Interruption of enteral nutrition (EN) in the intensive care unit (ICU) occurs frequently for various reasons including feeding intolerance and the conduct of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. However, few studies have investigated the details of EN interruption practices including reasons for and duration of interruptions. There is no standard protocol to minimize EN interruptions. This is a retrospective review of 100 patients in the ICU staying more than 72 h and receiving EN in a 12-bed, medical/surgical ICU in a tertiary care center in 2013. Data collected include total time designated for EN; the number of EN interruption episodes; reason for each interruption categorized as diagnostic study, therapeutic intervention, or gastrointestinal (GI) event, and their individual subcategories; duration of each interruption; and the presence of written orders for interruptions. One hundred patients staying in the ICU for at least 72 h and receiving EN were included. There were 567 episodes of EN interruption over a median ICU length of stay of 17.1 (interquartile range 8.0–22.0) days. There were a median of three EN interruption episodes per patient. EN interruption was performed for undetermined reasons (166 episodes, 29%), airway manipulation (103 episodes, 18%), GI events (78 episodes, 14%), and intermittent dialysis (71 episodes, 13%). Median duration of EN interruption in all patients was 5.5 (3.0–10.0) h. The cumulative interruption time corresponds to 19% of the total time designated for EN. Duration of EN interruption varied according to reason, including airway manipulation (9.0 [5.0–21.0] h), tracheostomy (9.5 [7.5–14.0] h), and GI events (6.5 [3.0–14.0] h). The average calorie deficits due to interruptions were 11.5% of daily target calories. Only 60 episodes (12%) had clear written orders for interruption. Based on this single-center retrospective chart review, interruption of EN in the ICU is frequent, reasons for and duration of interruption varied, and airway procedures are associated with a relatively longer duration of interruption. Documentation and orders were frequently missing. These results warrant development of a protocol for EN interruption.

The administration of low-dose intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIgG) (5 g/day for 3 days; approximate total 0.3 g/kg) is widely used as an adjunctive treatment for patients with sepsis in Japan, but its efficacy in the reduction of mortality has not been evaluated. We investigated whether the administration of low-dose IVIgG is associated with clinically important outcomes including intensive care unit (ICU) and in-hospital mortality. This is a post-hoc subgroup analysis of data from a retrospective cohort study, the Japan Septic Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (JSEPTIC DIC) study. The JSEPTIC DIC study was conducted in 42 ICUs in 40 institutions throughout Japan, and it investigated associations between sepsis-related coagulopathy, anticoagulation therapies, and clinical outcomes of 3195 adult patients with sepsis and septic shock admitted to ICUs from January 2011 through December 2013. To investigate associations between low-dose IVIgG administration and mortalities, propensity score-based matching analysis was used. IVIgG was administered to 960 patients (30.8%). Patients who received IVIgG were more severely ill than those who did not (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score 24.2 ± 8.8 vs 22.6 ± 8.7, p < 0.001). They had higher ICU mortality (22.8% vs 17.4%, p < 0.001), but similar in-hospital mortality (34.4% vs 31.0%, p = 0.066). In propensity score-matched analysis, 653 pairs were created. Both ICU mortality and in-hospital mortality were similar between the two groups (21.0% vs 18.1%, p = 0.185, and 32.9% vs 28.6%, p = 0.093, respectively) using generalized estimating equations fitted with logistic regression models adjusted for other therapeutic interventions. The administration of IVIgG was not associated with ICU or in-hospital mortality (odds ratio (OR) 0.883; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.655–1.192, p = 0.417, and OR 0.957, 95% CI, 0.724–1.265, p = 0.758, respectively). In this analysis of a large cohort of patients with sepsis and septic shock, the administration of low-dose IVIgG as an adjunctive therapy was not associated with a decrease in ICU or in-hospital mortality. University Hospital Medical Information Network Individual Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN-CTR000012543 . Registered on 10 December 2013.

Background: Capillary refill time (CRT) is the gold standard for evaluating peripheral organ perfusion; however, intraoperative CRT measurement is rarely used because it cannot be conducted continuously, and it is difficult to perform during general anesthesia. The peripheral perfusion index (PI) is another noninvasive method for evaluating peripheral perfusion. The PI can easily and continuously evaluate peripheral perfusion and could be an alternative to CRT for use during general anesthesia. This study aimed to determine the cutoff PI value for low peripheral perfusion status (prolonged CRT) by exploring the relationship between CRT and the PI during general anesthesia. Methods: We enrolled 127 surgical patients. CRT and the PI were measured in a hemodynamically stable state during general anesthesia. A CRT >3 s indicated a low perfusion status. Results: Prolonged CRT was observed in 27 patients. The median PI values in the non-prolonged and prolonged CRT groups were 5.0 (3.3–7.9) and 1.5 (1.2–1.9), respectively. There was a strong negative correlation between the PI and CRT (r = −0.706). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve generated for the PI was 0.989 (95% confidence interval, 0.976–1.0). The cutoff PI value for detecting a prolonged CRT was 1.8. Conclusion: A PI <1.8 could accurately predict a low perfusion status during general anesthesia in the operating room. A PI <1.8 could be used to alert the possibility of a low perfusion status in the operating room. Trial Registration: University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN000043707; retrospectively registered on March 22, 2021, https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000049905).

Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) after surgery has an extremely poor prognosis with a mortality rate of 30-100%. We report a patient with NOMI following aortic valve replacement who failed to improve despite continuous intra-arterial infusion of papaverine, but was successfully treated with alprostadil (prostaglandin E1 [PGE1]) infusion. The patient is a 77-year-old man who underwent aortic valve replacement. Due to elevated serum lactate levels five hours after intensive care unit admission, superior mesenteric arteriography was performed, establishing the diagnosis of NOMI. Although continuous intra-arterial infusion of papaverine was begun, lactate levels remained elevated. Repeat angiography and laparotomy revealed extensive ischemic changes of the intestine. The vasodilator was changed to PGE1, which improved arterial spasm. The patient ultimately needed an ileocecal resection, but the extent of the resection was limited with concomitant PGE1 administration. In the present patient, although NOMI was unresponsive to appropriate treatment including intra-arterial infusion of papaverine, continuous intra-arterial infusion of PGE1 salvaged most of the intestine. In a patient with recurrent NOMI despite appropriate treatment including intra-arterial infusion of papaverine, continuous intra-arterial infusion of PGE1 may limit the extent of intestinal resection needed. Continuous intra-arterial infusion of PGE1 may be a useful treatment for patients with refractory NOMI.

Background: The incidence of delirium is high in older patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Intraoperative tissue hypoperfusion and re-reperfusion injury, which generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), are suggested to induce delirium. Ascorbic acid is an excellent antioxidant and may reduce organ damage by inhibiting the production of ROS. This prospective observational study aimed to measure pre- and postoperative plasma ascorbic acid levels and examine their association with delirium. Methods: Patients older than 70 years of age scheduled for elective cardiovascular surgery using CPB were enrolled. From September 2020 to December 2021, we enrolled 100 patients, and the data of 98 patients were analyzed. Results: In total, 31 patients developed delirium, while 67 did not. Preoperative plasma ascorbic acid levels did not differ between the non-delirium and delirium groups (6.0 ± 2.2 vs. 5.5 ± 2.4 µg/mL, p = 0.3). Postoperative plasma ascorbic acid levels were significantly different between the groups (2.8 [2.3–3.5] vs. 2.3 [1.6–3.3] µg/mL, p = 0.037). Conclusions: In patients who undergo cardiovascular surgery with CPB, lower postoperative plasma ascorbic acid levels may be associated with the development of delirium.