scholarly journals Incidence and predictors of 14-day mortality in multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in ventilator-associated pneumonia

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1323-1330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Basima Abdalla Almomani ◽  
Amanda McCullough ◽  
Rawan Gharaibeh ◽  
Shaher Samrah ◽  
Fatimah Mahasneh

Introduction: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-AB) is common in hospitals and impacts patient survival. We determined the incidence of MDR-AB VAP in critical care units and examined the predictors of 14-day mortality in these patients. Methodology: A retrospective case series study was conducted at a tertiary referral teaching hospital in north Jordan. A list of patients with a positive culture of A. baumannii between January 2007 and June 2013 was retrieved using computerized hospital databases. Medical records of all these patients were reviewed, and cases of VAP infected with MDR-AB were identified. Predictors of 14-day mortality were determined using multivariable logistic regression adjusted for possible confounders. Results: Out of 121 A. baumannii-VAP cases, 119 (98.3%) were caused by MDR-AB. The incidence rate of MDR-AB VAP was 1.59 cases per 100 critical care unit admissions. The mortality of A. baumannii-VAP cases in critical care units was 42% (50/119). Being prescribed two or more definitive antibiotics (prescribed based on susceptibility data) (OR = 0.075, 95% CI = 0.017–0.340, p = 0.001) and ipratropium/salbutamol during mechanical ventilation (OR = 0.140, 95% CI = 0.028–0.705, p = 0.017) were independently associated with lower hospital mortality. Conclusions: Our results suggest incidence of MDR-AB VAP in critical care units is high and that prescription of antibiotics based on antibiotic susceptibility and use of bronchodilators is associated with lower mortality in this population. Larger prospective studies are needed to explore whether these findings can be replicated in different clinical settings.

2021 ◽  
pp. 175114372110121
Author(s):  
Stephen A Spencer ◽  
Joanna S Gumley ◽  
Marcin Pachucki

Background Critically ill children presenting to district general hospitals (DGH) are admitted to adult intensive care units (AICUs) for stabilisation prior to transfer to paediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Current training in PICU for adult intensive care physicians is only three months. This single centre retrospective case series examines the case mix of children presenting to a DGH AICU and a multidisciplinary survey assesses confidence and previous experience, highlighting continued training needs for DGH AICU staff. Methods all paediatric admissions to AICU and paediatric retrievals were reviewed over a 6-year period (2014-2019). Cases were identified from the Electronic Patient Record (EPR) and from data provided by the regional paediatric retrieval service. A questionnaire survey was sent to AICU doctors and nurses to assess confidence and competence in paediatric critical care. Results Between 2014-2019, 284 children were managed by AICU. In total 35% of cases were <1 y, 48% of cases were <2 y and 64% of cases were <5 y, and 166/284 (58%) children were retrieved. Retrieval reduced with increasing age (OR 0.49 [0.40-0.60], p < 0.0001). The survey had an 82% response rate, and highlighted that only 13% of AICU nurses and 50% of doctors had received prior PICU training. Conclusion At least one critically unwell child presents to the AICU each week. Assessment, stabilisation and management of critically unwell children are vital skills for DGH AICU staff, but confidence and competence are lacking. Formalised strategies are required to develop and maintain paediatric competencies for AICU doctors and nurses.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-245
Author(s):  
René Hage ◽  
Carolin Steinack ◽  
Fiorenza Gautschi ◽  
Susan Pfister ◽  
Ilhan Inci ◽  
...  

We report clinical features, treatments and outcomes in 18 lung transplant recipients with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. We performed a single center, retrospective case series study of lung transplant recipients, who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between 1 February 2020 and 1 March 2021. Clinical, laboratory and radiology findingswere obtained. Treatment regimens and patient outcome data were obtained by reviewing the electronic medical record. Mean age was 49.9 (22–68) years, and twelve (67%) patients were male. The most common symptoms were fever (n = 9, 50%), nausea/vomiting (n = 7, 39%), cough (n = 6, 33%), dyspnea (n = 6, 33%) and fatigue (n = 6, 33%). Headache was reported by five patients (28%). The most notable laboratory findings were elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Computed Tomography (CT) of the chest was performed in all hospitalized patients (n = 11, 7%), and showed ground-glass opacities (GGO) in 11 patients (100%), of whom nine (82%) had GGO combined with pulmonary consolidations. Six (33%) patients received remdesivir, five (28%) intravenous dexamethasone either alone or in combination with remdesivir, and 15 (83%) were treated with broad spectrum antibiotics including co-amoxicillin, tazobactam-piperacillin and meropenem. Four (22%) patients were transferred to the intensive care unit, two patients (11%) required invasive mechanical ventilation who could not be successfully extubated and died. Eighty-nine percent of our patients survived COVID-19 and were cured. Two patients with severe COVID-19 did not survive.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Manavotam Singh ◽  
Keore McKenzie ◽  
Mark L. Hudak ◽  
Anil K. Gehi ◽  
Sunita J. Ferns

Abstract Aim: This retrospective case series study sought to describe the safety and clinical effectiveness of propafenone for the control of arrhythmias in children with and without CHD or cardiomyopathy. Methods: We reviewed baseline characteristics and subsequent outcomes in a group of 63 children treated with propafenone at 2 sites over a 15-year period Therapy was considered effective if no clinically apparent breakthrough episodes of arrhythmias were noted on the medication. Results: Sixty-three patients (29 males) were initiated on propafenone at a median age of 2.3 years. CHD or cardiomyopathy was noted in 21/63 (33%). There were no significant differences between demographics, clinical backgrounds, antiarrhythmic details, side effect profiles, and outcomes between children with normal hearts and children with CHD or cardiomyopathy. Cardiac depression at the initiation of propafenone was more common amongst children with CHD or cardiomyopathy compared to children with normal hearts. Systemic ventricular function was diminished in 15/63 patients (24%) prior to starting propafenone and improved in 8/15 (53%) of patients once better rhythm control was achieved. Other than one child in whom medication was stopped due to gastroesophageal reflux, no other child experienced significant systemic or cardiac side effects during treatment with propafenone. Propafenone achieved nearly equal success in controlling arrhythmias in both children with normal hearts and children with congenital heart disease or cardiomyopathy (90% versus 86%, p = 0.88). Conclusion: Propafenone is a safe and effective antiarrhythmic medication in children.


Author(s):  
Ilkka Rauma ◽  
Tiina Mustonen ◽  
Juha Matti Seppä ◽  
Maritta Ukkonen ◽  
Marianne Männikkö ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Alemtuzumab is an effective disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for highly active multiple sclerosis (MS). However, safety concerns limit its use in clinical practice. Objectives To evaluate the safety of alemtuzumab in a nationwide cohort of Finnish MS patients. Methods In this retrospective case series study, we analyzed the data of all but two MS patients who had received alemtuzumab in Finland until 2019. Data were systematically collected from patient files. Results Altogether 121 patients were identified, most of whom had received previous DMTs (82.6%). Median follow-up time after treatment initiation was 30.3 months and exceeded 24 months in 78 patients. Infusion-associated reactions (IARs) were observed in 84.3%, 57.3%, and 57.1% of patients during alemtuzumab courses 1–3, respectively. Serious adverse events (SAEs) were observed in 32.2% of patients, serious IARs in 12.4% of patients, and SAEs other than IARs in 23.1% of patients. Autoimmune adverse events were observed in 30.6% of patients. One patient died of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, and one patient died of pneumonia. A previously unreported case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura was documented. Conclusions SAEs were more frequent in the present cohort than in previous studies. Even though alemtuzumab is a highly effective therapy for MS, vigorous monitoring with a long enough follow-up time is advised.


2014 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Abdel Raheem ◽  
Hassan El-Tatawy ◽  
Ahmed Eissa ◽  
Abdel Hamid Elbahnasy ◽  
Mohamed Elbendary

Objectives: Penile fracture with concomitant complete urethral disruption is an uncommon urologic disorder. Data about the treatment and outcome measurements of this condition are scarce in the literature. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the long term urinary and sexual functions of patients with penile fracture associated with complete urethral injury after immediate surgical reconstruction. Patients and methods: Twelve patients met our inclusion criteria and were included in this retrospective case series study; however, one was lost during follow-up. Patient's medical records were reviewed and all patients were interviewed for clinical evaluation. Urinary function was assessed by history, uroflometry and retrograde urethrography, while, sexual function was assessed by questionnaire (Sexual Health Inventory for Men) and penile Doppler for patients with erectile dysfunction. Results: Patients’ mean age was 32.3 ± 7.5 years (range 21-43) and the mean follow-up period was 72.6 ± 45.4 months (range 14-187). Vigorous sexual intercourse was the main cause in 91% of our patients. No serious long term complications was found. Only 1 patient (9%) suffered from anterior urethral stricture, 1 patient (9%) complained of weak erection, 3 patients (27%) had a palpable fibrosis and 2 patients (18%) reported a slight penile curvature during erection. Ninety one percent of all our patients maintained their normal urinary and sexual functions. Conclusion: On the long term follow-up, most of the patients maintained their normal erectile and voiding functions with no harmful long-term complications. We advocate immediate surgical intervention and reconstruction of both corpora cavernous and urethra as a first line treatment for those patients.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-133
Author(s):  
Rosemary Tomy ◽  
Rajkumar Maheshwari ◽  
Ansa Parveen Kunhu Muhammed ◽  
Venkataramana Kalikivayi ◽  
Sajeev Cherian Jacob

Purpose: To assess the indications and visual outcome of eyes undergoing posterior iris fixated intraocular lens (IFIOL) implantation for aphakia, to identify reasons for poor visual outcome, and report occurrence of complications. Methods: In this retrospective case series study, all cases of posterior IFIOL fixation performed over a 30-month period were identified retrospectively. Preoperative and postoperative evaluations comprised objective and subjective refraction, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp biomicroscopy, applanation tonometry, and dilated fundus examination. Results: Fifty-six eyes of 56 patients were analyzed. Mean age was 60.55 ± 17.2 years. The most common indication for IFIOL implantation was surgical aphakia following complicated cataract surgery (n = 33; 58.9%) followed by trauma (n = 10; 17.9%), dropped nucleus/IOL during primary surgery (n = 6; 10.7%), and subluxated/dislocated lens-induced glaucomas (n = 5; 8.9%). BCVA better than or equal to their preoperative BCVA was achieved in 96.43% patients. The surgical aphakia and paediatric/adolescent groups had the best visual results while the dropped nucleus/IOL group and subluxated lens-induced glaucoma groups fared poorly. On the long-term follow-up visit, the most common complication noted was pigment dusting on the corneal endothelium (65.7%). Conclusion: The long-term results suggest that posterior IFIOL implantation is a safe and effective method for correction of aphakia and can be used for a wide range of indications in eyes without adequate capsule support. It may be considered an easier and faster alternative with minimal manipulation to anterior segment structures in paediatric and post-traumatic aphakic eyes.


Author(s):  
Divyanshu Goyal ◽  
S. L. Sharma ◽  
Laxmikant Meena ◽  
Ravindra Lamoria ◽  
Mahesh Bansal

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> A retrospective case series study was done on forearm diaphyseal fracture in adolescents treated with TENS (titanium elastic nailing system). Purpose of the study was analysis of functional outcome of TENS in forearm diaphyseal fractures in children between 12-18 year age group.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> We retrospectively evaluated 30 patients operated by same senior surgeon during the period from March 2014 to February 2015 with closed diaphyseal forearm fractures in age group 12–18 years treated with TENS in whom closed reduction could not be achieved. Nail diameter taken as 33-40% of narrowest diameter of diaphysys were introduced proximally in ulna and distally in radius under image intensifier in closed manner. Postoperatively, patients encouraged for active shoulder, elbow and finger movements and suture removal done after 2 weeks. Patients were followed up for minimum period of one year.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> In terms of union and range of motion using Anderson et al criteria 24 patients had excellent results, 4 patients had satisfactory results and one patient had poor result having non-union of ulna. Two patients had superficial infection at the nail entry site which eventually resolved. One patient lost for follow up.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> We conclude that TENS in both bone forearm fractures in adolescent age group in terms of union and range of motion is a minimally invasive and effective method of fixation.</p>


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