scholarly journals Vascular access: the impact of ultrasonography

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 561-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Eduardo Saldanha de Almeida ◽  

ABSTRACT Vascular punctures are often necessary in critically ill patients. They are secure, but not free of complications. Ultrasonography enhances safety of the procedure by decreasing puncture attempts, complications and costs. This study reviews important publications and the puncture technique using ultrasound, bringing part of the experience of the intensive care unit of the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo (SP), Brazil, and discussing issues that should be considered in future studies.

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3302
Author(s):  
Michał Czapla ◽  
Raúl Juárez-Vela ◽  
Vicente Gea-Caballero ◽  
Stanisław Zieliński ◽  
Marzena Zielińska

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The impact of poor nutritional status on increased mortality and prolonged ICU (intensive care unit) stay in critically ill patients is well-documented. This study aims to assess how nutritional status and BMI (body mass index) affected in-hospital mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients Methods: We conducted a retrospective study and analysed medical records of 286 COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit of the University Clinical Hospital in Wroclaw (Poland). Results: A total of 286 patients were analysed. In the sample group, 8% of patients who died had a BMI within the normal range, 46% were overweight, and 46% were obese. There was a statistically significantly higher death rate in men (73%) and those with BMIs between 25.0–29.9 (p = 0.011). Nonsurvivors had a statistically significantly higher HF (Heart Failure) rate (p = 0.037) and HT (hypertension) rate (p < 0.001). Furthermore, nonsurvivors were statistically significantly older (p < 0.001). The risk of death was higher in overweight patients (HR = 2.13; p = 0.038). Mortality was influenced by higher scores in parameters such as age (HR = 1.03; p = 0.001), NRS2002 (nutritional risk score, HR = 1.18; p = 0.019), PCT (procalcitonin, HR = 1.10; p < 0.001) and potassium level (HR = 1.40; p = 0.023). Conclusions: Being overweight in critically ill COVID-19 patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation increases their risk of death significantly. Additional factors indicating a higher risk of death include the patient’s age, high PCT, potassium levels, and NRS ≥ 3 measured at the time of admission to the ICU.


2021 ◽  
Vol 66 ◽  
pp. 126-131
Author(s):  
Ana Cristina Santos ◽  
Simone Luzia Fidelis de Oliveira ◽  
Virgílio Luiz Marques Macedo ◽  
Paula Lauane Araujo ◽  
Francine Salapata Fraiberg ◽  
...  

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kamran Athar ◽  
Nitin Puri ◽  
David R. Gerber

Anemia is common in critically ill patients. As a consequence packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions are frequent in the critically ill. Over the past two decades a growing body of literature has emerged, linking PRBC transfusion to infections, immunosuppression, organ dysfunction, and a higher mortality rate. However, despite growing evidence that risk of PRBC transfusion outweighs its benefit, significant numbers of critically ill patients still receive PRBC transfusion during their intensive care unit (ICU) stay. In this paper, we summarize the current literature concerning the impact of anemia on outcomes in critically ill patients and the potential complications of PRBC transfusions.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Sponholz ◽  
Ole Bayer ◽  
Björn Kabisch ◽  
Karin Wurm ◽  
Katharina Ebert ◽  
...  

Renal failure is a common complication among critically ill patients. Timing, dosage, and mode of renal replacement (RRT) are under debate, but also anticoagulation strategies and vascular access interfere with dialysis success. We present a retrospective, five-year evaluation of patients requiring RRT on a multidisciplinary 50-bed surgical intensive care unit of a university hospital with special regard to anticoagulation strategies and vascular access. Anticoagulation was preferably performed with unfractionated heparin or regional citrate application (RAC). Bleeding and suspected HIT-II were most common causes for RAC. In CVVHD mode filter life span was significantly longer under RAC compared to heparin or other anticoagulation strategies (P=0.001). Femoral vascular access was associated with reduced filter life span (P=0.012), especially under heparin anticoagulation (P=0.015). Patients on RAC had higher rates of metabolic alkalosis (P=0.001), required more transfusions (P=0.045), and showed higher illness severity measured by SOFA scores (P=0.001). RRT with unfractionated heparin represented the most common anticoagulation strategy in this study population. However, patients with bleeding risk and severe organ dysfunction were more likely placed on RAC. Citrate provided longer filter life spans regardless of vascular access site. Attention has to be paid to metabolic disturbances.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S344-S345
Author(s):  
Rabeeya Khalid ◽  
Alvin G Thomas ◽  
Daisy Zhu ◽  
Iva Minga ◽  
Nirmit Desai ◽  
...  

Abstract Background SARS-CoV2 is a grave illness and few therapeutic agents have yielded benefit or reduced mortality. Administration of convalescent plasma (CP) in viral illnesses in the past, including SARS, before day 14, has been associated with a shorter hospital course. In the present study, we are interested in determining the benefit of administering CP to critically ill patients in the intensive care unit, and the impact on mortality and other clinical markers. Methods 5 critically ill patients with confirmed SARS-CoV2 infection were observed in the uncontrolled case series study. Mechanically ventilated patients with severe ARDS (PaO2/FiO2 &lt; 100) were eligible to receive CP transfusion. We reviewed daily vital signs, inflammatory markers, PaO2/FiO2 ratio and SOFA scores before and after CP transfusions. SARS-CoV2 PCR viral load testing was completed on day 0 of transfusion and repeated on day 3 and 6. Complications during the hospitalization and 30-day mortality were assessed. Results All 5 patients were mechanically ventilated at the time of transfusion and between day 7 to 31 of their illness. Following plasma transfusion, body temperature and inflammatory markers remained elevated in four patients (figure 1). SOFA score and PaO2/FiO2 ratios continued to worsen in three and four patients respectively (figure 2). SARS-CoV2 PCR remained positive in 4 patients. 4 of the 5 patients had died at the end of the follow up period. One patient was successfully extubated on day 29 (table 1) and discharged after a long hospital course. Fever curve and trends of inflammatory markers Trends of SOFA socre and PaO2:FiO2 ratio Patient characteristics Conclusion In our patient cohort, the administration of CP did not improve laboratory markers or clinical outcomes. Some notable limitations of this study are the small sample size, and that the patients received CP late in their disease course. Further investigation is necessary to draw definitive conclusions about the utility of CP in the treatment of SARS-CoV2. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


Author(s):  
Ayush Dubey ◽  
Sunil Kumar ◽  
Sourya Acharya ◽  
Anil K. Wanjari ◽  
Shilpa Bawankule ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction The red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a measurement of variations in the size of red blood cells. As the width increases, the rate of mortality also increases, although the reason for it is still not known. On the other hand, platelet distribution width (PDW) is also useful in predicting morbidity and mortality in sepsis and other critically ill patients. In our study, we planned to study the impact of both RDW and PDW and evaluate their prognostic importance with outcome in patients admitted in medicine intensive care unit (MICU). Material and Method In these cross-sectional observational studies, 1,300 patients were included who were admitted in MICU. Critically ill patients were defined on the basis of qSOFA score greater than 2. PDW and RDW were obtained from Coulter report of complete blood count. Parameters included in Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) IV scores were taken and APACHE IV score was calculated. Correlation of RDW and PDW with outcomes such as length of ICU stay, use of mechanical ventilator, and discharge/death was done. Result The mean RDW (%) for the entire study population was 15.17 ± 3.01. The RDW (%) was significantly on the higher side in patients who succumbed to the disease as compared with the patients who were discharged. The correlation between the length of ICU stay (days) and RDW (%) was moderately positive and was significant (rho = 0.37, p ≤ 0.001). The correlation between the length of ICU stay (days) and PDW (%) was moderately positive and was significant (rho = 0.5, p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion RDW and PDW were found as significant indicators for period of stay in ICU, requirement for mechanical ventilation, and mortality rate in patients admitted to ICUs. As these are simple, easy to conduct, universally available tests, they can be regularly incorporated in patients admitted in ICUs.


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