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Biomedical subjects

E C Boerma

Publications and source records attributed to E C Boerma.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Safety of citrate based hemofiltration in critically ill patients at high risk for bleeding: a comparison with nadroparin.

PURPOSE: To study the incidence and severity of bleeding in high risk critically ill patients during high volume, citrate based continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH). DESIGN: A prospective 1-year observational cohort study comparing citrate based CVVH with nadroparin based CVVH. PROCEDURES: Critically ill patients with multiple organ dysfunction and in need of CVVH were observed for bleeding complications during their CVVH sessions. Pre-defined criteria determined that patients were treated with citrate based CVVH in case of active bleeding or increased risk for bleeding. Otherwise nadroparin was used as anticoagulant. Statistical and outcome methods: The incidence of bleeding complications, the number of transfused blood cell concentrates and the filter-run-time were recorded. Analyses were made by non-parametric tests. MAIN FINDINGS: Fifty-five patients received 272 CVVH sessions. In the citrate group 14.8% experienced a bleeding complication compared to 25% in the nadroparin group (p=0.04). The number of transfused red blood cell concentrates was not different between groups. The nadroparin group had a longer filter run time (median 31.5 hours versus 22.5 hours, p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In high risk critically ill patients citrate based anticoagulation for CVVH is safe in terms of bleeding complications and transfusion requirements.

Anticoagulants↗
PubMed2005

Filter run time in CVVH: pre- versus post-dilution and nadroparin versus regional heparin-protamine anticoagulation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To study the effect of different modes of continuous veno-venous haemofiltration (CVVH) on filter run time (FRT). METHODS: We studied, in two consecutive prospective, randomised and crossover studies, 16 and 15 patients with acute renal failure during critical illness. Study A compared pre- versus post-dilution, and study B compared regional anticoagulation with heparin (pre-filter) and protamine (post-filter) (HP) versus nadroparin (NP) pre-filter. All CVVH sessions were standardised. Analyses were by Wilcoxon rank sum tests. RESULTS: Study A: During pre-dilution the median FRT was 45.7 vs. 16.1 h in post-dilution CVVH (p = 0.005). The median creatinine clearance during pre-dilution was 33 vs. 45 ml/min in post-dilution (p = 0.001). Study B: During NP, median FRT was 39.5 vs. 12.3 h during HP CVVH (p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-dilution CVVH results in the greatest FRT but a lower plasma creatinine clearance compared to post-dilution. Regional anticoagulation with heparin-protamine resulted in a significantly shorter FRT compared to systemic NP anticoagulation.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Sublingual microcirculatory flow is impaired by the vasopressin-analogue terlipressin in a patient with catecholamine-resistant septic shock.

For many decades arterial blood pressure regulation has been an important issue in the treatment of septic shock. The pathogenesis of this persistent hypotension is complex and multifactorial, but inability of vascular smooth muscle to contract in the presence of vasoconstrictive agents seems to be a key factor. Many mechanisms have been proposed to account for this failure, including nitric oxide (NO) overproduction and vasopressin deficiency (1). However, improvement of outcome due to intervention in these mechanisms fails to be reported despite the restoration of blood pressure. Recent studies of the microcirculation in humans by means of orthogonal polarization spectral (OPS) imaging have opened challenging new perspectives to study the microcirculation (2, 3). We report a case in which sublingual OPS imaging was performed upon administration of terlipressin in a patient with catecholamine-resistant septic shock. It indicates that much caution should be taken when considering such potent vasoconstrictor when correcting blood pressure during shock.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed2004

A before-after study of multi-resistance and cost of selective decontamination of the digestive tract.

BACKGROUND: We compared standard antibiotic use with an antibiotic policy based on selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) for cost and microbiology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 2-year before-after observational study was performed in an 11-bed, mixed medical and surgical intensive care unit (ICU). We included all consecutive patients admitted to the ICU 1 year before and 1 year after institution of SDD (patients admitted within the 2-month SDD run-in period were excluded from analysis). In the year before SDD, 513 patients were treated in the ICU (mean APACHE II 19.5), compared to 529 in the year with SDD (mean APACHE II 19.4). RESULTS: The duration of mechanical ventilation was shorter in the SDD-treated patients (median 3, interquartile range [IQR] 2-7 days vs median 4 days, IQR 2-10, p = 0.03). The total of ICU variable costs, microbiological costs and antibiotic costs were equal in both episodes: euro 1,171 versus euro 1,168 per patient). Aerobic gram-negative bacilli (AGNB) and multiresistant AGNB were found less frequently in SDD-treated patients, RR 0.37 (95% CI 0.33-0.42) and RR 0.28 (95% CI 0.19-0.42). Multi-resistant AGNB in tracheal secretions and urine more than 72 hours after admission were completely absent in SDD-treated patients. CONCLUSION: The overall cost per patient treated during an antibiotic policy including SDD was equal to a policy supporting standard antibiotic care. In addition, duration of ventilation decreased and a trend was shown towards a decreased Length of ICU and hospital stay. Less frequently, cultures from organ sites containing AGNB were found during SDD and the number of multi-resistant strains was significantly reduced at organ sites, in particular trachea and urine. Fewer patients were colonized with multi-resistant AGNB but these numbers did not reach statistical significance.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2004

Valproic acid intoxication: sense and non-sense of haemodialysis.

INTRODUCTION: Valproic acid is increasingly used in the treatment of epilepsy, and also prescribed for bipolar affective disorders, schizoaffective disorders, schizophrenia and migraine prophylaxis. We describe two case reports involving valproic acid intoxication with ingestion of ethanol. METHODS: One patient was treated by supportive care, one patient received haemodialysis. RESULTS: From analysis of plasma concentrations before and during haemodialysis (pre- and post-filter) it is shown that valproic acid can be effectively eliminated by haemodialysis when plasma levels are way above 100 microg/ml. In the literature, plasma protein binding is reported to be around 90% for levels within the therapeutic range. In our patient plasma protein binding was around 50% after treatment with haemodialysis. CONCLUSION: These findings make haemodialysis in valproic acid intoxication a sensible therapeutic option with increasing efficiency when plasma concentration is high. Furthermore our findings suggest that lowering valproic acid concentrations to a therapeutic level by haemodialysis does not necessarily result in an immediate, simultaneous increase in plasma protein binding of valproic acid.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Acute epiglottitis as a cause of airway obstruction in an adult patient.

Epiglottitis in adults is a dangerous infectious disease with a rising incidence and potential fatal complications as illustrated in this case report. Like in children, skilled and aggressive airway protection with appropriate antibiotic therapy have been effective in reducing mortality.

Acute Disease↗