Abstract
Critical Care Science. 2024;36:e20240090en
DOI 10.62675/2965-2774.20240090-en
To evaluate whether the perfusion index response to semiorthostatic stress can be used to monitor the sympathetic-vascular response in sepsis patients.
Three groups were studied: Group A (30 healthy patients), Group B (30 critically ill patients without sepsis), and Group C (92 septic patients). The patients underwent a semiorthostatic stress test (head elevation from 0 to 60 degrees), and hemodynamics, perfusion index values and cardiac ultrasound data were evaluated. SOFA scores were also evaluated in septic patients, comparing those with increased and decreased perfusion indices after the test.
After the test, Group A presented significant reductions in stroke volume (p < 0.01) and the cardiac index (p < 0.05), with increases in heart rate (p < 0.05) and mean arterial pressure (p < 0.001). These responses were not observed in Groups B and C. In the individual analysis of Group A, there was a decrease in the perfusion index (p < 0,001), whereas in Groups B and C, the response was heterogeneous. Additionally, septic patients who had a reduced perfusion index after the test had a significant decrease in the SOFA score at 72 hours compared with the group with an increased perfusion index (p < 0.05). However, the delta-SOFA score did not differ between the groups.
The perfusion index response to semiorthostatic stress in sepsis patients is a simple and inexpensive method that can be used to detect the sympathetic-microvascular response at the bedside and appears to have prognostic value.
Abstract
Critical Care Science. 2023;35(2):117-146
DOI 10.5935/2965-2774.20230310-en
Echocardiography in critically ill patients has become essential in the evaluation of patients in different settings, such as the hospital. However, unlike for other matters related to the care of these patients, there are still no recommendations from national medical societies on the subject. The objective of this document was to organize and make available expert consensus opinions that may help to better incorporate echocardiography in the evaluation of critically ill patients. Thus, the Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira, the Associação Brasileira de Medicina de Emergência, and the Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Hospitalar formed a group of 17 physicians to formulate questions relevant to the topic and discuss the possibility of consensus for each of them. All questions were prepared using a five-point Likert scale. Consensus was defined a priori as at least 80% of the responses between one and two or between four and five. The consideration of the issues involved two rounds of voting and debate among all participants. The 27 questions prepared make up the present document and are divided into 4 major assessment areas: left ventricular function, right ventricular function, diagnosis of shock, and hemodynamics. At the end of the process, there were 17 positive (agreement) and 3 negative (disagreement) consensuses; another 7 questions remained without consensus. Although areas of uncertainty persist, this document brings together consensus opinions on several issues related to echocardiography in critically ill patients and may enhance its development in the national scenario.
Abstract
Critical Care Science. 2023;35(1):11-18
DOI 10.5935/2965-2774.20230336-en
To explain the rationale and protocol of the methods and analyses to be used in the LIVER-PAM randomized clinical trial, which seeks to understand whether a higher mean arterial pressure is capable of reducing the incidence of renal dysfunction postoperatively after liver transplantation.
LIVER-PAM is an open-label, randomized, controlled, singlecenter clinical trial. Patients randomized to the intervention group will have a mean arterial pressure of 85 - 90mmHg in the initial 24 hours of postoperative management, while patients in the control group will have a mean arterial pressure of 65 - 70mmHg in the same period. A sample of 174 patients will be required to demonstrate a 20% reduction in the absolute incidence of renal dysfunction, with a power of 80% and an alpha of 0.05.
If a 20% reduction in the absolute incidence of renal dysfunction in the postoperative period of liver transplantation is achieved with higher target mean arterial pressure in the first 24 hours, this would represent an inexpensive and simple therapy for improving current outcomes in the management of liver transplant patients.
Abstract
Revista Brasileira de Terapia Intensiva. 2021;33(2):206-218
DOI 10.5935/0103-507X.20210028
To describe fluid resuscitation practices in Brazilian intensive care units and to compare them with those of other countries participating in the Fluid-TRIPS.
This was a prospective, international, cross-sectional, observational study in a convenience sample of intensive care units in 27 countries (including Brazil) using the Fluid-TRIPS database compiled in 2014. We described the patterns of fluid resuscitation use in Brazil compared with those in other countries and identified the factors associated with fluid choice.
On the study day, 3,214 patients in Brazil and 3,493 patients in other countries were included, of whom 16.1% and 26.8% (p < 0.001) received fluids, respectively. The main indication for fluid resuscitation was impaired perfusion and/or low cardiac output (Brazil: 71.7% versus other countries: 56.4%, p < 0.001). In Brazil, the percentage of patients receiving crystalloid solutions was higher (97.7% versus 76.8%, p < 0.001), and 0.9% sodium chloride was the most commonly used crystalloid (62.5% versus 27.1%, p < 0.001). The multivariable analysis suggested that the albumin levels were associated with the use of both crystalloids and colloids, whereas the type of fluid prescriber was associated with crystalloid use only.
Our results suggest that crystalloids are more frequently used than colloids for fluid resuscitation in Brazil, and this discrepancy in frequencies is higher than that in other countries. Sodium chloride (0.9%) was the crystalloid most commonly prescribed. Serum albumin levels and the type of fluid prescriber were the factors associated with the choice of crystalloids or colloids for fluid resuscitation.
Abstract
Revista Brasileira de Terapia Intensiva. 2020;32(4):606-610
DOI 10.5935/0103-507X.20200099
The authors report a rare case of successful Advanced Life Support in the context of cardiac arrest due to the presence of an anomalous aortic origin of the right coronary artery in a 49-year-old patient. The patient was admitted due to chest pain and dyspnea, with rapid evolution of pulseless ventricular tachycardia and cardiopulmonary arrest. Acute myocardial infarction was considered, and in the absence of a hemodynamic laboratory in the hospital, thrombolysis was performed. Subsequently, coronary angiography revealed no angiographic lesions in the coronary arteries and an anomalous right coronary artery originating from the opposite sinus of Valsalva. Coronary computed tomography angiography confirmed this finding and determined the course between the pulmonary artery and the aorta. The patient underwent cardiac surgery with a bypass graft to the right coronary artery, with no recurrent episodes of arrythmia.
Abstract
Revista Brasileira de Terapia Intensiva. 2019;31(3):312-317
DOI 10.5935/0103-507X.20190056
To investigate the influence of respiratory distress syndrome management on clinical and echocardiographic parameters used for hemodynamic evaluation in ≤ 32- week newborns.
Thirty-three ≤ 32-week newborns were prospectively evaluated and subjected to invasive mechanical ventilation. The need for exogenous surfactant and clinical and echocardiographic parameters in the first 24 hours of life was detailed in this group of patients.
The mean airway pressure was significantly higher in newborn infants who required inotropes [10.8 (8.8 - 23) cmH2O versus 9 (6.2 - 12) cmH2O; p = 0.04]. A negative correlation was found between the mean airway pressure and velocity-time integral of the pulmonary artery (r = -0.39; p = 0.026), right ventricular output (r = -0.43; p = 0.017) and measurements of the tricuspid annular plane excursion (r = -0.37; p = 0.036). A negative correlation was found between the number of doses of exogenous surfactant and the right ventricular output (r = -0.39; p = 0.028) and pulmonary artery velocity-time integral (r = -0.35; p = 0.043).
In ≤ 32-week newborns under invasive mechanical ventilation, increases in the mean airway pressure and number of surfactant doses are correlated with the worsening of early cardiac function. Therefore, more aggressive management of respiratory distress syndrome may contribute to the hemodynamic instability of these patients.
Abstract
Revista Brasileira de Terapia Intensiva. 2017;29(3):346-353
DOI 10.5935/0103-507X.20170045
Patients admitted to an intensive care unit are prone to cumulated fluid overload and receive intravenous volumes through the aggressive resuscitation recommended for septic shock treatment, as well as other fluid sources related to medications and nutritional support. The liberal liquid supply strategy has been associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Although there are few prospective pediatric studies, new strategies are being proposed. This non-systematic review discusses the pathophysiology of fluid overload, its consequences, and the available therapeutic strategies. During systemic inflammatory response syndrome, the endothelial glycocalyx is damaged, favoring fluid extravasation and resulting in interstitial edema. Extravasation to the third space results in longer mechanical ventilation, a greater need for renal replacement therapy, and longer intensive care unit and hospital stays, among other changes. Proper hemodynamic monitoring, as well as cautious infusion of fluids, can minimize these damages. Once cumulative fluid overload is established, treatment with long-term use of loop diuretics may lead to resistance to these medications. Strategies that can reduce intensive care unit morbidity and mortality include the early use of vasopressors (norepinephrine) to improve cardiac output and renal perfusion, the use of a combination of diuretics and aminophylline to induce diuresis, and the use of sedation and early mobilization protocols.
Abstract
Revista Brasileira de Terapia Intensiva. 2017;29(1):70-76
DOI 10.5935/0103-507X.20170011
The present systematic review searched for published data on the prevalence of required conditions for proper assessment in critically ill patients.
The Medline, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched to identify studies that evaluated the prevalence of validated conditions for the fluid responsiveness assessment using respiratory variations in the stroke volume or another surrogate in adult critically ill patients. The primary outcome was the suitability of the fluid responsiveness evaluation. The secondary objectives were the type and prevalence of pre-requisites evaluated to define the suitability.
Five studies were included (14,804 patients). High clinical and statistical heterogeneity was observed (I2 = 98.6%), which prevented us from pooling the results into a meaningful summary conclusion. The most frequent limitation identified is the absence of invasive mechanical ventilation with a tidal volume ≥ 8mL/kg. The final suitability for the fluid responsiveness assessment was low (in four studies, it varied between 1.9 to 8.3%, in one study, it was 42.4%).
Applicability of the dynamic indices of preload responsiveness requiring heart-lung interactions might be limited in daily practice.