Sedation in adults receiving mechanical ventilation: physiological and comfort outcomes

Music-Based Interventions for Symptom Management in Critically Ill, Mechanically Ventilated Adults: A Scoping Review of the Literature

Background: Patients in intensive care units experience high symptom burden during mechanical ventilation (MV). Pharmacologic symptom management is associated with side effects and increased morbidity. Music-based interventions (MBIs) have been associated with reductions in both anxiety in MV adults and pain for critically ill adults, yet their use for the management of other burdensome symptoms has not been evaluated. The purpose of this scoping review is to map the state of evidence for the use of prerecorded music listening MBIs for symptom management in MV adults. Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted across four electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science) for experimental designed studies that measured the efficacy of MBIs for the management of physical and psychological symptoms including anxiety, sedation/agitation, dyspnea, distress, delirium, sleep, stress, fear, loneliness, or depression in critically ill, MV adults between January 1, 1998, and April 18, 2023. Results: A total of 643 abstracts and 29 clinical trials were included. Overall, the risk of bias, assessed using the Evidence Project tool, was moderate. MBIs were mostly delivered with headphones using music selected either by investigators or from a limited selection. MBIs were associated with reduced pain, agitation, dyspnea, distress and anxiety, and improved tolerance of MV and sedative weaning. Outcomes of delirium were mixed. No studies explored sleep disturbances, fear, or loneliness. Conclusions: Use of MBIs improved symptom experience for critically ill adults during MV. Future studies employing unrestricted patient-preferred music selections and exploring outcomes of sleep quality, psychological distress, and delirium are needed in this highly symptomatic patient population.

The effect of abdominal massage and in-bed ROM exercise on gastrointestinal complications and comfort in intensive care unit patients receiving enteral nutrition: A randomized controlled trial

AIM

Abdominal massage facilitates gastric and colonic motility, reduces intra-abdominal distension and increases circulation. In-bed range of motion (ROM) exercise has effects on muscle strength, cardiac parameters and excretion. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of abdominal massage and in-bed ROM exercise on gastrointestinal complications and patient comfort in intensive care patients receiving enteral nutrition.

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial was conducted in the internal intensive care units of two tertiary public hospitals. The sample consisted of 130 patients randomly assigned to three groups (abdominal massage = 44, in-bed ROM exercise = 43, control = 43). The individuals received abdominal massage and in-bed ROM exercises every morning before enteral feeding for 3 days. We assessed gastrointestinal complications and comfort levels of the patients 24 h after each intervention.

RESULTS

While the differences in abdominal distention, defecation status, constipation, and gastric residual volume complications were significant (p < .05), there was no significant difference in diarrhea and vomiting (p > .05). Comfort level showed a statistically significant change in the experimental groups in the in-group comparison (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

Abdominal massage and in-bed ROM exercise reduce abdominal distention, constipation and gastric residual volume. Abdominal massage affects the frequency of defecation; and, both interventions increase the comfort while reducing the pain level over time.

Determinants of Readmission in the Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Observational Study

Background The antecedents of readmission among survivors of intensive care units (ICUs) are complex and comprise an array of elements that impact the rehabilitation process after leaving the ICU. The aforementioned determinants may comprise socioeconomic factors, access to follow-up healthcare, the nature and severity of the initial illness or injury, the presence of comorbidities, the sufficiency of transitional care and rehabilitation services, and patient and family support systems. Added to this, the risk of readmission may be increased by complications that develop during the ICU stay, including but not limited to infections, organ dysfunction, and psychological distress. Comprehending these determinants is of the utmost importance for healthcare providers in order to execute focused interventions that seek to diminish readmission rates, enhance patient outcomes, and elevate the standard of care for survivors of ICUs. Objective The objective of the study is to determine the factors associated with readmission among ICU survivors and the cause of readmission. Methodology This prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary-level ICU. The duration of the study was one year and we enrolled 108 ICU survivors in our study. We have recorded patient demographic data, comorbidity, primary diagnosis, previous treatment history (vasopressor, sedation), causes of readmission, duration of previous ICU stay, and outcome of readmitted patient (discharge, death, and transfer to lower facility). Result The incidence of readmission in our ICU is 10.4%; 50-70 age groups are more prone to readmission of which the male sex is predominant (64.81%). In our study, hypertension (cardiac, 18.52%) and diabetes mellitus (11.11%) were the most common comorbidities reported in readmitted patients. The majority of patients who get readmission suffered from blunt trauma abdomen. In the majority of readmitted patients, sedation was used in the previous admission for ventilation and patient comfort (66.67%). Most of the readmitted patients (68.51%) have a previous ICU stay of more than five days. Patients were readmitted mainly because of respiratory (30.56%) and neurological (25%) complications. In this study, readmitted patients have high mortality (59.26%). Conclusion In a tertiary care ICU, the incidence rate of readmitted patients was 10.4%. Respiratory and neurological problems were the main cause of readmission. In readmitted patients, mortality was high up to 59.26%. Old age, male sex, prolonged ICU stay, comorbidities like hypertension, blunt trauma abdomen, use of sedation, and prolonged mechanical ventilation in previous ICU admission are major risk factors for ICU readmission.

Validation of the patient State Index for monitoring sedation state in critically ill patients: a prospective observational study

PURPOSE

The Patient State Index (PSI) is a newly introduced electroencephalogram-based tool for objective and continuous monitoring of sedation levels of patients under general anesthesia. This study investigated the potential correlation between the PSI and the Richmond Agitation‒Sedation Scale (RASS) score in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and established the utility of the PSI in assessing sedation levels.

METHODS

In this prospective observational study, PSI values were continuously monitored via SedLine® (Masimo, Irvine, CA, USA); the RASS score was recorded every 2 h for patients on mechanical ventilation. Physicians and nurses were blinded to the PSI values. Overall, 382 PSI and RASS score sets were recorded for 50 patients.

RESULTS

The PSI score correlated positively with RASS scores, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient between the PSI and RASS was 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75‒0.83). The PSI showed statistically significant difference among the RASS scores (Kruskal‒Wallis chi-square test: 242, df = 6, P < 2.2-e16). The PSI threshold for distinguishing light (RASS score ≥ - 2) sedation from deep sedation (RASS score ≤ - 3) was 54 (95% CI: 50-65; area under the curve, 0.92 [95% CI: 0.89‒0.95]; sensitivity, 0.91 [95% CI: 0.86‒0.95]; specificity, 0.81 [95% CI: 0.77-0.86]).

CONCLUSIONS

The PSI correlated positively with RASS scores, which represented a widely used tool for assessing sedation levels, and the values were significantly different among RASS scores. Additionally, the PSI had a high sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing light from deep sedation. The PSI could be useful for assessing sedation levels in ICU patients. University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN000035199, December 10, 2018).

Personalizing Medication Recommendation with a Graph-Based Approach

The broad adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) has led to vast amounts of data being accumulated on a patient’s history, diagnosis, prescriptions, and lab tests. Advances in recommender technologies have the potential to utilize this information to help doctors personalize the prescribed medications. However, existing medication recommendation systems have yet to make use of all these information sources in a seamless manner, and they do not provide a justification on why a particular medication is recommended. In this work, we design a two-stage personalized medication recommender system called PREMIER that incorporates information from the EHR. We utilize the various weights in the system to compute the contributions from the information sources for the recommended medications. Our system models the drug interaction from an external drug database and the drug co-occurrence from the EHR as graphs. Experiment results on MIMIC-III and a proprietary outpatient dataset show that PREMIER outperforms state-of-the-art medication recommendation systems while achieving the best tradeoff between accuracy and drug-drug interaction. Case studies demonstrate that the justifications provided by PREMIER are appropriate and aligned to clinical practices.

Tracheostomy decreases continuous analgesia and sedation requirements

BACKGROUND

The goals of sedation in the critically ill surgical patient are to minimize pain, anxiety, and agitation without hindering cardiopulmonary function. One potential benefit of tracheostomy over endotracheal intubation is the reduction of sedation and analgesia, however, there is little data to support this supposition. We hypothesized that patients undergoing tracheostomy would have a rapid reduction in sedation and analgesia following tracheostomy.

METHODS

A retrospective review of tracheostomies performed at a single level 1 trauma center from January 2013- June 2018 was completed. An evaluation of Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), Richmond Agitation-Sedation Score (RASS), and Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU) 72 hours pre- to 72 hours post-tracheostomy was performed. The total daily dose of sedation, anxiolytic, and analgesic medications administered were recorded. Mixed-effects models were used to evaluate longitudinal drug does over time (hours).

RESULTS

468 patients included for analysis with a mean age of 58.8 ± 18.3 years. There was a significant decrease in propofol and fentanyl utilization from 24-hours pre to 24-hours post-tracheostomy in both dose and number of patients receiving these continuous intravenous medications. Similarly, total morphine milligram equivalents (MME) use and continuous midazolam significantly decreased from 24-hours pre- to 24-hours post-tracheostomy. By contrast, intermittent enteral quetiapine and methadone administration increased after tracheostomy. Importantly, RASS, GCS, and CAM scoring were also significantly improved as early as 24 hours post-tracheostomy. Total MME use was significantly elevated in patients less than 65 years of age and in male patients pre-tracheostomy compared to female patients. Patients admitted to the MICU had significantly higher MME use compared to those in the SICU pre-tracheostomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Tracheostomy allows for a rapid and significant reduction in intravenous sedation and analgesia medication utilization. Post-tracheostomy sedation can transition to intermittent enteral medications, potentially contributing to the observed improvements in postoperative mental status and agitation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3, therapeutic.

Recall of Intensive Care Unit Stay in Critical Illness Survivors in Southeast Iran

BACKGROUND

In survivors of critical illness, recall of an intensive care unit stay plays an important role in the development of post-intensive care unit syndrome, which includes psychological impairment after intensive care unit discharge.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate memories of the intensive care unit among survivors in southeast Iran.

METHODS

In this descriptive study, the intensive care unit memory tool was used to assess patients' memories of intensive care units.

RESULTS

All participants (N = 100) had 1 or more factual memories (89%), memories of feelings (66%), or delusional memories (34%) from the intensive care unit. Patients who received mechanical ventilation were 4 times as likely to have delusional memories as those who did not receive mechanical ventilation. Unmarried patients were 4.8 times as likely as married patients to have memories of feelings from the intensive care unit.

CONCLUSIONS

Steps should be taken to minimize distressing memories of an intensive care unit admission. Follow-up programs should take into account the psychological problems faced by intensive care unit survivors.

Quantitative Electroencephalogram in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Three Different Clinical Scenarios

Although clinical judgement and sedation scales are primarily used in intensive care units (ICUs) to manage sedation, adjunctive data are needed to direct therapy with sedative and hypnotic agents to prevent side effects and long-term sequelae. In this case report, we described three cases where we used quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) data in a pediatric ICU (PICU); to manage these specific clinical situations and to identify the limitations of the qEEG data, two patients were admitted for post–cardiac arrest care and the third was admitted for status epilepticus. In post–cardiac arrest patients, qEEG was mainly used for monitoring depth of sedation and drug titration. Unnecessary use of high-drug doses was prevented, and monitoring also helped to guide clinical intervention for the management of seizure activity. In the patient with status epilepticus, qEEG data on burst suppression and depth of sedation were used. In this report, we describe three different cases where we used qEEG data in a PICU, to give insight on the use of data in specific clinical situations and to describe the limitations of the qEEG data monitoring system.

Sleep and Activity Patterns Are Altered During Early Critical Illness in Mechanically Ventilated Adults

BACKGROUND

Mechanically ventilated (MV) patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) often experience disturbed sleep and profound inactivity.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to report 5 consecutive days' descriptive analyses on sleep efficiency (SE), total sleep time (TST), daytime activity ratio (DAR), and hourly activity counts among critically ill MV adults from 9 ICUs across 2 hospitals.

METHODS

A secondary analysis was undertaken from our parent National Institutes of Health-funded randomized controlled trial (NIH R01 NR016702). Subjects included 31 critically ill patients from multiple ICUs. Wrist actigraphy estimated SE and TST. Mean DAR, an indicator of altered sleep-wake cycles, was calculated. Continuous 24-hour activity counts over 5 consecutive days were summarized. Descriptive analyses were used.

RESULTS

A total of 31 subjects with complete actigraphy data were included. Mean age was 59.6 (SD, 17.3) years; 41.9% were male; 83.9% were White, and 67.7% were Hispanic/Latino; and the mean APACHE III (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III) severity of illness score was 74.5 (SD, 25.5). The mean nighttime SE and TST over the 5-day ICU period were 83.1% (SD, 16.14%) and 6.6 (SD, 1.3) hours, respectively. The mean DAR over the 5-day ICU period was 66.5% (SD, 19.2%). The DAR surpassed 80% on only 17.5% of subject days. The majority of subjects' activity level was low, falling below 1000 activity counts per hour.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed poor rest-activity cycle consolidation among critically ill MV patients during the early ICU period. Future interventional studies should promote quality sleep at nighttime and promote mobilization during the daytime.

Nurses' behaviours towards physical restraint use in the ICU: A descriptive qualitative study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The study aims to explore and describe nurses' behaviours towards physical restraint (PR) use in intensive care units (ICUs) and identify key characteristics of these experiences.

BACKGROUND

Patients within the ICU are always vulnerable, which requires a thoughtful deliberation when employing PR in ethically laden situations. Considering that the qualitative study on nurses' behaviours towards PR use in ICUs is limited, a deep understanding of how nurses reason and restrict patients is necessary before developing a minimizing programme in hospitals.

METHODS

A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in this paper. Data were collected by 24 semistructured, in-depth and individual interviews about PR, where 24 nurses were drawn from six ICUs of four hospital settings from a comprehensive tertiary care hospital in Qingdao. The QSR NVivo 11.0 software program was used to manage the interview data, and data analysis was guided by the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven. The checklist of Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies was followed as a guideline in reporting the study.

RESULTS

Regarding PR, nurses' behaviours start with a hazard perception, followed by hesitation about whether to restrict the patient. They would usually decide to apply PR when they think that no other choice to control the situation is available. Then, they would reflect on and rationalize their behaviours. Nurses, intensivists, patients and their families participate in and affect this process directly or indirectly.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses' behaviours towards PR use comprise a series of complex processes centred on safety. Nurses' decision making should be performed with the participation of intensivists, patients and family caregivers.

Inspiratory effort and breathing pattern change in response to varying the assist level: A physiological study

AIM

To describe the response of breathing pattern and inspiratory effort upon changes in assist level and to assesss if changes in respiratory rate may indicate changes in respiratory muscle effort.

METHODS

Prospective study of 82 patients ventilated on proportional assist ventilation (PAV+). At three levels of assist (20 %-50 %-80 %), patients' inspiratory effort and breathing pattern were evaluated using a validated prototype monitor.

RESULTS

Independent of the assist level, a wide range of respiratory rates (16-35br/min) was observed when patients' effort was within the accepted range. Changing the assist level resulted in paired changes in inspiratory effort and rate of the same tendency (increase or decrease) in all but four patients. Increasing the level in assist resulted in a 31 % (8-44 %) decrease in inspiratory effort and a 10 % (0-18 %) decrease in respiratory rate. The change in respiratory rate upon the change in assist correlated modestly with the change in the effort (R = 0.5).

CONCLUSION

Changing assist level results in changes in both respiratory rate and effort in the same direction, with change in effort being greater than that of respiratory rate. Yet, neither the magnitude of respiratory rate change nor the resulting absolute value may reliably predict the level of effort after a change in assist.

Use of Accelerometry for Long Term Monitoring of Stroke Patients

Stroke patients are monitored hourly by physicians and nurses in an attempt to better understand their physical state. To quantify the patients’ level of mobility, hourly movement (i.e. motor) assessment scores are performed, which can be taxing and time-consuming for nurses and physicians. In this paper, we attempt to find a correlation between patient motor scores and continuous accelerometer data recorded in subjects who are unilaterally impaired due to stroke. The accelerometers were placed on both upper and lower extremities of four severely unilaterally impaired patients and their movements were recorded continuously for 7 to 14 days. Features that incorporate movement smoothness, strength, and characteristic movement patterns were extracted from the accelerometers using time-frequency analysis. Support vector classifiers were trained with the extracted features to test the ability of the long term accelerometer recordings in predicting dependent and antigravity sides, and significantly above baseline performance was obtained in most instances (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{upgreek} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document} }{}$P < 0.05$ \end{document}). Finally, a leave-one-subject-out approach was carried out to assess the generalizability of the proposed methodology, and above baseline performance was obtained in two out of the three tested subjects. The methodology presented in this paper provides a simple, yet effective approach to perform long term motor assessment in neurocritical care patients.

Actigraphy to Measure Physical Activity in the Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

In the intensive care unit (ICU), prolonged inactivity is common, increasing patients' risk for adverse outcomes, including ICU-acquired weakness. Hence, interventions to minimize inactivity are gaining popularity, highlighting actigraphy, a measure of activity involving a wristwatch-like accelerometer, as a method to inform these efforts. Therefore, we performed a systematic review of studies that used actigraphy to measure patient activity in the ICU setting.

DATA SOURCES

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest from inception until December 2016.

STUDY SELECTION

Two reviewers independently screened studies for inclusion. A study was eligible for inclusion if it was published in a peer-reviewed journal and used actigraphy to measure activity in ≥5 ICU patients.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two reviewers independently performed data abstraction and risk of bias assessment. Abstracted actigraphy-based activity data included total activity time and activity counts.

RESULTS

Of 16 studies (607 ICU patients) identified, 14 (88%) were observational, 2 (12%) were randomized control trials, and 5 (31%) were published after 2009. Mean patient activity levels per 15 to 60 second epoch ranged from 25 to 37 daytime and 2 to 19 nighttime movements. Actigraphy was evaluated in the context of ICU and post-ICU outcomes in 11 (69%) and 5 (31%) studies, respectively, and demonstrated potential associations between actigraphy-based activity levels and delirium, sedation, pain, anxiety, time to extubation, and length of stay.

CONCLUSION

Actigraphy has demonstrated that patients are profoundly inactive in the ICU with actigraphy-based activity levels potentially associated with important measures, such as delirium, sedation, and length of stay. Larger and more rigorous studies are needed to further evaluate these associations and the overall utility of actigraphy in the ICU setting.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with exercise decreases duration of mechanical ventilation in ICU patients: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Early mobilization can be employed to minimize the duration of intensive care. However, a protocol combining neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) with early mobilization has not yet been tested in ICU patients. Our aim was to assess the efficacy of NMES, exercise (EX), and combined therapy (NMES + EX) on duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) in critically ill patients.

METHODS

The participants in this randomized double-blind trial were prospectively recruited within 24 hours following admission to the intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital. Eligible patients had 18 years of age or older; MV for less than 72 hours; and no known neuromuscular disease. Computer-generated permuted block randomization was used to assign patients to NMES, EX, NMES + EX, or standard care (control group). The main endpoint was duration of MV. Clinical characteristics were also evaluated and intention to treat analysis was employed.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-four patients were assessed for eligibility to participate in the trial, 51 of whom were enrolled and randomly allocated into four groups: 11 patients in the NMES group, 13 in the EX group, 12 in the NMES + EX group, and 15 in the control group (CG). Duration of MV (days) was significantly shorter in the combined therapy (5.7 ± 1.1) and NMEN (9.0 ± 7.0) groups in comparison to CG (14.8 ± 5.4).

CONCLUSIONS

NMES + EX consisting of NMES and active EXs was well tolerated and resulted in shorter duration of MV in comparison to standard care or isolated therapy (NMES or EX alone).

Delirium clinical motor subtypes: a narrative review of the literature and insights from neurobiology

INTRODUCTION

Clinical motor subtypes have been long recognised in delirium and, despite a growing body of research, a lack of clarity exists regarding the importance of these motor subtypes. The aims of this review are to (1) examine how the concept of motor subtypes has evolved, (2) explore their relationship to the clinical context, (3) discuss the relationship between the phenomenology of delirium and motor activity, (4) discuss the application of neurobiology to the theory of delirium motor subtypes, and (5) identify methodological issues and provide solutions for further studies.

METHODS

The following databases were searched: PubMed, PsychInfo, EBSCO, Medline, BioMed central and Science Direct. Inclusion criteria specified peer-reviewed research assessing delirium motor subtypes published between 1990 and 2016.

RESULTS

Sixty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies (n = 50) were found to use validated psychometric tools, while the remainder (n = 11) used clinical criteria. The majority of studies (n = 45) were conducted in the medical setting, while the remainder were in the ICU/post-operative setting (n = 17).

CONCLUSION

Although host sensitivities (e.g. frailty) and exogenous factors (e.g. medication exposure) may determine the type of motor disturbance, it remains unclear to what extent motor subtypes are influenced by other features of delirium. The use of more specialised tools (e.g. delirium motor subtyping scale), may enable researchers to develop an approach to delirium that has a greater nosological consistency. Future studies investigating delirium motor subtypes may benefit from enhanced theoretical considerations of the dysfunctional neural substrate of the delirious state.

Early impairment of intracranial conduction time predicts mortality in deeply sedated critically ill patients: a prospective observational pilot study

Background

Somatosensory (SSEP) and brainstem auditory (BAEP) evoked potentials are neurophysiological tools which, respectively, explore the intracranial conduction time (ICCT) and the intrapontine conduction time (IPCT). The prognostic values of prolonged cerebral conduction times in deeply sedated patients have never been assessed. Sedated patients are at risk of developing new neurological complications, undetected. In this prospective observational bi-center pilot study, we investigated whether early impairment of SSEP’s ICCT and/or BAEP’s IPCT could predict in-ICU mortality or altered mental status (AMS), in deeply sedated critically ill patients.

Methods

SSEP by stimulation of the median nerve and BAEP were assessed in critically ill patients receiving deep sedation on day 3 following ICU admission. Deep sedation was defined by a Richmond Assessment sedation Scale (RASS) <−3. Mean left- and right-side ICCT and IPCT were measured for each patient. Primary and secondary outcomes were, respectively, in-ICU mortality and AMS defined as the occurrence of delirium and/or delayed awakening after discontinuation of sedation.

Results

Eighty-six patients were studied of which 49 (57%) were non-brain-injured and 37 (43%) were brain-injured. Impaired ICCT was a predictor of in-ICU mortality after adjustment on the global Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (SOFA) [OR (95% CI) = 2.69 (1.05–6.85); p = 0.039] and on the non-neurological SOFA components [2.67 (1.05–6.81); p = 0.040]. IPCT was more frequently delayed in the subgroup of patients who developed post-sedation AMS (24%) compared those without AMS (0%). However, this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.053). Impairment rates of ICCT and IPCT were not found to be significantly different between non-brain- and brain-injured subgroups of patients.

Conclusion

In critically ill patients receiving deep sedation, early ICCT impairment was associated with mortality. Somatosensory and brainstem auditory evoked potentials may be useful early warning indicators of brain dysfunction as well as prognostic markers in deeply sedated critically ill patients.

Brainstem response patterns in deeply-sedated critically-ill patients predict 28-day mortality

Background and purpose

Deep sedation is associated with acute brain dysfunction and increased mortality. We had previously shown that early-assessed brainstem reflexes may predict outcome in deeply sedated patients. The primary objective was to determine whether patterns of brainstem reflexes might predict mortality in deeply sedated patients. The secondary objective was to generate a score predicting mortality in these patients.

Methods

Observational prospective multicenter cohort study of 148 non-brain injured deeply sedated patients, defined by a Richmond Assessment sedation Scale (RASS) <-3. Brainstem reflexes and Glasgow Coma Scale were assessed within 24 hours of sedation and categorized using latent class analysis. The Full Outline Of Unresponsiveness score (FOUR) was also assessed. Primary outcome measure was 28-day mortality. A “Brainstem Responses Assessment Sedation Score” (BRASS) was generated.

Results

Two distinct sub-phenotypes referred as homogeneous and heterogeneous brainstem reactivity were identified (accounting for respectively 54.6% and 45.4% of patients). Homogeneous brainstem reactivity was characterized by preserved reactivity to nociceptive stimuli and a partial and topographically homogenous depression of brainstem reflexes. Heterogeneous brainstem reactivity was characterized by a loss of reactivity to nociceptive stimuli associated with heterogeneous brainstem reflexes depression. Heterogeneous sub-phenotype was a predictor of increased risk of 28-day mortality after adjustment to Simplified Acute Physiology Score-II (SAPS-II) and RASS (Odds Ratio [95% confidence interval] = 6.44 [2.63–15.8]; p<0.0001) or Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and RASS (OR [95%CI] = 5.02 [2.01–12.5]; p = 0.0005). The BRASS (and marginally the FOUR) predicted 28-day mortality (c-index [95%CI] = 0.69 [0.54–0.84] and 0.65 [0.49–0.80] respectively).

Conclusion

In this prospective cohort study, around half of all deeply sedated critically ill patients displayed an early particular neurological sub-phenotype predicting 28-day mortality, which may reflect a dysfunction of the brainstem.

Best Practices for Managing Pain, Sedation, and Delirium in the Mechanically Ventilated Patient

Nursing management of pain, agitation, and delirium in mechanically ventilated patients is a challenge in critical care. Oversedation can lead to delayed extubation, prolonged ventilator days, unnecessary neurologic testing, and complications such as weakness and delirium. Undersedation can lead to self-extubation, invasive line removal, unnecessary patient distress, and injury to self or others. Acquiring an optimal level of sedation requires the bedside nurse to be more vigilant than ever with patient assessment and medication titration. This article provides a historical perspective of the management of pain, agitation, and delirium, and disseminates information contained in revised Society for Critical Care Medicine Clinical Practice Guidelines (January 2013) to promote their implementation in day-to-day nursing care.

Toward Solving the Sedation-Assessment Conundrum: Neurofunction Monitoring

The sedation-assessment conundrum is the struggle to balance the need for sedation against the need to awaken the patient and perform a neurologic examination. This article discusses the nuances of the sedation-assessment conundrum as well as approaches to resolve this and reduce the negative impact of abruptly stopping sedative infusions. Both oversedation and undersedation affect critically ill patients. This article discusses methods of assessing sedation and interpreting individualized patient responses to sedation. The use of neurofunction monitors and periods of sedation interruption are discussed within the context of addressing the sedation-assessment conundrum.

The Effects of Guided Imagery on Patients Being Weaned from Mechanical Ventilation

The study purpose was to assess the effects of guided imagery on sedation levels, sedative and analgesic volume consumption, and physiological responses of patients being weaned from mechanical ventilation. Forty-two patients were selected from two community acute care hospitals. One hospital served as the comparison group and provided routine care (no intervention) while the other hospital provided the guided imagery intervention. The intervention included two sessions, each lasting 60 minutes, offered during morning weaning trials from mechanical ventilation. Measurements were recorded in groups at baseline and 30- and 60-minute intervals and included vital signs and Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) score. Sedative and analgesic medication volume consumption were recorded 24 hours prior to and after the intervention. The guided imagery group had significantly improved RASS scores and reduced sedative and analgesic volume consumption. During the second session, oxygen saturation levels significantly improved compared to the comparison group. Guided imagery group had 4.88 less days requiring mechanical ventilation and 1.4 reduction in hospital length of stay compared to the comparison group. Guided imagery may be complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) intervention to provide during mechanical ventilation weaning trials.

Use of Accelerometry to Monitor Physical Activity in Critically Ill Subjects: A Systematic Review

Medical management of critically ill patients often incorporates prolonged bed rest, which, in combination with the underlying illness, results in global muscle weakness and atrophy. Recent evidence has demonstrated improvements in clinical and functional outcomes when exercise and physical activity are incorporated early in the management of ICU patients. Accurate monitoring of ICU patients' physical activity is essential for proper prescription and escalation of activity levels. Accelerometry is a technique used to measure physical activity and has been validated in several ambulatory populations. However, its use in critically ill, hospitalized patients with poor functional mobility is limited. In this review, we focus on the few studies assessing the use of accelerometry to measure physical activity in the care of mechanically ventilated adult ICU patients. The selected literature demonstrates that accelerometry correlates well with direct observation in reporting frequency and duration of various types of physical activity (rolling, sitting up, transferring, walking), but cannot differentiate various intensities of activity or whether movements are voluntary or involuntary with respect to effort. Thus, although accelerometry may serve as a useful adjunct in reporting temporality of physical activity in critically ill patients, other objective information may be needed to accurately record frequency, duration, and intensity of activity in this population.

Insights and advances in multidisciplinary critical care: a review of recent research

The intensive care unit is a work environment where superior dedication is pivotal to optimize patients' outcomes. As this demanding commitment is multidisciplinary in nature, it requires special qualities of health care workers and organizations. Thus research in the field covers a broad spectrum of activities necessary to deliver cutting-edge care. However, given the abundance of research articles and education activities available, it is difficult for modern critical care clinicians to keep up with the latest progress and innovations in the field. This article broadly summarizes new developments in multidisciplinary intensive care, providing elementary information about advanced insights in the field by briefly describing selected articles bundled in specific topics. Issues considered include cardiovascular care, monitoring, mechanical ventilation, infection and sepsis, nutrition, education, patient safety, pain assessment and control, delirium, mental health, ethics, and outcomes research.

Responses to noxious stimuli in sedated mechanically ventilated adults

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of sedation on physiologic responses and comfort before, during and after a noxious stimulus (endotracheal tube suctioning).

METHODS

The sample was a subset of a larger, longitudinal descriptive study, blood for endorphins and saliva for alpha-amylase were obtained before and after suctioning. Heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), oxygen saturation (SPO2), and arm and leg actigraphy were continuously recorded.

RESULTS

67 subjects from medical and surgical ICUs were primarily deeply (37%) or mildly sedated (54%) prior to suctioning. Alpha-amylase increased post suctioning (p = 0.04); endorphins did not change (p = 0.58). Neither were modified by sedation. There were no changes in HR, RR or SPO2 post suctioning. Arm (p = 0.007) and leg actigraphy (p = 0.057) changed from baseline and depended on sedation level (p = 0.0005).

CONCLUSIONS

While a stress marker did increase during suctioning, only the measure of patient arm movement was significantly affected by sedation level.