Risk factors for late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia in trauma patients receiving selective digestive decontamination

A Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Prediction Model in Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Mechanical ventilation is crucial for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients and diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in ARDS patients is challenging. Hence, an effective model to predict VAP in ARDS is urgently needed.

METHODS

We performed a secondary analysis of patient-level data from the Early versus Delayed Enteral Nutrition (EDEN) of ARDSNet randomized controlled trials. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis established a predictive model, incorporating characteristics selected by systematic review and univariate analyses. The model's discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness were assessed using the C-index, calibration plot, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

RESULTS

Of the 1000 unique patients enrolled in the EDEN trials, 70 (7%) had ARDS complicated with VAP. Mechanical ventilation duration and intensive care unit (ICU) stay were significantly longer in the VAP group than non-VAP group (P < .001 for both) but the 60-day mortality was comparable. Use of neuromuscular blocking agents, severe ARDS, admission for unscheduled surgery, and trauma as primary ARDS causes were independent risk factors for VAP. The area under the curve of the model was .744, and model fit was acceptable (Hosmer-Lemeshow P = .185). The calibration curve indicated that the model had proper discrimination and good calibration. DCA showed that the VAP prediction nomogram was clinically useful when an intervention was decided at a VAP probability threshold between 1% and 61%.

CONCLUSIONS

The prediction nomogram for VAP development in ARDS patients can be applied after ICU admission, using available variables. Potential clinical benefits of using this model deserve further assessment.

Microbiological profiles of tracheostomy patients: a single-center experience

Background

This study compared the prevalence of common microorganisms in obstructed and non-obstructed cases across the four quarters on the first post-tracheostomy year.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of the microbiological profiles of all adult patients who underwent a tracheostomy was conducted between June 2015 and September 2019 at our hospital. Based on the tracheostomy indications, patients were allocated to obstructed or non-obstructed group. Any patient with at least one positive sample was followed up quarterly for a year. The first culture result obtained was recorded at least one month following the last antibiotic dose in each quarter.

Results

Out of the 65 tracheal aspirate results obtained from 58 patients (mean age, 57.5±16.48 years), the most common procedure and indications were surgical tracheostomy (72.4%) and non-obstructed causes (74.1%), respectively. Moreover, 47.7% of the culture results indicated Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which showed significantly different proportions across the quarters (p=0.006). Among obstructed patients, P. aeruginosa was the most common (35%), followed by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA; 23.5%).

Conclusions

The most common post-tracheostomy microorganism was P. aeruginosa. MRSA showed a strong association with tracheostomy for obstructive indications.

Decreased duration of intravenous cephalosporins in intensive care unit patients with selective digestive decontamination: a retrospective before-and-after study

Selective digestive decontamination (SDD) reduces the rate of infection and improves the outcomes of patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). A risk associated with its use is the development of multi-drug-resistant organisms. We hypothesized that a 1-day reduction in systemic antimicrobial exposure in the SDD regimen would not affect the outcomes of our patients. In this before-and-after study design, 199 patients and 248 patients were included in a 3-day SDD group and a 2-day SDD group, respectively. The rates of hospital-acquired pneumonia and ICU infections were similar in both groups. The rates of bloodstream infection and bacteriuria were significantly lower in the 2-day SDD group than in the 3-day SDD group. Compared with the patients in the 3-day group, the patients in the 2-day SDD group received fewer antibiotics and less exposure to mechanical ventilation, and they used fewer ICU resources. The rates of ICU mortality and 28-day mortality were similar in both groups. The incidence of multi-drug-resistant organisms was similar in both groups. Within the limitations inherent to our study design, reducing the exposure of prophylactic systemic antibiotics in the SDD setting from 3 days to 2 days was not associated with impaired outcomes. Future randomized controlled trials should be conducted to test this hypothesis and investigate the effects on the development of multi-drug resistant organisms.

Neuromuscular blockade requirement is associated with good neurologic outcome in cardiac arrest survivors treated with targeted temperature management

PURPOSE

We examined the association between neuromuscular blockade (NMB) requirements and outcomes and lactate clearance in cardiac arrest survivors treated with targeted temperature management (TTM).

METHODS

We included consecutive adult cardiac arrest survivors treated with TTM between 2012 and 2015. NMB use was categorized into 3 groups: no NMB, bolus NMB (intermittent bolus use), and continuous NMB (continuous infusion). Serum lactate levels were measured on admission and at 12h, 24h, and 48h after admission. The primary outcome was neurologic outcome at discharge. The secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and lactate clearance.

RESULTS

In total, 309 patients were included. Of these, 206 (66.7%) and 73 (23.6%) were discharged with poor neurologic outcome and death, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that continuous NMB, as opposed to no NMB use, was associated with decreased poor neurologic outcomes (odds ratio [OR], 0.317; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.124-0.815) and decreased in-hospital mortality (OR, 0.414; 95% CI, 0.183-0.941). There were no differences in lactate clearance between the NMB groups.

CONCLUSION

Continuous NMB requirement was associated with improved neurologic outcome and decreased in-hospital mortality in cardiac arrest survivors treated with TTM. The NMB requirement was not associated with lactate clearance.

Diagnostic values of CD64, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in ventilator-associated pneumonia in adult trauma patients: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most common nosocomial infections; however, its diagnosis remains difficult to establish in the critical care setting. We investigated the potential role of neutrophil CD64 (nCD64) expression as an early marker for the diagnosis of VAP.

METHODS

Forty-nine consecutive patients with clinically suspected VAP were prospectively included in a single-center study. The levels of nCD64, C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum procalcitonin (PCT) were analyzed for diagnostic evaluation at the time of intubation (baseline), at day 0 (time of diagnosis), and at day 3. The receiver operating characteristic curves were analyzed to identify the ideal cutoff values.

RESULTS

VAP was confirmed in 36 of 49 cases. In patients with and without VAP, the median levels (interquartile range, IQR) of nCD64 did not differ either at baseline [2.4 (IQR, 1.8-3.1) and 2.6 (IQR, 2.3-3.2), respectively; p=0.3] or at day 0 [2 (IQR, 2.5-3.0) and 2.6 (IQR, 2.4-2.9), respectively; p=0.8]. CRP showed the largest area under the curve (AUC) at day 3. The optimum cutoff value for CRP according to the maximum Youden index was 133 mg/dL. This cutoff value had 69% sensitivity and 76% specificity for predicting VAP; the AUC was 0.73 (95% CI, 0.59-0.85). The nCD64 and PCT values could not discriminate between the VAP and non-VAP groups either at day 0 or day 3.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this pilot study suggest that neutrophil CD64 measurement has a poor role in facilitating the diagnosis of VAP and thus may not be practically recommended to guide the administration of antibiotics when VAP is suspected.

Does low-dose hydrocortisone therapy prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia in trauma patients?

The incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is particularly high in trauma patients. Immediate acute inflammation response is one of the hallmarks of multiple trauma. This phenomenon is associated with an immunosuppression state and may increase the risk of VAP. In our study, we aimed to evaluate whether low-dose steroids prevent VAP onset in multiple trauma patients. All adult patients admitted in our intensive care unit (ICU) for multiple trauma with predicted duration of mechanical ventilation over 48 hours were included. We compared 2 different periods: a retrospective cohort of patients who did not receive low-dose steroids for VAP prevention and a prospective cohort of patients who received hydrocortisone with a dose of 100 mg/8 hours for a scheduled period of 7 days. We included 175 patients: 92 in the steroids (-) group and 83 in the steroids (+) group. The incidence of VAP was not different between the 2 studied groups (29.3% and 26.5%; P = 0.676). When predictive factors of VAP onset were studied in multivariate analysis, steroids had no preventive effect on VAP [OR = 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.73-3.6; P = 0.234]. We did not find any difference between the 2 groups, neither in terms of ICU length of stay (respectively, 11 ± 9.7 days vs. 12.3 ± 10.7 days; P = 0.372) nor in terms of ICU mortality (29.3% vs 24.1%; P = 0.434).

Does selective digestive decontamination prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia in trauma patients?

The incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is particularly high in patients with trauma. The efficacy and safety of selective digestive decontamination (SDD) was not studied extensively. We aimed in our randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate whether SDD prevents VAP onset in multiple trauma patients. All adult patients admitted in our intensive care unit for multiple trauma with a predicted duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) over 48 hours were included. We included 44 patients who were divided into 4 groups: group A receiving subglottic and gastric treatment suspension (polymyxin E 100 mg, vancomycin 1 g, and amphotericin B 500 mg), group B receiving placebo, group C receiving subglottic placebo and gastric treatment suspension, and group D receiving subglottic treatment suspension and gastric placebo. The suspension was given 4 times a day during 7 consecutive days. To this topical treatment, we associated an intravenous administration of cefotaxime (1 g 3 times a day during 4 consecutive days). The incidence of VAP in the 4 groups was, respectively, 45.5%, 46.2%, 22.2%, and 27.3% (P=0.236). In multivariate analysis, none of the 3 tested regimens was identified as a protective factor against VAP. However, prolonged duration of MV was the only independent factor predicting VAP onset (odds ratio=1.1; 95% confidence interval [1.1-1.4]; P=0.049).

Pulmonary infections in ICU patients without underlying disease on ventilators

BACKGROUND

At present, the use of ventilator support is an important part of treatment in ICU patients. However, aside from its well-known advantages, the use of these devices is also associated with complications, the most important of which is pulmonary infection (PI). PI has a high rate of morbidity and mortality.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of PI in mechanically-ventilated patients and the role that factors, such as age, sex, and duration of intubation, play in this regard.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This descriptive cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence of PI in mechanically ventilated patients, with no underlying condition which could compromise their immune system. Age, sex, and duration of intubation were assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 16) software.

RESULTS

A total of 37 ICU patients on ventilators were evaluated, including 21 males (56.8%) and 16 females (43.2%). The mean age of the patients was 54 ± 19 years (range 19 to 86 years), with a mean age of 52 ± 20 years in men, and 56 ± 18 years in women (P = 0.52). The mean duration of ventilation was 6 ± 4 days (range 2 to 20 days). The mean duration of ventilation was 5 ± 2 days in men, and 6 ± 5 days in women (P = 0.42). A total of 16 patients (43.2%) developed ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP); of whom, 50% were male and 50% female (P = 0.46). Patients who developed a pulmonary infection had a significantly longer duration of ventilation. The mean duration of ventilation was 8 ± 4 days in patients who had developed VAP, while this duration was 4 ± 2 days in the non-affected patients (P = 0.005). Overall, 17 patients died, and 7 of these deaths were attributed to VAP.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of VAP in this study was approximately 43%, which is relatively high. In total, the percentage of deaths due to VAP among the patients was 18.91%. Duration of ventilator support was significantly correlated with the prevalence of PI.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia in trauma patients with open tracheotomy: Predictive factors and prognosis impact

OBJECTIVE

To assess the predictive factors of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) occurrence following open tracheotomy in trauma patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted an observational, prospective study over 15 months, between 01/08/2010 and 30/11/2011. All trauma patients (except those with cervical spine trauma), older than 15 years, undergoing open tracheotomy during their ICU stay were included. All episode of VAP following tracheotomy were recorded. Predictive factor of VAP onset were studied.

RESULTS

We included 106 patients. Mean age was 37.9 ± 15.5 years. Mean Glasgow coma Scale (GCS) was 8.5 ± 3.7 and mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 53.1 ± 23.8. Tracheotomy was performed for 53 patients (50%) because of prolonged ventilation whereas 83 patients (78.3%) had tracheotomy because of projected long mechanical ventilation. Tracheotomy was performed within 8.6 ± 5.3 days. Immediate complications were bleeding events (22.6%) and barotrauma (0.9%). Late complications were stomal infection (28.3%) and VAP (52.8%). In multivariate analysis, independent factors predicting VAP onset were delayed tracheotomy (OR = 0.041; CI95% [1.02-7.87]; P = 0.041) and stomal infection (OR = 3.04; CI95% [1.02-9.93]; P = 0.045). Thirty three patients died in ICU (31.1%) without significant impact of VAP on mortality.

CONCLUSION

Late tracheotomy and stomal infection are independent factors predicting VAP onset after open tracheotomy in trauma patients. The occurrence of VAP prolongers mechanical ventilation duration and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) but doesn't increase mortality.

Effect of selective decontamination on antimicrobial resistance in intensive care units: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Many meta-analyses have shown reductions in infection rates and mortality associated with the use of selective digestive decontamination (SDD) or selective oropharyngeal decontamination (SOD) in intensive care units (ICUs). These interventions have not been widely implemented because of concerns that their use could lead to the development of antimicrobial resistance in pathogens. We aimed to assess the effect of SDD and SOD on antimicrobial resistance rates in patients in ICUs.

METHODS

We did a systematic review of the effect of SDD and SOD on the rates of colonisation or infection with antimicrobial-resistant pathogens in patients who were critically ill. We searched for studies using Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases, with no limits by language, date of publication, study design, or study quality. We included all studies of selective decontamination that involved prophylactic application of topical non-absorbable antimicrobials to the stomach or oropharynx of patients in ICUs, with or without additional systemic antimicrobials. We excluded studies of interventions that used only antiseptic or biocide agents such as chlorhexidine, unless antimicrobials were also included in the regimen. We used the Mantel-Haenszel model with random effects to calculate pooled odds ratios.

FINDINGS

We analysed 64 unique studies of SDD and SOD in ICUs, of which 47 were randomised controlled trials and 35 included data for the detection of antimicrobial resistance. When comparing data for patients in intervention groups (those who received SDD or SOD) versus data for those in control groups (who received no intervention), we identified no difference in the prevalence of colonisation or infection with Gram-positive antimicrobial-resistant pathogens of interest, including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (odds ratio 1·46, 95% CI 0·90-2·37) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (0·63, 0·39-1·02). Among Gram-negative bacilli, we detected no difference in aminoglycoside-resistance (0·73, 0·51-1·05) or fluoroquinolone-resistance (0·52, 0·16-1·68), but we did detect a reduction in polymyxin-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (0·58, 0·46-0·72) and third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (0·33, 0·20-0·52) in recipients of selective decontamination compared with those who received no intervention.

INTERPRETATION

We detected no relation between the use of SDD or SOD and the development of antimicrobial-resistance in pathogens in patients in the ICU, suggesting that the perceived risk of long-term harm related to selective decontamination cannot be justified by available data. However, our study indicates that the effect of decontamination on ICU-level antimicrobial resistance rates is understudied. We recommend that future research includes a non-crossover, cluster randomised controlled trial to assess long-term ICU-level changes in resistance rates.

FUNDING

None.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia and ICU mortality in severe ARDS patients ventilated according to a lung-protective strategy

INTRODUCTION

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) may contribute to the mortality associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We aimed to determine the incidence, outcome, and risk factors of bacterial VAP complicating severe ARDS in patients ventilated by using a strictly standardized lung-protective strategy.

METHODS

This prospective epidemiologic study was done in all the 339 patients with severe ARDS included in a multicenter randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind trial of cisatracurium besylate in severe ARDS patients. Patients with suspected VAP underwent bronchoalveolar lavage to confirm the diagnosis.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight (28.9%) patients had at least one episode of microbiologically documented bacterial VAP, including 41 (41.8%) who died in the ICU, compared with 74 (30.7%) of the 241 patients without VAP (P = 0.05). After adjustment, age and severity at baseline, but not VAP, were associated with ICU death. Cisatracurium besylate therapy within 2 days of ARDS onset decreased the risk of ICU death. Factors independently associated with an increased risk to develop a VAP were male sex and worse admission Glasgow Coma Scale score. Tracheostomy, enteral nutrition, and the use of a subglottic secretion-drainage device were protective.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with severe ARDS receiving lung-protective ventilation, VAP was associated with an increased crude ICU mortality which did not remain significant after adjustment.

The results of a 6-year epidemiologic surveillance for ventilator-associated pneumonia at a tertiary care intensive care unit in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) prevention is an important patient safety initiative. We describe the impact of a multidisciplinary surveillance program on VAP rates in a tertiary medical-surgical-trauma intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODS

An epidemiologic surveillance program was established in 2003 as a joint project between ICU and Infection Prevention and Control Department to regularly report VAP rates to guide evidence-based VAP preventive strategies. VAP cases were diagnosed according to predefined criteria and prospectively recorded by a research physician. VAP microbiology, risk factors, and outcomes were noted.

RESULTS

Of 2,812 ventilated patients, 433 (15.4%) developed VAP corresponding to 15.9 episodes per 1,000 ventilator-days. The rate decreased from 19.1 in 2003 to 6.3 per 1,000 ventilator-days in 2009. On multivariate analysis, VAP was associated with accidental extubation (hazard ratio [HR], 4.11; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.93-8.73), trauma versus medical diagnosis (HR, 2.59; 95% CI: 2.07-3.23), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR, 1.55; 95% CI: 1.08-2.22), and neuromuscular blockade (HR, 1.39; 95% CI: 1.07-1.81). The most common isolated pathogens were Gram-negative organisms. VAP patients had longer mechanical ventilation duration, ICU and hospital length of stay, but similar ICU and hospital mortality compared with non-VAP patients.

CONCLUSION

The study showed a reduction in VAP rates with active surveillance, reporting and evidence-based preventive strategies and identified several modifiable risk factors, which should be the focus of additional interventions.

Aspartyl proteinase, phospholipase, hemolytic activities and biofilm production of Candida albicans isolated from bronchial aspirates of ICU patients

A correlation between mucosal colonization by Candida albicans and the subsequent development of invasive respiratory infection has been previously described. The aim of this study was to evaluate different enzymatic activities in vitro and to determine the capacity to form biofilms by 17 C. albicans isolates from bronchial aspirates of mechanically ventilated patients hospitalized in intensive care units. All the C. albicans clinical isolates tested were biofilm producers and displayed detectable levels of proteinase and hemolytic activities, although phospholipase activity was not detected in one strain. The correlation noted among the virulence factors studied suggests that the presence of more than one concurrent factor could facilitate the spread of infection.

Late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia in nontrauma intensive care unit patients

BACKGROUND

Most studies designed to determine the factors associated with the acquisition of late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) were performed in critically ill trauma patients. The impact of enteral nutrition (EN) on the risk of acquiring VAP has been discussed. In this study, we assessed factors associated with late-onset VAP in nontrauma patients and determined whether nutrition provided early was associated with development of late-onset VAP in this population.

METHODS

We performed a prospective observational cohort study in a 21-bed polyvalent intensive care unit in a university hospital.

RESULTS

Three hundred sixty-one intubated adult patients with a duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) of 6 days or more were admitted over a 28-mo period. Late-onset VAP was confirmed in 76 patients (21%) by the presence of at least one microorganism at a concentration >or=10(4) colony-forming units/mL on the bronchoalveolar lavage. Gram-negative bacilli represented 75% and Staphylococcus aureus 21% of recovered organisms. Factors independently associated with late-onset VAP by multivariate analysis included a high simplified acute physiology score II score (odds ratio: 1.021; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.005-1.038; P = 0.01), development of acute respiratory distress syndrome during the first 5 days of MV (odds ratio: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.05-3.67; P = 0.04), and size of the endotracheal tube >or=7.5 (odds ratio: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.88-3.90; P = 0.03). EN started within 48 h of MV onset was not associated with a higher risk for late-onset VAP.

CONCLUSION

In our nontrauma patient population, early EN was not associated with development of late-onset VAP. In this population, severity of the disease during the first 5 days of MV seemed to be associated with late-onset VAP. In addition, our results suggest that the risk of late-onset VAP is higher in patients with a tube size >or=7.5 than in patients with a tube size <7.5.

Patterns and density of early tracheal colonization in intensive care unit patients

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to describe the patterns and density of early tracheal colonization among intubated patients and to correlate colonization status with levels of antimicrobial peptides and inflammatory cytokines.

DESIGN

The was a prospective cohort study.

SETTING

The study was conducted in medical and cardiovascular intensive care units of a tertiary referral hospital.

PATIENTS

Seventy-four adult patients admitted between March 2003 and May 2006 were recruited for the study.

INTERVENTIONS

Tracheal aspirates were collected daily for the first 4 days of intubation using standardized, sterile technique and sent for quantitative culture and cytokines, lactoferrin and lysozyme measurements.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The mean acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II) score in this cohort was 24 +/- 7. Proportion of subjects colonized by any microorganism increased over the first 4 days of intubation (47%, 60%, 70%, 70%, P = .08), but density of colonization for bacteria or yeast did not change significantly. No known risk factors predicted tracheal colonization on day 1 of intubation. Several patterns of colonization were observed (persistent, transient, new colonization, and clearance of initial colonization).The most common organisms cultured were Candida albicans and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Levels of cytokines, lactoferrin, or lysozyme did not change over time and were not correlated with tracheal colonization status. Four subjects (6%) had ventilator-associated pneumonia.

CONCLUSIONS

The density of tracheal colonization did not change significantly over the first 4 days of intubation in medical intensive care unit patients. There was no correlation between tracheal colonization and the levels of antimicrobial peptides or cytokines. Several different patterns of colonization may have to be considered while planning interventions to reduce airway colonization.

Nosocomial pneumonia

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review describes the most recent advances in the management and prevention of nosocomial pneumonia. The new ATS guidelines in particular are most likely to affect clinical practice outside the USA.

RECENT FINDINGS

The problem of multidrug-resistant bacteria causing nosocomial pneumonia seems to be increasing. This is particularly true for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. While the diagnosis of ventilator associated pneumonia remains a conflictive issue, serial tracheobronchial aspirates may improve the selection of adequate antimicrobial treatment. Combined beta-lactam and aminoglycoside therapy is inferior to beta-lactam monotherapy, both in terms of clinical outcome and in the prevention of resistance during treatment; in addition, it carries an increased risk of nephrotoxicity.

SUMMARY

The updated ATS guidelines will considerably impact clinical approaches to nosocomial and healthcare-related pneumonia. Serial tracheobronchial aspirates can be used to guide selection of antimicrobial treatment in ventilator associated pneumonia. The combination of beta-lactams and aminoglycosides is likely to be abandoned in the future. New potent treatment options for pneumonia due to nonfermenters are urgently needed.

L-alanyl-L-glutamine dipeptide-supplemented total parenteral nutrition reduces infectious complications and glucose intolerance in critically ill patients: the French controlled, randomized, double-blind, multicenter study

OBJECTIVE

Glutamine (Gln)-supplemented total parenteral nutrition (TPN) improves clinical outcome after planned surgery, but the benefits of Gln-TPN for critically ill (intensive care unit; ICU) patients are still debated.

DESIGN

Prospective, double-blind, controlled, randomized trial.

SETTING

ICUs in 16 hospitals in France.

PATIENTS

One-hundred fourteen ICU patients admitted for multiple trauma (38), complicated surgery (65), or pancreatitis (11).

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomized to receive isocaloric isonitrogenous TPN via a central venous catheter providing 37.5 kcal and 1.5 g amino acids.kg-1.day-1 supplemented with either L-alanyl-L-glutamine dipeptide (0.5 g.kg-1.day-1; Ala-Gln group, n=58) or L-alanine+L-proline (control group, n=56) over at least 5 days.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Complicated clinical outcome was defined a priori by the occurrence of infectious complications (according to the criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), wound complication, or death. The two groups were compared by chi-square test on an intention-to-treat basis. The two groups did not differ at inclusion for type and severity of injury (mean simplified acute physiology score II, 30 vs. 30.5; mean injury severity score, 44.9 vs. 42.3). Similar volumes of TPN were administered in both groups. Ala-Gln-supplemented TPN was associated with a lower incidence of complicated outcome (41% vs. 61%; p<.05), which was mainly due to a reduced infection rate per patient (mean, 0.45 vs. 0.71; p<.05) and incidence of pneumonia (10 vs. 19; p<.05). Early death rate during treatment and 6-month survival were not different. Hyperglycemia was less frequent (20 vs. 30 patients; p<.05) and there were fewer insulin-requiring patients (14 vs. 22; p<.05) in the Ala-Gln group.

CONCLUSIONS

TPN supplemented with Ala-Gln dipeptide in ICU patients is associated with a reduced rate of infectious complications and better metabolic tolerance.