NLR, MLR, PLR and RDW to predict outcome and differentiate between viral and bacterial pneumonia in the intensive care unit.

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and red cell distribution width (RDW) are emerging biomarkers to predict outcomes in general ward patients. However, their role in the prognostication of critically ill patients with pneumonia is unclear. A total of 216 adult patients were enrolled over 2 years.

Early Treatment of High-Risk Hospitalized Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Patients With a Combination of Interferon Beta-1b and Remdesivir: A Phase 2 Open-label Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Early antiviral therapy was effective in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We assessed the efficacy and safety of combined interferon beta-1b and remdesivir treatment in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Methods: We conducted a multicentre, prospective open-label, randomized-controlled trial involving high-risk adults hospitalized for COVID-19.

An External Validation of Scoring Systems in Mortality Prediction in Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) offers the last resort in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Various scoring systems have been established, yet external validation of these scoring systems in the Asian population remains scarce. We aim to identify factors associated with hospital mortality and to validate various scoring systems in the prediction of hospital mortality.

Effect of the underlying malignancy on critically ill septic patient's outcome.

Background: Sepsis is an important cause of mortality and morbidity among critically ill patients with underlying malignancy.

Methods: Patients with sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital from January 1, 2010 to April 30, 2019 were recruited. Demographics, laboratory parameter, and outcome were analyzed.

Critically ill patients with COVID-19 in Hong Kong: a multicentre retrospective observational cohort study.

Objective: To report the first eight cases of critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Hong Kong, describing the treatments and supportive care they received and their 28-day outcomes.

Design: Multicentre retrospective observational cohort study.

Setting: Three multidisciplinary intensive care units (ICUs) in Hong Kong.

Impact of Hyperoxia and Hypocapnia on Neurological Outcomes in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Study.

In recent decades, there is increasing evidence suggesting that hyperoxia and hypocapnia are associated with poor outcomes in critically ill patients with cardiac arrest or traumatic brain injury. Yet, the impact of hyperoxia and hypocapnia on neurological outcome in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has not been well studied. In the present study, we evaluated the impact of hyperoxia and hypocapnia on neurological outcomes in patients with aneurysmal SAH (aSAH).

A nurse-led critical care outreach program to reduce readmission to the intensive care unit: A quasi-experimental study with a historical control group.

Introduction: Various critical care outreach services have been developed and evaluated worldwide; however, the conflicting findings indicate the need to strengthen the outreach service research. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a nurse-led critical care follow-up program on intensive care unit (ICU) readmission and hospital mortality in patients with respiratory problems discharged from the ICU in Hong Kong.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study design, with a historical control and a prospective intervention for 13 months, was used.

A Case of Lemierre's Syndrome in Intensive Care Unit.

We report a 21-year-old young male with Lemierre's syndrome presented as tonsillitis and with respiratory failure and required intensive care. Lemierre's syndrome is the septic embolic complication of recent pharyngeal illness. spp.

Treatment of Acute Kidney Injury Complicating Septic Shock with EMiC2 High-cutoff Hemofilter: Case Series.

Introduction: Extracorporeal blood purification therapies have been proposed to improve outcomes of patients with severe sepsis, with or without accompanying acute kidney injury (AKI), by removal of excessive inflammatory mediators.

Materials And Methods: We report our experience with EMiC2 high-cutoff continuous venovenous hemofiltration/hemodialysis (HCO-CVVH/HD) in seven patients with AKI complicating septic shock.

Results: The median treatment duration was 71 h, and the procedure was well tolerated.

Visualization of the inferoposterior thoracic wall (VIP) and boomerang signs-novel sonographic signs of right pleural effusion.

Objectives: This study is to present the diagnostic values of the novel sonographic visualization of the inferoposterior thoracic wall (VIP) and boomerang signs in detecting right pleural effusion by sonologists with little to no experience in ultrasound.

Methods: A prospective analysis of a convenience sample of patients who were assessed by junior intensive care physicians was performed. The patients all underwent computed tomography (CT) of the chest or abdomen with lung bases as part of their care regardless of indication; the results were interpreted by radiologists and were considered the gold standard.

Impact of renal replacement therapy on survival in patients with KDIGO stage 3 acute kidney injury: A propensity score matched analysis.

Aim: To investigate the impact of renal replacement therapy (RRT) on 90-day mortality in critically ill patients suffering from KDIGO stage 3 acute kidney injury (AKI) with or without life-threatening complications using propensity score matching analysis.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of critically ill adult patients with KDIGO Stage 3 AKI with or without RRT during ICU stay between 1/1/2011-31/12/2013. Cox regression analysis and propensity score matching methods were used to determine predictors for 90-day mortality.

Experiences with Continuous Venovenous Hemofiltration using 18mmol/L predilution Citrate anticoagulation and a Phosphate Containing Replacement Solution.

Context: Regional citrate anticoagulation for continuous renal replacement therapy is associated with a longer filter-life, less bleeding events and improved mortality. Problems associated with using Prismocitrate 10/2 solution in continuous renal replacement therapy, include hypomagnesemia, hypophosphatemia and the need for additional bicarbonate infusion.

Aims: This study uses the new Prismocitrate 18/0 solution for improved buffer balance and Phoxilium solution for a more favourable electrolyte profile.

Preoperative red cell distribution width: Not a useful prognostic indicator for 30-day mortality in patients who undergo major- or ultra-major noncardiac surgery.

Background: Red cell distribution width (RDW) has been shown to be associated with mortality in cardiac surgical patients. This study investigates the association of RDW with the 30-day mortality for those patients who undergo major- or ultra-major noncardiac surgery.

Methods: Patients who received major- or ultra-major noncardiac surgery between July 2012 and May 2013 were included in the study and patients those with preoperative hemoglobin <10 g/day were excluded from the study.

Clinical Outcomes of Extended Versus Intermittent Infusion of Piperacillin/Tazobactam in Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Clinical Trial.

Study Objective: To determine whether critically ill patients receiving extended-infusion (EI) piperacillin/tazobactam would have improved clinical outcomes compared with patients receiving intermittent infusions.

Design: Single-center, open-label, prospective study.

Setting: Twenty-two-bed intensive care unit (ICU) in a regional hospital in Hong Kong.

Septic acute kidney injury in critically ill patients - a single-center study on its incidence, clinical characteristics, and outcome predictors.

Purpose The objective of this study is to examine the incidence, clinical characteristics, and outcome (90-day mortality) of critically ill Chinese patients with septic AKI. Methods Patients admitted to the ICU of a regional hospital from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2013 were included, excluding those on chronic renal replacement therapy. AKI was defined using KDIGO criteria.

Recent knowledge on the pathophysiology of septic acute kidney injury: A narrative review.

Sepsis is the commonest cause of acute kidney injury in critically ill patients. Its pathophysiology is complex and not well understood. Until recently, it was believed that kidney hypoperfusion is the major contributor of septic acute kidney injury.

Predictive value of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin for acute kidney injury in intensive care unit patients after major non-cardiac surgery.

Aim: The performance of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (pNGAL) for prediction of acute kidney injury (AKI) in non-cardiac surgical patients has not been well described. This study investigates the use of pNGAL for early detection of AKI in patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) after major or ultra-major non-cardiac surgery.

Methods: A total of 151 patients were recruited.

Alteco endotoxin hemoadsorption in Gram-negative septic shock patients.

Background And Aims: Severe sepsis and septic shock are common causes of mortality and morbidity in an intensive care unit setting. Endotoxin, derived from the outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria, is considered a major factor in the pathogenesis of sepsis. This study investigated the effect of Alteco endotoxin hemoadsorption device on Gram-negative septic shock patients.

The use of regional citrate anticoagulation continuous venovenous hemofiltration in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) frequently requires continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Additional anticoagulation for the CRRT circuit is usually not employed, but this may increases the risk of clot embolization, which shortens oxygenator lifespan and increases patient's risk. We report our experience on the use of regional citrate anticoagulation continuous venovenous hemofiltration (RCA-CVVH) connected to an ECMO circuit, which could be useful during low heparin or heparin-free ECMO situations.

Timing for initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy in patients with septic shock and acute kidney injury.

The optimal timing for renal replacement therapy initiation in septic acute kidney injury (AKI) remains controversial. This study investigates the impact of early versus late initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) on organ dysfunction among patients with septic shock and AKI. Patients were dichotomized into "early" (simplified RIFLE Risk) or "late" (simplified RIFLE Injury or Failure) CRRT initiation.

Hyperimmune IV immunoglobulin treatment: a multicenter double-blind randomized controlled trial for patients with severe 2009 influenza A(H1N1) infection.

Background: Experience from influenza pandemics suggested that convalescent plasma treatment given within 4 to 5 days of symptom onset might be beneficial. However, robust treatment data are lacking.

Methods: This is a multicenter, prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

A retrospective review of the use of regional citrate anticoagulation in continuous venovenous hemofiltration for critically ill patients.

Background. The emergence of a commercially prepared citrate solution has revolutionized the use of RCA in the intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety profile of a commercially prepared citrate solution.

Regional citrate anticoagulation in predilution continuous venovenous hemofiltration using prismocitrate 10/2 solution.

Regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is associated with a longer filter life and fewer bleeding events. Complexity of the regimen is the major hurdle preventing widespread application. This study describes a simple predilution continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) protocol utilizing a commercially prepared replacement solution containing citrate (Prismocitrate 10/2).

Interaction between fluid balance and disease severity on patient outcome in the critically ill.

Purpose: There is evidence in literature regarding the benefits of immediate aggressive fluid resuscitation together with conservative fluid management approach after initial stabilization. This retrospective study assesses the relationship between fluid balance during intensive care unit (ICU) stay and outcomes among general critically ill patients. In addition, we also aim to see the effect of fluid gain among patients with different disease severity.