Sedative Plasma Concentrations and Delirium Risk in Critical Illness

Delirium and Its Associations with Critical Care Utilizations and Outcomes at the Time of Hospital Discharge in Patients with Acute Brain Injury

Background and Objectives: We analyzed delirium testing, delirium prevalence, critical care associations outcomes at the time of hospital discharge in patients with acute brain injury (ABI) due to acute ischemic stroke (AIS), non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), non-traumatic intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) admitted to an intensive care unit. Materials and Methods: We examined the frequency of assessment for delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method for the intensive care unit. We assessed delirium testing frequency, associated factors, positive test outcomes, and their correlations with clinical care, including nonpharmacological interventions and pain, agitation, and distress management. Results: Amongst 11,322 patients with ABI, delirium was tested in 8220 (726%). Compared to patients 18-44 years of age, patients 65-79 years (aOR 0.79 [0.69, 0.90]), and those 80 years and older (aOR 0.58 [0.50, 0.68]) were less likely to undergo delirium testing. Compared to English-speaking patients, non-English-speaking patients (aOR 0.73 [0.64, 0.84]) were less likely to undergo delirium testing. Amongst 8220, 2217 (27.2%) tested positive for delirium. For every day in the ICU, the odds of testing positive for delirium increased by 1.11 [0.10, 0.12]. Delirium was highest in those 80 years and older (aOR 3.18 [2.59, 3.90]). Delirium was associated with critical care resource utilization and with significant odds of mortality (aOR 7.26 [6.07, 8.70] at the time of hospital discharge. Conclusions: In conclusion, we find that seven out of ten patients in the neurocritical care unit are tested for delirium, and approximately two out of every five patients test positive for delirium. We demonstrate disparities in delirium testing by age and preferred language, identified high-risk subgroups, and the association between delirium, critical care resource use, complications, discharge GCS, and disposition. Prioritizing equitable testing and diagnosis, especially for elderly and non-English-speaking patients, is crucial for delivering quality care to this vulnerable group.

Niche Roles for Dexmedetomidine in the Intensive Care Unit

OBJECTIVE

Review dexmedetomidine use in critically ill patients for niche indications including sleep, delirium, alcohol withdrawal, sepsis, and immunomodulation.

DATA SOURCES

Literature was sought using PubMed (February 2012-November 2022). Search terms included dexmedetomidine AND (hypnotics OR sedatives OR sleep OR delirium OR immunomodulation OR sepsis OR alcohol withdrawal).

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

Relevant studies conducted in humans ≥18 years published in English were included. Exclusion criteria included systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and studies evaluating oral dexmedetomidine or other alpha-2 agonists.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A total of 231 articles were retrieved. After removal of duplicates, title and abstract screening, and application of inclusion criteria, 35 articles were included. Across the clinical conditions included in this review, varying clinical outcomes were seen. Dexmedetomidine may improve morbidity outcomes in delirium, sleep, and alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Due to limited human studies and poor quality of evidence, no conclusions can be drawn regarding the role of dexmedetomidine in immunomodulation or sepsis.

RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE

This review presents data for potential niche roles of dexmedetomidine aside from sedation in critically ill patients. This may serve as a guide for sedation selection in critically ill patients who may also benefit from the pleiotropic effects of dexmedetomidine due to a clinical condition discussed in this review.

CONCLUSION

While further studies are needed, dexmedetomidine may provide benefit in other indications in critically ill patients including delirium, sleep, and alcohol withdrawal. Given the poor quality of evidence of dexmedetomidine use in immunomodulation and sepsis, no conclusions can be drawn.

Monitoring of nighttime EEG slow-wave activity during dexmedetomidine infusion in patients with hyperactive ICU delirium: An observational pilot study

BACKGROUND

The disturbance of sleep has been associated with intensive care unit (ICU) delirium. Monitoring of EEG slow-wave activity (SWA) has potential in measuring sleep quality and quantity. We investigated the quantitative monitoring of nighttime SWA and its association with the clinical evaluation of sleep in patients with hyperactive ICU delirium treated with dexmedetomidine.

METHODS

We performed overnight EEG recordings in 15 patients diagnosed with hyperactive delirium during moderate dexmedetomidine sedation. SWA was evaluated by offline calculation of the C-Trend Index, describing SWA in one parameter ranging 0 to 100 in values. Average and percentage of SWA values <50 were categorized as poor. The sleep quality and depth was clinically evaluated by the bedside nurse using the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) with scores <70 categorized as poor.

RESULTS

Nighttime SWA revealed individual sleep structures and fundamental variation between patients. SWA was poor in 67%, sleep quality (RCSQ) in 67%, and sleep depth (RCSQ) in 60% of the patients. The category of SWA aligned with that of RCSQ-based sleep quality in 87% and RCSQ-based sleep depth in 67% of the patients.

CONCLUSION

Both, SWA and clinical evaluation suggested that the quality and depth of nighttime sleep were poor in most patients with hyperactive delirium despite dexmedetomidine infusion. Furthermore, the SWA and clinical evaluation classifications were not uniformly in agreement. An objective mode such as practical EEG-based solution for sleep evaluation and individual drug dosing in the ICU setting could offer potential in improving sleep for patients with delirium.

The impact of ABCDE bundle implementation on patient outcomes: A nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND

The ABCDE bundle is a set of evidence-based practices to systematically reduce the risks of sedation, delirium, and immobility in intensive care patients. Implementing the bundle improves clinical outcome.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between patient outcomes and compliance with bundle components ABC (analgosedation algorithms), D (delirium protocol), and E (early mobilization protocol).

DESIGN

A Spanish multicentre cohort study of adult patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) for ≥48 h until extubation.

METHODS

The primary outcome was pain level, cooperation to permit Medical Research Council Scale administration, patient days of delirium, and mobility. The secondary outcome was cumulative drug dosing by IMV days. Tertiary outcomes (ICU days, IMV days, bed rest days, ICU mortality, ICUAW) and independent variables (analgosedation, delirium, early mobilization protocols) were also studied.

RESULTS

Data were collected from 605 patients in 80 ICUs and 5214 patient days with IMV. Two-thirds of the ICUs studied applied no protocols. Pain was not assessed on 83.6% of patient days. Patient cooperation made scale administration feasible on 20.7% of days. Delirium and immobility were found on 4.2% and 69.9% of days, respectively. Patients had shorter stays in ICUs with bundle protocols and fewer days of IMV in ICUs with delirium and mobilization bundle components (P = 0.006 and P = 0.03, respectively). Analgosedation protocols were associated with more opioid dosing (P = 0.02), and delirium and early mobilization protocols with more propofol (P = 0.001), dexmedetomidine (P = 0.001), and lower benzodiazepine dosing (P = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation rate of ABCDE bundle components was very low in our Spanish setting, but when implemented, patients had a shorter ICU stay, more analgesia dosing, and lighter sedation.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Applying some but not all the bundle components, there is increased analgesia and light sedation drug use, decreased benzodiazepines, and increased patient cooperation and mobility, resulting in a shorter ICU stay and fewer days of IMV.

Delirium and its Pharmacological Causes in Older People, Part Two

Delirium is a syndrome that can arise from many causes or underlying conditions, and though it has been reported in younger patients, it is more prevalent in older people, though it can occur in other age groups as well. Identifying delirium is challenging in older people because of the coexistence of underlying dementia or depression, which may further complicate the presentation. Drug-induced delirium is one of the major causes of delirium, and evaluation of this potential cause or contribution is an important component of the evaluation process, since it can lead to poor patient outcomes. Part one of this three part series reviewed the epidemiology, pathophysiology, evaluation, diagnostic process, and causes of delirium in older people, with a focus on the pharmacological causes. Part two of this series continues to review drugs and drug classes that can cause or contribute to delirium in older people.

Sedation and Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Tracheostomy in COVID-19, a Multi-Center Registry

INTRODUCTION

Patients with COVID-19 ARDS require significant amounts of sedation and analgesic medications which can lead to longer hospital/ICU length of stay, delirium, and has been associated with increased mortality. Tracheostomy has been shown to decrease the amount of sedative, anxiolytic and analgesic medications given to patients. The goal of this study was to assess whether tracheostomy decreased sedation and analgesic medication usage, improved markers of activity level and cognitive function, and clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 ARDS.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A retrospective registry of patients with COVID-19 ARDS who underwent tracheostomy creation at the University of Pennsylvania Health System or the Johns Hopkins Hospital from 3/2020 to 12/2020. Patients were grouped into the early (≤14 days, n = 31) or late (15 + days, n = 97) tracheostomy groups and outcome data collected.

RESULTS

128 patients had tracheostomies performed at a mean of 19.4 days, with 66% performed percutaneously at bedside. Mean hourly dose of fentanyl, midazolam, and propofol were all significantly reduced 48-h after tracheostomy: fentanyl (48-h pre-tracheostomy: 94.0 mcg/h, 48-h post-tracheostomy: 64.9 mcg/h, P = .000), midazolam (1.9 mg/h pre vs. 1.2 mg/h post, P = .0012), and propofol (23.3 mcg/kg/h pre vs. 8.4 mcg/kg/h post, P = .0121). There was a significant improvement in mobility score and Glasgow Coma Scale in the 48-h pre- and post-tracheostomy. Comparing the early and late groups, the mean fentanyl dose in the 48-h pre-tracheostomy was significantly higher in the late group than the early group (116.1 mcg/h vs. 35.6 mcg/h, P = .03). ICU length of stay was also shorter in the early group (37.0 vs. 46.2 days, P = .012).

INTERPRETATION

This data supports a reduction in sedative and analgesic medications administered and improvement in cognitive and physical activity in the 48-h period post-tracheostomy in COVID-19 ARDS. Further, early tracheostomy may lead to significant reductions in intravenous opiate medication administration, and ICU LOS.

Clinical Practice: Should we Radically Alter our Sedation of Critical Care Patients, Especially Given the COVID-19 Pandemics?

The high number of patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus requiring care for ARDS puts sedation in the critical care unit (CCU) to the edge. Depth of sedation has evolved over the last 40 years (no-sedation, deep sedation, daily emergence, minimal sedation, etc.). Most guidelines now recommend determining the depth of sedation and minimizing the use of benzodiazepines and opioids. The broader use of alpha-2 adrenergic agonists ('alpha-2 agonists') led to sedation regimens beginning at admission to the CCU that contrast with hypnotics+opioids ("conventional" sedation), with major consequences for cognition, ventilation and circulatory performance. The same doses of alpha-2 agonists used for 'cooperative' sedation (ataraxia, analgognosia) elicit no respiratory depression but modify the autonomic nervous system (cardiac parasympathetic activation, attenuation of excessive cardiac and vasomotor sympathetic activity). Alpha-2 agonists should be selected only in patients who benefit from their effects ('personalized' indications, as opposed to a 'one size fits all' approach). Then, titration to effect is required, especially in the setting of systemic hypotension and/or hypovolemia. Since no general guidelines exist for the use of alpha-2 agonists for CCU sedation, our clinical experience is summarized for the benefit of physicians in clinical situations in which a recommendation might never exist (refractory delirium tremens; unstable, hypovolemic, hypotensive patients, etc.). Because the physiology of alpha-2 receptors and the pharmacology of alpha-2 agonists lead to personalized indications, some details are offered. Since interactions between conventional sedatives and alpha-2 agonists have received little attention, these interactions are addressed. Within the existing guidelines for CCU sedation, this article could facilitate the use of alpha-2 agonists as effective and safe sedation while awaiting large, multicentre trials and more evidence-based medicine.

Utilisation of medications among elderly patients in intensive care units: a cross-sectional study using a nationwide claims database

OBJECTIVES

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of pain and sedation in critically ill patients have been developed and applied; however, there is limited data on medication use among elderly patients. This study identifies current practice patterns for analgo-sedative use in mechanically ventilated elderly patients in Korea using a national claims database.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Ventilated elderly patients aged 65 years or older in intensive care units (ICUs) from an aged patients' national claims database in Korea PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Use of sedatives including benzodiazepines, opioids and non-opioid analgesics, neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) and antipsychotic drugs were analysed by the duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), age and time.

RESULTS

From 2012 to 2016, 22 677 elderly patients underwent MV in 267 general or tertiary ICUs. Mean age was 77.2 (±6.9) years and the median duration of MV was 4.1 days; 77.2% of patients received sedatives, 65.0% analgesics, 29.1% NMBAs and 19.6% antipsychotics. Midazolam (62.0%) was the most commonly prescribed medication. The proportions of sedatives, analgesics and NMBAs increased, whereas the percentages of person-days decreased with longer MV duration (p<0.01). With advanced age, the prevalence and duration of sedative, analgesic and NMBA use decreased (adjusted OR (95% CI) 0.98 (0.97 to 0.98) in all three classes) while antipsychotic did not (adjusted OR 1.00 (1.00-1.01)). Annually, benzodiazepines showed reduced administration (76.2% in 2012 and 71.4% in 2016, p<0.01), while daily opioid dose increased (21.6 in 2012 vs 30.0 mg in 2016, p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of sedative, analgesic and NMBAs use and daily opioid doses were lower, whereas antipsychotic use was higher compared with those in previous studies in adult patients. The findings warrant further studies investigating appropriateness and safety of medication use that consider clinical severity scores with a focus on elderly patients in ICUs.

Serum glial fibrillary acidic protein and ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1 for diagnosis of sepsis-associated encephalopathy and outcome prognostication

PURPOSE

We investigated the role of serum Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and Ubiquitin C-Terminal Hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1) in diagnosis of sepsis-associated encephalopathy(SAE), predicting prognosis and long-term quality of life with patients of sepsis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a prospective single center study entailed 105 patients whosuffered from sepsis from Jan 2015 to Aug 2016. Serum concentrations of GFAP and UCH-L1 for diagnosis of SAE and predicting prognosis and long-term quality of life with patients of sepsis were analyzed.

RESULTS

The serum concentrations of GFAP and UCH-L1 were higher in SAE group than in no-SAE group (p < .001). GFAP and UCH-L1 produced an AUC of 0.824 and 0.812 respectively for diagnosis of SAE with optimal cut-off values 0.532 ng/ml and 7.72 ng/ml respectively. The optimal cut-off values of GFAP and UCH-L1 to distinguish patients with survivors from non-survivors were 0.536 ng/ml and 8.06 ng/ml with an area under the curve of 0.773 and 0.746. Patients with a higher GFAP levels had worse long-term usual activities and patients with a higher UCH-L1 levels had more long-term pain (P = .026).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum concentrations GFAP and UCH-L1 early elevated and associated with sepsis-associated encephalopathy, poor prognosis and quality of life.