Effect of Glucose–Insulin–Potassium Infusion on Mortality in Critical Care Settings: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This study seeks to measure the treatment effect of glucose—insulin—potassium (GIK) infusion on mortality in critically ill patients. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials is conducted, comparing GIK treatment with standard care or placebo in critically ill adult patients. The primary outcome variable is mortality. Two authors independently extract data and assess study quality. The primary analysis is based on the random effects model to produce pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The search yields 1720 potential publications; 23 studies are included in the final analysis, providing a sample of 22 525 patients. The combined results demonstrate no heterogeneity (P = .57, I2 = 0%) and no effect on mortality (OR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.93–1.11) with GIK treatment. No experimental studies of shock or sepsis populations are identified. This meta-analysis finds that there is no mortality benefit to GIK infusion in critically ill patients; however, study populations are limited to acute myocardial infarction and cardiovascular surgery patients. No studies are identified using GIK in patients with septic shock or other forms of circulatory shock, providing an absence of evidence regarding the effect of GIK as a therapy in patients with shock

Plasma Levels of Mitochondrial DNA in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with Sepsis

Introduction Elevated levels of plasma mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been reported in trauma patients, and may contribute to the systemic immune response. We sought to determine the plasma levels of mtDNA in emergency department (ED) patients with and without sepsis and evaluate their association with severity of illness. Methods Prospective observational study of patients presenting to one of three large, urban, tertiary care EDs. Patients were enrolled into one of three cohorts: 1) sepsis defined as suspected infection and two or more SIRS criteria without hypotension; 2) septic shock defined as sepsis plus hypotension despite an adequate fluid challenge; and 3) control defined as non-infected ED patients without SIRS/hypotension. Plasma levels of three mtDNAs were measured using real-time quantitative PCR. Levels of mtDNAs were compared between the three cohorts and linear regression was used to assess the association between mtDNAs, IL-6, IL-10, and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores in patients with sepsis. Results We enrolled 93 patients: 24 controls, 29 with sepsis, and 40 with septic shock. As expected, co-morbidities and SOFA score increased across categories. We found no difference in mtDNA levels between the three groups (p = 0.14-0.30). Among patients with sepsis, we found a small but significant negative association between mtDNA level and SOFA score, most clearly with cytochrome b (p=0.03). Conclusions We found no difference in mtDNA levels between controls and patients with sepsis. mtDNA levels were negatively associated with organ dysfunction, suggesting that plasma mtDNA does not significantly contribute to the pathophysiology of sepsis

Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Early Sepsis Resuscitation for Cryptic Shock Compared with Overt Shock

Introduction We sought to compare the outcomes of patients with cryptic versus overt shock treated with an emergency department (ED) based early sepsis resuscitation protocol. Methods Pre-planned secondary analysis of a large, multicenter ED-based randomized controlled trial of early sepsis resuscitation. All subjects were treated with a quantitative resuscitation protocol in the ED targeting 3 physiological variables: central venous pressure, mean arterial pressure and either central venous oxygen saturation or lactate clearance. The study protocol was continued until all endpoints were achieved or a maximum of 6 h. Outcomes data of patients who were enrolled with a lactate ≥4 mmol/L and normotension (cryptic shock) were compared to those enrolled with sustained hypotension after fluid challenge (overt shock). The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Results A total of 300 subjects were enrolled, 53 in the cryptic shock group and 247 in the overt shock group. The demographics and baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. The primary endpoint of in-hospital mortality was observed in 11/53 (20%, 95% CI 11–34) in the cryptic shock group and 48/247 (19%, 95% CI 15–25) in the overt shock group, difference of 1% (95% CI −10 to 14; log rank test p = 0.81). Conclusion Severe sepsis with cryptic shock carries a mortality rate not significantly different from that of overt septic shock. These data suggest the need for early aggressive screening for and treatment of patients with an elevated serum lactate in the absence of hypotension

Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients with Vasoplegic Versus Tissue Dysoxic Septic Shock

Background: The current consensus definition of septic shock requires hypotension after adequate fluid challenge or vasopressor requirement. Some patients with septic shock present with hypotension and hyperlactatemia greater than 2 mmol/L (tissue dysoxic shock), whereas others have hypotension alone with normal lactate (vasoplegic shock). Objective: The objective of this study was to determine differences in outcomes of patients with tissue dysoxic versus vasoplegic septic shock. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of a large, multicenter randomized controlled trial. Inclusion criteria were suspected infection, two or more systemic inflammatory response criteria, and systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg after a fluid bolus. Patients were categorized by presence of vasoplegic or tissue dysoxic shock. Demographics and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores were evaluated between the groups. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Results: A total of 247 patients were included, 90 patients with vasoplegic shock and 157 with tissue dysoxic shock. There were no significant differences in age, race, or sex between the vasoplegic and tissue dysoxic shock groups. The group with vasoplegic shock had a lower initial Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score than did the group with tissue dysoxic shock (5.5 vs. 7.0 points; P = 0.0002). The primary outcome of in-hospital mortality occurred in 8 (9%) of 90 patients with vasoplegic shock compared with 41 (26%) of 157 in the group with tissue dysoxic shock (proportion difference, 17%; 95% confidence interval, 7%–26%; P < 0.0001; log-rank test P = 0.02). After adjusting for confounders, tissue dysoxic shock remained an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality. Conclusions: In this analysis of patients with septic shock, we found a significant difference in in-hospital mortality between patients with vasoplegic versus tissue dysoxic septic shock. These findings suggest a need to consider these differences when designing future studies of septic shock therapies

Randomized trial of inhaled nitric oxide to treat acute pulmonary embolism: The iNOPE trial

BACKGROUND: The study hypothesis is that administration of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) plus oxygen to subjects with submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) will improve right ventricular (RV) systolic function and reduce RV strain and necrosis, while improving patient dyspnea, more than treatment with oxygen alone. METHODS: This article describes the rationale and protocol for a registered (NCT01939301), nearly completed phase II, 3-center, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Eligible patients have pulmonary imaging-proven acute PE. Subjects must be normotensive, and have RV dysfunction on echocardiography or elevated troponin or brain natriuretic peptide and no fibrinolytics. Subjects receive NO plus oxygen or placebo for 24 hours (±3 hours) with blood sampling before and after treatment, and mandatory echocardiography and high-sensitivity troponin posttreatment to assess the composite primary end point. The sample size of N=78 was predicated on 30% more NO-treated patients having a normal high-sensitivity troponin (<14 pg/mL) and a normal RV on echocardiography at 24 hours with α=.05 and β=.20. Safety was ensured by continuous spectrophotometric monitoring of percentage of methemoglobinemia and a predefined protocol to respond to emergent changes in condition. Blinding was ensured by identical tanks, software, and physical shielding of the device display and query of the clinical care team to assess blinding efficacy. RESULTS: We have enrolled 78 patients over a 31-month period. No patient has been withdrawn as a result of a safety concern, and no patient has had a serious adverse event related to NO. CONCLUSIONS: We present methods and a protocol for the first double-blinded, randomized trial of inhaled NO to treat PE

Prognostic Value and Agreement of Achieving Lactate Clearance or Central Venous Oxygen Saturation Goals During Early Sepsis Resuscitation

Objectives:  Lactate clearance (LC) and central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) have been proposed as goals of early sepsis resuscitation. The authors sought to determine the agreement and prognostic value of achieving ScvO2 or LC goals in septic shock patients undergoing emergency department (ED)-based early resuscitation. Methods:  This was a preplanned analysis of a multicenter ED randomized controlled trial of early sepsis resuscitation targeting three variables: central venous pressure, mean arterial pressure, and either ScvO2 or LC. Inclusion criteria included suspected infection, two or more systemic inflammation criteria, and either systolic blood pressure of 4 mmol/L. Both ScvO2 and LC were measured simultaneously. The ScvO2 goal was defined as ≥70%. Lactate was measured at enrollment and every 2 hours until the goal was reached or up to 6 hours. LC goal was defined as a decrease of ≥10% from initial measurement. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Results:  A total of 203 subjects were included, with an overall mortality of 19.7%. Achievement of the ScvO2 goal only was associated with a mortality rate of 41% (9/22), while achievement of the LC goal only was associated with a mortality rate of 8% (2/25; proportion difference = 33%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 9% to 55%). No agreement was found between goal achievement (κ = –0.02), and exact test for matched pairs demonstrated no significant difference between discordant pairs (p = 0.78). Conclusions:  No agreement was found between LC and ScvO2 goal achievement in early sepsis resuscitation. Achievement of a ScvO2≥ 70% without LC ≥ 10% was more strongly associated with mortality than achievement of LC ≥ 10% with failure to achieve ScvO2≥ 70%

Association Between Timing of Antibiotic Administration and Mortality from Septic Shock in Patients Treated with a Quantitative Resuscitation Protocol

Objective We sought to determine the association between time to initial antibiotics and mortality of septic shock patients treated with an emergency department (ED) based early resuscitation protocol. Design Pre-planned analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial of early sepsis resuscitation. Setting 3 urban US EDs. Patients Adult septic shock patients. Interventions A quantitative resuscitation protocol in the ED targeting 3 physiological variables: central venous pressure, mean arterial pressure and either central venous oxygen saturation or lactate clearance. The study protocol was continued until all endpoints were achieved or a maximum of 6 hours. Measurements Data on patients who received an initial dose of antibiotics after presentation to the ED were categorized based on both time from triage and time from shock recognition to initiation of antibiotics. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Main Results Of 291 included patients, mortality did not change with hourly delays in antibiotic administration up to 6 hours after triage: 1 hour (OR 1.2, 0.6–2.5), 2 hours (OR 0.71, 0.4–1.3), 3 hours (OR 0.59, 0.3–1.3). Mortality was significantly increased patients who received initial antibiotics after shock recognition (N=172, 59%) compared with before shock recognition (OR 2.4, 1.1–4.5); however, among patients who received antibiotics after shock recognition, mortality did not change with hourly delays in antibiotic administration. Conclusion In this large, prospective study of ED patients with septic shock, we found no increase in mortality with each hour delay to administration of antibiotics after triage. However, delay in antibiotics until after shock recognition was associated with increased mortality

Effect of Levocarnitine vs Placebo as an Adjunctive Treatment for Septic Shock: The Rapid Administration of Carnitine in Sepsis (RACE) Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance: Sepsis induces profound metabolic derangements, while exogenous levocarnitine mitigates metabolic dysfunction by enhancing glucose and lactate oxidation and increasing fatty acid shuttling. Previous trials in sepsis suggest beneficial effects of levocarnitine on patient-centered outcomes. Objectives: To test the hypothesis that levocarnitine reduces cumulative organ failure in patients with septic shock at 48 hours and, if present, to estimate the probability that the most efficacious dose will decrease 28-day mortality in a pivotal phase 3 clinical trial. Design, Setting, and Participants: Multicenter adaptive, randomized, blinded, dose-finding, phase 2 clinical trial (Rapid Administration of Carnitine in Sepsis [RACE]). The setting was 16 urban US medical centers. Participants were patients aged 18 years or older admitted from March 5, 2013, to February 5, 2018, with septic shock and moderate organ dysfunction. Interventions: Within 24 hours of identification, patients were assigned to 1 of the following 4 treatments: low (6 g), medium (12 g), or high (18 g) doses of levocarnitine or an equivalent volume of saline placebo administered as a 12-hour infusion. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome required, first, a greater than 90% posterior probability that the most promising levocarnitine dose decreases the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score at 48 hours and, second (given having met the first condition), at least a 30% predictive probability of success in reducing 28-day mortality in a subsequent traditional superiority trial to test efficacy. Results: Of the 250 enrolled participants (mean [SD] age, 61.7 [14.8] years; 56.8% male), 35, 34, and 106 patients were adaptively randomized to the low, medium, and high levocarnitine doses, respectively, while 75 patients were randomized to placebo. In the intent-to-treat analysis, the fitted mean (SD) changes in the SOFA score for the low, medium, and high levocarnitine groups were -1.27 (0.49), -1.66 (0.38), and -1.97 (0.32), respectively, vs -1.63 (0.35) in the placebo group. The posterior probability that the 18-g dose is superior to placebo was 0.78, which did not meet the a priori threshold of 0.90. Mortality at 28 days was 45.9% (34 of 74) in the placebo group compared with 43.3% (45 of 104) for the most promising levocarnitine dose (18 g). Similar findings were noted in the per-protocol analysis. Conclusions and Relevance: In this dose-finding, phase 2 adaptive randomized trial, the most efficacious dose of levocarnitine (18 g) did not meaningfully reduce cumulative organ failure at 48 hours

COVID‐19: The Uninvited Guest in the Intensive Care Unit — Implications for Pharmacotherapy

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155543/1/phar2394.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155543/2/phar2394_am.pd

Development of a clinical teaching evaluation and feedback tool for faculty

Copyright © 2019 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Sigma-2 receptors, recently identified as TMEM97, have been implicated in cancer and neurodegenerative disease. Structurally distinct sigma-2 receptor ligands induce cell death in tumor cells, linking sigma-2 receptors to apoptotic pathways. Recently, we reported that sigma-2 receptors can also stimulate glycolytic hallmarks, effects consistent with a prosurvival function and upregulation in cancer cells. Both apoptotic and metabolically stimulative effects were observed with compounds related to the canonical sigma-2 antagonist SN79. Here we investigate a series of 6-substituted SN79 analogs to assess the structural determinants governing these divergent effects. Substitutions on the benzoxazolone ring of the core SN79 structure resulted in high-affinity sigma-2 receptor ligands (Ki 5 0.56–17.9 nM), with replacement of the heterocyclic oxygen by N-methyl (producing N-methylbenzimidazolones) generally decreasing sigma-1 affinity and a sulfur substitution (producing benzothiazolones) imparting high affinity at both subtypes, lowering subtype selectivity. Substitution at the 6-position with COCH3, NO2, NH2, or F resulted in ligands that were not cytotoxic. Five of these ligands induced an increase in metabolic activity, as measured by increased reduction of MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetra-zolium bromide) in human SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells, further supporting a role for sigma-2 receptors in metabolism. Substitution with 6-isothiocyanate resulted in ligands that were sigma-2 selective and that irreversibly bound to the sigma-2 receptor, but not to the sigma-1 receptor. These ligands induced cell death upon both acute and continuous treatment (EC50 5 7.6–32.8 mM), suggesting that irreversible receptor binding plays a role in cytotoxicity. These ligands will be useful for further study of these divergent roles of sigma-2 receptors