University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureş

The Importance of Referencing

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><bold>Introduction:</bold> Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is the fourth leading cause of death in the US. Numerous studies have demonstrated the use of comprehensive stroke units and neurological intensive care units (NICU) in improving outcomes after stroke. We hypothesized that an expanded neurocritical care (NCC) service would decrease resource utilization in patients with LHI.<bold>Methods:</bold> Retrospective data from consecutive admissions of large hemispheric infarction (LHI) patients requiring mechanical ventilation were acquired from the hospital medical records. Between 2011-2013, there were 187 consecutive patients admitted to the Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience (Philadelphia, USA) with AIS and acute respiratory failure. Our intention was to determine the number of tracheostomies done over time. The primary outcome measure was the number of tracheostomies over time. Secondary outcomes were, ventilator-free days (Vfd), total hospital charges, intensive care unit length of stay (ICU-LOS), and total hospital length of stay (hospital-LOS), including ICU LOS. Hospital charges were log-transformed to meet assumptions of normality and homoscedasticity of residual variance terms. Generalized Linear Models were used and ORs and 95% CIs calculated. The significance level was set at α = 0.05.<bold>Results</bold>: Of the 73 patients included in this analysis, 33% required a tracheostomy. There was a decrease in the number of tracheostomies undertaken since 2011. (OR 0.8; 95% CI 0.6-0.9: p=0.02).Lower Vfd were seen in tracheostomized patients (OR 0.11; 95%CI 0.1-0.26: p&lt;0.0001). The log-hospital charges decreased over time but not significantly (OR 0.9; 95%CI 0.78-1.07: p=0.2) and (OR 0.99; 95%CI 0.85-1.16: p=0.8) from 2012 to 2013 respectively.The ICU-LOS at 23 days vs 10 days (p=0.01) and hospital-LOS at 33 days vs 11 days (p=0.008) were higher in tracheostomized patients.<bold>Conclusion</bold>: The data suggest that in LHI-patients requiring mechanical ventilation, a dedicated NCC service reduces the overall need for tracheostomy, increases Vfd, and decreases ICU and hospital-LOS.</abstract>

Divisions of Critical Care and Neurotrauma

Neurological Critical Care Services’ Influence Following Large Hemispheric Infarction and Their Impact on Resource Utilization

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><bold>Introduction</bold>: Brain death is currently defined as the loss of full brain function including the brainstem. The diagnosis and its subsequent management in the pediatric population are still controversial. The aim of this study was to define the demographic characteristics, clinical features and outcomes of patients with brain death and determine the incidence of brain death, donation rates and occurrence of central diabetes insipidus accompanying brain death in children.<bold>Methods</bold>: This retrospective study was conducted at a twelve-bed tertiary-care combined medical and surgical pediatric intensive care unit of the Ondokuz Mayıs University Medical School, Samsun, Turkey. In 37 of 341 deaths (10.8%), a diagnosis of brain death was identified. The primary insult causing brain death was post-cardiorespiratory arrest in 8 (21.6%), head trauma in 8 (21.6%), and drowning in 4 (18.9%). In all patients, transcranial Doppler ultra-sound was utilised as an ancillary test and test was repeated until it was consistent with brain death.<bold>Results</bold>: In 33 (89%) patients, central diabetes insipidus was determined at or near the time brain death was confirmed. The four patients not diagnosed with CDI had acute renal failure, and renal replacement treatment was carried out. The consent rate for organ donation was 18.9%, and 16.7% of potential donors proceeded to actual donation.<bold>Conclusion</bold>: In the current study the consent rate for organ donation is relatively low compared to the rest of the world. The prevalence of central diabetes insipidus in this pedaitric brain death population is higher than reports in the literature, and acute renal failure accounted for the lack of central diabetes insipidus in four patients with brain death. Further studies are needed to explain normouria in brain-dead patients.</abstract>

Brain Death in Children: Incidence, Donation Rates, and the Occurrence of Central Diabetes Insipidus

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><bold>Background</bold>: Known also as Osler’s triad, Austrian syndrome is a complex pathology which consists of pneumonia, meningitis and endocarditis, all caused by the haematogenous dissemination of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The multivalvular lesions are responsible for a severe and potential lethal outcome.<bold>Case report</bold>: The case of a 51-year-old female patient, with a past medical history of splenectomy, is presented. She developed bronchopneumonia, acute meningitis and infective endocarditis as a result of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection and subsequently developed multiple organ dysfunction syndromes which led to a fatal outcome. Bacteriological tests did not reveal the etiological agent. The histopathological examination showed a severe multivalvular endocarditis, while a PCR based molecular analysis from formalin fixed valvular tissue identified Streptococcus pneumoniae as the etiologic agent.<bold>Conclusions</bold>: The presented case shows a rare syndrome with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Following the broad-spectrum treatment and intensive therapeutic support, the patient made unfavourable progress which raised differential diagnosis problems. In this case, the post-mortem diagnosis demonstrated multiple valvular lesions occurred as a result of endocarditis.</abstract>

University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tirgu Mures

National Institute of Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr Matei Bals”, Laboratory of Molecular Biology

Mures County Hospital, Infectious Diseases Clinic I

Medicine University of Washington Medical Center

Severe Austrian Syndrome in an Immunocompromised Adult Patient – A Case Report

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><bold>Introduction:</bold> Lesions of the carotid and vertebral arteries secondary to direct trauma, called blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVI) are relatively rare and are markedly different from spontaneous dissections. Ischaemic stroke is a significant complication, with high morbidity and mortality rates. The basis of a diagnosis relies on appropriate, high sensitivity imaging screening.<bold>Case report</bold>: We present the case of a 31 years old male patient with polytraumatism secondary to a motor vehicle accident, who was admitted to an orthopaedic clinic for multiple lower extremity fractures. His fractures were treated surgically. He developed in the 3rd day after the admission left sided hemiparesis secondary to ischaemic stroke. The diagnosis of traumatic carotid artery injury (TCAI) was based on duplex ultrasound and angio CT scans. The outcome was favourable despite the severe carotid lesions presenting with occlusion secondary to dissection.<bold>Conclusions</bold>: In the majority of BCVI cases there is a variable latent period between the time of injury and the development of stroke. The management of cases is challenging because in the majority of cases there are multiple associated injuries. Although antithrombotics are widely used in the treatment, there is no consensus regarding the type of agent, the optimal dose or treatment duration.</abstract>

University of Medicine and Pharmacy Târgu Mureş

Mureş County Clinical Emergency Hospital

Stroke Secondary to Traumatic Carotid Artery Injury – A Case Report

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><bold>Introduction:</bold> Venous thromboembolism is a rare condition in paediatrics that included both deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Serratia marcescens is a gram-negative bacterium that belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family and tends to affect immunocompromised hosts.<bold>Case report</bold>: We report the case of an 11-year-old boy, admitted in the Pediatric Clinic I from Emergency County Hospital Tîrgu Mureș, Romania with intense pain, swelling, cyanosis and claudication of the left foot. His personal history revealed a recent appendectomy. A close family was reported to have had a deep venous thrombosis. The laboratory tests, performed on the day of admission, revealed increased inflammatory biomarkers and D-dimer. Coagulation tests gave a low activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). Doppler venous ultrasound and CT-exam established a diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis. Anticoagulant therapy was initiated, but on the tenth day of admission, the patient developed signs and symptoms of sepsis, and the blood culture revealed Serratia marcescens. After antibiotic and anticoagulant therapy, the patient progressed favourably. The patient was a carrier of the heterozygous form of Factor V Leiden.<bold>Conclusions:</bold> The association between deep venous thrombosis and Serratia marcescens sepsis can compromise a condition in pediatric patients.</abstract>

Pediatric Clinic No 1, County Emergency Clinical Hospital

University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tirgu Mureş

<italic>Serratia marcescens</italic> Sepsis in a Child with Deep Venous Thrombosis – A Case Report

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><bold>Introduction</bold>: The Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a severe hypoxemic acute lung injury that may com­plicate lung resections. Reported mortality is very high, up to 50%. This report covers an ARDS case occurring post left pneumonectomy, with a favorable outcome, despite association with an acute colonic pseudo-obstruction syndrome (Ogilvie syndrome) that required abdominal surgery for decompression.<bold>Case report:</bold> A 60-year old Caucasian male, diagnosed with a stage IIIA left lung tumor underwent a left pneumonec­tomy. On the second postoperative day, the patient developed ARDS, requiring ventilatory support. Two days later, as the multiple organ dysfunction worsened, a bowel obstruction occurred. With an acute colonic pseudo-obstruction diagnosis, the decision was to perform laparotomy and a temporary cecostomy. A subsequent improvement in the respiratory parameters and vital functions resulted in weaning from ventilator 8 days after the onset of the ARDS and transfer to the surgery ward 14 days after pneumonectomy.</abstract>

Marius Nasta” Pneumophtisiology Institute

“Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Post-Pneumonectomy ARDS and Ogilvie Syndrome – A Case Report

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The Journal of Critical Care Medicine

Volume 4 (2018): Issue 1 (January 2018)

Editorial

The Importance of Referencing

Research Article

Neurological Critical Care Services’ Influence Following Large Hemispheric Infarction and Their Impact on Resource Utilization

Brain Death in Children: Incidence, Donation Rates, and the Occurrence of Central Diabetes Insipidus

Case Report

Severe Austrian Syndrome in an Immunocompromised Adult Patient – A Case Report

Stroke Secondary to Traumatic Carotid Artery Injury – A Case Report

Serratia marcescens Sepsis in a Child with Deep Venous Thrombosis – A Case Report

Post-Pneumonectomy ARDS and Ogilvie Syndrome – A Case Report

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