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The high demand for intensive care, which is predicted to further increase in the future, is contrasted by a shortage of trained intensivists and specialized nurses. Telemedicine has been heralded as a promising solution. Yet, there is considerable heterogeneity in tele-critical care when it comes to measurable effects. However, the focus has been on telemedical solutions substituting on-site intensivist functions, and outcome measures have primarily been mortality and length of stay. In a new model of telemedicine for the ICU, telemedicine could be used to increase adherence to best practice guidelines and indicators of process quality. Further, indicators of process quality, functional outcomes and quality of life measures should be incorporated in the evaluation of outcomes, as patients frequently value those higher than mere survival.

Inorganic apparent strong ion difference (SIDai) improves chloride-associated acidosis recognition in dysnatremic patients. We investigated whether the difference between sodium and chloride (Na(+)-Cl(-)) or the ratio between chloride and sodium (Cl(-)/Na(+)) could be used as SIDai surrogates in mixed and dysnatremic patients.Two arterial blood samples were collected from 128 patients. Physicochemical analytical approach was used. Correlation, agreement, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were measured to examine whether Na(+)-Cl(-) and Cl(-)/Na(+) could be used instead of SIDai in the diagnosis of acidosis.Na(+)-Cl(-) and Cl(-)/Na(+) were well correlated with SIDai (R = 0.987, P0.001 and R = 0.959, P0.001, respectively). Bias between Na(+)-Cl(-) and SIDai was high (6.384 with a limit of agreement of 4.463-8.305 mEq/L). Accuracy values for the identification of SIDai acidosis (38.9 mEq/L) were 0.989 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.980-0.998) for Na(+)-Cl(-) and 0.974 (95% CI, 0.959-0.989) for Cl(-)/Na(+). Receiver operator characteristic curve showed that values revealing SIDai acidosis were less than 32.5 mEq/L for Na(+)-Cl(-) and more than 0.764 for Cl(-)/Na(+) with sensitivities of 94.0% and 92.0% and specificities of 97.0% and 90.0%, respectively. Na(+)-Cl(-) was a reliable SIDai surrogate in dysnatremic patients.Na(+)-Cl(-) and Cl(-)/Na(+) are good tools to disclose SIDai acidosis. In patients with dysnatremia, Na(+)-Cl(-) is an accurate tool to diagnose SIDai acidosis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of acute Paco(2) temporal variation on the standard base excess (SBE) value in critically ill patients.A total of 265 patients were prospectively observed; 158 were allocated to the modeling group, and 107 were allocated to the validation group. Two models were developed in the modeling group (one including and one excluding Paco(2) as a variable determinant of SBE), and both were tested in the validation group.In the modeling group, the mathematical model including SIDai, SIG, l-lactate, albumin, phosphate, and Paco(2) had a predictive superiority in comparison with the model without Paco(2) (R(2) = 0.978 and 0.916, respectively). In the validation group, the results were confirmed with significant F change statistics (R(2) change = 0.059, P.001) between the model with and without Paco(2). A high correlation (R = 0.99, P.001) and agreement (bias = -0.25 mEq/L, limits of agreement 95% = -0.72 to 0.22 mEq/L) were found between the model-predicted SBE value and the SBE calculated using the Van Slyke equation.Acute Paco(2) temporal variation is related to SBE changes in critically ill patients.

Background Metabolic acidosis is highly prevalent in critically ill patients with acute renal failure. Little is known about the mechanisms by which renal replacement therapy intervenes in such cases. The objective of this study is to analyze the role of hemodialysis in acidosis correction in intensive care unit patients, with an emphasis on chloride levels in plasma and dialysate. Methods We studied 19 intermittent hemodialysis procedures in 17 acidotic patients. The patients were grouped by procedure type (conventional or sustained low-efficiency dialysis) and by predialysis plasma chloride level (higher or lower than the dialysate chloride concentration). Immediately before and after each procedure, blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. The Stewart method was used to calculate the strong ion difference and strong ion gap. Results The patients presented acidosis related to hyperchloremia, hyperphosphatemia, and high unmeasured anions. Hypoalbuminemia had an alkalinizing effect. Hemodialysis corrected acidosis mainly by reducing phosphate and unmeasured anions. In the group as a whole, chloride levels did not change after dialysis. However, when analyzed according to predialysis plasma chloride, the high-chloride group presented a reduction in plasma chloride, resulting in better base excess improvement (Δ standard base excess) than in the low-chloride group. Among the determinants of acid-base status, the only factors correlating with Δ SBE were Δ strong ion gap and Δ chloride. Conclusion The serum chloride/dialysate chloride relationship during hemodialysis has an important impact on acidosis control.