Browsing by Author "Pereira, R"
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- Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure Syndrome - Clinical Results from an Intensive Care Unit in a Liver Transplant CenterPublication . Pereira, R; Bagulho, L; Sousa Cardoso, FObjective: To characterize a cohort of acute-on-chronic liver failure patients in Intensive Care and to analyze the all-cause 28-day mortality risk factors assessed at ICU admission and day 3. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients admitted to the intensive care unit between March 2013 and December 2016. Results: Seventy-one patients were included. The median age was 59 (51 - 64) years, and 81.7% of patients were male. Alcohol consumption alone (53.5%) was the most frequent etiology of cirrhosis and infection (53.5%) was the most common acute-on-chronic liver failure precipitating event. At intensive care unit admission, the clinical severity scores were APACHE II 21 (16 - 23), CLIF-SOFA 13 (11 - 15), Child-Pugh 12 (10 - 13) and MELD 27 (20 - 32). The acute-on-chronic liver failure scores were no-acute-on-chronic liver failure: 11.3%; one: 14.1%; two: 28.2% and three: 46.5%; and the number of organ failures was one: 4.2%; two: 42.3%; three: 32.4%; four: 16.9%; and five: 4.2%. Liver transplantation was performed in 15.5% of patients. The twenty-eight-day mortality rate was 56.3%, and the in-ICU mortality rate was 49.3%. Organ failure at intensive care unit admission (p = 0.02; OR 2.1; 95%CI 1.2 - 3.9), lactate concentration on day 3 (p = 0.02; OR 6.3; 95%CI 1.4 - 28.6) and the international normalized ratio on day 3 (p = 0.03; OR 10.2; 95%CI 1.3 - 82.8) were independent risk factors. Conclusion: Acute-on-chronic liver failure patients presented with high clinical severity and mortality rates. The number of organ failures at intensive care unit admission and the lactate and international normalized ratio on day 3 were independent risk factors for 28-day mortality. We consider intensive care essential for acute-on-chronic liver failure patients and timely liver transplant was vital for selected patients.
- Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure: A Portuguese Single-Center Reference ReviewPublication . Verdelho, M; Perdigoto, R; Machado, J; Mateus, É; Marcelino, P; Pereira, R; Fortuna, P; Bagulho, L; Bento, L; Ribeiro, F; Nolasco, F; Martins, A; Barroso, EAcute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a syndrome characterized by an acute deterioration of a patient with cirrhosis, frequently associated with multi-organ failure and a high short-term mortality rate. We present a retrospective study that aims to characterize the presentation, evolution, and outcome of patients diagnosed with ACLF at our center over the last 3 years, with a comparative analysis between the group of patients that had ACLF precipitated by infectious insults of bacterial origin and the group of those with ACLF triggered by a nonbacterial infectious insult; the incidence of acute kidney injury and its impact on the prognosis of ACLF was also analyzed. Twenty-nine patients were enrolled, the majority of them being male (89.6%), and the mean age was 53 years. Fourteen patients (48.3%) developed ACLF due to a bacterial infectious event, and 9 of them died (64.2%, overall mortality rate 31%); however, no statistical significance was found (p < 0.7). Of the remaining 15 patients (51.7%) with noninfectious triggers, 11 died (73.3%, overall mortality rate 37.9%); again there was no statistical significance (p < 0.7). Twenty-four patients (83%) developed acute kidney injury (overall mortality rate 65.5%; p < 0.022) at the 28-day and 90-day follow-up. Twelve patients had acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy (41.37%; overall mortality rate 37.9%; p < 0.043). Hepatic transplant was performed in 3 patients, with a 100% survival at the 28-day and 90-day follow-up (p < 0.023). Higher grades of ACLF were associated with increased mortality (p < 0.02; overall mortality 69%). CONCLUSIONS: ACLF is a heterogeneous syndrome with a variety of precipitant factors and different grades of extrahepatic involvement. Most cases will have some degree of renal dysfunction, with an increased risk of mortality. Hepatic transplant is an efficient form of therapy for this syndrome.
- Associations Between Perfusion Defects, Tissue Changes and Myocardial Deformation in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Uncovered by a Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Segmental AnalysisPublication . Brás, P; Aguiar Rosa, S; Thomas, B; Fiarresga, A; Cardoso, I; Pereira, R; Branco, G; Cruz, I; Baquero, L; Cruz Ferreira, R; Mota Carmo, M; Rocha Lopes, LBackground: Microvascular dysfunction is an often overlooked feature of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Our aim was to assess the association between microvascular dysfunction, wall thickness, tissue characteristics and myocardial deformation in HCM patients, by analyzing individual myocardial segments. Methods: Prospective assessment including cardiac magnetic resonance to assess wall thickness, T1 and T2 mapping, extracellular volume, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and stress perfusion. Results were stratified according to the 16 American Heart Association segments. Results: Seventy-five patients were recruited (1200 segments), 63% male, mean age 54.6±14.8 years, maximal wall thickness of 20.22±4.6 mm. Among the 424 segments (35%) with perfusion defects, 24% had defects only in the endocardial layer and 12% in both endocardial and epicardial layers. Perfusion defects were more often detected in hypertrophied segments (64%). Among the 660 segments with normal wall thickness, 19% presented perfusion defects. Independently of wall thickness, segments with perfusion defects had a higher T1 (β-estimate 30.28, p<0.001), extracelluar volume (β-estimate 1.50, p<0.001) and T2 (β-estimate 0.73, p<0.001) and had late gadolinium enhancement more frequently (odds ratio 4.16, p<0.001). Higher values of circumferential strain (lower deformation) and lower values of radial strain were found in segments with perfusion defects (β-estimate 2.76, p<0.001; and β-estimate -10.39, p<0.001, circumferential and radial strain, respectively). Conclusion: While microvascular dysfunction was more prevalent in more hypertrophied segments, it also had a major presence in segments without hypertrophy. In this segmental analysis, we found an association between the presence of ischemia and tissue abnormalities, replacement fibrosis as well as impaired strain, independently of the segmental wall thickness.
- Chronic Hepatitis C Treatment in HIV Co-Infection in Portugal: Results from a Cohort OF 2133 Patients Presented by GEPCOI (Portuguese Coinfection Study Group)Publication . Miranda, AC; Mendez, J; Serrão, R; Vale, F; Manata, MJ; Pinto, S; Gomes, A; Valente, C; Pacheco, P; Pazos, R; Pereira, R; Martins, A; Germano, I; Rocha, S; Reis, AP; Sarmento-Castro, RDirect-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) have recently changed the paradigm of hepatitis C therapy, significantly improving treatment response rates, patient life expectancy and quality of life. In Portugal, sofosbuvir (SOF) and SOF/ledipasvir (SOF/LDV) were fully reimbursed by the National Health System since early 2015 and generalized use of interferon-free DAA based regimens became current practice. During 2016, the remaining DAAs were sequentially added and covered by the same health access policy. The Portuguese Study Group of Hepatitis and HIV Co-infection (GEPCOI) collected data from 15 clinical centres in Portugal, pertaining to the HCV treatment experience with DAA regimens. A cohort of 2133 patients was analysed, representing one of the largest DAA treated HCV/HIV co-infected individuals. The global sustained virologic response (SVR) achieved was 95% in this real-life cohort setting. Linear regression analysis showed significant differences in treatment response rates when using SOF plus ribavirin (RBV) combination in genotype 2 or 3 infected individuals (P < .002) and in those with liver cirrhosis (P < .002). These findings corroborate that early treatment is mandatory in HIV/HCV co-infected patients, as response rates may be negatively influenced by higher fibrosis stages and suboptimal DAA regimens. The current national Portuguese health policy should continue to promote wider treatment access and individualized therapy strategies, aiming at the elimination of HCV infection in this high-risk co-infected population.
- Cuidados de Enfermagem ao Doente com Aumento da Pressão IntracranianaPublication . Palma, N; Pereira, R; Amaro, S; Palma, S
- CURB-65 and Other Markers of Illness Severity in Community-Acquired Pneumonia Among HIV-Positive PatientsPublication . Almeida, A; Almeida, AR; Castelo Branco, S; Vesza, Z; Pereira, RAs the relative burden of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia among HIV-positive patients increases, adequate prediction of case severity on presentation is crucial. We sought to determine what characteristics measurable on presentation are predictive of worse outcomes. We studied all admissions for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia over one year at a tertiary centre. Patient demographics, comorbidities, HIV-specific markers and CURB-65 scores on Emergency Department presentation were reviewed. Outcomes of interest included mortality, bacteraemia, intensive care unit admission and orotracheal intubation. A total of 396 patients were included: 49 HIV-positive and 347 HIV-negative. Mean CURB-65 score was 1.3 for HIV-positive and 2.2 for HIV-negative patients (p < 0.0001), its predictive value for mortality being maintained in both groups (p = 0.03 and p < 0.001, respectively). Adjusting for CURB-65 scores, HIV infection by itself was only associated with bacteraemia (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 7.1, 95% CI [2.6-19.5]). Patients with < 200 CD4 cells/µL presented similar CURB-65 adjusted mortality (aOR 1.7, 95% CI [0.2-15.2]), but higher risk of intensive care unit admission (aOR 5.7, 95% CI [1.5-22.0]) and orotracheal intubation (aOR 9.1, 95% CI [2.2-37.1]), compared to HIV-negative patients. These two associations were not observed in the > 200 CD4 cells/µL subgroup (aOR 2.2, 95% CI [0.7-7.6] and aOR 0.8, 95% CI [0.1-6.5], respectively). Antiretroviral therapy and viral load suppression were not associated with different outcomes (p > 0.05). High CURB-65 scores and CD4 counts < 200 cells/µL were both associated with worse outcomes. Severity assessment scales and CD4 counts may both be helpful in predicting severity in HIV-positive patients presenting with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.
- Custo-Efectividade do Ertapenem versus Piperacilina/Tazobactam no Tratamento de Infecções do Pé Diabético em PortugalPublication . Naik, S; Pereira, R; Cabete, J; Moniz, L; Neves, J; Jansen, JPObjectivo:Avaliar o custo-efectividade do ertapenem em comparação com a piperacilina/tazobactam no tratamento das infecções, moderadas a graves, no pé diabético em Portugal. Métodos:Foi efectuada uma análise de custo-efectividade utilizando um modelo de árvore de decisão que tem em conta o desenvolvimento de resistência antibiótica ao longo do tempo com a utilização crescente em vários doentes de um mesmo antibiótico. Esta análise baseou-se num estudo semelhante previamente publicado, realizado no Reino Unido. Foram avaliados custos directos, anos de vida ajustados pela qualidade (QALY) e custos por QALY ganho. As taxas de erradicação microbiológica e de sucesso clínico foram adaptadas do estudo internacional SIDESTEP (Lipsky et al., 2005). Os custos directos associados ao tratamento das infecções do pé diabético são específicos de Portugal. O nível de incerteza dos dados foi determinado através de análises de sensibilidade probabilística. Resultados:Com base na eficiência inicial do ertapenem e da piperacilina/tazobactam reportadas no estudo SIDESTEP, o modelo utilizado sugeriu uma redução de custos de -228 euros (intervalo de confiança de 95% -1,818;916), e um ganho de QALY de 0,10 (intervalo de confiança de 95% -0,04; 0,28) quando as infecções do pé diabético são tratadas com ertapenem em detrimento da piperacilina/tazobactam. É expectável que o perfil de resistência antimicrobiana à piperacilina/tazobactam aumente a uma taxa superior ao do ertapenem após um período de utilização de 3 anos. Consequentemente, a utilização do ertapenem deverá resultar numa redução de custos -4,107 euros; intervalo de confiança de 95% -5,744; -2,930) e num ganho de QALY (0,97; 0,34; 1,71). Quando a taxa de resistência inicial ao ertapenem é superior à prevista com base no estudo SIDESTEP (0,2%), a redução de custos e os ganhos em QALY são menores. Conclusão:Tendo em conta os dados utilizados, o ertapenem pode constituir uma terapêutica mais custo-efectiva, quando comparada com a piperacilina/tazobactam no tratamento da infecção moderada a grave do pé diabético em Portugal. Contudo, reconhecem-se as limitações do presente estudo, que incluem a escassez ou ausência de dados nacionais fiáveis relativos à resistência aos antimicrobianos e à utilização de recursos.
- Early Feeding Practices in Infants with Phenylketonuria Across EuropePublication . Pinto, A; Adams, S; Ahring, K; Allen, H; Almeida, MF; Garcia-Arenas, D; Arslan, N; Assoun, M; Atik Altınok, Y; Barrio-Carreras, D; Belanger Quintana, A; Bernabei, SM; Bontemps, C; Boyle, F; Bruni, G; Bueno-Delgado, M; Caine, G; Carvalho, R; Chrobot, A; Chyż, K; Cochrane, B; Correia, C; Corthouts, K; Daly, A; De Leo, S; Desloovere, A; De Meyer, A; De Theux, A; Didycz, B; Dijsselhof, ME; Dokoupil, K; Drabik, J; Dunlop, C; Eberle-Pelloth, W; Eftring, K; Ekengren, J; Errekalde, I; Evans, S; Foucart, A; Fokkema, L; François, L; French, M; Forssell, E; Gingell, C; Gonçalves, C; Gökmen Özel, H; Grimsley, A; Gugelmo, G; Gyüre, E; Heller, C; Hensler, R; Jardim, I; Joost, C; Jörg-Streller, M; Jouault, C; Jung, A; Kanthe, M; Koç, N; Kok, I L; Kozanoğlu, T; Kumru, B; Lang, F; Lang, K; Liegeois, I; Liguori, A; Lilje, R; Ļubina, O; Manta-Vogli, P; Mayr, D; Meneses, C; Newby, C; Meyer, U; Mexia, S; Nicol, C; Och, U; Olivas, SM; Pedrón-Giner, C; Pereira, R; Plutowska-Hoffmann, K; Purves, J; Re Dionigi, A; Reinson, K; Robert, M; Robertson, L; Rocha, JC; Rohde, C; Rosenbaum-Fabian, S; Rossi, A; Ruiz, M; Saligova, J; Gutiérrez-Sánchez, A; Schlune, A; Schulpis, K; Serrano-Nieto, J; Skarpalezou, A; Skeath, R; Slabbert, A; Straczek, K; Giżewska, M; Terry, A; Thom, R; Tooke, A; Tuokkola, J; van Dam, E; van den Hurk, TM; van der Ploeg, EC; Vande Kerckhove, K; Van Driessche, M; van Wegberg, AJ; van Wyk, K; Vasconcelos, C; Velez García, V; Wildgoose, J; Winkler, T; Żółkowska, J; Zuvadelli, J; MacDonald, AIn infants with phenylketonuria (PKU), dietary management is based on lowering and titrating phenylalanine (Phe) intake from breast milk or standard infant formula in combination with a Phe-free infant formula in order to maintain blood Phe levels within target range. Professionals use different methods to feed infants with PKU and our survey aimed to document practices across Europe.
- Futility of Care in Patients with Acute-on-Chronic Liver FailurePublication . Cardoso, F; Pereira, R; Alexandrino, G; Bagulho, L
- Intra-Abdominal Hypertension and Abdominal Compartment Syndrome in the Critically Ill Liver Cirrhotic Patient–Prevalence and Clinical Outcomes. A Multicentric Retrospective Cohort Study in Intensive CarePublication . Pereira, R; Buglevski, M; Perdigoto, R; Marcelino, P; Saliba, F; Blot, S; Starkopf, JBackground: Liver cirrhosis and ascites are risk factors for intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS); however, data is scarce. We aimed to determine the prevalence of IAH/ACS in a population of critically ill cirrhotic patients with acute medical illness in intensive care and to assess for risk factors and clinical outcomes. Methods: This was a multicentric retrospective cohort study including two general ICUs and pooled data from a multicentric study between January 2009 and October 2019. Results: A total of 9,345 patients were screened, and 95 were included in the analysis. Mean age was 56.7±1.3 years, and 79% were male. Liver cirrhosis etiology included alcohol in 45.3% and alcohol plus hepatitis C virus in 9.5%. Precipitating events included infection in 26% and bleeding in 21% of cases. Mean severity score MELD and SAPS II were 26.2±9.9 and 48.5±15.3, respectively, at ICU admission. The prevalence of IAH and ACS was respectively 82.1% and 23.2% with a mean value of maximum IAP of 16.0±5.7 mmHg and IAH grades: absent 17.9%, I 26.3%, II 33.7%, III 17.9%, and IV 4.2%. Independent risk factors for IAH were alcoholic cirrhosis (p = 0.01), West-Haven score (p = 0.01), and PaO2/FiO2 ratio (p = 0.02); as well as infection (p = 0.048) for ACS. Overall, 28-day mortality was 52.6% associated with higher IAP and ACS, and independent risk factors were MELD (p = 0.001), white blood cell count (p = 0.03), PaO2/FiO2 ratio (p = 0.03), and lactate concentration (p = 0.04) at ICU admission. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a very high prevalence of IAH/ACS in the critically ill cirrhotic patient in intensive care. Increased IAP and ACS were associated with severity of disease and adverse outcomes and independent risk factors for IAH were alcoholic cirrhosis, hepatic encephalopathy and PO2/FiO2 ratio, as well as infection for ACS. Early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of IAH/ACS might improve outcome in critically ill cirrhotic patients.