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Background Data on the influence of age and body mass index (BMI) on energy metabolism of the critically ill are heterogeneous. Due to the increasingly aging critically ill population, investigation on age- and BMI-specific energy metabolism is relevant. Methods A total of 394 indirect calorimetry measurements were conducted on 348 critically ill adult medical patients, including 46 repeat measurements after 3.6 ± 4.3 days. Measured resting energy expenditure (MREE) was compared for age groups, BMI, and gender. Predicted energy expenditure (PEE) using the Penn State, Swinamer, and Ireton-Jones equations and the ACCP recommendations was also compared with MREE. Results The patients were 65.6 ± 14.5 years old. Their mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was 27.6 ± 7.8. Mean BMI was 27.8 ± 8.4 kg/m2, and 25.6% were obese. MREE adjusted for ideal body weight decreased with increasing age, while it increased with increasing BMI. Age, BMI, and gender are independent determinants of MREE after adjusting for clinical factors (R2 = 0.34). All four prediction equations showed a proportional bias, with the Penn State equation performing acceptably. In 46 patients with repeat indirect calorimetry, there was no significant difference between the first and second MREE (p = 0.62). Conclusions Age, BMI, and gender are independent determinants of resting energy expenditure in critically ill adults. Variations between measured and predicted energy expenditure are considerable. Should prediction equations be used, their performance in the specific population should be taken into consideration. Repeat indirect calorimetry may not always be necessary. However, this may depend on the length of stay and the extent of stress.

ZusammenfassungDie sorgfältige Anamneseerhebung und die klinische Untersuchung bleiben nach wie vor die wichtigsten diagnostischen Säulen. In der Intensiv- und Notfallmedizin werden zahlreiche Laborparameter erhoben. Die Rate an übermäßigen Laboranordnungen während der Patientenaufnahme beträgt fast 50 %. Oft sind die anamnestischen Angaben unzureichend, um eine gezielte Labordiagnostik vorzunehmen. Die Sorge, etwas zu übersehen, führt auch zu einer erweiterten Diagnostik. Zur Vereinfachung der Behandlungsabläufe werden oft a priori festgelegte Laborprofile benutzt, die symptombezogen angeordnet sind. Zahlreiche Laborparameter sind bei kritisch kranken Patienten außerhalb des Normbereichs. Allerdings wird der Normbereich anhand der Daten gesunder Personen definiert, der jedoch eine klare Unterscheidung zwischen Stressadaptation und klinisch relevanten korrekturbedürftigen Störungen nicht erlaubt. Die pathophysiologischen Veränderungen in vielen Körperregionen infolge der akuten Schädigung, der Reaktion des Organismus und auch der Therapiemaßnahmen führen zu Veränderungen zahlreicher Laborparameter. Ziellose Laborentnahmen tragen zur iatrogenen Anämie und zum Kostenanstieg bei. Außerdem werden die Ergebnisse solcher Entnahmen entweder kaum wahrgenommen oder können im schlimmsten Fall weitere unnötige diagnostische Schritte bzw. eine nicht gerechtfertigte Therapiemaßnahme verursachen. Die Point-of-Care-Labordiagnostik zur Einschätzung der zellulären Homöostase, die die Blutgasanalyse, ein Blutbild sowie die Bestimmung der Serumelektrolyte und des Serumlaktats beinhaltet, sowie die Laborparameter zur Berechnung der intensivmedizinisch relevanten Scores sind einheitlich erforderlich. Darüber hinaus sollte jedoch die Labordiagnostik bezogen auf konkrete klinische Fragestellung klug gewählt werden.

Background and Aims Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequent among critically ill patients and it is associated with high mortality. Rhabdomyolysis is a distinct cause of AKI. As myoglobin has renal toxic effects, clearance via continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) may be favourable. Current international guidelines recommend regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA). Clinical data comparing different modalities of CRRT addressing myoglobin clearance are lacking. Hemofiltration is recommended to eliminate myoglobin, which requires systemic anticoagulation. RCA would be impractical due to the high citrate load as a result of the higher blood flow. Continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) is one opportunity to realize lower citrate load and maintain middle molecule clearance. Another approach may be the application of hemodialysis with high cut-off (HCO) membranes with a pore size larger than 0.01 μm in CVVHD (CVVHD-HCO). We have previously shown that CVVHD-HCO is superior to conventional high-flux dialyser regarding the clearance of β2-microglobulin. Based on this finding, we analyzed of various etiologiesre Filter lilifespan mit dem efonnummer der Virologie zum Befunderfragenmyoglobin clearance with CVVHDF compared to CVVHD-HCO with RCA. Method The present study is a prospective, randomized, single-blinded, monocentric trial. We enrolled patients from May 2017 to September 2018 in our 28-bed medical ICU at the University Hospital Leipzig. We screened 430 patients with AKI and indication for RRT for eligibility. A total of 70 patients underwent randomisation 1:1 into the intervention (CVVHD-HCO, high cut-off dialyzer Ultraflux EMiC2) and control group (CVVHDF, high-flux dialyzer Ultraflux AV1000S). The concentrations of myoglobin (17053 Dalton (Da), urea (60 Da), creatinine (113 Da), β2-microglobulin 11800 Da), interleukin 6 (IL-6, 26000 Da) and albumin (66470 Da) were measured before (pre) and after (post) the dialyzer 1, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after initiating CRRT. We hypothesized non-inferiority of CVVHD-HCO versus CVVHDF regarding myoglobin clearance (primary end-point). Results Myoglobin clearance showed non-inferiority in the intervention group for all time points. The dialyzer in the intervention group resulted in even a better myoglobin clearance during the whole study period. (Table 1). Clearance values for urea and creatinine were equal and there was no albumin loss in both groups.β2-microglobulin clearance was significantly better in the intervention group than in the control group at all time points. The clearance of IL-6 was also better at T0 in the intervention group. The filter lifespan was 51.5 hours (CI: 44.24; 58.76) in the control group and 62.3 hours (CI 56.83; 67.7) in the intervention group (log-rank, p=0,029). Conclusion Myoglobin can be reliably cleared using both CVVHD-HCO and CVVHDF. Nevertheless, the plasma specific clearance rate of myoglobin was higher with CVVHD-HCO. High myoglobin levels are associated with AKI and higher mortality rates and on this account clearance of myoglobin represents a relevant clinical issue.

Hyperlactatemia is associated with increased mortality. Possible differences between patients directly admitted via the emergency department to the intensive care unit (ICU) and inpatient transfers to the ICU have not yet been investigated. In this retrospective analysis, characteristics and outcomes between critically ill medical inpatient transfers and direct admissions with hyperlactatemia on ICU admission, defined as a blood lactate >2 mmol/l, were compared. A total of 1042 patients were included, with 424 inpatient transfers and 618 direct admissions. The median age of inpatient transfers and direct admissions was 67.0 and 70.5 years, respectively (P = 0.03). The median APACHE II score was 25 for inpatient transfers and 23 for direct admissions (P = 0.01). The median blood lactate on ICU admission for inpatient transfers and direct admissions was similar (3.6 vs. 3.5 mmol/l). Sepsis was more common among inpatient transfers than direct admissions (53.5 vs. 31.6%, P = 0.001). The ICU (39.6 vs. 28.8%, P

Neisseria meningitidis verursacht lebensbedrohliche Infektionen, die sich in der Regel als Meningitis prasentieren. Es wird der Fall einer Patientin mit paroxysmaler nachtlicher Hamoglobinurie unter Therapie mit dem Komplementinhibitor Eculizumab beschrieben, die einen septischen Schock durch Neisseria meningitidis erlitt. Wahrend der Erregernachweis in Blutkulturen gelang, zeigte der Liquor keinen Hinweis auf eine bakterielle Meningitis. Neisseria meningitidis sollte auch ohne Meningitis bei vakzinierten und sonst immunkompetenten Erwachsenen unter Eculizumabtherapie differenzialdiagnostisch bedacht werden.

Background Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction due to a dysregulated inflammation following an infection. However, the impact of this definition on patient care is not fully clear. This study investigated the impact of the current definition on ICU admission of patients with infection. Methods We performed a prospective observational study over twelve months on consecutive patients presented to our emergency department and admitted for infection. We analyzed the predictive values of the quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) score, the SOFA score and blood lactate regarding ICU admission. Results We included 916 patients with the diagnosis of infection. Median age was 74 years (IQR 62–82 years), and 56.3% were males. There were 219 direct ICU admissions and 697 general ward admissions. A qSOFA score of ≥2 points had 52.9% sensitivity and 98.3% specificity regarding sepsis diagnosis. A qSOFA score of ≥2 points had 87.2% specificity but only 39.9% sensitivity to predict ICU admission. A SOFA score of ≥2 points had 97.4% sensitivity, but only 17.1% specificity to predict ICU admission, while a SOFA score of ≥4 points predicted ICU admission with 82.6% sensitivity and 71.7% specificity. The area under the receiver operating curve regarding ICU admission was 0.81 (95 CI, 0.77–0.86) for SOFA score, 0.55 (95% CI, 0.48–0.61) for blood lactate, and only 0.34 (95% CI, 0.28–0.40) for qSOFA on emergency department presentation. Conclusions While a positive qSOFA score had a high specificity regarding ICU admission, the low sensitivity of the score among septic patients as well as among ICU admissions considerably limited its value in routine patient management. The SOFA score was the better predictor of ICU admission, while the predictive value of blood lactate was equivocal.

BackgroundRegional anticoagulation with citrate during renal replacement therapy (RRT) reduces the risk of bleeding, extends dialyzer lifespan and is cost-effective. Therefore, current guidelines recommend its use if patients are not anticoagulated for another reason and if there are no contraindications against citrate. RRT with regional citrate anticoagulation has been established in critically ill patients as continuous veno-venous hemodialysis (CVVHD) to reduce citrate load. However, CVVHD is inferior regarding middle molecule clearance compared to continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH). The use of a high cut-off dialyzer in CVVHD may thus present an option for middle molecule clearance similar to CVVH. This may allow combining the advantages of both techniques.MethodsIn this prospective, randomized, single-blinded single-center-trial, sixty patients with acute renal failure and established indication for renal replacement therapy were randomized 1:1 into two groups. The control group was put on CVVHD using regional citrate anticoagulation and a high-flux dialyzer, while the intervention group was on CVVHD using regional citrate anticoagulation and a high-cut-off dialyzer. The concentrations of urea, creatinine, β2-microglobulin, myoglobin, interleukin 6 and albumin were measured pre- and post-dialyzer 1, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after initiating CVVHD.ResultsMean plasma clearance for β2-microglobulin was 19.6±5.8 ml/min in the intervention group vs. 12.2±3.6 ml/min in the control group (pConclusionCVVHD using a high cut-off dialyzer results in more effective middle molecule clearance than that with high-flux dialyzer.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00005254, registered 26th November 2013).

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Interleukin-6 (IL-6) could be a faster indicator of treatment success in adults with severe sepsis and septic shock compared to procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Methods Data from adult patients with severe sepsis and septic shock managed at the medical intensive care unit (ICU) of the University Hospital Leipzig between September 2009 and January 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Values for CRP, PCT and IL-6 on admission as well as after 24 and 48–72 h were collected. Antibiotic therapy was defined as clinically successful if the patient survived ICU stay. Results A total of 328 patients with severe sepsis and septic shock with adequate data quality were included. After 48–72 h, the median IL-6 was significantly lower in survivors than in non-survivors (114.2 pg/ml vs. 746.6 pg/ml; p

Infections with Neisseriameningitidis are life-threatening conditions, generally presenting as meningitis. This case of a young woman who had a history of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria under treatment with the complement inhibitor eculizumab had been presented with septic shock. While blood cultures were positive for Neisseria meningitidis, she showed no evidence for bacterial meningitis in the cerebrospinal fluid. This case shows that meningococcal sepsis without signs for bacterial meningitis despite repetitive vaccinations is possible in adults under eculizumab.

Akute Vergiftungen sind haufige Probleme in der Akut- und Notfallmedizin. Im Erwachsenenalter uberwiegen hierbei Intoxikationen mit Arzneimitteln. Eine subtile Anamnese sowie sorgfaltige klinische Untersuchung sind die Grundlage der Diagnostik. Anhand des klinischen Erscheinungsbilds lassen sich typische Toxidrome abgrenzen. Als zusatzliche diagnostische Masnahmen sind ein Drogenscreening im Urin sowie eine Blutalkoholbestimmung schnell und breit verfugbar. Als wichtigste therapeutische Masnahme steht die Sicherung der Vitalparameter im Vordergrund. Der fruhzeitige Kontakt mit einem Giftinformationszentrum ist fur die Einschatzung der Gefahrdung und das weitere Prozedere hilfreich. Primare und sekundare Eliminationsverfahren bedurfen einer kritischen Indikationsstellung und zeichnen sich durch eine meist geringe Evidenz aus. Nur in sehr wenigen Vergiftungsfallen ist ein spezifisches Antidot verfugbar.

Optimal nutrition of critically ill patients is still a matter of debate. This pilot trial aimed to compare the impact of normocaloric vs hypocaloric feeding in critically ill patients in the first 7 days in the intensive care unit (ICU). The primary end point was the rate of nosocomial infections during the ICU stay.Critically ill patients requiring artificial nutrition for at least 72 hours were included within 24 hours of ICU admission and randomized into a normocaloric group (receiving 100% of their daily energy expenditure) and a hypocaloric group (receiving 50% of their daily energy expenditure).One hundred patients were included (54 in the normocaloric group and 46 in the hypocaloric group). There were 66 male and 34 female patients with a mean age of 65.8 ± 11.6 years. The mean daily caloric supply was 19.7 ± 5.7 kcal/kg for the normocaloric group and 11.3 ± 3.1 kcal/kg for the hypocaloric group (P = .0001). Insulin demand was significantly higher and gastrointestinal intolerance more frequent in the normocaloric group than in the hypocaloric group. Nosocomial infections were detected more frequently in the hypocaloric group than in the normocaloric group (26.1% vs 11.1%, respectively). The ICU mortality rate was 22.2% in the normocaloric group and 21.7% in the hypocaloric group (not significant). The hospital mortality rate was 31.5% in the normocaloric group and 37.0% in the hypocaloric group (P = .67).Hypocaloric feeding in the first 7 days in critically ill patients was associated with more nosocomial infections but less insulin demand and less gastrointestinal intolerance compared with normocaloric feeding.DRKS00000104 (German Clinical Trials Register).

Hintergrund Die routinemasige Rontgenkontrolle nach Punktionstracheotomie wurde als Standard etabliert. Beobachtungen zeigten jedoch, dass dieses Vorgehen medizinisch unnotig sei und vermeidbare Kosten produzieren wurde. Prospektive randomisierte Studien zu diesem Thema fehlen jedoch.

Background Rhabdomyolysis is a widely recognized yet rare complication in statin use. Rhabdomyolysis might be triggered by the prescription of high doses of statins or by statin accumulation due to interactions with concomitant medication. Muscle cell destruction as evidenced by myoglobin elevation can induce potentially life-threatening acute renal failure. Case presentation We report a case of a 70-year-old obese white man with sudden onset of severe rhabdomyolysis with consecutive renal failure. His medication included low-dose simvastatin, which he had taken for 6 years up until the event. The statin was withdrawn immediately. After 3 days of veno-venous hemofiltration his renal function was completely restored. Conclusions Clinicians in both primary and special care might be unaware that side effects of statins do occur even after a long uneventful statin medication; they should be advised not to exclude that possibility upfront, even if a patient has tolerated the medication for years.

Rhabdomyolysis is a widely recognized yet rare complication in Statin use. Rhabdomyolysis might be triggered by prescription of high doses of Statins or by Statin accumulation due to interactions with concomitant medication. Muscle cell destruction as evidenced by myoglobin elevation can induce potentially life threatening acute renal failure known as crush kidney. Here, we report a case of a sudden severe rhabdomyolysis with consecutive renal failure in a patient who received low dose Statin- therapy for 6 years without previous complications.

Introduction Serious renal failure represents a severe complication of multiple myeloma (MM), with an estimated 25-50 % of patients being affected. Both bortezomib and bendamustine have been identified as quickly acting, effective and well-tolerated drugs and might therefore constitute an adequate combination regimen for patients presenting with light chain-induced renal failure. Methods Between March 2005 and March 2013, 36 patients with relapsed/refractory MM and light chain-induced renal failure (creatinine clearance

Coronary angioplasty remains plagued by the problem of restenosis. Genetic polymorphisms may contribute to the development of restenosis by mediating exaggerated inflammatory responses of the endothelium to angioplasty-induced injury.The serine (Ser)-128-arginine (Arg) gene polymorphism of E-selectin has been implicated in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). We sought to explore whether allelic variants relate to post-angioplasty restenosis.The 128Arg allele was analyzed by PCR in 101 (derivation study, age 54+/-1 years, all mean+/-S.E.M.) and 92 (validation study, age 62+/-1 years) patients with CAD who underwent successful angioplasty.Restenosis, defined as50% luminal diameter reduction at the target lesion at follow-up angiography, was found in 54/101 (53%) and 43/92 (47%) patients during follow-up. The 128Arg allele frequency in the derivation study was 10.39% and was 11.96% in the validation study. The 128Arg allele was more prevalent in the restenosis groups (14.81% and 17.44%, respectively) than in the restenosis-free groups (5.32% and 7.14%, respectively, p=0.027 and p=0.031). In multivariate logistic regression, the 128Arg allele emerged as a predictor of restenosis in both studies (p0.05). There were no differences in the level of soluble E-selectin according to genotype, gender, age (p0.20), and between patients with restenosis and those without (43.8+/-3.2 vs. 47.4+/-3.1 ng/ml, p0.20).The 128Arg allele of E-selectin may be related to increased endothelial responses to injury, thereby potentially serving as a risk factor for post-angioplasty restenosis in patients with CAD.The development of restenosis remains a problem in patients with CAD. The Ser128Arg polymorphism of E-selectin was analyzed in 101 (derivation) and 92 (validation) CAD patients. Patients with restenosis (54/101 and 43/92) had a higher frequency of the 128Arg allele (14.81 and 17.44%) than those without (5.32%, p=0.027 and 7.14%, p=0.031). In logistic regression, the 128Arg allele emerged as a predictor of restenosis in both studies (p0.05). The E-selectin 128Arg allele may serve as a risk factor for the development of restenosis.