Purpose
More than 20 years ago we reported an analysis of a case series of elderly critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI)—then termed acute renal failure. At that time, AKI was ...regarded as a “simple” complication, but has since undergone a fundamental change and actually has become one of the central syndromes in the critically ill patient.
Methods
We have analyzed elderly patients above 65 years of age with an AKI defined as serum creatinine above 3 mg/dl corresponding to modern KDIGO stage 3, most of them requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). Using an extremely complete data set the diagnosis differentiated the underlying disease entity, the dominant cause of AKI, acute and chronic risk factors (comorbidities). Special aspects such as severity of disease, early AKI at admission versus late AKI, early versus later start of RRT, AKI not treated by RRT in spite of indication for RRT, various measures of short-term and long-term prognosis, renal outcome, patients dying with resolved AKI, and causes of death were evaluated.
Results
Crude mortality was 61 % which corresponds to modern studies with gross variation among the different subgroups. Age per se was not a determinant of survival either within the group of elderly patients or as compared to younger age groups. Despite an increase in mean age and disease severity during the observation period prognosis improved. A total of 17 % of patients developed a chronic kidney disease. Long-term survival as compared to the general population was low.
Conclusions
A look back at the last two decades illustrates a remarkable evolution or rather metamorphosis of a syndrome. AKI has evolved as a central syndrome in intensive care patients, a systemic disease process associated with multiple systemic sequels and extra-renal organ injury and exerting a pronounced effect on the course of disease and short- and long-term prognosis not only of the patient but also of the kidney. Moreover, the “non-renal-naïve” elderly patient with multiple comorbidities has become the most frequent ICU patient in industrialized nations.
Emergency department (ED) admissions have been rising over the last decades, especially in countries without any effective gate-keeping functions. Integration of walk-in clinics into the hospital ...might reduce ED-visits. Over a longer period, however, the additional service of a walk-in clinic might attract even more patients, nullifying an initial decrease in patients for the ED.
This study aimed to determine short- and intermediate-term changes after the implementation of a hospital-integrated walk-in clinic. This is an observational study using routinely-collected health data. Study setting was the ED of a large tertiary care hospital in Austria, a country with universal health care and no regulations regarding level of care.
ED-visits were compared between before (2015) and after (2017 and 2018) establishment of a hospital-integrated walk-in clinic.
Total ED-visits decreased from 87,624 in 2015 to 67,479 in 2017, and 67,871 in 2018 (p < 0.001), mainly due to a decrease in non-urgent (ESI 4 & 5) cases (45,715 (54.1%) in 2015; 33,142 (51.3%) in 2017; 30,846 (47.5%) in 2018; short term OR non-urgent vs. urgent: 0.89 (95% CI 0.88–0.91); intermediate term OR urgent vs. non-urgent: 0.76 (95% CI 0.78–0.75)). A total of 2611 (13%) (2017) and 1714 (8.5%) (2018) patients were referred back to the ED.
After the introduction of the walk-in clinic, ED-visits declined significantly. This remained stable over a two-year period. Reduction in ED-visits was mainly due to low-acuity patients not requiring admission to the hospital.
•After the introduction of a walk-in clinic, ED-visits declined significantly.•The absolute number of patients admitted to the hospital did not change.•The reduction in ED-visits was due to low-acuity patients not requiring admission to the hospital.•Relevant difference in decline of visits between different sub-specialities.•This effect remained stable over a two-year period.
Abstract Aim Cardiac arrest centers have been associated with improved outcome for patients after cardiac arrest. Aim of this study was to investigate the effect on outcome depending on admission to ...high-, medium- or low volume centers. Methods Analysis from a prospective, multicenter registry for out of hospital cardiac arrest patients treated by the emergency medical service of Vienna, Austria. The frequency of cardiac arrest patients admitted per center/year (low <50; medium 50–100; high >100) was correlated to favorable outcome (30-day survival with cerebral performance category of 1 or 2). Results Out of 2238 patients (years 2013–2015) with emergency medical service resuscitation, 861 (32% female, age 64 (51;73) years) were admitted to 7 different centers. Favorable outcome was achieved in 267 patients (31%). Survivors were younger (58 vs. 66 years; p < 0.001), showed shockable initial heart rhythm more frequently (72 vs. 35%; p < 0.001), had shorter CPR durations (22 vs. 29 min; p < 0.001) and were more likely to be treated in a high frequency center (OR 1.6; CI: 1.2–2.1; p = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, age below 65 years (OR 15; CI: 3.3–271.4; p = 0.001), shockable initial heart rhythm (OR 10.1; CI: 2.4–42.6; p = 0.002), immediate bystander or emergency medical service CPR (OR 11.2; CI: 1.4–93.3; p = 0.025) and admission to a center with a frequency of >100 OHCA patients/year (OR 5.2; CI: 1.2–21.7; p = 0.025) was associated with favorable outcome. Conclusions High frequency of post-cardiac arrest treatment in a specialized center seems to be an independent predictor for favorable outcome in an unselected population of patients after out of hospital cardiac arrest.
This study compared the treatment outcomes of acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) at an academic tertiary care emergency department before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyzing data from 976 ...patients, our study showed a significant surge in overall respiratory therapy interventions amidst the noticeable decline in the total number of AECOPD cases during the pandemic. The marked increase in the utilization of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) was particularly important, soaring from 12% to 18% during the pandemic. Interestingly, this heightened reliance on NIV stood in contrast to the stability observed in other therapeutic modalities, including oxygen insufflation alone, high-flow nasal cannulas, and invasive ventilation. This distinctive treatment pattern underscores the adaptability of healthcare providers in the face of novel challenges, with a discernible emphasis on the strategic utilization of NIV. The shift in patient acuity during the pandemic became evident as the data showed a cohort of individuals presenting with AECOPD who were more severely ill. This was reflected in the increased use of NIV and, notably, a statistically significant rise in one-year mortality rates-from 32% before the pandemic to 38% during the pandemic (
= 0.046). These findings underscore the intricate balance healthcare providers must strike in navigating the complexities of patient care during a public health crisis. A closer examination of the longitudinal trajectory revealed a subtle decrease in re-admission rates from 65% to 60%. The increased reliance on NIV, a key finding of this investigation, reflects a strategic response to the unique demands of the pandemic, potentially influenced by both medical considerations and non-medical factors, such as the prevalent "fear of aerosols" and the imperative to navigate transmission risks within the healthcare setting. These insights contribute to understanding the evolving dynamics of AECOPD management during public health crises.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and the hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) represent potentially life-threatening situations in adults. Therefore, rapid comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic ...measures with close monitoring of vital and laboratory parameters are required. The treatment of DKA and HHS is essentially the same and replacement of the mostly substantial fluid deficit with several liters of a physiological crystalloid solution is the first and most important step. Serum potassium concentrations need to be carefully monitored to guide its substitution. Regular insulin or rapid acting insulin analogues can be initially administered as an i.v. bolus followed by continuous infusion. Insulin should be switched to subcutaneous injections only after correction of the acidosis and stable glucose concentrations within an acceptable range.
Abstract Background Deficits in cognitive function are a well-known dysfunction in survivors of cardiac arrest. However, data concerning memory function in this neurological vulnerable patient ...collective remain scarce and inconclusive. Therefore, we aimed to assess multiple aspects of retrospective and prospective memory performance in patients after cardiac arrest. Methods We prospectively enrolled 33 survivors of cardiac arrest, with cerebral performance categories (CPC) 1 and 2 and a control-group ( n = 33) matched in sex, age and educational-level. To assess retrospective and prospective memory performance we administrated 4 weeks after cardiac arrest the “Rey Adult Learning Test” (RAVLT), the “Digit-Span-Backwards Test”, the “Logic-Memory Test” and the “Red-Pencil Test”. Results Results indicate an impairment in immediate and delayed free recall, but not in recognition. However, the overall impairment in immediate recall was qualified by analyzing RAVLT performance, showing that patients were only impaired in trials 4 and 5 of the learning sequence. Moreover, working and prospective memory as well as prose recall were worse in cardiac arrest survivors. Cranial computed tomography was available in 61% of all patients ( n = 20) but there was no specific neurological damage detectable that could be linked to this cognitive impairment. Conclusion Episodic long-term memory functioning appears to be particularly impaired after cardiac arrest. In contrast, short-term memory storage, even tested via free-call, seems not to be affected. Based on cranial computed tomography we suggest that global brain ischemia rather than focal brain lesions appear to underlie these effects.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Treatment focuses on the rapid elimination of CO and management of hypoxia. Oxygen is the cornerstone of therapy, and usually ...applied via a reservoir face mask. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy eliminates CO faster, but requires extensive equipment and expertise. Non-invasive continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilation using a tight mask provides a higher inspired fraction of oxygen (FiO2) compared to a reservoir face mask, and increases gas exchange. As this modality is widely available, it might represent a supplemental approach to current treatment of CO poisoning.
We present two simultaneous cases of a married couple of 31- and 34-year-old patients, who concurrently suffered CO intoxication due to a faulty gas heater in their apartment. Both reported similar symptoms of headache and weakness, and carboxyhemoglobin (COHb)-levels at admission were 21% in both patients. One patient was treated by non-invasive CPAP-ventilation support with a FiO2 of 100%, whereas the other was treated by conventional oxygen inhalation. In the patient treated by CPAP, COHb-levels fell quickly to 6% within one hour, and reached 3% after 90 min, whereas it took six hours to reach the same levels in the patient with conventional treatment.
This vividly illustrates the potential of CPAP therapy as an alternative to conventional oxygen inhalation in the treatment of CO poisoning.
Cerebral metabolic alterations during cardiac arrest, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and extracorporeal cardiopulmonary life support (ECLS) are poorly explored. Markers are needed for a more ...personalized resuscitation and post-resuscitation care. Aim of this study was to investigate early metabolic changes in the hippocampal CA1 region during ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest (VF-CA) and ECLS versus conventional CPR. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (350g) underwent 8min untreated VF-CA followed by ECLS (n = 8; bloodflow 100ml/kg), mechanical CPR (n = 18; 200/min) until return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Shams (n = 2) were included. Glucose, glutamate and lactate/pyruvate ratio were compared between treatment groups and animals with and without ROSC. Ten animals (39%) achieved ROSC (ECLS 5/8 vs. CPR 5/18; OR 4,3;CI:0.7-25;p = 0.189). During VF-CA central nervous glucose decreased (0.32±0.1mmol/l to 0.04±0.01mmol/l; p<0.001) and showed a significant rise (0.53±0.1;p<0.001) after resuscitation. Lactate/pyruvate (L/P) ratio showed a 5fold increase (31 to 164; p<0.001; maximum 8min post ROSC). Glutamate showed a 3.5-fold increase to (2.06±1.5 to 7.12±5.1μmol/L; p<0.001) after CA. All parameters normalized after ROSC with no significant differences between ECLS and CPR. Metabolic changes during ischemia and resuscitation can be displayed by cerebral microdialysis in our VF-CA CPR and ECLS rat model. We found similar microdialysate concentrations and patterns of normalization in both resuscitation methods used. Institutional Protocol Number: GZ0064.11/3b/2011.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Ibutilide is a rapid-acting antiarrhythmic drug with worldwide use for conversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation. Vernakalant, approved in the EU in 2010, is likewise used intravenously, with ...proven efficacy and safety compared with placebo and amiodarone in randomized clinical trials. The aim of our study was to compare the time to conversion and the conversion rate within 90 min in patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation treated with vernakalant or ibutilide.
A randomized controlled trial registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01447862) was performed in 100 patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation treated at the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital. Patients received up to two short infusions of vernakalant (n = 49; 3 mg/kg followed by 2 mg/kg if necessary) or ibutilide (n = 51; 1 mg followed by another 1 mg if necessary) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Clinical and laboratory variables, adverse events, conversion rates, and time to conversion were recorded. Time to conversion of AF to sinus rhythm was significantly shorter in the vernakalant group compared with the ibutilide group (median time: 10 vs. 26 min, P = 0.01), and likewise the conversion success within 90 min was significantly higher in the vernakalant group (69 vs. 43%, log-rank P = 0.002). No serious adverse events occurred.
Vernakalant was superior to ibutilide in converting recent-onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm in the emergency department setting.
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