Cirrhosis as a risk factor for sepsis and death: analysis of the National Hospital Discharge Survey

Bacillus cereus Sepsis in a Patient with Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis

A 57-year-old woman with a liver injury was referred to our hospital. She had a history of heavy alcohol consumption and had developed severe alcoholic hepatitis. Blood cultures revealed bacteremia caused by Bacillus cereus. The patient was treated with short-term steroid therapy for liver injury and vancomycin administration for B. cereus sepsis, which led to recovery. The findings in the present case suggest the need for empirical therapy with vancomycin in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis and suspected B. cereus infection.

Review article: Evaluation and care of the critically ill patient with cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

The increase in prevalence of liver disease globally will lead to a substantial incremental burden on intensive care requirements. While liver transplantation offers a potential life-saving intervention, not all patients are eligible due to limitations such as organ availability, resource constraints, ongoing sepsis or multiple organ failures. Consequently, the focus of critical care of patients with advanced and decompensated cirrhosis turns to liver-centric intensive care protocols, to mitigate the high mortality in such patients.

AIM

Provide an updated and comprehensive understanding of cirrhosis management in critical care, and which includes emergency care, secondary organ failure management (mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, haemodynamic support and intensive care nutrition), use of innovative liver support systems, infection control, liver transplantation and palliative and end-of life care.

METHODS

We conducted a structured bibliographic search on PubMed, sourcing articles published up to 31 March 2024, to cover topics addressed. We considered data from observational studies, recommendations of society guidelines, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, randomised controlled trials, and incorporated our clinical expertise in liver critical care.

RESULTS

Critical care management of the patient with cirrhosis has evolved over time while mortality remains high despite aggressive management with liver transplantation serving as a crucial but not universally available resource.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of organ support therapies, intensive care protocols, nutrition, palliative care and end-of-life discussions and decisions are an integral part of critical care of the patient with cirrhosis. A multi-disciplinary approach towards critical care management is likely to yield better outcomes.

Prognostic value of procalcitonin in patients with cirrhosis hospitalized for acute infection

BACKGROUND

In patients with cirrhosis, infections significantly increase the risk of short and long-term mortality. During infection, the levels of procalcitonin increase, but it has not yet been clarified its prognostic value in subjects with cirrhosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic role of procalcitonin in patients with liver cirrhosis hospitalized for acute infection, and to compare it with other markers of infection.

PATIENTS

We included 279 patients hospitalized because of infection, 133 with liver cirrhosis. At admission the levels of the main biochemical parameters of infection, i.e. leukocytes, procalcitonin, C reactive protein and lactate, were considered.

RESULTS

The duration of hospitalization and antibiotic therapy were longer in patients with cirrhosis, while no difference was observed for mortality. In both groups, a correlation with the duration of hospitalization and antibiotic therapy was observed for high levels of procalcitonin. In the cirrhotic population, in particular, higher procalcitonin values were associated with an increase in the length of hospitalization and antibiotic therapy, suggesting an even greater predictive value for those patients. High levels of leucocytes and lactate were positively associated with the duration of hospitalization, but not with the duration of antibiotic therapy. For mortality, the strongest correlation was found for high serum lactate levels, regardless of the presence of cirrhosis.

CONCLUSION

In patients with cirrhosis and acute infection, the value of procalcitonin at admission is a good prognostic indicator for the course of hospitalization, and could be useful for guiding the management and treatment of hospitalized patients.

Comparison of fungal vs bacterial infections in the medical intensive liver unit: Cause or corollary for high mortality?

BACKGROUND

Due to development of an immune-dysregulated phenotype, advanced liver disease in all forms predisposes patients to sepsis acquisition, including by opportunistic pathogens such as fungi. Little data exists on fungal infection within a medical intensive liver unit (MILU), particularly in relation to acute on chronic liver failure.

AIM

To investigate the impact of fungal infections among critically ill patients with advanced liver disease, and compare outcomes to those of patients with bacterial infections.

METHODS

From our prospective registry of MILU patients from 2018-2022, we included 27 patients with culture-positive fungal infections and 183 with bacterial infections. We compared outcomes between patients admitted to the MILU with fungal infections to bacterial counterparts. Data was extracted through chart review.

RESULTS

All fungal infections were due to Candida species, and were most frequently blood isolates. Mortality among patients with fungal infections was significantly worse relative to the bacterial cohort (93% vs 52%, P < 0.001). The majority of the fungal cohort developed grade 2 or 3 acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) (90% vs 64%, P = 0.02). Patients in the fungal cohort had increased use of vasopressors (96% vs 70%, P = 0.04), mechanical ventilation (96% vs 65%, P < 0.001), and dialysis due to acute kidney injury (78% vs 52%, P = 0.014). On MILU admission, the fungal cohort had significantly higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (108 vs 91, P = 0.003), Acute Physiology Score (86 vs 65, P = 0.003), and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium scores (86 vs 65, P = 0.041). There was no significant difference in the rate of central line use preceding culture (52% vs 40%, P = 0.2). Patients with fungal infection had higher rate of transplant hold placement, and lower rates of transplant; however, differences did not achieve statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

Mortality was worse among patients with fungal infections, likely attributable to severe ACLF development. Prospective studies examining empiric antifungals in severe ACLF and associations between fungal infections and transplant outcomes are critical.

DERIVATION OF A MORTALITY PREDICTION MODEL IN CRITICAL CARE PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS AND SEPSIS

ABSTRACT

Objective : The aim of the study is to develop a predictive model for in-hospital mortality in critically ill patients with cirrhosis and sepsis, using clinical and laboratory data. Design : This is a retrospective cohort study. Setting: Medical and mixed intensive care units (ICUs) of a tertiary medical center. Patients : Cirrhotic adults were admitted with sepsis to the ICUs from January of 2007 to May of 2017. Interventions : None. Measurements and Main Results : Of 2,595 ICU admissions of patients with cirrhosis, 277 with first ICU admission for sepsis were included in the analysis, and 37% died in the hospital. Patients who stayed in the ICU for at least 6 h (n = 275) were considered for the multivariate model. Ten-fold cross-validation was used to estimate best parameter values and model performance, and the final model was chosen as the model maximizing area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve. Variables in order of impact were Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III score, initial serum lactate, conjugated bilirubin, serum creatinine, model for end-stage liver disease score, age, body mass index, and serum hemoglobin. The final best model from cross-validation presented an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.75, using a cut-point of 50% estimated probability, sensitivity and specificity were 0.46 and 0.90, respectively, with positive predictive value of 0.72 and negative predictive value of 0.74. These results were similar to the APACHE III only model (AUC = 0.74, sensitivity = 0.43, specificity = 0.89, positive predictive value = 0.69, negative predictive value = 0.73). Conclusion : The combination of initial serum lactate level, conjugated bilirubin, initial serum creatinine, model for end-stage liver disease score, age, body mass index, and serum hemoglobin did not yield meaningful improvement in the AUC and did not provide advantage over the APACHE III score for the prediction of in-hospital mortality in critically ill patients with cirrhosis and sepsis.

Prevalence and outcomes of chronic comorbid conditions in patients with sepsis in Korea: a nationwide cohort study from 2011 to 2016

BACKGROUND

Chronic comorbid conditions are common in patients with sepsis and may affect the outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and outcomes of common comorbidities in patients with sepsis.

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study. Using data from the National Health Insurance Service of Korea. Adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) who were hospitalized in tertiary or general hospitals with a diagnosis of sepsis between 2011 and 2016 were analyzed. After screening of all International Classification of Diseases 10th revision codes for comorbidities, we identified hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), liver cirrhosis (LC), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and malignancy as prevalent comorbidities.

RESULTS

Overall, 373,539 patients diagnosed with sepsis were hospitalized in Korea between 2011 and 2016. Among them, 46.7% had hypertension, 23.6% had DM, 7.4% had LC, 13.7% had CKD, and 30.7% had malignancy. In-hospital mortality rates for patients with hypertension, DM, LC, CKD, and malignancy were 25.5%, 25.2%, 34.5%, 28.0%, and 33.3%, respectively, showing a decreasing trend over time (P < 0.001). After adjusting for baseline characteristics, male sex, older age, use of mechanical ventilation, and continuous renal replacement therapy, LC, CKD, and malignancy were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypertension is the most prevalent comorbidity in patients with sepsis, and it is associated with an increased survival rate. Additionally, liver cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease, and malignancy result in higher mortality rates than hypertension and DM, and are significant risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients with sepsis.

Identifying hub genes of sepsis-associated and hepatic encephalopathies based on bioinformatic analysis-focus on the two common encephalopathies of septic cirrhotic patients in ICU

BACKGROUND

In the ICU ward, septic cirrhotic patients are susceptible to suffering from sepsis-associated encephalopathy and/or hepatic encephalopathy, which are two common neurological complications in such patients. However, the mutual pathogenesis between sepsis-associated and hepatic encephalopathies remains unclear. We aimed to identify the mutual hub genes, explore effective diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the two common encephalopathies and provide novel, promising insights into the clinical management of such septic cirrhotic patients.

METHODS

The precious human post-mortem cerebral tissues were deprived of the GSE135838, GSE57193, and GSE41919 datasets, downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Furthermore, we identified differentially expressed genes and screened hub genes with weighted gene co-expression network analysis. The hub genes were then subjected to Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway functional enrichment analyses, and protein-protein interaction networks were constructed. Receiver operating characteristic curves and correlation analyses were set up for the hub genes. Finally, we explored principal and common signaling pathways by using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis and the association between the hub genes and immune cell subtype distribution by using CIBERSORT algorithm.

RESULTS

We identified seven hub genes-GPR4, SOCS3, BAG3, ZFP36, CDKN1A, ADAMTS9, and GADD45B-by using differentially expressed gene analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis method. The AUCs of these genes were all greater than 0.7 in the receiver operating characteristic curves analysis. The Gene Set Enrichment Analysis results demonstrated that mutual signaling pathways were mainly enriched in hypoxia and inflammatory response. CIBERSORT indicated that these seven hub genes were closely related to innate and adaptive immune cells.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified seven hub genes with promising diagnostic value and therapeutic targets in septic cirrhotic patients with sepsis-associated encephalopathy and/or hepatic encephalopathy. Hypoxia, inflammatory, and immunoreaction responses may share the common downstream pathways of the two common encephalopathies, for which earlier recognition and timely intervention are crucial for management of such septic cirrhotic patients in ICU.

The clinical courses of HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure and a multi-state model to predict disease evolution

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a highly dynamic syndrome. The objective of this study was to delineate the clinical course of patients with HBV-ACLF and to develop a model to estimate the temporal evolution of disease severity.

METHODS

We enrolled eligible patients from 2 large, multicenter prospective cohorts. The ACLF grade, organ failures, and outcomes were assessed at multiple time points (days 1/4/7/14/21/28). Probabilities for ACLF transitions between these disease states and to death within 28 days were calculated using a multi-state model that used baseline information and updated ACLF status. The model was validated in independent patients.

RESULTS

Among all the 445 patients with HBV-ACLF, 76 represented disease progression, 195 had a stable or fluctuating course, 8 with improvement, and the remaining 166 with resolution within 28-day follow-up. New coagulation (63.64%) or renal failure (45.45%) was frequently observed during early progression. Patients with disease progression had a higher incidence of new episodes of ascites [10 (13.16%) vs. 22 (5.96%), p = 0.027] and HE [13(17.11%) vs. 21 (5.69%), p = 0.001], and a significant increase in white blood cell count. The multi-state model represented dynamic areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves ranging from 0.71 to 0.84 for predicting all ACLF states and death at 4, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days post-enrollment and from 0.73 to 0.94 for predicting death alone, performing better than traditional prognostic scores.

CONCLUSIONS

HBV-ACLF is a highly dynamic syndrome with reversibility. The multi-state model is a tool to estimate the temporal evolution of disease severity, which may inform clinical decisions on treatment.

Exploring the Relationship between Plasma Adiponectin, Gender, and Underlying Diseases in Severe Illness

Adiponectin is low in obesity, plays a crucial role in metabolic health, and, moreover, possesses immunoregulatory properties. However, studies examining its levels in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis have yielded conflicting results. While females typically have higher systemic adiponectin levels than males, research on sex-specific associations in this context is limited. In this study of 156 SIRS/sepsis patients, including those with liver cirrhosis, we aimed to explore the relationship between plasma adiponectin, body mass index (BMI), gender, disease severity, and underlying etiological conditions. Our findings revealed that patients with liver cirrhosis, who are susceptible to infections, exhibited elevated circulating adiponectin levels, irrespective of sex. When excluding cirrhosis patients, plasma adiponectin levels were similar between male SIRS/sepsis patients and controls but lower in female patients compared to female controls. Plasma adiponectin was inversely related to BMI in female but not male patients. Further analysis within the non-cirrhosis subgroup demonstrated no significant differences in adiponectin levels between sexes among SIRS, sepsis, and septic shock patients. Ventilation, dialysis, and vasopressor therapy had no discernible impact on adiponectin levels in either sex. A negative correlation between adiponectin and C-reactive protein (CRP) existed in males only. Notably, patients with pancreatitis showed the lowest plasma adiponectin concentrations, although sex-specific differences were not significant. Infection with Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria had minimal effects on plasma adiponectin levels in both sexes. However, infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 led to decreased adiponectin levels in females exclusively. Multivariate analysis considering all factors affecting plasma adiponectin levels in males or females identified BMI in females and CRP levels in males to predict plasma adiponectin levels in SIRS/sepsis patients. Additionally, our study observed a trend where the 25 patients who did not survive had higher plasma adiponectin levels, particularly among males. In summary, our investigation highlights the influence of underlying diseases and sex on plasma adiponectin levels in SIRS/sepsis patients, shedding light on potential implications for disease management and prognosis.

Fecal calprotectin in patients with liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Sepsis is the most challenging complication in patients with liver cirrhosis. It destabilizes patients leading to worsening of liver dysfunction and increased mortality. Intestinal bacterial dysbiosis, release of endotoxins, increased gut permeability and associated immune dysregulation have been described in cirrhotic patients with septic complications. Calprotectin is a major cytosolic protein secreted by the inflammatory cells and has been widely studied in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We aimed at evaluating the role of fecal calprotectin (FCAL) in patients with liver cirrhosis.

METHODS

A prospective, observational study on the utility of FCAL test was conducted in patients with liver cirrhosis. Fifteen milligrams of fecal specimen was collected and analyzed within 48 hours of hospitalization from patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD), acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and at the time of outpatient visit for stable cirrhotics. Five healthy volunteers underwent FCAL test as control population.

RESULTS

The mean FCAL (µg/g) level in healthy control (n = 5), stable cirrhotics (n = 10), ESLD (n = 10) and ACLF (n = 10) patients was 109.2 (95% CI: - 53.39 to 271.79), 143.3 (95% CI: 50.5-236.45), 176.9 (95% CI: 122.93-230.87) and 543.5 (95% CI: 207.09-879.91) (p = 0.005), respectively. Sepsis was identified in 13 (43.3%) patients. Area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve (AUROC) of FCAL was 0.80 (p = 0.005) and FCAL ≥ 200 µg/g (OR = 10.8, p = 0.006) was associated with sepsis. Nine (25.7%) patients expired. FCAL level was significantly higher in dead patients compared to survivors (mean, 493.67 (95% CI: 142.20-845.14) vs. 199.71 (95% CI: 99.84-299.59) μg/g,p = 0.005.

CONCLUSIONS

FCAL levels are increased in patients with chronic liver disease, with highest level in ACLF. An FCAL level of ≥ 200 µg/g was associated with sepsis and mortality in cirrhotic patients. Larger studies are required to identify the role of FCAL in these patients. Early identification and initiation of anti-microbials may mitigate sepsis and reduce mortality.

Advances in Mesenchymal stem cells regulating macrophage polarization and treatment of sepsis-induced liver injury

Sepsis is a syndrome of dysregulated host response caused by infection, which leads to life-threatening organ dysfunction. It is a familiar reason of death in critically ill patients. Liver injury frequently occurs in septic patients, yet the development of targeted and effective treatment strategies remains a pressing challenge. Macrophages are essential parts of immunity system. M1 macrophages drive inflammation, whereas M2 macrophages possess anti-inflammatory properties and contribute to tissue repair processes. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), known for their remarkable attributes including homing capabilities, immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory effects, and tissue regeneration potential, hold promise in enhancing the prognosis of sepsis-induced liver injury by harmonizing the delicate balance of M1/M2 macrophage polarization. This review discusses the mechanisms by which MSCs regulate macrophage polarization, alongside the signaling pathways involved, providing an idea for innovative directions in the treatment of sepsis-induced liver injury.

Use of albumin infusion for cirrhosis-related complications: An international position statement

Background & Aims

Numerous studies have evaluated the role of human albumin (HA) in managing various liver cirrhosis-related complications. However, their conclusions remain partially controversial, probably because HA was evaluated in different settings, including indications, patient characteristics, and dosage and duration of therapy.

Methods

Thirty-three investigators from 19 countries with expertise in the management of liver cirrhosis-related complications were invited to organise an International Special Interest Group. A three-round Delphi consensus process was conducted to complete the international position statement on the use of HA for treatment of liver cirrhosis-related complications.

Results

Twelve clinically significant position statements were proposed. Short-term infusion of HA should be recommended for the management of hepatorenal syndrome, large volume paracentesis, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in liver cirrhosis. Its effects on the prevention or treatment of other liver cirrhosis-related complications should be further elucidated. Long-term HA administration can be considered in specific settings. Pulmonary oedema should be closely monitored as a potential adverse effect in cirrhotic patients receiving HA infusion.

Conclusions

Based on the currently available evidence, the international position statement suggests the potential benefits of HA for the management of multiple liver cirrhosis-related complications and summarises its safety profile. However, its optimal timing and infusion strategy remain to be further elucidated.

Impact and implications

Thirty-three investigators from 19 countries proposed 12 position statements on the use of human albumin (HA) infusion in liver cirrhosis-related complications. Based on current evidence, short-term HA infusion should be recommended for the management of HRS, LVP, and SBP; whereas, long-term HA administration can be considered in the setting where budget and logistical issues can be resolved. However, pulmonary oedema should be closely monitored in cirrhotic patients who receive HA infusion.

Plasma Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) as a Possible Biomarker for Severe COVID-19

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) reduces low density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake, leading to increased plasma levels of LDL. In addition, PCSK9 has been implicated in inflammation independently of the effects on cholesterol metabolism. The current analysis showed that our 156 patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis had higher plasma PCSK9 levels in contrast with the 68 healthy controls. COVID-19 sepsis patients had increased plasma PCSK9 levels in comparison to sepsis patients not infected by SARS-CoV-2. For further analysis, patients were divided in two groups based on COVID-19. In both sub-cohorts, plasma PCSK9 levels did not correlate with C-reactive protein, leukocyte count, and procalcitonin. Plasma PCSK9 levels of both patient groups did not significantly differ among SIRS/sepsis patients with and without dialysis and patients with and without ventilation. Furthermore, vasopressor therapy was not significantly associated with altered plasma PCSK9 levels. In the non-COVID-19 SIRS/sepsis group, patients with Gram-negative and Gram-positive infections had similar plasma PCSK9 levels as patients without a detectable pathogen in their blood. In conclusion, the current study suggests PCSK9 as a possible biomarker for COVID-19, but this needs to be validated in larger cohorts.

Mechanisms of immunity in acutely decompensated cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure

The identification of systemic inflammation (SI) as a central player in the orchestration of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) has opened new avenues for the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this disease condition. ACLF, which develops in patients with acute decompensation of cirrhosis, is characterized by single or multiple organ failure and high risk of short-term (28-day) mortality. Its poor outcome is closely associated with the severity of the systemic inflammatory response. In this review, we describe the key features of SI in patients with acutely decompensated cirrhosis and ACLF, including the presence of a high blood white cell count and increased levels of inflammatory mediators in systemic circulation. We also discuss the main triggers (i.e. pathogen- and damage-associated molecular patterns), the cell effectors (i.e. neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes), the humoral mediators (acute phase proteins, cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and bioactive lipid mediators) and the factors that influence the systemic inflammatory response that drive organ failure and mortality in ACLF. The role of immunological exhaustion and/or immunoparalysis in the context of exacerbated inflammatory responses that predispose ACLF patients to secondary infections and re-escalation of end-organ dysfunction and mortality are also reviewed. Finally, several new potential immunogenic therapeutic targets are debated.

Innate Immune Zonation in the Liver: NF-κB (p50) Activation and C-Reactive Protein Expression in Response to Endotoxemia Are Zone Specific

Hepatic innate immune function plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Importantly, a growing body of literature has firmly established the spatial heterogeneity of hepatocyte metabolic function; however, whether innate immune function is zonated remains unknown. To test this question, we exposed adult C57BL/6 mice to endotoxemia, and hepatic tissue was assessed for the acute phase response (APR). The zone-specific APR was evaluated in periportal and pericentral/centrilobular hepatocytes isolated using digitonin perfusion and on hepatic tissue using RNAscope and immunohistochemistry. Western blot, EMSA, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the role of the transcription factor NF-κB in mediating hepatic C-reactive protein (CRP) expression. Finally, the ability of mice lacking the NF-κB subunit p50 (p50-/-) to raise a hepatic APR was evaluated. We found that endotoxemia induces a hepatocyte transcriptional APR in both male and female mice, with Crp, Apcs, Fga, Hp, and Lbp expression being enriched in pericentral/centrilobular hepatocytes. Focusing our work on CRP expression, we determined that NF-κB transcription factor subunit p50 binds to consensus sequence elements present in the murine CRP promoter. Furthermore, pericentral/centrilobular hepatocyte p50 nuclear translocation is temporally associated with zone-specific APR during endotoxemia. Lastly, the APR and CRP expression is blunted in endotoxemic p50-/- mice. These results demonstrate that the murine hepatocyte innate immune response to endotoxemia includes zone-specific activation of transcription factors and target gene expression. These results support further study of zone-specific hepatocyte innate immunity and its role in the development of various disease states.

Haemostasis in cirrhosis: Understanding destabilising factors during acute decompensation

Hospitalised patients with decompensated cirrhosis are in a rebalanced haemostatic state due to a parallel decline in both pro- and anti-haemostatic pathways. However, this rebalanced haemostatic state is highly susceptible to perturbations and may easily tilt towards hypocoagulability and bleeding. Acute kidney injury, bacterial infections and sepsis, and progression from acute decompensation to acute-on-chronic liver failure are associated with additional alterations of specific haemostatic pathways and a higher risk of bleeding. Unfortunately, there is no single laboratory method that can accurately stratify an individual patient's bleeding risk and guide pre-procedural prophylaxis. A better understanding of haemostatic alterations during acute illness would lead to more rational and individualised management of hospitalised patients with decompensated cirrhosis. This review will outline the latest findings on haemostatic alterations driven by acute kidney injury, bacterial infections/sepsis, and acute-on-chronic liver failure in these difficult-to-treat patients and provide evidence supporting more tailored management of bleeding risk.

Risk factors and prognoses of invasive Candida infection in surgical critical ill patients with perforated peptic ulcer

BACKGROUND

The risk of invasive Candida infection (ICI) is high in patients with perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) who received laparotomy or laparoscopic surgery, but the risk factors and predictors of morbidity outcomes remain uncertain. This study aims to identify the risk factors of ICI in surgical critically ill PPU patients and to evaluate the impact on patient's outcomes.

METHODS

This is a single-center, retrospective study, with a total of 170 surgical critically ill PPU patients. Thirty-seven patients were ICI present and 133 were ICI absent subjects. The differences in pulmonary complications according to invasive candidiasis were determined by the Mann-Whitney U test. Evaluation of predictors contributing to ICI and 90-day mortality was conducted by using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Candida albicans was the primary pathogen of ICI (74.29%). The infected patients had higher incidence of bacteremia (p < 0.001), longer intensive care unit (p < 0.001) and hospital (p < 0.001) stay, longer ventilator duration (p < 0.001) and increased hospital mortality (p = 0.02). In the multivariate analysis, serum lactate level measured at hospital admission was independently associated with the occurrence of ICI (p = 0.03). Liver cirrhosis (p = 0.03) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (p = 0.007) were independently associated with the 90-day mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Blood lactate level measured at hospital admission could be a predictor of ICI and the surgical critically ill PPU patients with liver cirrhosis and higher SOFA score are associated with poor outcomes.

Early Diagnosis and Prevention of Infections in Cirrhosis

Strategies to prevent infection and improve outcomes in patients with cirrhosis. HAV, hepatitis A virus; HBV, hepatitis B virus; COVID-19, novel coronavirus disease 2019; NSBB, nonselective β-blocker; PPI, proton pump inhibitors.Cirrhosis is a risk factor for infections. Majority of hospital admissions in patients with cirrhosis are due to infections. Sepsis is an immunological response to an infectious process that leads to end-organ dysfunction and death. Preventing infections may avoid the downstream complications, and early diagnosis of infections may improve the outcomes. In this review, we discuss the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and biomarkers of infection; the incremental preventive strategies for infections and sepsi; and the consequent organ failures in cirrhosis. Strategies for primary prevention include reducing gut translocation by selective intestinal decontamination, avoiding unnecessary proton pump inhibitors' use, appropriate use of β-blockers, and vaccinations for viral diseases including novel coronavirus disease 2019. Secondary prevention includes early diagnosis and a timely and judicious use of antibiotics to prevent organ dysfunction. Organ failure support constitutes tertiary intervention in cirrhosis. In conclusion, infections in cirrhosis are potentially preventable with appropriate care strategies to then enable improved outcomes.

Prevalence and Outcomes of Previously Healthy Adults Among Patients Hospitalized With Community-Onset Sepsis

BACKGROUND

Devastating cases of sepsis in previously healthy patients have received widespread attention and have helped to catalyze state and national mandates to improve sepsis detection and care. However, it is unclear what proportion of patients hospitalized with sepsis previously were healthy and how their outcomes compare with those of patients with comorbidities.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Among adults hospitalized with community-onset sepsis, how many previously were healthy and how do their outcomes compare with those of patients with comorbidities?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We retrospectively identified all adults with community-onset sepsis hospitalized in 373 US hospitals from 2009 through 2015 using clinical indicators of presumed infection and organ dysfunction (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Adult Sepsis Event criteria). Comorbidities were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. We applied generalized linear mixed models to measure the associations between the presence or absence of comorbidities and short-term mortality (in-hospital death or discharge to hospice), adjusting for severity of illness on admission.

RESULTS

Of 6,715,286 hospitalized patients, 337,983 (5.0%) were hospitalized with community-onset sepsis. Most patients with sepsis (329,052 [97.4%]) had received a diagnosis of at least one comorbidity; only 2.6% previously were healthy. Patients with sepsis who previously were healthy were younger than those with comorbidities (mean age, 58.0 ± 19.8 years vs 67.0 ± 16.5 years), were less likely to require ICU care on admission (37.9% vs 50.5%), and were more likely to be discharged home (57.9% vs 45.6%), rather than to subacute facilities (16.3% vs 30.8%), but showed higher short-term mortality rates (22.8% vs 20.8%; P < .001 for all). The association between previously healthy status and higher short-term mortality persisted after risk adjustment (adjusted OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.87-2.13).

INTERPRETATION

The vast majority of patients hospitalized with community-onset sepsis harbor pre-existing comorbidities. However, previously healthy patients may be more likely to die when they seek treatment at the hospital with sepsis compared with patients with comorbidities. These findings underscore the importance of early sepsis recognition and treatment for all patients.

Practice guidance for the use of terlipressin for liver cirrhosis-related complications

Background

Liver cirrhosis is a major global health burden worldwide due to its high risk of morbidity and mortality. Role of terlipressin for the management of liver cirrhosis-related complications has been recognized during recent years. This article aims to develop evidence-based clinical practice guidance on the use of terlipressin for liver cirrhosis-related complications.

Methods

Hepatobiliary Study Group of the Chinese Society of Gastroenterology of the Chinese Medical Association and Hepatology Committee of the Chinese Research Hospital Association have invited gastroenterologists, hepatologists, infectious disease specialists, surgeons, and clinical pharmacists to formulate the clinical practice guidance based on comprehensive literature review and experts' clinical experiences.

Results

Overall, 10 major guidance statements regarding efficacy and safety of terlipressin in liver cirrhosis were proposed. Terlipressin can be beneficial for the management of cirrhotic patients with acute variceal bleeding and hepatorenal syndrome (HRS). However, the evidence regarding the use of terlipressin in cirrhotic patients with ascites, post-paracentesis circulatory dysfunction, and bacterial infections and in those undergoing hepatic resection and liver transplantation remains insufficient. Terlipressin-related adverse events, mainly including gastrointestinal symptoms, electrolyte disturbance, and cardiovascular and respiratory adverse events, should be closely monitored.

Conclusion

The current clinical practice guidance supports the use of terlipressin for gastroesophageal variceal bleeding and HRS in liver cirrhosis. High-quality studies are needed to further clarify its potential effects in other liver cirrhosis-related complications.

Functional vulnerability of liver macrophages to capsules defines virulence of blood-borne bacteria

Many encapsulated bacteria use capsules to cause invasive diseases. However, it remains largely unknown how the capsules enhance bacterial virulence under in vivo infection conditions. Here we show that the capsules primarily target the liver to enhance bacterial survival at the onset of blood-borne infections. In a mouse sepsis model, the capsules enabled human pathogens Streptococcus pneumoniae and Escherichia coli to circumvent the recognition of liver-resident macrophage Kupffer cells (KCs) in a capsular serotype-dependent manner. In contrast to effective capture of acapsular bacteria by KCs, the encapsulated bacteria are partially (low-virulence types) or completely (high-virulence types) "untouchable" for KCs. We finally identified the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGR) as the first known capsule receptor on KCs to recognize the low-virulence serotype-7F and -14 pneumococcal capsules. Our data identify the molecular interplay between the capsules and KCs as a master controller of the fate and virulence of encapsulated bacteria, and suggest that the interplay is targetable for therapeutic control of septic infections.

Predictors of Outcome of Cirrhotic Patients Requiring Invasive Mechanical Ventilation: Experience From a Non-Transplant Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan

Background

Patients with known liver cirrhosis, irrespective of the etiology, have poor outcomes when put on invasive mechanical ventilation in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting. The clinical situation becomes even more complicated when such patients are managed in a non-transplant center. Various factors are associated with poor outcomes, and hence, various scoring systems are available to help determine the prognosis in patients with liver cirrhosis. These scoring systems are broadly classified into two categories, namely, ICU-specific scoring systems and liver disease-specific scoring systems. There is a dearth of data from Pakistan regarding which score better determines the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis admitted to the ICU. In this study, we aimed to determine the outcome of cirrhotic patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation in a non-transplant tertiary care hospital in Pakistan using ICU-specific and liver disease-specific scoring systems.

Methodology

A retrospective study design was applied to a record of 88 cirrhotic patients admitted to the medical ICU of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, from January 2016 to November 2016. Patients with acute hepatitis were excluded. Data on patients’ characteristics, the reason for intubation, hepatic encephalopathy, the need for vasopressor support, and the duration of ICU and hospital stay were collected. Moreover, the first-day Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP), and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores were calculated, with mortality being the primary outcome measure.

Results

The most common etiology was hepatitis C (52.3%, 46/88). The most common reason for intubation was airway protection (57.9%, 51/88). Overall mortality was 71.6% (63/88). On univariate analysis, CTP score >10, MELD score >18, hepatic encephalopathy, bilirubin, prothrombin time, presence of tense ascites, and APACHE II were significantly associated with mortality. On multivariate analysis, CTP score >10 (odd ratio = 21; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4-104; p < 0.001) was an independent predictor of mortality. Area under curve was 0.89 (95% CI = 0.82-0.96) for CTP, 0.86 (95% CI = 0.77-0.95) for MELD, 0.81 (95% CI = 0.69-0.92) for APACHE II, and 0.81 (95% CI = 0.71-0.91) for SOFA in predicting mortality.

Conclusions

CTP and MELD scores are better predictors of short-term mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis requiring invasive mechanical ventilation compared to APACHE II and SOFA scores. CTP score >10 was an independent predictor of mortality.

Risk factor analysis and nomogram for predicting in-hospital mortality in ICU patients with sepsis and lung infection

Background

Lung infection is a common cause of sepsis, and patients with sepsis and lung infection are more ill and have a higher mortality rate than sepsis patients without lung infection. We constructed a nomogram prediction model to accurately evaluate the prognosis of and provide treatment advice for patients with sepsis and lung infection.

Methods

Data were retrospectively extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-III) open-source clinical database. The definition of Sepsis 3.0 [10] was used, which includes patients with life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by an uncontrolled host response to infection, and SOFA score ≥ 2. The nomogram prediction model was constructed from the training set using logistic regression analysis, and was then internally validated and underwent sensitivity analysis.

Results

The risk factors of age, lactate, temperature, oxygenation index, BUN, lactate, Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), liver disease, cancer, organ transplantation, Troponin T(TnT), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and CRRT, MV, and vasopressor use were included in the nomogram. We compared our nomogram with the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPSII), the nomogram had better discrimination ability, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.743 (95% C.I.: 0.713–0.773) and 0.746 (95% C.I.: 0.699–0.790) in the training and validation sets, respectively. The calibration plot indicated that the nomogram was adequate for predicting the in-hospital mortality risk in both sets. The decision-curve analysis (DCA) of the nomogram revealed that it provided net benefits for clinical use over using the SOFA score and SAPSII in both sets.

Conclusion

Our new nomogram is a convenient tool for accurate predictions of in-hospital mortality among ICU patients with sepsis and lung infection. Treatment strategies that improve the factors considered relevant in the model could increase in-hospital survival for these ICU patients.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-021-01809-8.

Impact of Ursodeoxycholic Acid in Critically Ill Patients With Sepsis: A Retrospective Study

Background: Using ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in critically ill patients as adjunctive therapy for sepsis/septic shock in neonates and children is controversial, while it has not been extensively investigated in adults. This study aims to assess the effect of UDCA use on the early resolution of sepsis/septic shock in critically ill adult patients. Method: A retrospective study of critically ill adult patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) admitted with sepsis/septic shock at King Abdulaziz Medical City. Based on their usage of UDCA, patients were categorized into two groups. A total of 88 patients were included for analysis after matching, based on severity of illness scores within 24-hours of ICU admission. The primary outcome was to assess the effect of UDCA on the severity and resolution of shock at day three of ICU admission. The secondary outcomes were 30-day in-hospital mortality, mechanical ventilation (MV) duration, and ICU length of stay (LOS). Results: Out of the 88 patients matched, 44 patients (50%) received UDCA during the study period. Using UDCA was neither associated with improvement in Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score ( p-value: 0.32), inotropes/vasopressors requirement ( p-value: 0.79), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ( p-value: 0.59) nor total bilirubin levels ( p-value: 0.79) at day three compared with the control. There was a significant association between using UDCA and improvement in PaO2/FiO2 ratio ( p-value: 0.01) and early extubation at day three ( p-value: 0.04). Conclusion: Using UDCA in critically ill patients with sepsis/septic shock was not associated with improvement in shock severity and resolution. However, patients who received UDCA were more likely to be extubated and not require MV on day three of ICU admission.

Role of High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) as a Clinical Predictor of Decompensation in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease (CLD)

INTRODUCTION

Systemic inflammation triggered by bacterial products like lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in the circulation is an important factor leading to decompensation in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) has a significant role in innate immune response to LPS in the circulation and could therefore increase the risk for decompensation in patients with CLD. In this study, we have explored the role of HDL-C as a prognostic marker for decompensation.

METHODS

This was a prospective, observational, cohort study where consecutive patients with CLD were included. Patients with cholestatic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma were excluded. Fasting lipids were measured in all patients at the time of recruitment. Each patient was carefully followed up for development of decompensation events such as new-onset/worsening ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, or variceal bleed during follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 170 patients were included (mean age 60 ± 11.5 years, M : F = 6 : 1). At the end of follow-up, 97/170 patients (57%) had decompensation events. Mean HDL-C levels were significantly lower among patients with decompensation (27.5 ± 15 mg/dL vs. 43.5 ± 13.9 mg/dL; p value 0.004). Using ROC analysis, cut-off for HDL-C of 36.4 mg/dL was identified. On multivariate analysis, HDL-C (OR = 6.072; 95% CI 2.39-15.39) was found to have an independent association with risk of decompensation.

CONCLUSIONS

HDL-C level (<36.4 mg/dL) is a reliable marker for risk of decompensation and can be a useful addition to existing prognostic scoring systems in CLD. It can be a valuable tool to streamline treatment protocols and prioritise liver transplantation.

Acute-on-chronic liver failure in Egypt: an underestimated complication of liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a severe liver cirrhosis complication with high mortality rates. Despite that chronic liver diseases are prevalent in Egypt, there is no available data about patients with ACLF. We aimed to evaluate the pattern of ACLF in Egypt.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included all patients with ACLF, according to the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the European Association for the Study of the Liver, admitted to Al-Rajhi liver Hospital, Egypt, between November 2018 and October 2019. We recorded data at admission, days 3, 7, 14 and 28, and calculated ACLF grades and Chronic Liver Failure Consortium scores until discharge or death. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used for survival analysis.

RESULTS

We analyzed 52 patients with ACLF. Liver cirrhosis was secondary to hepatitis C virus in 46 patients (88.9%), and hepatitis B virus in 4 (7.4%). The main ACLF precipitating factors were infection in 38 (73.1%) and variceal bleeding in 9 (17.3%). The most common infections were spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (44.7%) and chest infection (31.6%). The 28 and 90-day mortality rates were 86.5 and 96.2%. None of the patients who survived >28 days had ACLF 3 at admission or day 7. Among those who died <28 days, ACLF 3 was reported in 7 at admission and 19 on day 7. Living donor liver transplantation was not offered in any case.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the 28-day mortality rate was higher than in the literature. Egypt urgently needs to develop specific protocols for the proper management of ACLF.

Outcomes of septic cirrhosis patients admitted to the intensive care unit: A retrospective cohort study

The aim of this study is to examine the outcome of septic patients with cirrhosis admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and predictors of mortality.Single center, retrospective cohort study.The study was conducted in Intensive care Department of King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Data was extracted from a prospectively collected ICU database managed by a full time data collector. All patients with an admission diagnosis of sepsis according to the sepsis-3 definition were included from 2002 to 2017. Patients were categorized into 2 groups based on the presence or absence of cirrhosis.The primary outcome of the study was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included ICU mortality, ICU and hospital lengths of stay and mechanical ventilation duration.A total of 7906 patients were admitted to the ICU with sepsis during the study period, of whom 497 (6.29%) patients had cirrhosis. 64.78% of cirrhotic patients died during their hospital stay compared to 31.54% of non-cirrhotic. On multivariate analysis, cirrhosis patients were at greater odds of dying within their hospital stay as compared to non-cirrhosis patients (Odds ratio {OR} 2.53; 95% confidence interval {CI} 2.04 - 3.15) independent of co-morbidities, organ dysfunction or hemodynamic status. Among cirrhosis patients, elevated international normalization ratio (INR) (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.29-2.23), hemodialysis (OR 3.09; 95% CI 1.76-5.42) and mechanical ventilation (OR 2.61; 95% CI 1.60-4.28) were the independent predictors of mortality.Septic cirrhosis patients admitted to the intensive care unit have greater odds of dying during their hospital stay. Among septic cirrhosis patients, elevated INR and the need for hemodialysis and mechanical ventilation were associated with increased mortality.

Safety of anti-TNF agents in patients with compensated cirrhosis: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

There is limited data on the use of anti-TNF agents in patients with concomitant cirrhosis. The aim of this study is to assess the safety of anti-TNF agents in patients with compensated cirrhosis who used these medications for the treatment of an underlying rheumatologic condition or IBD.

METHODS

Multicenter, retrospective, matched, case-control study. A one to three case-control match was performed. Adults who received anti-TNF therapy were matched to three adults with cirrhosis who did not receive anti-TNF therapy. Patients were matched for etiology of cirrhosis, MELD-Na and age. Primary outcome was the development of hepatic decompensation. Secondary outcomes included development of infectious complications, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), extra-hepatic malignancy, and mortality.

RESULTS

Eighty patients with cirrhosis who received anti-TNF agents were matched with 240 controls. Median age was 57.2 years. Median MELD-Na for the anti-TNF cohort was seven and median MELD-Na for the controls was eight. The most common etiology of cirrhosis was NAFLD. Anti-TNF therapy did not increase risk of decompensation (HR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.64-1.30, p = 0.61) nor influence the time to development of a decompensating event. Anti-TNF therapy did not increase the risk of hepatic mortality or need for liver transplantation (HR: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.55-2.53, p = 0.67). Anti-TNF therapy was not associated with an increased risk of serious infection (HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 0.68-2.17, p = 0.52), HCC (OR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.13-1.57, p = 0.21), or extra-hepatic malignancy (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.29-2.30, p = 0.71).

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-TNF agents in patients with compensated cirrhosis does not influence the risk of decompensation, serious infections, transplant free survival, or malignancy.

COVID-19 in liver transplant candidates: pretransplant and post-transplant outcomes - an ELITA/ELTR multicentre cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Explore the impact of COVID-19 on patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation (LT) and on their post-LT course.

DESIGN

Data from consecutive adult LT candidates with COVID-19 were collected across Europe in a dedicated registry and were analysed.

RESULTS

From 21 February to 20 November 2020, 136 adult cases with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from 33 centres in 11 European countries were collected, with 113 having COVID-19. Thirty-seven (37/113, 32.7%) patients died after a median of 18 (10-30) days, with respiratory failure being the major cause (33/37, 89.2%). The 60-day mortality risk did not significantly change between first (35.3%, 95% CI 23.9% to 50.0%) and second (26.0%, 95% CI 16.2% to 40.2%) waves. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed Laboratory Model for End-stage Liver Disease (Lab-MELD) score of ≥15 (Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score 15-19, HR 5.46, 95% CI 1.81 to 16.50; MELD score≥20, HR 5.24, 95% CI 1.77 to 15.55) and dyspnoea on presentation (HR 3.89, 95% CI 2.02 to 7.51) being the two negative independent factors for mortality. Twenty-six patients underwent an LT after a median time of 78.5 (IQR 44-102) days, and 25 (96%) were alive after a median follow-up of 118 days (IQR 31-170).

CONCLUSIONS

Increased mortality in LT candidates with COVID-19 (32.7%), reaching 45% in those with decompensated cirrhosis (DC) and Lab-MELD score of ≥15, was observed, with no significant difference between first and second waves of the pandemic. Respiratory failure was the major cause of death. The dismal prognosis of patients with DC supports the adoption of strict preventative measures and the urgent testing of vaccination efficacy in this population. Prior SARS-CoV-2 symptomatic infection did not affect early post-transplant survival (96%).

Antimicrobial resistance in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and bacterial infections in a tertiary center in Northern Germany

Background and aims

Bacterial infections are common in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and a leading cause of death. Reliable data on antibiotic resistance are required to initiate effective empiric therapy. We here aim to assess the antimicrobial resistance profile of bacteria among patients with liver cirrhosis and infection.

Methods

Overall, 666 cirrhotic patients admitted to Hannover Medical School between January 2012 and April 2018 with ascites were assessed for bacterial infection. In case of infection, bacteria cultured from microbiological specimens of ascites, blood or urine were identified and analyzed for resistances against common antibiotic agents. Furthermore, analyses compared two periods of time and community-acquired vs. nosocomial infections.

Results

In 281 patients with infection, microbiological sampling was performed and culture-positive results were obtained in 56.9%. Multidrug-resistant (MDR)-bacteria were found in 54 patients (19.2%). Gram-positive organisms were more common (n = 141/261, 54.0%) and detected in 116/192 culture-positive infections (60.4%). Comparing infections before and after 2015, a numerical decline for MDR-bacteria (23.8% vs. 15.6%, p = 0.08) was observed with a significant decline in meropenem resistance (34.9% vs. 19.5%, p = 0.03). MDR-bacteria were more frequent in the case of nosocomial infections. Of note, in ascites the majority of the tested bacteria were resistant against ceftriaxone (73.8%) whereas significantly less were resistant against meropenem (27.0%) and vancomycin (25.9%).

Conclusions

In our tertiary center, distinct ratios of gram-positive infection with overall low ratios of MDR-bacteria were found. Adequate gram-positive coverage in the empiric therapy should be considered. Carbapenem treatment may be omitted even in nosocomial infection. In contrast, 3rd generation cephalosporins cannot be recommended even in community-acquired infection in our cirrhotic population.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-021-01871-w.

Pre-transplant T-cell Clonality: An Observational Study of a Biomarker for Prediction of Sepsis in Liver Transplant Recipients

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the ability of pre-transplant T-cell clonality to predict sepsis after liver transplant (LT).

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Sepsis is a leading cause of death in LT recipients. Currently, no biomarkers predict sepsis before clinical symptom manifestation.

METHODS

Between December 2013 and March 2018, our institution performed 478 LTs. After exclusions (eg, patients with marginal donor livers, autoimmune disorders, nonabdominal multi-organ, and liver retransplantations), 180 consecutive LT were enrolled. T-cell characterization was assessed within 48 hours before LT (immunoSEQ Assay, Adaptive Biotechnologies, Seattle, WA). Sepsis-2 and Sepsis-3 cases, defined by presence of acute infection plus ≥2 SIRS criteria, or clinical documentation of sepsis, were identified by chart review. Receiver-operating characteristic analyses determined optimal T-cell repertoire clonality for predicting post-LT sepsis. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard modeling assessed outcome-associated prognostic variables.

RESULTS

Patients with baseline T-cell repertoire clonality ≥0.072 were 3.82 (1.25, 11.40; P = 0.02), and 2.40 (1.00, 5.75; P = 0.049) times more likely to develop sepsis 3 and 12 months post-LT, respectively, when compared to recipients with lower (<0.072) clonality. T-cell repertoire clonality was the only predictor of sepsis 3 months post-LT in multivariate analysis (C-Statistic, 0.75). Adequate treatment resulted in equivalent survival rates between both groups: (93.4% vs 96.2%, respectively, P = 0.41) at 12 months post-LT.

CONCLUSIONS

T-cell repertoire clonality is a novel biomarker predictor of sepsis before development of clinical symptoms. Early sepsis monitoring and management may reduce post-LT mortality. These findings have implications for developing sepsis-prevention protocols in transplantation and potentially other populations.

Effectiveness of sepsis bundle application and outcomes predictors to cirrhotic patients with septic shock

Introduction

Cirrhotic patients with septic shock have a poorer prognosis compared with the general population. Our study aimed to investigate the survival benefit of the implementation of hour-1 bundle proposed by Surviving Sepsis Campaign, and to analyze the predictors associated with short-term mortality of these patients.

Methods

A single-center, retrospective case-control study was conducted among adult patients who visited the emergency department between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019. All patients with a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and septic shock were enrolled. Their baseline characteristics, laboratory results, source of sepsis, and sepsis bundle management were recorded. We further divided the patients into survivor and non-survivor groups to identify independent prognostic factors.

Results

A total of 88 patients were eligible for this study. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 53.4% (47/88). The proportion of hour-1 bundle achievement was 30.7% (27/88). There were no significant mortality differences between the hour-1 bundle achievement and non-achievement groups (44.4% vs. 57.4%, p = 0.35). Compared with the patients in the survivor group, patients in the non-survivor group had significantly more advanced stage of cirrhosis and a lower proportion of receiving source control (4.3% vs. 22.0%, p = 0.02). The chronic liver failure-sequential organ failure assessment (CLIF-SOFA) score (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] =1.52, p < 0.01), serum lactate (AHR =1.03, p < 0.01), and source control (AHR =0.54, p = 0.02) were identified as independent prognostic factors in the multivariate regression model. Furthermore, the CLIF-SOFA score (area under curve [AUC]: 0.81) and lactate levels (AUC: 0.77) revealed good mortality discrimination ability in cirrhotic patients with septic shock.

Conclusions

The application of the hour-1 bundle did not reveal a significant survival benefit to cirrhotic patients with septic shock. Clinicians could utilize CLIF-SOFA scores and lactate levels for mortality risk stratification and put more emphasis on the feasibility of source control to improve their prognosis.

Bacterial Infections in Cirrhosis as a Cause or Consequence of Decompensation?

Bacterial infections are ominous events in liver cirrhosis. Cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction and pathologic bacterial translocation are responsible for the increased risk of infections. Bacteria induce systemic inflammation, which worsens circulatory dysfunction and induces oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Bacterial infections, frequently associated with decompensation, are the most common precipitating event of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). After decompensation, patients with cirrhosis have an increased risk of developing infections. Bacterial infections should be ruled out in these patients and strategies to prevent infections should be implemented to prevent further decompensation. We review infections as a cause and consequence of decompensation in cirrhosis.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio: an accurate method for diagnosing infection in cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Early diagnosing bacterial infection in cirrhotic patients is critical but challenging. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) reflects systemic inflammation and is an emerging biomarker that replicates cirrhosis' imbalanced immune response.

AIM

Assess whether NLR levels associate with higher risk of infection in patients admitted with first cirrhosis decompensation.

METHODS

Retrospective, unicenter study, including patients with cirrhosis, admitted to the hospital at first decompensation. NLR was calculated at admission. Applying logistic regression models and testing for discriminative power, we correlated NLR with the outcome infection.

RESULTS

We included 139 patients. Forty-four infections to report (31.7%), 18 (12.9%) community infections and 26 (18.7%) hospital-acquired infections.Higher NLR values at admission were associated with increased infection risk in univariable and multivariable models - for each unit increase of NLR, infection odds increased 1.29 times (95%CI = 1.09-1.53; p = 0.003), after adjusting for covariates. We performed a classification tree based only on NLR to evaluate the risk of infection. A high-risk group (proportion of patients with infection = 87%) was identified, corresponding to NLR>14; patients with NLR <3.6 presented lower infection risk (17%).Regarding hospital-acquired infection, we were not able to discriminate groups of patients based on classification trees.

CONCLUSION

NLR is a straightforward approach to attest the individual infection risk on cirrhotic patients. We report NLR cutoffs 3.6 and 14 as optimal for overall infection diagnosing, mainly due to community infection.

De Ritis Ratio as a Significant Prognostic Factor in Patients with Sepsis: A Retrospective Analysis

PURPOSE

This study was performed to investigate the relationship between the aspartate transaminase and/or alanine transaminase ratio (DRR) and long-term mortality of patients diagnosed with sepsis or septic shock.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study among adult septic patients who were admitted to the surgical intensive care unit (ICU) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital from January 2014 to December 2018. Baseline characteristics were compared between survivors and non survivors. We performed univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to evaluate the relation of DRR with 180-day mortality. The potential prognostic value of DRR in predicting mortality rate was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. In addition, we conducted subgroup analysis by the optimal DRR cutoff value.

RESULTS

We included a total of 183 patients in the current study, and 44 (24%) patients died within 180 days of hospitalization. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses revealed that DRR was an independent predictor of 180-day mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.421, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.073-1.883, P = 0.014). The predictive accuracy of DRR for 180-day mortality was presented as an ROC curve, which had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.708 (95% CI 0.629-0.786, P < 0.001). After we stratified all enrolled patients into two groups by using the optimal cutoff value of 1.29, we observed a significantly higher mortality in patients with a relatively high DRR.

CONCLUSIONS

An elevated DRR was associated with higher 180-day mortality among septic patients, and DRR might be an optimal marker for predicting the long-term mortality of sepsis. More prospective and randomized trials are needed to confirm the prognostic value of DRR.

Trends, management and outcomes of acute myocardial infarction in chronic liver disease

AIMS

There are limited data on the management and outcomes of chronic liver disease (CLD) patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), particularly according to the subtype of CLD.

METHODS

Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2004-2015), we examined outcomes of AMI patients stratified by severity and sub-types of CLD. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of receipt of invasive management and adverse outcomes in CLD groups compared with no-CLD.

RESULTS

Of 7 024 723 AMI admissions, 54 283 (0.8%) had a CLD diagnosis. CLD patients were less likely to undergo coronary angiography (CA) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (aOR 0.62, 95%CI 0.60-0.63 and 0.59, 95%CI 0.58-0.60, respectively), and had increased odds of adverse outcomes including major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (1.19, 95%CI 1.15-1.23), mortality (1.30, 95%CI 1.25-1.34) and major bleeding (1.74, 95%CI 1.67-1.81). In comparison to the non-severe CLD sub-groups, patients with all forms of severe CLD had the lower utilization of CA and PCI (P < .05). Among severe CLD patients, those with alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) had the lowest utilization of CA and PCI; patients with ALD and other CLD (OCLD) had more adverse outcomes than the viral hepatitis sub-group (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

CLD patients presenting with AMI are less likely to receive invasive management and are associated with worse clinical outcomes. Further differences are observed depending on the type as well as severity of CLD, with the worst management and clinical outcomes observed in those with severe ALD and OCLD.

The outcome of living donor liver transplant recipients with recent episodes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

BACKGROUND

spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common complication in patients with cirrhosis and is associated with a high mortality rate. Only a few reports have analyzed the impact of treated SBP that occurs in the immediate pre-operative period on outcome after a living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The results of whether post-transplant patients are dependent on pre-transplant infections are still debatable and unclear. Therefore, this study examined the outcomes of LDLT recipients with recent episodes of SBP and LDLT recipients without prior episodes of SBP.

PATIENTS

the records of 62 LDLT recipients who underwent LDLT were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-four (36 %) recipients had at least one episode of SBP before LDLT. However, active SBP was not present in any of the recipients at the time of LDLT. Both recipient groups were compared in terms of demographic profile, perioperative and postoperative variables and outcomes.

RESULTS

higher pre-operative Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score (mean [SD] 11.77 [1.37] vs 10.5 [1.22], p < 0.001) and prior history of renal dysfunction (mean serum creatinine [SD] 1.715 [1.08] vs 1.02 [0.479] mg/dl, p = 0.002) were more commonly associated with the SBP group as compared to the non-SBP group. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the following variables: previous diabetes mellitus (3 [12.5 %] vs 6 [15.8 %]), pre-operative model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score (median [IQR] 21 [10-37] vs 22 [9-39]), operative time (mean [SD] 789.57 [153.49] vs 800.86 [138.69] min), total number of blood transfusion (median [IQR] 10 [2-19] vs 8 [1-18]), hospital stay (median 21 vs 20 days), re-exploration (4 [16.6 %] vs 2 [5.3 %]), postoperative sepsis (8 [33 %] vs 5 [13 %]) and 30-day mortality (3 [12.5 %] vs 2 [5.3 %]).

CONCLUSIONS

the presence of previous episodes of pre-operative SBP in LDLT recipients does not result in adverse post-operative short-term outcomes.

Utilization of Deep Learning for Subphenotype Identification in Sepsis-Associated Acute Kidney Injury

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Sepsis-associated AKI is a heterogeneous clinical entity. We aimed to agnostically identify sepsis-associated AKI subphenotypes using deep learning on routinely collected data in electronic health records.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

We used the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database, which consists of electronic health record data from intensive care units in a tertiary care hospital in the United States. We included patients ≥18 years with sepsis who developed AKI within 48 hours of intensive care unit admission. We then used deep learning to utilize all available vital signs, laboratory measurements, and comorbidities to identify subphenotypes. Outcomes were mortality 28 days after AKI and dialysis requirement.

RESULTS

We identified 4001 patients with sepsis-associated AKI. We utilized 2546 combined features for K-means clustering, identifying three subphenotypes. Subphenotype 1 had 1443 patients, and subphenotype 2 had 1898 patients, whereas subphenotype 3 had 660 patients. Subphenotype 1 had the lowest proportion of liver disease and lowest Simplified Acute Physiology Score II scores compared with subphenotypes 2 and 3. The proportions of patients with CKD were similar between subphenotypes 1 and 3 (15%) but highest in subphenotype 2 (21%). Subphenotype 1 had lower median bilirubin levels, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase compared with subphenotypes 2 and 3. Patients in subphenotype 1 also had lower median lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, and white blood cell count than patients in subphenotypes 2 and 3. Subphenotype 1 also had lower creatinine and BUN than subphenotypes 2 and 3. Dialysis requirement was lowest in subphenotype 1 (4% versus 7% [subphenotype 2] versus 26% [subphenotype 3]). The mortality 28 days after AKI was lowest in subphenotype 1 (23% versus 35% [subphenotype 2] versus 49% [subphenotype 3]). After adjustment, the adjusted odds ratio for mortality for subphenotype 3, with subphenotype 1 as a reference, was 1.9 (95% confidence interval, 1.5 to 2.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Utilizing routinely collected laboratory variables, vital signs, and comorbidities, we were able to identify three distinct subphenotypes of sepsis-associated AKI with differing outcomes.

Preoperative Evaluation and Anesthetic Management of Patients With Liver Cirrhosis Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Preoperative evaluation and anesthetic management of patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing cardiac surgery remain a clinical challenge because of its high risk for perioperative complications. This narrative review article summarizes the pathophysiology and anesthetic implication of liver cirrhosis on each organ system. It will help physicians to evaluate surgical candidates, to optimize intraoperative management, and to anticipate complications in liver cirrhosis patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Morbidity typically results from bleeding, sepsis, multisystem organ failure, or hepatic insufficiency. These complications occur as a result of the presence of coagulopathy, poor nutritional status, immune dysfunction, cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, and renal and pulmonary dysfunction that occur with liver cirrhosis. Therefore, liver cirrhosis should not be seen as a single disease, but one that manifests with multiorgan dysfunction. Cardiac surgery in patients with liver cirrhosis increases the risk of perioperative complications, and it presents a particular challenge to the anesthesiologist in that nearly every aspect of normally functioning physiology may be jeopardized in a unique way. Accurately classifying the extent of liver disease, preoperative optimization, and surgical risk communication with the patient are crucial. In addition, all teams involved in the surgery should communicate openly and coordinate in order to ensure optimal care. To reduce perioperative complications, consider using off-pump cardiopulmonary bypass techniques and optimal perfusion modalities to mimic current physiologic conditions.

HDL-related biomarkers are robust predictors of survival in patients with chronic liver failure

BACKGROUND & AIMS

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are reduced in patients with chronic liver disease and inversely correlate with disease severity. During acute conditions such as sepsis, HDL-C levels decrease rapidly and HDL particles undergo profound changes in their composition and function. We aimed to determine whether indices of HDL quantity and quality associate with progression and survival in patients with advanced liver disease.

METHODS

HDL-related biomarkers were studied in 508 patients with compensated or decompensated cirrhosis (including acute-on-chronic liver failure [ACLF]) and 40 age- and gender-matched controls. Specifically, we studied levels of HDL-C, its subclasses HDL2-C and HDL3-C, and apolipoprotein A1 (apoA-I), as well as HDL cholesterol efflux capacity as a metric of HDL functionality.

RESULTS

Baseline levels of HDL-C and apoA-I were significantly lower in patients with stable cirrhosis compared to controls and were further decreased in patients with acute decompensation (AD) and ACLF. In stable cirrhosis (n = 228), both HDL-C and apoA-I predicted the development of liver-related complications independently of model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. In patients with AD, with or without ACLF (n = 280), both HDL-C and apoA-I were MELD-independent predictors of 90-day mortality. On ROC analysis, both HDL-C and apoA-I had high diagnostic accuracy for 90-day mortality in patients with AD (AUROCs of 0.79 and 0.80, respectively, similar to that of MELD 0.81). On Kaplan-Meier analysis, HDL-C <17 mg/dl and apoA-I <50 mg/dl indicated poor short-term survival. The prognostic accuracy of HDL-C was validated in a large external validation cohort of 985 patients with portal hypertension due to advanced chronic liver disease (AUROCs HDL-C: 0.81 vs. MELD: 0.77).

CONCLUSION

HDL-related biomarkers are robust predictors of disease progression and survival in chronic liver failure.

LAY SUMMARY

People who suffer from cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) have low levels of cholesterol carried by high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C). These alterations are connected to inflammation, which is a problem in severe liver disease. Herein, we show that reduced levels of HDL-C and apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I, the main protein carried by HDL) are closely linked to the severity of liver failure, its complications and survival. Both HDL-C and apoA-I can be easily measured in clinical laboratories and are as good as currently used prognostic scores calculated from several laboratory values by complex formulas.

Management of infections in patients with cirrhosis in the context of increasing therapeutic resistance: A systematic review

Patients with cirrhosis are prone to develop bacterial infections, which consist in one of the major precursors of Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF) and are responsible for a high mortality rate. In recent years, the management of bacterial infections in patients with cirrhosis has become increasingly complicated due to a change in bacterial ecology associated with a higher rate of cocci gram positive bacteria in Europe and America along with the emergence of a multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) bacteria leading to a decrease in the efficacy of empirical strategies based on the administration of third-generation cephalosporins. MDR and XDR now account for about 40% of the infections worldwide, and up to 70% in India. Among them, the most common ones are extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing (ESBL-P) bacteria, carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). An early diagnosis associated to an empirical antibiotic adapted to the site of infection and potential bacterial resistance is now crucial in order to improve the chances of survival and contain the resistance phenomenon. Moreover, a fungal infection must always be discussed in these high-risks patients, especially in the absence of clinical improvement under appropriate antibiotic treatment. In this review, we will focus on the emerging threat of MDR and XDR organisms, as well as fungal infections, in order to better adapt the therapeutic management of cirrhotic patients with infections.

Diagnostic Value of Presepsin for Bacterial Infection in Cirrhosis: A Pilot Study

INTRODUCTION

Presepsin (or sCD14) has been identified as a protein whose levels increase specifically in the blood of patients with bacterial infections. In this study, we evaluated the clinical performance of sCD14 and its usefulness in the early diagnosis of bacterial infection in decompensated cirrhotic patients.

MATERIALS

Seventy patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age of patients was 49.5 years, and 21 were women and 49 men. The heparinized whole blood for the PATHFAST test was used in the evaluation of bacterial infection (T0). The test was repeated after 48 hours (T1); at 96 hours (T2); at 144 hours (T3); then at 15 days (T4) to monitor the clinical responses to therapeutic interventions.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients tested positive for sCD14. The mean sCD14 level was 1854 ± 1744 pg/mL. Microbiological findings confirmed the presence of bacterial infections within 84 ± 4.8 h from enrollment in all 49 positive patients. Thirty-eight patients were considered responders to empirical antibiotic therapy with a decrease of presepsin at the different time points, while an increased level of sCD14 was highlighted in 11 patients. When the test was performed, 45% of the patients showed no signs or symptoms of bacterial infection. At 30 days of follow-up 43 patients survived, and 6 patients died from septic shock.

CONCLUSIONS

The PATHFAST test highlighted the presence of infection in a very short time (15 minutes), and the presepsin could be considered an early biomarker in patients with cirrhosis. A greater number of patients are necessary to confirm these data.

Mixed Fibrinolytic Phenotypes in Decompensated Cirrhosis and Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure with Hypofibrinolysis in Those With Complications and Poor Survival

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Patients with liver disease acquire complex changes in their hemostatic system, which results in a fragile rebalanced status. The status of the fibrinolytic system is controversial, as is the role of fibrinolytic dysfunction in bleeding and thrombosis in patients with cirrhosis. Here, we aimed to determine fibrinolytic status and its relationship with outcome in acutely ill patients with cirrhosis.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

We assessed plasma fibrinolytic potential in a large cohort of patients with acutely decompensated cirrhosis (AD, n = 52) or acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF, n = 57). Compared with 40 healthy volunteers, median clot lysis times (CLTs) were shorter in patients with AD but comparable to controls in patients with ACLF. However, the variability in CLTs in patients was much larger than in healthy controls, and in both patient groups, a proportion of patients had clearly prolonged or shortened CLTs. The variability in CLTs in patients was not readily explained by variations in plasma levels of key fibrinolytic proteins. However, CLTs were clearly related to clinical characteristics, with longer CLTs in patients with sepsis and patients with any organ failure (as defined by the European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Disease organ failure scores). CLTs were not different between patients that did or did not experience bleeding or a thrombotic event during follow-up. Baseline CLTs were substantially longer in patients that died within 30 days of admission.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates a mixed fibrinolytic phenotype in acutely ill patients with cirrhosis with baseline hypofibrinolysis associated with sepsis, organ failure, and short-term mortality. These associations may be explained by defective clearance of intraorgan microthrombi that have been proposed to drive organ failure.

Gender Differences Among Patients Hospitalized With Cirrhosis in the United States

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Gender disparities exist in outcomes among patients with cirrhosis. We sought to evaluate the role of gender on hospital course and in-hospital outcomes in patients with cirrhosis to help better understand these disparities.

STUDY

We analyzed data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS), years 2009 to 2013, to identify patients with any diagnosis of cirrhosis. We calculated demographic and clinical characteristics by gender, as well as cirrhosis complications. Our primary outcome was inpatient mortality. We used logistic regression to associate baseline characteristics and cirrhosis complications with inpatient mortality.

RESULTS

Our cohort included 553,017 patients with cirrhosis admitted from 2009 to 2013. Women made up 39% of the cohort; median age was 57 with 66% non-Hispanic white. Women were more likely than men to have noncirrhosis comorbidities, including diabetes and hypertension but were less likely to have most cirrhosis complications, including ascites and variceal bleeding. Women were more likely than men to have acute bacterial infections (34.9% vs. 28.2%; P<0.001), and were less likely than men to die in the hospital on univariable (odds ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.86-0.90; P<0.001) and multivariable (odds ratio, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.83-0.88; P<0.001) analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients hospitalized with cirrhosis, women have lower rates of hepatic decompensating events and higher rates of nonhepatic comorbidities and infections, resulting in lower in-hospital mortality. Understanding differences in indications for and disposition following hospitalization may help with the development of gender-specific cirrhosis management programs to improve long-term outcomes in women and men living with cirrhosis.

Bacterial Infection in Patients with Cirrhosis: Don't Get Bugged to Death

Bacterial infection remains a leading cause of mortality and morbidity for patients with cirrhosis, with hospitalization, alterations in the intestinal microbiota, and therapeutic drugs all implicated in its development. Bacterial infections also remain the most common precipitant of acute-on-chronic liver failure, with infection occurring as a direct consequence of the progression of this syndrome. Furthermore, recent epidemiological analyses have demonstrated that infections due to multidrug-resistant bacteria are occurring with increasing frequency in patients with cirrhosis. Despite significant advances in the understanding of the pathophysiological processes triggered by an infection in patients with cirrhosis, a demonstrable survival benefit for the sickest patients who require ICU admission has not yet occurred. Early diagnosis of infection and appropriate antimicrobial treatment is essential to ensuring optimal outcomes for these patients. This review provides an evidence-based analysis of both the current strategies for prevention and the recommended management of common bacterial infections in patients with cirrhosis.

Effects of Inotropes on the Mortality in Patients With Septic Shock

BACKGROUND

Although surviving sepsis campaign guidelines recommend the use of inotropes in the presence of myocardial dysfunction, the effects of inotropes, including epinephrine, dobutamine, and milrinone, on in-hospital mortality in patients with septic shock remains unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted an international,2-center, retrospective cohort study. The Cox proportional hazards regression model with time-varying covariates was used to investigate whether epinephrine, milrinone, or dobutamine reduces in-hospital mortality in patients with septic shock. Sensitivity analysis was performed using propensity score matching. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. The secondary outcome included atrial fibrillation (Afib) with a rapid ventricular response (RVR) in the intensive care unit (ICU) and ICU-free days.

RESULTS

A total of 417 patients with septic shock were included, 72 (17.3%) of whom received inotropes. The use of epinephrine and dobutamine was associated with significantly higher in-hospital mortality (epinephrine, hazard ratio [HR]: 4.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.12-10.82, P = .001; dobutamine, HR: 2.53, 95% CI: 1.30-4.95, P = .046). The effects of epinephrine and dobutamine were time- and dose-dependent. The use of milrinone was not associated with increased mortality (HR: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.42-2.68, P = .345). The use of epinephrine, dobutamine, and milrinone was associated with significantly increased odds of Afib with RVR (epinephrine, odds ratio [OR]: 3.88, 95% CI: 1.11-13.61, P = .034; dobutamine, OR: 3.95, 95% CI: 1.14-13.76; and milrinone, OR: 3.77, 95% CI: 1.05-13.59). On the other hand, the use of epinephrine, dobutamine, and milrinone was not associated with less ICU-free days (epinephrine, adjusted OR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.09-1.01, P = .053; dobutamine, adjusted OR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.29-2.84; and milrinone, adjusted OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.19-1.87).

CONCLUSION

The present study showed that the use of epinephrine and dobutamine was associated with significantly increased in-hospital mortality in patients with septic shock. These effects were both time- and dose-dependent. On the other hand, the use of milrinone was not associated with increased in-hospital mortality.

Sepsis in Patients With Cirrhosis Awaiting Liver Transplantation: New Trends and Management

Bacterial infections are more frequent and severe in patients with advanced liver disease and, therefore, in liver transplant candidates. The increased risk of infection in these patients parallels the severity of the immune dysfunction associated with cirrhosis, which is related to systemic inflammation and progressive immunodeficiency. Other factors contribute to this risk, such as genetic polymorphisms, proton pump inhibitor overuse, the numerous invasive procedures and hospitalizations these patients go through, or the immunosuppressive effects of malnutrition or alcohol abuse. Bacterial infections have a great impact on disease progression and significantly increase mortality rates before and after liver transplantation. Mechanisms leading to organ failure in sepsis are associated not only with the hemodynamic derangement but also with an excessive inflammatory response triggered by infection. Furthermore, prophylactic and empirical antibiotic treatment strategies in patients with cirrhosis are being modified according to the growing prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in the past decade. Also, new criteria have been introduced for the diagnosis of sepsis and septic shock. These new definitions have been validated in patients with cirrhosis and show a better accuracy to predict in-hospital mortality than previous criteria based on systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Accurate prophylaxis and early identification and treatment of bacterial infections are key to reducing the burden of sepsis in patients with cirrhosis awaiting liver transplantation.