Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children in the Critical Care Setting

Background Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children is a new syndrome that has been hypothesized to be connected with the COVID-19 pandemic. Children are presenting—likely after SARS-CoV-2 infection or exposure—with vague symptoms including fever, gastrointestinal distress, and/or rash. Objective To review what is currently known about multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, including physiology, signs and symptoms, laboratory and imaging findings, treatment options, and nursing considerations in critical care settings. Methods This integrative review was conducted using the keywords multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, Kawasaki-like syndrome, COVID, COVID-19, and SARS-CoV-2. Initially, 324 articles were found. All were screened, and 34 were included. Eight articles were added after hand-searching and weekly literature searches were conducted. Data Synthesis Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children is a newly identified syndrome, thus information on diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes is available but evolving. Many aspects of nursing care are important to consider with regard to this illness, including COVID precautions, physical assessments, medication administration, and timing of blood sampling for laboratory testing as well as other standard intensive care unit considerations. Providing anticipatory guidance and support to patients and their families is also important. Conclusion Critical care nurses must remain informed about advances in the care of patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, as these patients are often seen in critical care environments because of their high risk of cardiovascular failure.

Levosimendan versus dobutamine for sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Levosimendan and dobutamine are extensively used to treat sepsis-associated cardiovascular failure in ICU. Nevertheless, the role and mechanism of levosimendan in patients with sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy remains unclear. Moreover, previous studies on whether levosimendan is superior to dobutamine are still controversial. More importantly, these studies did not take changes (before-after comparison to the baseline) in quantitative parameters such as ejection fraction into account with the baseline level. Here, we aimed to determine the pros and cons of the two medicines by assessing the changes in cardiac function and blood lactate, mortality, with the standardized mean difference used as a summary statistic. Relevant studies were obtained by a thorough and disciplined literature search in several notable academic databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase until November 2020. Outcomes included changes in cardiac function, lactic acid, mortality and length of hospital stay. A total of 6 randomized controlled trials were included in this study, including 192 patients. Compared with dobutamine, patients treated with levosimendan had a greater improvement of cardiac index (ΔCI) (random effects, SMD = 0.90 [0.20,1.60]; I2 = 76%, P < 0.01) and left ventricular stroke work index (ΔLVSWI) (random effects, SMD = 1.56 [0.90,2.21]; I2 = 65%, P = 0.04), a significant decrease of blood lactate (Δblood lactate) (random effects, MD = − 0.79 [− 1.33, − 0.25]; I2 = 68%, P < 0.01) at 24-h after drug intervention, respectively. There was no significant difference between levosimendan and dobutamine on all-cause mortality in ICU (fixed effect, OR = 0.72 [0.39,1.33]; I2 = 0%, P = 0.99). We combine effect sizes related to different measurement parameters to evaluate cardiac function, which implied that septic patients with myocardial dysfunction might have a better improvement of cardiac function by levosimendan than dobutamine (random effects, SMD = 1.05 [0.69,1.41]; I2 = 67%, P < 0.01). This study suggested a significant improvement of CI, LVSWI, and decrease of blood lactate in septic patients with myocardial dysfunction in ICU after 24-h administration of levosimendan than dobutamine. However, the administration of levosimendan has neither an impact on mortality nor LVEF. Septic patients with myocardial dysfunction may partly benefit from levosimendan than dobutamine, mainly embodied in cardiac function improvement.

PROGNOSIS FOR SECONDARY PERITONITIS OUTCOME

Objectives. To develop a new system for predicting the outcome of secondary peritonitis and analyze its accuracy in comparison with the most common analogous systems. Methods. The study is based on the analysis of treatment results in patients (n=352) with secondary peritonitis. At admission sepsis was diagnosed in 15 (4.3%) patients, septic shock - in 4 (1.1%) persons. There were the following main causes of death in the mortality structure: purulent intoxication and/or sepsis - 51 cases (87.9%), cancer intoxication - 4 (6.9%) cases, acute cardiovascular failure - 3 cases (5.2%). The efficacy of the Mantheim Peritoneal Index (MPI), WSES prognostic score, APACHE-II scale, gSOFA score and Peritonitis Prediction System (PPS) developed by the authors were analyzed. The likelihood of the effect of 85 clinical and laboratory parameters on the outcome of patients with secondary peritonitis using nonparametric methods of statistical research (Fisher’s test, Mann-Whitney test, Chi-square with Yates correction) have been analyzed. Criteria predictively associated with lethal outcome (p <0.05) were selected, they were included in the PPS scale. To compare the predictive value of peritonitis prediction systems, ROC analysis was used with the construction of ROC curves for each of the systems. Results. The most important criteria in predicting fatal outcome are the patient’s age, the presence of malignant tumor, the exudate nature, sepsis (septic shock), and also polyorganic insufficiency which is not associated with developed peritonitis. To assess the prognostic value of peritonitis prediction systems, ROC curve analysis was used. The greatest accuracy in terms of predicting mortality in patients with generalized secondary peritonitis is possessed by PPS (AUC 0.942), minimal - APACHEII (AUC 0.840). Conclusion. APACHEII, MPI, WSESSSS and PPS systems can be considered as reliable in predicting mortality in patients with peritonitis. The greatest accuracy in predicting fatal outcome in patients with generalized secondary peritonitis had PPS (94%). What this paper adds An original system for predicting the outcome of peritonitis (PPS) has been developed. It was found that the criteria of the patient’s age, the presence of a malignant neoplasm, the nature of the exudate, sepsis (septic shock), as well as polyorganic insufficiency not associated with the developed peritonitis are of the greatest importance in predicting the death outcome. When conducting a comparative assessment with the most common similar systems (MPI, WSES SSS, APACHE-II), it was found that the most accurate in terms of predicting mortality in a patient with generalized secondary peritonitis is the PPS (AUC 0.942), the minimum - APACHEII (AUC 0.840).

Venoarterio-Venous (VA-V) ECMO Configuration: A Single-Center Experience

Patients in respiratory failure on VV ECMO may develop cardiovascular dysfunction necessitating additional hemodynamic support, while patients in cardiovascular failure on VA ECMO may require additional respiratory support for concurrent gas exchange abnormalities. A hybrid venoarterio-venous (VA-V) configuration provides both cardiac support via a traditional arterial reinfusion cannula and respiratory support via an additional venous reinfusion limb. We describe our single center experience using VA-V ECMO for patients (n = 14, median age 54) with combined cardiopulmonary failure or differential hypoxemia. Patients were treated with ECMO support for a median of 148.2 (IQR 122.6 – 174.4) hours, consisting of 0 (IQR 0 – 1.8) hours of VA and 92.4 (IQR 58 – 115) hours of VA-V followed by 46 (IQR 0 – 95.5) hours of VV support. Of these 14 patients, 11 survived to decannulation (79%) and 9 survived to hospital discharge (64%).

Possibilities of Surgical Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism in Patients After Spinal Surgery

Aim of study. Comprehensive assessment of clinical and hemodynamic results of surgical treatment of high- and intermediate-high risk of pulmonary embolism in a group of patients who underwent spinal surgery.Materials and methods. The analysis of the results of open surgical treatment of pulmonary embolism in high- and intermediate-high-risk patients after neurosurgical operations on the spine in the period from 2013 through 2019. The study group included 5 patients. The average age of patients was 59.74±3.42 years. The Wells index was 9.2±2.4. The Pesi index of the studied patients was in the range of 100–126, which allowed them to be classified as a high-risk group of 30-day mortality (class IV). Clinical manifestations of pulmonary embolism developed on average by 5.8±1.08 days after the initial neurosurgical intervention. The calculated pressure in the pulmonary artery was 56.6±8.22 mm Hg. In all cases, surgical intervention was performed for emergency indications, in conditions of artificial blood circulation, without aortic compression during the main stage of the operation.Results. The 30-day survival rate of patients was 100%. Among non-lethal postoperative complications, acute cardiovascular failure and hepatic-renal failure prevailed, which were levelled by the time the patients were transferred to a cardiac hospital. In 1 patient, the early postoperative period was complicated by the development of exudative pericarditis with cardiac tamponade, which required a finger revision of the anterior mediastinum, its drainage for 2 days. In all cases, there was an improvement in the condition of patients, in the form of increased tolerance to physical activity. The estimated pressure in the pulmonary artery at the time of discharge was 24.69±8.03 mm Hg.Conclusions. Surgical treatment of acute pulmonary embolism of high- and intermediate-high risk of early death in a group of patients with a neurosurgical profile is a highly effective and reliable method with great prospects for application.

Liver, Renal, and Cardiovascular Failure After Unintentional Overdose of Tizanidine in a 2-Year-Old Child

Tizanidine is a central alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist indicated for the treatment of spasticity in adults; however, its use in the pediatric population is considered off-label. In adults, the dose is gradually titrated until the desired reduction in muscle tone is achieved. Hypotension is a frequent adverse effect, but impaired liver function is not characteristic of alpha-2 adrenergic agonist overdose. We report a 2-year-old male affected with spastic quadriplegia (treated with clonazepam and tizanidine) and dysphagia (he was fed by nasogastric tube). Two days before admission caregivers ran out of clonazepam so they increased the tizanidine dose from 0.15 mg/kg/day to 1.6 mg/kg/day. Simultaneously his nasogastric tube fell out; therefore, he was unable to maintain proper oral nutrition and hydration. He presented to the emergency department hemodynamically unstable, with impaired consciousness and signs of severe dehydration. Blood tests revealed hepatic dysfunction without cholestasis and renal dysfunction. He was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit. Treatment was mainly supportive, apart from tizanidine discontinuation. Metabolic and infectious diseases were ruled out so he was finally diagnosed as having liver, renal, and cardiovascular failure after tizanidine overdose, worsened by dehydration. His clinical status improved, and after 3 weeks he was discharged from the hospital, receiving clonidine instead of tizanidine to treat spasticity. Tizanidine overdose can result in serious complications that can be worsened because of patient comorbidities.

Impact of Cardiovascular Failure in Intensive CareUnit-Acquired Pneumonia: A Single-Center, Prospective Study

Background: Cardiovascular failure (CVF) may complicate intensive care unit-acquired pneumonia (ICUAP) and radically alters the empirical treatment of this condition. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of CVF on outcome in patients with ICUAP. Methods: A prospective, single-center, observational study was conducted in six medical and surgical ICUs at a University Hospital. CVS was defined as a score of 3 or more on the cardiovascular component of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score. At the onset of ICUAP, CVF was reported as absent, transient (if lasting ≤ 3 days) or persistent (>3 days). The primary outcome was 90-day mortality modelled through a Cox regression analysis. Secondary outcomes were 28-day mortality, hospital mortality, ICU length of stay (LOS) and hospital LOS. Results: 358 patients were enrolled: 203 (57%) without CVF, 82 (23%) with transient CVF, and 73 (20%) with persistent CVF. Patients with transient and persistent CVF were more severely ill and presented higher inflammatory response than those without CVF. Despite having similar severity and aetiology, the persistent CVF group more frequently received inadequate initial antibiotic treatment and presented more treatment failures than the transient CVF group. In the persistent CVF group, at day 3, a bacterial superinfection was more frequently detected. The 90-day mortality was significantly higher in the persistent CVF group (62%). The 28-day mortality rates for patients without CVF, with transient and with persistent CVF were 19, 35 and 41% respectively and ICU mortality was 60, 38 and 19% respectively. In the multivariate analysis chronic pulmonary conditions, lack of Pa02/FiO2 improvement at day 3, pulmonary superinfection at day 3 and persistent CVF were independently associated with 90-day mortality in ICUAP patients. Conclusions: Persistent CVF has a significant impact on the outcome of patients with ICUAP. Patients at risk from persistent CVF should be promptly recognized to optimize treatment and outcomes.

Correlation between Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Heart Failure: A Review

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) led to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has resulted in devastating conditions worldwide. In addition to affecting the respiratory system, COVID-19 affects other systemic organs, and in particular, cardiovascular failure is related to the worsening of symptoms and death. Among these, cardiac insufficiency seems to be an important prognostic factor. Methods and Findings: We reviewed the association between COVID-19 and heart failure by searching Google Scholar and PubMed for reports related to COVID-19 and heart failure and selected those qualitatively and quantitatively established. The presence of heart failure may cause increased susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 due to an abnormal immune response, which may aggravate COVID-19. In addition, myocardial injury, cytokine storm, endothelial dysfunction, blood coagulation abnormality, and hypoxemia due to respiratory injury may lead to worsening heart failure. Conclusions: Heart failure and COVID-19 are closely related, and their mechanisms are diverse. Multidisciplinary treatment is required to control the progression of cardiac insufficiency, which complicates COVID-19. Further elucidation of the pathology and establishment of efficacious therapy is desirable.

Association of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) components with mortality

BackgroundSequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) is a practical and widely used method to describe and quantify the presence and severity of organ system dysfunctions and failures. Some proposals suggest that SOFA could be employed as an endpoint in interventional trials. To justify this, all SOFA components should have comparable weights as organ dysfunction measures. In this study we aimed to investigate whether the associations of different SOFA components with in-hospital mortality are comparable.MethodsWe performed a study based on nationwide register data on adult patients admitted to 26 Finnish intensive care units (ICUs) during 2012−2015. We determined the SOFA score as the maximum score in the first 24 hours after ICU admission. We defined organ failure as an organ-specific SOFA score of three or higher. We evaluated the association of different SOFA component scores with mortality using multivariable logistic regression analysis. ResultsOur study population comprised 63,756 ICU patients. Overall hospital mortality was 10.7%. In-hospital mortality was 22.5% for patients with respiratory failure, 34.8% for those with coagulation failure, 40.1% for those with hepatic failure, 14.9% for those with cardiovascular failure, 26.9% for those with neurologic failure and 34.6% for the patients with renal failure. The age-adjusted odds ratio for in-hospital death was 2.41 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.27-2.56] for respiratory failure, 4.04 (95% CI 3.57-4.57) for coagulation failure, 4.24 (95% CI 3.47-5.17), for hepatic failure, 1.57 (95% CI 1.47-1.67) for cardiovascular failure, 5.00 (95% CI 4.71-5.30) for neurologic failure, and 4.93 (95% CI 4.58-5.32) for renal failure. Organ failure combinations including cardiovascular failure were associated with lower mortality than other organ failure combinations.ConclusionsAll SOFA components are associated with mortality, but their weights are not comparable. High cardiovascular SOFA scores do not imply an equally high risk as high scores of other components.