INTENSIVE CARE UNIT PRESCRIPTIONS MUST FIT RISK FACTORS TO PREVENT STRESS ULCER BLEEDING

ABSTRACT Background: The physiological stress of critically ill patients can trigger several complications, including digestive bleeding due to stress ulcers (DBSU). The use of acid secretion suppressants to reduce their incidence has become widely used, but with the current understanding of the risks of these drugs, their use, as prophylaxis in critically ill patients, is limited to the patients with established risk factors. Aim: To determine the appropriateness of the use of prophylaxis for stress ulcer bleeding in acutely ill patients admitted to intensive care units and to analyze the association of risk factors with adherence to the prophylaxis guideline. Methods: Retrospective, analytical study carried out in three general adult intensive care units. Electronic medical records were analyzed for epidemiological data, risk factors for DBSU, use of stress ulcer prophylaxis, occurrence of any digestive bleeding and confirmed DBSU. The daily analysis of risk factors and prophylaxis use were in accordance with criteria based on the Guidelines of the Portuguese Society of Intensive Care for stress ulcer prophylaxis. Results: One hundred and five patients were included. Of the patient days with the opportunity to prescribe prophylaxis, compliance was observed in 95.1%. Of the prescription days, 82.35% were considered to be of appropriate use. Overt digestive bleeding occurred in 3.81% of those included. The occurrence of confirmed DBSU was identified at 0.95%. Multivariate analysis by logistic regression did not identify risk factors independently associated with adherence to the guideline, but identified risk factors with a negative association, which were spinal cord injury (OR 0.02 p <0.01) and shock (OR 0.36 p=0.024). Conclusion: The present study showed a high rate of adherence to stress ulcer prophylaxis, but with inappropriate use still significant. In the indication of prophylaxis, attention should be paid to patients with spinal cord injury and in shock.

Somatostatin administration following pancreatoduodenectomy: a case-matched comparison according to surgical technique, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists’ score and Fistula Risk Score

Purpose This study evaluated the controversial role of somatostatin after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD), stratifying patients for the main risk factors using the most recent postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) classification and including only patients who had undergone PD with the same technique of pancreatojejunostomy. Methods Between November 2010 and February 2020, 218 PD procedures were carried out via personal modified pancreatojejunostomy (mPJ-PD). Somatostatin was routinely administered between 2010 and 2016, while from 2017, 97 mPJ-PD procedures without somatostatin (WS) were performed. The WS group was retrospectively compared with a control (C) group obtained with one-to-one case–control matching according to the body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists’ score, and Fistula Risk Score (FRS). Results A total of 144 patients (72 WS group versus 72 C group) were compared. In the WS group. 6 patients (8.3%) developed clinically relevant POPF, compared with 8 patients (11.1%) in the C group (p = 0.656). In addition, on analyzing the subgroup of high-risk patients according to the FRS, we did not note any significant differences in POPF occurrence. Furthermore, no marked differences in the morbidity or mortality were found. Digestive bleeding and diabetes onset rates were higher in the WS group than in the control group, but not significantly so. Conclusions The results of the present study confirm no benefit with the routine administration of somatostatin after PD to prevent POPF, even in high-risk patients. However, a possible role in the prevention of postoperative digestive bleeding and diabetes was observed.

INFECCIÓN POR UNCINARIAS EN UN LACTANTE MENOR: REPORTE DE CASO

Hookworms are endemic nematodes from tropical regions. Infection is more common in preschool and school children, but it is less frequent in infants under 6 months, because of the transmission mechanism that implies contact between contaminated soil and skin. The clinical disease is characterized by manifestations related to iron-deficiency anemia, secondary to a chronic digestive blood loss. An unusual way of presentation is the massive digestive bleeding that causes severe anemia. Case report: A four month shuar girl with no significant medical history, referred from General Puyo hospital, presented upper digestive bleeding of 3 months duration. At month of age, the girl presented self-limited melenas and skin pallor that worsen two weeks before the admission. The girl was hypo active, with a pale complexion, and had edema of feet. Her blood count showed hemoglobin 2.8 g/dl, hematocrit 9%, mean corpuscular volume 73 fl, red cell distribution width 18%, reticulocyte count 1%, eosinophils 4%. Coprological analysis reported tarry stools, positive fecal occult blood test, and hookworm eggs determined by Kato – Katz as a moderate infection. It was diagnosed iron-deficiency anemia secondary to an upper digestive bleeding caused by hookworms. The infection was treated with a single oral dose of albendazole 400mg plus blood transfusion. After 5 days of treatment, hemoglobin increased and edema was reduced. Melenas disappeared completely. Finally the discharge was indicated for outdoor control. Conclusion: Hookworm infestation is an endemic disease whose presence and impact in infants has been underestimated because it is not necessary as a cause of digestive bleeding. This disease should be considered in contexts of endemic areas in children who meet a clinical profile similar to that described.