing for various thrombophilia-associated markers, this value is limited and greatly diminishes when inappropriately applied. The application of excessive or inappropriate thrombophilia testing is of particular concern, and the net effect of current worldwide testing trends is likely to be more detrimental than beneficial. In short, it is likely that current generalized testing is simply doing more harm than good, and thus that ordering practice requires scrutiny.

PMID: 20013536 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Clostridium difficile is associated with poor outcomes in patients with cirrhosis: A national and tertiary center perspective.

Am J Gastroenterol. 2010 Jan;105(1):106-13

Authors: Bajaj JS, Ananthakrishnan AN, Hafeezullah M, Zadvornova Y, Dye A, McGinley EL, Saeian K, Heuman D, Sanyal AJ, Hoffmann RG

OBJECTIVES: Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is associated with antibiotic use, acid suppression, and hospitalization, all of which occur frequently in cirrhosis. The aim was to define the effect of CDAD on outcomes and identify risk factors for its development in cirrhosis. METHODS: Case-control studies using the de-identified national (Nationwide Inpatient Sample, NIS) and an identified liver transplant center database of hospitalized cirrhotics with and without CDAD were performed. The NIS 2005 was queried for mortality, charges, and length of stay (LOS) in cirrhotics with/without CDAD. Outcomes of cirrhosis and infections were also analyzed. In the transplant center database, risk factors for CDAD were defined in hospitalized cirrhotics with/without CDAD who were age matched in a 1:2 ratio. RESULTS: The NIS 2005 included 1,165 cirrhotics with and 82,065 without CDAD. Cirrhotics with CDAD had a significantly higher mortality (13.8% vs. 8.2%, P<0.001), LOS (14.4 days vs. 6.7 days, P<0.001), and charges ($79,351 vs. $35,686, P<0.001) compared with those without CDAD. On multivariate analysis, CDAD was associated with higher mortality (odds ratio (OR) 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29-1.85), charges, and LOS despite controlling for cirrhosis complications and infections. In the transplant center database, 54 cirrhotics with and 108 cirrhotics without CDAD were included. Outpatient spontaneous bacterial peritonitis prophylaxis (35% vs. 13%, P=0.01), inpatient antibiotic (63% vs. 35%, P=0.0001), and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use (74% vs. 31%, P=0.0001) were significantly higher in those with CDAD. CONCLUSIONS: Cirrhotics with CDAD have a higher mortality, LOS, and charges on the NIS 2005 compared with those without CDAD. Antibiotic and PPI use are risk factors for CDAD development in hospitalized cirrhotics.

PMID: 19844204 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Prospective multicentre systematic guideline-based management of patients referred to the Syncope Units of general hospitals.

Europace. 2010 Jan;12(1):109-18

Authors: Brignole M, Ungar A, Casagranda I, Gulizia M, Lunati M, Ammirati F, Del Rosso A, Sasdelli M, Santini M, Maggi R, Vitale E, Morrione A, Francese GM, Vecchi MR, Giada F,

AIMS: Although an organizational model for syncope management facilities was proposed in the 2004 guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), its implementation in clinical practice and its effectiveness are largely unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: This prospective study enrolled 941 consecutive patients referred to the Syncope Units of nine general hospitals from 15 March 2008 to 15 September 2008. A median of 15 patients per month were examined in each unit, but the five older units had a two-fold higher volume of activity than the four newer ones (instituted <1 year before): 23 vs. 12, P = 0.02. These figures give an estimated volume of 163 and 60 patients per 100,000 inhabitants per year, respectively. Referrals: 60% from out-of-hospital services, 11% immediate and 13% delayed referrals from the Emergency Department, and 16% hospitalized patients. A diagnosis was established on initial evaluation in 191 (21%) patients and early by means of 2.9 +/- 1.6 tests in 541 (61%) patients. A likely reflex cause was established in 67%, orthostatic hypotension in 4%, cardiac in 6% and non-syncopal in 5% of the cases. The cause of syncope remained unexplained in 159 (18%) patients, despite a mean of 3.5 +/- 1.8 tests per patient. These latter patients were older, more frequently had structural heart disease or electrocardiographic abnormalities, unpredictable onset of syncope due to the lack of prodromes, and higher OESIL and EGSIS risk scores than the other groups of patients. The mean costs of diagnostic evaluation was 209 euro per outpatient and 1073 euro per inpatient. The median cost of hospital stay was 2990 euro per patient. CONCLUSION: We documented the current practice of syncope management in specialized facilities that have adopted the management model proposed by the ESC. The results are useful for those who wish to replicate this model in other hospitals. Syncope remains unexplained during in-hospital evaluation in more complex cases at higher risk.

PMID: 19948566 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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The nuts and bolts of subcutaneous insulin therapy in non-critical care hospital settings.

Postgrad Med. 2010 Jan;122(1):153-62

Authors: Juneja R, Foster SA, Whiteman D, Fahrbach JL

In non-critical care settings, patients with hyperglycemia experience increased morbidity and mortality. Despite an increased recognition of the importance of treating inpatient hyperglycemia, many patients are still not adequately controlled. Insulin offers flexibility to address varying glucose levels and therefore is the preferred therapy to achieve recommended targets and manage hyperglycemia. Traditional sliding-scale insulin regimens often ineffectively control blood glucose levels as they are unable to mimic physiologic insulin secretion. Basal-bolus insulin regimens are recognized as a more effective way to correct hyperglycemia in non-critical care settings and a systematic glycemic control program is necessary to address hyperglycemia while minimizing hypoglycemia. Critical components of these programs include addressing barriers to glycemic control, understanding varying needs of different types of patients, and developing standardized subcutaneous insulin orders to achieve target glucose levels. This article provides strategies for using insulin in non-critical care settings to facilitate glycemic control.

PMID: 20107299 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Tight glycaemic control: clinical implementation of protocols.

Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol. 2009 Dec;23(4):461-72

Authors: Nobels F, Lecomte P, Deprez N, Van Pottelbergh I, Van Crombrugge P, Foubert L

Implementation of tight glycaemic control in hospitalised patients presents a huge challenge. It concerns many patients, there are many interfering factors and many health-care professionals are involved. The current literature provides little practical guidance. This article offers the clinical anesthesiologist direction for the organisation of inpatient blood glucose control in acute situations, in the perioperative setting and in the intensive care unit. An effective, safe and user-friendly algorithm for intravenous insulin administration is presented that can be executed by regular nurses and used in many situations. Practical advice is offered for the use of subcutaneous basal-bolus insulin, for fasting orders and for transition to discharge care. The main safety considerations are discussed.

PMID: 20108585 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Prevention of torsade de pointes in hospital settings a scientific statement from the american heart association and the american college of cardiology foundation endorsed by the american association of critical-care nurses and the international society for computerized electrocardiology.

J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010 Mar 2;55(9):934-47

Authors: Drew BJ, Ackerman MJ, Funk M, Gibler WB, Kligfield P, Menon V, Philippides GJ, Roden DM, Zareba W, , ,

PMID: 20185054 [PubMed - in process]

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Triage After Hospitalization With Advanced Heart Failure The ESCAPE (Evaluation Study of Congestive Heart Failure and Pulmonary Artery Catheterization Effectiveness) Risk Model and Discharge Score.

J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010 Mar 2;55(9):872-878

Authors: O’Connor CM, Hasselblad V, Mehta RH, Tasissa G, Califf RM, Fiuzat M, Rogers JG, Leier CV, Stevenson LW

OBJECTIVES: Identifying high-risk heart failure (HF) patients at hospital discharge may allow more effective triage to management strategies. BACKGROUND: Heart failure severity at presentation predicts outcomes, but the prognostic importance of clinical status changes due to interventions is less well described. METHODS: Predictive models using variables obtained during hospitalization were created using data from the ESCAPE (Evaluation Study of Congestive Heart Failure and Pulmonary Artery Catheterization Effectiveness) trial and internally validated by the bootstrapping method. Model coefficients were converted to an additive risk score. Additionally, data from FIRST (Flolan International Randomized Survival Trial) was used to externally validate this model. RESULTS: Patients discharged with complete data (n = 423) had 6-month mortality and death and rehospitalization rates of 18.7% and 64%, respectively. Discharge risk factors for mortality included BNP, per doubling (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15 to 1.75), cardiopulmonary resuscitation or mechanical ventilation during hospitalization (HR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.12 to 5.78), blood urea nitrogen, per 20-U increase (HR: 1.22, 95% CI: 0.96 to 1.55), serum sodium, per unit increase (HR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.87 to 0.99), age >70 years (HR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.51 to 2.17), daily loop diuretic, furosemide equivalents >240 mg (HR: 1.49, 95% CI: 0.68 to 3.26), lack of beta-blocker (HR: 1.28, 95% CI: 0.68 to 2.41), and 6-min walk, per 100-foot increase (HR: 0.955, 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.00; c-index 0.76). A simplified discharge score discriminated mortality risk from 5% (score = 0) to 94% (score = 8). Bootstrap validation demonstrated good internal validation of the model (c-index 0.78, 95% CI: 0.68 to 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: The ESCAPE study discharge risk model and score refine risk assessment after in-hospital therapy for advanced decompensated systolic HF, allowing clinicians to focus surveillance and triage for early life-saving interventions in this high-risk population. (Evaluation Study of Congestive Heart Failure and Pulmonary Artery Catheterization Effectiveness [ESCAPE]; NCT00000619).

PMID: 20185037 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Hand Hygiene Noncompliance and the Cost of Hospital-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2010 Feb 25;

Authors: Cummings KL, Anderson DJ, Kaye KS

Background. Hand hygiene noncompliance is a major cause of nosocomial infection. Nosocomial infection cost data exist, but the effect of hand hygiene noncompliance is unknown. Objective. To estimate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-related cost of an incident of hand hygiene noncompliance by a healthcare worker during patient care. Design. Two models were created to simulate sequential patient contacts by a hand hygiene-noncompliant healthcare worker. Model 1 involved encounters with patients of unknown MRSA status. Model 2 involved an encounter with an MRSA-colonized patient followed by an encounter with a patient of unknown MRSA status. The probability of new MRSA infection for the second patient was calculated using published data. A simulation of 1 million noncompliant events was performed. Total costs of resulting infections were aggregated and amortized over all events. Setting. Duke University Medical Center, a 750-bed tertiary medical center in Durham, North Carolina. Results. Model 1 was associated with 42 MRSA infections (infection rate, 0.0042%). Mean infection cost was $47,092 (95% confidence interval [CI], $26,040-$68,146); mean cost per noncompliant event was $1.98 (95% CI, $0.91-$3.04). Model 2 was associated with 980 MRSA infections (0.098%). Mean infection cost was $53,598 (95% CI, $50,098-$57,097); mean cost per noncompliant event was $52.53 (95% CI, $47.73-$57.32). A 200-bed hospital incurs $1,779,283 in annual MRSA infection-related expenses attributable to hand hygiene noncompliance. A 1.0% increase in hand hygiene compliance resulted in annual savings of $39,650 to a 200-bed hospital. Conclusions. Hand hygiene noncompliance is associated with significant attributable hospital costs. Minimal improvements in compliance lead to substantial savings.

PMID: 20184440 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Excess Costs and Utilization Associated with Methicillin Resistance for Patients with Staphylococcus aureus Infection.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2010 Feb 25;

Authors: Filice GA, Nyman JA, Lexau C, Lees CH, Bockstedt LA, Como-Sabetti K, Lesher LJ, Lynfield R

Objective. To determine differences in healthcare costs between cases of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) infection and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infection in adults. Design. Retrospective study of all cases of S. aureus infection. Setting. Department of Veterans Affairs hospital and associated clinics. Patients. There were 390 patients with MSSA infections and 335 patients with MRSA infections. Methods. We used medical records, accounting systems, and interviews to identify services rendered and costs for Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center patients with S. aureus infection with onset during the period from January 1, 2004, through June 30, 2006. We used regression analysis to adjust for patient characteristics. Results. Median 6-month unadjusted costs for patients infected with MRSA were $34,657, compared with $15,923 for patients infected with MSSA. Patients with MRSA infection had more comorbidities than patients with MSSA infection (mean Charlson index 4.3 vs 3.2; [Formula: see text]). For patients with Charlson indices of 3 or less, mean adjusted 6-month costs derived from multivariate analysis were $51,252 (95% CI, $46,041-$56,464) for MRSA infection and $30,158 (95% CI, $27,092-$33,225) for MSSA infection. For patients with Charlson indices of 4 or more, mean adjusted costs were $84,436 (95% CI, $79,843-$89,029) for MRSA infection and $59,245 (95% CI, $56,016-$62,473) for MSSA infection. Patients with MRSA infection were also more likely to die than were patients with MSSA infection (23.6% vs 11.5%; [Formula: see text]). MRSA infection was more likely to involve the lungs, bloodstream, and urinary tract, while MSSA infection was more likely to involve bones or joints; eyes, ears, nose, or throat; surgical sites; and skin or soft tissue ([Formula: see text]). Conclusions. Resistance to methicillin in S. aureus was independently associated with increased costs. Effective antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention programs are needed to prevent these costly infections.

PMID: 20184420 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Emergency Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Am J Cardiol. 2010 Mar 1;105(5):624-628

Authors: Senoo T, Motohiro M, Kamihata H, Yamamoto S, Isono T, Manabe K, Sakuma T, Yoshida S, Sutani Y, Iwasaka T

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is associated with significantly increased morbidity and mortality after coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical features and in-hospital outcomes of CIN after emergency PCI. The serum creatinine (SCr) concentration was measured from days 0 to 30 in 338 consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing emergency PCI. CIN was defined as an increase in SCr of >25% or >0.5 mg/dl within 2 days after PCI. Overall, 94 patients (28%) developed CIN. The mean SCr on admission was not significantly different between patients with CIN and those without CIN. The CIN group had significantly greater SCr at days 1, 2, and 30 than did the no CIN group. Multivariate analysis showed female gender (odds ratio [OR] 2.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12 to 5.07, p = 0.025), a culprit lesion in the left anterior descending artery (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.31 to 4.27, p = 0.0042), contrast agent volume >200 ml (OR 3.60, 95% CI 1.96 to 6.62, p <0.001) and end-diastolic pulmonary arterial pressure >15 mm Hg (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.02 to 4.04, p <0.01) to all correlate independently with CIN. The in-hospital mortality rate was greater in the CIN group than in the no CIN group (9.6% vs 3.3%, respectively; p = 0.025). In conclusion, CIN is a frequent complication of emergency PCI for acute coronary syndrome and is associated with a greater mortality rate and persistent renal dysfunction.

PMID: 20185007 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Effect of Anemia in High-Risk Groups of Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Am J Cardiol. 2010 Mar 1;105(5):611-618

Authors: Kurek T, Lenarczyk R, Kowalczyk J, Swi?tkowski A, Kowalski O, Stabry?a-Deska J, Honisz G, Lekston A, Kalarus Z, Kukulski T

The significance of anemia in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of anemia on the short- and long-term prognosis of patients with AMI treated with PCI, including high-risk subgroups. The study group consisted of 1,497 consecutive patients with AMI treated in the acute phase with PCI. Anemia was defined using World Health Organization criteria (hemoglobin level <13 g/dl for men and <12 g/dl for women). The study population was divided into 2 major groups (patients with [n = 248, 16.6%] and without [n = 1,249, 83.4%] anemia) and 6 subgroups (diabetes mellitus, impaired renal function, age >70 years, left ventricular dysfunction, incomplete revascularization, and multivessel disease). A comparative analysis was performed between both groups within the whole population and within the particular subgroups. Significantly greater 30-day (13.2% vs 7.3%), 1-year (20.5% vs 11.3%), and total (24.1% vs 12.7%; all p <0.05) mortality rates were observed in the anemic group. Multivariate analysis identified anemia as an independent predictor of any-cause death in the whole population during the observation period (covariate-adjusted hazard ratio 1.46, 95% confidence interval 1.31 to 1.61, p <0.05). Anemia was significantly associated with excessive long-term mortality in the multivessel disease group (adjusted hazard ratio 1.54, 95% confidence interval 1.34 to 1.74) and in the incomplete revascularization group (hazard ratio 1.67, both p <0.05). In conclusion, anemia on admission in patients with AMI treated in the acute phase with PCI was independently associated with increasing short- and long-term mortality, especially in the subgroups with incomplete revascularization and multivessel disease.

PMID: 20185005 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Trends in the work hours of physicians in the United States.

JAMA. 2010 Feb 24;303(8):747-53

Authors: Staiger DO, Auerbach DI, Buerhaus PI

CONTEXT: Recent trends in hours worked by physicians may affect workforce needs but have not been thoroughly analyzed. OBJECTIVES: To estimate trends in hours worked by US physicians and assess for association with physician fees. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective analysis of trends in hours worked among US physicians using nationally representative workforce information from the US Census Bureau Current Population Survey between 1976 and 2008 (N = 116 733). Trends were estimated among all US physicians and by residency status, sex, age, and work setting. Trends in hours were compared with national trends in physician fees, and estimated separately for physicians located in metropolitan areas with high and low fees in 2001. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Self-reported hours worked in the week before the survey. RESULTS: After remaining stable through the early 1990s, mean hours worked per week decreased by 7.2% between 1996 and 2008 among all physicians (from 54.9 hours per week in 1996-1998 to 51.0 hours per week in 2006-2008; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.3%-9.0%; P < .001). Excluding resident physicians, whose hours decreased by 9.8% (95% CI, 5.8%-13.7%; P < .001) in the last decade due to duty hour limits imposed in 2003, nonresident physician hours decreased by 5.7% (95% CI, 3.8%-7.7%; P < .001). The decrease in hours was largest for nonresident physicians younger than 45 years (7.4%; 95% CI, 4.7%-10.2%; P < .001) and working outside of the hospital (6.4%; 95% CI, 4.1%-8.7%; P < .001), and the decrease was smallest for those aged 45 years or older (3.7%; 95% CI, 1.0%-6.5%; P = .008) and working in the hospital (4.0%; 95% CI, 0.4%-7.6%; P = .03). After adjusting for inflation, mean physician fees decreased nationwide by 25% between 1995 and 2006, coincident with the decrease in physician hours. In 2001, mean physician hours were less than 49 hours per week in metropolitan areas with the lowest physician fees, whereas physician hours remained more than 52 hours per week elsewhere (P < .001 for difference). CONCLUSION: A steady decrease in hours worked per week during the last decade was observed for all physicians, which was temporally and geographically associated with lower physician fees.

PMID: 20179284 [PubMed - in process]

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Acute kidney injury in sickle patients with painful crisis or acute chest syndrome and its relation to pulmonary hypertension.

Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2010 Feb 22;

Authors: Audard V, Homs S, Habibi A, Galacteros F, Bartolucci P, Godeau B, Renaud B, Levy Y, Grimbert P, Lang P, Brun-Buisson C, Brochard L, Schortgen F, Maitre B, Mekontso Dessap A

BACKGROUND: The association between chronic kidney involvement and sickle cell disease (SCD) has been well characterized, but our knowledge on acute kidney injury (AKI) in relation to SCD remains limited. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed 254 episodes of vaso-occlusive complication in 161 SCD patients who were admitted to our hospital: these included 174 episodes of painful crisis (PC), 58 episodes of moderate acute chest syndrome (ACS) and 22 episodes of severe ACS. RESULTS: The overall incidence of AKI [defined according to Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria] during vaso-occlusive complications was low (4.3%) but seemed to be related to its severity: 2.3% for PC vs 6.9% for moderate ACS and 13.6% for severe ACS (P = 0.03). This finding led us prospectively to look at specific risk factors for AKI occurrence in SCD patients admitted to our intensive care unit for severe ACS and, in particular, the possible link between AKI and haemodynamic status (transthoracic echocardiography). Among patients with severe ACS, those with AKI displayed significantly greater aminotransferases, bilirubin and lactate dehydrogenase levels than patients without AKI. Echocardiography identified higher systolic pulmonary artery pressure in patients with AKI than in those without, whereas the cardiac index was similar between groups. Conclusions. AKI incidence during vaso-occlusive complications of SCD is relatively low (<5%) and appears to be confined to patients with ACS and pulmonary hypertension. These findings suggest a pathophysiological process involving right ventricular dysfunction and venous congestion.

PMID: 20179008 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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