Abstract A retrospective-observational analytical study was carried out to evaluate the epidemiology of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in 773 adult patients hospitalized in the inten sive care unit (ICU) of the Hospital Alemán of Buenos Aires, Argentina, between 1 December 2018 and 30 June 2020. During the study period, the incidence of CRBSI was 8.7 cases per 1000 catheter days. The occurrence of CRBSI was found associated with a poor clinical evolution, as evidenced by a stay in the ICU significantly longer than the stay of patients without CRBSI (median: 21.5 days vs. 4 days, p < 0.001). CRBSI-associated mortality was not statistically higher (24% vs. 20%, OR 1.26 [0.61-2.63]). Gram-positive bacteria were the most frequently identified microorganisms (73%), being Staphylococcus epidermidis the most frequent (40%). Of the 47 isolates of microorganisms surveyed, 8 (17%) were multi-resistant germs. The permanence time of the catheter was identified as a risk factor for developing CRBSI (OR 1.10 [1.05 - 1.15], p < 0.001) in a multivariate analysis. In this analysis, the risk of infection was not influenced by the anatomical site of insertion of the catheter, the ward where the procedure was performed (ICU vs. operating room/external ward), the skill of the medical practitioner, or the use of ultrasound to guide vascular accesses. We conclude that CRBSIs are a frequent complication in our department with relevant clinical consequences. Knowing the epidemiology and the problems of each service allows programming interventions aimed to correct specific public health problems.

Resumen Se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo analítico que evaluó la epidemiología de las bacteriemias asociadas a catéter central (BAC) en 773 adultos internados en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) del Hospital Alemán de Buenos Aires entre diciembre de 2018 y junio de 2020. Durante el pe riodo de estudio, la incidencia fue 8.7 eventos cada 1000 días catéter. El desarrollo de BAC se asoció con mala evolución clínica, que fue puesta en evidencia por una duración de la internación en UCI significativamente mayor que la de los pacientes sin BAC (mediana: 21.5 días vs. 4 días, p < 0.001). La mortalidad también fue mayor, pero sin significancia estadística (24% vs. 20%, OR 1.26 [0.61-2.63]). Los microorganismos más frecuentemente aislados fueron bacterias Gram positivas (73%) y, entre ellas, Staphylococcus epidermidis fue la más frecuente (40%). De los 47 aislamientos de microorganismos relevados, 8 (17%) fueron gérmenes multirresistentes. El análisis multivariado identificó el tiempo de permanencia del catéter como factor de riesgo para desarrollar BAC (OR 1.10 [1.05 - 1.15], p < 0.001). En dicho análisis, una mayor tasa de BAC no fue influida por el sitio anatómico de inserción del catéter, el servicio donde se realizó el procedimiento (UCI o quirófano/servicio de emergencias), la experiencia previa del médico en el procedimiento, ni el uso de ultrasonido para guiar la cateterización. Con cluimos que las BAC son una complicación frecuente en nuestro servicio con consecuencias clínicas relevantes. Conocer la epidemiología y la problemática de cada servicio permite programar intervenciones dirigidas a corregir problemas concretos de salud pública.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar o desempenho da ultrassonografia pulmonar para determinar a evolução em curto prazo de pacientes com COVID-19 internados na unidade de terapia intensiva. Métodos Este é um estudo prospectivo e observacional. Entre julho e novembro de 2020, 59 pacientes foram incluídos e submetidos a pelo menos duas avaliações LUS usando o escore LUS (variação de 0-42) no dia da admissão, dia 5 e 10 de admissão. Resultados A idade foi de 66,5 ± 15 anos, APACHE II foi de 8,3 ± 3,9, 12 (20%) pacientes tinham malignidade, 46 (78%) pacientes tinham ventilação não invasiva / cânula nasal de alto fluxo e 38 (64%) pacientes ventilação mecânica necessária. A mediana de permanência na UTI foi de 12 dias (IQR 8,5-20,5 dias). A mortalidade na UTI ou hospitalar foi de 54%. Na admissão, o escore LUS era de 20,8 ± 6,1; no dia 5 e no dia 10 de admissão, os escores foram 27,6 ± 5,5 e 29,4 ± 5,3, respectivamente (P = 0,007). Com a deterioração do quadro clínico, o escore LUS aumentou, com correlação positiva de 0,52, P <0,001. Pacientes com pior LUS no dia 5 versus melhor pontuação tiveram mortalidade de 76% versus 33% (OR 6,29, IC 95% 2,01-19,65, p. 0,003); uma diferença semelhante foi observada no dia 10. O escore LUS do 5º dia de admissão teve uma área sob a curva de 0,80, melhor ponto de corte de 27, sensibilidade e especificidade de 0,75 e 0,78, respectivamente. Conclusão Esses achados posicionam o LUS como um método simples e reprodutível para predizer a evolução de pacientes com COVID-19.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the performance of lung ultrasound to determine short-term outcomes of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit. Methods This is a Prospective, observational study. Between July and November 2020, 59 patients were included and underwent at least two LUS assessments using LUS score (range 0-42) on day of admission, day 5th, and 10th of admission. Results Age was 66.5±15 years, APACHE II was 8.3±3.9, 12 (20%) patients had malignancy, 46 (78%) patients had a non-invasive ventilation/high-flow nasal cannula and 38 (64%) patients required mechanical ventilation. The median stay in ICU was 12 days (IQR 8.5-20.5 days). ICU or hospital mortality was 54%. On admission, the LUS score was 20.8±6.1; on day 5th and day 10th of admission, scores were 27.6±5.5 and 29.4±5.3, respectively (P=0.007). As clinical condition deteriorated the LUS score increased, with a positive correlation of 0.52, P <0.001. Patients with worse LUS on day 5th versus better score had a mortality of 76% versus 33% (OR 6.29, 95%CI 2.01-19.65, p. 0.003); a similar difference was observed on day 10. LUS score of 5th day of admission had an area under the curve of 0.80, best cut-point of 27, sensitivity and specificity of 0.75 and 0.78 respectively. Conclusion These findings position LUS as a simple and reproducible method to predict the course of COVID-19 patients.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever a incidência e os fatores de risco para delirium na unidade de terapia intensiva de um hospital terciário de ensino na Argentina, e conduzir o primeiro estudo não europeu para explorar o desempenho do modelo PREdiction of DELIRium in ICu Patients (PRE-DELIRIC). Métodos: Estudo prospectivo observacional em uma unidade de terapia intensiva com 20 leitos localizada em um hospital terciário de ensino em Buenos Aires, Argentina. O modelo PRE-DELIRIC foi aplicado a 178 pacientes consecutivos dentro de 24 horas após sua admissão à unidade de terapia intensiva. Avaliou-se o delirium com uso da ferramenta Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU). Resultados: A média de idade foi de 64,3 ± 17,9 anos. O tempo mediano de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva foi de 6 dias (variação entre 2 e 56 dias). Dentre o total de pacientes, 49/178 (27,5%) desenvolveram delirium, definido como avaliação positiva segundo a CAM-ICU, durante a permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva. Os pacientes no grupo com delirium eram significantemente mais velhos e tinham escore Acute Physiological and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) significantemente mais elevado. A taxa de mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva foi de 14,6%; não se observou diferença significante entre os dois grupos. Os fatores preditivos para desenvolvimento de delirium foram idade mais avançada, tempo prolongado de permanência na unidade e uso de opioides. A área sob a curva para o modelo PRE-DELIRIC foi de 0,83 (IC95%: 0,77 - 0,90). Conclusões: A incidência observada de delirium salienta a importância deste problema no ambiente da unidade de terapia intensiva. Neste primeiro estudo conduzido fora da Europa, o PRE-DELIRIC previu de forma precisa o desenvolvimento de delirium.

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the incidence of and risk factors for delirium in the intensive care unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Argentina and to conduct the first non-European study exploring the performance of the PREdiction of DELIRium in ICu patients (PRE-DELIRIC) model. Methods: Prospective observational study in a 20-bed intensive care unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The PRE-DELIRIC model was applied to 178 consecutive patients within 24 hours of admission to the intensive care unit; delirium was assessed with the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU). Results: The mean age was 64.3 ± 17.9 years. The median time of stay in the intensive care unit was 6 (range, 2 - 56) days. Of the total number of patients, 49/178 (27.5%) developed delirium, defined as a positive CAM-ICU assessment, during their stay in the intensive care unit. Patients in the delirium group were significantly older and had a significantly higher Acute Physiological and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score. The mortality rate in the intensive care unit was 14.6%; no significant difference was observed between the two groups. Predictive factors for the development of delirium were increased age, prolonged intensive care unit stay, and opioid use. The area under the curve for the PRE-DELIRIC model was 0.83 (95%CI; 0.77 - 0.90). Conclusions: The observed incidence of delirium highlights the importance of this problem in the intensive care unit setting. In this first study conducted outside Europe, PRE-DELIRIC accurately predicted the development of delirium.

Reactive hemophagocytic syndrome or hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis comprises a variety of disorders, many of them associated with infection. It is characterized by hemophagocytosis, with cytopenia involving at least two cellular lines, increase in cytokines and serum ferritin. The clinical course resembles sepsis, sharing similar physiopathological features. We propose that hemophagocytic syndrome is an underdiagnosed entity in the critical care setting; simple tests aid to identify which patients should undergo diagnostic procedures. We discuss current therapeutic approaches.

El síndrome hemofagocítico reactivo, o linfohistiocitosis hemofagocítica secundaria, comprende un grupo numeroso de enfermedades, muchas de ellas de causa infecciosa, caracterizado por hemofagocitosis con citopenia de al menos dos de las tres series sanguíneas, aumento de los niveles de citoquinas y de la ferritina sérica. El cuadro clínico comprende manifestaciones inflamatorias sistémicas semejantes a la sepsis, entidad muy frecuente en las unidades de Terapia Intensiva, y posee elementos fisiopatológicos en común con ella. Proponemos mediante la presentación de cuatro casos clínicos, considerar al síndrome hemofagocítico reactivo como una entidad frecuente en los pacientes graves, con pruebas sencillas para orientar a qué pacientes realizar un procedimiento diagnóstico. Por último actualizamos los tratamientos específicos conocidos.

Beriberi (BB), thiamine deficiency, has been described in the Asian literature in the 17th century and is characterized by peripheral neuropathy and muscle weakness, also called «dry» beriberi (BB) to differentiate it from «wet» BB, with essentially cardiovascular manifestations. Wet can be either «classic» wet BB in which signs and symptons of right-sided heart failure with normal or high cardiac output are the presenting features or the «shoshin» BB variant with severe biventricular failure and metabolic acidosis, which must be treated early to prevent the rapid development of low cardiac output failure and sudden death. In this case, we report a 58 year old alcoholic woman who developed dyspnea, oliguria, edema, cardiac failure with high output, metabolic acidosis, renal tubular dysfunction and serum lactate level of 5.6 mEq/L. Neurological examination revealed peripheral neuropathy in the lower legs and cognitive alteration. She was treated with a loading dose of 100 mg of intravenous thyamine and responded with a marked increase in urine output, correction of acidosis, reduction in pulmonary-capillary wedge pressure and a change of the hemodynamic pattern. We conclude that shoshin-BB is uncommonly encountered but not widely recognized. In lactic acidosis and/or hyperdynamic circulation without any other apparent etiology in patients with possible vitamin B1 deficiency, the diagnosis of BB must be considered and thiamine should be administered

El beriberi, la deficiencia de tiamina (B1), fue referido en el siglo XVII en la literatura asiática, y pue de manifestarse por síntomas neurológicos (beriberi «seco») donde la neuropatía periférica y la debilidad muscular son los más destacados y/o síntomas cardiovasculares (beriberi «húmedo»), con una variante «clásica» donde es predominante la insuficiencia cardíaca derecha con índice cardíaco (IC) normal o alto y otra aguda o «shoshin-beriberi», caracterizada por insuficiencia biventricular, acidosis láctica e IC variable y que sin tratamiento precoz evoluciona al colapso vascular y la muerte. Se presenta una paciente de 58 años y antecedente de enolismo, con disnea, oliguria, sígnos de fallo cardíaco biventricular con patrón hiperdinámico, acidosis metabólica, disfunción tubular renal y lactacidemia de 5.6 mEq/L. El exámen neurológico mostró una polineuropatía sensitiva, simétrica y distal en MMII y deterioro cognitivo con sígnos frontales. Horas después de la administración de 100 mg de tiamina ev. se observó una manifiesta mejoría de los valores hemodinámicos y el estado ácido-base. Se concluye que si bien el beriberi cardiovascular agudo es de presentación infrecuente hay consenso en que además es subdiagnosticado. La presencia de acidosis láctica o cuadro de insuficiencia cardíaca de alto volumen minuto sin etiología manifiesta, en pacientes con riesgo de deficiencia de B1, es suficiente para hacer la prueba terapéutica.