Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2007;19(1):107-112
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2007000100014
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Weaning patients from mechanical ventilation is still a challenge in Intensive Care Units (ICU) and is related to complications and mortality. Daily rounds at the bedside, which are part of good care, can identify patients able to undergo to spontaneous breathing trials. The authors suggest one mnemonic technique with the term "ESTRATEGIA" (strategy) considering some key aspects, as a checklist, which can be applied by any person of the multidisciplinary team, during the bedside rounds, in order to shorten the weaning time. CONTENTS: To introduce the word Strategy as a mnemonic method based on the studies related to weaning from mechanical ventilation and its applicability as a checklist in any intensive care unit by the multidisciplinary team where each letter reminds some key aspects related to the subject. CONCLUSIONS: The applicability of a mnemonic mechanism as a checklist for weaning patients from mechanical ventilation easily practiced during the daily round to identify those who are able to undergo to spontaneous breathing trials.
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2007;19(1):113-117
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2007000100015
BACKGROUNG AND OBJECTIVES: Varicella is an exantematic disease caused by varicella-zoster virus. Varicella pneumonia complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is very rare in adults and is associated with high morbimortality. We report two cases of ARDS secondary to varicella-zoster virus pneumonia. CASES REPORT: We report two cases of ARDS and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) secondary to varicella-zoster virus pneumonia. A 15-year-old man with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and a 29-year-old immunocompetent female were admitted in the ICU with primary varicella infection and pneumonia. Both cases progressed towards ARDS, severe thrombocytopenia and acidosis. In addition cardiovascular and renal failure occurred in the first and second patients, respectively. Treatment consisted of immediate administration of intravenous acyclovir and a lung-protective ventilation strategy. CONCLUSIONS: Both cases of varicella-zoster pneumonia, complicated with ARDS and MODS, had a favourable outcome.
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2007;19(1):118-122
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2007000100016
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Critically ill patients represent a population with multiple risk factors for aspiration. Features such as decreased level of consciousness, mechanical ventilation, and comorbities as stroke, correlate with this increased threat in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Recognition of deglutition dysfunction may identify patients at high risk of aspiration, and thereby help to avoid pulmonary complications such as recurrent pneumonia. The goal of our report is show a severe case of recurrent aspirative pneumonia after acute stroke and intubation, alerting to appropriate diagnosis and treatment of this condition. CASE REPORT: A male patient, 57 year old, was admitted to the hospital because of acute stroke. Ten days later, the patient began to have fever and severe shortness of breath. He was admitted to the ICU necessitating of intratracheal intubation. Four days after intubation he was extubated, however, he had a new aspirative pneumonia in ICU, newly treated. An evaluation of swallowing demonstrated a severe deglutition dysfunction with a high risk of aspiration. The patient was transferred, but aspirative pneumonia was diagnosed eight days after his ICU discharge and he was readmitted, stayed for a long time in ICU and presenting severe morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: ICU patients who are at risk for swallowing dysfunction and aspiration should be identified to prevent their associated morbidity and mortality.
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2007;19(1):123-127
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2007000100017
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Negative pressure pulmonary edema after acute upper airway obstruction is a well-described event, thought infrequently diagnosed and reported. This report aimed at presenting a case of postextubation negative pressure pulmonary edema refractory to use of diuretics and with successful therapeutic after using positive pressure noninvasive mechanic ventilation. CASE REPORT: A 22-year-old-woman underwent an operation to opened colecistectomy. The preoperative exams were abnormality us. Immediately after the extubation the patient presented with dyspnea and lungs stertors. The treatment for the acute pulmonary edema started with oxygen therapy under Venturi mask, lifting up chest and diuretic. The patient was transferred to Intensive Care Unit due to the lack of success with the treatment. A noninvasive ventilation (NIV) was started with support pressure of 15 cmH2O and PEEP of 5 cmH2O with resolution of symptoms. The patient was maintained under observation for 24 hours after the event with good conditions and received discharge to room without symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Negative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) is a difficult diagnosed event and it must be always considered when patient develop with symptoms and signals of respiratory insufficiency postextubation. In our case was possible to treat with positive pressure non-invasive mechanical ventilation, but in case of the NIV failure the tracheal intubation and the invasive mechanical ventilatory support be initiated to improve the oxygen levels of the patient.
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2007;19(1):128-131
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2007000100018
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Strongyloides Stercoralis is a common cause of gastrointestinal infection. This nematode can produce an overwhelming hyperinfection syndrome, especially in the immunocompromised patient. Typically, patients present with pulmonary symptoms, but subsequently they can acquire Gram-negative sepsis. The objective of this report is to describe a lethal case and call attention to the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. CASE REPORT: Male patient, 60 year-old with diagnosis of timoma, treated with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the past. He presented to the emergency room complaining of diarrhea and dyspnea, and then transferred to the ICU after development of hypoxemic acute respiratory failure and refractory septic shock, and despite treatment the patient died. A bronchial sample of sputum showed Strongyloides stercoralis worms. CONCLUSIONS: Strongyloides stercoralis infection symptoms are usually mild, but in the setting of impaired host immunity, a disseminated and severe illness may occur. Clinicians must be aware for patients from endemic areas. Diagnosis may be established through sputum and stool examination for Strongyloides stercoralis worms.
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2007;19(1):132-132
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2007000100019
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2007;19(1):14-22
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2007000100002
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The diagnostic and treatment of sepsis continue to challenger all, and, more specific forms to approach are absolutely necessary. The objective of this study was to use proteomics techniques, two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, to verify the differential protein expression between serum of patients with sepsis and health controls. METHODS: Samples of serum the 30 patients with sepsis, caused for different types of microorganisms and serum of 30 health controls were obtained for analysis. Next, were submitted to 2D-SDS-PAGE, gels compared, selection of spots for excision and digestion with trypsin, being the peptides analyzed for MALDI TOF-TOF. The obtained spectrums were processed (Mascot-matrix science) for protein identification in NCBInr Data Bank. RESULTS: Image analyses showed several spots with differential expressions in the gels of the patients with sepsis in relation to the controls. The protein identification of some of these spots founded: Orosomucoid 1 precursor, Apolipoprotein A-IV, Apolipoprotein A-IV precursor, Haptoglobin protein precursor, Haptoglobin, Zinc finger protein, Serum amyloid A-1, Transthyretin, Nebulin, Complement C4, Alpha1-Antitrypsin, Unnamed protein product and others. CONCLUSIONS: Serum of the patients with different types of sepsis express characteristic protein profiles by 2D-SDS-PAGE compared with controls. The most expressed were from acute phase proteins and lipoproteins. It is possible in the future, with proteomics, create diagnostic panel of proteins, finding news biomarkers and targets for therapeutic interventions in sepsis. This is a first description, with proteomics, of the alterations in protein expression, in serum of the patients with sepsis.
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2007;19(1):23-30
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2007000100003
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Verify the association between clinical, epidemiological and laboratorial characteristics with mortality of septic patient in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) from Pernambuco, northeast of Brazil, to improve the attention for patients with sepse which are in risk of developing organ dysfunction. METHODS: Case-control study, without intervention, that included adults' patients admitted in ICU with sepsis or that developed it during ICU stay. RESULTS: It was included 199 patients. After logistic regression, the length of hospital stay more than 72 hours before admission in ICU, evidence of associated co-morbidities, more than three organ failures, and lactate more than 4 mmol/L were associated with mortality. The SOFA score with more than 12 points was associated with precocity mortality (< 72hours). CONCLUSIONS: The septic patients admitted ICU with less than 72h of hospital stay have a better prognosis, and those with a great number of organ failure, and co-morbidities have a superior mortality rate. Between laboratory results, only the high concentration of lactate is associated with mortality.