Peng Wan, Yan Geng, Lei Su, Jinghua Liu, Huasheng Tong, Zhifeng Liu, Wenda Chen, Baojun Yu, Na Peng
{"title":"Managing Coagulation Using the Sonoclot Analyzer in Patients With Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation.","authors":"Peng Wan, Yan Geng, Lei Su, Jinghua Liu, Huasheng Tong, Zhifeng Liu, Wenda Chen, Baojun Yu, Na Peng","doi":"10.4037/ajcc2025807","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2025807","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Evidence for the effectiveness of the Sonoclot analyzer in improving clinical outcomes in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is lacking.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the effectiveness of an algorithm based on the Sonoclot analyzer in improving the short-term prognosis of patients with DIC.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 279 patients with overt DIC who were admitted to the hospital within 18 months before and after implementation of the new Sonoclot-based algorithm were enrolled in the study. They were assigned to either a conventional coagulation assay (CCA) group (n = 148) or a Sonoclot group (n = 131). Data associated with anti-coagulation and transfusion were collected and analyzed. The 30-day survival rate after hospital admission was compared between groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Sonoclot group had a higher 30-day survival rate than the CCA group (78.45% vs 63.64%; P = .02). The heparin dose, anticoagulation course, and major bleeding rate were significantly reduced in the Sonoclot group compared with the CCA group for all patients and for patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (all P < .001). Fresh frozen plasma, platelet, and cryoprecipitate requirements were substantially lower in the Sonoclot group than in the CCA group (P = .007, .03, and .02, respectively). In a stratified analysis, improved survival rate was seen mainly in patients with moderately severe sepsis and heatstroke, with an Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score of 20 to 29.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The Sonoclot analyzer may be useful to guide coagulation management in patients with DIC. Use of the Sonoclot-based algorithm may improve outcomes for DIC patients with moderately severe sepsis or heatstroke.</p>","PeriodicalId":7607,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Critical Care","volume":"34 3","pages":"194-207"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143956440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Allison V Lange, David B Bekelman, Lyndsay DeGroot, Ivor S Douglas, Anuj B Mehta
{"title":"Use of Noninvasive vs Invasive Ventilation for Patients Hospitalized With Acute Exacerbation of COPD, 2010 to 2019.","authors":"Allison V Lange, David B Bekelman, Lyndsay DeGroot, Ivor S Douglas, Anuj B Mehta","doi":"10.4037/ajcc2025261","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2025261","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) contribute to morbidity and mortality. Noninvasive ventilation (NIV), a resource-intensive intervention, decreases mortality and the need for invasive mechanical ventilation.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To study NIV and mechanical ventilation use, NIV failure, and hospital NIV case volumes for inpatients with AECOPD from 2010 to 2019.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective cohort study used the Nationwide Readmissions Database (2010-2019) for adults (≥40 years old) hospitalized for AECOPD. Rates of NIV and mechanical ventilation use and NIV failure were compared per year. Multivariable hierarchical regression models were used. Hospital case volumes of NIV use (overall and for patients with AECOPD) were compared across years.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Patients with AECOPD accounted for 3.35% of admissions in 2010 and 3.20% in 2019. Risk-adjusted rate (95% CI) of mechanical ventilation use decreased from 6.0% (5.6%-6.4%) to 4.5% (4.2%-4.8%); NIV use increased from 6.2% (5.6%-6.9%) to 10.9% (9.9%-12.0%). Noninvasive ventilation failure rate (95% CI) decreased from 7.8% (6.9%-8.7%) to 5.6% (5.0%-6.2%). Mean (SD) hospital case volume for NIV increased overall from 207.3 (237.0) in 2010 to 360.4 (447.4) in 2019 (P < .001); for patients with AECOPD, from 39.5 (37.8) to 79.0 (78.7) (P < .001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>From 2010 to 2019, mechanical ventilation use and NIV failure decreased; NIV use and hospital NIV case volumes increased. These results indicate greater need for monitored beds, equipment, and trained staff.</p>","PeriodicalId":7607,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Critical Care","volume":"34 3","pages":"220-229"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143958478","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Discussion Guide for the Rathbun Article.","authors":"Grant A Pignatiello","doi":"10.4037/ajcc2025182","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2025182","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7607,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Critical Care","volume":"34 3","pages":"218-219"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143957483","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"2025 National Teaching Institute Research Abstracts.","authors":"","doi":"10.4037/ajcc2025335","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2025335","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7607,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Critical Care","volume":"34 3","pages":"e1-e5"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143955688","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jeanne M Erickson, Natalie S McAndrew, Anjishnu Banerjee, Jonathon D Truwit
{"title":"Characteristics of Young Adults Admitted to Intensive Care Units at an Academic Health System.","authors":"Jeanne M Erickson, Natalie S McAndrew, Anjishnu Banerjee, Jonathon D Truwit","doi":"10.4037/ajcc2025375","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2025375","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Young adults in intensive care units (ICUs) are a subgroup of patients who have not been adequately studied. Their health and developmental issues differ from those of children and older adults, but little is known about their specific critical care needs.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To describe the characteristics of a cohort of young adults (18 to 39 years of age) receiving care in specialty ICUs, examine differences in this population before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and explore associations among clinical and demographic variables and advance directives.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Analysis of a deidentified data set of 3401 young adults who were admitted to ICUs at one academic health system from 2018 through 2021.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age of the young adult group was 29.7 years (SD, 6.0 years). A disproportionately higher number were male and Black compared with the catchment area and older adult groups. Most of the young adults were single with commercial or government health insurance. One-third had diagnoses of injury, poisonings, and trauma; other common diagnoses were infections and endocrine, circulatory, and digestive disorders. The patients' mortality rate was 6.6%, and more than 70% were eventually discharged to home. One-third had an advance directive. Over the COVID-19 pandemic years, there was a trend toward more Black young adults in the ICU and increased severity of illness and mortality rate.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Most young adults survived their ICU admission and were eventually discharged to home, highlighting needs for research into posthospitalization support.</p>","PeriodicalId":7607,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Critical Care","volume":"34 3","pages":"174-182"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143957273","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Robert J Anderson, Philippe R Bauer, Arman Arghami, Rory M Haney, Emily M Reisdorf, Kiersten Baalson
{"title":"Virtual Reality Simulation to Improve Postoperative Cardiothoracic Surgical Patient Outcomes.","authors":"Robert J Anderson, Philippe R Bauer, Arman Arghami, Rory M Haney, Emily M Reisdorf, Kiersten Baalson","doi":"10.4037/ajcc2025704","DOIUrl":"10.4037/ajcc2025704","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Patients undergoing medical procedures benefit from preprocedural education.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate a multisensory virtual reality preoperative educational program for patients undergoing elective cardiovascular surgical procedures with postoperative recovery in the intensive care unit (ICU) and assess its impact on patients' outcomes and experience.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Patients scheduled for elective cardiovascular surgical procedures with expected recovery in the ICU were enrolled. A multidisciplinary team designed the virtual reality simulation. Educational objectives focused on patient safety, family presence, ICU machinery and activities, reorientation, and communication with the care team. Historical control patients (n = 94) underwent medical record review and were contacted to complete surveys. Virtual reality simulation patients (n = 44) underwent medical record review, viewed the simulation at a preoperative appointment, and completed surveys. The study included patients admitted from June 4, 2019, to May 12, 2022.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Durations of postoperative sedation and mechanical ventilation were lower in patients receiving virtual reality simulation. Most patients in the virtual reality simulation group (92%) said the simulation alleviated their anxiety and helped them understand what to expect in the ICU. The simulation improved their feeling of safety and decreased their fear of the unknown. Delirium incidence was not different in the 2 groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Preprocedural education via virtual reality simulation can improve the experience and outcomes of patients undergoing elective cardiothoracic surgery with recovery in the ICU.</p>","PeriodicalId":7607,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Critical Care","volume":"34 2","pages":"111-118"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143531122","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Francisco J Gallegos-Koyner, Nelson I Barrera, Adisalem M Teferi, Katerina Jou, Roberto C Cerrud-Rodriguez, David H Chong
{"title":"Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Outcomes: COVID-19 Pneumonia vs Non-COVID-19 Pneumonia.","authors":"Francisco J Gallegos-Koyner, Nelson I Barrera, Adisalem M Teferi, Katerina Jou, Roberto C Cerrud-Rodriguez, David H Chong","doi":"10.4037/ajcc2025524","DOIUrl":"10.4037/ajcc2025524","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>COVID-19 can cause severe acute respiratory distress syndrome or myocardial dysfunction requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Whether comorbidities or sociodemographic factors influence outcomes in these patients is unclear.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Adult patients from the National Inpatient Sample dataset with COVID-19 pneumonia or non-COVID-19 pneumonia who underwent ECMO between 2016 and 2021 were included. Cohorts were matched in a 1:5 ratio using propensity scores. The primary outcome of interest was inpatient mortality; secondary outcomes included length of stay, total hospitalization costs, need for dialysis, rate of vascular complications, and discharge disposition.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Weighted patient groups (COVID-19 pneumonia, 5680 patients; non-COVID-19 pneumonia, 430 patients) were identified. Mean (SD) age was 46.0 (11.2) years in the COVID-19 group, 45.1 (12.5) years in the non-COVID-19 group. After matching, unweighted groups (COVID-19 pneumonia, 1136 patients; non-COVID-19 pneumonia, 86 patients) were compared. Patients with COVID-19 pneumonia had higher mortality risk (odds ratio [OR], 1.98; 95% CI, 1.11-3.53; P = .02), longer stays (38.0 vs 28.5 days, P < .001), higher costs ($1 278 270 vs $967 866, P = .002), and less likelihood of discharge home (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.21-0.85; P = .02) than patients with non-COVID-19 pneumonia. Vascular complication rate (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.27-2.26; P = .64) and need for dialysis (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.49-2.08; P = .97) did not differ between groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Among patients undergoing ECMO, those with COVID-19 pneumonia had worse outcomes than those with non-COVID-19 pneumonia after adjustment for sociodemographic factors and comorbidities.</p>","PeriodicalId":7607,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Critical Care","volume":"34 2","pages":"104-110"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143531039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Discussion Guide for the Bazan Article.","authors":"Grant A Pignatiello","doi":"10.4037/ajcc2025649","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2025649","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7607,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Critical Care","volume":"34 2","pages":"127-128"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143531026","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jennifer McAdam, Jeneva Gularte-Rinaldo, Steven Kim, Alyssa Erikson
{"title":"Health Care Professionals' Views and Practices Regarding Bereavement Support.","authors":"Jennifer McAdam, Jeneva Gularte-Rinaldo, Steven Kim, Alyssa Erikson","doi":"10.4037/ajcc2025717","DOIUrl":"10.4037/ajcc2025717","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Because the death of a loved one is distressing for families, bereavement support is recommended for high-quality end-of-life care. Although health care professionals provide support during the death, many do not routinely follow up with bereaved families.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To describe and compare how health care professionals view and provide bereavement support.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective, cross-sectional study assessed registered nurses, physicians, social workers, respiratory therapists, and unlicensed assistive personnel working in the intensive care unit, step-down unit, and emergency department. Health care professionals completed a survey assessing their views, practices, and training in providing bereavement support to families. Descriptive statistics and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used to describe and compare the groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 123 health care professionals, 67.5% were registered nurses and 78% were female. Most (64.2%) supported families at the time of death; however, only 6.5% followed up with bereaved families in the weeks after the death. Physicians, social workers, and registered nurses provided bereavement support more often than unlicensed assistive personnel and respiratory therapists did (P = .001). Only 29.3% were very comfortable providing support to bereaved families. Respiratory therapists were less comfortable than other health care professionals (P = .002). Most health care professionals (54.5%) wanted formal training on providing bereavement support. The main barriers to providing bereavement support included lack of training, time, and resources.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Understanding health care professionals' views and practices on providing bereavement support may help inform the development of appropriate educational materials, interventions, and protocols around bereavement support.</p>","PeriodicalId":7607,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Critical Care","volume":"34 2","pages":"84-94"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143531042","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}