Visceral obesity measured using computed tomography scans: No significant association with mortality in critically ill patients.

Introduction: The association between obesity and outcome in critical illness is unclear. Since the amount of visceral adipose tissue(VAT) rather than BMI mediates the health effects of obesity we aimed to investigate the association between visceral obesity, BMI and 90-day mortality in critically ill patients.

Method: In 555 critically ill patients (68% male), the VAT Index(VATI) was measured using Computed Tomography scans on the level of vertebra L3.

Early high protein provision and mortality in ICU patients including those receiving continuous renal replacement therapy.

Background: Findings on the association between early high protein provision and mortality in ICU patients are inconsistent. The relation between early high protein provision and mortality in patients receiving CRRT remains unclear. The aim was to study the association between early high protein provision and hospital and ICU mortality and consistency in subgroups.

Monitoring muscle mass using ultrasound: a key role in critical care.

Purpose Of Review: The loss of muscle mass in critically ill patients contributes to morbidity and mortality, and results in impaired recovery of physical functioning. The number of publications on the topic is increasing. However, there is a lack of consistent methodology and the most optimal methodology remains unclear, hampering its broad use in clinical practice.

Fluid balance and phase angle as assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis in critically ill patients: a multicenter prospective cohort study.

Background: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a validated method to assess body composition in persons with fluid homeostasis and reliable body weight. This is not the case during critical illness. The raw BIA markers resistance, reactance, phase angle, and vector length are body weight independent.

Identifying critically ill patients with low muscle mass: Agreement between bioelectrical impedance analysis and computed tomography.

Background & Aims: Low muscle mass and -quality on ICU admission, as assessed by muscle area and -density on CT-scanning at lumbar level 3 (L3), are associated with increased mortality. However, CT-scan analysis is not feasible for standard care. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) assesses body composition by incorporating the raw measurements resistance, reactance, and phase angle in equations.

Amino Acid Loss during Continuous Venovenous Hemofiltration in Critically Ill Patients.

Background/objectives: During continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH), there is unwanted loss of amino acids (AA) in the ultrafiltrate (UF). Solutes may also be removed by adsorption to the filter membrane. The aim was to quantify the total loss of AA via the CVVH circuit using a high-flux polysulfone membrane and to differentiate between the loss by ultrafiltration and adsorption.

Indirect calorimetry in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients: Comparison of E-sCOVX with the deltatrac.

Background & Aims: Indirect calorimetry is recommended to measure energy expenditure (EE) in critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients. The most validated system, the Deltatrac® (Datex-Ohmeda, Helsinki, Finland) is no longer in production. We tested the agreement of a new breath-by-breath metabolic monitor E-sCOVX® (GE healthcare, Helsinki, Finland), with the Deltatrac.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis-derived phase angle at admission as a predictor of 90-day mortality in intensive care patients.

Background/objectives: A low bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)-derived phase angle (PA) predicts morbidity and mortality in different patient groups. An association between PA and long-term mortality in ICU patients has not been demonstrated before. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether PA on ICU admission independently predicts 90-day mortality.

Skeletal muscle quality as assessed by CT-derived skeletal muscle density is associated with 6-month mortality in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients.

Background: Muscle quantity at intensive care unit (ICU) admission has been independently associated with mortality. In addition to quantity, muscle quality may be important for survival. Muscle quality is influenced by fatty infiltration or myosteatosis, which can be assessed on computed tomography (CT) scans by analysing skeletal muscle density (SMD) and the amount of intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT).

Ventilator-derived carbon dioxide production to assess energy expenditure in critically ill patients: proof of concept.

Introduction: Measurement of energy expenditure (EE) is recommended to guide nutrition in critically ill patients. Availability of a gold standard indirect calorimetry is limited, and continuous measurement is unfeasible. Equations used to predict EE are inaccurate.

Low skeletal muscle area is a risk factor for mortality in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients.

Introduction: Higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with lower mortality in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients. However, it is yet unclear which body component is responsible for this relationship.

Methods: This retrospective analysis in 240 mechanically ventilated critically ill patients included adult patients in whom a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen was made on clinical indication between 1 day before and 4 days after admission to the intensive care unit.

Optimal protein and energy nutrition decreases mortality in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients: a prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Optimal nutrition for patients in the intensive care unit has been proposed to be the provision of energy as determined by indirect calorimetry and the provision of protein of at least 1.2 g/kg.

Methods: Prospective observational cohort study in a mixed medical-surgical intensive care unit in an academic hospital.

[An immunocompromised man with a fever].

A 42-year-old man with prolonged dexamethasone use because of recurred plasmacytoma developed fever and tender red swelling of the right upper leg and arm. The patient turned out to have pyomysitis, caused by Staphylococcus aureus.