38 Clinical features and echocardiographic parameters of relative adrenal insufficiency (RAI) among preterm infants: A five-year review

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. e27-e28
Author(s):  
Gurpreet Grewal ◽  
Joseph Ting ◽  
Carol Lam ◽  
Krishan Yadav ◽  
Mimi Kuan

Abstract Primary Subject area Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Background Infants born at low gestational age (GA) often present with a septic shock-like picture in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Some of these premature infants are noticed to exhibit inadequate cortisol levels at such a time of stress, an entity termed ‘relative adrenal insufficiency’ (RAI), which is postulated to compromise the compensatory mechanisms and further circulatory collapse. Objectives To review the clinical features and echocardiographic parameters of RAI in preterm infants, and their correlation with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation tests in a quaternary NICU over 5 years. Design/Methods This is a single centre retrospective study. Infants born at < 32 weeks GA between January 2015 to June 2019, admitted to the British Columbia Women’s Hospital NICU (Vancouver, British Columbia), were reviewed. Infants who presented with a shock-like picture with a cortisol level at this time of stress of < 250 nmol/L were included. Infants who have received corticosteroid prior to cortisol collection were excluded. Results There were 798 infants < 32 weeks admitted to the BCWH NICU over a 5 year period, of which 284 had a spot cortisol drawn. We identified 45 eligible infants in our study (5.6% of NICU admissions). Their median (IQR) for GA, birth weight, cortisol level, and age of onset of RAI were 25 weeks (24, 26), 690 g (590, 815), 83 (58, 127), and 13 days of life (8, 24), respectively. Among these infants, 73% developed significant hypotension or respiratory failure (Table 1). 13 infants (28.9%) had echocardiogram performed at the time of cardiopulmonary deterioration, and all had normal left ventricular (LV) fractioning shortening (median [IQR]: 42% [38-49%]) and LV output (median [IQR]: 242 mL/kg/min [155-330 mL/kg/min]). Only 19 infants (42.2%) received hydrocortisone, with a median [range] treatment duration of 2 days [1–8]. Lower cortisol level was associated with lower GA at the presentation of RAI (p=0.049), but not predictive of adverse clinical and laboratory outcomes (Table 2). ACTH stimulation tests were performed in 20 (44.5%) infants and 3 (15%) were found to be abnormal, and results were not correlated with clinical features. Conclusion In our cohort, we identified 5% of NICU admission with RAI, based on the cut-off of cortisol < 250 nmol/L at the time of shock-like presentation. Lower cortisol level was associated with lower GA at the presentation of RAI. Further prospective study with a well-defined protocol is needed to understand the use of cortisol and its clinical implications.

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley R Javorsky ◽  
Hershel Raff ◽  
Ty B Carroll ◽  
Alicia Algeciras-Schimnich ◽  
Ravinder Jit Singh ◽  
...  

Abstract Context The normal cortisol response 30 or 60 minutes after cosyntropin (ACTH[1–24]) is considered to be ≥18 μg/dL (500 nmol/L). This threshold is based on older serum cortisol assays. Specific monoclonal antibody immunoassays or LC-MS/MS may have lower thresholds for a normal response. Objective To calculate serum cortisol cutoff values for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation testing with newer specific cortisol assays. Methods Retrospective analysis of ACTH stimulation tests performed in ambulatory and hospitalized patients suspected of adrenal insufficiency (AI). Serum samples were assayed for cortisol in parallel using Elecsys I and Elecsys II immunoassays, and when volume was available, by Access immunoassay and LC-MS/MS. Results A total of 110 patients were evaluated. Using 18 μg/dL as the cortisol cutoff after ACTH stimulation, 14.5%, 29%, 22.4%, and 32% of patients had a biochemical diagnosis of AI using the Elecsys I, Elecsys II, Access, and LC-MS/MS assays, respectively. Deming regressions of serum cortisol were used to calculate new cortisol cutoffs based on the Elecsys I cutoff of 18 μg/dL. For 30-minute values, new cutoffs were 14.6 μg/dL for Elecsys II, 14.8 μg/dL for Access, and 14.5 μg/dL for LC-MS/MS. Baseline cortisol <2 μg/dL was predictive of subnormal stimulated cortisol values. Conclusion To reduce false positive ACTH stimulation testing, we recommend a new serum cortisol cutoff of 14 to 15 μg/dL depending on the assay used (instead of the historical value of 18 μg/dL with older polyclonal antibody assays). Clinicians should be aware of the new cutoffs for the assays available to them when evaluating patients for AI.


2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (13) ◽  
pp. 1302-1305
Author(s):  
Katherine Wynne-Edwards ◽  
Parthiv Amin ◽  
Ruokun Zhou ◽  
Arun Sundaram ◽  
Tania Martinez-Soto ◽  
...  

Background Newborn premature infants are susceptible to development of relative adrenal insufficiency following transition from fetal to extrauterine life. However, the best diagnostic test for adrenal insufficiency in neonates has yet to be developed. Objectives and Methods The aim of this study was (1) to assess the feasibility of obtaining sufficient saliva sample to allow measurement of cortisol by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry and (2) to assess the correlation, if any, between salivary and serum cortisol in preterm infants of ≤32 weeks' gestational age at birth. Results Samples for 230 paired serum and saliva cortisol levels from 90 preterm infants were analyzed. 87.5% of samples collected had sufficient salivary volumes for measurement. Despite being statistically significant (p < 0.0001), the correlation (Spearman r = 0.674) between serum and salivary cortisol was not strong. Conclusion Salivary free cortisol measurement is feasible but cannot be used to accurately reflect serum total cortisol. Further studies comparing salivary free cortisol to serum free cortisol and establishing normative data are needed before salivary cortisol can be used for diagnostic purposes.


2005 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 691-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth F Kozyra ◽  
Randy S Wax ◽  
Lisa D Burry

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of cosyntropin 1 μg in assessing adrenal function in critically ill patients. DATA SOURCES: A computerized literature search using MEDLINE, EMBASE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and the Cochrane Database (1966–August 2004) was undertaken for trials evaluating cosyntropin 1 μg using the following search terms: adrenocorticotropin-releasing hormone (ACTH), cosyntropin, adrenal insufficiency, cortisol, corticosteroids, glucocorticoids, sepsis, septic shock, diagnosis, critically ill, intensive care, and critical care. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA SYNTHESIS: Identifying patients with sepsis with relative adrenal insufficiency (AI) using cosyntropin testing may identify those likely to benefit from corticosteroids. The results of 5 heterogeneous studies in non—intensive care unit (ICU) patients suggest that both 1 μg and 250 μg of cosyntropin stimulate similar cortisol responses and that testing using both doses correlates well with results from insulin tolerance testing. Some data from non-ICU patients suggest that the 1-μg test may be more sensitive to detect AI; 3 heterogeneous studies in ICU patients confirmed the improved sensitivity of the 1-μg test. CONCLUSIONS: Use of cosyntropin 1 μg should detect AI in all patients who would have been diagnosed using 250 μg. Unfortunately, all of the clinical trials evaluating the role of corticosteroids in septic shock that used the cosyntropin stimulation test administered 250 μg. Extrapolation of the existing guidelines to treat patients with septic shock testing positive for relative AI using the 1-μg test may provide effective therapy to appropriate patients not diagnosed by the 250-μg testing or may introduce additional adverse effects in patients who should not receive corticosteroids. Large-scale, head-to-head comparison data of steroid effectiveness after 1- and 250-μg ACTH stimulation tests are needed to expand upon these promising results.


2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bogdan A Popescu ◽  
Carmen C Beladan ◽  
Carmen Ginghină ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  

A normal ejection fraction (EF) is present in >50% of patients with clinical features of heart failure (HF). This entity has been referred to as HF with normal EF (HFNEF), or diastolic HF. The underlying pathophysiology of HFNEF is still under debate and this is reflected in the unsatisfactory results of pharmacological treatment and in the high mortality and morbidity rates, which are similar to those for systolic HF. By providing evidence of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction in patients with clinical features of HF and normal LVEF, echocardiography, the most practical and widely available diagnostic modality, can offer two of the three current diagnostic criteria for HFNEF. Moreover, abnormalities in LV myocardial deformation and torsional dynamics at rest and during exercise were recently demonstrated in HFNEF patients by echocardiography. Newer echocardiographic parameters may improve the understanding of this complex entity, but further studies are needed before using them in clinical practice for the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of patients with HFNEF. This article discusses the current echocardiographic approach to the diagnosis of diastolic HF, as well as the potential role of newer echo indices and modalities.


Author(s):  
D. Pasero ◽  
A. M. Berton ◽  
G. Motta ◽  
R. Raffaldi ◽  
G. Fornaro ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Vasoplegia often complicates on-pump cardiac surgery. Systemic inflammatory response induced by extracorporeal circulation represents the major determinant, but adrenal insufficiency and postoperative vasopressin deficiency may have a role. Pathophysiological meaning of perioperative changes in endocrine markers of hydro-electrolyte balance has not still fully elucidated. Objectives of the present research study were to estimate the incidence of vasoplegia in a homogeneous cohort of not severe cardiopathic patients, to define the role of presurgical adrenal insufficiency, to evaluate copeptin and NT-proBNP trends in the perioperative. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study in the cardiac intensive care unit of a tertiary referral center. We evaluated 350 consecutive patients scheduled for cardiac surgery; 55 subjects completed the study. Both standard and low-dose corticotropin stimulation tests were performed in the preoperative; copeptin and NT-proBNP were evaluated in the preoperative (T0), on day 1 (T1) and day 7 (T2) after surgery. Results Nine subjects (16.3%) developed vasoplegic syndrome with longer bypass and clamping time (p < 0.001). Reduced response to low-dose ACTH test was not associated to vasoplegia. Preoperative copeptin > 16.9 pmol/L accurately predicted the syndrome (AUC 0.86, 95% CI 0.73–0.94; OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.04–1.32). An evident correlation was observed at 7 days postoperative between NT-proBNP and copeptin (r 0.88, 95% CI 0.8–0.93; p < 0.001). Conclusion Preoperative impaired response to low-dose ACTH stimulation test is not a risk factor for post-cardiotomic vasoplegia; conversely, higher preoperative copeptin predicts the complication. On-pump cardiac surgery could be an interesting model of rapid heart failure progression.


2010 ◽  
Vol 86 ◽  
pp. S137
Author(s):  
Fatma Nur Sarı ◽  
Suna Oguz ◽  
Evrim Alyamac Dizdar ◽  
Nesibe Andıran ◽  
Omer Erdeve ◽  
...  

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 5640-5640
Author(s):  
Aimaz Afrough ◽  
Amy Sidorski ◽  
Roberto Salvatori ◽  
Ivan Borrello

Abstract Introduction: Glucocorticoids (GC's) are major drugs in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). Chronic administration of supra-physiological doses of GC's suppresses the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and is associated with secondary adrenal insufficiency (AI). In MM, GC's are usually administered in weekly high dose pulses. Due to long GC-free periods in such therapy, GC-induced AI is not usually considered to be a consequence of GC therapy in MM (Krasner, AS. JAMA, 1999. 282(7): p. 671-6). Here we report on the incidence of AI in MM patients treated at our center with pulse-dose GC. Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients with MM treated with GC-based regimens. Patients were required to have at least a random serum cortisol or a standard 250 mcg ACTH stimulation test result available in their medical record during dexamethasone-based chemotherapy. Patients were excluded if they were on dexamethasone more than 1 day a week, were lost to follow-up, had prior use of synthetic progestational agents such as megestrol or had been on oral glucocorticoids for any other medical indication. Diagnosis of AI was established by a frankly low AM serum cortisol level (<3 ug/dL) or an inadequate cortisol response to ACTH stimulation test (Salvatori, R. JAMA, 2005. 294(19): p. 2481-8). Results: A total of 45 patients were included in this study with median age of 62 (range, 49-89). Fifteen (33.3%) of patients were diagnosed with AI. The median random cortisol level in AI group was 2.3 ug/dL (range, 0.3-7.4 ug/dL) compared to 9.9 ug/dL (range, 1.0-21.2 ug/dL) in the non-AI group. The median time between the last dexamethasone dose and the serum cortisol assay was 5 days (range, 1-21). The median number of GC-based chemotherapy cycles taken before diagnosis of AI was 15 (range, 2-60). The median cumulative dexamethasone consumption was 1280 mg (range, 180-5220 mg). There was no correlation between developing AI and dose or duration of dexamethasone treatment. We observed clinical trend between cumulative doses of ≥1500 mg (P= 0.055) or use of clarithromycin (P=0.079) and developing AI, without reaching a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: The rate of AI was 33% among patients with MM on weekly pulse-dose dexamethasone. As such, patients should be periodically evaluated for this to enable early detection and proper management. Disclosures Borrello: BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; WindMIL Therapeutics: Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sébastien Préville-Ratelle ◽  
Adèle Coriati ◽  
Aurélie Ménard ◽  
Isabelle Bourdeau ◽  
François Tremblay ◽  
...  

Background. The prevalence of adrenal insufficiency (AI) in cystic fibrosis (CF) is unknown. The frequent use of glucocorticoids (inhaled or systemic) may induce the long-term suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Methods. We reviewed the results of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation tests done over a 10-year period to evaluate adrenal function in 69 CF patients of the CHUM CF clinic. Clinical characteristics of AI patients were compared to adrenal-sufficient (AS) patients. Results. AI was confirmed in 33 of the 69 CF patients. A higher rate of dysglycemia P=0.022 and of Aspergillus positive culture P=0.006 was observed in AI patients compared to AS patients. Weight, CFTR genotype, and pulmonary function were comparable between AI and AS patients. The use of systemic corticosteroids (SC) prior to the diagnosis of AI was observed in 42.4% of patients. Compared to AI patients without SC, SC-treated AI patients were older and had a higher rate of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. Conclusion. This study is the first to systematically examine the presence of AI in the largest cohort of CF patients studied to date with a prevalence of 8%. Patients treated with corticosteroids and those colonized with Aspergillus have a greater risk of AI.


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