Early goal-directed resuscitation of patients with septic shock: current evidence and future directions

Development and validation of an emergency bloodstream infection score for predicting in-hospital mortality in patients with community-acquired bloodstream infections

BACKGROUND

Community-acquired bloodstream infections (CABSIs) are common in the emergency departments, and some progress to sepsis and even lead to death. However, limited information is available regarding the prediction of patients with high risk of death.

METHODS

The Emergency Bloodstream Infection Score (EBS) for CABSIs was developed to visualize the output of a logistic regression model and was validated by the area under the curve (AUC). The Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis (MEDS), Pitt Bacteremia Score (PBS), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and McCabe-Jackson Comorbid Classification (MJCC) for patients with CABSIs were computed to compare them with EBS in terms of the AUC and decision curve analysis (DCA). The net reclassification improvement (NRI) index and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) index were compared between the SOFA and EBS.

RESULTS

A total of 547 patients with CABSIs were included. The AUC (0.853) of the EBS was larger than those of the MEDS, PBS, SOFA, and qSOFA (all P<0.001). The NRI index of EBS in predicting the in-hospital mortality of CABSIs patients was 0.368 (P=0.04), and the IDI index was 0.079 (P=0.03). DCA showed that when the threshold probability was < 0.1, the net benefit of the EBS model was higher than those of the other models.

CONCLUSION

The EBS prognostic models were better than the SOFA, qSOFA, MEDS, and PBS models in predicting the in-hospital mortality of patients with CABSIs.

The Predictive Value of Preoperative Albumin–Globulin Ratio for Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome After Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Pathophysiology of Sepsis and Genesis of Septic Shock: The Critical Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)

The treatment of sepsis and septic shock remains a major public health issue due to the associated morbidity and mortality. Despite an improvement in the understanding of the physiological and pathological mechanisms underlying its genesis and a growing number of studies exploring an even higher range of targeted therapies, no significant clinical progress has emerged in the past decade. In this context, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appear more and more as an attractive approach for cell therapy both in experimental and clinical models. Pre-clinical data suggest a cornerstone role of these cells and their secretome in the control of the host immune response. Host-derived factors released from infected cells (i.e., alarmins, HMGB1, ATP, DNA) as well as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (e.g., LPS, peptidoglycans) can activate MSCs located in the parenchyma and around vessels to upregulate the expression of cytokines/chemokines and growth factors that influence, respectively, immune cell recruitment and stem cell mobilization. However, the way in which MSCs exert their beneficial effects in terms of survival and control of inflammation in septic states remains unclear. This review presents the interactions identified between MSCs and mediators of immunity and tissue repair in sepsis. We also propose paradigms related to the plausible roles of MSCs in the process of sepsis and septic shock. Finally, we offer a presentation of experimental and clinical studies and open the way to innovative avenues of research involving MSCs from a prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic point of view in sepsis.

Copeptin Release in Arterial Hypotension and Its Association with Severity of Disease in Critically Ill Children

Low copeptin levels may indicate inadequate arginine-vasopressin release promoting arterial hypotension, whereas high copeptin concentrations may reflect disease severity. This single-center prospective non-randomized clinical trial analyzed the course of blood copeptin in critically ill normo- and hypotensive children and its association with disease severity. In 164 patients (median age 0.5 years (interquartile range 0.1, 2.9)), the mean copeptin concentration at baseline was 43.5 pmol/L. Though not significantly different after 61 h (primary outcome, mean individual change: −12%, p = 0.36, paired t-test), we detected 1.47-fold higher copeptin concentrations during arterial hypotension when compared to normotension (mixed-effect ANOVA, p = 0.01). In total, 8 out of 34 patients (23.5%) with low copeptin concentrations <10 pmol/L were hypotensive. Copeptin was highest in the adjusted mixed-effect regression analysis within the first day (+20% at 14 h) and decreased significantly at 108 h (−27%) compared to baseline (p = 0.002). Moreover, we found a significant association with vasopressor-inotrope treatment intensity, infancy (1−12 months) and cardiopulmonary bypass (all p ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, high copeptin values were associated with arterial hypotension and severity of disease in critically ill children. This study does not support the hypothesis that low copeptin values might be indicative of arginine-vasopressin deficiency.

Initial Fluid Balance Associated Outcomes in Children With Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock

INTRODUCTION

Net fluid balance and its role in sepsis-related mortality is not clear; studies suggest that aggressive fluid resuscitation can help in treatment, whereas others consider it is associated with poor outcomes. This study aimed to clarify the possible association of initial 24 hours' fluid balance with poor outcomes in pediatric patients with sepsis.

METHODS

Retrospective data analysis included pediatric patients admitted with suspected or proven sepsis or septic shock to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia.

RESULTS

The study included 47 patients; 13 (28%) died, and mortality rate was significant in children with neurologic failure (P < 0.02), mechanical ventilation within 24 hours of admission (P < 0.03), leukopenia (P < 0.02), abnormal international normalized ratio (P < 0.02), initial blood lactate levels higher than 5 mmol/L (P < 0.02), or positive fluid balance at 24 hours of admission to the PICU (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Among children with sepsis and/or septic shock, there is significant association between mortality and initial high blood lactate levels and positive fluid balance at 24 hours from admission to the PICU.

Incidence and risk factors associated with early death in patients with emergency department septic shock

Background

Limited research has explored early mortality among patients presenting with septic shock. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence and factors associated with early death following emergency department (ED) presentation of septic shock.

Methods

A prospective registry of patients enrolled in an ED septic shock clinical pathway was used to identify patients. Patients were compared across demographic, comorbid, clinical, and treatment variables by death within 72 hours of ED presentation.

Results

Among the sample of 2,414 patients, overall hospital mortality was 20.6%. Among patients who died in the hospital, mean and median time from ED presentation to death were 4.96 days and 2.28 days, respectively. Death at 24, 48, and 72 hours occurred in 5.5%, 9.5%, and 11.5% of patients, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that the following factors were independently associated with early mortality: age (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–1.05), malignancy (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.11–2.11), pneumonia (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.02–1.88), urinary tract infection (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.44–0.89), first shock index (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.27–2.70), early vasopressor use (OR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.60–2.92), initial international normalized ratio (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.07–1.27), initial albumin (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.44–0.69), and first serum lactate (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.16–1.26).

Conclusions

Adult septic shock patients experience a high rate of early mortality within 72 hours of ED arrival. Recognizable clinical factors may aid the identification of patients at risk of early death.

Effect of Combined Hydrocortisone, Ascorbic Acid and Thiamine for Patients with Sepsis and Septic Shock: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess the effect of HAT therapy on patients with sepsis and septic shock.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for studies on HAT therapy published up to November 11, 2020. The primary outcome was the duration of vasopressor use. Secondary outcomes were change of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score within 72 h; death within intensive care unit (ICU), hospital, and 28 or 30 days; length of stay in ICU and hospital; rate of procalcitonin (PCT) clearance and incidence of adverse events. We also used trial sequential analysis (TSA) to assess the reliability of the available evidence.

RESULTS

Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and seven observational studies enrolling 1,559 patients were included (762 were treated with HAT, and 797 were treated with hydrocortisone alone, standard care or placebo). HAT therapy was associated with significant reductions in duration of vasopressor use (mean differences [MD], -14.68, [95% CI, -24.28 to -5.08], P = 0.003) in RCTs, but not in observational studies (MD, 11.21 [95% CI, -44.93 to 67.35], P = 0.70). HAT therapy was associated with less organ dysfunction at 72 h both in RCTs (MD, -0.86 [95% CI, -1.32 to -0.40], P < 0.001) and observational studies (MD, -2.65 [95% CI, -5.29 to -0.01], P = 0.05). HAT therapy was associated with lower hospital mortality and higher PCT clearance in observational studies. Similar results for the primary outcome were found in the sensitivity analysis. TSA results suggested more trials to reach the required information size.

CONCLUSION

Among patients with sepsis and septic shock, a combination therapy of hydrocortisone, ascorbic acid, and thiamine, compared with placebo, could reduce the duration of vasopressor use and SOFA scores during the first 72 h.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration ID for this study is CRD42020170648 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=170648).

Prehospital delay is an important risk factor for mortality in community-acquired bloodstream infection (CA-BSI): a matched case-control study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to identify prehospital and early hospital risk factors associated with 30-day mortality in patients with blood culture-confirmed community-acquired bloodstream infection (CA-BSI) in Sweden.

METHODS

A retrospective case-control study of 1624 patients with CA-BSI (2015-2016), 195 non-survivors satisfying the inclusion criteria were matched 1:1 with 195 survivors for age, gender and microorganism. All forms of contact with a healthcare provider for symptoms of infection within 7 days prior CA-BSI episode were registered. Logistic regression was used to analyse risk factors for 30-day all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

Of the 390 patients, 61% (115 non-survivors and 121 survivors) sought prehospital contact. The median time from first prehospital contact till hospital admission was 13 hours (6-52) for non-survivors and 7 hours (3-24) for survivors (p<0.01). Several risk factors for 30-day all-cause mortality were identified: prehospital delay OR=1.26 (95% CI: 1.07 to 1.47), p<0.01; severity of illness (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score) OR=1.60 (95% CI: 1.40 to 1.83), p<0.01; comorbidity score (updated Charlson Index) OR=1.13 (95% CI: 1.05 to 1.22), p<0.01 and inadequate empirical antimicrobial therapy OR=3.92 (95% CI: 1.64 to 9.33), p<0.01. In a multivariable model, prehospital delay >24 hours from first contact remained an important risk factor for 30-day all-cause mortality due to CA-BSI OR=6.17 (95% CI: 2.19 to 17.38), p<0.01.

CONCLUSION

Prehospital delay and inappropriate empirical antibiotic therapy were found to be important risk factors for 30-day all-cause mortality associated with CA-BSI. Increased awareness and earlier detection of BSI in prehospital and early hospital care is critical for rapid initiation of adequate management and antibiotic treatment.

Initial fluid resuscitation (30 mL/kg) in patients with septic shock: More or less?

OBJECTIVES

The 2018 Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) recommends rapid administration of 30 mL/kg crystalloid fluids for hypotension or lactate ≥4 mmol/L in patients with septic shock; however, there is limited evidence to support this recommendation. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between initial fluid resuscitation doses and prognosis in patients with septic shock.

METHODS

This was a multicenter prospective observational study of adult patients with septic shock who were admitted to four intensive care units (ICUs) in a total of three Jiangsu Province teaching hospitals over a 3-year span from May 8, 2018, to June 15, 2021. Each enrolled patients with septic shock was categorized into the low-volume (below 20 mL/kg fluid), medium-volume (20-30 mL/kg fluid) or high-volume (above 30 mL/kg fluid) fluid group according to the initial infusion dose given for fluid resuscitation. Various demographic attributes and other variables were collected from medical records. Logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier curve analysis were used to determine the relationship between initial fluid resuscitation doses and patient outcomes.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

A total of 302 patients who presented to the ICU were diagnosed with septic shock. The 28-day mortality was highest in the high-volume group (48.3%) and lowest in the medium-volume group (26.3%, P < 0.05). Patients who completed 30 mL/kg initial fluid resuscitation in the first 1-2 h had the lowest 28-day mortality rate (22.8%, P < 0.05). Logistic regression showed that a medium initial fluid volume dose was an independent protective factor, with the odds ratio (OR) indicating significantly decreased mortality (OR, 0.507; 95% confidence interval, 0.310-0.828; P = 0.007; P < 0.05). A Kaplan-Meier curve stratified by initial fluid resuscitation dose was constructed for the probability of 28-day mortality. The medium-volume fluid group showed a significantly lower 28-day mortality rate than the high-volume group or the low-volume group (log-rank test, P = 0.0016).

CONCLUSION

In septic shock patients, an initial fluid resuscitation rate of 20-30 mL/kg within the first hour may be associated with reduced 28-day mortality; however, this result needs to be confirmed by further high-quality randomized controlled clinical trials.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-OOC-17013223. Registered 2 November 2017, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=22674.

A narrative review of the mechanism of acute pancreatitis and recent advances in its clinical management

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common gastrointestinal disease with a high risk of mortality. Recently, the exosome and its potential regulatory role in the progression of AP has garnered the interest of researchers. However, effective drug interventions and therapeutic targets for AP remain to be established. Treatment approaches for AP have undergone considerable changes in the recent years: there is a greater preference for minimally invasive therapy (as primary treatment), multidisciplinary participation and the step-up approach. We aimed to discuss AP mechanism and the recent advancement in its treatment strategies to manage AP better in clinical practice.

A narrative review of acute pancreatitis and its diagnosis, pathogenetic mechanism, and management

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease that can progress to severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), which increases the risk of death. AP is characterized by inappropriate activation of trypsinogen, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and destruction of secretory cells. Other contributing factors may include calcium (Ca²⁺) overload, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired autophagy, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In addition, exosomes are also associated with pathophysiological processes of many human diseases and may play a biological role in AP. However, the pathogenic mechanism has not been fully elucidated and needs to be further explored to inform treatment. Recently, the treatment guidelines have changed; minimally invasive therapy is advocated more as the core multidisciplinary participation and "step-up" approach. The surgical procedures have gradually changed from open surgery to minimally invasive surgery that primarily includes percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD), endoscopy, small incision surgery, and video-assisted surgery. The current guidelines for the management of AP have been updated and revised in many aspects. The type of fluid to be used, the timing, volume, and speed of administration for fluid resuscitation has been controversial. In addition, the timing and role of nutritional support and prophylactic antibiotic therapy, as well as the timing of the surgical or endoscopic intervention, and the management of complications still have many uncertainties that could negatively impact the prognosis and patients' quality of life. Consequently, to inform clinicians about optimal treatment, we aimed to review recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of AP and its diagnosis and management.

STAPLAg: a convenient early warning score for use in infected patients in the intensive care unit

Sepsis is a life-threatening disease in the intensive care unit (ICU). The current diagnostic criteria for sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores do not reflect the current understanding of sepsis. We developed a novel and convenient score to aid early prognosis.Retrospective multivariable regression analysis of 185 infected emergency ICU (EICU) patients was conducted to identify independent variables associated with death, to develop the new "STAPLAg" score; STAPLAg was then validated in an internal cohort (n = 106) and an external cohort (n = 78) and its predictive efficacy was compared with that of the initial SOFA score.Age, and initial serum albumin, sodium, PLR, troponin, and lactate tests in the emergency department were independent predictors of death in infected EICU patients, and were used to establish the STAPLAg score (area under the curve [AUC] 0.865). The initial SOFA score on admission was predictive of death (AUC 0.782). Applying the above categories to the derivation cohort yielded mortality risks of 7.7% for grade I, 56.3% for grade II, and 75.0% for grade III. Internal (AUC 0.884) and external (AUC 0.918) cohort validation indicated that the score had good predictive power.The STAPLAg score can be determined early in infected EICU patients, and exhibited better prognostic capacity than the initial SOFA score on admission in both internal and external cohorts. STAPLAg constitutes a new resource for use in the clinical diagnosis of sepsis and can also predict mortality in infected EICU patients. REGISTRATION NUMBER:: ChinCTR-PNC-16010288.

Effect of initial infusion rates of fluid resuscitation on outcomes in patients with septic shock: a historical cohort study

Background

Fluid resuscitation has become the cornerstone of early septic shock management, but the optimal fluid rate is still not well studied. The goal of this investigation is to examine the relationship between fluid resuscitation rate and septic shock resolution.

Method

We retrospectively studied adult (≥ 18 years) patients with septic shock, defined based on sepsis III definition, from January 1, 2006, through May 31, 2018, in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) of Mayo Clinic Rochester. The fluid resuscitation time was defined as the time required to infuse the initial fluid bolus of 30 ml/kg, based on the recommendations of the 2016 surviving sepsis campaign. The cohort was divided into four groups based on the average fluid rate (group 1 ≥ 0.5, group 2 0.25–0.49, group 3 0.17–0.24, and group 4 < 0.17 ml/kg/min). The primary outcome was the time to shock reversal. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to account for potential confounders.

Result

A total of 1052 patients met eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. The time-to-shock reversal was significantly different among the groups (P < .001). Patients in group 1 who received fluid resuscitation at a faster rate had a shorter time to shock reversal (HR = 0.78; 95% CI 0.66–0.91; P = .01) when compared with group 4 with a median (IQR) time-to-shock reversal of 1.7 (1.5, 2.0) vs. 2.8 (2.6, 3.3) days, respectively. Using 0.25 ml/kg/min as cutoff, the higher fluid infusion rate was associated with a shorter time to shock reversal (HR = 1.22; 95% CI 1.06–1.41; P = .004) and with decreased odds of 28-day mortality (HR = 0.71; 95% CI 0.60–0.85; P < .001).

Conclusion

In septic shock patients, initial fluid resuscitation rate of 0.25–0.50 ml/kg/min (i.e., completion of the initial 30 ml/kg IV fluid resuscitation within the first 2 h), may be associated with early shock reversal and lower 28-day mortality compared with slower rates of infusion.

Learning Latent Space Representations to Predict Patient Outcomes: Model Development and Validation

Background

Scalable and accurate health outcome prediction using electronic health record (EHR) data has gained much attention in research recently. Previous machine learning models mostly ignore relations between different types of clinical data (ie, laboratory components, International Classification of Diseases codes, and medications).

Objective

This study aimed to model such relations and build predictive models using the EHR data from intensive care units. We developed innovative neural network models and compared them with the widely used logistic regression model and other state-of-the-art neural network models to predict the patient’s mortality using their longitudinal EHR data.

Methods

We built a set of neural network models that we collectively called as long short-term memory (LSTM) outcome prediction using comprehensive feature relations or in short, CLOUT. Our CLOUT models use a correlational neural network model to identify a latent space representation between different types of discrete clinical features during a patient’s encounter and integrate the latent representation into an LSTM-based predictive model framework. In addition, we designed an ablation experiment to identify risk factors from our CLOUT models. Using physicians’ input as the gold standard, we compared the risk factors identified by both CLOUT and logistic regression models.

Results

Experiments on the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-III dataset (selected patient population: 7537) show that CLOUT (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve=0.89) has surpassed logistic regression (0.82) and other baseline NN models (<0.86). In addition, physicians’ agreement with the CLOUT-derived risk factor rankings was statistically significantly higher than the agreement with the logistic regression model.

Conclusions

Our results support the applicability of CLOUT for real-world clinical use in identifying patients at high risk of mortality.

The learning hospital: From theory to practice in a hospital infection prevention program

The learning hospital is distinguished by ceaseless evolution of erudition, enhancement, and implementation of clinical best practices. We describe a model for the learning hospital within the framework of a hospital infection prevention program and argue that a critical assessment of safety practices is possible without significant grant funding. We reviewed 121 peer-reviewed manuscripts published by the VCU Hospital Infection Prevention Program over 16 years. Publications included quasi-experimental studies, observational studies, surveys, interrupted time series analyses, and editorials. We summarized the articles based on their infection prevention focus, and we provide a brief summary of the findings. We also summarized the involvement of nonfaculty learners in these manuscripts as well as the contributions of grant funding. Despite the absence of significant grant funding, infection prevention programs can critically assess safety strategies under the learning hospital framework by leveraging a diverse collaboration of motivated nonfaculty learners. This model is a valuable adjunct to traditional grant-funded efforts in infection prevention science and is part of a successful horizontal infection control program.

Highly visible sepsis publications from 2012 to 2017: Analysis and comparison of altmetrics and bibliometrics

PURPOSE

We sought to delineate highly visible publications related to sepsis. Within these subsets, elements of altmetrics performance, including mentions on Twitter, and the correlation between altmetrics and conventional citation counts were ascertained.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three subsets of sepsis publications from 2012 to 2017 were synthesized by the overall Altmetric.com attention score, number of mentions by unique Twitter users, and conventional citation counts. For these subsets, geolocated Twitter activity was plotted on a choropleth, the lag between publication date and altmetrics mentions was characterized, and correlations were examined between altmetrics performance and normalized conventional citation counts.

RESULTS

Of 57,152 PubMed query results, Altmetric.com data was available for 28,344 (49.6%). The top 50 publications by Altmetric.com attention score and Twitter attention represented a mix of original research and other types of work, garnering attention from Twitter users in 143 countries that was highly contemporaneous with publication. Altmetrics performance and conventional citation counts were poorly correlated.

CONCLUSIONS

While unreliable to gauge impact or future citation potential, altmetrics may be valuable for parties who wish to detect and drive public awareness of research findings and may enable researchers to dynamically explore the reach of their work in novel dimensions.

Antibiotics has more impact on mortality than other early goal-directed therapy components in patients with sepsis: An instrumental variable analysis

PURPOSE

To estimate the effect of each of the EGDT components, as well as of the antibiotics, on length-of-stay and mortality.

METHODS

Prospective cohort in three hospitals. Adult patients admitted by the Emergency Rooms (ER) with infection and any of systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg or lactate >4 mmol/L. An instrumental analysis with hospital of admission as the instrumental variable was performed to estimate the effect of each intervention on hospital mortality and secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Among 2587 patients evaluated 884 met inclusion criteria, with a hospital mortality rate of 17% (n = 150). In the instrumental analysis, the only intervention associated with an absolute reduction in mortality (21%) was the use of antibiotics in the first 3 h. In patients with lactate values ≥4 mmol/L in the ER, a non-decrease of at least 10% at six hours was independently associated with mortality (OR = 3.1; 95%CI = 1.5-6.2).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients entering ER with infection and shock or hypoperfusion criteria, the use of appropriate antibiotics in the first 3 h is the measure that has the greatest impact on survival. In addition, among patients with hyperlactatemia >4 mmol/L, the clearance of >10% of lactate during resuscitation is associated with better outcomes.

Endothelial Activation: The Ang/Tie Axis in Sepsis

Sepsis, a dysregulated host response to infection that causes life-threatening organ dysfunction, is a highly heterogeneous syndrome with no specific treatment. Although sepsis can be caused by a wide variety of pathogenic organisms, endothelial dysfunction leading to vascular leak is a common mechanism of injury that contributes to the morbidity and mortality associated with the syndrome. Perturbations to the angiopoietin (Ang)/Tie2 axis cause endothelial cell activation and contribute to the pathogenesis of sepsis. In this review, we summarize how the Ang/Tie2 pathway is implicated in sepsis and describe its prognostic as well as therapeutic utility in life-threatening infections.

Aspirin use and long-term rates of sepsis: A population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Sepsis is the syndrome of life-threatening organ dysfunction resulting from dysregulated host response to infection. Aspirin, an anti-inflammatory agent, may play a role in attenuating the inflammatory response during infection. We evaluated the association between aspirin use and long-term rates of sepsis as well as sepsis outcomes.

METHODS

We analyzed data from 30,239 adults ≥45 years old in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort. The primary exposure was aspirin use, identified via patient interview. The primary outcome was sepsis hospitalization, defined as admission for infection with two or more systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria. We fit Cox proportional hazards models assessing the association between aspirin use and rates of sepsis, adjusted for participant demographics, health behaviors, chronic medical conditions, medication adherence, and biomarkers. We used a propensity-matched analysis and a series of sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of our results. We also examined risk of organ dysfunction and hospital mortality during hospitalization for sepsis.

RESULTS

Among 29,690 REGARDS participants with follow-up data available, 43% reported aspirin use (n = 12,869). Aspirin users had higher sepsis rates (hazard ratio 1.35; 95% CI: 1.22-1.49) but this association was attenuated following adjustment for potential confounders (adjusted HR 0.99; 95% CI: 0.88-1.12). We obtained similar results in propensity-matched and sensitivity analyses. Among sepsis hospitalizations, aspirin use was not associated with organ dysfunction or hospital death.

CONCLUSIONS

In the REGARDS cohort, baseline aspirin use was not associated with long-term rates of sepsis.

Sepsis and Septic Shock Strategies

Three therapeutic principles most substantially improve organ dysfunction and survival in sepsis: early, appropriate antimicrobial therapy; restoration of adequate cellular perfusion; timely source control. The new definitions of sepsis and septic shock reflect the inadequate sensitivity, specify, and lack of prognostication of systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria. Sequential (sepsis-related) organ failure assessment more effectively prognosticates in sepsis and critical illness. Inadequate cellular perfusion accelerates injury and reestablishing perfusion limits injury. Multiple organ systems are affected by sepsis and septic shock and an evidence-based multipronged approach to systems-based therapy in critical illness results in improve outcomes.

[Changes in blood oxygen metabolism indices and their clinical significance in children with septic shock]

The key to the treatment of septic shock is to provide adequate oxygen supply and improve tissue perfusion. Lactate and central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) are commonly used as the indices of oxygen metabolism, but tissue hypoxia may still exist even when lactate and ScvO2 are within the normal range. Arteriovenous difference in carbon dioxide partial pressure (CO2 gap) can accurately reflect oxygen delivery when ScvO2 is in the normal range. This article reviews the advantages and shortages of lactate, lactate clearance rate, ScvO2, and CO2 gap in evaluating tissue hypoxia, in order to provide a reference for treatment and severity evaluation of septic shock.

[Changes in blood oxygen metabolism indices and their clinical significance in children with septic shock]

The key to the treatment of septic shock is to provide adequate oxygen supply and improve tissue perfusion. Lactate and central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO₂) are commonly used as the indices of oxygen metabolism, but tissue hypoxia may still exist even when lactate and ScvO₂ are within the normal range. Arteriovenous difference in carbon dioxide partial pressure (CO₂ gap) can accurately reflect oxygen delivery when ScvO₂ is in the normal range. This article reviews the advantages and shortages of lactate, lactate clearance rate, ScvO₂, and CO₂ gap in evaluating tissue hypoxia, in order to provide a reference for treatment and severity evaluation of septic shock.

Sepsis mortality score for the prediction of mortality in septic patients

PURPOSE

To derive a prediction equation for 30-day mortality in sepsis using a multi-marker approach and compare its performance to the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score.

METHODS

This study included 159 septic patients admitted to an intensive care unit. Leukocytes count, procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and paraoxonase (PON) and arylesterase (ARE) activities of PON-1 were assayed from blood obtained on ICU presentation. Logistic regression was used to derive sepsis mortality score (SMS), a prediction equation describing the relationship between biomarkers and 30-day mortality.

RESULTS

The 30-day mortality rate was 28.9%. The SMS was [еlogit(p)/(1+еlogit(p))]×100; logit(p)=0.74+(0.004×PCT)+(0.001×IL-6)-(0.025×ARE)-(0.059×leukocytes count). The SMC had higher area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (95% Cl) than SOFA score [0.814 (0.736-0.892) vs. 0.767 (0.677-0.857)], but is not statistically significant. When the SMS was added to the SOFA score, prediction of 30-day mortality improved compared to SOFA score used alone [0.845 (0.777-0.899), p=0.022].

CONCLUSIONS

A sepsis mortality score using baseline leukocytes count, PCT, IL-6 and ARE was derived, which predicted 30-day mortality with very good performance and added significant prognostic information to SOFA score.

Glycyrrhizin Protects Rats from Sepsis by Blocking HMGB1 Signaling

Background. HMGB1 acts as an important inflammatory mediator and is a potential therapeutic target for sepsis. Glycyrrhizin (GL), a natural triterpene glycoside derived from licorice, has been demonstrated to inhibit HMGB1 activity. The aim of this study is to explore how GL affects the HMGB1 signaling in sepsis. Methods. We used a CLP model of sepsis and in vitro LPS or HMGB1-treated NR8383 cells to examine the effects of GL on expression of HMGB1 and proinflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, we explored the effect of GL on interactions between HMGB1 and RAGE or TLR4 and the activations of NF-κB and MAPKs. Results. GL significantly decreased mortality and reduced serum levels of HMGB1 in vivo. GL also attenuated the release and expression of HMGB1 and proinflammatory cytokines. Direct stimulation by HMGB1 elevated the release of proinflammatory cytokines faster than LPS did and it was also inhibited by GL. Furthermore, GL blocked the interaction of HMGB1 with RAGE and TLR4 and suppressed the downstream MAPKs/NF-κB signaling pathway. Conclusion. GL may protect rats against sepsis by blocking the interaction of HMGB1 with cell surface receptors and HMGB1-mediated inflammatory responses.

Small-for-Size Syndrome: Bridging the Gap Between Liver Transplantation and Graft Recovery

In living donor liver transplantation, optimal graft size is estimated from values like graft volume/standard liver volume and graft/recipient body weight ratio but the final functional hepatic mass is influenced by other donor and recipient factors. Grafts with insufficient functional hepatic mass can produce a life-threatening condition with rapidly progressive liver failure called small-for-size syndrome (SFSS). Diagnosis of SFSS requires careful surveillance for signs of inadequate hepatocellular function, residual portal hypertension, and systemic inflammation that suggest rapidly progressive liver failure. Early diagnosis, symptom control, and addressing the cause of SFSS may prevent the need for retransplantation. With increased attention to avoiding donor risk, intensivists will be confronted with more SFSS recipients. In this review, we aim to outline a systematic approach to the medical management of patients with SFSS by providing a concise synopsis of general supportive care—neurological, cardiovascular, and renal support, mechanical ventilation, nutritional support, infection control, and tailored immunosuppression—with an aim to avoid end-organ damage or death and a review of current interventions including liver support devices, portal flow modulating drugs, and other experimental interventions that aim to preserve existing hepatic mass and improve conditions for hepatic regeneration. We examine evidence for SFSS interventions to provide the reader with information that may assist in clinical decision making. Points of controversy in care are purposefully highlighted to identify areas where additional experimental work is still needed. A full understanding of the pathophysiology of SFSS and measures to support liver regeneration will guide effective management.

Hemodynamic challenge to early mobilization after cardiac surgery: A pilot study

Background:

Active mobilization is a key component in fast-track surgical strategies. Following major surgery, clinicians are often reluctant to mobilize patients arguing that circulatory homeostasis would be impaired as a result of myocardial stunning, fluid shift, and autonomic dysfunction.

Aims:

We examined the feasibility and safety of a mobilization protocol 12–24 h after elective cardiac surgery.

Setting and Design:

This observational study was performed in a tertiary nonacademic cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit.

Materials and Methods:

Over a 6-month period, we prospectively evaluated the hemodynamic response to a two-staged mobilization procedure in 53 consecutive patients. Before, during, and after the mobilization, hemodynamics parameters were recorded, including the central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO₂), lactate concentrations, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), right atrial pressure (RAP), and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO₂). Any adverse events were documented.

Results:

All patients successfully completed the mobilization procedure. Compared with the supine position, mobilization induced significant increases in arterial lactate (34.6% [31.6%, 47.6%], P = 0.0022) along with reduction in RAP (−33% [−21%, −45%], P < 0.0001) and ScvO₂ (−7.4% [−5.9%, −9.9%], P = 0.0002), whereas HR and SpO₂ were unchanged. Eighteen patients (34%) presented a decrease in MAP > 10% and nine of them (17%) required treatment. Hypotensive patients experienced a greater decrease in ScvO₂ (−18 ± 5% vs. −9 ± 4%, P = 0.004) with similar changes in RAP and HR. All hemodynamic parameters, but arterial lactate, recovered baseline values after resuming the horizontal position.

Conclusions:

Early mobilization after cardiac surgery appears to be a safe procedure as far as it is performed under close hemodynamic and clinical monitoring in an intensive care setting.

Early management of sepsis with emphasis on early goal directed therapy: AME evidence series 002

Severe sepsis and septic shock are major causes of morbidity and mortality in patients entering the emergency department (ED) or intensive care unit (ICU). Despite substantial efforts to improve patient outcome, treatment of sepsis remains challenging to clinicians. In this context, early goal directed therapy (EGDT) represents an important concept emphasizing both early recognition of sepsis and prompt initiation of a structured treatment algorithm. As part of the AME evidence series on sepsis, we conducted a systematic review of all randomized controlled EGDT trials. Focus was laid on the setting (emergency department versus ICU) where EGDT was carried out. Early recognition of sepsis, through clinical or automated systems for early alert, together with well-timed initiation of the recommended therapy bundles may improve patients' outcome. However, the original "EGDT" protocol by Rivers and coworkers has been largely modified in subsequent trials. Currently, many investigators opt for an "expanded" EGDT (as suggested by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign). Evidence is also presented on the effectiveness of automated systems for early sepsis alert. Early recognition of sepsis and well-timed initiation of the SSC bundle may improve patient outcome.

14-Year Survey in a Swedish County Reveals a Pronounced Increase in Bloodstream Infections (BSI). Comorbidity - An Independent Risk Factor for Both BSI and Mortality

OBJECTIVES

we assessed the incidence, risk factors and outcome of BSI over a 14-year period (2000-2013) in a Swedish county.

METHODS

retrospective cohort study on culture confirmed BSI among patients in the county of Östergötland, Sweden, with approximately 440,000 inhabitants. A BSI was defined as either community-onset BSI (CO-BSI) or hospital-acquired BSI (HA-BSI).

RESULTS

of a total of 11,480 BSIs, 67% were CO-BSI and 33% HA-BSI. The incidence of BSI increased by 64% from 945 to 1,546 per 100,000 hospital admissions per year during the study period. The most prominent increase, 83% was observed within the CO-BSI cohort whilst HA-BSI increased by 32%. Prescriptions of antibiotics in outpatient care decreased with 24% from 422 to 322 prescriptions dispensed/1,000 inhabitants/year, whereas antibiotics prescribed in hospital increased by 67% (from 424 to 709 DDD per 1,000 days of care). The overall 30-day mortality for HA-BSIs was 17.2%, compared to 10.6% for CO-BSIs, with an average yearly increase per 100,000 hospital admissions of 2 and 5% respectively. The proportion of patients with one or more comorbidities, increased from 20.8 to 55.3%. In multivariate analyses, risk factors for mortality within 30 days were: HA-BSI (2.22); two or more comorbidities (1.89); single comorbidity (1.56); CO-BSI (1.21); male (1.05); and high age (1.04).

CONCLUSION

this survey revealed an alarming increase in the incidence of BSI over the 14-year study period. Interventions to decrease BSI in general should be considered together with robust antibiotic stewardship programmes to avoid both over- and underuse of antibiotics.

Advanced Hemodynamic Management in Patients with Septic Shock

In patients with sepsis and septic shock, the hemodynamic management in both early and later phases of these "organ dysfunction syndromes" is a key therapeutic component. It needs, however, to be differentiated between "early goal-directed therapy" (EGDT) as proposed for the first 6 hours of emergency department treatment by Rivers et al. in 2001 and "hemodynamic management" using advanced hemodynamic monitoring in the intensive care unit (ICU). Recent large trials demonstrated that nowadays protocolized EGDT does not seem to be superior to "usual care" in terms of a reduction in mortality in emergency department patients with early identified septic shock who promptly receive antibiotic therapy and fluid resuscitation. "Hemodynamic management" comprises (a) making the diagnosis of septic shock as one differential diagnosis of circulatory shock, (b) assessing the hemodynamic status including the identification of therapeutic conflicts, and (c) guiding therapeutic interventions. We propose two algorithms for hemodynamic management using transpulmonary thermodilution-derived variables aiming to optimize the cardiocirculatory and pulmonary status in adult ICU patients with septic shock. The complexity and heterogeneity of patients with septic shock implies that individualized approaches for hemodynamic management are mandatory. Defining individual hemodynamic target values for patients with septic shock in different phases of the disease must be the focus of future studies.

Right first time!

Septic shock is still a lethal disease in intensive care units (ICU). The mortality can exceed 40% even with therapeutic management. The high mortality is clearly associated with the delay of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Early diagnosis and identification of infectious source is the mainstay of optimal therapeutic management. On the other hand, source control and optimize antibiotic dosing according to pharmacokinetics (PK)/pharmacodynamics (PD) properties of antibiotics and organ dysfunction of patients are required to get the best clinical outcome.

Association of Fluid Accumulation with Clinical Outcomes in Critically Ill Children with Severe Sepsis

Objective

To evaluate whether early and acquired daily fluid overload (FO), as well as fluctuations in fluid accumulation, were associated with adverse outcomes in critically ill children with severe sepsis.

Methods

This study enrolled 202 children in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with severe sepsis. Early fluid overload was defined as ≥5% fluid accumulation occurring in the first 24 hours of PICU admission. The maximum daily fluid accumulation ≥5% occurring during the next 6 days in patients with at least 48 hours of PICU stay was defined as PICU-acquired daily fluid overload. The fluctuation in fluid accumulation was calculated as the difference between the maximum and the minimum daily fluid accumulation obtained during the first 7 days after admission.

Results

Of the 202 patients, 61 (30.2%) died during PICU stay. Among all patients, 41 (20.3%) experienced early fluid overload, including 9 with a FO ≥10%. Among patients with at least 48 hours of PICU stay (n = 154), 36 (23.4%) developed PICU-acquired daily fluid overload, including 2 with a FO ≥10%. Both early fluid overload (AOR = 1.20; 95% CI 1.08–1.33; P = 0.001; n = 202) and PICU-acquired daily fluid overload (AOR = 5.47 per log increase; 95% CI 1.15–25.96; P = 0.032; n = 154) were independent risk factors associated with mortality after adjusting for age, illness severity, etc. However, fluctuations in fluid accumulation were not associated with mortality after adjustment. Length of PICU stay increased with greater fluctuations in fluid accumulation in all patients with at least 48 hours of PICU stay (FO <5%, 5%-10% vs. ≥10%: 4 [3–8], 7 [4–11] vs. 10 [6–16] days; P <0.001; n = 154) and in survivors (4 [3–8], 7 [5–11] vs. 10 [5–15] days; P <0.001; n = 121). Early fluid overload achieved an area under-the-receiver-operating-characteristic curve of 0.74 (95% CI 0.65–0.82; P <0.001; n = 202) for predicting mortality in patients with severe sepsis, with a sensitivity of 67.2% and a specificity of 80.1% at the optimal cut-off value of 2.65%.

Conclusions

Both early and acquired daily fluid overload were independently associated with PICU mortality in children with severe sepsis.

Point of Care Measurement of Lactate

Lactate is generated as a consequence of anaerobic glycolysis by all tissues of the body. Increased l-lactate, the isoform produced by most mammals, reflects increased anaerobic metabolism secondary to tissue hypoperfusion or tissue hypoxia in most clinical situations, and is called type A lactic acidosis. The utility of lactate measurement and serial lactate monitoring in veterinary patients has been demonstrated in multiple studies. Blood lactate concentration is significantly elevated in many disease processes including septic peritonitis, immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, Babesiosis, trauma, gastric dilation and volvulus, and intracranial disease. Lactate clearance can be used to assess response to fluid therapy, cardiovascular therapeutics, and blood product transfusion in patients affected by type A lactic acidosis. Lactate concentration in peritoneal, pericardial, and synovial fluid can also be used as a diagnostic tool. Point of care analyzers such as the Lactate Pro, Lactate Scout, Accutrend, iSTAT, and Lactate Plus have been shown to be accurate lactate measurement instruments in small animal patients.

Purinergic Signaling and the Immune Response in Sepsis: A Review

PURPOSE

Sepsis remains an unresolved clinical problem with high in-hospital mortality. Despite intensive research over decades, no treatments for sepsis have become available. Here we explore the role of ATP in the pathophysiology of sepsis. ATP is not only a universal energy carrier but it also acts as an extracellular signaling molecule that regulates immune function. ATP stimulates a large family of purinergic receptors found on the cell surface of virtually all mammalian cells. In severe sepsis and septic shock, ATP is released in large amounts into the extracellular space where it acts as a "danger" signal. In this review, we focus on the roles of ATP as a key regulator of immune cell function and as a disruptive signal that contributes to immune dysfunction in sepsis.

METHODS

We summarized the current understanding of the pathophysiology of sepsis, with special emphasis on the emerging role of systemic ATP as a disruptive force that promotes morbidity and mortality in sepsis.

FINDINGS

Over the past two decades, the discovery that regulated ATP release and purinergic signaling represent a novel regulatory mechanism in immune cell physiology has opened up new possibilities in the treatment of sepsis. Immune cells respond to stimulation with the release of cellular ATP, which regulates cell functions in autocrine and paracrine fashions. In sepsis, large amounts of systemic ATP produced by tissue damage and inflammation disrupt these regulatory purinergic signaling mechanisms, leading to immune dysfunction that promotes the pathophysiologic processes involved in sepsis.

IMPLICATIONS

The knowledge of these ATP-dependent signaling processes is likely to reveal exciting new avenues in the treatment of the unresolved clinical problem of sepsis.

Serum Procalcitonin and Procalcitonin Clearance as a Prognostic Biomarker in Patients with Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock

We evaluated the tendency of the plasma concentration and procalcitonin (PCT) clearance (PCTc) to act as biomarkers of prognosis in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. From 2011 to 2013, we prospectively analyzed patients with sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The serum PCT was evaluated at the time of sepsis diagnosis and again after 48 h (day 3) and 96 h (day 5). PCTc after 48 h (PCTc-day 3) and 96 h (PCTc-day 5) was also calculated to evaluate the prognostic value for survival in patients with sepsis. A total of 48 patients were included. Overall mortality was 16.7% (8 patients). PCTc was higher in survivors than in nonsurvivors, with significant differences on day 3 and day 5 (p = 0.033; p = 0.002, resp.); however, serum PCT levels on day 1, day 3, and day 5 were not significant prognostic factors for survival. The prognosis of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock may be associated with PCTc. Dynamic changes of PCT reflected as PCTc at 48 h (day 3) and 96 h (day 5) after admission to the ICU may serve as a predictor of survival in critically ill patients with severe sepsis.

Multiplex cytokine analyses in dogs with pyometra suggest involvement of KC-like chemokine in canine bacterial sepsis

Clinical diagnostic criteria for sepsis (systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by infection) are unspecific and, therefore, biomarkers for sepsis diagnosis are needed for appropriate treatment and patient survival. Pyometra, a common disease caused by bacterial infection of the uterus, results in sepsis in nearly 60% of cases in dogs. We used dogs with pyometra as a natural model for sepsis and collected serum samples from 39 dogs, of which 22 with pyometra and 17 healthy controls. Dogs with pyometra were further grouped into dogs with sepsis (n=18) and without sepsis (n=4). Serum concentrations of a panel of cytokines, including keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC)-like, granulocyte-macrophages colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15, IL-18, chemokine C-X-C motif ligand (CXCL)10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, were measured using multiplex analyses. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were determined using an automated immunoturbidimetric assay. In addition to physical examination hematological and serum biochemical analyses were performed to evaluate the overall status of the dogs. Significantly higher concentrations of KC-like (757 vs 304 pg/ml) were detected in dogs with pyometra as compared to healthy dogs. Within the pyometra group, dogs with sepsis compared to dogs without sepsis had a higher KC-like concentration (873 vs 300 pg/ml). Hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in dogs with pyometra compared to healthy dogs, regardless of the presence or absence of sepsis, and correlated negatively with KC-like. KC-like concentrations correlated positively with CRP, number of hospitalization days, number of monocytes, concentrations of IL-8, and percentage band neutrophils. Our data suggest that bacterial infection triggers the expression of KC-like and further studies are warranted of KC-like as a possible biomarker for diagnosing sepsis and uterine bacterial infection in dogs.

Is the "golden age" of the "golden hour" in sepsis over?

The so-called “golden hour” of trauma resuscitation has been applied to a number of disease conditions in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. For example, the “golden hour” as applied to the treatment of critically children and adults with severe sepsis and septic shock is based upon early recognition, early administration of antibiotics, and early reversal of the shock state. However, several clinical studies published over the last decade have called into question this time-honored approach and suggest that overly aggressive fluid resuscitation may cause more harm than good. Perhaps we are finally leaving the “Golden Age” of the “golden hour” and entering a new age in which we are able to use a more personalized approach to fluid management for patients with severe sepsis/septic shock.