scholarly journals AChE-activity in critically ill patients with suspected septic encephalopathy: a prospective, single-centre study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedikt Zujalovic ◽  
Benjamin Mayer ◽  
Sebastian Hafner ◽  
Florian Balling ◽  
Eberhard Barth
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Activity ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care ◽  
Baseline Values

Abstract Background In consequence of systemic inflammation, up to 70% of septic patients develop a diffuse brain dysfunction, accompanying with an increase in mortality, which is referred to as “septic associated encephalopathy”. Subsuming septic associated encephalopathy as a category of delirium, there is a common pathophysiology (neuro-inflammation and cholinergic transmitter imbalance). This can be approximated by measuring the acetylcholinesterase activity as a surrogate parameter of cholinergic activity. However, conflicting results for acetylcholinesterase activity exists, if single-point measurements have been done. Therefore, we wanted to test the hypothesis, whether longitudinal analysis of acetylcholinesterase activity in Intensive Care Unit patients displays septic associated encephalopathy/delirium in septic patients and reveals significant differences in comparison with non-septic, critically ill patients.Methods In this prospective, observational, single-center study, 175 patients, admitted to the surgical Intensive Care Unit of the University hospital Ulm, Germany, were included. Patients were divided into septic (n = 45) and non-septic (n = 130) patients and were screened for delirium/cognitive dysfunction. Subgroups for patients with delirium and altered acetylcholinesterase activity were built, dependent if an increase/decrease of the acetylcholinesterase activity was observed. Acetylcholinesterase activity was analysed over the course of time by using a linear regression model accounting for repeated measures. By using a time adjusted model, the effect of further possible predictors of acetylcholinesterase activity was analyzed. For nonparametric distributions, quantitative data were compared using Wilcoxon matched-pairs test. For the analysis of the independent samples, we used the Mann-Whitney test. Results There was a statistically significant, time-dependent change in acetylcholinesterase activity (decrease/increase) over a period of at least 5 days in septic patients which revealed septic associated encephalopathy/delirium in about 90%.Conclusion The longitudinal measurement of acetylcholinesterase activity over several consecutive days revealed a shift compared to baseline values exclusively in septic patients with septic associated encephalopathy/delirium. Acetylcholinesterase activity alteration compared to baseline values at the onset of sepsis may help to detect and differentiate septic associated encephalopathy from other delirium entities.Trial registration Retrospectively registered at German Clincial Trials Register, registration number DRKS 00020542, date of registration: January 27, 2020

scholarly journals AChE-activity in critically ill patients with suspected septic encephalopathy: a prospective, single-centre study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedikt Zujalovic ◽  
Benjamin Mayer ◽  
Sebastian Hafner ◽  
Florian Balling ◽  
Eberhard Barth
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Activity ◽  
Brain Dysfunction ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Longitudinal Measurement ◽  
Baseline Values

Abstract BackgroundIn consequence of systemic inflammation, up to 70% of septic patients develop a diffuse brain dysfunction, accompanying with an increase in mortality, which is referred to as “septic associated encephalopathy”. Subsuming septic associated encephalopathy as a category of delirium, there is a common pathophysiology (neuroinflammation and cholinergic transmitter imbalance). This can be approximated by measuring the acetylcholinesterase activity as a surrogate parameter of cholinergic activity. However, conflicting results for acetylcholinesterase activity exists, if singlepoint measurements have been done. Therefore, we wanted to test the hypothesis, whether longitudinal analysis of acetylcholinesterase activity in Intensive Care Unit patients displays septic associated encephalopathy/delirium in septic patients and reveals significant differences in comparison with non-septic, critically ill patients. MethodsIn this prospective, observational, single-center study, 175 patients, admitted to the operative Intensive Care Unit of the University hospital Ulm, Germany, were included. Patients were divided into septic (n = 45) and non-septic (n = 130) patients and were screened for delirium/cognitive dysfunction. Subgroups for patients with delirium and altered acetylcholinesterase activity were built, dependent if an increase/decrease of the acetylcholinesterase activity was observed. Acetylcholinesterase activity was analysed over the course of time by using a linear regression model accounting for repeated measures. By using a time adjusted model, the effect of further possible predictors of acetylcholinesterase activity was analyzed. For nonparametric distributions, quantitative data were compared using Wilcoxon matched-pairs test. For the analysis of the independent samples, we used the Mann-Whitney test. ResultsThere was a statistically significant, time-dependent change in acetylcholinesterase activity (decrease/increase) over a period of at least 5 days in septic patients which revealed septic associated encephalopathy/delirium in about 90%. ConclusionThe longitudinal measurement of acetylcholinesterase activity over several consecutive days revealed a shift compared to baseline values exclusively in septic patients with septic associated encephalopathy/delirium. Acetylcholinesterase activity alteration compared to baseline values at the onset of sepsis may help to detect and differentiate septic associated encephalopathy from other delirium entities. Trial registrationRetrospectively registered at German Clincial Trials Register, registration number DRKS 00020542, date of registration: January 27, 2020

Implementing Volume-Based Feeding to Optimize Delivery of Enteral Nutrition

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 16-26
Author(s):  
Angela Bonomo ◽  
Diane Lynn Blume ◽  
Katie Davis ◽  
Hee Jun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Enteral Nutrition ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care ◽  
Educational Approach ◽  
Lecture Demonstration

Background At least 80% of ordered enteral nutrition should be delivered to improve outcomes in critical care patients. However, these patients typically receive 60% to 70% of ordered enteral nutrition volume. In a practice review within a 28-bed medical-surgical adult intensive care unit, patients received a median of 67.5% of ordered enteral nutrition with standard rate-based feeding. Volume-based feeding is recommended to deliver adequate enteral nutrition to critically ill patients. Objective To use a quality improvement project to increase the volume of enteral nutrition delivered in the medical-surgical intensive care unit. Methods Percentages of target volume achieved were monitored in 73 patients. Comparisons between the rate-based and volume-based feeding groups used nonparametric quality of medians test or the χ2 test. A customized volume-based feeding protocol and order set were created according to published protocols and then implemented. Standardized education included lecture, demonstration, written material, and active personal involvement, followed by a scenario-based test to apply learning. Results Immediately after implementation of this practice change, delivered enteral nutrition volume increased, resulting in a median delivery of 99.8% of ordered volume (P = .003). Delivery of a mean of 98% ordered volume was sustained over the 15 months following implementation. Conclusions Implementation of volume-based feeding optimized enteral nutrition delivery to critically ill patients in this medical-surgical intensive care unit. This success can be attributed to a comprehensive, individualized, and proactive process design and educational approach. The process can be adapted to quality improvement initiatives with other patient populations and units.

scholarly journals AChE-activity in critically ill patients with suspected septic encephalopathy: a prospective, single-centre study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedikt Zujalovic ◽  
Benjamin Mayer ◽  
Sebastian Hafner ◽  
Florian Balling ◽  
Eberhard Barth
Keyword(s):  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Ache Activity ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Activity ◽  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care ◽  
Longitudinal Measurement

Abstract Background Up to 70% of septic patients develop a diffuse brain dysfunction named “septic associated encephalopathy” which is often solely based on clinical impressions. However, the diagnosis of septic associated encephalopathy is outcome-relevant due to an increase in mortality in these patients. Neuroinflammation as well as a disturbance of cholinergic transmission are assumed to be the causes of both delirium and septic associated encephalopathy. An alteration in cholinergic activity can be objectified by measuring the erythrocytic acetylcholinesterase-activity. Single-point measurements of acetylcholinesterase-activity are of limited value because individual and dynamic changes over time have to be anticipated. Therefore, the hypothesis should be tested whether a longitudinal analysis of acetylcholinesterase-activity in critically ill patients can help to diagnose a suspected septic-associated encephalopathy and whether acetylcholinesterase-activity differs in comparison to non-septic patients. Methods In this prospective, observational, single-center study, 175 patients (45 with sepsis, 130 without sepsis) were included. All patients were admitted to the surgical Intensive Care Unit of the University hospital Ulm, Germany. Patients were examined daily for the presence of delirium using the CAM-ICU. Daily measurement of the acetylcholinesterase-activity was performed in all patients. The possible time-dependent change in acetylcholinesterase-activity was analyzed with a linear regression model considering repeated measurements. Using a time-adjusted model further factors able to affect AChE-activity were investigated. For nonparametric distributions quantitative data were compared using Wilcoxon matched-pairs test. For analysis of independent samples the Mann-Whitney test was performed. Results About 90% of septic patients with suspected septic associated encephalopathy exhibited a statistically significant time-dependent in- or decrease in acetylcholinesterase-activity over a period of at least 5 consecutive days. Conclusion Longitudinal measurement of acetylcholinesterase-activity over several consecutive days revealed a change from baseline only in septic patients with suspected septic-associated encephalopathy. Therefore, longitudinal measurement of acetylcholinesterase-activity is able to diagnose septic associated encephalopathy in septic patients with delirious symptoms. Trial registration Retrospectively registered at German Clinical Trials Register, registration number DRKS00020542, date of registration: January 27, 2020.

Bedside Videolaryngoscopic Assessment of Intubation Trauma

1989 ◽  
Vol 98 (8) ◽  
pp. 586-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Alessi ◽  
David G. Hanson ◽  
George Berci
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Video Recording ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Voice Rehabilitation ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care ◽  
Vocal Fold Paresis

Telescopic laryngoscopic examination was performed at the bedside after extubation in 29 consecutive surgical intensive care unit patients who required endotracheal intubation for more than 16 hours. The examinations were documented with a portable video recording system. The majority of patients exhibited evidence of acute endolaryngeal trauma. Vocal fold ulceration and vocal fold motion abnormalities were the most common lesions. Patients with abnormal larynges were followed up after discharge from the intensive care unit. Most of the identified injuries resolved without intervention. However, silent aspiration was identified frequently in patients with vocal fold paresis and was thought to be a significant factor in postoperative pulmonary complications. Early identification of significant laryngeal trauma and/or vocal fold paresis in critically ill patients is important for both postoperative pulmonary care and voice rehabilitation. This pilot study demonstrated that documentation of the laryngeal examination is feasible in critically ill patients in an intensive care unit setting.

scholarly journals Efficacy of an 8-week Bedside Ultrasound Training Program for Surgical Residents in the Intensive Care Unit

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyoung Moo Im ◽  
Eun Young Kim
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Bedside Ultrasound ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care ◽  
Post Graduate ◽  
Surgical Residents

Abstract BackgroundBedside ultrasound has become one of the most important non-invasive and readily available diagnostic tools especially for critically ill patients. However, the current ultrasound training program is not standardized and is mostly unavailable to all surgical residents equally. The aim of this study was to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of our new training program in bedside ultrasound for surgical residents.MethodsPostgraduate residents (years 1 to 4) from the department of general surgery in a tertiary hospital attended the newly designed, 8-week training course in bedside ultrasound for critically ill patients at the surgical intensive care unit. Didactic and experimental lectures in basic ultrasound physics and machine usage were delivered, followed by daily hands-on ultrasound training to patients. Each participant prospectively documented their ultrasound findings and completed self-assessment of ultrasound skills using a Likert scale.Results44 residents were enrolled in the current study and only 36.4% of them were previously exposed to bedside ultrasound experience. Following the course completion, the proficiency levels and the objective structured assessment of ultrasound skill (OSAUS) scores showed significant improvement in all elements (P < 0.001). The mean differences in pre- and post-course score between post-graduate years were recorded, except for proficiency in peritoneal cavity (P = 0.163). Post-hoc analysis revealed that post-graduate year 2 residents showed a higher improvement in most elements. The training program showed improvement in post-course scores, whether or not residents had previous experience.ConclusionsOur results revealed that the knowledge and confidence of surgical residents in bedside ultrasound could be improved via short-term and impact training curriculum. The authors believe that such education should be encouraged for all surgical residents to enhance competency in performing bedside ultrasound evaluation of critically ill patients.

scholarly journals AChE-activity in critically ill patients with suspected septic encephalopathy: a prospective, single-centre study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedikt Zujalovic ◽  
Benjamin Mayer ◽  
Sebastian Hafner ◽  
Florian Balling ◽  
Eberhard Barth
Keyword(s):  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Activity ◽  
Brain Dysfunction ◽  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care ◽  
Longitudinal Measurement ◽  
Single Centre Study

Abstract Background Up to 70% of septic patients develop a diffuse brain dysfunction accompanying with an increase in mortality, which is referred to as “septic associated encephalopathy”. Neuroinflammation as well as a disturbance of cholinergic transmission are assumed to be the causes of both delirium and septic associated encephalopathy. A possible change in cholinergic activity can be objectified by measuring the erythrocytic acetylcholinesterase activity. It has been shown, however, that the acetylcholinesterase activity, if only single measurements are carried out, is controversial in its significance. Therefore, we wanted to test the hypothesis whether a longitudinal analysis of acetylcholinesterase activity in critically ill patients can help to diagnose a suspected septic-associated encephalopathy and whether acetylcholinesterase activity differs in comparison to non-septic patients.Methods In this prospective, observational, single-center study, 175 patients, admitted to the surgical Intensive Care Unit of the University hospital Ulm, Germany, were included. 45 patients were septic, 130 patients were non septic. All patients were examined daily for the presence of delirium using the CAM-ICU. Daily measurement of the acetylcholinesterase activity was performed in all patients. The acetylcholinesterase activity was analyzed over time using a linear regression model taking into account repeated measurements. By using a time adjusted model, the effect of further possible predictors of acetylcholinesterase activity was analyzed too. For nonparametric distributions quantitative data were compared using Wilcoxon matched-pairs test. For the analysis of the independent samples the Mann-Whitney test was performed. Results In approximately 90% of the septic patients with suspected septic associated encephalopathy a statistically significant, time-dependent in- or decrease in acetylcholinesterase activity could be demonstrated over a period of at least 5 consecutive days.Conclusion The longitudinal measurement of acetylcholinesterase activity over several consecutive days revealed a shift compared to baseline values exclusively in septic patients with supposed septic associated encephalopathy. Therefore, longitudinal measurement of acetylcholinesterase activity may help to diagnose septic associated encephalopathy in patients with sepsis and accompanying delirium symptoms.Trial registration Retrospectively registered at German Clincial Trials Register, registration number DRKS 00020542, date of registration: January 27, 2020

scholarly journals AChE-activity in critically ill patients with suspected septic encephalopathy: a prospective, single-centre study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedikt Zujalovic ◽  
Benjamin Mayer ◽  
Sebastian Hafner ◽  
Florian Balling ◽  
Eberhard Barth
Keyword(s):  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Ache Activity ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Activity ◽  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care ◽  
Longitudinal Measurement

Abstract Background Up to 70% of septic patients develop a diffuse brain dysfunction named “septic associated encephalopathy” which is often solely based on clinical impressions. However, the diagnosis of septic associated encephalopathy is outcome-relevant due to an increase in mortality in these patients. Neuroinflammation as well as a disturbance of cholinergic transmission are assumed to be the causes of both delirium and septic associated encephalopathy. An alteration in cholinergic activity can be objectified by measuring the erythrocytic acetylcholinesterase-activity. Single-point measurements of acetylcholinesterase-activity are of limited value because individual and dynamic changes over time have to be anticipated. Therefore, the hypothesis should be tested whether a longitudinal analysis of acetylcholinesterase-activity in critically ill patients can help to diagnose a suspected septic-associated encephalopathy and whether acetylcholinesterase-activity differs in comparison to non-septic patients.Methods In this prospective, observational, single-center study, 175 patients (45 with sepsis, 130 without sepsis) were included. All patients were admitted to the surgical Intensive Care Unit of the University hospital Ulm, Germany. Patients were examined daily for the presence of delirium using the CAM-ICU. Daily measurement of the acetylcholinesterase-activity was performed in all patients. The possible time-dependent change in acetylcholinesterase-activity was analyzed with a linear regression model considering repeated measurements. Using a time-adjusted model further factors able to affect AChE-activity were investigated. For nonparametric distributions quantitative data were compared using Wilcoxon matched-pairs test. For analysis of independent samples the Mann-Whitney test was performed.Results About 90% of septic patients with suspected septic associated encephalopathy exhibited a statistically significant time-dependent in- or decrease in acetylcholinesterase-activity over a period of at least 5 consecutive days.Conclusion Longitudinal measurement of acetylcholinesterase-activity over several consecutive days revealed a change from baseline only in septic patients with suspected septic-associated encephalopathy. Therefore, longitudinal measurement of acetylcholinesterase-activity is able to diagnose septic associated encephalopathy in septic patients with delirious symptoms.Trial registration Retrospectively registered at German Clinical Trials Register, registration number DRKS 00020542, date of registration: January 27, 2020

scholarly journals AChE-activity in critically ill patients with suspected septic encephalopathy: a prospective, single-centre study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedikt Zujalovic ◽  
Benjamin Mayer ◽  
Sebastian Hafner ◽  
Florian Balling ◽  
Eberhard Barth
Keyword(s):  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Ache Activity ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Activity ◽  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Surgical Intensive Care ◽  
Longitudinal Measurement

Abstract Background: Up to 70% of septic patients develop a diffuse brain dysfunction named “septic associated encephalopathy” (SAE) which is often solely based on clinical impressions. However, the diagnosis of SAE is outcome-relevant due to an increase in mortality in these patients. Neuroinflammation as well as a disturbance of cholinergic transmission are assumed to be the causes of both delirium and septic associated encephalopathy. An alteration in cholinergic activity can be objectified by measuring the erythrocytic acetylcholinesterase-activity (AChE-activity). Single-point measurements of acetylcholinesterase-activity are of limited value because individual and dynamic changes over time have to be anticipated. Therefore, the hypothesis should be tested whether a longitudinal analysis of acetylcholinesterase-activity in critically ill patients can help to diagnose a suspected septic-associated encephalopathy and whether acetylcholinesterase-activity differs in comparison to non-septic patients.Methods: In this prospective, observational, single-center study, 175 patients (45 with sepsis, 130 without sepsis) were included. All patients were admitted to the surgical Intensive Care Unit of the University hospital Ulm, Germany. Patients were examined daily for the presence of delirium using the CAM-ICU. Daily measurement of the acetylcholinesterase-activity was performed in all patients. The possible time-dependent change in acetylcholinesterase-activity was analyzed with a linear regression model considering repeated measurements. Using a time-adjusted model, further factors able to affect AChE-activity were investigated. For nonparametric distributions quantitative data were compared using Wilcoxon matched-pairs test. For analysis of independent samples the Mann-Whitney test was performed.Results: About 90% of septic patients with suspected septic associated encephalopathy exhibited a statistically significant time-dependent in- or decrease in acetylcholinesterase-activity over a period of at least 5 consecutive days.Conclusion: Longitudinal measurement of acetylcholinesterase-activity over several consecutive days revealed a change from baseline only in septic patients with suspected septic-associated encephalopathy. Therefore, longitudinal measurement of acetylcholinesterase-activity is able to diagnose septic associated encephalopathy in septic patients with delirious symptoms.Trial registration: Retrospectively registered at German Clinical Trials Register, registration number DRKS 00020542, date of registration: January 27, 2020

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