16 Apr 2018

April 16, 2018

Written by REBEL EM
Background: It is well established that the rapid identification of patients with sepsis is needed in order to initiate timely care to improve morbidity and mortality.  The systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria have been used for some time for screening, however the sensitivity and specificity of these criteria have been brought to question based on recent evidence [2]. This may have been one of the many reasons why the Sepsis-3 task force recommended the quick sequential (Sepsis-related) organ failure assessment (qSOFA) for prediction of mortality in sepsis. qSOFA consists of low blood pressure (SBP ≤100mmhg), increased respiratory rate (≥22bpm), and altered mental status (GCS ≤14).  2 or more of these criteria indicates  an increased risk of death.  There have been several studies calling into question the sensitivity of this criteria.  In this post, we will review a recent systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the prognostic value of qSOFA vs SIRS in adult patients with suspected infection in the ED, hospital wards, and the ICU.
Medical Categories: Infectious Disease
0 Likes
2 Apr 2018

April 2, 2018

Written by REBEL EM

Background: Skin and soft tissue abscesses are a common emergency department (ED) presentation. The approach to management has changed little in recent decades: incision and drainage (I+D) and then discharge home with follow up. However, increasing rates of methicillin-resistant staph aureus (MRSA) over the last decade have led to further consideration of adjunct therapy with oral antibiotics to improve cure rates. Two recent studies (Talan 2016, Daum 2017) have shown a modest but consistent benefit to oral antibiotics.

Medical Categories: Infectious Disease
0 Likes
29 Mar 2018

March 29, 2018

Written by REBEL EM
Background: There have now been several trials published on the use of steroids in sepsis.  In 2002, we had the Annane Trial, with 299 patients showing mortality and shock reversal benefit in sepsis with hydrocortisone.  Then in 2008 we had the CORTICUS trial, with 499 patients, which found a faster reversal of shock, but no benefit in mortality.  Next the HYPRESS trial published in 2016 with 380 patients, with severe sepsis, not septic shock,  showed no difference in mortality or time to reversal of shock.  And finally the ADRENAL Trial published this year with 3800 patients show no difference in mortality, but a small benefit in reversal of shock.  Due to these mixed results, many physicians have variable practice patterns with the use of steroids in sepsis/septic shock.  Now, we have the APROCCHSS trial looking at hydrocortisone plus fludrocortisone for adults with septic shock (By the way the lead author is the same author that published the 2002 steroids in sepsis trial…Annane).
Medical Categories: Infectious Disease
0 Likes
22 Jan 2018

January 22, 2018

Written by REBEL EM
Background: Randomized clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of adjunctive corticosteroids in septic shock have shown conflicting evidence of clinical relevance. Two trials in particular [2][3] looked at lower dose hydrocortisone (200mg/day) and its effect on mortality in patients with septic shock resulting in conflicting results in regards to mortality, but both showing earlier reversal of shock in patients treated with hydrocortisone. The current surviving sepsis guidelines recommend the use of hydrocortisone in patients with septic shock after adequate fluid resuscitation and use of vasopressors who have not achieved hemodynamic stability, but this recommendation is classified as weak evidence (Level 2C). Due to these weak recommendations there has been a variability in use of corticosteroids in septic shock. On Jan 19th, 2018 the ADRENAL Trial results were published trying to once and for all answer the question of adjunctive steroids in septic shock.
Medical Categories: Infectious Disease
0 Likes
18 Jan 2018

January 18, 2018

Written by REBEL EM
Background: A Cochrane review was published in 2015 evaluating 33 trials with 4,268 participants to evaluate the effects of corticosteroids on death at one month in patients with sepsis.  In that meta-analysis the authors concluded that despite the overall low quality of evidence, corticosteroids still reduced mortality among patients with sepsis. Corticosteroids in sepsis/septic shock has been a controversial topic as the exact dose, which steroid to use, which patients will benefit and when to start them have all been debated. 
Medical Categories: Infectious Disease
0 Likes
0