Implementing an intensive care registry in India: preliminary results of the case-mix program and an opportunity for quality improvement and research

Background: The epidemiology of critical illness in India is distinct from high-income countries. However, limited data exist on resource availability, staffing patterns, case-mix and outcomes from critical illness. Critical care registries, by enabling a continual evaluation of service provision, epidemiology, resource availability and quality, can bridge these gaps in information. In January 2019, we established the Indian Registry of IntenSive care to map capacity and describe case-mix and outcomes. In this report, we describe the implementation process, preliminary results, opportunities for improvement, challenges and future directions.

Methods: All adult and paediatric ICUs in India were eligible to join if they committed to entering data for ICU admissions. Data are collected by a designated representative through the electronic data collection platform of the registry. IRIS hosts data on a secure cloud-based server and access to the data is restricted to designated personnel and is protected with standard firewall and a valid secure socket layer (SSL) certificate. Each participating ICU owns and has access to its own data. All participating units have access to de-identified network-wide aggregate data which enables benchmarking and comparison.

Results: The registry currently includes 14 adult and 1 paediatric ICU in the network (232 adult ICU beds and 9 paediatric ICU beds). There have been 8721 patient encounters with a mean age of 56.9 (SD 18.9); 61.4% of patients were male and admissions to participating ICUs were predominantly unplanned (87.5%). At admission, most patients (61.5%) received antibiotics, 17.3% needed vasopressors, and 23.7% were mechanically ventilated. Mortality for the entire cohort was 9%.  Data availability for demographics, clinical parameters, and indicators of admission severity was greater than 95%.

Conclusions: IRIS represents a successful model for the continual evaluation of critical illness epidemiology in India and provides a framework for the deployment of multi-centre quality improvement and context-relevant clinical research.

Implementing an intensive care registry in India: preliminary results of the case-mix program and an opportunity for quality improvement and research

Background: The epidemiology of critical illness in India is distinct from high-income countries. However, limited data exist on resource availability, staffing patterns, case-mix and outcomes from critical illness. Critical care registries, by enabling a continual evaluation of service provision, epidemiology, resource availability and quality, can bridge these gaps in information. In January 2019, we established the Indian Registry of IntenSive care to map capacity and describe case-mix and outcomes. In this report, we describe the implementation process, preliminary results, opportunities for improvement, challenges and future directions. Methods: All adult and paediatric ICUs in India were eligible to join if they committed to entering data for ICU admissions. Data are collected by a designated representative through the electronic data collection platform of the registry. IRIS hosts data on a secure cloud-based server and access to the data is restricted to designated personnel and is protected with standard firewall and a valid secure socket layer (SSL) certificate. Each participating ICU owns and has access to its own data. All participating units have access to de-identified network-wide aggregate data which enables benchmarking and comparison. Results: The registry currently includes 14 adult and 1 paediatric ICU in the network (232 adult ICU beds and 9 paediatric ICU beds). There have been 8721 patient encounters with a mean age of 56.9 (SD 18.9); 61.4% of patients were male and admissions to participating ICUs were predominantly unplanned (87.5%). At admission, most patients (61.5%) received antibiotics, 17.3% needed vasopressors, and 23.7% were mechanically ventilated. Mortality for the entire cohort was 9%.  Data availability for demographics, clinical parameters, and indicators of admission severity was greater than 95%. Conclusions: IRIS represents a successful model for the continual evaluation of critical illness epidemiology in India and provides a framework for the deployment of multi-centre quality improvement and context-relevant clinical research.

Access and management of HIV-related diseases in resource-constrained settings: a workshop report

With advancement of medical interventions, the lifespan of people living with HIV has increased globally. However, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) which bear the greatest burden of the HIV pandemic face a constant challenge in addressing the treatment needs of immune-suppressed patients. An analysis of the current management protocols and access to medication in resource-poor settings was conducted at this workshop, with emphasis on the situation in resource-poor settings. The participants developed a consensus document based on the need to respond to the constantly changing HIV pandemic. Provision of oral health care must be guided by interconnecting principles based on population based strategies that address upstream determinants of health. Basic oral health coverage in developing countries can only be realized with a strong foundation at the primary health level. Early diagnosis of HIV-related comorbidities including the adverse effects of ARVs is essential for the improvement of treatment outcomes. Standardization of oral health care delivery mechanisms will facilitate evaluation at national and regional levels. Oral health care workers have a moral obligation to participate in sustained campaigns to reduce the social stigma associated with HIV/AIDS in their work places at every stage of the referral chain. Future research also needs to realign itself towards prevention using the common risk factor approach, which has a broader impact on non-communicable diseases, which are increasingly affecting patients with HIV/AIDS as their life expectancies increase.

A safe technique for cardiopulmonary bypass in sickle cell disease

The use of exchange transfusion at the beginning of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in five cases of sickle cell anaemia is described. The patient's circulating blood volume was drained into a bag through side tubing attached to the venous drainage line. Cardiopulmonary bypass was started with a prime consisting of donor packed cells, fresh frozen plasma, 25% albumin, lactated Ringer's solution, sodium bicarbonate and heparin. Moderate hypothermia, aortic crossclamping, topical hypothermia and cold crystalloid cardioplegia were used in all cases. The drained blood was spun down and the serum containing normal platelets and clotting factors was retransfused to the patient at the end of the operation. All five patients survived the procedure without complications and no homologous blood transfusion was required.

Oral lesions, HIV phenotypes, and management of HIV-related disease: Workshop 4A

The workshop considered 5 questions related to oral lesions, HIV phenotypes, and the management of HIV-related disease, with a focus on evidence and challenges in resource-poor settings. First, are oral lesions unique with respect to geographic location or phenotype? Second, how useful would an oral lesion index be to predict HIV in resource-poor countries with no access to CD4 counts or viral load? Third, what are the latest methods and delivery modes for drugs used to treat oral lesions associated with HIV? Fourth, what is the role of the oral health care worker in rapid diagnostic testing for HIV? Fifth, what ethical and legal issues are to be considered when managing the HIV patient? The consensus of the workshop was the need for additional research in 4 key areas in developing countries: (1) additional investigation of comorbidities associated with HIV infection that may affect oral lesion presentation and distribution, especially in pediatric populations; (2) the development of region-specific algorithms involving HIV oral lesions, indicating cumulative risk of immune suppression and the presence of HIV disease; (3) well-designed clinical trials to test new therapies for oral lesions, new treatments for resistant oral fungal and viral diseases, effectiveness of therapies in children, and new drug delivery systems; and (4) the role of the oral health care worker in rapid diagnostic testing for HIV in various regions of the world.

Oral lesions associated with nevirapine-related Stevens Johnson syndrome: A report of four cases

Nevirapine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, widely used in combination with other antiretroviral agents for treatment of HIV infection. Steven Johnson syndrome (SJS) is the major toxicity of nevirapine. We describe here four cases of SJS in HIV seropositive patients following nevirapine therapy. In all four cases cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction was seen with extreme oral lesions, three patients presented clinically with elevated liver enzymes and hepatitis, and two patients had ocular involvement.

Detection of an Ehrlichia bovis-like organism in cultured buffalo monocytes

Monocytes from a buffalo were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium following separation of plasma by the erythrocyte sedimentation technique and subsequent separation of mononuclear cells by density gradient centrifugation. Growth of an organism considered to be Ehrlichia bovis was noticed in the cultured monocytes after 10 days. The inclusions were considered to be those of E. bovis from their morphology, staining characteristics and growth characteristics in culture, and by indirect immunofluorescence examination with an anti-E. canis serum. The utility of peripheral blood monocyte cultures opens the possibility of diagnosing the carrier status of ehrlichiosis in animals.

Morphology and staining characteristics of Ehrlichia bovis

Morphology and staining characteristics of Ehrlichia bovis were observed after staining with Romanowsky and Gimenez stains and fluorochroming with acridine orange. Ehrlichia bovis could be identified as elementary bodies, initial bodies and morulae in the host cell cytoplasm. The inclusions were solid and compact and resembled more closely those of E. canis (canine monocytic ehrlichia) than E. phagocytophilia or E. ondiri (bovine granulocytic ehrlichiae). The organisms usually took acidophilic shades with Romanowsky stains. Apart from morulae, the other forms sometimes resembled azurophil granules. While Gimenez staining and fluorochroming by Anderson and Greiff technique gave poor results, the organism stained well on fluorochroming with Lauer's technique.

Usefulness of rabbits and mice as experimental laboratory models for Ehrlichia bovis

Attempts were made to infect mice and immunosuppressed rabbits with Ehrlichia bovis. While evidence of infection could be noticed in rabbits, their identity as E. bovis needs confirmation. Mice appeared to be infected and showed clear inclusions in both blood monocytes and peritoneal macrophages. While symptoms of disease were not observable in rabbits, alopecia, dullness and death were noticed among infected mice. It is concluded that mice are better laboratory models for E. bovis infection; also that infection in mice could be enhanced by immunosuppression.

Left internal thoracic artery bypass graft in arterial switch with coronary transfer for transposition of the great arteries

The left internal thoracic artery was anastomosed to the circumflex coronary artery to treat myocardial ischemia during an arterial switch procedure for transposition of the great arteries in a 6-month-old infant. Follow-up angiography revealed complete patency of the anastomosis.

Mesothelioma of the atrioventricular node: first successful follow-up after excision

Mesothelioma of atrioventricular nodes may cause congenital heart block and diagnosis is usually confirmed at post-mortem. Awareness of the possibility of the development of this tumour and selective coronary arteriography may help to diagnose this in life.

Leaflet embolisation from Duromedics valves: a report of two cases

Embolization of parts of mechanical valves has been reported since the inception of prosthetic valve implantation. We report here two cases of embolization of one hemileaflet of a Duromedic bileaflet prosthesis in the mitral position due to a pivot fracture. Both presented with moderately severe mitral regurgitation and pulmonary edema and were successfully managed by replacement of the malfunctioning prostheses. The embolised disc was located in the left common iliac artery by abdominal ultrasound and removed by an inguinal, retroperitoneal approach with low morbidity. Both patients left hospital and are doing well to-date.

The problems of valve surgery in a developing country

The management of young patients with valvular heart disease is a difficult problem in developing countries. At our Institution, 765 valves were operated upon in 523 patients over a period of two years. Rheumatic etiology was seen in 70% of the valves and 60% of all the valves were repaired. The hospital mortality and morbidity in the form of thromboembolic episodes were less in the repair group; 35 valves in 26 patients had to be reoperated upon for instability of the primary repair. Despite this high and early reoperation rate in the repair group and considering the higher mortality plus the problems of anticoagulation and limited durability of bioprostheses in the replacement group, conservation of the patient's own valve remains a better alternative in the long-term.

A feasibility study of valve repair in rheumatic mitral regurgitation

Valve repair is an established form of treatment for mitral valve regurgitation. In order to elucidate the feasibility and results of aggressive repair in a young rheumatic population, all consecutive patients operated on between July 1988 and July 1990 for mitral regurgitation were reviewed. There were 203 patients with a mean age of 29 years; 91% were in functional classes III-IV. Pure regurgitation was present in 47.8%. Associated valvular surgery was performed in 56.2%. Forty-nine (24.1%) patients had a straight valve replacement (MVR), 18 (8.9%) had an unsuccessful attempt at repair and in 136 (67%) the repair was considered successful. Overall hospital mortality was 3.4%: 4% for MVR, 16.6% for the attempts, 1.4% for repairs. The thromboembolic rate for replacement was 6.0% pt-yr and for repair 0.87% pt-yr. There were five late deaths in the replacement group and one in the repair group. Seventeen patients required reoperation in the repair group (12.6%) with a mean age of 17 years. Six of these patients had active rheumatic carditis, either at first operation or in the postoperative period. The postoperative functional status of all patients was excellent. In conclusion, valve repair although possible in a high percentage of rheumatic regurgitation patients carried a penalty of unsuccessful attempts and reoperations. However, in the follow-up period the rate of thromboembolism and late mortality among the patients with prostheses offsets these disadvantages.

Cardiopulmonary bypass in sickle cell anaemia. Report of five cases

Five patients with sickle cell haemoglobinopathies underwent open heart surgery. At the start of the cardiopulmonary bypass the patient's circulating blood volume was separately drained into a bag, spun down and retransfused into the patient at the end of the operation. Moderate hypothermia, aortic cross clamping, topical hypothermia and cold crystalloid cardioplegia were used in all patients. None of the patients had transfusions in the postoperative period. No macroscopic or microscopic evidence of haemolysis were seen, nor haematuria or other clinical evidence of sickling. There was no evidence of wound infection and all were discharged home at a mean of 12.6 days. It is concluded that in cases of sickle cell anaemia exchange transfusion at the beginning of cardiopulmonary bypass followed by retransfusion of the red cell free blood can be used safely, permitting the performance of standard open heart procedures.

Persistent left superior vena cava: a simple technique for adequate drainage during cardiopulmonary bypass

Persistent left superior vena cava is a frequent anomaly of the systemic venous return and usually drains into the right atrium through the coronary sinus. Inadequate drainage of this vessel during cardiopulmonary bypass can result in complications for the patient and problems for the surgeon. Various methods of draining this vessel, directly or indirectly through the coronary sinus, have been already described. Some surgeons temporarily occlude or even ligate this vessel. We describe here an alternative and simple method to drain this vessel during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Haemodynamic effect of supraaortic ridge enhancement on the closure mechanism of the aortic valve and its implications in aortic valve repair

The presence of the sinus of valsalva plays an essential part in the closing mechanism of the aortic valve. High-energy vortices are initiated at the upper limit of each sinus or supraaortic crest, and last during the whole valve closing time. An attempt was made to prove this hypothesis in vivo by intermittent augmentation of each supraaortic ridge. In a series of five dogs without cardiopulmonary bypass, pledgeted sutures were placed at the level of each crest and passed through tourniquets. In a series of three sheep, similar sutures were placed under direct vision with cardiopulmonary bypass. The supraaortic crests were augmented or maintained normal by tightening or loosening the tourniquets repeatedly. Simultaneous aortic and ventricular pressures and 2D- and M-mode echocardiography were recorded. In the dog series the results were unpredictable due to variability in the supraaortic crest enhancement because the sutures did not correspond to the anatomical crest. In the sheep series the sutures were correctly placed and M-mode echocardiography demonstrated a significant (p less than 0.01) shortening in systolic time. These results suggest the use of enhancement of the supraaortic crest as an adjunct technique in aortic valve repair.