Aerosolized colistin in the treatment of multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa nosocomial pneumonia

Introduction. Multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MRPA) nosocomial pneumonia is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in the ICU. We report our experience with aerosolized colistin in the treatment of MRPA nosocomial pneumonia. Patients and methods. It is a prospective, observational study performed over 2 years (2006-2007). Patients who developed MRPA nosocomial pneumonia and were treated with aerosolized colistin were included. The criteria used to assess if treatment was successful were extubation and ICU mortality rates. Results. We report 32 patients of whom 12 were women and 20 men. The mean age was 48 ± 19 years. All patients were receiving mechanical ventilation. The mean length of ventilation was 22 ± 5.5 days. The bronchial sampling technique used was broncho-alveolar lavage. The mean delay of infection (duration between intubation and pneumonia diagnosis) was 7 ± 2 days. Isolated MRPA was susceptible only to colistin. The treatment was aerosolized colistin for all patients (4 MUI/day). A positive blood culture (n=5) was a prerequisite for administering colistin intravenously (4 MUI/day). Any potential toxicity was observed. The mean delay of extubation after starting treatment was 10 days. Sterile samples were obtained on average by the eighth day. No deaths were recorded. Conclusion. It seems that aerosolized colistin is an important alternative to treat MRPA nosocomial pneumonia in ICU. Our results need further confirmation by other multicentre studies

Aerosolized colistin in the treatment of multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa nosocomial pneumonia

Introduction. Multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MRPA) nosocomial pneumonia is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in the ICU. We report our experience with aerosolized colistin in the treatment of MRPA nosocomial pneumonia. Patients and methods. It is a prospective, observational study performed over 2 years (2006-2007). Patients who developed MRPA nosocomial pneumonia and were treated with aerosolized colistin were included. The criteria used to assess if treatment was successful were extubation and ICU mortality rates. Results. We report 32 patients of whom 12 were women and 20 men. The mean age was 48 ± 19 years. All patients were receiving mechanical ventilation. The mean length of ventilation was 22 ± 5.5 days. The bronchial sampling technique used was broncho-alveolar lavage. The mean delay of infection (duration between intubation and pneumonia diagnosis) was 7 ± 2 days. Isolated MRPA was susceptible only to colistin. The treatment was aerosolized colistin for all patients (4 MUI/day). A positive blood culture (n=5) was a prerequisite for administering colistin intravenously (4 MUI/day). Any potential toxicity was observed. The mean delay of extubation after starting treatment was 10 days. Sterile samples were obtained on average by the eighth day. No deaths were recorded. Conclusion. It seems that aerosolized colistin is an important alternative to treat MRPA nosocomial pneumonia in ICU. Our results need further confirmation by other multicentre studies

Intravenous immunoglobulin vs plasma exchange in treatment of mechanically ventilated adults with Guillain-Barré syndrome

Introduction: The aim of the study is to compare efficacy of IvIg versus PE in treatment of mechanically ventilation adults with GBS in intensive care unit. Methods: It is a prospective, non randomized study, realized in a medical ICU from 2006 to 2010. We included all patients with GBS who required mechanical ventilation (MV). We defined two groups: group 1 (group treated by IvIg: 0.4 g/kg/day for 5 days) and group 2 (group treated by PE: 4 PE during 10-14 days). We collected demographic characteristics, clinical and therapeutic aspects and outcome. Statistical analysis used: The quantitative variables are expressed on mean ± standard derivation and compared by Student test. The statistic analysis has been based on SPSS for windows. P < 0.05 is considered as significant.Results: Forty-one patients (21 in group 1 and 20 in group 2) were enrolled. The mean age was 37.4 ± 9.2 years, with a masculine predominance (75.4%). Electromyogram in all patients found acute   inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy in 80.5 % of patients. The mean length of  hospitalization was 45.3 ± 9.2 days. The length of hospitalization of the IvIg group is less long than PE group (p = 0.03). The weaning of the MV was more precocious in IvIg group than PE group (p = 0.01). Also, the beginning of motility recuperation was precocious at IvIg group than PE group (p = 0.04). Conclusion: Our work reveals a meaningful difference for the MV weaning and precocious recovery in IvIg group compared to PE group.Key words: Guillain Barré syndrome, intensive care unit, intravenous immunoglobulin, plasma exchange, mechanical ventilation, recover

Apnée lors d’une intubation difficile prévisible pour un volumineux kyste laryngé

Les auteurs présentent un cas d'obstruction aiguë des voies aériennes supérieures au moment de la tentative d'une intubation endotrachéale difficile prévisible en rapport avec un volumineux kyste du larynx. A travers ce cas clinique, les auteurs insistent sur la coopération étroite entre médecin anesthésiste et chirurgien ORL en termes d'échanges d'informations pré-opératoires, en particulier les données de la fibroscopie et la tomodensitométrie.Key words: Apnée, intubation difficile, kyste laryng

Urinary peritonitis caused by gangrenous cystitis

We report a case of a young man who developed severe urinary sepsis, on the 21st day of hospitalization (DH), which was treated with ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. On the 30th DH, he developed bloodstream and urinary infections due to Acinetobacter baumannii which had been treated with colistin and rifampicin. On the 55th DH, he developed urinary peritonitis and necrosis of the anterior and posterior bladder wall. Bilateral ureterostomy was performed. The patient was treated with colistin and imipenem. Peritoneal fluid culture yielded Enterobacter cloacae susceptible to imipenem. An enterocystoplasty was performed. The outcome was favourable

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Intoxications aiguës graves chez l’adulte en réanimation médicale

Objectif : Analyser l’épidémiologie des intoxications aiguës graves et les facteurs pronostiques en réanimation médicale. Patients et méthodes : C’est une étude rétrospective analytique des intoxications aiguës graves en réanimation médicale. Ont été inclus tous les patients d’âge  > 14 ans, admis au service de réanimation médicale pour intoxication aiguë, qu’elle soit confirmée par le patient ou son entourage, ou devant une symptomatologie évocatrice. Nous avons recueilli les paramètres démographiques, épidémiologiques, scores de gravité (indice de gravité simplifié (IGS II), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II), poisoning severity score (PSS)), et évolutives. Résultats : Durant les 5 années d’étude, 214 patients ont été admis pour intoxication aiguë. L’âge moyen était de 28,55 ± 14,42 ans avec une prédominance (36 %) de la tranche d’âge de 21 à 30 ans et dans 60,3 % du sexe féminin. Les organophosphorés représentaient la principale cause (41,6 %). L’intoxication était suicidaire dans 86,4 % des cas. La médiane du délai de prise en charge était de 4 h [IQ : 1-10]. La durée moyenne de séjour était de 7 ± 3 jours. Le taux de mortalité était de 22 % dont la cause principale était le choc cardiogénique (53,2 %). Les facteurs pronostiques indépendants sont : le PSS ≤ 2 (OR : 0.11; IC95 % : 0,049–0,237; p < 0,001), l’intoxication à la PPD (OR : 13,95; IC95 % : 5,22–37,31; p < 0,001) et l’infection nosocomiale (OR : 7,20; IC95 % : 1,94–6,7; p = 0,003). Conclusion : Le PSS ≤ 2, l’intoxication à la PPD et l’infection nosocomiale sont des facteurs pronostiques indépendants