ORCID Profile
0000-0003-1363-9711
Current Organisations
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
,
Western Health
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Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-2014
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2010
DOI: 10.1186/CC8888
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 2011
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2006
DOI: 10.1016/J.JCRC.2006.03.003
Abstract: The aim of the study was to test whether the mean of the highest and lowest glucose values on day 1 (Glu(1)) is a useful surrogate marker of mean blood glucose during the totality of intensive care unit (ICU) stay (Glu(tot)). Glu(tot) values were extracted from electronically stored biochemical databases (point-of-care laboratory) and Glu(1) values from electronically stored prospectively collected patient databases in ICUs of 4 hospitals from January 2000 to October 2004. Statistical assessment of relationship between Glu(1) and Glu(tot) was done. There were 197227 blood glucose measurements for 8039 patients. The average of all blood glucose measurements was 8.22 +/- 2.75 mmol/L. The difference between the average of all glucose values (N = 197227) and average of Glu(1) (n = 8039) was 0.17 mmol/L. This difference in each hospital was also small (0.26, -0.13, 0.12, and 0.37 mmol/L, respectively). Glu(1) was a good predictor of Glu(tot) across all study hospitals. This observation makes it possible to use Glu(1) as a surrogate of glucose control during ICU stay and opens the door to understanding ICU glucose control across the whole of Australia and New Zealand.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-10-2010
DOI: 10.1007/S00134-010-2039-6
Abstract: To determine the effect of random assignment to fluid resuscitation with albumin or saline on organ function and mortality in patients with severe sepsis. Pre-defined subgroup analysis of a randomized controlled trial conducted in the intensive care units of 16 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. Of 1,218 patients with severe sepsis at baseline, 603 and 615 were assigned to receive albumin and saline, respectively. The two groups had similar baseline characteristics. During the first 7 days mean arterial pressure was similar in the two groups, but patients assigned albumin had a lower heart rate on days 1 and 3 (p = 0.002 and p = 0.03, respectively) and a higher central venous pressure on days 1-3 (p < 0.005 each day). There was no difference in the renal or total Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score of the two groups 113/603 (18.7%) of patients assigned albumin were treated with renal replacement therapy compared to 112/615 (18.2%) assigned saline (p = 0.98). The unadjusted relative risk of death for albumin versus saline was 0.87 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74-1.02] for patients with severe sepsis and 1.05 (0.94-1.17) for patients without severe sepsis (p = 0.06 for heterogeneity). From multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusting for baseline factors in patients with complete baseline data (919/1,218, 75.5%), the adjusted odds ratio for death for albumin versus saline was 0.71 (95% CI: 0.52-0.97 p = 0.03). Administration of albumin compared to saline did not impair renal or other organ function and may have decreased the risk of death.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 12-1997
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Date: 15-01-2018
Abstract: The EPO-TBI study randomized 606 patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) to be treated with weekly epoetin alfa (EPO) or placebo. Six month mortality was lower in EPO treated patients in an analysis adjusting for TBI severity. Knowledge of possible differential effects by TBI injury subtype and acute neurosurgical treatment as well as timing and cause of death (COD) will facilitate the design of future interventional TBI trials. We defined COD as cerebral (brain death, cerebral death with withdrawal, or death during maximal care) and non-cerebral (death following withdrawal or during maximal care, which had a non-cerebral cause). The study included 305 patients treated with EPO and 297 treated with placebo, with COD recorded in 77 (99%) out of 78 non-survivors. Median time to death in patients dying of cerebral COD was 8 days (interquartile range [IQR] 5-16) compared with 29 days (IQR 7-56) (p = 0.01) for non-cerebral COD. When assessing subgroups by admission CT scan injury findings, we found no significant differential effects of EPO compared with placebo. However, EPO appeared more effective in patients with an injury type not requiring a neurosurgical operation prior to intensive care unit (ICU) admission (odds ratio [OR] 0.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.14-0.61, p = 0.001, p for interaction = 0.003) and in this subgroup, fewer patients died of cerebral causes in the EPO than in the placebo group (5% compared with 14%, p = 0.03). In conclusion, most TBI deaths were from cerebral causes that occurred during the first 2 weeks, and were related to withdrawal of care. EPO appeared to specifically reduce cerebral deaths in the important subgroup of patients with a diffuse type of injury not requiring a neurosurgical intervention prior to randomization.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-12-2017
DOI: 10.1111/ANAE.14130
Abstract: Hip fracture surgery is common, usually occurs in elderly patients who have multiple comorbidities, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Pre-operative focused cardiac ultrasound can alter diagnosis and management, but its impact on outcome remains uncertain. This pilot study assessed feasibility and group separation for a proposed large randomised clinical trial of the impact of pre-operative focused cardiac ultrasound on patient outcome after hip fracture surgery. Adult patients requiring hip fracture surgery in four teaching hospitals in Australia were randomly allocated to receive focused cardiac ultrasound before surgery or not. The primary composite outcome was any death, acute kidney injury, non-fatal myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, pulmonary embolism or cardiopulmonary arrest within 30 days of surgery. Of the 175 patients screened, 100 were included as trial participants (screening:recruitment ratio 1.7:1), 49 in the ultrasound group and 51 as controls. There was one protocol failure among those recruited. The primary composite outcome occurred in seven of the ultrasound group patients and 12 of the control group patients (relative group separation 39%). Death, acute kidney injury and cerebrovascular accident were recorded, but no cases of myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism or cardiopulmonary arrest ocurred. Focused cardiac ultrasound altered the management of 17 participants, suggesting an effect mechanism. This pilot study demonstrated that enrolment and the protocol are feasible, that the primary composite outcome is appropriate, and that there is a treatment effect favouring focused cardiac ultrasound - and therefore supports a large randomised clinical trial.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-09-2018
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 02-2007
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.ANNEMERGMED.2017.04.007
Abstract: The influence of the Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3) on the conduct of future sepsis research is unknown. We seek to examine the potential effect of the new definitions on the identification and outcomes of patients enrolled in a sepsis trial. This was a post hoc analysis of the Australasian Resuscitation in Sepsis Evaluation (ARISE) trial of early goal-directed therapy that recruited 1,591 adult patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with early septic shock diagnosed by greater than or equal to 2 systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria and either refractory hypotension or hyperlactatemia. The proportion of participants who would have met the Sepsis-3 criteria for quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score, sepsis (an increased Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score ≥2 because of infection) and septic shock before randomization, their baseline characteristics, interventions delivered, and mortality were determined. There were 1,139 participants who had a qSOFA score of greater than or equal to 2 at baseline (71.6% [95% confidence interval {CI} 69.4% to 73.8%]). In contrast, 1,347 participants (84.7% [95% CI 82.9% to 86.4%]) met the Sepsis-3 criteria for sepsis. Only 1,010 participants were both qSOFA positive and met the Sepsis-3 criteria for sepsis (63.5% [95% CI 61.1% to 65.8%]). The Sepsis-3 definition for septic shock was met at baseline by 203 participants (12.8% [95% CI 11.2% to 14.5%]), of whom 175 (86.2% [95% CI 81.5% to 91.0%]) were also qSOFA positive. Ninety-day mortality for participants fulfilling the Sepsis-3 criteria for sepsis and septic shock was 20.4% (95% CI 18.2% to 22.5%) (274/1,344) and 29.6% (95% CI 23.3% to 35.8% [60/203]) versus 9.4% (95% CI 5.8% to 13.1%) (23/244) and 17.1% (95% CI 15.1% to 19.1% [237/1,388]), respectively, for participants not meeting the criteria (risk differences 11.0% [95% CI 6.2% to 14.8%] and 12.5% [95% CI 6.3% to 19.4%], respectively). Most ARISE participants did not meet the Sepsis-3 definition for septic shock at baseline. However, the majority fulfilled the new sepsis definition and mortality was higher than for participants not fulfilling the criteria. A quarter of participants meeting the new sepsis definition did not fulfill the qSOFA screening criteria, potentially limiting its utility as a screening tool for sepsis trials with patients with suspected infection in the ED. The implications of the new definitions for patients not eligible for recruitment into the ARISE trial are unknown.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2011
DOI: 10.1186/CC10142
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 31-08-2023
Publisher: Massachusetts Medical Society
Date: 20-12-2012
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMC1212624
Publisher: American Medical Association (AMA)
Date: 12-11-2014
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.TMRV.2018.02.002
Abstract: Longer storage duration of red blood cell (RBC) units prior to transfusion has been associated with worse outcomes in observational studies. We performed a systematic review, including recently published randomized trials, to determine if storage age of RBCs is associated with mortality, morbidity or adverse events in patients. Searches were performed up to 21
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 27-07-2017
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2006
DOI: 10.1186/CC5126
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.CCC.2018.11.015
Abstract: Erythropoietin (EPO) is a 34kD pleiotropic cytokine that was first identified as being essential for red blood cell (RBC) production. It is now recognized however that EPO is produced by many tissues. It plays a key role in the modulation of the response to injury, inflammation, and tissue hypoxia via the inhibition of apoptosis. Large clinical trials in the critically ill failed to demonstrate a role for EPO as an RBC transfusion sparing agent however, improved clinical outcomes, attributable to EPO role in tissue protection are observed in critically ill trauma patients. Further research to confirm or refute these observations is required.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 08-2008
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2021
DOI: 10.1016/J.JCLINEPI.2021.01.023
Abstract: To develop and validate Clinical Diversity In Meta-analyses (CDIM), a new tool for assessing clinical ersity between trials in meta-analyses of interventions. The development of CDIM was based on consensus work informed by empirical literature and expertise. We drafted the CDIM tool, refined it, and validated CDIM for interrater scale reliability and agreement in three groups. CDIM measures clinical ersity on a scale that includes four domains with 11 items overall: setting (time of conduct/country development status/units type) population (age, sex, patient inclusion criteria/baseline disease severity, comorbidities) interventions (intervention intensity/strength/duration of intervention, timing, control intervention, cointerventions) and outcome (definition of outcome, timing of outcome assessment). The CDIM is completed in two steps: first two authors independently assess clinical ersity in the four domains. Second, after agreeing upon scores of in idual items a consensus score is achieved. Interrater scale reliability and agreement ranged from moderate to almost perfect depending on the type of raters. CDIM is the first tool developed for assessing clinical ersity in meta-analyses of interventions. We found CDIM to be a reliable tool for assessing clinical ersity among trials in meta-analysis.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2020
Publisher: AMPCo
Date: 08-2009
DOI: 10.5694/J.1326-5377.2009.TB02726.X
Abstract: We present the first six cases of H1N1 influenza 09 (confirmed by a polymerase chain reaction test from nasopharyngeal swabs) in patients requiring admission to intensive care in Australia (in three hospitals in the north-western suburbs of Melbourne). These cases highlight the small but significant risk of life-threatening respiratory failure associated with H1N1 influenza 09 infection.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 17-08-2022
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 02-2011
Publisher: AMPCo
Date: 04-2009
DOI: 10.5694/J.1326-5377.2009.TB02452.X
Abstract: To measure the prevalence of interventions used to circumvent intensive care access block and to estimate the attributable mortality and additional hospital bed-days associated with them. Retrospective observational study of 11 adult public hospital intensive care units (ICUs) in Melbourne, Victoria, July 2004 - June 2006. Prevalence of five interventions in response to access block attributable fatalities and/or increased length of stay associated with each. 21 896 ICU admissions and 3039 inhospital deaths (13.9%) were screened. All hospitals reported ICU access block. There were 6787 interventions for access block (mean, 9.3/day) -- 4070 (18.6% of admissions) instances of after-hours step-down from an ICU to a low-acuity ward 1115 (5.1%) delays in an emergency department > 8 hours 895 (4.1%) postponed major surgeries 487 (2.2%) interhospital transfers and 220 (1.0%) instances of premature cessation of intensive care. Based on published risk estimates, these interventions may have resulted in 91.1 (95% CI, 34.7-147.2) attributable deaths and 4368 (95% CI, 333-10 050) additional hospital bed-days each year. Intensive care access block is frequent, and measures to circumvent it increase mortality and length of stay. Further study of the health and financial implications of access block are warranted.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 10-2006
DOI: 10.1177/0310057X0603400506
Abstract: A recent study reported that 77% of patients with septic shock had relative adrenal insufficiency. However, all patients were mechanically ventilated and received high-dose inotropes. In addition, at least 24% had prior exposure to etomidate, a drug known to suppress adrenal function. We studied the incidence of relative adrenal insufficiency in etomidate-naïve patients with septic shock by analysing the adrenal response to high-dose short synacthen test in 113 consecutive patients from three university-affiliated intensive care units in Australia. Patients were allocated to three groups according to severity of illness and inclusion criteria of the trial of low dose hydrocortisone supplementation using information from patient records. Of the 113 patients, 98 had septic shock (Group A). The incidence of relative adrenal insufficiency in this sub-population was 24.5%. Eighty-one per cent of patients with septic shock were mechanically ventilated (Group B). In this group, the incidence of relative adrenal insufficiency was 27.8%. Only 38 of the 98 patients with septic shock (39%) fulfilled inclusion criteria for the steroid supplementation trial (Group C). In this group, the incidence of relative adrenal insufficiency was only 34.2%. In all groups its presence was associated with a higher mortality. We conclude that the incidence of relative adrenal insufficiency in etomidate-naïve septic shock patients was lower than observed in the steroid supplementation trial. Further, in those who fulfilled inclusion criteria for the trial, the incidence of relative adrenal insufficiency was half that reported by the trial. Our observations raise concerns about the generalizability of the findings of the above trial to etomidate-naïve patients.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-10-2021
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2015
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-11-2020
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 03-2005
DOI: 10.1177/039139880502800306
Abstract: To evaluate the acid-base effect of low-dose regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) during continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH). Prospective observational study. ICUs of tertiary public and private hospitals. Thirty critically ill patients with acute renal failure at risk of bleeding or with a major contraindication to heparin-CVVH and/or short filter life. We used a commercial citrate-based fluid (11 mmol/L, sodium: 140 mmol/L, chloride: 108 mmol/L and 1 mol/L of potassium) as pre-dilution replacement fluid during CVVH. Further potassium was added according to serum potassium levels. We measured all relevant variables for acid-base analysis according to the Stewart-Figge methodology. Before treatment, study patients had a slight metabolic acidosis, which worsened over 6 hours of RCA-CVVH (pH from 7.39 to 7.38, p .005 bicarbonate from 23.2 to 21.6 mmol/L, p .0001 and base excess from −2.0 to −3.0 mEq/L, p .0001) due to a significant increase in SIG (from 5.8 to 6.6 mEq/L, p .05) and a decrease in SIDa (from 37.5 to 36.6 mEq/L, p .05). These acidifying effects were attenuated by hypoalbuminemia and a decrease in lactate (from 1.48 to 1.34 mmol/L, p .005) and did not lead to progressive acidosis. On cessation of treatment, this acidifying effect rapidly self-corrected within six hours. Low dose RCA-CVVH induces a mild acidosis secondary to an increased strong ion gap and decreased SIDa which fully self-corrects at cessation of therapy. Clinicians need to be aware of these effects to correctly interpret changes in acid-base status in such patients.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 11-2017
DOI: 10.1177/0310057X1704500612
Abstract: We sought to estimate the proportion of patients admitted to a metropolitan intensive care unit (ICU) who were current smokers, and the relationships between ICU survivors who smoked and smoking cessation and/or reduction six months post–ICU discharge. We conducted a prospective cohort study at a metropolitan level III ICU in Melbourne, Victoria. One hundred consecutive patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Inclusion criteria consisted of patients who were smokers at time of ICU admission, had an ICU length of stay greater than one day, survived to ICU discharge, and provided written informed consent. A purpose-designed questionnaire which included the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence and evaluation of patients’ attitude towards smoking cessation was completed by participants following ICU discharge and prior to hospital discharge. Participants were re-interviewed over the phone at six months post–ICU discharge. Of the 1,062 patients admitted to ICU, 253 (23%) were current smokers and 100 were enrolled. Six months post–ICU discharge, 28 (33%) of the 86 participants who were alive and contactable had quit smoking and 35 (41%) had reduced smoking. The median number of reported cigarettes smoked per day reduced by 40%. Participants who initially believed their ICU admission was smoking-related were more likely to have quit six months post–ICU discharge (odds ratio 2.98 95% confidence intervals 1.07, 8.26 P=0.036). Six months post–ICU discharge, 63/86 (74%) of participants had quit or reduced their smoking. Further research into targeted smoking cessation counselling for ICU survivors is indicated.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 09-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2018
Publisher: AMPCo
Date: 11-2002
DOI: 10.5694/J.1326-5377.2002.TB04950.X
Abstract: To determine the incidence and appropriateness of use of allogenic packed red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in Australian and New Zealand intensive care practice. Intensive care units of 18 Australian and New Zealand hospitals: March 2001. Prospective, observational, multicentre study. All admissions to participating intensive care units were screened and all patients who received a transfusion of RBC were enrolled. The indications for transfusion were recorded and compared with Australian National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines. Transfusions conforming to these guidelines were deemed appropriate. RBC transfusion in intensive care and transfusion appropriateness. 1808 admissions to intensive care units were screened: 357 (19.8%) admissions (350 patients) received an RBC transfusion while in intensive care. Overall, 1464 RBC units were administered in intensive care on 576 transfusion days. The most common indications for transfusion were acute bleeding (60.1% 880/1464) and diminished physiological reserve (28.9% 423/1464). The rate of inappropriate transfusion was 3.0% (44/1464). Diminished physiological reserve with haemogloblin level > or = 100 g/L was the indication in 50% (22/44) of inappropriate transfusions no indication was provided for 31% (15/44). The rate of inappropriate transfusion in Australian and New Zealand intensive care units in 2001 was remarkably low.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 08-2003
DOI: 10.1177/0310057X0303100403
Abstract: In patients with liver disease at risk of pulmonary oedema, cryoprecipitate (small volume) might be a viable alternative to fresh frozen plasma (FFP, large volume) in the correction of coagulopathy. However, the efficacy of cryoprecipitate in these patients has not been tested. We evaluated the role of cryoprecipitate in the correction of the coagulopathy of liver disease. To establish initial evidence of efficacy, six consecutive patients with hepatic failure and coagulopathy received five units of cryoprecipitate. Then, using a crossover design, 11 consecutive patients were randomized to receive either four units of FFP or five units of cryoprecipitate. Pre and post infusion International Normalized Ratio (INR), activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT), fibrinogen D-dimers, Factors V and IX, and reptilase time were measured. In the first six patients, cryoprecipitate improved the INR, aPTT and fibrinogen concentration (P=0.03). In the crossover study, FFP administration produced a greater improvement in INR (P=0.007) and aPTT (P=0.005) than cryoprecipitate. However, there were no differences in any of the other measured variables. One patient developed acute pulmonary oedema while receiving FFP. Cryoprecipitate improves the coagulopathy of liver disease. Four units of FFP are more efficacious than five units of cryoprecipitate. Cryoprecipitate may have a role in correction of the coagulopathy associated with liver disease where concerns about pulmonary oedema exist.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 07-2007
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 27-12-2017
DOI: 10.1007/S00134-016-4655-2
Abstract: To estimate the prevalence, risk factors, prophylactic treatment and impact on mortality for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) treated in the intensive care unit. A post hoc analysis of the erythropoietin in traumatic brain injury (EPO-TBI) trial that included twice-weekly lower limb ultrasound screening. Venous thrombotic events were defined as ultrasound-proven proximal deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or clinically detected pulmonary embolism (PE). Results are reported as events, percentages or medians and interquartile range (IQR). Cox regression analysis was used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for time to VTE and death. Of 603 patients, 119 (19.7%) developed VTE, mostly comprising DVT (102 patients, 16.9%) with a smaller number of PE events (24 patients, 4.0%). Median time to DVT diagnosis was 6 days (IQR 2-11) and to PE diagnosis 6.5 days (IQR 2-16.5). Mechanical prophylaxis (MP) was used in 91% of patients on day 1, 97% of patients on day 3 and 98% of patients on day 7. Pharmacological prophylaxis was given in 5% of patients on day 1, 30% of patients on day 3 and 57% of patients on day 7. Factors associated with time to VTE were age (HR per year 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03), patient weight (HR per kg 1.01, 95% CI 1-1.02) and TBI severity according to the International Mission for Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical Trials risk of poor outcome (HR per 10% increase 1.12, 95% CI 1.01-1.25). The development of VTE was not associated with mortality (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.51-1.65). Despite mechanical and pharmacological prophylaxis, VTE occurs in one out of every five patients with TBI treated in the ICU. Higher age, greater weight and greater severity of TBI increase the risk. The development of VTE was not associated with excess mortality.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 03-2008
Publisher: Massachusetts Medical Society
Date: 27-05-2004
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMOA040232
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 11-02-2014
Publisher: S. Karger AG
Date: 2008
DOI: 10.1159/000148400
Abstract: i Background/Aims: /i The optimal dose of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in acute renal failure (ARF) is uncertain. i Methods: /i The Randomized Evaluation of Normal versus Augmented Level Replacement Therapy Trial tests the hypothesis that higher dose continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) at an effluent rate of 40 ml/kg/h will increase survival compared to CVVHDF at 25 ml/kg/h of effluent dose. i Results: /i This trial is currently randomizing critically ill patients in 35 intensive care units in Australia and New Zealand with a planned s le size of 1,500 patients. This trial will be the largest trial ever conducted on acute blood purification in critically ill patients. i Conclusion: /i A trial of this magnitude and with demanding technical requirements poses design difficulties and challenges in the logistics, conduct, data collection, data analysis and monitoring. Our report will assist in the development of future trials of blood purification in intensive care. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00221013).
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 16-07-2020
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 12-2006
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 29-10-2020
DOI: 10.1111/AJO.13270
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 12-1999
DOI: 10.1177/0310057X9902700602
Abstract: Weaning patients from mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit can be difficult. In patients requiring prolonged ventilatory support it has been demonstrated that conventional weaning criteria are frequently incorrect. In this group measurement of respiratory work may be of benefit. Until recently, estimation of the work of breathing in patients receiving mechanical ventilation was logistically difficult. The availability of a computerized bedside monitoring device potentially allows easier estimation of the work of breathing at the bedside. The results of preliminary studies utilizing such monitoring are provocative: they highlight the phenomenon of nosocomial respiratory failure and challenge our clinical ability to determine patient workloads and timing of extubation. The potential benefits of work of breathing measurement, in particular the avoidance of respiratory muscle fatigue, earlier extubation, reduced duration of mechanical ventilation, reduction in ICU and hospital length of stay, and most importantly, a reduction in patient morbidity are yet to be demonstrated and concerns still exist about the monitor's accuracy.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 12-2005
DOI: 10.1177/039139880502801203
Abstract: To assess the safety and efficacy of two different commercial citrate containing pre-filter replacement fluids during continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) in patients with frequent filter clotting. Setting: Four intensive care units. Patients: Sixty-three critically ill patients with acute renal failure (ARF). Design: Prospective observational study. We used a commercial citrate fluid (citrate: 11 mmol/L - fluid A) as predilution replacement for CVVH. We then changed to a new commercial citrate fluid (citrate: 14 mmol/L-fluid B) as replacement fluid and performed statistical comparisons. Replacement fluid rate was fixed at 2,000 ml/hour. Filter life was 12.2 hour with fluid A compared with 17.1 hour with fluid B on average (p=0.0001). Mean post filter ionized calcium concentration was 0.52 mmol/L with fluid A compared with 0.40 mmol/L with fluid B (P& .0001). Citrate intolerance led to cessation of treatment in one patient with fluid A and one patient with fluid B. Overall ionized calcium levels were higher (A: 1.18 vs B: 1.13 mmol/L P& .0001) and bicarbonate was lower (A: 22.4 vs B: 24.5 mmol/L P& .0001) during treatment with fluid A. Alkalemia was seen in 10 patients treated with fluid A and 16 patients treated with fluid B (NS). We have developed a simple approach to regional citrate anticoagulation for CVVH using a commercial citrate-containing fluid as replacement fluid. Increasing citrate concentration from 11 to 14 mmol/L increased filter life while maintaining relative safety and simplicity.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 03-2002
DOI: 10.1097/00003246-200203000-00016
Abstract: Critically ill patients often develop large gastric residual volumes during nasogastric feeding as a result of poor gastroduodenal motility. Nasojejunal feeding may decrease the severity of this complication. The aim of this study was to determine whether nasojejunal feeding improved tolerance of enteral nutrition by reducing gastric residual volumes. Randomized, prospective, clinical study. Intensive care unit of a university-affiliated hospital. Seventy-three intensive care unit patients expected to require nutritional support for at least 3 days. Patients were randomized to receive enteral nutrition via a nasojejunal tube (placed endoscopically) (34 patients) or a nasogastric tube (39 patients). A strict protocol was followed, which included regular gastric residual volume measurement (in both groups), the use of predetermined criteria for intolerance, and an attempt at nasojejunal feeding for those nasogastrically fed patients who were intolerant of enteral nutrition. Endoscopic placement of nasojejunal tubes was successful in 98% with no complications of insertion. Patients fed via a nasojejunal tube had 1) a reduced total gastric residual volume in both the first 24 (197 vs. 491 mL, p = .02) and 48 hrs (517 vs. 975 mL, p = .02) 2) a reduced incidence of a single gastric residual volume >150 mL (32% vs. 74%, p = .001) and 3) a trend toward a reduced incidence of intolerance of enteral nutrition (13% vs. 31%, p = .09). Only 13% of those nasogastrically fed patients who were initially intolerant of enteral nutrition remained intolerant once fed via a nasojejunal tube, and only 1.4% of all patients met criteria for commencement of parenteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition delivered via a nasojejunal tube is associated with a significant reduction in gastric residual volume, a strong trend toward improved tolerance of enteral nutrition, and an extremely low requirement for parenteral nutrition.
Publisher: American Thoracic Society
Date: 15-02-2006
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-2015
DOI: 10.1007/S00134-015-3757-6
Abstract: To compare the effect of intensive versus conventional blood glucose control in patients with traumatic brain injury. In a large international randomized trial patients were randomly assigned to a target blood glucose (BG) range of either 4.5-6.0 mmol/L (intensive control) or <10 mmol/L (conventional control). Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) were identified at randomization and data were collected to examine the extended Glasgow outcome score (includes mortality) at 24 months. Of the 6104 randomized patients, 391 satisfied diagnostic criteria for TBI 203 (51.9%) were assigned to intensive and 188 (48.1%) to conventional control the primary outcome was available for 166 (81.8%) and 149 (79.3%) patients, respectively. The two groups had similar baseline characteristics. At 2 years 98 (58.7%) patients in the intensive group and 79 (53.0%) in the conventional group had a favorable neurological outcome (odds ratio [OR] 1.26, 95% CI 0.81-1.97 P = 0.3) 35 patients (20.9%) in the intensive group and 34 (22.8%) in the conventional group had died (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.53-1.53 P = 0.7) moderate hypoglycemia (BG 2.3-3.9 mmol/L 41-70 mg/dL) occurred in 160/202 (79.2%) and 17/188 (9.0%), respectively (OR 38.3, 95% CI 21.0-70.1 P < 0.0001) severe hypoglycemia (BG ≤ 2.2 mmol/L ≤40 mg/dL) in 10 (4.9%) and 0 (0.0%), respectively (OR 20.5 95% CI 1.2-351.6, P = 0.003). Although patients with traumatic brain injury randomly assigned to intensive compared to conventional glucose control experienced moderate and severe hypoglycemia more frequently, we found no significant difference in clinically important outcomes.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 04-2006
DOI: 10.1177/0310057X0603400217
Abstract: We aimed to estimate the potential number of patients eligible for treatment with drotrecogin alfa (activated) when applying different international criteria. The study was a post-hoc analysis of inception cohort study of 691 patients with severe sepsis during 5878 consecutive intensive care unit admission episodes in 23 closed multi-disciplinary ICUs of 21 hospitals (16 tertiary and 5 university-affiliated) in Australia and New Zealand. Outcomes assessed were presence of contraindications to treatment with drotrecogin alfa (activated), an admission APACHE II score of 25 or greater and dysfunction of two or more organs. During 5878 consecutive intensive care admission episodes, 691 patients had severe sepsis, 553 (80.0%, 95% CI 77.0–83.0%) had no relative or absolute contraindication, 64 (9.3%, 7.1–11.4%)) had a relative contraindication and 74 (10.7%, 8.4–13.0%) had an absolute contraindication. Two hundred and six patients (3.5%, 3.0–4.0%) had an APACHE II score of 25 or greater, 452 (7.7%, 7.0–8.4%) had dysfunction of two or more organs, 469 (8.0%, 7.3–8.7%) had either dysfunction of two or more organs or an APACHE II score of 25 or greater. Relatively few patients had an absolute contraindication to treatment with drotrecogin alfa (activated). Selection based on the APACHE II score results in fewer eligible patients than selection based on multiple organ dysfunction. Depending on the selection criteria used, for every hundred admissions to intensive care, between 3.5 and 8.0 of patients may be eligible for treatment with drotrecogin alfa (activated).
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 10-2005
DOI: 10.1177/0310057X0503300509
Abstract: This study assessed the safety and efficacy of a commercial low-citrate concentration-based pre-filter replacement fluid during continuous veno-venous haemofiltration (CVVH) in patients with frequent filter clotting and high risk of bleeding. We used a commercial low-citrate fluid as pre-dilution replacement fluid during CVVH (citrate: 11 mmol/l (33 meq/l), sodium: 140 mmol/l, chloride: 108 mmol/l and potassium: 1 mmol/l). A calcium and magnesium infusion was delivered separately by central line for the maintenance of serum ionized calcium (Ca i ) and total magnesium (Mg). In this prospective observational study, 30 patients, 124 filters and 1,515 treatment-hours were observed. Median filter life of citrate CVVH was 9.5 hours. Filter life in the 48 hours prior to citrate CVVH was also observed. In the patients on prior non-anticoagulant CVVH (n=14) filter life increased significantly with citrate (9.5 hours vs 5 hours P .0001). In patients on prior heparin CVVH (n=15), filter life was similar with citrate (10 hours vs 8 hours P=0.68). However, in patients with prior early/frequent filter clotting despite heparin (n=11) filter life increased significantly (10 hours vs 7 hours P=0.038). Of 411 serum Ca i measurements, none showed a Ca i .85 mmol/l and, of 84 observations, none showed a serum Mg .6mmol/l. One patient with sepsis and shock needed to cease citrate CVVH because of progressive ionized hypocalcaemia and increasing anion gap. No other adverse effects were observed. In selected patients, CVVH with a commercial low-citrate concentration solution as pre-filter replacement fluid and a simultaneous calcium and magnesium infusion protocol appears generally safe. Filter life was acceptable and superior to that achieved with previous treatment.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.1016/J.AUCC.2018.12.005
Abstract: Although propofol is widely used for sedation in intensive care units around Australia, evaluation of bedside nursing practices of the administration of propofol have been limited. We investigated whether there was a discrepancy between the amount of propofol delivered by the infusion pump and that recorded electronically and consequently patient exposure to avoidable harms. The aim of this research was to compare the total amount of propofol administered to intensive care patients via a programmable infusion pump with that documented in the electronic medical record (EMR). Secondary objectives were to ascertain the percentage of 1) patients exposed to a propofol dose greater than recommended and 2) daily energy requirements administered as propofol infusion. This was a prospective, observational study of total propofol delivered to 50 patients in a 14-bed metropolitan, Australian intensive care unit. Infusion pump data and entries from the EMR were collated. Propofol sedation was administered for a median 18 (interquartile range: 14-47) hours with median total propofol 3025 mg (interquartile range: 1840-7755 mg) by pump and 3250 mg (interquartile range: 1915-6960 mg) by EMR, i.e. 1.9 (interquartile range: 1.3-2.3) mg/kg/hour by pump (correlation coefficient = 0.99). The total bolus propofol documented in the EMR was a median 330 mg (interquartile range: -838 to -124) less than the pump amount. Nineteen (38%) patients had no EMR-documented propofol boluses yet had received at least one bolus via the pump. In two of 50 (4%) patients, the pump propofol infusion dose was above the recommended maximum safe dose of 4 mg/kg/h. In this cohort of patients, the bolus administration of propofol was frequently not documented, potentially placing some patients at risk of drug-related toxicity. Further research to develop and implement strategies to improve the documentation of propofol administration is indicated.
Publisher: American Medical Association (AMA)
Date: 04-02-2020
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-01-2017
DOI: 10.1007/S00134-017-4683-6
Abstract: To provide an update to "Surviving Sepsis C aign Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock: 2012". A consensus committee of 55 international experts representing 25 international organizations was convened. Nominal groups were assembled at key international meetings (for those committee members attending the conference). A formal conflict-of-interest (COI) policy was developed at the onset of the process and enforced throughout. A stand-alone meeting was held for all panel members in December 2015. Teleconferences and electronic-based discussion among subgroups and among the entire committee served as an integral part of the development. The panel consisted of five sections: hemodynamics, infection, adjunctive therapies, metabolic, and ventilation. Population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes (PICO) questions were reviewed and updated as needed, and evidence profiles were generated. Each subgroup generated a list of questions, searched for best available evidence, and then followed the principles of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system to assess the quality of evidence from high to very low, and to formulate recommendations as strong or weak, or best practice statement when applicable. The Surviving Sepsis Guideline panel provided 93 statements on early management and resuscitation of patients with sepsis or septic shock. Overall, 32 were strong recommendations, 39 were weak recommendations, and 18 were best-practice statements. No recommendation was provided for four questions. Substantial agreement exists among a large cohort of international experts regarding many strong recommendations for the best care of patients with sepsis. Although a significant number of aspects of care have relatively weak support, evidence-based recommendations regarding the acute management of sepsis and septic shock are the foundation of improved outcomes for these critically ill patients with high mortality.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 08-2006
DOI: 10.1097/00000542-200608000-00006
Abstract: Intensive insulin therapy may reduce mortality and morbidity in selected surgical patients. Intensive insulin therapy also reduced the SD of blood glucose concentration, an accepted measure of variability. There is no information on the possible significance of variability in glucose concentration. The methods included extraction of blood glucose values from electronically stored biochemical databases and of data on patient's characteristics, clinical features, and outcome from electronically stored prospectively collected patient databases calculation of SD of glucose as a marker of variability and of several indices of glucose control in each patient and statistical assessment of the relation between these variables and intensive care unit mortality. There were 168,337 blood glucose measurements in the study cohort of 7,049 critically ill patients (4.2 hourly measurements on average). The mean +/- SD of blood glucose concentration was 1.7 +/- 1.3 mM in survivors and 2.3 +/- 1.6 mM in nonsurvivors (P & 0.001). Using multiple variable logistic regression analysis, both mean and SD of blood glucose were significantly associated with intensive care unit mortality (P & 0.001 odds ratios [per 1 mM] 1.23 and 1.27, respectively) and hospital mortality (P & 0.001 and P = 0.013 odds ratios [per 1 mM] 1.21 and 1.18, respectively). The SD of glucose concentration is a significant independent predictor of intensive care unit and hospital mortality. Decreasing the variability of blood glucose concentration might be an important aspect of glucose management.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 19-04-2006
DOI: 10.1007/S00134-006-0135-4
Abstract: To document current management of blood glucose in Australian and New Zealand intensive care units (ICUs) and to investigate the association between insulin administration, blood glucose concentration and hospital outcome. Practice survey and inception cohort study in closed multi-disciplinary ICUs in Australia and New Zealand. Twenty-nine ICU directors and 939 consecutive admissions to 29 ICUs during a 2-week period. Data collected included unit approaches to blood glucose management, patient characteristics, blood glucose concentrations, insulin administration and patient outcomes. Ten percent of the ICU directors reported using an intensive insulin regimen in all their patients. In 861 patients (91.7%) blood glucose concentration was greater than 6.1[Symbol: see text]mmol/l, 287 (31.1%) received insulin, and the median blood glucose concentration triggering insulin administration was 11.5 (IQR 9.4-14) mmol/l. Univariate analysis demonstrated that non-survivors had a higher maximum daily blood glucose concentration (12 mmol/l, 9.4-14.8, vs. 9.5, 7.6-12.2) and were more likely to receive insulin (47% vs. 28%). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed age (OR per 5-year decrease 0.93, 95% CI 0.87-1.00) and APACHE II (OR per point decrease 0.87, 95% CI 0.84-0.90) to be independently associated with hospital mortality. After controlling for age and APACHE II both daily highest blood glucose (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.90-1.00) and administration of insulin (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.39-1.00) were independently associated when added to the model alone neither was independently associated when they were simultaneously included in the model. Few Australian and New Zealand ICUs have adopted intensive insulin therapy. In this study, insulin administration and highest daily blood glucose concentration could not be separated in their association with hospital mortality.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 24-06-2020
DOI: 10.1186/S12916-020-01614-W
Abstract: There are no overviews of systematic reviews investigating haemoglobin thresholds for transfusion. This is important as the literature on transfusion thresholds has grown considerably in recent years. Our aim was to synthesise evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the effects of restrictive and liberal transfusion strategies on mortality. This was a systematic review of systematic reviews (overview). We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Joanna Briggs Institute EBP Database, from 2008 to 2018. We included systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials comparing mortality in patients assigned to red cell transfusion strategies based on haemoglobin thresholds. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed methodological quality. We assessed the methodological quality of included reviews using AMSTAR 2 and the quality of evidence pooled using an algorithm to assign GRADE levels. We included 19 systematic reviews reporting 33 meta-analyses of mortality outcomes from 53 unique randomised controlled trials. Of the 33 meta-analyses, one was graded as high quality, 15 were moderate, and 17 were low. Of the meta-analyses presenting high- to moderate-quality evidence, 12 (75.0%) reported no statistically significant difference in mortality between restrictive and liberal transfusion groups and four (25.0%) reported significantly lower mortality for patients assigned to a restrictive transfusion strategy. We found few systematic reviews addressed clinical differences between included studies: variation was observed in haemoglobin threshold concentrations, the absolute between group difference in haemoglobin threshold concentration, time to randomisation (resulting in transfusions administered prior to randomisation), and transfusion dosing regimens. Meta-analyses graded as high to moderate quality indicate that in most patient populations no difference in mortality exists between patients assigned to a restrictive or liberal transfusion strategy. PROSPERO CRD42019120503
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 03-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2010
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 28-03-2019
Abstract: To quantify the potential time saved with pre-hospital antibiotic therapy in sepsis. Study data for adult patients transported by Ambulance Victoria (AV), and enrolled into the Australasian Resuscitation In Sepsis Evaluation (ARISE), were linked with pre-hospital electronic records. An AV record was identified for 240 of 341 ARISE patients. The pre-hospital case notes referred to potential infection in 165 patients. The median time to first antibiotic administration from loading the patient into the ambulance was 107 (74-160) min. ARISE patients in Victoria were frequently identified pre-hospital. An opportunity exists to study the feasibility of pre-hospital antibiotic therapy.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 2018
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 05-2020
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 13-10-2013
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 03-2019
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2014
DOI: 10.1186/CC13767
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2011
DOI: 10.1186/CC10497
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-2004
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 30-09-2016
DOI: 10.1007/S00134-016-4465-6
Abstract: Both anaemia and allogenic red blood cell transfusion are common and potentially harmful in patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Whilst intravenous iron may decrease anaemia and RBC transfusion requirement, the safety and efficacy of administering iron intravenously to critically ill patients is uncertain. The multicentre, randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded Intravenous Iron or Placebo for Anaemia in Intensive Care (IRONMAN) study was designed to test the hypothesis that, in anaemic critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit, early administration of intravenous iron, compared with placebo, reduces allogeneic red blood cell transfusion during hospital stay and increases the haemoglobin level at the time of hospital discharge. Of 140 patients enrolled, 70 were assigned to intravenous iron and 70 to placebo. The iron group received 97 red blood cell units versus 136 red blood cell units in the placebo group, yielding an incidence rate ratio of 0.71 [95 % confidence interval (0.43-1.18), P = 0.19]. Overall, median haemoglobin at hospital discharge was significantly higher in the intravenous iron group than in the placebo group [107 (interquartile ratio IQR 97-115) vs. 100 g/L (IQR 89-111), P = 0.02]. There was no significant difference between the groups in any safety outcome. In patients admitted to the intensive care unit who were anaemic, intravenous iron, compared with placebo, did not result in a significant lowering of red blood cell transfusion requirement during hospital stay. Patients who received intravenous iron had a significantly higher haemoglobin concentration at hospital discharge. The trial was registered at www.anzctr.org.au as # ACTRN12612001249842.
Publisher: AMPCo
Date: 09-09-2019
DOI: 10.5694/MJA2.50338
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-02-2018
DOI: 10.1111/VOX.12635
Abstract: The timing of blood administration in critically ill patients is first driven by patients' needs. This study aimed to define the epidemiology and significance of overnight transfusion in critically ill patients. This is a post hoc analysis of a prospective multicentre observational study including 874 critically ill patients receiving red blood cells, platelets, fresh frozen plasma (FFP) or cryoprecipitate. Characteristics of patients receiving blood only during the day (8 am up until 8 pm) were compared to those receiving blood only overnight (8 pm up until 8 am). Characteristics of transfusion were compared, and factors independently associated with major bleeding were analysed. The 287 patients transfused during the day only had similar severity and mortality to the 258 receiving blood products overnight only. Although bleeding-related admission diagnoses were similar, major bleeding was the indication for transfusion in 12% of patients transfused in daytime only versus 30% of patients transfused at night only (P < 0·001). Similar total amount of blood products were transfused at day and night (2856 versus 2927) however, patients were more likely to receive FFP and cryoprecipitate at night compared with daytime. Overnight transfusion was independently associated with increased odds of major bleeding (odds ratio, 3·16, 95% confidence interval, 2·00-5·01). Transfusion occurs evenly across day and night in ICU nonetheless, there are differences in type of blood products administered that reflect differences in indication. Critically ill patients were more likely to receive blood for major bleeding at night irrespective of admission diagnosis.
Publisher: American Medical Association (AMA)
Date: 12-03-2019
Abstract: Blood transfusion is one of the most frequently used therapies worldwide and is associated with benefits, risks, and costs. To develop a set of evidence-based recommendations for patient blood management (PBM) and for research. The scientific committee developed 17 Population/Intervention/Comparison/Outcome (PICO) questions for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in adult patients in 3 areas: preoperative anemia (3 questions), RBC transfusion thresholds (11 questions), and implementation of PBM programs (3 questions). These questions guided the literature search in 4 biomedical databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Transfusion Evidence Library), searched from inception to January 2018. Meta-analyses were conducted with the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) methodology and the Evidence-to-Decision framework by 3 panels including clinical and scientific experts, nurses, patient representatives, and methodologists, to develop clinical recommendations during a consensus conference in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, in April 2018. From 17 607 literature citations associated with the 17 PICO questions, 145 studies, including 63 randomized clinical trials with 23 143 patients and 82 observational studies with more than 4 million patients, were analyzed. For preoperative anemia, 4 clinical and 3 research recommendations were developed, including the strong recommendation to detect and manage anemia sufficiently early before major elective surgery. For RBC transfusion thresholds, 4 clinical and 6 research recommendations were developed, including 2 strong clinical recommendations for critically ill but clinically stable intensive care patients with or without septic shock (recommended threshold for RBC transfusion, hemoglobin concentration <7 g/dL) as well as for patients undergoing cardiac surgery (recommended threshold for RBC transfusion, hemoglobin concentration <7.5 g/dL). For implementation of PBM programs, 2 clinical and 3 research recommendations were developed, including recommendations to implement comprehensive PBM programs and to use electronic decision support systems (both conditional recommendations) to improve appropriate RBC utilization. The 2018 PBM International Consensus Conference defined the current status of the PBM evidence base for practice and research purposes and established 10 clinical recommendations and 12 research recommendations for preoperative anemia, RBC transfusion thresholds for adults, and implementation of PBM programs. The relative paucity of strong evidence to answer many of the PICO questions supports the need for additional research and an international consensus for accepted definitions and hemoglobin thresholds, as well as clinically meaningful end points for multicenter trials.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2004
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-02-2015
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Date: 09-2019
Abstract: The EPO-TBI multi-national randomized controlled trial found that erythropoietin (EPO), when compared to placebo, did not affect 6-month neurological outcome, but reduced illness severity-adjusted mortality in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), making the cost-effectiveness of EPO in TBI uncertain. The current study uses patient-level data from the EPO-TBI trial to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of EPO in patients with moderate or severe TBI from the healthcare payers' perspective. We addressed the issue of transferability in multi-national trials by estimating costs and effects for specific geographical regions of the study (Australia/New Zealand, Europe, and Saudi Arabia). Unadjusted mean quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs 95% confidence interval [CI]) at 6 months were 0.027 (0.020-0.034
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 07-2019
DOI: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000003781
Abstract: Trials comparing the effects of transfusing RBC units of different storage durations have considered mortality or morbidity as outcomes. We perform the first economic evaluation alongside a full age of blood clinical trial with a large population assessing the impact of RBC storage duration on quality-of-life and costs in critically ill adults. Quality-of-life was measured at 6 months post randomization using the EuroQol 5-dimension 3-level instrument. The economic evaluation considers quality-adjusted life year and cost implications from randomization to 6 months. A generalized linear model was used to estimate incremental costs (2016 U.S. dollars) and quality-adjusted life years, respectively while adjusting for baseline characteristics. Fifty-nine ICUs in five countries. Adults with an anticipated ICU stay of at least 24 hours when the decision had been made to transfuse at least one RBC unit. Patients were randomized to receive either the freshest or oldest available compatible RBC units (standard practice) in the hospital transfusion service. EuroQol 5-dimension 3-level utility scores were similar at 6 months—0.65 in the short-term and 0.63 in the long-term storage group (difference, 0.02 95% CI, –0.00 to 0.04 p = 0.10). There were no significant differences in resource use between the two groups apart from 3.0 fewer hospital readmission days (95% CI, –5.3 to –0.8 p = 0.01) during follow-up in the short-term storage group. There were no significant differences in adjusted total costs or quality-adjusted life years between the short- and long-term storage groups (incremental costs, –$2,358 95% CI, –$5,586 to $711) and incremental quality-adjusted life years: 0.003 quality-adjusted life years (95% CI, –0.003 to 0.008). Without considering the additional supply cost of implementing a freshest available RBC strategy for critical care patients, there is no evidence to suggest that the policy improves quality-of-life or reduces other costs compared with standard transfusion practice.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-08-2019
DOI: 10.1111/AAS.13244
Abstract: Acute kidney injury (AKI) in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is poorly understood and it is unknown if it can be attenuated using erythropoietin (EPO). Pre-planned analysis of patients included in the EPO-TBI (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00987454) trial who were randomized to weekly EPO (40 000 units) or placebo (0.9% sodium chloride) subcutaneously up to three doses or until intensive care unit (ICU) discharge. Creatinine levels and urinary output (up to 7 days) were categorized according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) classification. Severity of TBI was categorized with the International Mission for Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical Trials in TBI. Of 3348 screened patients, 606 were randomized and 603 were analyzed. Of these, 82 (14%) patients developed AKI according to KDIGO (60 [10%] with KDIGO 1, 11 [2%] patients with KDIGO 2, and 11 [2%] patients with KDIGO 3). Male gender (hazard ratio [HR] 4.0 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4-11.2, P = 0.008) and severity of TBI (HR 1.3 95% CI 1.1-1.4, P < 0.001 for each 10% increase in risk of poor 6 month outcome) predicted time to AKI. KDIGO stage 1 (HR 8.8 95% CI 4.5-17, P < 0.001), KDIGO stage 2 (HR 13.2 95% CI 3.9-45.2, P < 0.001) and KDIGO stage 3 (HR 11.7 95% CI 3.5-39.7, P < 0.005) predicted time to mortality. EPO did not influence time to AKI (HR 1.08 95% CI 0.7-1.67, P = 0.73) or creatinine levels during ICU stay (P = 0.09). Acute kidney injury is more common in male patients and those with severe compared to moderate TBI and appears associated with worse outcome. EPO does not prevent AKI after TBI.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-2004
DOI: 10.1007/S00134-004-2157-0
Abstract: To determine the population incidence and outcome of severe sepsis occurring in adult patients treated in Australian and New Zealand intensive care units (ICUs), and compare with recent retrospective estimates from the USA and UK. Inception cohort study. Twenty-three closed multi-disciplinary ICUs of 21 hospitals (16 tertiary and 5 university affiliated) in Australia and New Zealand. A total of 5878 consecutive ICU admission episodes. Main outcome measures were population-based incidence of severe sepsis, mortality at ICU discharge, mortality at 28 days after onset of severe sepsis, and mortality at hospital discharge. A total of 691 patients, 11.8 (95% confidence intervals 10.9-12.6) per 100 ICU admissions, were diagnosed with 752 episodes of severe sepsis. Site of infection was pulmonary in 50.3% of episodes and abdominal in 19.3% of episodes. The calculated incidence of severe sepsis in adults treated in Australian and New Zealand ICUs is 0.77 (0.76-0.79) per 1000 of population. 26.5% of patients with severe sepsis died in ICU, 32.4% died within 28 days of the diagnosis of severe sepsis and 37.5% died in hospital. In this prospective study, 11.8 patients per 100 ICU admissions were diagnosed with severe sepsis and the calculated annual incidence of severe sepsis in adult patients treated in Australian and New Zealand ICUs is 0.77 per 1000 of population. This figure for the population incidence falls in the lower range of recent estimates from retrospective studies in the U.S. and the U.K.
Publisher: Massachusetts Medical Society
Date: 09-11-2017
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 03-2017
DOI: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000002255
Abstract: To provide an update to “Surviving Sepsis C aign Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock: 2012.” A consensus committee of 55 international experts representing 25 international organizations was convened. Nominal groups were assembled at key international meetings (for those committee members attending the conference). A formal conflict-of-interest (COI) policy was developed at the onset of the process and enforced throughout. A stand-alone meeting was held for all panel members in December 2015. Teleconferences and electronic-based discussion among subgroups and among the entire committee served as an integral part of the development. The panel consisted of five sections: hemodynamics, infection, adjunctive therapies, metabolic, and ventilation. Population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes (PICO) questions were reviewed and updated as needed, and evidence profiles were generated. Each subgroup generated a list of questions, searched for best available evidence, and then followed the principles of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system to assess the quality of evidence from high to very low, and to formulate recommendations as strong or weak, or best practice statement when applicable. The Surviving Sepsis Guideline panel provided 93 statements on early management and resuscitation of patients with sepsis or septic shock. Overall, 32 were strong recommendations, 39 were weak recommendations, and 18 were best-practice statements. No recommendation was provided for four questions. Substantial agreement exists among a large cohort of international experts regarding many strong recommendations for the best care of patients with sepsis. Although a significant number of aspects of care have relatively weak support, evidence-based recommendations regarding the acute management of sepsis and septic shock are the foundation of improved outcomes for these critically ill patients with high mortality.
Publisher: S. Karger AG
Date: 2009
DOI: 10.1159/000195091
Abstract: i Background and Objectives: /i Aspects of trial design, screening and study efficiency can affect recruitment and the findings of the trial itself. A clear understanding of the screening and study inclusion process will assist clinicians in interpreting trial results. i Design: /i Prospective observational data collection on all patients screened for possible inclusion in a randomized controlled trial of normal vs. augmented renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients (the RENAL Trial). i Setting: /i 35 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. i Participants: /i All patients screened for the RENAL Trial. i Results: /i We screened 4,551 patients. Of these patients, 767 were ineligible because of lack of inclusion criteria and 2,085 because of exclusion criteria. Of the remaining 1,699, 1,508 (88.7%) were enrolled. The three most common exclusion criteria which prevented recruitment of potentially eligible patients were that the patient had end-stage kidney failure and was already on chronic dialysis (484 23.2%), the patient’s body weight was either or kg (456 21.8%), and the fact that the patient had already received renal replacement therapy during the index admission. Important modifiable impediments to recruitment were inability to obtain consent in 191 cases, unavailability of research staff in 124 cases, physician objection in 89 cases, and inability to deliver the trial protocol in 78 cases. i Conclusion: /i The RENAL Trial’s enrolment efficiency was high and compared favourably with previous large intensive care units trials and with that of trials in patients with acute renal failure. The high rate of enrolment suggests that the results can be applied with confidence to most patients with de novo acute renal failure. The loss of close to 1.5% of patients due to consent issues highlights a common problem in critical care trials. The low rate of physician objection suggests clinical equipoise.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-09-2021
DOI: 10.51893/2021.3.OA8
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To report longitudinal differences in baseline characteristics, treatment, and outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) between the first and second waves of COVID-19 in Australia. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: SPRINT-SARI Australia is a multicentre, inception cohort study enrolling adult patients with COVID-19 admitted to participating ICUs. The first wave of COVID-19 was from 27 February to 30 June 2020, and the second wave was from 1 July to 22 October 2020. RESULTS: A total of 461 patients were recruited in 53 ICUs across Australia a higher number were admitted to the ICU during the second wave compared with the first: 255 (55.3%) versus 206 (44.7%). Patients admitted to the ICU in the second wave were younger (58.0 v 64.0 years P = 0.001) and less commonly male (68.9% v 60.0% P = 0.045), although Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores were similar (14 v 14 P = 0.998). High flow oxygen use (75.2% v 43.4% P 0.001) and non-invasive ventilation (16.5% v 7.1% P = 0.002) were more common in the second wave, as was steroid use (95.0% v 30.3% P 0.001). ICU length of stay was shorter (6.0 v 8.4 days P = 0.003). In-hospital mortality was similar (12.2% v 14.6% P = 0.452), but observed mortality decreased over time and patients were more likely to be discharged alive earlier in their ICU admission (hazard ratio, 1.43 95% CI, 1.13–1.79 P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: During the second wave of COVID-19 in Australia, ICU length of stay and observed mortality decreased over time. Multiple factors were associated with this, including changes in clinical management, the adoption of new evidence-based treatments, and changes in patient demographic characteristics but not illness severity.
No related grants have been discovered for Craig French.