Browsing by Author "Ruiz, Carolina"

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    Characteristics and evolution of patients admitted to a public hospital intensive care unit
    (SOC MEDICA SANTIAGO, 2016) Ruiz, Carolina; Angel Diaz, Miguel; Marcelo Zapata, Juan; Bravo, Sebastian; Panay, Sergio; Escobar, Cristina; Godoy, Jorge; Andresen, Max; Castro, Ricardo
    Background: The epidemiology of critical patients in Chile could differ from that reported in international studies. Aim: To describe the causes of admission and evolution of patients who were admitted to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) of a general hospital in Chile in a two-year period (2012-2013). Patients and Methods: A retrospective study was carried out using the ICU database. The following variables were registered: admission diagnosis, APACHE II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation), days of mechanical ventilation (MV), ICU length of stay and ICU and hospital survival. Results: We analyzed data from 1075 aged 54 +/- 18 years (55% males), representing 75% of the admissions during the study period. The median ICU and MV lengths were 5 and 3 days respectively (92% of patients required MV). APACHE II was 20.5 +/- 8.2. The ICU and hospital mortality rate were 19.4% and 31%, respectively. Critical neurological diseases were the most common diagnoses requiring ICU, representing 26.8% of the admissions. No differences were found between 2012 and 2013 in age, APACHE II, ICU or hospital survival. A longer post ICU length of stay was found during 2013, both for patients who survived and those who died at the hospital. Conclusions: This study highlights the high percentage of patients that required MV and the high percentage critical neurological conditions requiring ICU admission. The characteristics and evolution of patients admitted to the ICU did not differ during 2012 and 2013.
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    Characteristics of trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit of a general hospital in Chile
    (SOC MEDICA SANTIAGO, 2013) Ruiz, Carolina; Mimica, Ximena; Luisa Lisbona, Maria; Donoso, Javiera; Arriagada, Paula; Roa, Macarena; Bravo, Sebastian; Godoy, Jorge
    Background: Trauma is an important cause of death among young adults. Aim: To determine the characteristics, treatments and evolution of trauma patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) of a public hospital in Santiago, Chile. Material and Methods: All polytrauma (PT) and severely traumatized (ST) patients admitted to ICU were included. We recorded the type of trauma along with demographic and hemodynamic variables, treatments and complications. The evolution and treatments received by PT and ST patients were compared. Results: We recorded data from 72 patients aged 43 +/- 21 years (93% males). Sixty two percent were PT and 24% had penetrating injuries. TBI (Trauma Brain Injury) was the most common trauma. On admission, acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score was 18.7 + 7.3, and Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 32.8 + 20.1. ICU stay was 7.8 + 6 days. Sixty seven per cent of patients required surgery and 58% received blood transfusions. No differences were found between PT and ST ICU and hospital mortality rates were 15 and 25% respectively. Conclusions: The characteristics and evolution of PT and ST of this series of patients are similar to those described abroad. Mortality was in agreement with ISS and APACHE II scores.
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    Expanding ICU facilities in a pandemic scenario
    (SOC MEDICA SANTIAGO, 2020) Andresen, Max; Born, Pablo; Kattan, Eduardo; Vera, Magdalena; Cataldo, Alejandro; Ruiz, Carolina; Bravo, Sebastian
    Our country is suffering the effects of the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Because the vulnerability of healthcare systems, especially the intensive care areas they can rapidly be overloaded. That challenge the ICUs simultaneously on multiple fronts making urgent to increase the number of beds, without lowering the standards of care. The purpose of this article is to discuss some aspects of the national situation and to provide recommendations on the organizational management of intensive care units such as isolation protocols, surge in ICU bed capacity, ensure adequate supplies, protect and train healthcare workers maintaining quality clinical management.
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    International Study on Microcirculatory Shock Occurrence in Acutely Ill Patients
    (2015) Vellinga Namkje, A.R.; Boerma E., Christiaan; Koopmans, Matty; Donati, Abele; Dubin, Arnaldo; Shapiro, Nathan I.; Pearse, Rupert M.; Machado, Flavia R.; Fries, Michael; Ruiz, Carolina; Akarsu-Ayazoglu, Tulin; Pranskunas, Andrius; Hollenberg, Steven; Balestra, Gianmarco; van Iterson, Mat; van der Voort, Peter H.J.; Sadaka, Farid; Minto, Gary; Aypar, Ulku; Hurtado F., Javier; Martinelli, Giampaolo
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    Recomendaciones de la Sociedad Chilena de Medicina Intensiva para la prevención de tromboembolismo venoso en pacientes críticos médico-quirúrgicos adultos
    (2016) Figueroa, Gastón; Labarca, Eduardo; Cornejo, Rodrigo; Ruiz, Carolina; Sánchez, Juan Eduardo; Castro López, Ricardo; Huerta, Gustavo; Pedreros, César; Regueira Heskia, Tomás; Romero, Carlos
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    Sublingual microcirculatory changes during high-volume hemofiltration in hyperdynamic septic shock patients
    (2010) Ruiz, Carolina; Hernández P., Glenn; Godoy, Cristián; Downey Concha, Patricio; Andresen Hernández, Max; Bruhn, Alejandro
    Abstract Introduction Previous studies have suggested that high volume hemofiltration (HVHF) may contribute to revert hypotension in severe hyperdynamic septic shock patients. However, arterial pressure stabilization occurs due to an increase in systemic vascular resistance, which could eventually compromise microcirculatory blood flow and perfusion. The goal of this study was to determine if HVHF deteriorates sublingual microcirculation in severe hyperdynamic septic shock patients. Methods This was a prospective, non-randomized study at a 16-bed, medical-surgical intensive care unit of a university hospital. We included 12 severe hyperdynamic septic shock patients (norepinephrine requirements > 0.3 μg/kg/min and cardiac index > 3.0 L/min/m2) who underwent a 12-hour HVHF as a rescue therapy according to a predefined algorithm. Sublingual microcirculation (Microscan for NTSC, Microvision Medical), systemic hemodynamics and perfusion parameters were assessed at baseline, at 12 hours of HVHF, and 6 hours after stopping HVHF. Results Microcirculatory flow index increased after 12 hours of HVHF and this increase persisted 6 hours after stopping HVHF. A similar trend was observed for the proportion of perfused microvessels. The increase in microcirculatory blood flow was inversely correlated with baseline levels. There was no significant change in microvascular density or heterogeneity during or after HVHF. Mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance increased while lactate levels decreased after the 12-hour HVHF. Conclusions The use of HVHF as a rescue therapy in patients with severe hyperdynamic septic shock does not deteriorate sublingual microcirculatory blood flow despite the increase in systemic vascular resistance.Abstract Introduction Previous studies have suggested that high volume hemofiltration (HVHF) may contribute to revert hypotension in severe hyperdynamic septic shock patients. However, arterial pressure stabilization occurs due to an increase in systemic vascular resistance, which could eventually compromise microcirculatory blood flow and perfusion. The goal of this study was to determine if HVHF deteriorates sublingual microcirculation in severe hyperdynamic septic shock patients. Methods This was a prospective, non-randomized study at a 16-bed, medical-surgical intensive care unit of a university hospital. We included 12 severe hyperdynamic septic shock patients (norepinephrine requirements > 0.3 μg/kg/min and cardiac index > 3.0 L/min/m2) who underwent a 12-hour HVHF as a rescue therapy according to a predefined algorithm. Sublingual microcirculation (Microscan for NTSC, Microvision Medical), systemic hemodynamics and perfusion parameters were assessed at baseline, at 12 hours of HVHF, and 6 hours after stopping HVHF. Results Microcirculatory flow index increased after 12 hours of HVHF and this increase persisted 6 hours after stopping HVHF. A similar trend was observed for the proportion of perfused microvessels. The increase in microcirculatory blood flow was inversely correlated with baseline levels. There was no significant change in microvascular density or heterogeneity during or after HVHF. Mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance increased while lactate levels decreased after the 12-hour HVHF. Conclusions The use of HVHF as a rescue therapy in patients with severe hyperdynamic septic shock does not deteriorate sublingual microcirculatory blood flow despite the increase in systemic vascular resistance.
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    The impact of a better coordination between emergency and intensive care units in the care of critically ill patients
    (SOC MEDICA SANTIAGO, 2016) Lara, Barbara A.; Cataldo, Alejandro; Castro, Ricardo; Aguilera, Pablo R.; Ruiz, Carolina; Andresen, Max
    The need for critical care services is increasing in Chile. Critical care beds and specialists in this area are scarce. In this article we discuss some aspects that hamper the care of critically ill patients from their arrival to the emergency department to their transfer to the ICU. Special emphasis is given to system saturation and its multiple causes. The benefits of an integrative approach between emergency medicine and critical care specialists are highlighted and some solutions are proposed to strengthen this partnership.