Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Sep 2015
The utility of a Personal Values Report for medical decision-making.
Our aim was to determine if a patient's Personal Values Report (PVR) has a positive impact on a doctor's decisions regarding treatment. We conducted a prospective cohort study delivering a short, web-based hypothetical case-centred questionnaire to intensive care doctors practising in Australia and New Zealand. One hundred and twenty-four intensive care consultants and registrars agreed to participate in an online questionnaire in two routine mailings between November 2013 and February 2014. ⋯ One hundred and twenty-one of the 124 participants (97.6%) agreed or strongly agreed that the PVR helped them get an understanding of the patient's wishes, whereas none of the participants (0%) were unsure, disagreed or strongly disagreed with this statement. The remaining 2.4% did not answer the question. It is surmised that PVRs pre-written by patients are potentially an effective and valuable tool for use in helping doctors make decisions regarding patient care.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Sep 2015
Central venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide gradient as a marker of occult tissue hypoperfusion after major surgery.
The central venous-arterial carbon dioxide tension gradient ('CO₂gap') has been shown to correlate with cardiac output and tissue perfusion in septic shock. Compared to central venous oxygen saturation (SCVO2), the CO₂gap is less susceptible to the effect of hyperoxia and may be particularly useful as an adjunctive haemodynamic target in the perioperative period. This study investigated whether a high CO₂gap was associated with an increased systemic oxygen extraction (O2ER >0.3) or occult tissue hypoperfusion in 201 patients in the immediate postoperative period. ⋯ A CO₂ gap >5 mmHg had a higher sensitivity (93%) and negative predictive value (74%) than a CO₂gap >6 mmHg in excluding occult tissue hypoperfusion. Of the four variables that were predictive of an increased O₂ER in the multivariate analysis-CO₂gap, arterial pH, haemoglobin and arterial lactate concentrations-the CO₂gap (odds ratio 4.41 per mmHg increment, 95% CI 1.7 to 11.2, P=0.002) was most important and explained about 34% of the variability in the risk of occult tissue hypoperfusion. In conclusion, a normal CO₂ gap (<5 mmHg) had a high sensitivity and negative predictive value in excluding inadequate systemic oxygen delivery and may be useful as an adjunct to other haemodynamic targets in avoiding occult tissue hypoperfusion in the perioperative setting when high inspired oxygen concentrations are used.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Sep 2015
Fluid administration, vasopressor use and patient outcomes in a group of high-risk cardiac surgical patients receiving postoperative goal-directed haemodynamic therapy: a pilot study.
The role of goal-directed therapy in high-risk cardiac surgical patients has not been determined. This study sought to observe the effect of a postoperative standardised haemodynamic protocol (SHP) on the administration of fluid and vasoactive drugs after high-risk cardiac surgery. This was an interventional pilot study. ⋯ There was no significant difference in the duration of noradrenaline infusion in the SHP cohort compared to historical controls (median [IQR] 18.5 hours [31.63] versus 18 hours [18.3]; P=0.35), despite patients receiving more fluid in their first 12 hours in the ICU (mean 4687 ml [SD ± 2284 ml] versus 1889 ml [SD ± 1344 ml]; P <0.001). The SHP cohort had a higher rate of reintubation (4 in 37 [10.8%] versus 0 in 40 [0%]; P=0.049). The SHP delivered significantly more fluid, but did not reduce the duration of noradrenaline infusion, compared to usual care.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Sep 2015
Infraclavicular axillary vein cannulation using ultrasound in a mechanically ventilated general intensive care population.
Central venous catheter (CVC) insertion is commonly undertaken in the ICU. The use of ultrasound (US) to facilitate CVC insertion is standard and is supported by guidelines. Because the subclavian vein cannot be insonated where it underlies the clavicle, its use as a CVC site is now less common. ⋯ Thirty-nine (31%) patients had a body mass index of 30 or above, 43 (34%) patients had a coagulopathy and 70 (56%) patients had significant ventilator dependence (FiO2 of 0.5 or above, or positive end expiratory pressure 10 cmH20 or above). The technique of US-guided axillary CVC access can be undertaken successfully in ventilated intensive care patients, even in challenging circumstances. Taken together with existing work on the utility and safety of this technique, we suggest that it be adopted more widely in the intensive care population.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Sep 2015
Factors associated with vancomycin nephrotoxicity in the critically ill.
Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic commonly used in the management of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. The recent increase in prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin has prompted experts to advocate for higher target trough serum concentrations. This study aimed to evaluate the potential consequences of more aggressive vancomycin therapy, by examining the association between higher serum concentrations and acute kidney injury (AKI) in a population of critically ill patients. ⋯ The median age was 57 (44 to 68) years, while the median trough serum concentration was 16 (10 to 19) mg/l. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified mean trough concentration (OR=1.174, P=0.024), APACHE II score (OR=1.141, P=0.012) and simultaneous aminoglycoside prescription (OR=18.896, P=0.002) as significant predictors of AKI. These data suggest higher trough vancomycin serum concentrations are associated with greater odds of AKI in the critically ill.