Patient-important upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the ICU: A mixed-methods study of patient and family perspectives

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study was to create a definition of patient-important upper gastrointestinal bleeding during critical illness as an outcome for a randomized trial.

DESIGN

This was a sequential mixed-methods qualitative-dominant multi-center study with an instrument-building aim. In semi-structured individual interviews or focus groups we elicited views from survivors of critical illness and family members of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) regarding which features indicate important gastrointestinal bleeding. Quantitative demographic characteristics were collected. We analyzed qualitative data using inductive content analysis to develop a definition for patient-important upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

SETTING

Canada and the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

51 ICU survivors and family members of ICU patients.

RESULTS

Participants considered gastrointestinal bleeding to be important if it resulted in death, disability, or prolonged hospitalization. The following also signaled patient-important upper gastrointestinal bleeding: blood transfusion, vasopressors, endoscopy, CT-angiography, or surgery. Whether an intervention evinced concern depended on its effectiveness, side-effects, invasiveness and accessibility; contextual influences included participant familiarity and knowledge of interventions and trust in the clinical team.

CONCLUSIONS

Survivors of critical illness and family members described patient-important upper gastrointestinal bleeding differently than current definitions of clinically-important upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Rethinking cervical spine clearance in obtunded trauma patients: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cervical spine injuries (CSI) are often challenging to diagnose in obtunded adult patients with blunt trauma and the optimal imaging modality remains uncertain. This study systematically synthesized the last decade of evidence to determine the type of imaging required to clear the c-spine in obtunded patients with blunt trauma.

METHODS

A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted and reported using PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The protocol was registered on June 22, 2022 (PROSPERO CRD42022341386). MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched for studies published between January 1, 2012, and October 17, 2023. Studies comparing CT alone to CT combined with MRI for c-spine clearance were included. Two independent reviewers screened articles for eligibility in duplicate. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effect model. Risk of bias and quality assessment were performed using the ROBINS-I and QUADAS-2. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE methodology.

RESULTS

744 obtunded trauma patients from six included studies were included. Among the 584 that had a negative CT scan, the pooled missed rate of clinically significant CSI using CT scans alone was 6 % (95 % CI: 0.02 to 0.17), and the pooled missed rate of CSI requiring treatment was 7 % (95 % CI: 0.02 to 0.18). High heterogeneity was observed among included studies (I² > 84 %). The overall risk of bias was moderate, and the quality of evidence was low due to the retrospective nature of the included studies and high heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS

Limited evidence published in the last decade found that CT scans alone may not be sufficient for detecting clinically significant CSI and injuries requiring treatment in obtunded adult patients with blunt trauma.

IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS

Clinicians should be aware of the limitations of CT scans and consider using MRI when appropriate. Future research should focus on prospective studies with standardized outcome measures and uniform reporting.

Calcineurin Inhibition in Deceased Organ Donors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Preclinical Studies

Background

Preconditioning deceased organ donors with calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) may reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury to improve transplant outcomes.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and conference proceedings for animal models of organ donation and transplantation, comparing donor treatment with CNIs with either placebo or no intervention, and evaluating outcomes for organ transplantation. Reviewers independently screened and selected studies, abstracted data, and assessed the risk of bias and clinical relevance of included studies. Where possible, we pooled results using meta-analysis; otherwise, we summarized findings descriptively.

Results

Eighteen studies used various animals and a range of CNI agents and doses and evaluated their effects on a variety of transplant outcomes. The risk of bias and clinical applicability were poorly reported. Pooled analyses suggested benefit of CNI treatment on early graft function in renal transplants (3 studies; serum creatinine: ratio of means [RoM] 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.34-0.86) but not for liver transplants (2 studies; serum alanine transaminase: RoM 0.61; 95% CI, 0.30-1.26; and serum aspartate aminotransferase: RoM 0.58; 95% CI, 0.26-1.31). We found no reduction in graft loss at 7 d (2 studies; risk ratio 0.54; 95% CI, 0.08-3.42). CNI treatment was associated with reduced transplant recipient levels of interleukin-6 (4 studies; RoM 0.36; 95% CI, 0.19-0.70), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (5 studies; RoM 0.36; 95% CI, 0.12-1.03), and cellular apoptosis (4 studies; RoM 0.30; 95% CI, 0.19-0.47).

Conclusions

Although this compendium of animal experiments suggests that donor preconditioning with CNIs may improve early kidney graft function, the limited ability to reproduce a true clinical environment in animal experiments and to assess for risk of bias in these experiments is a serious weakness that precludes current clinical application.

Anemia and Red Blood Cell Transfusion in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Anemia is very common in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), with approximately half of the aSAH patient population developing moderate anemia during their hospital stay. The available evidence (both physiologic and clinical) generally supports an association of anemia with unfavorable outcomes. Although aSAH shares a number of common mechanisms of secondary insult with other forms of acute brain injury, aSAH also has specific features that make it unique: an early phase (in which early brain injury predominates) and a delayed phase (in which delayed cerebral ischemia and vasospasm predominate). The effects of both anemia and transfusion are potentially variable between these phases, which may have unique considerations and possibly different risk-benefit profiles. Data on transfusion in this population are almost exclusively limited to observational studies, which suffer from significant heterogeneity and risk of bias. Overall, the results are conflicting, with the balance of the studies suggesting that transfusion is associated with unfavorable outcomes. The transfusion targets that are well established in other critically ill populations should not be automatically applied to patients with aSAH because of the unique disease characteristics of this population and the limited representation of aSAH in the clinical trials that established these targets. There are two upcoming clinical trials evaluating transfusion in aSAH that should help clarify specific transfusion targets. Until then, it is reasonable to base transfusion decisions on the current guidelines and use an individualized approach incorporating physiologic and clinical data when available.

Association of age with death and withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy after severe traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND

Compared to younger age, older age (≥ 65 yr) is associated with worse outcomes after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). We sought to describe the association of older age with in-hospital death and aggressiveness of intervention.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult (age ≥ 16 yr) patients with severe TBI admitted to a single academic tertiary care neurotrauma centre between January 2014 and December 2015. We collected data through chart review as well as from our institutional administrative database. We provided descriptive statistics and used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the independent association of age with the primary outcome, in-hospital death. The secondary outcome was early withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy.

RESULTS

There were 126 adult patients (median age 67 yr [Q1-Q3, 33-80 yr]) with severe TBI during the study period who met our eligibility criteria. The most common mechanism was high-velocity blunt injury (55 patients [43.6%]). The median Marshall score was 4 (Q1-Q3, 2-6), and the median Injury Severity Score was 26 (Q1-Q3, 25-35). After controlling for confounders including clinical frailty, pre-existing comorbidity, injury severity, Marshall score and neurologic examination at admission, we observed that older patients were more likely than younger patients to die in hospital (odds ratio 5.10, 95% confidence interval 1.65-15.78). Older patients were also more likely to experience early withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy and less likely to receive invasive interventions.

CONCLUSION

After controlling for confounding factors relevant to older patients, we observed that age was an important and independent predictor of in-hospital death and early withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy. The mechanism by which age influences clinical decision-making independent of global and neurologic injury severity, clinical frailty and comorbidities remains unclear.

Critical Care Cycling to Improve Lower Extremity Strength (CYCLE): protocol for an international, multicentre randomised clinical trial of early in-bed cycling for mechanically ventilated patients

INTRODUCTION

In-bed leg cycling with critically ill patients is a promising intervention aimed at minimising immobility, thus improving physical function following intensive care unit (ICU) discharge. We previously completed a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) which supported the feasibility of a large RCT. In this report, we describe the protocol for an international, multicentre RCT to determine the effectiveness of early in-bed cycling versus routine physiotherapy (PT) in critically ill, mechanically ventilated adults.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We report a parallel group RCT of 360 patients in 17 medical-surgical ICUs and three countries. We include adults (≥18 years old), who could ambulate independently before their critical illness (with or without a gait aid), ≤4 days of invasive mechanical ventilation and ≤7 days ICU length of stay, and an expected additional 2-day ICU stay, and who do not fulfil any of the exclusion criteria. After obtaining informed consent, patients are randomised using a web-based, centralised system to either 30 min of in-bed cycling in addition to routine PT, 5 days per week, up to 28 days maximum, or routine PT alone. The primary outcome is the Physical Function ICU Test-scored (PFIT-s) at 3 days post-ICU discharge measured by assessors blinded to treatment allocation. Participants, ICU clinicians and research coordinators are not blinded to group assignment. Our sample size estimate was based on the identification of a 1-point mean difference in PFIT-s between groups.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Critical Care Cycling to improve Lower Extremity (CYCLE) is approved by the Research Ethics Boards of all participating centres and Clinical Trials Ontario (Project 1345). We will disseminate trial results through publications and conference presentations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03471247 (Full RCT); NCT02377830 (CYCLE Vanguard 46 patient internal pilot).

Effect of Donor Sex on Recipient Mortality in Transfusion

BACKGROUND

Conflicting observational evidence exists regarding the association between the sex of red-cell donors and mortality among transfusion recipients. Evidence to inform transfusion practice and policy is limited.

METHODS

In this multicenter, double-blind trial, we randomly assigned patients undergoing red-cell transfusion to receive units of red cells from either male donors or female donors. Patients maintained their trial-group assignment throughout the trial period, including during subsequent inpatient and outpatient encounters. Randomization was conducted in a 60:40 ratio (male donor group to female donor group) to match the historical allocation of red-cell units from the blood supplier. The primary outcome was survival, with the male donor group as the reference group.

RESULTS

A total of 8719 patients underwent randomization before undergoing transfusion; 5190 patients were assigned to the male donor group, and 3529 to the female donor group. At baseline, the mean (±SD) age of the enrolled patients was 66.8±16.4 years. The setting of the first transfusion was as an inpatient in 6969 patients (79.9%), of whom 2942 (42.2%) had been admitted under a surgical service. The baseline hemoglobin level before transfusion was 79.5±19.7 g per liter, and patients received a mean of 5.4±10.5 units of red cells in the female donor group and 5.1±8.9 units in the male donor group (difference, 0.3 units; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.1 to 0.7). Over the duration of the trial, 1141 patients in the female donor group and 1712 patients in the male donor group died. In the primary analysis of overall survival, the adjusted hazard ratio for death was 0.98 (95% CI, 0.91 to 1.06).

CONCLUSIONS

This trial showed no significant difference in survival between a transfusion strategy involving red-cell units from female donors and a strategy involving red-cell units from male donors. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research; iTADS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03344887.).

Diagnostic accuracy of ancillary tests for death by neurologic criteria: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Ancillary tests are frequently used in death determination by neurologic criteria (DNC), particularly when the clinical neurologic examination is unreliable. Nevertheless, their diagnostic accuracy has not been extensively studied. Our objective was to synthesize the sensitivity and specificity of commonly used ancillary tests for DNC.

SOURCE

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane databases, and CINAHL Ebsco from their inception to 4 February 2022. We selected cohort and case-control studies including patients with 1) clinically diagnosed death by neurologic criteria or 2) clinically suspected death by neurologic criteria who underwent ancillary testing for DNC. We excluded studies without a priori diagnostic criteria and studies conducted solely on pediatric patients. Accepted reference standards were clinical examination, four-vessel conventional angiography, and radionuclide imaging. Data were directly extracted from published reports. We assessed the methodological quality of studies with the QUADAS-2 tool and estimated ancillary test sensitivities and specificities using hierarchical Bayesian models with diffuse priors.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Overall, 137 records met the selection criteria. One study (0.7%) had a low risk of bias in all QUADAS-2 domains. Among clinically diagnosed death by neurologic criteria patients (n = 8,891), ancillary tests had similar pooled sensitivities (range, 0.82-0.93). Sensitivity heterogeneity was greater within (σ = 0.10-0.15) than between (σ = 0.04) ancillary test types. Among clinically suspected death by neurologic criteria patients (n = 2,732), pooled ancillary test sensitivities ranged between 0.81 and 1.00 and specificities between 0.87 and 1.00. Most estimates had high statistical uncertainty.

CONCLUSION

Studies assessing ancillary test diagnostic accuracy have an unclear or high risk of bias. High-quality studies are required to thoroughly validate ancillary tests for DNC.

STUDY REGISTRATION

PROSPERO (CRD42013005907); registered 7 October 2013.

FLUID trial: a hospital-wide open-label cluster cross-over pragmatic comparative effectiveness randomised pilot trial comparing normal saline to Ringer's lactate

OBJECTIVES

Normal saline (NS) and Ringer's lactate (RL) are the most common crystalloids used for fluid therapy. Despite evidence of possible harm associated with NS (eg, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, impaired kidney function and death), few large multi-centre randomised trials have evaluated the effect of these fluids on clinically important outcomes. We conducted a pilot trial to explore the feasibility of a large trial powered for clinically important outcomes.

DESIGN

FLUID was a pragmatic pilot cluster randomised cross-over trial.

SETTING

Four hospitals in the province of Ontario, Canada PARTICIPANTS: All hospitalised adult and paediatric patients with an incident admission to the hospital over the course of each study period.

INTERVENTIONS

A hospital wide policy/strategy which stocked either NS or RL throughout the hospital for 12 weeks before crossing over to the alternate fluid for the subsequent 12 weeks.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary feasibility outcome was study fluid protocol adherence. Secondary feasibility outcomes included time to Research Ethics Board (REB) approval and trial initiation. Primary (composite of death or re-admission to hospital in first 90 days of index hospitalisation) and secondary clinical outcomes were analysed descriptively.

RESULTS

Among 24 905 included patients, mean age 59.1 (SD 20.5); 13 977 (56.1%) were female and 21 150 (85.0%) had medical or surgical admitting diagnoses. Overall, 96 821 L were administered in the NS arm, and 78 348 L in the RL arm. Study fluid adherence to NS and RL was 93.7% (site range: 91.6%-98.0%) and 79.8% (site range: 72.5%-83.9%), respectively. Time to REB approval ranged from 2 to 48 days and readiness for trial initiation from 51 to 331 days. 5544 (22.3%) patients died or required hospital re-admission in the first 90 days.

CONCLUSIONS

The future large trial is feasible. Anticipating and addressing logistical challenges during the planning stages will be imperative.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02721485.

Prioritizing outcome measures after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: A q-sort survey of patients, health care providers and researchers

Objective

To understand which outcome measures patients and their families, health care providers, and researchers prioritize after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional q-sort survey with participants from three key stakeholder groups. Potential outcomes were identified from interviews and focus groups. Participants were purposively sampled to achieve diversity based on stakeholder group, geography, and profession. Respondents sorted 27 outcomes in a quasi-normally distributed grid (Q-Sort) from most to least important. Principal components analysis was used to determine similarities in the way participants sorted the outcome measures resulting in distinct groupings. Overall rankings were also reported.

Results

112 participants were invited. 70 responded and 64 participants from 25 different countries completed a Q-sort. Balanced stakeholder representation was achieved. Five distinct patterns were identified based on survival, pathophysiological, psychological, resource use, and functional outcome measures. Quality of life as reported by the patient was the highest ranked outcome measure followed by independence and functional measures. Survival and biomedical outcomes were ranked in the middle and cost measures last.

Conclusions

In this diverse sample of key stakeholders, we characterized several distinct perspectives with respect to outcome measure selection in aSAH. We did not identify a clear pattern of opinion based on stakeholder group or other participant characteristics. Patient-reported measure of quality of life was ranked the most important overall with function and independence also highly rated. These results will assist study design and inform efforts to improve outcome selection in aSAH research.

Made to measure—Selecting outcomes in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage research

There has been limited new high-level evidence generated to guide aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) management in the past decade. The choice of outcome measures used in aSAH clinical trials may be one of the factors hindering progress. In this narrative review we consider the current process for determining “what” to measure in aSAH and identify some of the shortcomings of these approaches. A consideration of the unique clinical course of aSAH is then discussed and how this impacts on selecting the best timepoints to assess change in the chosen constructs. We also review the how to critically appraise different measurement instruments and some of the issues with how these are applied in the context of aSAH. We conclude with current initiatives to improve outcome selection in aSAH and future directions in the research agenda.

Research interrupted: applying the CONSERVE 2021 Statement to a randomized trial of rehabilitation during critical illness affected by the COVID-19 pandemic

RATIONALE

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted non-COVID critical care trials globally as intensive care units (ICUs) prioritized patient care and COVID-specific research. The international randomized controlled trial CYCLE (Critical Care Cycling to Improve Lower Extremity Strength) was forced to halt recruitment at all sites in March 2020, creating immediate challenges. We applied the CONSERVE (CONSORT and SPIRIT Extension for RCTs Revised in Extenuating Circumstance) statement as a framework to report the impact of the pandemic on CYCLE and describe our mitigation approaches.

METHODS

On March 23, 2020, the CYCLE Methods Centre distributed a standardized email to determine the number of patients still in-hospital and those requiring imminent 90-day endpoint assessments. We assessed protocol fidelity by documenting attempts to provide the in-hospital randomized intervention (cycling or routine physiotherapy) and collect the primary outcome (physical function 3-days post-ICU discharge) and 90-day outcomes. We advised sites to prioritize data for the study's primary outcome. We sought feedback on pandemic barriers related to trial procedures.

RESULTS

Our main Methods Centre mitigation strategies included identifying patients at risk for protocol deviations, communicating early and frequently with sites, developing standardized internal tools focused on high-risk points in the protocol for monitoring patient progress, data entry, and validation, and providing guidance to conduct some research activities remotely. For study sites, our strategies included determining how institutional pandemic research policies applied to CYCLE, communicating with the Methods Centre about capacity to continue any part of the research, and developing contingency plans to ensure the protocol was delivered as intended. From 15 active sites (12 Canada, 2 US, 1 Australia), 5 patients were still receiving the study intervention in ICUs, 6 required primary outcomes, and 17 required 90-day assessments. With these mitigation strategies, we attempted 100% of ICU interventions, 83% of primary outcomes, and 100% of 90-day assessments per our protocol.

CONCLUSIONS

We retained all enrolled patients with minimal missing data using several time-sensitive strategies. Although CONSERVE recommends reporting only major modifications incurred by extenuating circumstances, we suggest that it also provides a helpful framework for reporting mitigation strategies with the goal of improving research transparency and trial management.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03471247. Registered on March 20, 2018.

Clinical evaluation and ancillary testing for the diagnosis of death by neurologic criteria: a cross-sectional survey of Canadian intensivists

PURPOSE

Trust in the deceased organ donation process relies on the expectation that the diagnosis of death by neurologic criteria (DNC) is accurate and reliable. The objective of this study was to assess the perceptions and approaches to DNC diagnosis among Canadian intensivists.

METHODS

We conducted a self-administered, online, cross-sectional survey of Canadian intensivists. Our sampling frame included all intensivists practicing in Canadian institutions. Results are reported using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Among 550 identified intensivists, 249 (45%) completed the survey. Respondents indicated they would be comfortable diagnosing DNC based on clinical criteria alone in cases where there is movement in response to stimulation (119/248; 48%); inability to evaluate upper/lower extremity responses (84/249; 34%); spontaneous peripheral movement (76/249; 31%); inability to evaluate both oculocephalic and oculo-caloric reflexes (40/249; 16%); presence of high cervical spinal cord injury (40/249; 16%); and within 24 hr of hypoxemic-ischemic brain injury (38/247; 15%). Most respondents agreed that an ancillary test should always be conducted when a complete clinical evaluation is impossible (225/241; 93%); when there is possibility of a residual sedative effect (216/242; 89%); when the mechanism for brain injury is unclear (172/241; 71%); and if isolated brainstem injury is suspected (142/242; 59%). Sixty-six percent (158/241) believed that ancillary tests are sensitive and 55% (132/241) that they are specific for DNC. Respondents considered the following ancillary tests useful for DNC: four-vessel conventional angiography (211/241; 88%), nuclear imaging (179/240; 75%), computed tomography (CT) angiography (156/240; 65%), and CT perfusion (134/240; 56%).

CONCLUSION

There is variability in perceptions and approaches to DNC diagnosis among Canadian intensivists, and some practices are inconsistent with national recommendations.

Efficacy and Safety of Low Molecular Weight Heparin Versus Unfractionated Heparin for Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Trauma Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Trauma patients are at high risk of VTE. We summarize the efficacy and safety of LMWH versus UFH for the prevention of VTE in trauma patients.

METHODS

We searched 6 databases from inception through March 12, 2021. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or observational studies comparing LMWH versus UFH for thromboprophylaxis in adult trauma patients. We pooled effect estimates across RCTs and observational studies separately, using random-effects model and inverse variance weighting. We assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane tool for RCTs and the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies (ROBINS)-I tool for observational studies and assessed certainty of findings using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations methodology.

RESULTS

We included 4 RCTs (879 patients) and 8 observational studies (306,747 patients). Based on pooled RCT data, compared to UFH, LMWH reduces deep vein thrombosis (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.88, moderate certainty) and VTE (RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.90, moderate certainty). As compared to UFH, LMWH may reduce pulmonary embolism [adjusted odds ratio from pooled observational studies 0.56 (95% CI 0.50 to 0.62)] and mortality (adjusted odds ratio from pooled observational studies 0.54, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.65), though based on low certainty evidence. There was an uncertain effect on adverse events (RR from pooled RCTs 0.80, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.33, very low certainty) and heparin induced thrombocytopenia [RR from pooled RCTs 0.26 (95% CI 0.03 to 2.38, very low certainty)].

CONCLUSIONS

Among adult trauma patients, LMWH is superior to UFH for deep vein thrombosis and VTE prevention and may additionally reduce pulmonary embolism and mortality. The impact on adverse events and heparin induced thrombocytopenia is uncertain.

Prognostic Factors Associated With Development of Venous Thromboembolism in Critically Ill Patients-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To identify prognostic factors for the development of venous thromboembolism in the ICU.

DATA SOURCES

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL from inception to March 1, 2021.

STUDY SELECTION

We included English-language studies describing prognostic factors associated with the development of venous thromboembolism among critically ill patients.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two authors performed data extraction and risk-of-bias assessment. We pooled adjusted odds ratios and adjusted hazard ratios for prognostic factors using random-effects model. We assessed risk of bias using the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool and certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations approach.

DATA SYNTHESIS

We included 39 observational cohort studies involving 729,477 patients. Patient factors with high or moderate certainty of association with increased odds of venous thromboembolism include older age (adjusted odds ratio, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.02-1.29 per 10 yr), obesity (adjusted odds ratio, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.18-1.32), active malignancy (adjusted odds ratio, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.18-2.44), history of venous thromboembolism (adjusted odds ratio, 4.77; 95% CI, 3.42-6.65), and history of recent surgery (adjusted odds ratio, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.26-2.47). ICU-specific factors with high or moderate certainty of association with increased risk of venous thromboembolism include sepsis (adjusted odds ratio, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.12-1.78), lack of pharmacologic venous thromboembolism prophylaxis (adjusted odds ratio, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.14-2.84), central venous catheter (adjusted odds ratio, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.98-4.34), invasive mechanical ventilation (adjusted odds ratio, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.36-2.24), and use of vasoactive medication (adjusted odds ratio, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.23-2.81).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis provides quantitative summaries of the association between patient-specific and ICU-related prognostic factors and the risk of venous thromboembolism in the ICU. These findings provide the foundation for the development of a venous thromboembolism risk stratification tool for critically ill patients.

Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Critically Ill Adults: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Critically ill adults are at increased risk of VTE, including DVT, and pulmonary embolism. Various agents exist for venous thromboprophylaxis in this population.

RESEARCH QUESTION

What is the comparative efficacy and safety of prophylaxis agents for prevention of VTE in critically ill adults?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating efficacy of thromboprophylaxis agents among critically ill patients. We searched six databases (including PubMed, EMBASE, and Medline) from inception through January 2021 for RCTs of patients in the ICU receiving pharmacologic, mechanical, or combination therapy (pharmacologic agents and mechanical devices) for thromboprophylaxis. Two reviewers performed screening, full-text review, and extraction. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation to rate certainty of effect estimates.

RESULTS

We included 13 RCTs (9,619 patients). Compared with control treatment (a composite of no prophylaxis, placebo, or compression stockings only), low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) reduced the incidence of DVT (OR, 0.59 [95% credible interval [CrI], 0.33-0.90]; high certainty) and unfractionated heparin (UFH) may reduce the incidence of DVT (OR, 0.82 [95% CrI, 0.47-1.37]; low certainty). LMWH probably reduces DVT compared with UFH (OR, 0.72 [95% CrI, 0.46-0.98]; moderate certainty). Compressive devices may reduce risk of DVT compared with control treatments; however, this is based on low-certainty evidence (OR, 0.85 [95% CrI, 0.50-1.50]). Combination therapy showed unclear effect on DVT compared with either therapy alone (very low certainty).

INTERPRETATION

Among critically ill adults, compared with control treatment, LMWH reduces incidence of DVT, whereas UFH and mechanical compressive devices may reduce the risk of DVT. LMWH is probably more effective than UFH in reducing incidence of DVT and should be considered the primary pharmacologic agent for thromboprophylaxis. The efficacy and safety of combination pharmacologic therapy and mechanical compressive devices were unclear.

TRIAL REGISTRY

Open Science Framework; URL: https://osf.io/694aj.

Short- and Long-term Health Care Resource Utilization and Costs Following Intracerebral Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate the short- and long-term resource use and costs associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) taken from an entire population. We in addition sought to evaluate the association of oral anticoagulation (OAC) and health care costs.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients (≥18 years) with ICH in the entire population of Ontario, Canada (2009-2017). We captured outcomes through linkage to health administrative databases. We used generalized linear models to identify factors associated with total cost. Analysis of OAC use was limited to patients ≥66 years of age. The primary outcome was total 1-year direct health care costs in 2020 US dollars.

RESULTS

Among 16,248 individuals with ICH (mean age 71.2 years, male 52.3%), 1-year mortality was 46.0%, and 24.2% required mechanical ventilation. The median total 1-year cost was $26,886 (interquartile range [IQR] $9,641-$62,907) with costs for those who died in hospital of $7,268 (IQR $4,031-$14,966) vs $44,969 (IQR $20,264-$82,414, p < 0.001) for survivors to discharge. OAC use (analysis limited to individuals ≥66 years old) was associated with higher total 1-year costs (cost ratio 1.06 [95% confidence interval 1.01-1.11]). Total 1-year costs for the entire cohort exceeded $120 million per year over the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

ICH is associated with significant health care costs, and the median cost of a patient with ICH is roughly 10 times the median inpatient cost in Ontario. Costs were higher among survivors than deceased patients. OAC use is independently associated with increased costs. To maximize cost-effectiveness, future therapies for ICH must aim to reduce disability, not only improve mortality.

Intracerebral Hemorrhage Incidence, Mortality, and Association With Oral Anticoagulation Use: A Population Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating form of stroke associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recent epidemiological data on incidence, mortality, and association with oral anticoagulation are needed.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of adult patients (≥18 years) with ICH in the entire population of Ontario, Canada (April 1, 2009-March 30, 2019). We captured outcome data using linked health administrative databases. The primary outcome was mortality during hospitalization, as well as at 1 year following ICH.

RESULTS

We included 20 738 patients with ICH. Mean (SD) age was 71.3 (15.1) years, and 52.6% of patients were male. Overall incidence of ICH throughout the study period was 19.1/100 000 person-years and did not markedly change over the study period. In-hospital and 1-year mortality were high (32.4% and 45.4%, respectively). Mortality at 2 years was 49.5%. Only 14.5% of patients were discharged home independently. Over the study period, both in-hospital and 1-year mortality reduced by 10.4% (37.5% to 27.1%, P<0.001) and 7.6% (50.0% to 42.4%, P<0.001), respectively. Use of oral anticoagulation was associated with both in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio 1.37 [95% CI, 1.26-1.49]) and 1-year mortality (hazard ratio, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.12-1.25]) following ICH.

CONCLUSIONS

Both short- and long-term mortality have decreased in the past decade. Most survivors from ICH are likely to be discharged to long-term care. Oral anticoagulation is associated with both short- and long-term mortality following ICH. These findings highlight the devastating nature of ICH, but also identify significant improvement in outcomes over time.

Canadian stroke best practice recommendations: Management of Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage, 7th Edition Update 2020

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage is a particularly devastating type of stroke with greater morbidity and mortality compared with ischemic stroke and can account for half or more of all deaths from stroke. The seventh update of the Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations includes a new stand-alone module on intracerebral hemorrhage, with a focus on elements of care that are unique or affect persons disproportionately relative to ischemic stroke. Prior to this edition, intracerebral hemorrhage was included in the Acute Stroke Management module and was limited to its management during the first 12 h. With the growing evidence on intracerebral hemorrhage, a separate module focused on this topic across the care continuum was added. In addition to topics related to initial clinical management, neuroimaging, blood pressure management, and surgical management, new sections have been introduced addressing topics surrounding inpatient complications such as venous thromboembolism, seizure management, and increased intracranial pressure, rehabilitation as well as issues related to secondary management including lifestyle management, maintaining a normal blood pressure and antithrombotic therapy, are addressed. The Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations (CSBPR) are intended to provide up-to-date evidence-based guidelines for the prevention and management of stroke and to promote optimal recovery and reintegration for people who have experienced stroke, including patients, families, and informal caregivers.

Neuromonitoring with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: a systematic review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) is a devastating disease associated with high mortality and morbidity. The main threat to patients is delayed cerebral ischaemia (DCI). Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a recent technology allowing continuous, non-invasive cerebral oximetry that could permit timely detection of impending DCI and appropriate intervention to improve outcomes. However, the ability of regional oxygen saturation to detect DCI, its association to the outcome, or benefits of any interventions based on NIRS data, are lacking. Our aims are to evaluate NIRS technology both as a therapeutic tool to improve outcomes in aSAH patients and as a diagnostic tool for DCI.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews will be searched from their inception and without language restriction. Our search strategy will cover the themes of subarachnoid haemorrhage and cerebral oximetry, without limitations regarding studied outcomes. We will identify all observational and interventional human studies of adult patients hospitalised after aSAH that were monitored using NIRS. Functional outcome measures, including the modified Rankin Scale, the Glasgow Outcome Scale and the Barthel Index, will constitute the primary outcome. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool will be used for randomised controlled trials, the ROBINS-I tool to assess non-randomised studies of interventions and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cohort or case-control studies. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 will be applied to studies evaluating NIRS diagnostic accuracy for DCI. We will evaluate the quality of the evidence of the effect based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Dissemination will proceed through submission for journal publication, trial registry completion and abstract presentation. Ethics approval is not required.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020077522.

Survey of Canadian critical care physicians' knowledge and attitudes towards legislative aspects of the deceased organ donation system

PURPOSE

We surveyed Canadian critical care physicians who may care for patients who are potential organ donors to understand their attitudes and knowledge of legislation governing the deceased organ donation system.

METHODS

We used a web-based, self-administered survey that included questions related to opt-out consent and mandatory referral legislation. Potential participants were identified through membership lists of professional societies and manual searches. We designed our survey using standardized methods and administered it in February and March 2018.

RESULTS

Fifty percent (263/529) of potential participants completed the questionnaire. A majority (61%; 144/235) supported a change towards an opt-out consent model, and 77% (181/235) stated they believe it would increase donation rates. Asked if opt-out consent would change their practices, 71% (166/235) stated an opt-out model would not change how or if they approach families to discuss donation. Fifty-six percent (139/249) supported mandatory referral laws, while only 42% (93/219) of those working in provinces with mandatory referral correctly stated that such laws exist in their province. Respondents gave variable responses on who should be accountable when patients are not referred, and 16% (40/249) believed no one should be held accountable.

CONCLUSIONS

While a majority of critical care physicians supported opt-out consent and mandatory referral, many were neutral or against it. Many were unaware of existing laws and had variable opinions on how to ensure accountability. Efforts to increase understanding of how legislative models influence practice are required for any law to achieve its desired effect.

External validation demonstrated the Ottawa SAH prediction models can identify pSAH using health administrative data

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study is to externally validate three primary subarachnoid hemorrhage (pSAH) identification models.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

We evaluated three models that identify pSAH using recursive partitioning (A), logistic regression (B), and a prevalence-adjusted logistic regression(C), respectively. Blinded chart review and/or linkage to existing registries determined pSAH status. We included all patients aged ≥18 in four participating center registries or whose discharge abstracts contained ≥1 administrative codes of interest between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013.

RESULTS

A total of 3,262 of 193,190 admissions underwent chart review (n = 2,493) or registry linkage (n = 769). A total of 657 had pSAH confirmed (20·1% sample, 0·34% admissions). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) were as follows: i) model A: 98·3% (97·0-99·2), 53·5% (51·5-55·4), and 34·8% (32·6-37·0); ii) model B (score ≥6): 98·0% (96·6-98·9), 47·4% (45·5-49·4), and 32·0% (30·0-34·1); and iii) model C (score ≥2): 95·7% (93·9-97·2), 85·5% (84·0-86·8), and 62·3 (59·3-65·3), respectively. Model C scores of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 had probabilities of 0·5% (0·2-1·5), 1·5% (1·0-2·2), 24·8% (21·0-29·0), 90·0% (86·8-92·0), and 97·8% (88·7-99·6), without significant difference between centers (P = 0·86). The PPV of the International Classification of Diseases code (I60) was 63·0% (95% confidence interval: 60·0-66·0).

CONCLUSIONS

All three models were highly sensitive for pSAH. Model C could be used to adjust for misclassification bias.

Predicting the need for supportive services after discharged from hospital: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Some patients admitted to acute care hospital require supportive services after discharge. The objective of our review was to identify models and variables that predict the need for supportive services after discharge from acute care hospital.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review searching the MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and COCHRANE databases from inception to May 1st 2017. We selected studies that derived and validated a prediction model for the need for supportive services after hospital discharge for patients admitted non-electively to a medical ward. We extracted cohort characteristics, model characteristics and variables screened and included in final predictive models. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool.

RESULTS

Our search identified 3362 unique references. Full text review identified 6 models. Models had good discrimination in derivation (c-statistics > 0.75) and validation (c-statistics > 0.70) cohorts. There was high quality evidence that age, impaired physical function, disabilities in performing activities of daily living, absence of an informal care giver and frailty predict the need for supportive services after discharge. Stroke was the only unique diagnosis with at least moderate evidence of an independent effect on the outcome. No models were externally validated, and all were at moderate or higher risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Deficits in physical function and activities of daily living, age, absence of an informal care giver and frailty have the strongest evidence as determinants of the need for support services after hospital discharge.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This review was registered with PROSPERO #CRD42016037144.

Survey of Canadian intensivists on physician non-referral and family override of deceased organ donation

PURPOSE

Intensive care physicians play an important role in the identification and referral of potential organ donors in Canada. Nevertheless, little is known about intensivists' attitudes or behaviours in situations where families override previously expressed consent to donate; nor why physicians elect not to refer patients who are potential donors to provincial organ donation organizations (physician non-referral).

METHODS

We integrated questions regarding family override and physician non-referral into an online, self-administered survey of Canadian intensivists. We report results descriptively.

RESULTS

Fifty percent of targeted respondents (n = 550) participated. Fifty-five percent reported having witnessed family override situations and 44% reported having personally not referred patients who were potential donors. Fifty-six percent of respondents stated they would not pursue donation in the face of family override; 2% stated they would continue with the donation process. Fear of loss of trust in the donation system (81%) and obligation to respect the grief and desires of surrogate decision makers (71%) were frequently reported reasons to respect family override requests. Respondents who chose not to refer patients often did so based on organ dysfunction they assumed would preclude donation (59%), or a perception that the family was too distressed to consider donation (42%). No respondents reported that personally held beliefs against organ donation influenced their decision.

CONCLUSION

Physicians caring for patients who are potential organ donors commonly encounter both family override and physician non-referral situations. Knowledge translation of optimal practices in identification and referral could help ensure that physician practices align with legal requirements and practice recommendations.

Angiotensin I and angiotensin II concentrations and their ratio in catecholamine-resistant vasodilatory shock

Background

In patients with vasodilatory shock, plasma concentrations of angiotensin I (ANG I) and II (ANG II) and their ratio may reflect differences in the response to severe vasodilation, provide novel insights into its biology, and predict clinical outcomes. The objective of these protocol prespecified and subsequent post hoc analyses was to assess the epidemiology and outcome associations of plasma ANG I and ANG II levels and their ratio in patients with catecholamine-resistant vasodilatory shock (CRVS) enrolled in the Angiotensin II for the Treatment of High-Output Shock (ATHOS-3) study.

Methods

We measured ANG I and ANG II levels at baseline, calculated their ratio, and compared these results to values from healthy volunteers (controls). We dichotomized patients according to the median ANG I/II ratio (1.63) and compared demographics, clinical characteristics, and clinical outcomes. We constructed a Cox proportional hazards model to test the independent association of ANG I, ANG II, and their ratio with clinical outcomes.

Results

Median baseline ANG I level (253 pg/mL [interquartile range (IQR) 72.30–676.00 pg/mL] vs 42 pg/mL [IQR 30.46–87.34 pg/mL] in controls; P <  0.0001) and median ANG I/II ratio (1.63 [IQR 0.98–5.25] vs 0.4 [IQR 0.28–0.64] in controls; P <  0.0001) were elevated, whereas median ANG II levels were similar (84 pg/mL [IQR 23.85–299.50 pg/mL] vs 97 pg/mL [IQR 35.27–181.01 pg/mL] in controls; P = 0.9895). At baseline, patients with a ratio above the median (≥1.63) had higher ANG I levels (P <  0.0001), lower ANG II levels (P <  0.0001), higher albumin concentrations (P = 0.007), and greater incidence of recent (within 1 week) exposure to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (P <  0.00001), and they received a higher norepinephrine-equivalent dose (P = 0.003). In the placebo group, a baseline ANG I/II ratio <1.63 was associated with improved survival (hazard ratio 0.56; 95% confidence interval 0.36–0.88; P = 0.01) on unadjusted analyses.

Conclusions

Patients with CRVS have elevated ANG I levels and ANG I/II ratios compared with healthy controls. In such patients, a high ANG I/II ratio is associated with greater norepinephrine requirements and is an independent predictor of mortality, thus providing a biological rationale for interventions aimed at its correction.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02338843. Registered 14 January 2015.

Cell therapy with intravascular administration of mesenchymal stromal cells continues to appear safe: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Characterization of the mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) safety profile is important as this novel therapy continues to be evaluated in clinical trials for various inflammatory conditions. Due to an increase in published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 2012-2019, we performed an updated systematic review to further characterize the MSC safety profile.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science (to May 2018) were searched. RCTs that compared intravascular delivery of MSCs to controls in adult populations were included. Pre-specified adverse events were grouped according to: (1) immediate, (2) infection, (3) thrombotic/embolic, and (4) longer-term events (mortality, malignancy). Adverse events were pooled and meta-analyzed by fitting inverse-variance binary random effects models. Primary and secondary clinical efficacy endpoints were summarized descriptively.

FINDINGS

7473 citations were reviewed and 55 studies met inclusion criteria (n = 2696 patients). MSCs as compared to controls were associated with an increased risk of fever (Relative Risk (RR) = 2·48, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1·27-4·86; I2 = 0%), but not non-fever acute infusional toxicity, infection, thrombotic/embolic events, death, or malignancy (RR = 1·16, 0·99, 1·14, 0·78, 0·93; 95% CI = 0·70-1·91, 0·81-1·21, 0·67-1·95, 0·65-0·94, 0·60-1·45; I2 = 0%, 0%, 0%, 0%, 0%). No included trials were ended prematurely due to safety concerns.

INTERPRETATIONS

MSC therapy continues to exhibit a favourable safety profile. Future trials should continue to strengthen study rigor, reporting of MSC characterization, and adverse events.

FUNDING

Stem Cell Network, Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Ontario Research Fund.

Innate immunity activation in the early brain injury period following subarachnoid hemorrhage

Background

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a catastrophic disease with devastating consequences, including a high mortality rate and severe disabilities among survivors. Inflammation is induced following SAH, but the exact role and phenotype of innate immune cells remain poorly characterized. We investigated the inflammatory components of the early brain injury in an animal model and in SAH patients.

Method

SAH was induced through injection of blood in the subarachnoid space of C57Bl/6 J wild-type mice. Prospective blood collections were obtained at 12 h, days 1, 2, and 7 to evaluate the systemic inflammatory consequences of SAH by flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent-assay (ELISA). Brains were collected, enzymatically digested, or fixed to characterize infiltrating inflammatory cells and neuronal death using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. Phenotypic evaluation was performed at day 7 using the holding time and footprint tests. We then compared the identified inflammatory proteins to the profiles obtained from the plasma of 13 human SAH patients.

Results

Following SAH, systemic IL-6 levels increased rapidly, whereas IL-10 levels were reduced. Neutrophils were increased both in the brain and in the blood reflecting local and peripheral inflammation following SAH. More intracerebral pro-inflammatory monocytes were found at early time points. Astrocyte and microglia activation were also increased, and mice had severe motor deficits, which were associated with an increase in the percentage of caspase-3-positive apoptotic neurons. Similarly, we found that IL-6 levels in patients were rapidly increased following SAH. ICAM-1, bFGF, IL-7, IL-12p40, and MCP-4 variations over time were different between SAH patients with good versus bad outcomes. Moreover, high levels of Flt-1 and VEGF at admission were associated with worse outcomes.

Conclusion

SAH induces an early intracerebral infiltration and peripheral activation of innate immune cells. Furthermore, microglia and astrocytic activation are present at later time points. Our human and mouse data illustrate that SAH is a systemic inflammatory disease and that immune cells represent potential therapeutic targets to help this population of patients in need of new treatments.

Preadmission Antiplatelet Use and Associated Outcomes and Costs Among ICU Patients With Intracranial Hemorrhage

INTRODUCTION

Patients with intracranial hemorrhage (including intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and traumatic hemorrhage) are commonly admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Although indications for oral antiplatelet agents are increasing, the impact of preadmission use on outcomes in patients with intracranial hemorrhage admitted to the ICU is unknown. We sought to evaluate the association between preadmission oral antiplatelet use, in-hospital mortality, resource utilization, and costs among ICU patients with intracranial hemorrhage.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed a prospectively collected registry (2011-2016) and included consecutive adult patients from 2 hospitals admitted to ICU with intracranial hemorrhage. Patients were categorized on the basis of preadmission oral antiplatelet use. We excluded patients with preadmission anticoagulant use. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality and was analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Contributors to total hospital cost were analyzed using a generalized linear model with log link and gamma distribution.

RESULTS

Of 720 included patients with intracranial hemorrhage, 107 (14.9%) had been using an oral antiplatelet agent at the time of ICU admission. Oral antiplatelet use was not associated with in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio: 1.31 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93-2.22]). Evaluation of total costs also revealed no association with oral antiplatelet use (adjusted ratio of means [aROM]: 0.92 [95% CI: 0.82-1.02, P = .10]). Total cost among patients with intracranial hemorrhage was driven by illness severity (aROM: 1.96 [95% CI: 1.94-1.98], P < .001), increasing ICU length of stay (aROM: 1.05 [95% CI: 1.05-1.06], P < .001), and use of invasive mechanical ventilation (aROM: 1.76 [95% CI: 1.68-1.86], P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Among ICU patients admitted with intracranial hemorrhage, preadmission oral antiplatelet use was not associated with increased in-hospital mortality or hospital costs. These findings have important prognostic implications for clinicians who care for patients with intracranial hemorrhage.

The Effect of Transplant Volume and Patient Case Mix on Center Variation in Kidney Transplantation Outcomes

Background

Kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease; however, long-term outcomes remain suboptimal.

Objective

The objectives of our study were to examine the variation in survival rates and determine whether center volume and case mix are associated with transplant outcomes and explain the variation across kidney transplant centers in Ontario, Canada.

Design

This was a population-based cohort study using health care administrative databases.

Setting

A total of 5 transplant centers across Ontario, Canada.

Patients

We included adults (≥18 years) undergoing primary, solitary kidney transplantation between January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2013.

Measurements

The co-primary outcomes were death-censored graft loss and total mortality.

Methods

Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess potential associations and describe variation, using hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each center relative to the average across all centers.

Results

The study cohort included 5037 patients followed for a median of 5.3 years, interquartile range (2.7-8.6). In multivariable models, recipient age, body mass index, Charlson Index, time on dialysis, donor type, and age were found to be significantly associated with death-censored graft loss, and recipient age and sex, Charlson Index, time on dialysis, donor age, and time era of transplant were associated with total mortality. There was statistically significant variation across centers observed for death-censored graft loss (P = .04) with HRs ranging from 0.72 to 1.22. However, neither adjusting for case mix nor center volume meaningfully changed the HRs reflecting each center-specific effect. There was a tendency toward reduced risk of graft loss (HR, per additional 25 patients, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.78-1.04]) in centers with higher volumes. For total mortality, there was statistically significant variation across centers with HRs ranging from 0.82 to 1.13 (P = .04); however, neither adjusting for case mix or center volume meaningfully changed the HRs. Center volume was not significantly associated with total mortality (HR, per additional 25 patients, 1.04 [95% CI, 0.90-1.20]).

Limitations

This study was limited by the small number of centers included.

Conclusions

Outcomes differ across the 5 transplant centers in Ontario. We did not find any strong support for our hypotheses that case mix or center volume is responsible for these differences.

Optimizing the Early Resuscitation After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Resuscitation after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest can be one of the most challenging scenarios in acute-care medicine. The devastating effects of postcardiac arrest syndrome carry a substantial morbidity and mortality that persist long after return of spontaneous circulation. Management of these patients requires the clinician to simultaneously address multiple emergent priorities including the resuscitation of the patient and the efficient diagnosis and management of the underlying etiology. This review provides a concise evidence-based overview of the core concepts involved in the early postcardiac arrest resuscitation. It will highlight the components of an effective management strategy including addressing hemodynamic, oxygenation, and ventilation goals as well as carefully considering cardiac catheterization and targeted temperature management. An organized approach is paramount to providing effective care to patients in this vulnerable time period.

Choice of crystalloid fluid in the treatment of hyperglycemic emergencies: a systematic review protocol

BACKGROUND

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) are life-threatening complications of diabetes mellitus which require prompt treatment with large volume crystalloid fluid administration. A variety of crystalloid fluids is currently available for use and differs in their composition and ion concentrations. While there are potential pros and cons for different crystalloid fluids, it remains unknown if any particular fluid confers a clinical outcome benefit over others in the treatment of hyperglycemic emergencies.

METHODS

A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews will be conducted to identify eligible studies, which will include observational and interventional studies involving adult and pediatric patients admitted to the hospital with either DKA or HHS. The interventions will include intravenous treatment with 0.9% saline versus other buffered (Ringer's lactate, Hartmann's, etc.), and non-buffered (0.45% saline) crystalloid fluids. The primary outcome is mortality at the latest follow-up time point. Secondary outcomes will include mortality at specific time points, length of hospital stay, development of acute kidney injury, requirement for renal replacement therapy, altered level of consciousness, and the time to normalization of several serum biochemical parameters. Where appropriate, meta-analyses will be performed for the outcomes and conducted separately for adult and pediatric patient populations.

DISCUSSION

DKA and HHS are dangerous complications of diabetes mellitus and account for significant morbidity and mortality. Given the importance of crystalloid fluid administration in the management of these conditions, a systematic synthesis of the existing evidence base will identify potential evidence gaps and may help guide future clinical practice.

Diagnosis of elevated intracranial pressure in critically ill adults: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To summarise and compare the accuracy of physical examination, computed tomography (CT), sonography of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), and transcranial Doppler pulsatility index (TCD-PI) for the diagnosis of elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) in critically ill patients.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

Six databases, including Medline, EMBASE, and PubMed, from inception to 1 September 2018.

STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA

English language studies investigating accuracy of physical examination, imaging, or non-invasive tests among critically ill patients. The reference standard was ICP of 20 mm Hg or more using invasive ICP monitoring, or intraoperative diagnosis of raised ICP.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed study quality using the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies tool. Summary estimates were generated using a hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) model.

RESULTS

40 studies (n=5123) were included. Of physical examination signs, pooled sensitivity and specificity for increased ICP were 28.2% (95% confidence interval 16.0% to 44.8%) and 85.9% (74.9% to 92.5%) for pupillary dilation, respectively; 54.3% (36.6% to 71.0%) and 63.6% (46.5% to 77.8%) for posturing; and 75.8% (62.4% to 85.5%) and 39.9% (26.9% to 54.5%) for Glasgow coma scale of 8 or less. Among CT findings, sensitivity and specificity were 85.9% (58.0% to 96.4%) and 61.0% (29.1% to 85.6%) for compression of basal cisterns, respectively; 80.9% (64.3% to 90.9%) and 42.7% (24.0% to 63.7%) for any midline shift; and 20.7% (13.0% to 31.3%) and 89.2% (77.5% to 95.2%) for midline shift of at least 10 mm. The pooled area under the ROC (AUROC) curve for ONSD sonography was 0.94 (0.91 to 0.96). Patient level data from studies using TCD-PI showed poor performance for detecting raised ICP (AUROC for individual studies ranging from 0.55 to 0.72).

CONCLUSIONS

Absence of any one physical examination feature is not sufficient to rule out elevated ICP. Substantial midline shift could suggest elevated ICP, but the absence of shift cannot rule it out. ONSD sonography might have use, but further studies are needed. Suspicion of elevated ICP could necessitate treatment and transfer, regardless of individual non-invasive tests.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42018105642.

Assessing the relationship between near-infrared spectroscopy-derived regional cerebral oxygenation and neurological dysfunction in critically ill adults: a prospective observational multicentre protocol, on behalf of the Canadian Critical Care Trials Group

INTRODUCTION

Survivors of critical illness frequently exhibit acute and chronic neurological complications. The underlying aetiology of this dysfunction remains unknown but may be associated with cerebral ischaemia. This study will use near-infrared spectroscopy to non-invasively quantify regional cerebral oxygenation (rSO₂) to assess the association between poor rSO₂ during the first 72 hours of critical illness with delirium severity, as well as long-term sensorimotor and cognitive impairment among intensive care unit (ICU) survivors. Further, the physiological determinants of rSO₂ will be examined.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This multicentre prospective observational study will consider adult patients (≥18 years old) eligible for enrolment if within 24 hours of ICU admission, they require mechanical ventilation and/or vasopressor support. For 72 hours, rSO₂ will be continuously recorded, while vital signs (eg, heart rate) and peripheral oxygenation saturation will be concurrently captured with data monitoring software. Arterial and central venous gases will be sampled every 12 hours for the 72 hours recording period and will include: pH, PaO2, PaCO2, and haemoglobin concentration. Participants will be screened daily for delirium with the confusion assessment method (CAM)-ICU, whereas the brief-CAM will be used on the ward. At 3 and 12 months post-ICU discharge, neurological function will be assessed with the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status and KINARM sensorimotor and cognitive robot-based behavioural tasks.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study protocol has been approved in Ontario by a central research ethics board (Clinical Trials Ontario); non-Ontario sites will obtain local ethics approval. The study will be conducted under the guidance of the Canadian Critical Care Trials Group (CCCTG) and the results of this study will be presented at national meetings of the CCCTG for internal peer review. Results will also be presented at national/international scientific conferences. On completion, the study findings will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03141619.

Do patient-reported outcome measures for SAH include patient, family, and caregiver priorities? A scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To systematically describe literature that identified patient/family/caregiver priorities for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)-specific patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), developed novel SAH PROMs by incorporating patient/family/caregiver perspectives, or involved patient/family/caregiver perspectives in evaluating existing SAH PROMs.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review using Embase and Ovid MEDLINE from inception to February 6, 2018. Study eligibility and data extraction was performed independently and in duplicate. For each eligible citation, we abstracted information about study population, design, type of patient involvement, and outcome measures. We planned a descriptive summary of all included studies.

RESULTS

Our search yielded 4,961 citations, of which 15 met our eligibility criteria. Four of these included duplicate data, so our final sample consisted of 12 articles. There were 879 patients with SAH and 241 carers from the 11/12 articles that reported these data. One additional study involved 70 individuals but did not specify the number of carers or patients. We did not find any studies where SAH survivors or their families were directly involved in the full continuum of PROM outcome conceptualization from development to evaluation. We found 41 measures identified by patients with SAH. We identified only 2 PROMs developed with patients and only one that was a post hoc evaluation by patients. These 3 PROMs are subarachnoid hemorrhage outcome tool, Wessex Patient Carer Questionnaire, and Functional Status Examination, respectively.

CONCLUSION

We identified 3 PROMs that have involved patients in some way, but the extent to which they reflect patient priorities remains unclear. More work is needed to ensure SAH research is not overlooking outcomes that are important to patients.

Pulmonary Function Testing in Elderly Patients Treated for a Myasthenia Gravis Exacerbation

Background and Purpose

Pulmonary function testing is a standard part of care for patients admitted to hospital with a myasthenia gravis exacerbation. It may inform clinicians' decisions to intubate patients. It is known that pulmonary function declines with age in healthy adults. We studied the effect of age on pulmonary function and serious respiratory events, including intubation, in patients admitted to hospital for a myasthenia gravis exacerbation.

Methods

Single center, retrospective cohort of consecutive patients treated for a myasthenia gravis exacerbation. Demographics, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and respiratory events requiring intubation or emergency respiratory therapy were recorded for each encounter. Relationship of PFTs to age was analyzed using age as a continuous and as a dichotomous (cut-value 70 years) variable.

Results

Forty-nine encounters from 39 patients were included. Slow vital capacity (SVC) was negatively correlated with age (R 0.46, P value .002). Maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and SVC were significantly reduced in elderly versus nonelderly patients (MIP-20.0 vs -30.0 cm H₂O, P value .004; SVC 16.5 vs 23.4 mL/kg, P value .013). The incidence of respiratory events did not significantly differ between elderly and nonelderly patients (χ² P value .08).

Conclusions

In patients treated for a myasthenia gravis exacerbation, pulmonary function values are significantly reduced in elderly patients compared to nonelderly patients. Despite very low SVC and MIP values most elderly patients do not require intubation however they do require intensive monitoring for serious respiratory complications.

The Ottawa SAH search algorithms: protocol for a multi- centre validation study of primary subarachnoid hemorrhage prediction models using health administrative data (the SAHepi prediction study protocol)

Background

Conducting prospective epidemiological studies of hospitalized patients with rare diseases like primary subarachnoid hemorrhage (pSAH) are difficult due to time and budgetary constraints. Routinely collected administrative data could remove these barriers. We derived and validated 3 algorithms to identify hospitalized patients with a high probability of pSAH using administrative data. We aim to externally validate their performance in four hospitals across Canada.

Methods

Eligible patients include those ≥18 years of age admitted to these centres from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013. We will include patients whose discharge abstracts contain predictive variables identified in the models (ICD-10-CA diagnostic codes I60** (subarachnoid hemorrhage), I61** (intracranial hemorrhage), 162** (other nontrauma intracranial hemorrhage), I67** (other cerebrovascular disease), S06** (intracranial injury), G97 (other postprocedural nervous system disorder) and CCI procedural codes 1JW51 (occlusion of intracranial vessels), 1JE51 (carotid artery inclusion), 3JW10 (intracranial vessel imaging), 3FY20 (CT scan (soft tissue of neck)), and 3OT20 (CT scan (abdominal cavity)). The algorithms will be applied to each patient and the diagnosis confirmed via chart review. We will assess each model’s sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive value across the sites.

Discussion

Validating the Ottawa SAH Prediction Algorithms will provide a way to accurately identify large SAH cohorts, thereby furthering research and altering care.

FLUID trial: a protocol for a hospital-wide open-label cluster crossover pragmatic comparative effectiveness randomised pilot trial

INTRODUCTION

0.9% saline and Ringer's lactate are the two most common resuscitation crystalloid fluids. 0.9% saline may lead to hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis and may be associated with impaired kidney function and death. Few large multicentre randomised trials have been conducted to evaluate the effect of these two fluids on clinically important outcomes.

METHODS

FLUID is a pragmatic pilot cluster randomised crossover trial in which four hospitals will be randomised to normal saline or Ringer's lactate for 14 weeks, then crossover to the alternative fluid for the subsequent 14 weeks after 1 to 3 week transition. With waiver of informed consent, all adult and paediatric patients admitted to participating sites will be included in the FLUID trial except for neonates. Primary feasibility outcome is study fluid protocol adherence (target:≥80%). Secondary feasibility outcomes include time to research ethics board (REB) approval and readiness to trial initiation (≤3 months from REB submission and approval). Primary (composite of death or re-admission to hospital in first 90 days of index hospitalisation) and secondary clinical outcomes for the future large FLUID trial will be described. Protocol adherence will be collected by site at specified time points. All clinical data will be obtained at patient level through provincial health administrative data held at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES). Event rates for the primary and secondary outcomes will be described using frequencies and proportions with 95% CIs. Intracluster and interperiod correlation coefficients will be calculated from population-level data available at ICES.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study protocol has been approved by the Ottawa Health Science Research Ethics Board. The FLUID pilot will determine feasibility, and ICES data across all potential sites in Ontario will allow calculation of sample size parameter estimates to inform the design and implementation of the large trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02721485; Pre-results.

Comparison of crystalloid resuscitation fluids for treatment of acute brain injury: a clinical and pre-clinical systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines identify the choice of fluid resuscitation as important in minimizing the incidence of secondary brain injury from cerebral edema. It is widely accepted that isotonic crystalloid resuscitation fluids, specifically normal saline (NS), are optimal for resuscitation and that other relatively hypotonic fluids, such as Ringer's lactate (RL), should be avoided in this patient population. The aim of this review is to systematically compare the use of relatively hypotonic versus isotonic crystalloid resuscitation fluids in clinical and pre-clinical models of acute brain injury and their effect on outcomes. In recognition of the potential need for a network meta-analysis (NMA), we have also included all other relevant crystalloid resuscitation fluids as interventions of relevance to potentially inform indirect comparisons.

METHODS

Systematic searches of MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science BIOSIS Previews® will be used to identify eligible clinical and pre-clinical studies, which included studies examining acute brain injury (human and in vivo animal brain injury models) within the first 7 days of therapy. The intervention of interest is the intravenous use of relatively hypotonic crystalloid resuscitation fluids (e.g., Ringer's lactate, Hartmann's or Plasma Lyte® fluids). The main comparator of interest is an isotonic crystalloid resuscitation fluid, specifically normal saline (0.9%). Other crystalloid resuscitation fluids (e.g., hypertonic saline (3-23.4%)) will also be included as an additional intervention of interest. The primary outcome measures of interest are intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP). Secondary outcomes include the effect of resuscitation on cerebral edema, brain and serum osmolarity, and electrolyte concentrations and clinical outcomes including modified Rankin Scale (mRS), (extended) Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS/eGOS), and mortality. Separate meta-analyses will be conducted to quantify the effects of the different fluid resuscitation on acute brain injury outcomes in clinical and pre-clinical populations. Network meta-analyses to compare interventions will also be performed to compare the effects of different interventions.

DISCUSSION

This systematic review will comprehensively summarize the difference in treatment efficacy of various crystalloid resuscitation fluids in acute brain injury. This review is essential to underscore the evidence, or lack thereof, present in the literature to date to support current preference-driven practice and to direct future study.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO #CRD42016042960.

Anemia prevalence and incidence and red blood cell transfusion practices in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: results of a multicenter cohort study

Background

Whether a restrictive strategy for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is applied to patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is unclear. To inform the design and conduct of a future clinical trial, we sought to describe transfusion practices, hemoglobin (Hb) triggers, and predictors of RBC transfusion in patients with aSAH.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of all consecutively admitted adult patients with aSAH at four tertiary care centers from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2013. Patients were identified from hospital administrative discharge records and existing local aSAH databases. Data collection by trained abstractors included demographic data, aSAH characteristics, Hb and transfusion data, other major aSAH cointerventions, and outcomes using a pretested case report form with standardized procedures. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data, and regression models were used to identify associations between anemia, transfusion, and other relevant predictors and outcome.

Results

A total of 527 patients met inclusion eligibility. Mean (±SD) age was 57 ± 13 years, and 357 patients (67.7%) were female. The median modified Fisher grade was 4 (IQR 3–4). Mean nadir Hb was 98 ± 20 g/L and occurred on median admission day 4 (IQR 2–11). RBC transfusion occurred in 100 patients (19.0%). Transfusion rates varied across centers (12.1–27.4%, p = 0.02). Patients received a median of 1 RBC unit (IQR 1–2) per transfusion episode and a median total of 2 units (IQR 1–4). Median pretransfusion Hb for first transfusion was 79 g/L (IQR 74–93) and did not vary substantially across centers (78–82 g/L, p = 0.37). Of patients with nadir Hb < 80 g/L, 66.3% received a transfusion compared with 2.0% with Hb nadir ≥ 100 g/L (p < 0.0001). Predictors of transfusion were history of oral anticoagulant use, anterior circulation aneurysm, neurosurgical clipping, and lower Hb. Controlling for numerous potential confounders, transfusion was not independently associated with poor outcome.

Conclusions

We observed that moderate anemia remains very common early in admission following SAH. Only one-fifth of patients with SAH received RBC transfusions, mostly in cases of significant anemia (Hb < 80 g/L), and this did not appear to be associated with outcome.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13054-018-2089-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Clinical prediction of delayed cerebral ischemia in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to derive a clinically applicable decision rule using clinical, radiological, and laboratory data to predict the development of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients.METHODSPatients presenting over a consecutive 9-year period with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and at least 1 angiographically evident aneurysm were included. Variables significantly associated with DCI in univariate analysis underwent multivariable logistic regression. Using the beta coefficients, points were assigned to each predictor to establish a scoring system with estimated risks. DCI was defined as neurological deterioration attributable to arterial narrowing detected by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, CT angiography, MR angiography, or catheter angiography, after exclusion of competing diagnoses.RESULTSOf 463 patients, 58% experienced angiographic vasospasm with an overall DCI incidence of 21%. Age, modified Fisher grade, and ruptured aneurysm location were significantly associated with DCI. This combination of predictors had a greater area under the receiver operating characteristic curve than the modified Fisher grade alone (0.73 [95% CI 0.67-0.78] vs 0.66 [95% CI 0.60-0.71]). Patients 70 years or older with modified Fisher grade 0 or 1 SAH and a posterior circulation aneurysm had the lowest risk of DCI at 1.2% (0 points). The highest estimated risk was 38% (17 points) in patients 40-59 years old with modified Fisher grade 4 SAH following rupture of an anterior circulation aneurysm.CONCLUSIONSAmong patients presenting with aSAH, this score-based clinical prediction tool exhibits increased accuracy over the modified Fisher grade alone and may serve as a useful tool to individualize DCI risk.

The use of standardized management protocols for critically ill patients with non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage: a protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Caring for patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) presents unique challenges, due in part to the severity of the underlying insult, competing systemic injuries, and unpredictable clinical course. Even when management occurs in dedicated critical care settings, treatment uncertainty often persists, and morbidity and mortality from the condition remain high. Complex decisions in SAH care may be simplified with the use of standardized management protocols (SMPs). SMPs incorporate evidence-based guidelines into a practical framework for decision-making, thereby providing clinicians with an algorithm for organizing treatments. But despite these potential advantages, it is currently unknown whether SMPs may improve outcomes in the critical care of patients with SAH.

METHODS

We will conduct a systematic review of cohort studies and randomized control trials of adult patients with non-traumatic SAH who received care according to a standardized management protocol. Comprehensive search strategies will be developed for MEDLINE, EMBASE, WoS, CINAHL, and CENTRAL, to identify studies for review. The gray literature will be scanned for further eligible studies. Two reviewers will independently screen the material generated by the search to identify studies for inclusion. A standardized data extraction form will be used to collect information on study design, baseline characteristics, details of the management protocol employed, and primary and secondary outcomes. Where possible, meta-analyses with random-effects models will be used to calculate pooled estimates of effect sizes. Statistical heterogeneity will be evaluated with the I2 statistics, and risk of bias and reporting quality will be assessed independently and in duplicate with standardized scales.

DISCUSSION

We anticipate a significant degree of clinical heterogeneity in our review, as protocols will likely vary in their content, implementation, and ICU setting. We will aim to summarize the current literature in this domain to understand if SMPs, as a low-cost process-targeted intervention, improve outcomes for critically ill patients with SAH. Our review will additionally inform future research endeavors to improve the processes of care for this patient population.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

CRD42017069173.

Angiotensin II for the Treatment of Vasodilatory Shock

BACKGROUND

Vasodilatory shock that does not respond to high-dose vasopressors is associated with high mortality. We investigated the effectiveness of angiotensin II for the treatment of patients with this condition.

METHODS

We randomly assigned patients with vasodilatory shock who were receiving more than 0.2 μg of norepinephrine per kilogram of body weight per minute or the equivalent dose of another vasopressor to receive infusions of either angiotensin II or placebo. The primary end point was a response with respect to mean arterial pressure at hour 3 after the start of infusion, with response defined as an increase from baseline of at least 10 mm Hg or an increase to at least 75 mm Hg, without an increase in the dose of background vasopressors.

RESULTS

A total of 344 patients were assigned to one of the two regimens; 321 received a study intervention (163 received angiotensin II, and 158 received placebo) and were included in the analysis. The primary end point was reached by more patients in the angiotensin II group (114 of 163 patients, 69.9%) than in the placebo group (37 of 158 patients, 23.4%) (odds ratio, 7.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.76 to 13.3; P<0.001). At 48 hours, the mean improvement in the cardiovascular Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (scores range from 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating more severe dysfunction) was greater in the angiotensin II group than in the placebo group (-1.75 vs. -1.28, P=0.01). Serious adverse events were reported in 60.7% of the patients in the angiotensin II group and in 67.1% in the placebo group. Death by day 28 occurred in 75 of 163 patients (46%) in the angiotensin II group and in 85 of 158 patients (54%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.57 to 1.07; P=0.12).

CONCLUSIONS

Angiotensin II effectively increased blood pressure in patients with vasodilatory shock that did not respond to high doses of conventional vasopressors. (Funded by La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company; ATHOS-3 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02338843 .).

Aneurysmal SubArachnoid Hemorrhage-Red Blood Cell Transfusion And Outcome (SAHaRA): a pilot randomised controlled trial protocol

INTRODUCTION

Anaemia is common in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) and is a potential critical modifiable factor affecting secondary injury. Despite physiological evidence and management guidelines that support maintaining a higher haemoglobin level in patients with aSAH, current practice is one of a more restrictive approach to transfusion. The goal of this multicentre pilot trial is to determine the feasibility of successfully conducting a red blood cell (RBC) transfusion trial in adult patients with acute aSAH and anaemia (Hb ≤100 g/L), comparing a liberal transfusion strategy (Hb ≤100 g/L) with a restrictive strategy (Hb ≤80 g/L) on the combined rate of death and severe disability at 12 months.

METHODS

Design This is a multicentre open-label randomised controlled pilot trial at 5 academic tertiary care centres. Population We are targeting adult aSAH patients within 14 days of their initial bleed and with anaemia (Hb ≤110 g/L). Randomisation Central computer-generated randomisation, stratified by centre, will be undertaken from the host centre. Randomisation into 1 of the 2 treatment arms will occur when the haemoglobin levels of eligible patients fall to ≤100 g/L. Intervention Patients will be randomly assigned to either a liberal (threshold: Hb ≤100 g/L) or a restrictive transfusion strategy (threshold: Hb ≤80 g/L). Outcome Primary: Centre randomisation rate over the study period. Secondary: (1) transfusion threshold adherence; (2) study RBC transfusion protocol adherence; and (3) outcome assessment including vital status at hospital discharge, modified Rankin Score at 6 and 12 months and Functional Independence Measure and EuroQOL Quality of Life Scale scores at 12 months. Outcome measures will be reported in aggregate.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study protocol has been approved by the host centre (OHSN-REB 20150433-01H). This study will determine the feasibility of conducting the large pragmatic RCT comparing 2 RBC transfusion strategies examining the effect of a liberal strategy on 12-month outcome following aSAH.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02483351; Pre-results.

Re-evaluating the Inhibition of Stress Erosions (REVISE): a protocol for pilot randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Clinicians routinely administer stress ulcer prophylaxis to mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), most commonly prescribing proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). However, the incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding from stress ulceration is low and recent observational studies suggest these agents may increase infections. Therefore, a large randomized clinical trial (RCT) is needed to inform modern practice. The aim of this multicenter pilot trial is to determine the feasibility of performing a large RCT to investigate the efficacy and safety of withholding intravenous pantoprazole.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will include adult critically ill patients who have an anticipated duration of ventilation of >=48 hours. We will exclude patients with acute or recent GI bleeding, pregnancy, dual antiplatelet therapy, poor prognosis or intent to withdraw life support, or previous enrolment in this or a confounding trial. Following informed consent, patients will be randomized to receive the intervention of placebo (0.9% NaCl) or intravenous pantoprazole 40 mg daily. Patients, families, clinicians, data collectors, adjudicators of outcome and statisticians will be blind to allocation. The three primary feasibility outcomes are the informed consent rate, recruitment rate, and protocol adherence. Clinical outcomes include clinically important upper GI bleeding, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), Clostridium difficile infection, length of stay and mortality in ICU and hospital.

ETHICS AND APPROVAL

This study has been approved by Health Canada, and research ethics board (REB) at each of the participating centers.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

This trial was registered on 31 October 2014. The trial registration number is NCT02290327.

FUNDING

REVISE Pilot Trial is funded by Research Grant awarded by Physicians Services Incorporated, Dammam University Research Funds, Capital Health Authority Research Award Halifax, and Royal Adelaide Hospital Project Committee Grant.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage admissions retrospectively identified using a prediction model

OBJECTIVE

To create an accurate prediction model using variables collected in widely available health administrative data records to identify hospitalizations for primary subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

METHODS

A previously established complete cohort of consecutive primary SAH patients was combined with a random sample of control hospitalizations. Chi-square recursive partitioning was used to derive and internally validate a model to predict the probability that a patient had primary SAH (due to aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation) using health administrative data.

RESULTS

A total of 10,322 hospitalizations with 631 having primary SAH (6.1%) were included in the study (5,122 derivation, 5,200 validation). In the validation patients, our recursive partitioning algorithm had a sensitivity of 96.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 93.9-98.0), a specificity of 99.8% (95% CI 99.6-99.9), and a positive likelihood ratio of 483 (95% CI 254-879). In this population, patients meeting criteria for the algorithm had a probability of 45% of truly having primary SAH.

CONCLUSIONS

Routinely collected health administrative data can be used to accurately identify hospitalized patients with a high probability of having a primary SAH. This algorithm may allow, upon validation, an easy and accurate method to create validated cohorts of primary SAH from either ruptured aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation.

Association of Blood Donor Age and Sex With Recipient Survival After Red Blood Cell Transfusion

IMPORTANCE

While red blood cells (RBCs) are administered to improve oxygen delivery and patient outcomes, they also have been associated with potential harm. Unlike solid organ transplantation, the clinical consequences of donor characteristics on recipients have not been evaluated in transfusion medicine.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the association of RBC donor age and sex with the survival of transfusion recipients.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

We established a longitudinal cohort by linking data from a blood collection agency with clinical and administrative data at 4 academic hospitals.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Cox proportional hazards regression models were fitted to evaluate the risk of donor age and sex on transfusion recipient survival.

RESULTS

Between October 25, 2006, and December 31, 2013, a total of 30 503 RBC transfusion recipients received 187 960 RBC transfusions from 80 755 unique blood donors. For recipients receiving an RBC unit from younger donors, the risk of death was increased compared with recipients receiving an RBC unit from a donor 40 to 49.9 years old (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.06-1.10; P < .001 for donor age range 17-19.9 years and 1.06; 95% CI, 1.04-1.09; P < .001 for donor age range 20-29.9 years). Receiving an RBC transfusion from a female donor was associated with an 8% statistically significant increased risk of death compared with receiving an RBC transfusion from a male donor (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.06-1.09; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Red blood cell transfusions from younger donors and from female donors were statistically significantly associated with increased mortality. These findings suggest that donor characteristics may affect RBC transfusion outcomes.