SUMMARY BackgroundHospital admissions for cirrhosis have been increasing in the United Kingdom, leading to increased pressure on intensive care (ICU) services. Outcome data for patients admitted to ICU are currently limited to transplant centre reports, with mortality rates exceeding 70%. These tertiary reports could fuel a negative bias when patients with cirrhosis are reviewed for ICU admission in secondary care.
Introduction:Troponin release is common during critical illness. We hypothesized that there was an association between cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and biomarkers of systemic inflammation and ventricular dilatation.Methods:In an observational prospective cohort study, we enrolled consecutive adult patients admitted for noncardiac reasons to the intensive care unit (ICU) in two tertiary care centers. We measured cTnT, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT), and N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) daily in the first week, and on alternate days in the second week. Using a peak cTnT cutoff ≥15 ng/L and concomitant changes on electrocardiogram, patients were categorized as “definite myocardial infarction (MI),” “possible MI,” “cTnT rise only,” or “no cTnT rise.” Within each group, associations between CRP, IL-6, PCT, NT-proBNP, and cTnT were investigated using mixed effect models.Results:One hundred seventy-two patients were included in the analysis of whom 84% had a cTnT rise ≥15 ng/L. Twenty-one patients (12%) had a definite MI, 51 (30%) had a possible MI, and 73 (42%) had a cTnT rise only. At the time of peak cTnT, 71% of patients were septic and 67% were on vasopressors.Multivariable analysis showed a significant association between cTnT and IL-6 in all patients with a cTnT rise independent of age, gender, renal function, and cardiovascular risk factors. In patients without a definite MI, cTnT levels were significantly associated with PCT and NT-proBNP values. In patients without elevated cTnT levels, there was no associated NT-proBNP rise.Conclusions:In ICU patients admitted for non-cardiac reasons, serial cTnT levels were independently associated with markers of systemic inflammation and NT-proBNP.
AIMTo determine the impact of Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) on waiting list (WL) and post liver retransplantation (LRT) survival.METHODSComparative study of all adult patients assessed for primary liver transplant (PLT) (n = 1090) and patients assessed for LRT (n = 150), 2000-2007 at our centre. Demographic, clinical and laboratory variables were recorded.RESULTSMedian age for all patients was 53 years and 66% were men. Median model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score was 15. Median follow-up was 7-years. For retransplant patients, 84 (56%) had ≥ 1 comorbidity. The most common comorbidity was renal impairment in 66 (44.3%). WL mortality was higher in patients with ≥ 1 comorbidity (76% vs 53%, P = 0.044). CCI (OR = 2.688, 95%CI: 1.222-5.912, P = 0.014) was independently associated with WL mortality. Patients with MELD score ≥ 18 had inferior WL survival (Log-Rank 6.469, P = 0.011). On multivariate analysis, CCI (OR = 2.823, 95%CI: 1.563-5101, P = 0.001), MELD score ≥ 18 (OR 2.506, 95%CI: 1.044-6.018, P = 0.04), and requirement for organ support prior to LRT (P < 0.05) were associated with reduced post-LRT survival. Donor/graft parameters were not associated with survival (P = NS). Post-LRT mortality progressively increased according to the number of transplanted grafts (Log-Rank 18.455, P < 0.001). Post-LRT patient survival at 1-, 3- and 5-years were significantly inferior to those of PLT at 88% vs 73%, P < 0.001, 81% vs 71%, P = 0.018 and 69% vs 55%, P = 0.006, respectively.CONCLUSIONComorbidity increases WL and post-LRT mortality. Patients with MELD ≥ 18 have increased WL mortality. Patients with comorbidity or MELD ≥ 18 may benefit from earlier LRT. LRT for ≥ 3 grafts may not represent appropriate use of donated grafts.
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