Home - Critical Care Science (CCS)

  • Original Article

    Efficacy of melatonin in decreasing the incidence of delirium in critically ill adults: a randomized controlled trial

    Crit Care Sci. 2024;36:e20240144en

    Abstract

    Original Article

    Efficacy of melatonin in decreasing the incidence of delirium in critically ill adults: a randomized controlled trial

    Crit Care Sci. 2024;36:e20240144en

    DOI 10.62675/2965-2774.20240144-pt

    Views349

    ABSTRACT

    Objective:

    To determine whether enteral melatonin decreases the incidence of delirium in critically ill adults.

    Methods:

    In this randomized controlled trial, adults were admitted to the intensive care unit and received either usual standard care alone (Control Group) or in combination with 3mg of enteral melatonin once a day at 9 PM (Melatonin Group). Concealment of allocation was done by serially numbered opaque sealed envelopes. The intensivist assessing delirium and the investigator performing the data analysis were blinded to the group allocation. The primary outcome was the incidence of delirium within 24 hours of the intensive care unit stay. The secondary outcomes were the incidence of delirium on Days 3 and 7, intensive care unit mortality, length of intensive care unit stay, duration of mechanical ventilation and Glasgow outcome score (at discharge).

    Results:

    We included 108 patients in the final analysis, with 54 patients in each group. At 24 hours of intensive care unit stay, there was no difference in the incidence of delirium between Melatonin and Control Groups (29.6 versus 46.2%; RR = 0.6; 95%CI 0.38 – 1.05; p = 0.11). No secondary outcome showed a statistically significant difference.

    Conclusion:

    Enteral melatonin 3mg is not more effective at decreasing the incidence of delirium than standard care is in critically ill adults.

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    Efficacy of melatonin in decreasing the incidence of delirium in critically ill adults: a randomized controlled trial
  • Viewpoint

    Why the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score needs updating?

    Crit Care Sci. 2024;36:e20240296en

    Abstract

    Viewpoint

    Why the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score needs updating?

    Crit Care Sci. 2024;36:e20240296en

    DOI 10.62675/2965-2774.20240296-pt

    Views202
    The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was developed almost 30 years ago. It rapidly became one of the most widely used scoring systems in intensive care, both for clinical practice and research,(,) and remains one of the most cited scores in our speciality. Since its original description, there have been substantial changes in clinical […]
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  • Original Article

    A comprehensive physical functional assessment of survivors of critical care unit stay due to COVID-19

    Crit Care Sci. 2024;36:e20240284en

    Abstract

    Original Article

    A comprehensive physical functional assessment of survivors of critical care unit stay due to COVID-19

    Crit Care Sci. 2024;36:e20240284en

    DOI 10.62675/2965-2774.20240284-en

    Views12

    ABSTRACT

    Objective:

    To examine the physical function and respiratory muscle strength of patients – who recovered from critical COVID-19 – after intensive care unit discharge to the ward on Days one (D1) and seven (D7), and to investigate variables associated with functional impairment.

    Methods:

    This was a prospective cohort study of adult patients with COVID-19 who needed invasive mechanical ventilation, non-invasive ventilation or high-flow nasal cannula and were discharged from the intensive care unit to the ward. Participants were submitted to Medical Research Council sum-score, handgrip strength, maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, and short physical performance battery tests. Participants were grouped into two groups according to their need for invasive ventilation: the Invasive Mechanical Ventilation Group (IMV Group) and the Non-Invasive Mechanical Ventilation Group (Non-IMV Group).

    Results:

    Patients in the IMV Group (n = 31) were younger and had higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores than those in the Non-IMV Group (n = 33). The short physical performance battery scores (range 0 – 12) on D1 and D7 were 6.1 ± 4.3 and 7.3 ± 3.8, respectively for the Non-Invasive Mechanical Ventilation Group, and 1.3 ± 2.5 and 2.6 ± 3.7, respectively for the IMV Group. The prevalence of intensive care unit-acquired weakness on D7 was 13% for the Non-IMV Group and 72% for the IMV Group. The maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, and handgrip strength increased on D7 in both groups, but the maximal expiratory pressure and handgrip strength were still weak. Only maximal inspiratory pressure was recovered (i.e., > 80% of the predicted value) in the Non-IMV Group. Female sex, and the need and duration of invasive mechanical were independently and negatively associated with the short physical performance battery score and handgrip strength.

    Conclusion:

    Patients who recovered from critical COVID-19 and who received invasive mechanical ventilation presented greater disability than those who were not invasively ventilated. However, they both showed marginal functional improvement during early recovery, regardless of the need for invasive mechanical ventilation. This might highlight the severity of disability caused by SARS-CoV-2.

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    A comprehensive physical functional assessment of survivors of critical care unit stay due to COVID-19
  • Original Article

    Association of biomarkers with successful ventilatory weaning in COVID-19 patients: an observational study

    Crit Care Sci. 2024;36:e20240158en

    Abstract

    Original Article

    Association of biomarkers with successful ventilatory weaning in COVID-19 patients: an observational study

    Crit Care Sci. 2024;36:e20240158en

    DOI 10.62675/2965-2774.20240158-pt

    Views13

    ABSTRACT

    Objective:

    To evaluate the association of biomarkers with successful ventilatory weaning in COVID-19 patients.

    Methods:

    An observational, retrospective, and single-center study was conducted between March 2020 and April 2021. C-reactive protein, total lymphocytes, and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio were evaluated during attrition and extubation, and the variation in these biomarker values was measured. The primary outcome was successful extubation. ROC curves were drawn to find the best cutoff points for the biomarkers based on sensitivity and specificity. Statistical analysis was performed using logistic regression.

    Results:

    Of the 2,377 patients admitted to the intensive care unit, 458 were included in the analysis, 356 in the Successful Weaning Group and 102 in the Failure Group. The cutoff points found from the ROC curves were −62.4% for C-reactive protein, +45.7% for total lymphocytes, and −32.9% for neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio. These points were significantly associated with greater extubation success. In the multivariate analysis, only C-reactive protein variation remained statistically significant (OR 2.6; 95%CI 1.51 – 4.5; p < 0.001).

    Conclusion:

    In this study, a decrease in C-reactive protein levels was associated with successful extubation in COVID-19 patients. Total lymphocytes and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio did not maintain the association after multivariate analysis. However, a decrease in C-reactive protein levels should not be used as a sole variable to identify COVID-19 patients suitable for weaning; as in our study, the area under the ROC curve demonstrated poor accuracy in discriminating extubation outcomes, with low sensitivity and specificity.

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    Association of biomarkers with successful ventilatory weaning in COVID-19 patients: an observational study
  • Original Article

    Driving pressure, as opposed to tidal volume based on predicted body weight, is associated with mortality: results from a prospective cohort of COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome patients

    Crit Care Sci. 2024;36:e20240208en

    Abstract

    Original Article

    Driving pressure, as opposed to tidal volume based on predicted body weight, is associated with mortality: results from a prospective cohort of COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome patients

    Crit Care Sci. 2024;36:e20240208en

    DOI 10.62675/2965-2774.20240208-en

    Views3

    ABSTRACT

    Objective:

    To evaluate the association between driving pressure and tidal volume based on predicted body weight and mortality in a cohort of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by COVID-19.

    Methods:

    This was a prospective, observational study that included patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19 admitted to two intensive care units. We performed multivariable analyses to determine whether driving pressure and tidal volume/kg predicted body weight on the first day of mechanical ventilation, as independent variables, are associated with hospital mortality.

    Results:

    We included 231 patients. The mean age was 64 (53 – 74) years, and the mean Simplified Acute and Physiology Score 3 score was 45 (39 – 54). The hospital mortality rate was 51.9%. Driving pressure was independently associated with hospital mortality (odds ratio 1.21, 95%CI 1.04 – 1.41 for each cm H2O increase in driving pressure, p = 0.01). Based on a double stratification analysis, we found that for the same level of tidal volume/kg predicted body weight, the risk of hospital death increased with increasing driving pressure. However, changes in tidal volume/kg predicted body weight were not associated with mortality when they did not lead to an increase in driving pressure.

    Conclusion:

    In patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by COVID-19, exposure to higher driving pressure, as opposed to higher tidal volume/kg predicted body weight, is associated with greater mortality. These results suggest that driving pressure might be a primary target for lung-protective mechanical ventilation in these patients.

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    Driving pressure, as opposed to tidal volume based on predicted body weight, is associated with mortality: results from a prospective cohort of COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome patients
  • Research Letter

    COVID-19 underpinning the inverse equity hypothesis between public and private health care in Brazil

    Crit Care Sci. 2024;36:e20240294en

    Abstract

    Research Letter

    COVID-19 underpinning the inverse equity hypothesis between public and private health care in Brazil

    Crit Care Sci. 2024;36:e20240294en

    DOI 10.62675/2965-2774.20240294-pt

    Views18
    Since 1990, the Brazilian public health care system, known as the Unified Health System (SUS – Sistema Único de Saúde), has provided free health care services to all individuals throughout the country. However, approximately 24.9% of the Brazilian population has the financial means to afford private health care alternatives.() Equity, a fundamental principle of SUS, […]
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    COVID-19 underpinning the inverse equity hypothesis between public and private health care in Brazil
  • Editorial

    Challenges and limitations of using ventilator-free days as an outcome in critical care trials

    Crit Care Sci. 2024;36:e20240088en

    Abstract

    Editorial

    Challenges and limitations of using ventilator-free days as an outcome in critical care trials

    Crit Care Sci. 2024;36:e20240088en

    DOI 10.62675/2965-2774.20240088-en

    Views4
    The use of ventilator-free days (VFDs) as an outcome measure is increasingly popular in critical care research.(-) This composite outcome simultaneously reflects patient survival and the time not spent on mechanical ventilation (MV) within a specified timeframe, which usually extends from randomization up to Day 28. For patients who do not survive this period, VFDs […]
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  • Clinical Report

    Topical glyceryl trinitrate to increase radial artery diameter in neonates: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

    Crit Care Sci. 2024;36:e20240235en

    Abstract

    Clinical Report

    Topical glyceryl trinitrate to increase radial artery diameter in neonates: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

    Crit Care Sci. 2024;36:e20240235en

    DOI 10.62675/2965-2774.20240235-pt

    Views7

    ABSTRACT

    Background:

    Newborn infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit require arterial cannulation for hemodynamic monitoring and blood sampling. Arterial access is achieved through catheterization of umbilical or peripheral arteries. Peripheral artery cannulation is performed in critically ill newborns, but artery localization and cannulation is often challenging and unsuccessful. Therefore, increasing the internal diameter and preventing vasospasm are important for successful peripheral artery cannulation in neonates. Topical glyceryl trinitrate has the potential to increase cannulation success by relaxing arterial smooth muscles and thus increasing the internal diameter. We aim to conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topycal glyceryl trinitrate in increasing the diameter of the radial artery in neonates.

    Methods/Design:

    This study will be a single-center, observer-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit of Perth Children’s Hospital, Western Australia. A total of 60 infants born at >34 weeks of gestation who are admitted for elective surgery or medical reasons and for whom a peripheral arterial line is needed for sampling or blood pressure monitoring will be recruited after informed parental consent is obtained. The primary outcome will be the change in radial arterial diameter from baseline to postintervention. Secondary outcomes will be the absolute and percentage change from baseline in the radial arterial diameter in both limbs and safety (hypotension and methemoglobinemia).

    Discussion:

    This will be the first randomized controlled trial evaluating the use of topical glyceryl trinitrate to facilitate peripheral artery cannulation in neonates. If our pilot randomized controlled trial confirms the benefits of glyceryl trinitrate patches, it will pave the way for large multicenter randomized controlled trials in this field.

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