Use of Albumin in Septic Shock

August 26, 2015September 4, 2015 ICM Case SummariesLeave a comment

A 40 year old woman presented with 4 days of abdominal pain, distended abdomen and faeculent vomiting. She was in septic shock on presentation and laparotomy revealed a sigmoid perforation with four quadrant peritonitis. Postoperatively she was extubated, but dependent on noradrenaline. Overnight, her vasopressor requirements escalated despite additional fluid resuscitation. Transthoracic echo suggesed hypovolaemia, and as she was hypoalbuminaemic she was given regular boluses of 20% albumin which resulted in transient improvments in blood pressure. Despite a return to theatre for further washout, she developed multiorgan failure and died.

What is the evidence behind the use of Albumin as a resuscitation fluid in patients with septic shock?Read More »

Septic Cardiomyopathy

August 25, 2015September 5, 2015 ICM Case SummariesLeave a comment

A middle aged man developed septic shock secondary to community acquired pneumonia. He was ventilated and commenced on noradrenaline therapy. He had an echo on admission that showed a structurally normal heart with normal biventricular function. He remained statically unwell for several days and had a further deterioration on day 4 with further bilateral consolidation seen on CXR. Repeat echocardiography showed a well filled, but globally impaired heart with an ejection fraction of 10-20%. He was commenced on additional inotropic support, but continued to deteriorate, developed multiorgan failure and died.

Is septic cardiomyopathy reversible? What is the current best treatment?Read More »

On-Demand Re-Laparotomy for Severe Secondary Peritonitis

August 25, 2015September 5, 2015 ICM Case SummariesLeave a comment

An elderly man underwent an elective open left hemicolectomy for a splenic flexure tumour. On day 4 he was admitted to the intensive care due to fevers, fast AF and hypotension. He developed respiratory failure and required intubation. CT abdomen revealed free fluid in the abdomen, and emergency laparotomy found anastomotic breakdown and faecal peritonitis. He was washed out, and had further bowel resection and his abdomen was closed. He developed anuria requiring renal replacement therapy and continued to have persistently raised inflammatory markers. On day 9 he had a further deterioration and repeat CT revealed several large collections. He underwent relook laparotomy and washout, but continued to deteriorate and died 48 hours later.

Do patients with severe secondary peritonitis benefit from on-demand relaparotomy or planned relaparotomy?Read More »

Vasopressin for Adults with Septic Shock

August 24, 2015September 5, 2015 ICM Case SummariesLeave a comment

A 70 year old man with known prostatic malignancy and stage III chronic kidney disease developed fevers, left flank pain, urinary frequency and confusion. He deteriorated rapidly in ED becoming hypotensive and drowsy. He had a lactic acidosis. CT abdomen was showed left hydronephrosis and hydroureter and was suggestive of an infected obstructed kidney. During the scan he became peri-arrest and was intubated. There was a logistical delay in achieving nephrostomy, and he was requiring escalating levels of noradrenaline. Vasopressin was commenced in order to maintain his mean arterial pressure and reduce the noradrenaline requirement from 0.8mcg/kg/min. Nephrostomy was achieved around 12 hours later and he subsequently made a full recovery.

What is the role of Vasopressin for Adults in Septic ShockRead More »