Citations

Abstract Aims Pulmonary hypertension (PH) has been consistently associated with adverse outcomes in hospitalized patients. Limited epidemiologic data exist regarding PH in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) population. Here, we describe the prevalence, aetiology, and outcomes of PH in the CICU. Methods and results Cardiac intensive care unit patients admitted from 2007 to 2018 who had right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) measured via transthoracic echocardiography near CICU admission were included. PH was defined as RVSP >35 mmHg, and moderate-to-severe PH as RVSP ≥50 mmHg. Predictors of in-hospital mortality were determined using multivariable logistic regression. Among 5042 patients (mean age 69.4 ± 14.8 years; 41% females), PH was present in 3085 (61%). The majority (68%) of patients with PH had left heart failure, and 29% had lung disease. In-hospital mortality occurred in 8.3% and was more frequent in patients with PH [10.9% vs. 4.2%, adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.92, P = 0.03], particularly patients with moderate-to-severe PH (14.4% vs. 6.2%, adjusted OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.27–2.14, P < 0.001). In-hospital mortality increased incrementally as a function of higher RVSP (adjusted 1.18 per 10 mmHg increase, 95% CI 1.09–1.28, P < 0.001). Patients with higher RVSP or moderate-to-severe PH had increased in-hospital mortality across admission diagnoses (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Pulmonary hypertension is very common in the CICU population and appears to be independently associated with a higher risk of death during hospitalization, although the strength of this association varies according to the underlying admission diagnosis. These data highlight the importance of PH in patients with cardiac critical illness.

ABSTRACT Background: Prior studies have shown worse outcomes in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) who have reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), but the association between other transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) findings and mortality in CS patients remains uncertain. We hypothesized that Doppler TTE measurements would outperform LVEF for risk stratification. Methods: Retrospective analysis of cardiac intensive care unit patients with an admission diagnosis of CS and a TTE within 1 day of admission. Hospital survivors and inpatient deaths were compared, and multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the associations between TTE variables and hospital mortality. Results: We included 1,085 patients, with a median age of 69.5 (59.6, 77.5) years; 37% were females and 62% had an acute coronary syndrome. Most patients (66%) had moderate or severe left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction, and 48% had moderate or severe right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction. Hospital mortality occurred in 31%, and inpatient deaths had a lower median LVEF (29% vs. 35%, P < 0.001). Patients with mild or no LV or RV dysfunction were at lower risk of adjusted hospital mortality (P < 0.01). The LV outflow tract (LVOT) velocity-time integral (VTI) was the single best predictor of hospital mortality. After multivariable adjustment, both the LVEF and LVOT VTI remained strongly associated with hospital mortality (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Early comprehensive Doppler TTE can provide important prognostic insights in CS patients, highlighting its potential utility in clinical practice. The LVOT VTI, reflecting forward flow, is an important measurement to obtain on bedside TTE.

Abstract Aims We sought to determine whether the Diamond–Forrester classification using non-invasive haemodynamic measurements by 2-D and Doppler echocardiography would predict hospital mortality in cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) patients. Methods and results We retrospectively analysed unique patients admitted to the CICU at Mayo Clinic Rochester from 2007 to 2018. Doppler-derived cardiac index (CI) and ratio of mitral valve E velocity to medial mitral annulus e′ velocity (E/e′ ratio) were used to classify patients into four profiles: Profile I (warm/dry), Profile II (warm/wet), Profile III (cold/dry), and Profile IV (cold/wet). Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of hospital mortality, and Cox proportional-hazards analysis was used to determine predictors of mortality during one year of follow-up. We included 4563 patients with a mean age of 68.3 ± 14.3 years, including 36.2% female patients. The distribution of each profile was as follows: I, 47.4%; II, 36.2%; III, 7.9%; IV, 8.5%. A total of 5.8% patients died during hospitalization, and 18.1% died by 1 year. Patients with either low CI or elevated E/e′ ratio had higher in-hospital and 1 year mortality. Patients with elevated E/e′ ratio (i.e. Profiles II and IV) had an increased risk of death during hospitalization and at 1 year after multivariate adjustment (adjusted hazard ratio 1.72 and 2.17 for 1 year mortality, respectively, compared with Profile I, P &lt; 0.01). Conclusions Simple Doppler echocardiographic assessment can be used to identify haemodynamic profiles defined by the Diamond–Forester classification in patients admitted in CICU. These profiles predict outcomes and may be used to guide therapy in critically ill patients.

AbstractRisk stratification dates to the dawn of the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). As the CICU has evolved from a dedicated unit caring for patients with acute myocardial infarction to a complex healthcare environment encompassing a broad array of acute and chronic cardiovascular pathology, an expanding array of risk scores are available that can be applied to CICU patients. Most of these scores were designed for use either in patients with a specific acute cardiovascular diagnosis or unselected critically ill patients, and risk scores developed in other populations often underperform in the CICU. More recently, risk scores have been developed specific to the CICU population, demonstrating improved performance. All existing risk scores have relevant limitations, both in terms of performance and applicability to patient care. Risk scores have been predominantly developed to predict short-term mortality, either by quantifying severity of illness or by incorporating other risk factors for mortality. It is essential to distinguish mortality risk attributable to severity of illness, which may be modifiable through intervention, from mortality risk attributable to non-modifiable risk factors. This review discusses established risk scores applicable to the CICU population, details how risk score performance is characterized, describes how new risk scores can be developed, explains how the information provided by risk scores can be used in clinical practice, and highlights how novel risk stratification approaches can be developed.

Introduction: Renal dysfunction, as defined by elevated serum creatinine, is associated with decreased survival among patients resuscitated after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Less is known about other measures of renal function and outcomes after OHCA. Hypothesis: BUN and urine output will predict mortality after OHCA. Methods: Retrospective single-center cohort study of 276 adult OHCA patients treated with targeted temperature management after OHCA between December 2005 and September 2016. Fluid balance and urine output were recorded for the first 6, 12 and 24 hours. Initial laboratory values were determined from electronic records. Hospital survivors and non-survivors were compared using the Wilcoxon test, and multivariate analysis was performed to determine predictors of hospital death. Results: Mean age was 63±12 years, and 204 (73%) were male; shockable rhythm occurred in 241 (87%). Inpatient death occurred in 111 (40%). Hospital survivors had lower initial BUN (13 vs. 20 mg/dL) and creatinine (1.1 vs. 1.5 mg/dL); all p <.001. Hospital survivors had higher (p <.001) urine output during the first 6 hours (1,091 vs. 559 ml), 12 hours (1,583 vs. 843 ml), and 24 hours (2,215 vs. 1,294 ml). Higher initial BUN (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.07-1.18) and creatinine (OR 3.036, 95% CI 1.65-5.59) predicted hospital mortality; all p <.001. Urine output during the first 24 hours was associated with hospital mortality (OR 0.57 per each 1 L, 95% CI 0.45-0.72, p <.001; AUROC 0.73, optimal cut-off 1 L). Patients with 24-hour urine output <1 L were at increased risk of hospital death (66.3% vs. 26.0%, unadjusted OR 5.61, 95% CI 3.27-9.63, p <.001). Initial BUN (adjusted OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.16, p=.02) and urine output during the first 24 hours (adjusted OR 0.71 per each 1 L; 95% CI 0.52-0.97, p=.03) remained predictive of hospital mortality after adjustment for patient characteristics and illness severity. Conclusions: Lower 24-hour urine output and higher initial BUN were associated with higher hospital mortality among patients resuscitated from OHCA, even after adjustment for illness severity. Serum creatinine was not a significant predictor of mortality. This emphasizes the importance of low urine output as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target after OHCA.

Abstract Aims The incidence of respiratory failure and use of invasive or non-invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) in the cardiac intensive care units (CICUs) is increasing. While institutional MV volumes are associated with reduced mortality in medical and surgical ICUs, this volume–mortality relationship has not been characterized in the CICU. Methods and results National population-based data were used to identify patients admitted to CICUs (2005–2015) requiring MV in Canada. CICUs were categorized into low (≤100), intermediate (101–300), and high (&gt;300) volume centres based on spline knots identified in the association between annual MV volume and mortality. Outcomes of interest included all-cause in-hospital mortality, the proportion of patients requiring prolonged MV (&gt;96 h) and CICU length of stay (LOS). Among 47 173 CICU admissions requiring MV, 89.5% (42 200) required invasive MV. The median annual CICU MV volume was 43 (inter-hospital range 1–490). Compared to low-volume centres (35.9%), in-hospital mortality was lower in intermediate [29.2%, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72–0.97, P = 0.019] and high-volume (18.2%; aOR 0.82, 95% CI 0.66–1.02, P = 0.076) centres. Prolonged MV was higher in low-volume (29.2%) compared to high-volume (14.8%, aOR 0.70, 95% CI 0.55–0.89, P = 0.003) and intermediate-volume (23.0%, aOR 0.85, 95% CI 0.68–1.06, P = 0.14] centres. Mortality and prolonged MV were lower in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-capable and academic centres, but a shorter CICU LOS was observed only in subgroup of PCI-capable intermediate- and high-volume hospitals. Conclusions In a national dataset, we observed that higher CICU MV volumes were associated with lower incidence of in-hospital mortality, prolonged MV, and CICU LOS. Our data highlight the need for minimum MV volume benchmarks for CICUs caring for patients with respiratory failure.

Introduction: Lactate is a known prognostic marker in critically ill patients, including patients with shock and cardiac arrest (CA). We sought to describe the association between admission lactate and hospital mortality in cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) patients, particularly those with CA. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated adult patients admitted to a tertiary care CICU from January 1, 2007, to April 30, 2018, with measured lactate on admission. We examined hospital mortality as a function of admission lactate level in patients with and without CA. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine predictors of hospital mortality in the overall cohort, after adjustment for clinical characteristics, therapies, and illness severity. Results: We included 3,042 patients with a median age of 70 years (IQR 60-80), including 40.5% (n=1,233) females. There were 789 patients (26.1%) with a diagnosis of CA. The median APACHE-4 predicted mortality was 24.2% (IQR 10.9-50.7), and 50.8% (n=1546) were treated with vasoactive infusions. The median lactate on admission was 1.8 mmol/L (IQR 1.1-3.0). CICU mortality occurred in 478 (15.7%) patients) and hospital mortality occurred in 706 (23.2%) patients. Hospital mortality rose progressively as a function of admission lactate ( Figure ). On univariable analysis, lactate was associated with increased hospital mortality among the overall cohort (OR 1.36, CI 1.31-1.42, P < .001; AUROC 0.71), patients with CA (OR 1.33 (95% CI 1.25-1.41, P < .01; AUROC 0.73), and patients without CA (OR 1.27, CI 1.21-1.34, P < .01; AUROC 0.64). On multivariable analysis, lactate was one of the most significant predictors of hospital mortality (adjusted OR 1.13 per mmol/L, 95% CI 1.08-1.18, P < .001). Conclusions: Admission lactate levels are strongly associated with increased hospital mortality among CICU patients, especially those with CA. The prognostic value of lactate levels may help inform clinicians caring for CICU patients.

Data on pre-implant hemodynamic optimization before continuous flow left ventricular assist device placement (CF-LVAD) with respect to patient-centered outcomes remain limited. Consecutive patients undergoing CF-LVAD implant between 2007 and 2017 were identified. Hemodynamic variables, trends, and laboratory studies were evaluated pre-LVAD implant in a logistic regression model to identify predictors of the primary composite endpoint: the need for right ventricular assist device therapy, the requirement for hemodialysis at 90 days, and 30-day mortality. Multivariate modeling identified three variables significantly associated with the primary endpoint: right ventricular stroke work index (RVSWI), right atrial pressure (RAP), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN); all immediately pre-LVAD, p < 0.01. Optimal dichotomization points were 500 mmHg*ml*m−2, 12 mmHg, and 40 mg/dL. The three-component model identified an AUC of 0.77 (p < 0.0001) for the composite endpoint. Optimization of 2/3 parameters, 1/3, and 0/3 was associated with odds ratios of 3.5 (95% CI, 1.1−11.7), 7.2 (95% CI, 2.1−24.2), and 20.6 (95% CI, 5.3−80.6), respectively, relative to those patients who were fully optimized (3/3 parameters). The number of optimized parameters was also associated with 1-year overall survival (p = 0.02). Low RVSWI, high RAP, and high BUN were independently associated with adverse outcomes after the CF-LVAD implant, demonstrating a stepwise association with severe postimplant adverse events.

AbstractBackgroundRandomized studies of intra‐aortic balloon pump (IABP) in cardiogenic shock (CS) have only included on patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) without stratification according to shock severity. We examined the association between IABP and mortality in CS patients across the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention (SCAI) shock stages.MethodsWe included cardiac intensive care unit patients admitted from 2007 to 2015 with CS from any etiology. In‐hospital mortality associated with IABP was examined in each SCAI shock stage. Multivariable logistic regression was performed using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to determine the association between IABP and in‐hospital mortality.ResultsWe included 934 patients, with a mean age of 68 ± 14 years; 60% had ACS. The distribution of SCAI shock stages was: B, 41%; C, 13%; D, 38%; E, 8%. In‐hospital mortality was lower in the 39% of patients who received IABP (27% vs. 43%, adjusted OR with IABP after IPTW 0.53, 95% CI 0.40–0.72, p < .0001). IABP use was associated with lower crude in‐hospital mortality in each SCAI shock stage (all p < .05, except p = .08 in SCAI shock stage E). We did not observe any significant heterogeneity in the association between IABP use and in‐hospital mortality as a function of SCAI shock stage.ConclusionsPatients with CS who were selected to receive an IABP had lower in‐hospital mortality, without differences in this effect across the SCAI shock stages. Future studies should account for the severity and etiology of shock when evaluating the efficacy of IABP for CS.