Disorders of calcium in the critically ill

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew R. Rosengart
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Critical Illness ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Cardiac Arrhythmias ◽  
Calcium Concentration ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Icu Mortality ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Causal Pathway ◽  
And Function

Calcium is vitally important for normal cellular signalling and function. However, its toxicity necessitates that intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+] be tightly regulated and compartmentalized. Evolutionary pressures have yielded several regulatory mechanisms to maintain intracellular and extracellular ionized calcium concentrations compatible with life. During periods of critical illness these process are commonly overwhelmed, and disorders of calcium homeostasis are highly prevalent among intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Indeed, hypocalcaemia occurs in up to 88% of critically-ill ICU patients suffering from trauma, sepsis, and burns. Contemporary evidence suggests that although hypocalcaemia may be associated with ICU mortality, it is not in the causal pathway. A systematic review concluded there are no data to support the routine parenteral administration of calcium in the management of asymptomatic critical illness-related hypocalcaemia. Asymptomatic hypocalcaemia of critical illness does not necessitate replacement. However, acute, symptomatic hypocalcaemia necessitates parenteral supplementation to prevent tetany, seizures, and cardiac arrhythmias

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation: A New Therapeutic and Rehabilitation Strategy in the ICU

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasiliki Gerovasili ◽  
Serafim N Nanas
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Critical Illness ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Early Mobilization ◽  
Alternative Form ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
And Function

Many critically ill patients undergo a period of immobilization with detrimental effects on skeletal muscle, effects which seem most pronounced in the first days of critical illness. Diagnosis of intensive care unit muscle weakness (ICUAW) is often made after discontinuation of sedation when significant nerve and/or muscle damage may already have occurred. Recently, there has been interest in early mobilization during the acute phase of critical illness, with the goal of preventing ICUAW. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NEMS) is an alternative form of exercise that has been successfully used in patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic heart failure. NEMS is a rehabilitation tool that can be used in critically ill, sedated patients, does not require patient cooperation, and is therefore a promising intervention to prevent muscle dysfunction in the critically ill. When applied early during the course of critical illness, NEMS can preserve muscle morphology and function. Available evidence suggests that NEMS may have a preventive role in the development of ICUAW and could even contribute to a shorter duration of weaning from mechanical ventilation. Studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effect of NEMS and to explore NEMS settings and delivery characteristics most appropriate for different subgroups of critically ill patients.

Nutrition support in acute cardiac care

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P Casaer ◽  
Greet Van den Berghe
Keyword(s):  
Critical Illness ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Metabolic Stress ◽  
Nutrition Therapy ◽  
Nutrition Support ◽  
Critically Ill Patient ◽  
Refeeding Syndrome ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Early Parenteral Nutrition ◽  
And Function

Malnutrition in cardiac and critical illness is associated with a compromised clinical outcome. The aim of nutrition therapy is to prevent these complications and particularly to attenuate lean tissue wasting and the loss of muscle force and of physical function. During the last decade, several well-powered randomized controlled nutrition trials have been performed. Their results challenge the existing nutrition practices in critically ill patients. Enhancing the nutritional intake and the administration of specialized formulations failed to evoke clinical benefit. Some interventions even provoked an increased mortality or a delayed recovery. These unexpected new findings might be, in part, caused by an important leap forward in the methodological quality in the recent trials. Perhaps reversing early catabolism in the critically ill patient by nutrition or anabolic interventions is impossible or even inappropriate. Nutrients effectively suppress the catabolic intracellular autophagy pathway. But autophagy is crucial for cellular integrity and function during metabolic stress, and consequently its inhibition early in critical illness might be deleterious. Evidence from large nutrition trials, particularly in acute cardiac illness, is scarce. Nutrition therapy is therefore focused on avoiding iatrogenic harm. Some enteral nutrition is administered if possible and eventually temporary hypocaloric feeding is tolerated. Above all, the refeeding syndrome and other nutrition-related complications should be prevented. There is no indication for early parenteral nutrition, increased protein doses, specific amino acids, or modified lipids in critical illness.

Nutrition support in acute cardiac care

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P Casaer ◽  
Greet Van den Berghe
Keyword(s):  
Critical Illness ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Metabolic Stress ◽  
Nutrition Therapy ◽  
Nutrition Support ◽  
Critically Ill Patient ◽  
Refeeding Syndrome ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Early Parenteral Nutrition ◽  
And Function

Malnutrition in cardiac and critical illness is associated with a compromised clinical outcome. The aim of nutrition therapy is to prevent these complications and particularly to attenuate lean tissue wasting and the loss of muscle force and of physical function. During the last decade, several well-powered randomized controlled nutrition trials have been performed. Their results challenge the existing nutrition practices in critically ill patients. Enhancing the nutritional intake and the administration of specialized formulations failed to evoke clinical benefit. Some interventions even provoked an increased mortality or a delayed recovery. These unexpected new findings might be, in part, caused by an important leap forward in the methodological quality in the recent trials. Perhaps reversing early catabolism in the critically ill patient by nutrition or anabolic interventions is impossible or even inappropriate. Nutrients effectively suppress the catabolic intracellular autophagy pathway. But autophagy is crucial for cellular integrity and function during metabolic stress, and consequently its inhibition early in critical illness might be deleterious. Evidence from large nutrition trials, particularly in acute cardiac illness, is scarce. Nutrition therapy is therefore focused on avoiding iatrogenic harm. Some enteral nutrition is administered if possible and eventually temporary hypocaloric feeding is tolerated. Above all, the refeeding syndrome and other nutrition-related complications should be prevented. There is no indication for early parenteral nutrition, increased protein doses, specific amino acids, or modified lipids in critical illness.

scholarly journals Circulating MicroRNA-223 Serum Levels Do Not Predict Sepsis or Survival in Patients with Critical Illness

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Benz ◽  
Frank Tacke ◽  
Mark Luedde ◽  
Christian Trautwein ◽  
Tom Luedde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Illness ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Elevated Serum ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Apache Ii Score ◽  
Circulating Microrna ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Markers Of Inflammation

Background and Aims. Dysregulation of miR-223 was recently linked to various diseases associated with systemic inflammatory responses such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, and bacterial infections. However, contradictory results are available on potential alterations of miR-223 serum levels during sepsis. We thus aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of miR-223 serum concentrations in patients with critical illness and sepsis.Methods. We used i.v. injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as well as cecal pole ligation and puncture (CLP) for induction of polymicrobial sepsis in mice and measured alterations in serum levels of miR-223. These results from mice were translated into a large and well-characterized cohort of critically ill patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU). Finally, results from analysis in patients were correlated with clinical data and extensive sets of routine and experimental biomarkers.Results. Although LPS injection induced moderately elevated serum miR-223 levels in mice, no significant alterations in miR-223 serum levels were found in mice after CLP-induced sepsis. In accordance with these results from animal models, serum miR-223 levels did not differ between critically ill patients and healthy controls. However, ICU patients with more severe disease (APACHE-II score) showed moderately reduced circulating miR-223. Strikingly, no differences in miR-223 levels were found in critically ill patients with or without sepsis, and serum levels of miR-223 did not correlate with classical markers of inflammation or bacterial infection. Finally, low miR-223 serum levels were moderately associated with an unfavorable prognosis of patients during the ICU treatment but did not predict long-term mortality.Conclusion. Recent reports on alterations in miR-223 serum levels during sepsis revealed contradictory results, preventing a potential use of this miRNA in clinical routine. We clearly show that miR-223 serum levels do not reflect the presence of sepsis neither in mouse models nor in a large cohort of ICU patients and do not indicate clinical outcome of critically ill patients. Thus miR-223 serum levels should not be used as a biomarker in this setting.

scholarly journals Sex as a prognostic factor for mortality in critically ill adults with sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. e048982
Author(s):  
Alba Antequera ◽  
Jesus Lopez-Alcalde ◽  
Elena Stallings ◽  
Alfonso Muriel ◽  
Borja Fernández Félix ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Prognostic Factor ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Icu Mortality ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
Critically Ill Adults ◽  
Ill Adults

ObjectiveTo assess the role of sex as an independent prognostic factor for mortality in patients with sepsis admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesMEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO Clinical Trials Registry from inception to 17 July 2020.Study selectionStudies evaluating independent associations between sex and mortality in critically ill adults with sepsis controlling for at least one of five core covariate domains prespecified following a literature search and consensus among experts.Data extraction and synthesisTwo authors independently extracted and assessed the risk of bias using Quality In Prognosis Studies tool. Meta-analysis was performed by pooling adjusted estimates. The Grades of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was used to rate the certainty of evidence.ResultsFrom 14 304 records, 13 studies (80 520 participants) were included. Meta-analysis did not find sex-based differences in all-cause hospital mortality (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.32; very low-certainty evidence) and all-cause ICU mortality (OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.78; very low-certainty evidence). However, females presented higher 28-day all-cause mortality (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.32; very low-certainty evidence) and lower 1-year all-cause mortality (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.98; low-certainty evidence). There was a moderate risk of bias in the domain adjustment for other prognostic factors in six studies, and the certainty of evidence was further affected by inconsistency and imprecision.ConclusionThe prognostic independent effect of sex on all-cause hospital mortality, 28-day all-cause mortality and all-cause ICU mortality for critically ill adults with sepsis was uncertain. Female sex may be associated with decreased 1-year all-cause mortality.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019145054.

scholarly journals Comparison of mortality risk evaluation tools efficacy in critically ill COVID-19 patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vaidas Vicka ◽  
Elija Januskeviciute ◽  
Sigute Miskinyte ◽  
Donata Ringaitiene ◽  
Mindaugas Serpytis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Multivariate Regression Analysis ◽  
Apache Ii ◽  
Risk Scores ◽  
Icu Mortality ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Point Increase ◽  
Number Of Patients

Abstract Background As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the number of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) is still increasing. The aim of our article is to estimate which of the conventional ICU mortality risk scores is the most accurate at predicting mortality in COVID-19 patients and to determine how these scores can be used in combination with the 4C Mortality Score. Methods This was a retrospective study of critically ill COVID-19 patients treated in tertiary reference COVID-19 hospitals during the year 2020. The 4C Mortality Score was calculated upon admission to the hospital. The Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were calculated upon admission to the ICU. Patients were divided into two groups: ICU survivors and ICU non-survivors. Results A total of 249 patients were included in the study, of which 63.1% were male. The average age of all patients was 61.32 ± 13.3 years. The all-cause ICU mortality ratio was 41.4% (n = 103). To determine the accuracy of the ICU mortality risk scores a ROC-AUC analysis was performed. The most accurate scale was the APACHE II, with an AUC value of 0.772 (95% CI 0.714–0.830; p < 0.001). All of the ICU risk scores and 4C Mortality Score were significant mortality predictors in the univariate regression analysis. The multivariate regression analysis was completed to elucidate which of the scores can be used in combination with the independent predictive value. In the final model, the APACHE II and 4C Mortality Score prevailed. For each point increase in the APACHE II, mortality risk increased by 1.155 (OR 1.155, 95% CI 1.085–1.229; p < 0.001), and for each point increase in the 4C Mortality Score, mortality risk increased by 1.191 (OR 1.191, 95% CI 1.086–1.306; p < 0.001), demonstrating the best overall calibration of the model. Conclusions The study demonstrated that the APACHE II had the best discrimination of mortality in ICU patients. Both the APACHE II and 4C Mortality Score independently predict mortality risk and can be used concomitantly.

Nutrition support in acute cardiac care

2021 ◽  
pp. 360-372
Author(s):  
Michael P Casaer ◽  
Greet Van den Berghe
Keyword(s):  
Critical Illness ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Metabolic Stress ◽  
Nutrition Therapy ◽  
Nutrition Support ◽  
Critically Ill Patient ◽  
Refeeding Syndrome ◽  
Nutrition Practices ◽  
Early Parenteral Nutrition ◽  
And Function

Malnutrition in cardiac and critical illness is associated with a compromised clinical outcome. The aim of nutrition therapy is to prevent these complications and particularly to attenuate lean tissue wasting and the loss of muscle force and of physical function. During the last decade, several well-powered randomized controlled nutrition trials have been performed. Their results challenge the existing nutrition practices in critically ill patients. Enhancing the nutritional intake and the administration of specialized formulations failed to evoke clinical benefit. Some interventions even provoked an increased mortality or a delayed recovery. These unexpected new findings might be, in part, caused by an important leap forward in the methodological quality in the recent trials. Perhaps reversing early catabolism in the critically ill patient by nutrition or anabolic interventions is impossible or even inappropriate. Nutrients effectively suppress the catabolic intracellular autophagy pathway. But autophagy is crucial for cellular integrity and function during metabolic stress, and consequently its inhibition early in critical illness might be deleterious. Evidence from large nutrition trials, particularly in acute cardiac illness, is scarce. Full enteral feeding in vasopressor dependent patients recovering from hemodynamic shock increases the risk for bowel ischemia. Nutrition therapy is therefore focused on avoiding iatrogenic harm. Some enteral nutrition is administered if possible and eventually temporary hypocaloric feeding is tolerated. Above all, the refeeding syndrome and other nutrition-related complications should be prevented. There is no indication for early parenteral nutrition, increased protein doses, specific amino acids, or modified lipids in critical illness.

scholarly journals Effect of Supplemental Parenteral Nutrition Versus Enteral Nutrition Alone on Clinical Outcomes in Critically Ill Adult Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2968
Author(s):  
Dalal J. Alsharif ◽  
Farah J. Alsharif ◽  
Ghadeer S. Aljuraiban ◽  
Mahmoud M. A. Abulmeaty
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Enteral Nutrition ◽  
Parenteral Nutrition ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Nosocomial Infections ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Icu Mortality ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Enteral nutrition (EN) is considered the first feeding route for critically ill patients. However, adverse effects such as gastrointestinal complications limit its optimal provision, leading to inadequate energy and protein intake. We compared the clinical outcomes of supplemental parenteral nutrition added to EN (SPN + EN) and EN alone in critically ill adults. Electronic databases restricted to full-text randomized controlled trials available in the English language and published from January 1990 to January 2019 were searched. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Jadad scale, and the meta-analysis was conducted using the MedCalc software. A total of five studies were eligible for inclusion in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Compared to EN alone, SPN + EN decreased the risk of nosocomial infections (relative risk (RR) = 0.733, p = 0.032) and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality (RR = 0.569, p = 0.030). No significant differences were observed between SPN + EN and EN in the length of hospital stay, hospital mortality, length of ICU stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation. In conclusion, when enteral feeding fails to fulfill the energy requirements in critically ill adult patients, SPN may be beneficial as it helps in decreasing nosocomial infections and ICU mortality, in addition to increasing energy and protein intakes with no negative effects on other clinical outcomes.

scholarly journals Rectal and Naris Swabs: Practical and Informative Samples for Analyzing the Microbiota of Critically Ill Patients

mSphere ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saumya Bansal ◽  
Jenny P. Nguyen ◽  
Aleksandra Leligdowicz ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Kevin C. Kain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Illness ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Anatomical Site ◽  
Sample Type ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Rectal Swabs ◽  
Stool Samples

ABSTRACT Commensal microbiota are immunomodulatory, and their pathological perturbation can affect the risk and outcomes of infectious and inflammatory diseases. Consequently, the human microbiota is an emerging diagnostic and therapeutic target in critical illness. In this study, we compared four sample types—rectal, naris, and antecubital swabs and stool samples—for 16S rRNA gene microbiota sequencing in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Stool samples were obtained in only 31% of daily attempts, while swabs were reliably obtained (≥97% of attempts). Swabs were compositionally distinct by anatomical site, and rectal swabs identified within-patient temporal trends in microbiota composition. Rectal swabs from ICU patients demonstrated differences from healthy stool similar to those observed in comparing stool samples from ICU patients to those from the same healthy controls. Rectal swabs are a useful complement to other sample types for analysis of the intestinal microbiota in critical illness, particularly when obtaining stool may not be feasible or practical. IMPORTANCE Perturbation of the microbiome has been correlated with various infectious and inflammatory diseases and is common in critically ill patients. Stool is typically used to sample the microbiota in human observational studies; however, it is often unavailable for collection from critically ill patients, reducing its utility as a sample type to study this population. Our research identified alternatives to stool for sampling the microbiota during critical illness. Rectal and naris swabs were practical alternatives for use in these patients, as they were observed to be more reliably obtained than stool, were suitable for culture-independent analysis, and successfully captured within- and between-patient microbiota differences.

scholarly journals Effect of Nicotine Replacement Therapy on Mortality, Delirium, and Duration of Therapy in Critically Ill Smokers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 556-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. T. Ng ◽  
M. Gillies ◽  
D. M. Griffith
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Replacement Therapy ◽  
Nicotine Replacement Therapy ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Icu Mortality ◽  
Nicotine Replacement

Nicotine replacement therapy is widely used in critically ill smokers and its effect on delirium, mortality and duration of intensive care unit (ICU) admission is unknown. The aims of this review were to determine whether the management of nicotine withdrawal with nicotine replacement therapy reduces delirium, mortality or length of stay in critically ill smokers in ICU. The primary outcome was incidence of author-defined ICU delirium. Secondary outcomes were ICU or hospital mortality, ICU-free days at day 28, and ICU or hospital length of stay. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the data sources MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for randomised controlled trials and observational studies. Clinical trials, observational studies and systematic reviews comparing nicotine replacement therapy with placebo or no treatment were included. Case reports, case series, non-systematic reviews and studies that involved children were excluded. Eight studies were eligible (n=2,636) for inclusion in the data synthesis. In a meta-analysis of observational studies, nicotine replacement therapy was associated with increased delirium (three studies; n=908; I2=0%; finite element method: odds ratio 4.03 [95% confidence interval 2.64, 6.15]; P <0.001). There was no difference in ICU mortality (three studies; n=1,309; P=0.10, I2=44%; finite element method: odds ratio 0.58; 95% confidence intervals 0.31– 1.10) and hospital mortality or 28-day ICU-free days. In the absence of high-quality data, nicotine replacement therapy cannot currently be recommended for routine use to prevent delirium or to reduce hospital or ICU mortality in critically ill smokers.

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