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Background: Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SSAH) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Pathophysiological processes following initial bleeding are complex and not fully understood. In this study, we aimed to determine whether a low level of ionized calcium (Ca++), an essential cofactor in the coagulation cascade and other cellular processes, is associated with adverse neurological outcome, development of early hydrocephalus, and symptomatic vasospasm among patients with SSAH. Methods: This was a retrospective single-center cohort study of all patients admitted for SSAH between January 1, 2009, and April 31, 2020. The primary outcome was an unfavorable neurological status at discharge, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score greater than or equal to 3. Secondary outcomes were the development of early hydrocephalus and symptomatic vasospasm. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine whether Ca++ was an independent predictor of these outcomes. Results: A total of 255 patients were included in the final analysis. Hypocalcemia, older age, admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, and admission Hunt–Hess classification scale (H&H) grades IV and V were independently associated with unfavorable neurological outcome, with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of 1.93 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1–3.4; p = 0.02) for each 0.1 mmol L−1 decrease in the Ca++ level, 1.04 (95% CI 1.01–1.08; p = 0.02) for each year increase, 0.82 (95% CI 0.68–0.99; p = 0.04), and 6.29 (95% CI 1.14–34.6; p = 0.03), respectively. Risk factors for the development of hydrocephalus were hypocalcemia and GCS score, with ORs of 1.85 (95% CI 1.26–2.71; p = 0.002) for each 0.1 mmol L−1 decrease in the Ca++ level and 0.83 (95% CI 0.73–0.94; p = 0.005), respectively. Ca++ was not associated with symptomatic vasospasm (OR 1.04 [95% CI 0.76–1.41]; p = 0.81). Among patients with admission H&H grade I–III bleeding, hypocalcemia was independently associated with unfavorable neurological outcome at discharge, with an adjusted OR of 1.99 (95% CI 1.03–3.84; p = 0.04) for each 0.1 mmol L−1 decrease in the Ca++ level. Hypocalcemia was also an independent risk factor for the development of early hydrocephalus, with an adjusted OR of 2.95 (95% CI 1.49–5.84; p = 0.002) for each 0.1 mmol L−1 decrease in the Ca++ level. Ca++ was not associated with symptomatic vasospasm. No association was found between Ca++ and predefined outcomes among patients with admission H&H grade IV and V bleeding. Conclusions: Our study shows that hypocalcemia is associated with worse neurological outcome at discharge and development of early hydrocephalus in endovascularly treated patients with SSAH. Potential mechanisms include calcium-induced coagulopathy and higher blood pressure. Trials are needed to assess whether correction of hypocalcemia will lead to improved outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Liberation from mechanical ventilation is a cardinal landmark during hospitalization of ventilated patients. Decreased muscle mass and sarcopenia are associated with a high risk of extubation failure. A low level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is a known biomarker of sarcopenia. This study aimed to determine whether low levels of ALT are associated with increased risk of extubation failure among critically ill patients. Methods: This was a retrospective single-center cohort study of mechanically ventilated patients undergoing their first extubation. The study's outcome was extubation failure within 48 h and 7 days. Multivariable logistic and Cox regression were performed to determine whether ALT was an independent predictor of these outcomes. Results: The study included 329 patients with a median age of 62.4 years (IQR 48.1–71.2); 210 (63.8%) patients were at high risk for extubation failure. 66 (20.1%) and 83 (25.2%) failed the extubation attempt after 48 h and 7 days, respectively. Low ALT values were more common among patients requiring reintubation (80.3–61.5% vs. 58.6–58.9%, p < 0.002). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified ALT as an independent predictor of extubation failure at 48 h and 7 days. ALT ≤ 21 IU/L had an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 2.41 (95% CI 1.31–4.42, p < 0.001) for extubation failure at 48 h and ALT ≤ 16 IU/L had adjusted HR of 1.94 (95% CI 1.25–3.02, p < 0.001) for failure after 7 days. Conclusions: Low ALT, an established biomarker of sarcopenia and frailty, is an independent risk factor for extubation failure among hospitalized patients. This simple laboratory parameter can be used as an effective adjunct predictor, along with other weaning parameters, and thereby facilitate the identification of high-risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is often complicated by impaired coagulation. We aimed to determine whether the level of ionised calcium (Ca2+), an essential coagulation co-factor, at diagnosis of PPH is associated with bleeding severity.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of women diagnosed with PPH during vaginal delivery between January 2009 and April 2020. Ca2+ levels at PPH diagnosis were compared between women who progressed to severe PPH (primary outcome) and those with less severe bleeding. Severe PPH was defined by transfusion of ≥2 blood units, arterial embolisation or emergency surgery, admission to ICU, or death. Associations between other variables (e.g. fibrinogen concentration) and bleeding severity were also assessed.Results: For 436 patients included in the analysis, hypocalcaemia was more common among patients with severe PPH (51.5% vs 10.6%, P<0.001). In a multivariable logistic regression model, Ca2+ and fibrinogen were the only parameters independently associated with PPH severity with odds ratios of 1.14 for each 10 mg dl-1 decrease in fibrinogen (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.24; P=0.002) and 1.97 for each 0.1 mmol L-1 decrease in Ca2+ (95% CI, 1.25-3.1; P=0.003). The performance of Ca2+ or fibrinogen was not significantly different (area under the curve [AUC]=0.79 [95% CI, 0.75-0.83] vs AUC=0.86 [95% CI, 0.82-0.9]; P=0.09). The addition of Ca2+ to fibrinogen improved the model, leading to AUC of 0.9 (95% CI, 0.86-0.93), P=0.03.Conclusions: Ca2+ level at the time of diagnosis of PPH was associated with risk of severe bleeding. Ca2+ monitoring may facilitate identification and treatment of high-risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]