Aims:To obtain information on organizational aspects, case mix and practices in Indian Intensive Care Units (ICUs).Patients and Methods:An observational, 4-day point prevalence study was performed between 2010 and 2011 in 4209 patients from 124 ICUs. ICU and patient characteristics, and interventions were recorded for 24 h of the study day, and outcomes till 30 days after the study day. Data were analyzed for 4038 adult patients from 120 ICUs.Results:On the study day, mean age, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores were 54.1 ± 17.1 years, 17.4 ± 9.2 and 3.8 ± 3.6, respectively. About 46.4% patients had ≥1 organ failure. Nearly, 37% and 22.2% patients received mechanical ventilation (MV) and vasopressors or inotropes, respectively. Nearly, 12.2% patients developed an infection in the ICU. About 28.3% patients had severe sepsis or septic shock (SvSpSS) during their ICU stay. About 60.7% patients without infection received antibiotics. There were 546 deaths and 183 terminal discharges (TDs) from ICU (including left against medical advice or discharged on request), with ICU mortality 729/4038 (18.1%). In 1627 patients admitted within 24 h of the study day, the standardized mortality ratio was 0.67. The APACHE II and SOFA scores, public hospital ICUs, medical ICUs, inadequately equipped ICUs, medical admission, self-paying patient, presence of SvSpSS, acute respiratory failure or cancer, need for a fluid bolus, and MV were independent predictors of mortality.Conclusions:The high proportion of TDs and the association of public hospitals, self-paying patients, and inadequately equipped hospitals with mortality has important implications for critical care in India.

Background The second COVID‐19 wave in India has been associated with an unprecedented increase in cases of COVID‐19 associated mucormycosis (CAM), mainly Rhino‐orbito‐cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM). Methods This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Noble hospital and Research Centre (NHRC), Pune, India, between 1 April, 2020, and 1 August, 2021, to identify CAM patients and assess their management outcomes. The primary endpoint was incidence of all‐cause mortality due to CAM. Results 59 patients were diagnosed with CAM. Median duration from the first positive COVID‐19 RT PCR test to diagnosis of CAM was 17 (IQR: 12,22) days. 90% patients were diabetic with 89% having uncontrolled sugar level (HbA1c >7%). All patients were prescribed steroids during treatment for COVID‐19. 56% patients were prescribed steroids for non‐hypoxemic, mild COVID‐19 (irrational steroid therapy), while in 9%, steroids were prescribed in inappropriately high dose. Patients were treated with a combination of surgical debridement (94%), intravenous liposomal Amphotericin B (91%) and concomitant oral Posaconazole (95.4%). 74.6% patients were discharged after clinical and radiologic recovery while 25.4% died. On relative risk analysis, COVID‐19 CT severity index ≥18 (p = .017), presence of orbital symptoms (p = .002), presence of diabetic ketoacidosis (p = .011) and cerebral involvement (p = .0004) were associated with increased risk of death. Conclusions CAM is a rapidly progressive, angio‐invasive, opportunistic fungal infection, which is fatal if left untreated. Combination of surgical debridement and antifungal therapy leads to clinical and radiologic improvement in majority of cases.

Background: The second COVID-19 wave in India, triggered by the Delta variant,has been associated with an unprecedented increase in cases of COVID-19 associated Mucormycosis(CAM), mainly Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis(ROCM).The primary reason appears to be an unusual alignment of multiple risk factors in patients like prevalence of hypoxia, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, indiscriminate use of steroids, high iron levels and immune dysfunction. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Noble hospital and Research Centre (NHRC), Pune, Western India between 1st April 2020 and 1st August 2021 to identify patients admitted with CAM. The primary endpoint was incidence of all cause mortality due to CAM. Secondary outcomes studied were need for mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit(ICU) admission. Baseline and time dependent risk factors significantly associated with death due to CAM were identified by Relative risk estimation. Results: 59 patients were diagnosed with Mucormycosis at NHRC (58 ROCM, 1 Renal (disseminated) mucormycosis). Median age of the cohort was 52(IQR: 41,61) years and it included 20.3% females. Median duration from first positive COVID-19 RT PCR test to diagnosis of Mucormycosis was 17(IQR: 12,22) days. 90% patients were diabetic with 30% being newly diagnosed at the time of COVID-19 admission and 89% having uncontrolled sugar level (HbA1c > 7%). All patients were prescribed steroids during treatment for COVID-19. 56% patients were prescribed steroids for non-hypoxemic, mild COVID (irrational steroid therapy) while in 9%, steroids were indicated but were prescribed in inappropriately high dose. Majority of the patients were treated with a combination of surgical debridement(94%), intravenous Amphotericin B(91%) and concomitant oral Posoconazole therapy(95.4%). 74.6% patients were discharged after clinical and radiologic recovery while 25.4% (15 patients) died. On Relative risk analysis, CT severity score during COVID-19 admission ≥18 (p=0.017), presence of orbital symptoms(p=0.002), presence of diabetic ketoacidosis(p=0.011) and cerebral involvement by Mucor(p=0.0004) were associated with increased risk of death. Duration of Amphotericin B therapy of ≥ 21 days was associated with statistically significant reduction in mortality(p=0.002). Conclusions: CAM is an uncommon, rapidly progressive, angioinvasive, opportunistic fungal infection which is fatal if left untreated. Combination of surgical debridement and antifungal therapy leads to clinical and radiologic improvement in majority of cases.

A bstract Reduction in the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) continues to be a worldwide challenge. With repeated analytical studies done over decades, it has become possible to identify the significant contributors to this challenge. Right from low socioeconomic status to the availability of recent technological advances, many factors need attention and prioritization. Obstetric hemorrhage remains an important cause followed by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and sepsis. In this issue of IJCCM, Miglani et al. have highlighted the various levels of the delays, which are significant contributors to the high MMR. In other preventive strategies, efforts will be needed to improve patient education, infrastructure, availability of trained manpower, blood storage facilities, timely referrals, transport facilities, etc., at peripheral levels. In the tertiary care centers, there is an increased need for trained manpower in critical care, the obstetric medical emergency team as a new concept, aggressive teamwork in intensive care unit (ICU) and operation theaters, the use of advanced technologies and newer drugs, etc. It will remain a tough challenge to reduce global MMR to 70 per 100,000 live births, as per plans by the United Nations, by the year 2030. How to cite this article Bande BD. Critically Ill Obstetric Patients and Fetomaternal Outcome. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(11):1005–1007.

How to cite this article: Bande B. Goals of Care for Patients with Severe Comorbid Illnesses Hospitalized for an Acute Deterioration. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(4):414–415.