Critical care explorations
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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the overall occurrence of inhospital mortality in trauma patients who were placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation following the complication of the acute respiratory distress syndrome. ⋯ Approximately 2% of acute respiratory distress syndrome patients were placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The overall inhospital mortality remained high despite patients being placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
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In practice, midodrine has been used to reduce IV vasopressor requirements and decrease ICU length of stay. However, recent publications have failed to show clinical success when midodrine was administered every 8 hours. One possible reason for the lack of clinical efficacy at this dosing interval may be the pharmacokinetic properties of midodrine that support a more frequent dosing interval. Here, we report our institutional experience with midodrine at a dosing frequency of every 6 hours.
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To investigate the differences in clinical course, ventilator mechanics, and outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 secondary to acute respiratory distress syndrome infection compared with a historical cohort of acute respiratory distress syndrome. ⋯ Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 secondary to acute respiratory distress syndrome infection demonstrated higher mortality compared with control patients hospitalized with acute respiratory distress syndrome prior to the pandemic, with progressive hypoxia throughout the study period, despite similar lung mechanics and initial Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score. Coronavirus disease 2019 infection, older age, paralytic use, and higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores were independent risk factors for 28-day mortality across the entire cohort.
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Andexanet alfa is the first approved antidote in the management of life-threatening bleeds in patients treated with Xa inhibitors. The ANNEXA-4 study was successful in reducing factor Xa levels during time of administration but lacked correlation to improved patient outcomes. Given its novel mechanism of action, U.S. boxed warning, cost of up to $58,000 per dose, and limited efficacy data compared with standard of care, hospitals are faced with a dilemma with its addition to formulary and process for ensuring optimized use. The objective of this study was to evaluate adherence to institution restriction criteria and the clinical outcomes of treatment for patients for whom andexanet alfa is requested. ⋯ A greater rate of adverse effects and mortality was identified with the use of andexanet alfa compared with clinical trials. This is potentially due to its use in a more severely ill patient population and lack of adherence to restriction criteria.
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Several inflammation markers have been reported to be associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes in critically ill patients. We aimed to elucidate whether serum interleukin-6 concentration considered with Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score can better predict mortality in critically ill patients. ⋯ Accuracy for 28-day mortality prediction was improved by adding serum interleukin-6 concentration to Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score.