Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2016;28(3):301-309
DOI 10.5935/0103-507X.20160054
To describe the characteristics of patients with HIV/AIDS and to compare the therapeutic interventions and end-of-life care before and after evaluation by the palliative care team.
This retrospective cohort study included all patients with HIV/AIDS admitted to the intensive care unit of the Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas who were evaluated by a palliative care team between January 2006 and December 2012.
Of the 109 patients evaluated, 89% acquired opportunistic infections, 70% had CD4 counts lower than 100 cells/mm3, and only 19% adhered to treatment. The overall mortality rate was 88%. Among patients predicted with a terminally ill (68%), the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy decreased from 50.0% to 23.1% (p = 0.02), the use of antibiotics decreased from 100% to 63.6% (p < 0.001), the use of vasoactive drugs decreased from 62.1% to 37.8% (p = 0.009), the use of renal replacement therapy decreased from 34.8% to 23.0% (p < 0.0001), and the number of blood product transfusions decreased from 74.2% to 19.7% (p < 0.0001). Meetings with the family were held in 48 cases, and 23% of the terminally ill patients were discharged from the intensive care unit.
Palliative care was required in patients with severe illnesses and high mortality. The number of potentially inappropriate interventions in terminally ill patients monitored by the palliative care team significantly decreased, and 26% of the patients were discharged from the intensive care unit.
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2008;20(2):210-212
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2008000200016
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia has been one of the most common diseases and life-threatening infectious complications in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients. The objective of the case report was to present a patient with probable diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia who received noninvasive positive pressure ventilation. CASE REPORT: A female patient, 25 years old, with probable diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia received noninvasive positive pressure ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: All respiratory parameters progressively improved in the first five days. Results suggest the efficacy of this support to improve oxygenation, to revert hypoxemia and to prevent orotracheal intubation.