Sepsis, cardiovascular events and short-term mortality risk in critically ill patients

Sepsis-induced coagulopathy is associated with new episodes of atrial fibrillation in patients admitted to critical care in sinus rhythm

Background

Sepsis is a life-threatening disease commonly complicated by activation of coagulation and immune pathways. Sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC) is associated with micro- and macrothrombosis, but its relation to other cardiovascular complications remains less clear. In this study we explored associations between SIC and the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in sinus rhythm. We also aimed to identify predictive factors for the development of AF in patients with and without SIC.

Methods

Data were extracted from the publicly available AmsterdamUMCdb database. Patients with sepsis and documented sinus rhythm on admission to ICU were included. Patients were stratified into those who fulfilled the criteria for SIC and those who did not. Following univariate analysis, logistic regression models were developed to describe the association between routinely documented demographics and blood results and the development of at least one episode of AF. Machine learning methods (gradient boosting machines and random forest) were applied to define the predictive importance of factors contributing to the development of AF.

Results

Age was the strongest predictor for the development of AF in patients with and without SIC. Routine coagulation tests activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) as a marker of inflammation were also associated with AF occurrence in SIC-positive and SIC-negative patients. Cardiorespiratory parameters (oxygen requirements and heart rate) showed predictive potential.

Conclusion

Higher INR, elevated CRP, increased heart rate and more severe respiratory failure are risk factors for occurrence of AF in critical illness, suggesting an association between cardiac, respiratory and immune and coagulation pathways. However, age was the most dominant factor to predict the first episodes of AF in patients admitted in sinus rhythm with and without SIC.

Predictive value of risk factors for prognosis of patients with sepsis in intensive care unit

Sepsis has emerged as a major global public health concern due to its elevated mortality and high cost of care. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors associated with the mortality of sepsis patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and to intervene in the early stages of sepsis in order to improve patient outcomes and reduce mortality. From January 1st, 2021 to December 31st, 2021, Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, and The Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were designated as sentinel hospitals, and sepsis patients in their respective ICU and Emergency ICU were selected as research subjects, and divided into survivors and non-survivors according to their discharge outcomes. The mortality risk of sepsis patients was subsequently analyzed by logistic regression. A total of 176 patients with sepsis were included, of which 130 (73.9%) were survivors and 46 (26.1%) were non-survivors. Factors identified as having an impact on death among sepsis patients included female [Odds Ratio (OR) = 5.135, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.709, 15.427, P = .004)], cardiovascular disease (OR = 6.272, 95% CI: 1.828, 21.518, P = .004), cerebrovascular disease (OR = 3.133, 95% CI: 1.093, 8.981, P = .034), pulmonary infections (OR = 6.700, 95% CI: 1.744, 25.748, P = .006), use of vasopressors (OR = 34.085, 95% CI: 10.452, 111.155, P < .001), WBC < 3.5 × 109/L (OR = 9.752, 95% CI: 1.386, 68.620, P = .022), ALT < 7 U/L (OR = 7.672, 95% CI: 1.263, 46.594, P = .027), ALT > 40 U/L (OR = 3.343, 95% CI: 1.097, 10.185, P = .034). Gender, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, pulmonary infections, the use of vasopressors, WBC, and ALT are important factors in evaluating the prognostic outcome of sepsis patients in the ICU. This suggests that medical professionals should recognize them expeditiously and implement aggressive treatment tactics to diminish the mortality rate and improve outcomes.

Association between Pre-Existing Long-Term β-Blocker Therapy and the Outcomes of Sepsis-Associated Coagulopathy: A Retrospective Study

Background and Objectives: Previous studies have suggested that long-term β-blocker therapy before sepsis is associated with reduced mortality. Sepsis-associated coagulopathy (SAC) remains a common complication in patients with sepsis and is associated with increased mortality. Adrenergic pathways are involved in the regulation of the coagulation system. Pre-existing long-term β-blocker therapy may have potentially beneficial effects on SAC and has yet to be well characterized. We aimed to assess the potential association between pre-existing long-term β-blocker therapy and the outcomes of patients with SAC. Materials and Methods: This study retrospectively screened the clinical data of adult patients with SAC admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and respiratory ICU between May 2020 and October 2022. Patients with SAC who took any β-blocker for at least one year were considered pre-existing long-term β-blocker therapy. All enrolled patients were followed up for 28 days or until death. Results: Among the 228 SAC patients, 48 received long-term β-blocker therapy before septic episodes. Pre-existing long-term β-blocker therapy was associated with reduced vasopressor requirements and a decreased 28-day mortality (log-rank test: p = 0.041). In particular, long-term β-blocker therapy was related to substantially lower D-dimer levels and a trend of improved activated partial thromboplastin time in patients with SAC during initial ICU admission. Multivariable regression analysis showed that long-term β-blocker therapy was significantly and independently associated with a 28-day mortality among patients with SAC (adjusted odds ratio, 0.55; 95% confidence interval, (0.32-0.94); p = 0.030). Conclusions: Pre-existing long-term β-blocker therapy might be associated with reduced vasopressor requirements and a decreased 28-day mortality among patients with SAC, providing evidence for the protective effect of β-blockers against SAC in managing sepsis.