Organ dysfunction in critically ill oncohaemathological patients: prevalence, risk factors, impact on mortality

The incidence of new cancer cases is growing in Lithuania. Mortality of patients with blood cancer is high especially when condition of the patient is deteriorating and there is a need to transfer patient to intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of our study was to investigate the course of treatment in ICU of oncohaematological patients and to analyse the risk factors of mortality. There are no studies performed which analyse this population of the patients in Lithuania. Our results showed that organ dysfunctions on admission to ICU were mild and progressed to half of the patients over the first 48 hours in ICU. The largest part of patients required organ support. Mortality in ICU reached 44,47 % and it did not differ between the age groups. The mortality was higher in patients who had advanced organ dysfunctions based on SOFA score (≥ 10 points) on ICU admission also for those patients when SOFA score increased over the first 48 hours in ICU. We found that independent risk factors for mortality in the ICU are qSOFA ≥ 2, increasing SOFA score over the first 48 h in intensive care unit, need for invasive mechanical ventilation on the first day in the ICU, suspected or confirmed A. baumannii infection in intensive care unit, lower arterial pH on admission to intensive care unit

Outcomes and Risk Factors of Critically Ill Patients with Hematological Malignancy. Prospective Single-Centre Observational Study

Background and Objectives: Oncohematological patients have a high risk of mortality when they need treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of our study is to analyze the outcomes of oncohemathological patients admitted to the ICU and their risk factors. Materials and Methods: A prospective single-center observational study was performed with 114 patients from July 2017 to December 2019. Inclusion criteria were transfer to an ICU, hematological malignancy, age >18 years, a central line or arterial line inserted or planned to be inserted, and a signed informed consent form. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the potential risk factors for ICU mortality. Results: ICU mortality was 44.74%. Invasive mechanical ventilation in ICU was used for 55.26% of the patients, and vasoactive drugs were used for 77.19% of patients. Factors independently associated with it were qSOFA score ≥2, increase of SOFA score over the first 48 h, mechanical ventilation on the first day in ICU, need for colistin therapy, lower arterial pH on arrival to ICU. Cut-off value of the noradrenaline dose associated with ICU mortality was 0.21 μg/kg/min with a ROC of 0.9686 (95% CI 0.93–1.00, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Mortality of oncohematological patients in the ICU is high and it is associated with progression of organ dysfunction over the first 48 h in ICU, invasive mechanical ventilation and need for relatively low dose of noradrenaline. Despite our findings, we do not recommend making decisions regarding treatment limitations for patients who have reached cut-off dose of noradrenaline

Ar Trendelenburgo padėtis yra vienintelis būdas pagerinti vidinių jungo venų vizualizaciją?

Background. A larger cross-sectional area (CSA) of the internal jugular vein (IJV) makes catheterization easier and the Trendelenburg position is used to achieve this. Unfortunately, it is not comfortable for conscious patients. The aim was to evaluate the impact of alternative manoeuvres on the enlargement of the CSA of the IJV and to compare these manoeuvres with the Trendelenburg position. Materials and methods. A prospective study of 63 healthy volunteers was conducted. Two-dimensional ultrasound images of right IJV (RIJV) and left IJV (LIJV) were recorded at the level of the cricoid cartilage in the supine position with and without head rotation by 30 degrees during various manoeuvres. Results. The CSA of the RIJV and the LIJV significantly increased using hold of deep breath (mean size (cm2) RIJV 1.59 ± 0.82, LIJV 1.07 ± 0.64; both p < 0.001) and the Trendelenburg position (mean size (cm2) RIJV 1.5 ± 0.68, LIJV 0.99 ± 0.54; both p < 0.001). The 45-degree passive leg raise increased the CSA of only the RIJV (mean size (cm2) 1.17 ± 0.61, p = 0.024). These manoeuvres were compared with the Trendelenburg position. There was no significant difference in the size of the CSA using hold of deep breath on the LIJV (p = 0.08) and the RIJV (p = 0.203). The passive leg raise had a significantly weaker impact on the size of the CSA (p < 0.001 for both sides). Conclusions. Hold of deep breath and 45-degree passive leg raise (the latter limited for the right side only) are alternative manoeuvres to improve visualization of internal jugular veins for conscious patients. Hold of deep breath was as effective as the Trendelenburg position