Some Recent Controversies in Intensive Care

1995 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-7
Author(s):  
Colin J McArthur
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Ventilatory Support ◽  
Selective Decontamination ◽  
Experimental Therapy ◽  
Sodium Reabsorption ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Upper Gastrointestinal

The ability of dopamine to reverse oliguria has led to its ubiquitous renal protective use in patients at risk of acute renal failure. However, this diuresis is due primarily to inhibition of distal tubular sodium reabsorption and not renal vasodilation. Recent controlled clinical studies have been unable to demonstrate a renal protective effect independent of changes in cardiac output. Selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) has the appealing theoretical ability to minimize upper gastrointestinal colonization with gram-negative bacteria and fungi, and subsequently reduce nosocomial infection and mortality. Such modification of flora does occur, but the initial studies showing a reduction in lower respiratory tract infections have not been supported by recent large double-blind randomized controlled trials. A reduction in mortality or length of stay of general intensive care patients given SDD has never been demonstrated, and it remains an experimental therapy with possible application for some patient subgroups. Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGH) in the critically ill is associated with prolonged ventilatory support and coagulopathy, but clinically important bleeding is now uncommon. Prophylaxis with agents that increase gastric pH is effective in reducing UGH, but may be associated with a higher incidence of nosocomial pneumonia than occurs with alternatives such as sucralfate. Prophylaxis does not alter mortality, and it is now controversial which patients, if any, should routinely receive such treatment.

Exercise as early mobilization in patients using vasoactive drugs

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 301
Author(s):  
Amanda Mariano Morais ◽  
Daiane Naiara Da Penha ◽  
Danila Gonçalves Costa ◽  
Vanessa Beatriz Aparecida Fontes Schweling ◽  
Jaqueline Aparecida Almeida Spadari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Cardiovascular Response ◽  
Ventilatory Support ◽  
Early Mobilization ◽  
Scientific Basis ◽  
Routine Practice ◽  
Vasoactive Drugs ◽  
Early Ambulation ◽  
Early Mobility ◽  
The Face

Introduction: The functional benefits of Early Mobilization (EM) capable of minimizing limitations and deformities in the face of immobility are clear, but there are many barriers to conduct EM as a routine practice in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), including the use of vasoactive drugs (VAD), since it is directly related to weakness acquired in the ICU, in addition to the resistance of the multidisciplinary team to mobilize the patient using VAD. Objective: The objective of this literature review is to raise a scientific basis in the management of critically ill patients using DVAs for EM in the ICU. Methods: It is an integrative review of the literature, with research in the databases: PEDro, Pubmed, Lilacs, with articles published between 2011 and 2018, in Portuguese and English, using the terms: vasoactive drugs, early mobility, exercise in UCI, vasopressor and its equivalents in Portuguese. Results: Nine studies were included that analyzed the EM intervention in patients using VAD, with or without ventilatory support. There was no homogeneous treatment among the researched works, varying between exercises in bed and outside, with passive and / or active action. However, regardless of the conduct, there was an improvement in the cardiovascular response without relevant changes regarding the use of VAD. Conclusion: EM is not contraindicated for patients in the ICU with the use of VAD, and it was shown to be effective and safe without promoting relevant hemodynamic and cardiorespiratory changes, which would determine its absolute contraindication.Keywords: vasodilator agents, early ambulation, intensive care units, physical therapy specialty.

Exercise in intensive care units, safety and hemodynamic monitoring

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Giulliano Gardenghi
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Intensive Care Units ◽  
Hemodynamic Monitoring ◽  
Artificial Respiration ◽  
Exercise Physiology ◽  
Ventilatory Support ◽  
Early Mobilization ◽  
Cycle Ergometer ◽  
Search Terms

Introduction: Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) have several deleterious effects of immobilization, including weakness acquired in the ICU. Exercise appears as an alternative for early mobilization in these patients. Objective: This work aims to highlight the hemodynamic repercussions and the applicability of exercise in the ICU. Methods: An integrative literature review was carried out, with articles published between 2010 and 2018, in the Lilacs, PubMed and Scielo databases, using the following search terms: exercise, cycle ergometer, intensive care units, early mobilization, mechanical ventilation, artificial respiration. Results: 13 articles were included, addressing hemodynamic monitoring and the role of exercise as early mobilization, with or without ventilatory support. The exercise sessions were feasible and safe within the ICU environment. Conclusion: Physical exercise can be performed safely in an ICU environment, if respecting a series of criteria such as those presented here. It is important that the assistant professional seeks to prescribe interventions based on Exercise Physiology that can positively intervene in the functional prognosis in critically ill patients.Keywords: exercise, intensive care units, patient safety.

Antibiotic Molecules Involved in Increasing Microbial Resistance

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (7) ◽  
pp. 2622-2626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Letitia Doina Duceac ◽  
Constantin Marcu ◽  
Daniela Luminita Ichim ◽  
Irina Mihaela Ciomaga ◽  
Elena Tarca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Intensive Care Units ◽  
Enterobacter Aerogenes ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Medical Department ◽  
Microbial Resistance ◽  
Antimicrobial Sensitivity ◽  
Interpretation Criteria ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Over the past two decades, the resistance to antibiotics, especially for Gram-negative bacteria, has increased at an alarming rate, requiring constant concern for resolving and controlling this extremely important therapeutic aspect in any medical department but in particular, in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Units, in units of neonatology, paediatrics, neurosurgery, burned patients and immunosuppressed. Specialists note a particular concern for the resistance of Enterobacteriaceae to third-generation cephalosporins and aztreonam, with a resistance profile frequently associated with the expression of extended-spectrum �-lactamases (ESBL). The Enterobacter genus comprises 14 species, but two are of medical interest, Enterobacter aerogenes and E. cloacae, which are involved in inducing healthcare-associated infections such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia associated with mechanical ventilation, bacteremia, septicemia, etc. The purpose of the study was to highlight the antibiotic molecules in which microbial resistance of some circulating strains of enterobacteria was detected. A descriptive and retrospective study was conducted between 2012-2017, on a batch of 35 patients, admitted to the Sf. Maria Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children of Iasi, from whom various pathological products were collected to highlight the Enterobacter sp strains involved in the production of infections associated with the inpatient medical care. The antimicrobial sensitivity of each strain was determined by diffusimetric method, while the interpretation criteria were considered to be those of the laboratory standards. Most cases were reported in 2017 (31.42%). The majority were registered in new-borns (42.85%) and infants (25.71%). The Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Units and Neonatology Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Units departments were the most involved. Microbial antibacterial resistance of Enterobacter sp isolates showed that all manifested resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, 48.57% were resistant to Cefuroxime, 42.85% resistant to Ceftazidime and Ceftriaxone, 14.28% to ciprofloxacin, 11.42% to ertapenem, 5.71% to Meronem. Although it showed relatively few cases with infections associated with healthcare in which strains of Enterobacter sp. were isolated our study, which was carried out over a period of 5 years, provides useful indications regarding the prevalence of healthcare associated infections with Enterobacter sp in paediatric patients and guidelines for antibiotic therapy.

Variation in antibiotic use across intensive care units (ICU): A population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (9) ◽  
pp. 1035-1041
Author(s):  
Erika Y. Lee ◽  
Michael E. Detsky ◽  
Jin Ma ◽  
Chaim M. Bell ◽  
Andrew M. Morris
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Intensive Care Units ◽  
Ventilatory Support ◽  
Severity Of Illness ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Patient Factors ◽  
Days Of Therapy ◽  
Level 3 ◽  
Level 2

AbstractObjectives:Antibiotics are commonly used in intensive care units (ICUs), yet differences in antibiotic use across ICUs are unknown. Herein, we studied antibiotic use across ICUs and examined factors that contributed to variation.Methods:We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from Ontario’s Critical Care Information System (CCIS), which included 201 adult ICUs and 2,013,397 patient days from January 2012 to June 2016. Antibiotic use was measured in days of therapy (DOT) per 1,000 patient days. ICU factors included ability to provide ventilator support (level 3) or not (level 2), ICU type (medical-surgical or other), and academic status. Patient factors included severity of illness using multiple-organ dysfunction score (MODS), ventilatory support, and central venous catheter (CVC) use. We analyzed the effect of these factors on variation in antibiotic use.Results:Overall, 269,351 patients (56%) received antibiotics during their ICU stay. The mean antibiotic use was 624 (range 3–1460) DOT per 1,000 patient days. Antibiotic use was significantly higher in medical-surgical ICUs compared to other ICUs (697 vs 410 DOT per 1,000 patient days; P < .0001) and in level 3 ICUs compared to level 2 ICUs (751 vs 513 DOT per 1,000 patient days; P < .0001). Higher antibiotic use was associated with higher severity of illness and intensity of treatment. ICU and patient factors explained 47% of the variation in antibiotic use across ICUs.Conclusions:Antibiotic use varies widely across ICUs, which is partially associated with ICUs and patient characteristics. These differences highlight the importance of antimicrobial stewardship to ensure appropriate use of antibiotics in ICU patients.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document