Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2007;19(3):284-291
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2007000300003
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In our country, the abstinence syndrome has high prevalence and besides the distress prolongs the length of hospital stay. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of associating oral clonidine to the intravenous morphine plus midazolam continuous infusion in children submitted to mechanical ventilation. METHODS: Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study, conducted in the PICU at the Hospital Geral of Caxias do Sul. All children (1-36 months) submitted to mechanical ventilation over 12 hours (May-2005/August-2006), which had used intravenous morphine and midazolam continuous infusion were included. They were randomized to received clonidine (5 µg/kg) or placebo associated to the sedative continuous infusion. The infusion sedative doses were at the discretion of the assistant physician. The administered doses in the previous 24 hours and the doses of intermittent sedation were daily collected. The abstinence syndrome was defined based on Finnegan Score. The groups were compared regarding the cumulative doses of sedatives, length of use of sedative continuous infusion, presence and duration of the abstinence. RESULTS: Were included 69 patients (31 in the clonidine group and 38 in the placebo group). The two groups were similar regarding the general characteristics (weight, age, gender, indication of mechanical ventilation). The midazolam and morphine doses (cumulative and intermittent doses) were not different in both groups. Completed the study 59 patients, 25 in clonidine group and 34 in placebo group. The prevalence of the abstinence was similar (72% and 75%, respectively), without difference in the recovery time neither related to the length of mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: In children submitted to mechanical ventilation using high dose of opioids and diazepinic infusion the addiction of clonidine did not decrease the daily doses neither the cumulative doses and nevertheless reduced the prevalence and the evolution of abstinence syndrome.
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2007;19(3):292-296
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2007000300004
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is the most serious complication of rhabdomyolysis. In this syndrome, the delivery of heme pigment induces an injury that distinguishes itself by glomerular vasoconstriction and direct cellular toxicity with oxidative component. The renoprotection with antioxidants has demonstrated satisfactory effect. The proanthocyanidins are natural antioxidants found in the grape seed extract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effect of Vitis vinifera (grape seed extract) on the renal function of rats submitted to the injury by rhabdomyolysis. METHODS: Wistar rats, male, adults, weight ranging from 250-300g were used. The AKI was induced by intramuscular administration of glycerol 50%. The animals were distributed in 4 groups: Saline group (6 mL/kg of NaCl 0.9% intraperitoneal once a day), Glycerol group (6 mL/kg) of intramuscular glycerol each femoral region received 3 mL/kg of glycerol, once a day), Vitis vinifera group (3 mg/kg/day v.o by 5 days) and Glycerol + Vitis vinifera by 5 days before glycerol). RESULTS: Renal function (RF-creatinine clearance) and oxidative profile (urinary peroxides-FOX-2 and MDA-TBARS) were evaluted. The Glycerol group treated with Vitis vinifera has shown improvements in RF and reduction levels of lipid peroxidation. CONCLUSION: The results of this study have confirmed the antioxidant protection of Vitis vinifera in AKI induced by glycerol.
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2007;19(3):297-303
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2007000300005
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Phase angle (PA) is the difference between voltage and current and can be used as an indicator of body cell mass. Clinical studies show that low phase angle is associated with morbidity and mortality of critical patients. The purpose of this study was to know the relation between phase angle and the Pediatric Risk of Mortality I (PRISM I) score, associating this score with the severity of sepsis. METHODS: A transversal study was performed at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Instituto Fernandes Figueira. The patients were classified according to age, gender, sepsis severity, cause of respiratory failure, PRISM I score, multiple organ dysfunction syndromes (MODS). Electrical bioimpedance analysis (BIA) was performed in all patients. Phase angle was calculated directly from reactance (Xc) and resistance (R). AF = arc-tangent reactance/resistance x 180º/Pi. RESULTS: 75 patients (68 septic) were evaluated. The incidence of septic shock was 39.7%, severe sepsis 42.6% and sepsis 17.6%. There was no significative statistical difference between the mean values of BIA and the categories of PRISM I, MODS, or the length of stay the PICU. The PA's lowest values (1.5º-2.2º) were associated to the greatest PRISM's scores (> 30%). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric critical patients show low phase angle values, which might have prognostic implication.
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2007;19(3):304-309
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2007000300006
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The intensive care Medicine was initiated in the State of the Acre in 1998. The aim of the present study was to establish clinical-epidemiological characteristics of adults and aged interned in a public intensive care unit (ICU) in the Amazon. METHODS: In 2004, a prospective study evaluated patients interned through the application of a questionnaire containing socioeconomics variables, invasive procedures, mechanical ventilation, nutritional support, surgical interventions and dialitic treatment. The gravity was established by APACHE II applied after 24 hours of internment. The follow up continued until the final destination in the unit: discharge or death. The statistical analysis used program SPSS, considering differences significant when p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 79 patients were assessed; 67.1% men; 59.5% white; 59.5% married; 50.4% came from other hospitals; 41.8% from the interior and 13.9% from others States and country (Bolivia) in frontier. The age varied from 20 to 104 (53.3 ± 18.6) years old; 30 (36.1%) aged (60 y old or more); 35 (44.3%) in surgical treatment; the median APACHE II was 18.4 ± 9.1. The stay in the UCI was of 10.2 ± 9.6 days; death occurred in 30 (38%) patients. Association between mortality and dialitic treatment, clinical indication, mechanical ventilation, vasoactive therapy, number of surgical interventions, hypoalbuminemia, lymphocytopenia and gravity was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The admission of severely ill patients coming from all over the State of Acre and frontier regions reflects the lack of ICU beds in the region.
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2007;19(3):310-316
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2007000300007
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The cuff leak test aims to evaluate the presence of airway obstruction and normally is carried through in the controlled mode of mechanical ventilation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cuff leak in patients breathing spontaneously, across three different methods, and to compare them. METHODS: Twenty intubated patients had been submitted to three different forms of cuff leak test, all of them in spontaneous respiration: measuring air leak buy using a ventilometer and with the patient connected to the mechanical ventilator (test 1); through the display of the mechanical ventilator (test 2); and with ventilometer and the patient detached from the mechanical ventilator (test 3). The air leak around the tracheal tube (TT) was defined as the percentage difference between the inspired tidal volume (insufflated cuff) and exhaled (deflated cuff). The air leak differences between the three tests were evaluated, as well as their correlations to three variables: cuff pressure, TT diameter and intubation time. RESULTS: Statistically significant (p < 0.05) air leak difference was observed between the tests 1 and 2 in relation to the test 3 in the general and regarding time intubation below 48h and cuff pressure below 20 cmH2O. Regarding the tube diameter, it had been difference only between tests 2 and 3 for 8.5 mm tubes. CONCLUSIONS: The cuff leak test in spontaneous ventilation seems to be more accurate when the patient is connected to the mechanical ventilator, and that additional studies are needed to determine the real contribution of the test in this ventilation mode to predict laryngeal edema.
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2007;19(3):317-321
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2007000300008
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The tube cuff pressure directly transmitted on the tracheal wall in an irregular form can cause injuries and lead to bronchoaspiration. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that the implementation of routine tube cuff pressure measurements result in a reliable control to maintain the measurements within the parameters considered safe, thus preventing the described complications. METHODS: A total of 3,195 tube cuff measurements were obtained from 1,194 male and female patients admitted at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Coronary Unit (CU), who were undergoing mechanical ventilation with endotracheal prosthesis and tracheotomy cannula, during the morning and afternoon periods. RESULTS: From March to August 2005 the follow-up of the measurements obtained by the physical therapy professionals was carried out and it was observed that the measurements were irregular, on average, in 80% of the cases. Thus, a training program was established, which was focused on the Nursing Teams of the ICU and CU, consisting in providing directions for the adequate procedures performed at the bedside (in loco training). The training procedures were carried out at two different periods (morning and afternoon) in order to include the whole team. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that it is necessary to monitor tube cuff pressure through the implementation of routine measurements in the morning, afternoon and evening periods as a prophylactic measure, in order to prevent the possible complications of tracheal prosthesis balloon pressure.