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Introduction: Rapid detection of abnormal biological values using point-of-care (POC) testing allows clinicians to promptly initiate therapy; however, there are concerns regarding the reliability of POC measurements. We investigated the agreement between the latest generation blood gas analyzer and central laboratory measurements of electrolytes, bicarbonate, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and glucose., Methods: 314 paired samples were collected prospectively from 51 critically ill patients. All samples were drawn simultaneously in the morning from an arterial line. BD Vacutainer tubes were analyzed in the central laboratory using Beckman Coulter analyzers (AU 5800 and DxH 800). BD Preset 3 ml heparinized-syringes were analyzed immediately in the ICU using the POC Siemens RAPIDPoint 500 blood gas system. We used CLIA proficiency testing criteria to define acceptable analytical performance and interchangeability., Results: Biases, limits of agreement (±1.96 SD) and coefficients of correlation were respectively: 1.3 (-2.2 to 4.8 mmol/L, r = 0.936) for sodium; 0.2 (-0.2 to 0.6 mmol/L, r = 0.944) for potassium; -0.9 (-3.7 to 2 mmol/L, r = 0.967) for chloride; 0.8 (-1.9 to 3.4 mmol/L, r = 0.968) for bicarbonate; -11 (-30 to 9 mg/dL, r = 0.972) for glucose; -0.8 (-1.4 to -0.2 g/dL, r = 0.985) for hemoglobin; and -1.1 (-2.9 to 0.7%, r = 0.981) for hematocrit. All differences were below CLIA cut-off values, except for hemoglobin., Conclusions: Compared to central Laboratory analyzers, the POC Siemens RAPIDPoint 500 blood gas system satisfied the CLIA criteria of interchangeability for all tested parameters, except for hemoglobin. These results are warranted for our own procedures and devices. Bearing these restrictions, we recommend clinicians to initiate an appropriate therapy based on POC testing without awaiting a control measurement., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Background: In the intensive care unit (ICU), the outcomes of patients with acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) are poorly documented. This study aimed to determine the risk factors for death in ICU patients with AMI., Methods: A retrospective, observational, non-interventional, multicenter study was conducted in 43 ICUs of 38 public institutions in France. From January 2008 to December 2013, all adult patients with a diagnosis of AMI during their hospitalization in ICU were included in a database. The diagnosis was confirmed by at least one of three procedures (computed tomography scan, gastrointestinal endoscopy, or upon surgery). To determine factors associated with ICU death, we established a logistic regression model. Recursive partitioning analysis was applied to construct a decision tree regarding risk factors and their interactions most critical to determining outcomes., Results: The death rate of the 780 included patients was 58 %. Being older, having a higher sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) severity score at diagnosis, and a plasma lactate concentration over 2.7 mmol/l at diagnosis were independent risk factors of ICU mortality. In contrast, having a prior history of peripheral vascular disease or an initial surgical treatment were independent protective factors against ICU mortality. Using age and SOFA severity score, we established an ICU mortality score at diagnosis based on the cutoffs provided by recursive partitioning analysis. Probability of survival was statistically different (p < 0.001) between patients with a score from 0 to 2 and those with a score of 3 and 4., Conclusion: Acute mesenteric ischemia in ICU patients was associated with a 58 % ICU death rate. Age and SOFA severity score at diagnosis were risk factors for mortality. Plasma lactate concentration over 2.7 mmol/l was also an independent risk factor, but values in the normal range did not exclude the diagnosis of AMI.

Background: Adult Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) has been associated with poor outcome and end-stage renal disease in >20% of cases. Although the benefit of adding another immunosuppressant to steroids in severe adult HSP has not been shown, the benefit of plasma exchange (PE) therapy has been poorly evaluated., Study Design: Case series., Setting & Participants: 11 consecutive patients with severe and newly diagnosed HSP since 1988 who were treated with steroids and PE., Outcome & Measurement: Patients' characteristics and outcome were analyzed. Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and proteinuria were measured at baseline, at the end of PE treatment, at months 6 and 12, and at the last visit. Side effects of corticoid treatment and PE were recorded., Results: 11 patients were identified in 1988-2010. Patients received intravenous corticoid pulses in 64% of cases, followed by oral prednisone for a median of 6.6 months. They received a median of 12 PE sessions. BVAS, eGFR, and proteinuria improved significantly between baseline and the last PE at a median of 2 months. PE sessions were well tolerated, except in one patient who developed central catheter-associated septicemia. One patient required dialysis therapy 15 days after HSP diagnosis and did not recover kidney function. At the last medical evaluation at a mean follow-up of 6 years, median eGFR and proteinuria were 83 ± 22 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and protein excretion of 140 ± 10 mg/d, respectively. 3 women had pregnancy without complications., Limitations: This case series did not have a control group., Conclusions: The combination of PE and corticoid therapy in severe forms of HSP was associated with fast improvement and good long-term outcome., (Copyright © 2012 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)