The future of training in intensive care medicine: A European perspective

Introduction Intensive care medicine(ICM)is the science and art of preventing,caring for,and curing acutely ill patients.The specialty originated from the need to provide technology-centered organ support to the most fragile patients presenting with sequential and progressive organ failure.[1]Despite its genesis in Europe and extensive clinical and research achievements in the field,ICM has not been recognized as a distinct discipline in the European Union(EU).This has a negative impact on the free movement of intensivists across Europe.In fact,it has been a major obstacle for knowledge and competence sharing,communication,and professional interweaving across borders—all of which are crucial requirements,especially when contending with pandemics and disasters.

Acute renal dysfunction in liver diseases

Renal dysfunction is common in liver diseases,either as part of multiorgan involvement in acute illness or secondary to advanced liver disease.The presence of renal impairment in both groups is a poor prognostic indicator.Renal failure is often multifactorial and can present as pre-renal or intrinsic renal dysfunction.Obstructive or post renal dysfunction only rarely complicates liver disease.Hepatorenal syndrome(HRS)is a unique form of renal failure associated with advanced liver disease or cirrhosis,and is characterized by functional renal impairment without significant changes in renal histology.Irrespective of the type of renal failure,renal hypoperfusion is the central pathogenetic mechanism,due either to reduced perfusion pressure or increased renal vascular resistance.Volume expansion,avoidance of precipitating factors and treatment of underlying liver disease constitute the mainstay of therapy to prevent and reverse renal impairment.Splanchnic vasoconstrictor agents,such as terlipressin,along with volume expansion,and early placement of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)may be effective in improving renal function in HRS.Continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT)and molecular absorbent recirculating system(MARS)in selected patients may be life saving while awaiting liver transplantation.

Optimization of central venous pressure during the perioperative period is associated with improved prognosis of high-risk operation patients

Background:While central venous pressure(CVP)measurement is used to guide fluid management for high-risk surgical patients during the perioperative period,its relationship to patient prognosis is unknown.Methods:This single-center,retrospective observational study enrolled patients undergoing high-risk surgery from February 1,2014 to November 31,2020,who were admitted to the surgical intensive care unit(ICU)directly after surgery.Patients were divided into the following three groups according to the first CVP measurement(CVP1)after admission to the ICU:low,CVP1<8 mmHg;moderate,8 mmHg≤CVP1≤12 mmHg;and high,CVP1>12 mmHg.Perioperative fluid balance,28-day mortality,length of stay in the ICU,and hospitalization and surgical complications were compared across groups.Results:Of the 775 high-risk surgical patients enrolled in the study,228 were included in the analysis.Median(interquartile range)positive fluid balance during surgery was lowest in the low CVP1 group and highest in the high CVP1 group(low CVP1:770[410,1205]mL;moderate CVP1:1070[685,1500]mL;high CVP1:1570[1008,2000]mL;all P<0.001).The volume of positive fluid balance during the perioperative period was correlated with CVP1(r=0.336,P<0.001).The partial arterial pressure of oxygen(PaO 2)/fraction of inspired oxygen(FiO 2)ratio was significantly lower in the high CVP1 group than in the low and moderate CVP1 groups(low CVP1:400.0[299.5,443.3]mmHg;moderate CVP1:362.5[330.0,434.9]mmHg;high CVP1:335.3[254.0,363.5]mmHg;all P<0.001).The incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury(AKI)was lowest in the moderate CVP1 group(low CVP1:9.2%;moderate CVP1:2.7%;high CVP1:16.0%;P=0.007).The proportion of patients receiving renal replacement therapy was highest in the high CVP1 group(low CVP1:1.5%;moderate CVP1:0.9%;high CVP1:10.0%;P=0.014).Logistic regression analysis showed that intraoperative hypotension and CVP1>12 mmHg were risk factors for AKI within 72 h after surgery(adjusted odds ratio[aOR]=3.875,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.378–10.900,P=0.010 and aOR=1.147,95%CI:1.006–1.309,P=0.041).Conclusions:CVP that is either too high or too low increases the incidence of postoperative AKI.Sequential fluid therapy based on CVP after patients are transferred to the ICU post-surgery does not reduce the risk of organ dysfunction caused by an excessive amount of intraoperative fluid.However,CVP can be used as a safety limit indicator for perioperative fluid management in high-risk surgical patients.