Chronic Critical Illness: Application of What We Know

Prognostic impact of hypernatremia for septic shock patients in the intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

Hypernatremia represents a significant electrolyte imbalance associated with numerous adverse outcomes, particularly in cases of intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired hypernatremia (IAH). Nevertheless, its relevance in patients with septic shock remains uncertain.

AIM

To identify independent risk factors and their predictive efficacy for IAH to improve outcomes in patients with septic shock.

METHODS

In the present retrospective single-center study, a cohort of 157 septic shock patients with concurrent hypernatremia in the ICU at The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, between August 1, 2018, and May 31, 2023, were analyzed. Patients were categorized based on the timing of hypernatremia occurrence into the IAH group (n = 62), the non-IAH group (n = 41), and the normonatremia group (n = 54).

RESULTS

In the present study, there was a significant association between the high serum sodium concentrations, excessive persistent inflammation, immunosuppression and catabolism syndrome and chronic critical illness, while rapid recovery had an apparent association with normonatremia. Moreover, multivariable analyses revealed the following independent risk factors for IAH: Total urinary output over the preceding three days [odds ratio (OR) = 1.09; 95%CI: 1.02-1.17; P = 0.014], enteral nutrition (EN) sodium content of 500 mg (OR = 2.93; 95%CI: 1.13-7.60; P = 0.027), and EN sodium content of 670 mg (OR = 6.19; 95%CI: 1.75-21.98; P = 0.005) were positively correlated with the development of IAH. Notably, the area under the curve for total urinary output over the preceding three days was 0.800 (95%CI: 0.678-0.922, P = 0.001). Furthermore, maximum serum sodium levels, the duration of hypernatremia, and varying sodium correction rates were significantly associated with 28-day in-hospital mortality in septic shock patients (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The present findings illustrate that elevated serum sodium level was significantly associated with a poor prognosis in septic shock patients in the ICU. It is highly recommended that hypernatremia be considered a potentially important prognostic indicator for the outcome of septic shock.

The effect of serum cortisol level on the outcomes of Persistent Inflammation, Immunosuppression and Catabolism Syndrome patients in the intensive care unit

Objective

This study sought to elucidate the potential association between serum cortisol level and clinical outcomes in patients diagnosed with Persistent Inflammation, Immunosuppression, and Catabolism Syndrome (PIICS).

Methods

This prospective observational study, initiated in January 2023 and concluded in July 2023 enrolled 42 patients diagnosed with PIICS admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Training and Research Hospital. For the purpose of analysis, serum cortisol levels were categorized as low (<15 μg/dL) and high (>15 μdL). To facilitate data organization and subsequent analysis, measurements were categorized into three time intervals following ICU admission: T1 (days 14-21), T2 (days 21-28), and T3 (days >28). Statistical analysis was performed using IBM-SPSS 28. A significance level of p < 0.05 was set to determine statistically significant differences between groups.

Results

Cortisol measured at T3 were significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to T2. In contrast, SOFA scores were significantly higher (p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed between the low and high cortisol level groups at T1, T2 and T3 in terms of gender, APACHE-2 score, SOFA score, ICU length of stay (days), duration of mechanical ventilation (days), mortality rate, or mechanical ventilation requirement at discharge. Patients in the low cortisol group at T3 exhibited a significantly higher mean age compared to those in the high cortisol group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Cortisol levels in ICU patients may change over time. That cortisol levels tend to decrease as the length of stay increases, in older patients, and in PIICS patients with elevated SOFA scores.

Determining if Admission Thromboelastography can Predict the Development of Late Resolving Multiple Organ Failure in Trauma Patients

BACKGROUND

Normal coagulation TEG values on admission negatively correlate with overall risk of multiple organ failure, but less is known about association between coagulation and late-resolving multiple organ failure (LRMOF) risk. Here, the relationship between TEG parameters and development of LRMOF was investigated.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective assessment of patients at high postinjury multiple organ failure risk at our center. The primary outcome was LRMOF.

RESULTS

Analysis included 742 patients. Demographics were 76% male, mean age of 41, mean ISS of 23, 34% hypercoagulability, and 16% developed LRMOF. Patients with normal admission TEG developed LRMOF at significantly lower unadjusted rates than patients with coagulation disturbances (9 vs 16%-19%, P = 0.029); however, multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that neither coagulation profile nor individual admission TEG parameters showed association with LRMOF.

CONCLUSIONS

In this series, we found no significant relationship between coagulation status and LRMOF development.

Definitions, epidemiology, and outcomes of persistent/chronic critical illness: a scoping review for translation to clinical practice

BACKGROUND

Medical advances in intensive care units (ICUs) have resulted in the emergence of a new patient population-those who survive the initial acute phase of critical illness, but require prolonged ICU stays and develop chronic critical symptoms. This condition, often termed Persistent Critical Illness (PerCI) or Chronic Critical Illness (CCI), remains poorly understood and inconsistently reported across studies, resulting in a lack of clinical practice use. This scoping review aims to systematically review and synthesize the existing literature on PerCI/CCI, with a focus on definitions, epidemiology, and outcomes for its translation to clinical practice.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted using MEDLINE and Scopus, adhering to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Peer-reviewed original research articles published until May 31, 2024 that described adult PerCI/CCI in their definitions of patient populations, covariates, and outcomes were included. Data on definitions, epidemiology, and outcomes were extracted by a data charting process from eligible studies and synthesized.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these studies, 64 used the term CCI, 18 used PerCI, and 17 used other terms. CCI definitions showed greater variability, while PerCI definitions remained relatively consistent, with an ICU stay ≥ 14 days for CCI and ≥ 10 days for PerCI being the most common. A meta-analysis of the prevalence of PerCI/CCI among the denominators of "all ICU patients", "sepsis", "trauma", and "COVID-19" showed 11% (95% confidence interval 10-12%), 28% (22-34%), 24% (15-33%), and 35% (20-50%), respectively. A meta-analysis of in-hospital mortality was 27% (26-29%) and that of one-year mortality was 45% (32-58%). Meta-analyses of the prevalence of CCI and PerCI showed 17% (16-18%) and 18% (16-20%), respectively, and those for in-hospital mortality were 28% (26-30%) and 26% (24-29%), respectively. Functional outcomes were generally poor, with many survivors requiring long-term care.

CONCLUSIONS

This scoping review synthesized many studies on PerCI/CCI, highlighting the serious impact of PerCI/CCI on patients' long-term outcomes. The results obtained underscore the need for consistent terminology with high-quality research for PerCI/CCI. The results obtained provide important information to be used in discussions with patients and families regarding prognosis and care options.

Consequences of a stay in the intensive care unit and outpatient follow-up care for chronic critically ill patients: A retrospective data analysis

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic critical illness (CCI) represent a particularly vulnerable patient population with significant quality-of-life consequences and a need for follow-up care. Existing research on their quality-of-life trajectory and outpatient follow-up care is limited.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to (i) describe a quality improvement project focussing on patients with CCI in the Swiss setting; (ii) explain the consequences of an intensive care unit (ICU) stay for patients with CCI; and (iii) evaluate outpatient follow-up care for patients with CCI.

METHODS

This retrospective descriptive mixed-methods longitudinal study used routine data from outpatient follow-up care between October 2018 and June 2022. The pre-ICU data were collected retrospectively for the week before ICU admission (baseline); prospectively at 3, 6, and 12 months after ICU discharge; and during an outpatient follow-up care at 6 months. Its main outcomes were health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Patients with CCI were defined as those having a ICU stay longer than 7 days.

RESULTS

This study enrolled 227 patients with outpatient follow-up care, but only 77 were analysed at all four timepoints. Their EuroQol five-dimension five-level questionnaire-Visual Analogue Scale scores ranged from 0 to 100, with a median of 85 (interquartile range = 0-100) and a mean of 77.2 (standard deviation ± 23.52) before their ICU stay. Their scores had almost returned to the baseline 12 months after their ICU stay. While some reported existing restrictions in the individual HRQOL dimensions before their ICU stay, patients and their families appreciated the outpatient follow-up care including an ICU visit.

CONCLUSION

Patients with CCI have different HRQOL trajectories over time. Patients with CCI can have a good HRQOL despite their impairments; however, the HRQOL trajectories of many patients remain unclear. The focus must be on identifying the illness trajectories and on measuring and maintaining their long-term HRQOL.

Risk factors, biomarkers, and mechanisms for persistent inflammation, immunosuppression, and catabolism syndrome (PICS): a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Persistent inflammation, immunosuppression, and catabolism syndrome (PICS) has been proposed as an endotype of chronic critical illness (CCI). The aim of this systematic review is to synthesise the available evidence of risk factors, biomarkers, and biological mechanisms underlying PICS.

METHODS

MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched on June 2, 2023. Our population of interest was adult intensive care unit survivors. The exposure group was patients with PICS and the comparator group was patients with no PICS, CCI, or rapid recovery. Mean differences were pooled for each biomarker using a random effects DerSimonian-Laird method. Risk of bias assessment was done using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

Six papers were included. Five were single-centre retrospective cohort studies, and one was a prospective cohort study, with sample sizes ranging from 22 to 391 patients. Two studies showed an increased incidence of PICS with age, and two studies showed an association between PICS and Charlson Comorbidity Index scores. PICS was associated with requiring mechanical ventilation in four studies. Meta-analysis showed a 34.4 mg L-1 higher C-reactive protein (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.7-56.2 mg L-1; P<0.01), a 4.4 g L-1 lower albumin (95% CI 0.5-8.3 g L-1; P<0.01), and a 0.36×109 L-1 lower lymphocyte count (95% CI 0.25-0.47×109 L-1; P=0.01) in the PICS compared with the non-PICS group. There are a large variety of other potential biomarkers but limited validation studies. The overall quality of evidence is limited, and these results should be interpreted accordingly.

CONCLUSIONS

While older patients and those with co-morbidities could be at greater risk for PICS, acquired risk factors, such as injury severity, are potentially more predictive of PICS than intrinsic patient characteristics. There are many potential biomarkers for PICS, but limited validation studies have been conducted. Persistent myeloid-derived suppressor cell expansion, the continual release of danger-associated molecular patterns and pathogen-associated molecular patterns propagating inflammation, and bioenergetic failure are all mechanisms underlying PICS that could offer potential for novel biomarkers and therapeutic interventions.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42023427749).

The obesity paradox and 90 day mortality in chronic critically ill patients: a cohort study using a large clinical database

BACKGROUND

This study investigates the obesity paradox, where obesity is linked to lower mortality in certain patient groups, focusing on its impact on long-term mortality in chronic critically ill (CCI) patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed CCI patients from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV (MIMIC-IV) database's Intensive Care Unit, categorizing them into six groups based on Body Mass Index (BMI). Using stepwise multivariable Cox regression and restricted cubic spline models, we examined the association between BMI and 90 day mortality, accounting for confounding variables through subgroup analyses.

RESULTS

The study included 1996 CCI patients, revealing a 90 day mortality of 34.12%. Overweight and obese patients exhibited significantly lower mortality compared to normal-weight individuals. Adjusted analysis showed lower mortality risks in overweight and obese groups (HRs 0.60 to 0.72, p < 0.001). The cubic spline model indicated a negative correlation between BMI and 90 day mortality, with subgroup analyses highlighting interactions with age.

CONCLUSION

Our findings confirm the obesity paradox in CCI patients, especially among the elderly (65-85 years) and very elderly (≥ 85 years). The results suggest a beneficial association of higher BMI in older CCI patients, though caution is advised for those under 45.

Advances in nutritional metabolic therapy to impede the progression of critical illness

With the advancement of medical care and the continuous improvement of organ support technologies, some critically ill patients survive the acute phase of their illness but still experience persistent organ dysfunction, necessitating long-term reliance on intensive care and organ support, known as chronic critical illness. Chronic critical illness is characterized by prolonged hospital stays, high mortality rates, and significant resource consumption. Patients with chronic critical illness often suffer from malnutrition, compromised immune function, and poor baseline health, which, combined with factors like shock or trauma, can lead to intestinal mucosal damage. Therefore, effective nutritional intervention for patients with chronic critical illness remains a key research focus. Nutritional therapy has emerged as one of the essential components of the overall treatment strategy for chronic critical illness. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the latest research progress in nutritional support therapy for patients with chronic critical illness.

Persistent inflammation, immunosuppression, and catabolism syndrome (PICS): a review of definitions, potential therapies, and research priorities

Persistent Inflammation, Immunosuppression, and Catabolism Syndrome (PICS) is a clinical endotype of chronic critical illness. PICS consists of a self-perpetuating cycle of ongoing organ dysfunction, inflammation, and catabolism resulting in sarcopenia, immunosuppression leading to recurrent infections, metabolic derangements, and changes in bone marrow function. There is heterogeneity regarding the definition of PICS. Currently, there are no licensed treatments specifically for PICS. However, findings can be extrapolated from studies in other conditions with similar features to repurpose drugs, and in animal models. Drugs that can restore immune homeostasis by stimulating lymphocyte production could have potential efficacy. Another treatment could be modifying myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) activation after day 14 when they are immunosuppressive. Drugs such as interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 receptor antagonists might reduce persistent inflammation, although they need to be given at specific time points to avoid adverse effects. Antioxidants could treat the oxidative stress caused by mitochondrial dysfunction in PICS. Possible anti-catabolic agents include testosterone, oxandrolone, IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1), bortezomib, and MURF1 (muscle RING-finger protein-1) inhibitors. Nutritional support strategies that could slow PICS progression include ketogenic feeding and probiotics. The field would benefit from a consensus definition of PICS using biologically based cut-off values. Future research should focus on expanding knowledge on underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of PICS to identify and validate other potential endotypes of chronic critical illness and subsequent treatable traits. There is unlikely to be a universal treatment for PICS, and a multimodal, timely, and personalised therapeutic strategy will be needed to improve outcomes for this growing cohort of patients.

Chronic critical illness after trauma injury: outcomes and experience in a trauma center

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence, risk factors and functional results of chronic critical illness (CCI) in polytrauma patients.

DESIGN

Single-center observational retrospective study.

SETTING

ICU at a tertiary hospital in Santander, Spain, between 2015 and 2019.

PATIENTS

Adult trauma patients who survived beyond 48 h after injury. CCI was defined as the need for mechanical ventilation for at least 14 days or tracheostomy for difficult weaning.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

About 62/575 developed CCI. These patients were characterized by higher ISS score [17 (SD 10) vs. 13.8 (SD 8.2); p < 0.001] and higher NISS (26 (SD 11) vs. 19.2 (SD 10.5); p = 0.001). CCI group had greater proportion of hospital-acquired infections (100% vs. 18.1%; p < 0.001), and acute kidney failure (33.9% vs. 22.8% p < 0.001). During the first 24 h of admission, CCI group required in a greater proportion surgical intervention (50% vs. 29%; p = 0.001), and blood products (31.3% vs. 20.5%; p < 0.047). Hospital ward stay was longer in CCI patients [9.5 days (IQR 5-16.9) vs. 43.9 (IQR 30.3-53) p < 0.001]. The CCI mortality was higher (19.5% vs. 8.1%; p = 0.004). Surgical intervention in the first 24 h (OR 2.5 95% CI 1.1-4.1), age (> 55 years) (OR 2.1 95%CI 1.1-4.2), ISS score (OR 1.1 95%CI 1.02-1.3), GCS score (OR 0.8 95%CI 0.4-23.2) and multiple organ failure (OR 9.5 95%CI 3.9-23.2) were predictors of CCI in the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

CCI after severe trauma appears in a considerable proportion of patients. Early identification and implementation of specific interventions could change the evolution of this process.

Subphenotyping heterogeneous patients with chronic critical illness to guide individualised fluid balance treatment using machine learning: a retrospective cohort study

Background

The great heterogeneity of patients with chronic critical illness (CCI) leads to difficulty for intensive care unit (ICU) management. Identifying subphenotypes could assist in individualized care, which has not yet been explored. In this study, we aim to identify the subphenotypes of patients with CCI and reveal the heterogeneous treatment effect of fluid balance for them.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we defined CCI as an ICU length of stay over 14 days and coexists with persistent organ dysfunction (cardiovascular Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score ≥1 or score in any other organ system ≥2) at Day 14. Data from five electronic healthcare record datasets covering geographically distinct populations (the US, Europe, and China) were studied. These five datasets include (1) subset of Derivation (MIMIC-IV v1.0, US) cohort (2008-2019); (2) subset Derivation (MIMIC-III v1.4 'CareVue', US) cohort (2001-2008); (3) Validation I (eICU-CRD, US) cohort (2014-2015); (4) Validation II (AmsterdamUMCdb/AUMC, Euro) cohort (2003-2016); (5) Validation III (Jinling, CN) cohort (2017-2021). Patients who meet the criteria of CCI in their first ICU admission period were included in this study. Patients with age over 89 or under 18 years old were excluded. Three unsupervised clustering algorithms were employed independently for phenotypes derivation and validation. Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) was used for phenotype classifier construction. A parametric G-formula model was applied to estimate the cumulative risk under different daily fluid management strategies in different subphenotypes of ICU mortality.

Findings

We identified four subphenotypes as Phenotype A, B, C, and D in a total of 8145 patients from three countries. Phenotype A is the mildest and youngest subgroup; Phenotype B is the most common group, of whom patients showed the oldest age, significant acid-base abnormality, and low white blood cell count; Patients with Phenotype C have hypernatremia, hyperchloremia, and hypercatabolic status; and in Phenotype D, patients accompany with the most severe multiple organ failure. An easy-to-use classifier showed good effectiveness. Phenotype characteristics showed robustness across all cohorts. The beneficial fluid balance threshold intervals of subphenotypes were different.

Interpretation

We identified four novel phenotypes that revealed the different patterns and significant heterogeneous treatment effects of fluid therapy within patients with CCI. A prospective study is needed to validate our findings, which could inform clinical practice and guide future research on individualized care.

Funding

This study was funded by 333 High Level Talents Training Project of Jiangsu Province (BRA2019011), General Program of Medical Research from the Jiangsu Commission of Health (M2020052), and Key Research and Development Program of Jiangsu Province (BE2022823).

Defining Pediatric Chronic Critical Illness: A Scoping Review

OBJECTIVES

Children with chronic critical illness (CCI) are hypothesized to be a high-risk patient population with persistent multiple organ dysfunction and functional morbidities resulting in recurrent or prolonged critical care; however, it is unclear how CCI should be defined. The aim of this scoping review was to evaluate the existing literature for case definitions of pediatric CCI and case definitions of prolonged PICU admission and to explore the methodologies used to derive these definitions.

DATA SOURCES

Four electronic databases (Ovid Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science) from inception to March 3, 2021.

STUDY SELECTION

We included studies that provided a specific case definition for CCI or prolonged PICU admission. Crowdsourcing was used to screen citations independently and in duplicate. A machine-learning algorithm was developed and validated using 6,284 citations assessed in duplicate by trained crowd reviewers. A hybrid of crowdsourcing and machine-learning methods was used to complete the remaining citation screening.

DATA EXTRACTION

We extracted details of case definitions, study demographics, participant characteristics, and outcomes assessed.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Sixty-seven studies were included. Twelve studies (18%) provided a definition for CCI that included concepts of PICU length of stay (n = 12), medical complexity or chronic conditions (n = 9), recurrent admissions (n = 9), technology dependence (n = 5), and uncertain prognosis (n = 1). Definitions were commonly referenced from another source (n = 6) or opinion-based (n = 5). The remaining 55 studies (82%) provided a definition for prolonged PICU admission, most frequently greater than or equal to 14 (n = 11) or greater than or equal to 28 days (n = 10). Most of these definitions were derived by investigator opinion (n = 24) or statistical method (n = 18).

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric CCI has been variably defined with regard to the concepts of patient complexity and chronicity of critical illness. A consensus definition is needed to advance this emerging and important area of pediatric critical care research.

Role of epigenetics in the etiology of hypospadias through penile foreskin DNA methylation alterations

Abnormal penile foreskin development in hypospadias is the most frequent genital malformation in male children, which has increased dramatically in recent decades. A number of environmental factors have been shown to be associated with hypospadias development. The current study investigated the role of epigenetics in the etiology of hypospadias and compared mild (distal), moderate (mid shaft), and severe (proximal) hypospadias. Penile foreskin samples were collected from hypospadias and non-hypospadias individuals to identify alterations in DNA methylation associated with hypospadias. Dramatic numbers of differential DNA methylation regions (DMRs) were observed in the mild hypospadias, with reduced numbers in moderate and low numbers in severe hypospadias. Atresia (cell loss) of the principal foreskin fibroblast is suspected to be a component of the disease etiology. A genome-wide (> 95%) epigenetic analysis was used and the genomic features of the DMRs identified. The DMR associated genes identified a number of novel hypospadias associated genes and pathways, as well as genes and networks known to be involved in hypospadias etiology. Observations demonstrate altered DNA methylation sites in penile foreskin is a component of hypospadias etiology. In addition, a potential role of environmental epigenetics and epigenetic inheritance in hypospadias disease etiology is suggested.

CLINICAL AND PROGNOSTIC FEATURES OF CHRONIC CRITICAL ILLNESS/PERSISTENT INFLAMMATION IMMUNOSUPPRESSION AND CATABOLISM PATIENTS: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL CLINICAL STUDY

ABSTRACT

Objective: The aims of this study were to investigate and compare the clinical features and prognosis of chronic critical illness (CCI)/persistent inflammation immunosuppression and catabolism (PICS). Methods: This is a prospective observational clinical study. During this study period, we collect intensive care unit patients' data from Suzhou Municipal Hospital and Suzhou Ninth People's Hospital. All patients older than 18 years were included, and according to the corresponding exclusion and diagnostic criteria, they were divided into four groups: PICS group, CCI group, CCI and PICS group (CCI + PICS), and neither CCI nor PICS group (NCCI + NPICS) and collected and recorded age, sex, hospital time, hospital diagnosis, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, C-reactive protein, absolute value lymphocyte count, serum albumin, white blood cell count, absolute value neutrophil count, secondary infection, and 28-day case fatality rate separately. Results: A total of 687 patients were admitted to the intensive care unit during the study period. The hospitalization time less than 14 days were excluded, and 168 patients were eventually included. There are 17 in the PICS group, 71 in the CCI group, 50 in the CCI + PICS group, and 30 in the NCCI + NPICS group. Baseline characteristics showed statistically significant differences in Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, length of hospital stay, and 28-day mortality among four groups. Baseline main indicator and multiple comparisons showed that the CCI + PICS group had longer hospital stay, worse prognosis, and more adverse outcomes. Multivariate analysis showed that final age, C-reactive protein on days 14 and 21, and serum albumin on days 1 and 21 had an impact on the prognosis ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: The clinical prognosis of the four groups decreased in order of NCCI + NPICS, CCI, PICS, and CCI + PICS. Our finding of clinically isolated PICS may indicate that PICS acts as an inducement or independent factor to worsen the prognosis of CCI.

Predictive Value of Heart-Type Fatty Acid-Binding Protein for Mortality Risk in Critically Ill Patients

Objective

Our study assessed the predictive value of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) for critically ill patients.

Methods

150 critically ill patients admitted to the emergency department of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, were included in our study from August 2021 to April 2022. Serum H-FABP, procalcitonin (PCT), lactate (LAC), and other markers were determined within 1 h after admission. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) were calculated. The independent predictors of 28-day mortality in critically ill patients were analyzed by logistic regression, and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to analyze the predictive value for 28-day mortality in critically ill patients.

Results

Age, APACHE II, SOFA, GCS, LAC, H-FABP, IL-6, Scr, and D-dimer were significantly different in the nonsurvivor vs. survivor groups (P < 0.05), with H-FABP correlating with cTNI, Scr, PCT, and SOFA scores (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that H-FABP, APACHE II, LAC, and age were independent predictors for 28-day mortality in critically ill patients (P < 0.05). The AUC of ROC curve in H-FABP was 0.709 (sensitivity 72.9%, specificity 66.1%, and cut-off 4.35), which was slightly lower than AUC of ROC curve in LAC (AUC 0.750, sensitivity 58.3%, specificity 76.1%, and cut-off 1.95) and APACHE II (AUC 0.731, sensitivity 77.1%, specificity 58.7%, and cut-off 12.5). However, statistically, there was no difference in the diagnostic value of H-FABP compared with the other two indicators (Z ₁ = 0.669, P = 0.504; Z ₂ = 0.383, P = 0.702). But H-FABP (72.9%) has higher sensitivity than LAC (58.3%). The combined evaluation of H-FABP+APACHE II score (AUC 0.801, sensitivity 71.7%, and specificity 78.2%; Z = 2.612, P = 0.009) had better diagnostic value than H-FABP alone and had high sensitivity (71.7%) and specificity (78.2%).

Conclusion

H-FABP, LAC, APACHE II, and age can be used as independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of critically ill patients. Compared with using the above indicators alone, the H-FABP+APACHE II has a high diagnostic value, and the early and rapid evaluation is particularly important for the adjustment of treatment plans and prognosis.

Persistent Critical Illness in Newborns

The problem of persistent critical illness (PCI) in newborns is poorly understood. The epidemiology of this pathological condition in newborns has not been precisely established, however, it is known that PCI is considered a predictor of an unfavorable outcome in any pathology and proceeds more severely then in adults and children. Long-term outcomes of PCI in surviving newborns are associated with subsequent asthenia, cognitive impairment, chronic fatigue syndrome, a high incidence of disability, complex physiological abnormalities, and chronic organ dysfunction from which they rarely recover.Nutritional, respiratory and hemodynamic supports are key components of neonatal PCI therapy. The physiology of a newborn is different from that of an adult patient; therefore, inotropic therapy in this category of patients requires special approaches. In the past few years, in addition to dopamine, dobutamine and adrenaline, newborns have been prescribed milrinone, norepinephrine, vasopressin, and levosimendan as hemodynamic support. The clinical potential of these drugs in neonates is still under evaluation but there is some evidence for their benefits for use in PCI.

Outcome of percutaneous drainage for septic complications coexisted with COVID-19

BACKGROUND

The resulting tissue hypoxia and increased inflammation secondary to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) combined with viral load, and other baseline risk factors contribute to an increased risk of severe sepsis or co-existed septic condition exaggeration.

AIM

To describe the clinical, radiological, and laboratory characteristics of a small cohort of patients infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 who underwent percutaneous drainage for septic complications and their post-procedural outcomes.

METHODS

This retrospective study consisted of 11 patients who were confirmed to have COVID-19 by RT-PCR test and required drain placement for septic complications. The mean age ± SD of the patients was 48.5 ± 14 years (range 30-72 years). Three patients underwent cholecystostomy for acute acalculous cholecystitis. Percutaneous drainage was performed in seven patients; two peripancreatic collections; two infected leaks after hepatic resection; one recurrent hepatic abscess, one psoas abscess and one lumbar abscess. One patient underwent a percutaneous nephrostomy for acute pyelonephritis.

RESULTS

Technical success was achieved in 100% of patients, while clinical success was achieved in 4 out of 11 patients (36.3%). Six patients (54.5%) died despite proper percutaneous drainage and adequate antibiotic coverage. One patient (9%) needed operative intervention. Two patients (18.2%) had two drainage procedures to drain multiple fluid collections. Two patients (18.2%) had repeat drainage procedures due to recurrent fluid collections. The average volume of the drained fluid immediately after tube insertion was 85 mL. Follow-up scans show a reduction of the retained content and associated inflammatory changes after tube insertion in all patients. There was no significant statistical difference (P = 0.6 and 0.4) between the mean of WBCs and neutrophils count before drainage and seven days after drainage. The lymphocyte count shows significant increased seven days after drainage (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

In this study, patients having septic complications associated with COVID-19 showed relatively poor clinical outcomes despite technically successful percutaneous drainage.

Environmental induced transgenerational inheritance impacts systems epigenetics in disease etiology

Environmental toxicants have been shown to promote the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of disease through exposure specific epigenetic alterations in the germline. The current study examines the actions of hydrocarbon jet fuel, dioxin, pesticides (permethrin and methoxychlor), plastics, and herbicides (glyphosate and atrazine) in the promotion of transgenerational disease in the great grand-offspring rats that correlates with specific disease associated differential DNA methylation regions (DMRs). The transgenerational disease observed was similar for all exposures and includes pathologies of the kidney, prostate, and testis, pubertal abnormalities, and obesity. The disease specific DMRs in sperm were exposure specific for each pathology with negligible overlap. Therefore, for each disease the DMRs and associated genes were distinct for each exposure generational lineage. Observations suggest a large number of DMRs and associated genes are involved in a specific pathology, and various environmental exposures influence unique subsets of DMRs and genes to promote the transgenerational developmental origins of disease susceptibility later in life. A novel multiscale systems biology basis of disease etiology is proposed involving an integration of environmental epigenetics, genetics and generational toxicology.

Tertiary peritonitis: considerations for complex team-based care

Peritonitis, as a major consequence of hollow visceral perforation, anastomotic disruption, ischemic necrosis, or other injuries of the gastrointestinal tract, often drives acute care in the emergency department, operating room, and the ICU. Chronic critical illness (CCI) represents a devastating challenge in modern surgical critical care where successful interventions have fostered a growing cohort of patients with prolonged dependence on mechanical ventilation and other organ supportive therapies who would previously have succumbed much earlier in the acute phase of critical illness. An important subset of CCI patients are those who have survived an emergency abdominal operation, but who subsequently require prolonged open abdomen management complicated by persistent peritoneal space infection or colonization, fistula formation, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract dysfunction; these patients are described as having tertiary peritonitis (TP).The organ dysfunction cascade in TP terminates in death in between 30 and 64% of patients. This narrative review describes key-but not all-elements in a framework for the coordinate multiprofessional team-based management of a patient with tertiary peritonitis to mitigate this risk of death and promote recovery. Given the prolonged critical illness course of this unique patient population, early and recurrent Palliative Care Medicine consultation helps establish goals of care, support adjustment to changes in life circumstance, and enable patient and family centered care.

PREVALÊNCIA E FATORES ASSOCIADOS À DOENÇA CRÍTICA CRÔNICA EM HOSPITALIZADOS POR TRAUMA EM TERAPIA INTENSIVA

RESUMO Objetivo identificar a prevalência de doença crítica crônica e fatores associados em pacientes hospitalizados por trauma em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. Método estudo de caso-controle, com dados de prontuários de adultos hospitalizados por trauma em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva, entre 2013 e 2019. Os dados foram coletados do livro de admissão de pacientes, do prontuário eletrônico e das fichas do Serviço de Controle de Infecção Hospitalar. A variável dependente foi a ocorrência de doença crítica crônica e as variáveis independentes relacionavam-se às características sociodemográficas, comorbidades, trauma, atendimento pré-hospitalar, índices prognósticos, procedimentos e complicações. Realizou-se análise de regressão logística múltipla, que estimou o Ods Ratio (OR) e respectivos intervalos de confiança (IC). Resultados a doença crítica crônica ocorreu em 150 pacientes (24,2%), dos 619 estudados. Os fatores associados à DCC foram disfunção orgânica (OR=1,09) e complicações gastrointestinais (OR=2,71). Os pacientes com doença crítica crônica, além de demandarem por procedimentos cirúrgicos, desenvolveram disfunções orgânicas em diferentes sistemas, apresentando altas pontuações nos índices de prognósticos, ou seja, um pior prognóstico, além de desenvolverem complicações. Conclusão a identificação das complicações gastrointestinais e o aumento da disfunção orgânica como fatores associados ao paciente crítico crônico tornam-se úteis para compor perfil clínico de pacientes e para planejar a assistência intensiva ao traumatizado, contribuindo, assim, para a prevenção e o manejo desses pacientes pelo enfermeiro.

PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CHRONIC CRITICAL DISEASE IN HOSPITALIZED FOR TRAUMA IN INTENSIVE CARE

ABSTRACT Objective to identify the prevalence of chronic critical disease and associated factors in patients hospitalized for trauma in the Intensive Care Unit. Method case-control study, with data from medical records of adults hospitalized for trauma in an Intensive Care Unit, between 2013 and 2019. Data were collected from the patient admission book, the electroni cmedical records and the records of the Hospital Infection Control Service. The dependent variable was the occurrence of chronic critical disease, and the independent variables were related to sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, trauma, pre-hospital care, prognostic indices, procedures and complications. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed, which estimated the Ods Ratio (OR) and respective confidence intervals (CI). Results chronic critical disease occurred in 150 patients (24.2%), of the 619 patients studied. The factors associated with CCD were organic dysfunction (OR=1.09) and gastrointestinal complications (OR=2.71). Patients with chronic critical disease, in addition to proseeding for surgical procedures, developed organic dysfunctions in different systems, presenting high scores in prognostic indexes, i.e., a worse prognosis, in addition to developing complications. Conclusion the identification of gastrointestinal complications and the increase in organic dysfunction as factors associated with chronic critical patients become useful to compose the clinical profile of patients and to plan intensive care for the traumatized patients, thus contributing to the prevention and management of these patients by nurses.

The long-term ICU patient: Which definition?

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To offer a review of the differing terminologies used by clinicians and researchers to describe the long-term intensive care unit (ICU) patient and the underlying propositions that align with this terminology.

BACKGROUND

Ongoing medical and technological advances in emergency and intensive care have resulted in improved survival of critically ill patients in recent decades. In addition, these advancements have also resulted in improved survival of complex critically ill patients who progress to a trajectory of prolonged critical illness, having protracted stays in the ICU. There is great variability in terminology used to define the long-term ICU patient. This lack of a common definition for long-term ICU patients is problematic, increasing their vulnerability and risk of care not being centred about their unique needs.

DESIGN

In this discursive article, we explore the terminology used to define the long-term ICU patient. An initial broad search of the literature across four electronic databases was conducted to identify common terminology used to define the long-term ICU patient. From here, seven definitions were identified and chosen for inclusion in the review as they meet inclusion criteria and clearly described a group of patients who have an extended ICU stay. The seven selected terms are as follows: prolonged mechanical ventilation; failure to wean; insertion of tracheostomy; chronically critically ill; persistent critical illness; persistent inflammatory-immunosuppressive and catabolic syndrome; and frailty. Following this a focused review of the literature with the selected terms was conducted to explore in greater detail the terminology.

DISCUSSION

The lack of clear definition for this patient group can potentiate their care needs being unmet. Acknowledgement of the need to clearly define this patient group is the first step to improve outcomes. Nursing is well positioned to recognise the different terminologies use to describe this group of patients and implement care to suit their unique clinical characteristics.

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Recognition and standardisation of these terms are an important priority to pave the way to improve care pathways and outcomes for this group of patients and their family.

Efficacy of Bifidobacterium Triple Viable Enteric-Coated Capsules Combined with Enteral Nutrition on Patients with Chronic Critical Illness and Influence on Immune and Coagulation Function

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy of enteric-coated Bifidobacterium triple viable capsules combined with enteral nutrition in the treatment of patients with chronic critical illness (CCI) and their effects on the immune and coagulation function of patients.

METHODS

106 CCI patients admitted to the intensive care unit of our hospital from December 2018 to March 2020 were selected as the research objects, and they were randomly divided into the control group (n = 53) and the observation group (n = 53). The control group was given symptomatic treatment, etiological treatment, clinical nursing, enteral nutrition support, and other conventional treatment methods according to the patient's condition. On this basis, the observation group was treated with enteric-coated Bifidobacterium triple viable capsules, and both groups were treated for 14 days. All patients were followed up for 3 months after treatment, and their death/cure prognosis was recorded. The acute physiological and chronic health (APACHE II) scoring system was used to evaluate the acute physiological and chronic health status of the two groups before and after treatment, and the organs of the patients were scored with sepsis-related organ failure assessment (SOFA) score. T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thrombin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB), and D-dimer (DD) were measured before and after treatment.

RESULTS

The cure rate of the observation group was slightly higher than that of the control group, and the mortality rate was slightly lower than that of the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P < 0.05). After treatment, the APACHE II and SOFA scores of the two groups were lower than before treatment, and the APACHE II and SOFA scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, and the differences were both statistically significant (P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ in the two groups were higher than those before treatment, and the levels of CD8+ were lower than before treatment. The CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ levels of the observation group were higher than those of the control group, and the CD8+ levels were lower than the control group, and the differences were both statistically significant (P < 0.05). After treatment, the PT and APTT levels of the two groups of patients were higher than those before treatment, and the levels of FIB and DD were lower than those before treatment. The PT and APTT levels of the observation group were higher than those of the control group, and the FIB and DD levels were lower than those of the control group, and the differences were both statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The combination of enteric-coated Bifidobacterium triple viable capsules and enteral nutrition for CCI has high cure rate, which can not only improve the patients' physiological health status and organ dysfunction but also effectively improve the patients' immune and coagulation function, which is worthy of promotion.

Biomarker Evidence of the Persistent Inflammation, Immunosuppression and Catabolism Syndrome (PICS) in Chronic Critical Illness (CCI) After Surgical Sepsis

OBJECTIVE

To analyze serial biomarkers of the persistent inflammation, immunosuppression, and catabolism syndrome (PICS) to gain insight into the pathobiology of chronic critical illness (CCI) after surgical sepsis.

BACKGROUND

Although early deaths after surgical intensive care unit sepsis have decreased and most survivors rapidly recover (RAP), one third develop the adverse clinical trajectory of CCI. However, the underlying pathobiology of its dismal long-term outcomes remains unclear.

METHODS

PICS biomarkers over 14 days from 124 CCI and 225 RAP sepsis survivors were analyzed to determine associations and prediction models for (1) CCI (≥14 intensive care unit days with organ dysfunction) and (2) dismal 1-year outcomes (Zubrod 4/5 performance scores). Clinical prediction models were created using PIRO variables (predisposition, insult, response, and organ dysfunction). Biomarkers were then added to determine if they strengthened predictions.

RESULTS

CCI (vs RAP) and Zubrod 4/5 (vs Zubrod 0-3) cohorts had greater elevations in biomarkers of inflammation (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-8, interferon gamma-induced protein [IP-10], monocyte chemoattractant protein 1), immunosuppression (IL-10, soluble programmed death ligand-1), stress metabolism (C-reactive protein, glucagon-like peptide 1), and angiogenesis (angiopoietin-2, vascular endothelial growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1, stromal cell-derived factor) at most time-points. Clinical models predicted CCI on day 4 (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve [AUC] = 0.89) and 1 year Zubrod 4/5 on day 7 (AUC = 0.80). IL-10 and IP-10 on day 4 minimally improved prediction of CCI (AUC = 0.90). However, IL-10, IL-6, IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, IP-10, angiopoietin-2, glucagon-like peptide 1, soluble programmed death ligand-1, and stromal cell-derived factor on day 7 considerably improved the prediction of Zubrod 4/5 status (AUC = 0.88).

CONCLUSIONS

Persistent elevations of PICS biomarkers in the CCI and Zubrod 4/5 cohorts and their improved prediction of Zubrod 4/5 validate that PICS plays a role in CCI pathobiology.

Cystatin C and/or creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate for prediction of vancomycin clearance in long-stay critically ill patients with persistent inflammation, immunosuppression and catabolism syndrome (PICS): a population pharmacokinetics analysis

Persistent inflammation, immunosuppression and catabolism syndrome (PICS) in critically ill patients are associated with unreliable creatinine (Cr)-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and alteration in vancomycin clearance (CL) due to ongoing muscle wasting and renal dysfunction (RD). Currently, cystatin C (Cys) is of great interest for eGFR due to its muscle independence. Patients receiving intravenous vancomycin with trough concentration monitoring after intensive care unit stay ≥ 14 days were retrospectively enrolled. Those with C-reactive protein > 30.0 mg/L, lymphocytes count < 0.80 × 10⁹, albumin < 30 mg/L and weight loss > 10% were diagnosed with PICS. Impact of PICS on vancomycin trough achievement was analyzed. Plasma Cys and Cr levels with their eGFRs in RD were compared in patients with and without PICS. Furthermore, the performance of eGFRs in predicting vancomycin CL was quantificationally evaluated by population pharmacokinetics (PPK) analysis using the Phoenix NLME software. Of 69 enrolled patients, 32 (46.4%) were PICS. PICS was predictive of Cr-guided vancomycin supratherapeutic trough concentrations (OR = 5.26, P = 0.013). Significant elevation of Cys, not of Cr, was observed in patients with PICS suffering from RD (P = 0.022), causing substantial differences among eGFRs. Fifty-two and 17 patients were enrolled for the modeling group and validation group, respectively. A one-compartment PPK model with first-order elimination adequately described the data of 126 C_trough. Prediction of vancomycin CL with Cys and Cr-based eGFR (CKD-EPI_cys-cr) significantly reduced the interindividual variability of CL (from 75.6 to 28.5%). External validation with 34 C_trough showed the robustness and accuracy of this model. This study showed the negative impact of PICS on Cr-guided vancomycin trough achievement. PPK model with CKD-EPI_cys-cr can be used to optimize vancomycin dosage in patients with PICS.

Erste Evaluation eines Programms zur Frührehabilitation von Langzeitintensivpatient_innen

First evaluation of an early rehabilitation programm for chronically critically ill patients Abstract. Introduction: Chronically critically ill patients are an increasing challenge for teams in intensive care units due to the burden of symptoms and the consumption of resources. Structured multimodal concepts are recommended for nursing care and treatment. A local, interprofessional program for early rehabilitation aims to provide optimal care for patients through a systematic, proactive and holistic treatment process with a rehabilitative focus. The program consists of specific assessments and systematic coordination of interprofessional early rehabilitation. Problem and objective: Interprofessional collaboration requires mutual acceptance and good communication from those involved. The functioning of selected processes as well as the satisfaction of the professionals are topics of a first formative evaluation. Methods: The team evaluated descriptive quality data as well as self-generated structured questionnaires. Results: Specific adjustments were made to the treatment plan for 52 of 112 patients in the program. The assessments are easy to carry out and support systematic early rehabilitation. From the perspective of the professionals involved, both the interprofessional collaboration and their understanding for the patients improved. Discussion and transfer: The program optimizes treatment and promotes good interprofessional collaboration. The formative evaluation provides valuable information for future process changes such as the inclusion of patients as well as further disciplines and program development beyond the boundaries of the intensive care unit.

Novel methods to identify and measure catabolism

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Assess current potential catabolism-biomarkers to characterize patients developing prolonged critical illness.

RECENT FINDINGS

A raised urea-to-creatinine ratio (UCR) during critical illness is negatively associated with muscle mass with greater increases in UCR seen patients developing persistent critical illness. Similarly, sarcopenia index (a ratio of creatinine to cystatin-c concentrations) correlates well to muscle mass in intensive care populations. Elevated growth/differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) has been inconsistently associated with muscle loss. Although GDF-15 was a poor marker of feeding tolerance, it has been associated with worse prognosis in intensive care.

SUMMARY

UCR is an available and clinically applicable biomarker of catabolism. Similarly, sarcopenia index can be used to assess muscle mass and indirectly measure catabolism based on readily available biochemical measurements. The utility of novel biomarkers, such as GDF-15 is less established.

Dysregulated Immunity and Immunotherapy after Sepsis

Implementation of protocolized surveillance, diagnosis, and management of septic patients, and of surgical sepsis patients in particular, is shown to result in significantly increased numbers of patients surviving their initial hospitalization. Currently, most surgical sepsis patients will rapidly recover from sepsis; however, many patients will not rapidly recover, but instead will go on to develop chronic critical illness (CCI) and experience dismal long-term outcomes. The elderly and comorbid patient is highly susceptible to death or CCI after sepsis. Here, we review aspects of the Persistent Inflammation, Immunosuppression, and Catabolism Syndrome (PICS) endotype to explain the underlying pathobiology of a dysregulated immune system in sepsis survivors who develop CCI; then, we explore targets for immunomodulatory therapy.

Cardiovascular and Renal Disease in Chronic Critical Illness

With advances in critical care, patients who would have succumbed in previous eras now survive through hospital discharge. Many survivors suffer from chronic organ dysfunction and induced frailty, representing an emerging chronic critical illness (CCI) phenotype. Persistent and worsening cardiovascular and renal disease are primary drivers of the CCI phenotype and have pathophysiologic synergy, potentiating one another and generating a downward spiral of worsening disease and clinical outcomes manifest as cardio-renal syndromes. In addition to pharmacologic therapies (e.g., diuretics, beta adrenergic receptor blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and blood pressure control), special consideration should be given to behavioral modifications that avoid the pitfalls of polypharmacy and suboptimal renal and hepatic dosing, to which CCI patients may be particularly vulnerable. Smoking cessation, dietary modifications (e.g., early high-protein nutrition and late low-sodium diets), and increased physical activity are advised. Select patients benefit from cardiac re-synchronization therapy or renal replacement therapy. Coordinated, patient-centered care bundles may improve compliance with standards of care and patient outcomes. Given the complex, heterogeneous nature of cardiovascular and renal disease in CCI and the dismal long-term outcomes, further research is needed to clarify pathophysiologic mechanisms of cardio-renal syndromes in CCI and develop targeted therapies.

Immunological Endotyping of Chronic Critical Illness After Severe Sepsis

Improved management of severe sepsis has been one of the major health care accomplishments of the last two decades. Due to enhanced recognition and improved management of severe sepsis, in-hospital mortality has been reduced by up to 40%. With that good news, a new syndrome has unfortunately replaced in-hospital multi-organ failure and death. This syndrome of chronic critical illness (CCI) includes sepsis patients who survive the early "cytokine or genomic storm," but fail to fully recover, and progress into a persistent state of manageable organ injury requiring prolonged intensive care. These patients are commonly discharged to long-term care facilities where sepsis recidivism is high. As many as 33% of sepsis survivors develop CCI. CCI is the result, at least in part, of a maladaptive host response to chronic pattern-recognition receptor (PRR)-mediated processes. This maladaptive response results in dysregulated myelopoiesis, chronic inflammation, T-cell atrophy, T-cell exhaustion, and the expansion of suppressor cell functions. We have defined this panoply of host responses as a persistent inflammatory, immune suppressive and protein catabolic syndrome (PICS). Why is this important? We propose that PICS in survivors of critical illness is its own common, unique immunological endotype driven by the constant release of organ injury-associated, endogenous alarmins, and microbial products from secondary infections. While this syndrome can develop as a result of a diverse set of pathologies, it represents a shared outcome with a unique underlying pathobiological mechanism. Despite being a common outcome, there are no therapeutic interventions other than supportive therapies for this common disorder. Only through an improved understanding of the immunological endotype of PICS can rational therapeutic interventions be designed.

Sirtuin 2 expression levels may predict the progression of sepsis survivors to chronic critical illness

Background

Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) is a conserved deacetylase that participates in the regulation of inflammation in sepsis. In this observational prospective study, we investigated the predictive value of the SIRT2 expression level in the development of chronic critical illness (CCI) in patients with sepsis.

Methods

A total of 128 critically ill patients with sepsis or septic shock were enrolled and assigned to the CCI group, rapid recovery (RAP) group, or early death group according to their clinical trajectories. Patients’ demographic and clinical information, as well as laboratory data, including C-reactive protein (CRP) level and total lymphocyte counts, were collected. Blood samples were obtained at admission and on days 1, 4, 7, 10, 14, and 21 (days 14 and 21 for the CCI group only). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated, and SIRT2 expression was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Our cohort included 37 CCI and 82 RAP patients, and 9 early death patients, who died within 14 days of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Compared with the RAP group, CCI patients showed elevated CRP and IL-6 levels throughout the observation period, reflecting a sustained inflammatory response. However, decreases in total lymphocyte count and IL-10 expression in these patients were indicative of immunosuppression. SIRT2 mRNA level was lower in CCI and RAP patients compared with healthy controls at the initial stage of hospitalization, but increased starting on day 4 and continued to increase for the duration of hospitalization. By day 10, SIRT2 expression had almost returned to normal in RAP patients; however, in CCI patients, it continued to increase until the end of the observation period. A receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the expression level of SIRT2 at 10 days predicts the occurrence of CCI (P<0.05).

Conclusions

SIRT2 expression may be a useful marker for identifying sepsis survivors who are at risk of progressing to CCI.

The severe COVID-19: A sepsis induced by viral infection? And its immunomodulatory therapy

COVID-19 is known for its magical infectivity, fast transmission and high death toll based on the large number of infected people. From the perspective of the clinical manifestation, autopsy examination and pathophysiology, the essence of COVID-19 should be viewed as a sepsis induced by viral infection, and has the essential characteristics as sepsis induced by other pathogens. Therefore, in addition to etiological and supportive treatment, immunomodulatory therapy is also appropriate to severe COVID-19. Although there is still a lack of consensus on immunotherapy for sepsis so far, relatively rich experiences have been accumulated in the past decades, which will help us in the treatment of severe COVID-19. This article will elaborate immunotherapy of sepsis, though it may not be consistent.

Identification of Unique mRNA and miRNA Expression Patterns in Bone Marrow Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells After Trauma in Older Adults

Older adults have significantly worse morbidity and mortality after severe trauma than younger cohorts. The competency of the innate immune response decreases with advancing age, especially after an inflammatory insult. Subsequent poor outcomes after trauma are caused in part by dysfunctional leukocytes derived from the host's hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Our objective was to analyze the bone marrow (BM) HSPC transcriptomic [mRNA and microRNA (miR)] responses to trauma in older and younger adults. BM was collected intraoperatively <9 days after initial injury from trauma patients with non-mild injury [ISS ≥ 9] or with shock (lactate ≥ 2, base deficit ≥ 5, MAP ≤ 65) who underwent operative fixation of a pelvic or long bone fracture. Samples were also analyzed based on age (<55 years and ≥55 years), ISS score and transfusion in the first 24 h, and compared to age/sex-matched controls from non-cancer elective hip replacement or purchased healthy younger adult human BM aspirates. mRNA and miR expression patterns were calculated from lineage-negative enriched HSPCs. 924 genes were differentially expressed in older trauma subjects vs. age/sex-matched controls, while 654 genes were differentially expressed in younger subjects vs. age/sex-matched control. Only 68 transcriptomic changes were shared between the two groups. Subsequent analysis revealed upregulation of transcriptomic pathways related to quantity, function, differentiation, and proliferation of HSPCs in only the younger cohort. miR expression differences were also identified, many of which were associated with cell cycle regulation. In summary, differences in the BM HSPC mRNA and miR expression were identified between older and younger adult trauma subjects. These differences in gene and miR expression were related to pathways involved in HSPC production and differentiation. These differences could potentially explain why older adult patients have a suboptimal hematopoietic response to trauma. Although immunomodulation of HSPCs may be a necessary consideration to promote host protective immunity after host injury, the age related differences further highlight that patients may require an age-defined medical approach with interventions that are specific to their transcriptomic and biologic response. Also, targeting the older adult miRs may be possible for interventions in this patient population.

Chronic Critical Illness Patients Fail to Respond to Current Evidence-Based Intensive Care Nutrition Secondarily to Persistent Inflammation, Immunosuppression, and Catabolic Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Sepsis-induced multiple-organ failure (MOF) has plagued surgical intensive care units (ICUs) for decades. Early nutrition (principally enteral) improves hospital outcomes of high-risk ICU patients. The purpose of this study is to document how the growing epidemic of chronic critical illness (CCI) patients responds to adequate evidence-based ICU nutrition.

METHODS

This retrospective post hoc subgroup analysis of an ongoing sepsis database identified 56 CCI patients who received early, adequate nutrition per an established surgical ICU protocol compared with 112 matched rapid-recovery (RAP) patients.

RESULTS

The matched CCI and RAP groups had similar baseline characteristics. Serial biomarkers showed that CCI patients remained persistently inflamed with ongoing stress metabolism and that despite receiving evidence-based protocol nutrition, they had persistent catabolism and immunosuppression with more secondary infections. More CCI patients were discharged to poor nonhome destinations (ie, skilled nursing facilities, long-term acute care, hospice) (81% vs 29%, P < 0.05). At 12-month follow-up, CCI patients had worse functional status by Zubrod score (3.17 vs 1.62, P < 0.001) and Short Physical Battery Testing (4.78 vs 8.59, P < 0.02), worse health-related quality of life by EQ-5D-3L descriptive measures (9.07 vs 7.45, P < 0.003), and lower survival (67% vs 92%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite early, adequate, evidence-based ICU nutrition, septic surgical ICU patients who develop CCI exhibit persistent inflammation, immunosuppression, and catabolism with unacceptable long-term morbidity and mortality. Although current evidence-based ICU nutrition may improve short-term ICU outcomes, novel adjuncts are needed to improve long-term outcomes for CCI patients.

Persistent inflammation, immunosuppression, and catabolism and the development of chronic critical illness after surgery

As early as the 1990s, chronic critical illness, a distinct syndrome of persistent high-acuity illness requiring management in the ICU, was reported under a variety of descriptive terms including the "neuropathy of critical illness," "myopathy of critical illness," "ICU-acquired weakness," and most recently "post-intensive care unit syndrome." The widespread implementation of targeted shock resuscitation, improved organ support modalities, and evidence-based protocolized ICU care has resulted in significantly decreased in-hospital mortality within surgical ICUs, specifically by reducing early multiple organ failure deaths. However, a new phenotype of multiple organ failure has now emerged with persistent but manageable organ dysfunction, high resource utilization, and discharge to prolonged care facilities. This new multiple organ failure phenotype is now clinically associated with the rapidly increasing incidence of chronic critical illness in critically ill surgery patients. Although the underlying pathophysiology driving chronic critical illness remains incompletely described, the persistent inflammation, immunosuppression, and catabolism syndrome has been proposed as a mechanistic framework in which to explain the increased incidence of chronic critical illness in surgical ICUs. The purpose of this review is to provide a historic perspective of the epidemiologic evolution of multiple organ failure into persistent inflammation, immunosuppression, and catabolism syndrome; describe the mechanism that drives and sustains chronic critical illness, and review the long-term outcomes of surgical patients who develop chronic critical illness.