Faculty Bibliography

This study retrospectively examined the hemodynamic effects of passive leg raising (PLR) in mechanically ventilated patients during fluid removal before spontaneous breathing trials. In previous studies, we noticed varying cardiac responses after PLR completion, particularly in positive tests. Using a bioreactance monitor, we recorded and analyzed hemodynamic parameters, including stroke volume and cardiac index (CI), before and after PLR in post-acute ICU patients. We included 27 patients who underwent 60 PLR procedures. In preload-unresponsive patients, no significant CI changes were observed (CI_t-6 = 3.7 [2.6; 4.7] mL/min/m² vs. CI_t9 = 3.3 [2.5; 3.4] mL/min/m²; p = 0.306), while in preload-responsive patients, two distinct CI response types to PLR were identified: a transient peak with immediate return to baseline (CI_t-6 = 2.7 [2.5; 3.1] mL/min/m² vs. 3.3 [2.6; 3.8] L/min/m²; p = 0.119) and a sustained CI elevation lasting beyond the PLR maneuver (CI_t-6 = 2.8 [2.3; 2.9] L/min/m² vs. 3.3 [2.8; 3.9] ml/min/m²; p = 0.034). The latter was particularly noted when ΔCI during PLR exceeded 25%. Our findings suggest that in certain preload-responsive patients, PLR can induce a more sustained increase in CI, indicating a possible persistent hemodynamic effect. This effect could be due to a combination of autotransfusion and sympathetic activation affecting venous return and vascular tone. Further research in larger cohorts and more comprehensive hemodynamic assessments are warranted to validate these observations and elucidate the possible underlying mechanisms.The Fluid unLoading On Weaning (FLOW) study was prospectively registered under the ID NCT04496583 on 2020-07-29 at ClinicalTrials.gov.

A positive fluid balance may evolve to fluid overload and associate with organ dysfunctions, weaning difficulties, and increased mortality in ICU patients. We explored whether individualized fluid management, assessing fluid responsiveness via a passive leg-raising maneuver (PLR) before a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), is associated with less extubation failure in ventilated patients with a high fluid balance admitted to the ICU after liver transplantation (LT). We recruited 15 LT patients in 2023. Their postoperative fluid balance was +4476 {3697, 5722} mL. PLR maneuvers were conducted upon ICU admission (T1) and pre SBT (T2). Cardiac index (CI) changes were recorded before and after each SBT (T3). Seven patients were fluid-responsive at T1, and twelve were responsive at T2. No significant differences occurred in hemodynamic, respiratory, and perfusion parameters between the fluid-responsive and fluid-unresponsive patients at any time. Fluid-responsive patients at T1 and T2 increased their CI during SBT from 3.1 {2.8, 3.7} to 3.7 {3.4, 4.1} mL/min/m² (p = 0.045). All fluid-responsive patients at T2 were extubated after the SBTs and consolidated extubation. Two out of three of the fluid-unresponsive patients experienced weaning difficulties. We concluded that fluid-responsive patients post LT may start weaning earlier and achieve successful extubation despite a high postoperative fluid balance. This highlights the profound impact of personalized assessments of cardiovascular state on critical surgical patients.

BACKGROUND:Reliable predictors of outcomes in venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) therapy are limited. While elevated lactate levels over time have been linked to outcomes in cardiogenic shock (CS), their significance in VA-ECMO-treated patients remains inconclusive. METHODS:We conducted a post hoc analysis of data from the HYPO-ECMO trial, which compared normothermia to moderate hypothermia in CS patients supported by VA-ECMO. We examined daily lactate levels collected over a week to assess their correlation with 30-day mortality. RESULTS:Among the 318 out of 334 patients (95%) with baseline lactate measurements, 66 had normal levels (< 2.2 mmol/l, 21%). No difference was found in lactate course between moderate hypothermia and normothermia groups. Lactate levels were consistently higher in non-survivors at each time point (p = 0.0002). Baseline hyperlactatemia was associated with an increased risk of death (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 1.85 (1.12-3.05), p = 0.016). When considering all time points, lactate levels during the ICU stay were significantly and gradually associated with a higher risk of death (p < 0.0001). In the overall population, a decrease in lactate levels was not linked to 30-day mortality. However, patients with baseline hyperlactatemia exhibited a more significant decrease in lactate levels from day one to seven (p < 0.0001). In this group, survivors had a significantly greater decrease in lactate levels at day 1 compared to non-survivors (63% (48-77) versus 57% (21-75), p = 0.026). Patients experiencing a secondary increase in lactate (24%) had a worse prognosis (Hazard Ratio: 1.78 (1.21-2.61), p = 0.004), regardless of both baseline lactate levels and the occurrence of severe ischemic adverse events (intestinal and/or limb ischemia). CONCLUSIONS:The consistent and significant association between lactate levels, whether assessed at baseline or during ICU treatment, and the risk of mortality underscores the pivotal prognostic relevance of lactate levels in patients with CS undergoing VA-ECMO therapy. The study findings provide some novel insights, regarding the trend profile and the relevance of a second peak during the 7 day period after ECMO start. Trial Registration identifier NCT02754193 registered on 2016-04-12.

Background: Increasing pressure on limited intensive care capacities often requires a subjective assessment of a patient's discharge readiness in the absence of established Admission, Discharge, and Transfer (ADT) guidelines. To avoid suboptimal care transitions, it is important to define clear guidelines for the admission and discharge of intensive care patients and to optimize transfer processes between the intensive care unit (ICU) and lower care levels. To achieve these goals, structured insights into usual ICU discharge and transfer practices are essential. This study aimed to generate these insights by focusing on involved stakeholders, established processes, discharge criteria and tools, relevant performance metrics, and current barriers to a timely and safe discharge. Method: In 2022, a structured, web-based, anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted, aimed at practicing ICU physicians, nurses, and bed coordinators. The survey consisted of 29 questions (open, closed, multiple choice, and scales) that were divided into thematic blocks. The study was supported by several national and international societies for intensive care medicine and nursing. Results: A total of 219 participants from 40 countries (105 from Germany) participated in the survey. An overload of acute care resources with ~90% capacity utilization in the ICU and the general ward (GW) leads to not only premature but also delayed patient transfers due to a lack of available ward and intermediate care (IMC) beds. After multidisciplinary rounds within the intensive care team, the ICU clinician on duty usually makes the final transfer decision, while one-third of the panel coordinates discharge decisions across departmental boundaries. By the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, half of the hospitals had implemented ADT policies. Among these hospitals, nearly one-third of the hospitals had specific transfer criteria established, consisting primarily of vital signs and laboratory data, patient status and autonomy, and organization-specific criteria. Liaison nurses were less common but were ranked right after the required IMC capacities to bridge the care gap between the ICU and normal wards. In this study, 80% of the participants suggested that transfer planning would be easier if there was good transparency regarding the capacity utilization of lower care levels, a standardized transfer process, and improved interdisciplinary communication. Conclusion: To improve care transitions, transfer processes should be managed proactively across departments, and efforts should be made to identify and address care gaps.

BACKGROUND/UNASSIGNED:Increasing pressure on limited intensive care capacities often requires a subjective assessment of a patient's discharge readiness in the absence of established Admission, Discharge, and Transfer (ADT) guidelines. To avoid suboptimal care transitions, it is important to define clear guidelines for the admission and discharge of intensive care patients and to optimize transfer processes between the intensive care unit (ICU) and lower care levels. To achieve these goals, structured insights into usual ICU discharge and transfer practices are essential. This study aimed to generate these insights by focusing on involved stakeholders, established processes, discharge criteria and tools, relevant performance metrics, and current barriers to a timely and safe discharge. METHOD/UNASSIGNED:In 2022, a structured, web-based, anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted, aimed at practicing ICU physicians, nurses, and bed coordinators. The survey consisted of 29 questions (open, closed, multiple choice, and scales) that were divided into thematic blocks. The study was supported by several national and international societies for intensive care medicine and nursing. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:A total of 219 participants from 40 countries (105 from Germany) participated in the survey. An overload of acute care resources with ~90% capacity utilization in the ICU and the general ward (GW) leads to not only premature but also delayed patient transfers due to a lack of available ward and intermediate care (IMC) beds. After multidisciplinary rounds within the intensive care team, the ICU clinician on duty usually makes the final transfer decision, while one-third of the panel coordinates discharge decisions across departmental boundaries. By the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, half of the hospitals had implemented ADT policies. Among these hospitals, nearly one-third of the hospitals had specific transfer criteria established, consisting primarily of vital signs and laboratory data, patient status and autonomy, and organization-specific criteria. Liaison nurses were less common but were ranked right after the required IMC capacities to bridge the care gap between the ICU and normal wards. In this study, 80% of the participants suggested that transfer planning would be easier if there was good transparency regarding the capacity utilization of lower care levels, a standardized transfer process, and improved interdisciplinary communication. CONCLUSION/UNASSIGNED:To improve care transitions, transfer processes should be managed proactively across departments, and efforts should be made to identify and address care gaps.

BACKGROUND:The severity of tissue hypoxia is routinely assessed by serum lactate. We aimed to determine whether early lactate levels predict outcomes in refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) treated by conventional and extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR). METHODS:This study is a post-hoc analysis of a randomized Prague OHCA study (NCT01511666) assessing serum lactate levels in refractory OHCA treated by ECPR (the ECPR group) or conventional resuscitation with prehospital achieved return of spontaneous circulation (the ROSC group). Lactate concentrations measured on admission and every 4 hours (h) during the first 24 h were used to determine their relationship with the neurological outcome (the best Cerebral Performance Category score within 180 days post-cardiac arrest). RESULTS:In the ECPR group (92 patients, median age 58.5 years, 83% male) 26% attained a favorable neurological outcome. In the ROSC group (82 patients, median age 55 years, 83% male) 59% achieved a favorable neurological outcome. In ECPR patients lactate concentrations could discriminate favorable outcome patients, but not consistently in the ROSC group. On admission, serum lactate >14.0 mmol/L for ECPR (specificity 87.5%, sensitivity 54.4%) and >10.8 mmol/L for the ROSC group (specificity 83%, sensitivity 41.2%) predicted an unfavorable outcome. CONCLUSION:In refractory OHCA serum lactate concentrations measured anytime during the first 24 h after admission to the hospital were found to correlate with the outcome in patients treated by ECPR but not in patients with prehospital ROSC. A single lactate measurement is not enough for a reliable outcome prediction and cannot be used alone to guide treatment.