Acute and Critical Care

Volume 40 (2); May 2025

Review Article

Surgery
Clinical applications of blood gas analysis: a comparative review of arterial and venous blood gas monitoring in critical care: Gyeo Ra Lee; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):153-159. Published online May 30, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.000900

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Abstract PDF: Blood gas analysis is an essential diagnostic tool used for assessing acid-base balance, ventilation, and oxygenation in critically ill patients. Arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA) remains the gold standard, primarily due to its accuracy in measuring oxygenation. Venous blood gas analysis (VBGA), in contrast, serves as a less invasive alternative and is particularly useful for evaluating acid-base status and metabolic function. Important parameters such as oxygen saturation of central venous blood (ScvO₂) and venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide pressure difference (∆pv-aCO₂) provide critical insights into hemodynamic status, cardiac output, and tissue perfusion. Although VBGA cannot replace ABGA for the precise assessment of oxygenation, it remains a valuable tool in clinical scenarios involving hemodynamic monitoring, shock management, and critical care decision-making.

Original Articles

Epidemiology
Comparing single-patient and multi-patient room intensive care units: a multicenter cohort study on architectural differences and clinical significance in South Korea: Daun Jeong, Donghyoun Lee, Kyoung Won Yoon, Hyo Jin Kim, Sun Young Choi, Chi-Min Park; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):160-170. Published online May 28, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.004968

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Abstract PDF

Background
The design of intensive care units (ICUs) is increasingly acknowledged as a crucial factor affecting patient outcomes. Transitioning from multi-bed patient rooms (MPRs) to single-bed patient rooms (SPRs) aims to improve infection control, patient privacy, and quality of care. However, concerns remain regarding potential patient isolation and reduced staff situational awareness. This study aims to evaluate clinical outcomes in SPR-structured ICUs compared to mixed SPR and MPR ICUs.
Methods
This multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted across three university-affiliated tertiary hospitals between April 2022 and August 2023. The study population included ICU patients aged ≥18 years, excluding those admitted to cardiac and neonatal ICUs. Outcomes assessed included ICU mortality and severity scores based on Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores.
Results
This study included 3,179 ICU patients across three sites: site A consisted exclusively of SPRs, while sites B and C had mixed SPR and MPR arrangements. ICU mortality rates were 8.3%, 15.2%, and 9.7% for sites A, B, and C, respectively (P<0.001). Propensity score matching and logistic regression analysis demonstrated that SPRs were associated with significantly reduced ICU mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.40–0.73).
Conclusions
SPRs were associated with a protective effect, reducing ICU mortality. Clinical outcomes in ICUs appear to be influenced by structural design improvements alongside other clinical factors.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Survival improvement through well-designed intensive care unit architecture
Dong Hyun Lee
Acute and Critical Care.2025; 40(2): 349. CrossRef

Epidemiology
Trends and management of acute respiratory failure in hospitalized patients: a multicenter retrospective study in South Korea: Won Jin Yang, Yong Jun Choi, Kyung Soo Chung, Ji Soo Choi, Bo Mi Jung, Jae Hwa Cho; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):171-185. Published online May 28, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.004728

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is the leading cause of hospitalization and is associated with in-hospital mortality. This study aimed to elucidate the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of ARF.
Methods
We retrospectively screened patients admitted to three hospitals in South Korea between January 2018 and December 2022. We included individuals aged 18 years, diagnosed with either type 1 ARF (arterial oxygen partial pressure [PaO2] <60 mm Hg) or type 2 ARF (arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO2) >45 mm Hg) with a pH of <7.35, or diagnosed with the combined-type ARF.
Results
Among the 768,700 hospitalized patients, 33,278 (4.3%) developed ARF. The most common cause of ARF was sepsis (15,757 patients, 47.3%), and the most frequent comorbidity was malignancy (15,403 patients, 43.6%). Among ARF patients, 15,671 (47.1%) required intensive care unit transfer, while 8,980 (27.0%) experienced in-hospital mortality. Over 5 years, the proportion of ARF patients aged 80 years and older has shown a consistent annual increase (coefficient, 0.085 and Ptrend <0.001). Concurrently, the in-hospital mortality rate exhibited an upward trend, increasing from 25.5% in 2018 to 29.3% in 2022 (coefficient, 1.017 and Ptrend<0.001). Among the respiratory support methods used for patients with ARF over the 5-year period, high-flow nasal cannula usage steadily increased (coefficient, 4.137 and Ptrend<0.001), whereas the use of invasive mechanical ventilation declined (coefficient, –0.983 and Ptrend<0.001).
Conclusions
ARF frequency and in-hospital mortality rates are increasing, driven by various etiologies. Despite these trends, research on the epidemiology and individualized treatments for older patients is limited, highlighting the need for nationwide prospective multicenter studies.

Rapid response system
Impact of the National Early Warning Score-based sepsis response system on hospital-onset sepsis in a tertiary hospital in South Korea: Dong-gon Hyun, Sohyeon Lee, Sunhui Choi, Jeongsuk Son, So-Hee Park, Sang-Bum Hong, Chae-Man Lim; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):186-196. Published online May 20, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.000625

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
The effectiveness of electronic medical record-based alert systems, response protocols for sepsis diagnosis, and treatment in hospitalized patients remains unclear. This study aimed to determine whether the introduction of an electronic medical record-based sepsis response protocol (SRP) along with a 24/7 operating rapid response system affects the prognosis for patients with hospital-onset sepsis.
Methods
In August 2022, a SRP based on the National Early Warning Score was implemented in the electronic medical record system at Asan Medical Center. We retrospectively analyzed patients screened by the detection system for 1 year after the SRP implementation. Patients of the first 6 months (preliminary group) and those of the second 6 months (SRP group) were matched 1:1 based on propensity scores. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality.
Results
Of the 608 hospitalized patients screened by the system, 176 were assigned to each group after 1:1 propensity score matching. Patients in the SRP group were significantly more likely to receive blood cultures (58.5%) compared with the preliminary group (45.5%) (P=0.019). The SRP group showed a lower 30-day mortality risk (hazard ratio, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.36–0.86; P=0.017) compared to the preliminary group. A restricted cubic spline curve showed that SRP survival benefit began to manifest after the first 4 months (P=0.036).
Conclusions
Alongside an existing rapid response system, the National Early Warning Score-based SRP in the electronic medical record reduced mortality for hospital-onset sepsis within 1 year.

Rapid response system
Prospective external validation of a deep-learning-based early-warning system for major adverse events in general wards in South Korea: Taeyong Sim, Eun Young Cho, Ji-hyun Kim, Kyung Hyun Lee, Kwang Joon Kim, Sangchul Hahn, Eun Yeong Ha, Eunkyeong Yun, In-Cheol Kim, Sun Hyo Park, Chi-Heum Cho, Gyeong Im Yu, Byung Eun Ahn, Yeeun Jeong, Joo-Yun Won, Hochan Cho, Ki-Byung Lee; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):197-208. Published online May 30, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.000525

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Acute deterioration of patients in general wards often leads to major adverse events (MAEs), including unplanned intensive care unit transfers, cardiac arrest, or death. Traditional early warning scores (EWSs) have shown limited predictive accuracy, with frequent false positives. We conducted a prospective observational external validation study of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based EWS, the VitalCare - Major Adverse Event Score (VC-MAES), at a tertiary medical center in the Republic of Korea.
Methods
Adult patients from general wards, including internal medicine (IM) and obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN)—the latter were rarely investigated in prior AI-based EWS studies—were included. The VC-MAES predictions were compared with National Early Warning Score (NEWS) and Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) predictions using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC), and logistic regression for baseline EWS values. False-positives per true positive (FPpTP) were assessed based on the power threshold.
Results
Of 6,039 encounters, 217 (3.6%) had MAEs (IM: 9.5%, OBGYN: 0.26%). Six hours prior to MAEs, the VC-MAES achieved an AUROC of 0.918 and an AUPRC of 0.352, including the OBGYN subgroup (AUROC, 0.964; AUPRC, 0.388), outperforming the NEWS (0.797 and 0.124) and MEWS (0.722 and 0.079). The FPpTP was reduced by up to 71%. Baseline VC-MAES was strongly associated with MAEs (P<0.001).
Conclusions
The VC-MAES significantly outperformed traditional EWSs in predicting adverse events in general ward patients. The robust performance and lower FPpTP suggest that broader adoption of the VC-MAES may improve clinical efficiency and resource allocation in general wards.

Pulmonary
Closed intensive care units and sepsis patient outcomes: a secondary analysis of data from a multicenter prospective observational study in South Korea: Kyeongman Jeon, Jin Hyoung Kim, Kyung Chan Kim, Heung Bum Lee, Hongyeul Lee, Song I Lee, Jin-Won Huh, Won Gun Kwack, Youjin Chang, Yun-Seong Kang, Won Yeon Lee, Je Hyeong Kim; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):209-220. Published online May 22, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.004128

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Abstract PDF: Background
Sepsis is a leading cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. However, few studies have evaluated how the ICU model affects the outcomes of patients with sepsis.
Methods
This post hoc analysis of data from the Management of Severe Sepsis in Asia’s Intensive Care Units II study included 537 patients with sepsis admitted to 27 ICUs in Korea. The outcome measures of interest were compared between the closed ICU group, patients admitted under the full responsibility of an intensivist as the primary attending physician, and the open ICU group. The association between a closed ICU and ICU mortality was evaluated using a logistic regression analysis.
Results
Altogether, 363 and 174 enrolled patients were treated in open and closed ICUs, respectively. Compliance with the sepsis bundles did not differ between the two groups; however, the closed ICU group had a higher rate of renal replacement therapy and shorter duration of ventilator support. The closed ICU group also had a lower ICU mortality rate than the open ICU group (24.7% vs. 33.1%). In a logistic regression analysis, management in the closed ICU was significantly associated with a decreased ICU mortality rate even after adjusting for potential confounding factors (adjusted odds ratio, 0.576; 95% CI, 0.342–0.970), and that association was observed for up to 90 days.
Conclusions
Sepsis management in closed ICUs was significantly associated with improved ICU survival and decreased length of ICU stay, even though the compliance rates for the sepsis bundles did not differ between open and closed ICUs.

Pulmonary
Using machine learning techniques for early prediction of tracheal intubation in patients with septic shock: a multi-center study in South Korea: Ji Han Heo, Taegyun Kim, Tae Gun Shin, Gil Joon Suh, Woon Yong Kwon, Hayoung Kim, Heesu Park, Heejun Kim, Sol Han; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):221-234. Published online April 30, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.004776

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Patients with septic shock frequently require tracheal intubation in the emergency department (ED). However, the criteria for tracheal intubation are subjective, based on physician experience, or require serial evaluations over relatively long intervals to make accurate predictions, which might not be feasible in the ED. We used supervised learning approaches and features routinely available during the initial stages of evaluation and resuscitation to stratify the risks of tracheal intubation within a 24-hour time window.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients diagnosed with septic shock based on the SEPSIS-3 criteria across 21 university hospital EDs in the Republic of Korea. A principal component analysis revealed a complex, non-linear decision boundary with respect to the application of tracheal intubation within a 24-hour time window. Stratified five-fold cross validation and a grid search were used with extreme gradient boost. Shapley values were calculated to explain feature importance and preferences.
Results
In total, data for 4,762 patients were analyzed; within that population, 1,486 (31%) were intubated within a 24-hour window, and 3,276 (69%) were not. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and F1 scores for intubation within a 24-hour window were 0.829 (95% CI, 0.801–0.878) and 0.654 (95% CI, 0.627–0.681), respectively. The Shapley values identified lactate level after initial fluids, suspected lung infection, initial pH, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score at enrollment, and respiratory rate at enrollment as important features for prediction.
Conclusions
An extreme gradient boosting machine can moderately discriminate whether intubation is warranted within 24 hours of the recognition of septic shock in the ED.

Infection
Excessive fluid resuscitation is associated with intensive care unit mortality in Pakistani patients with dengue shock syndrome: Moiz Salahuddin, Rameesha Khalid, Sadaf Hanif, Filza Naeem, Rameen Aijaz, Akbar Shoukat Ali; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):235-243. Published online May 22, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.004008

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Abstract PDF: Background
The mortality of severe dengue infections is approximately 23%. In the management of dengue shock syndrome (DSS), aggressive fluid resuscitation is recommended. The primary objective of our study was to assess the factors associated with 30-day mortality in DSS patients.
Methods
Adult patients >18 years old, who were admitted with DSS were included. DSS was diagnosed in patients who required vasopressors or had lactic acidosis >4 mmol/L. Patients were divided into three different groups based on cumulative fluid balance at death or extubation: group I (<3.5 L), group II (3.5–8.0 L), and group III (>8.0 L).
Results
A total of 135 patients with DSS was included, with an overall 30-day mortality of 74.8%. The average Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score on intensive care unit admission was 12.2. Mechanical ventilation was required in 112 patients (83.0%), with 61 patients (45.2%) being intubated without a noninvasive ventilation trial. Respiratory failure was the most common reason for requiring intubation (65 patients, 48.2%). In survivors, the median cumulative fluid balance was 1,493 ml (interquartile range [IQR], 0–4,501 ml), whereas that in the mortality group was 7,797 ml (IQR, 3,700–13,600 ml). On multivariate analysis, SOFA score (odds ratio [OR], 1.220; 95% CI, 1.011–1.472; P=0.038) and having received >8.0 L cumulative fluid balance (OR, 6.682; 95% CI, 1.808–24.689; P=0.004) were associated with increased risk of mortality.
Conclusions
DSS patients have high mortality rates. High SOFA scores and >8.0 L cumulative fluid balance may indicate worse outcomes.

Infection
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte-to-albumin ratio as a prognostic marker for mortality in sepsis and septic shock in Vietnam: Nguyen Van Viet Thang, Le Thi Luyen, Nguyen Thi Tuong Vi, Pham Dang Hai; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):244-251. Published online May 28, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.003576

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Abstract PDF: Background
Sepsis and septic shock are life-threatening global health challenges associated with high mortality rates. Early identification of high-risk patients is critical for improving outcomes. In the present study, the association between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte-to-albumin ratio (NLAR) and mortality in septic patients was evaluated.
Methods
A retrospective study was performed at a tertiary hospital in Vietnam. Patients ≥18 years of age diagnosed with sepsis or septic shock based on the Sepsis-3 criteria were included. Exclusion criteria included recent corticosteroid use within 7 days, autoimmune diseases, hematological disorders, and active cancer within 5 years. NLAR was calculated from complete blood counts and albumin levels within the first 24 hours of intensive care unit admission. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the predictive ability of NLAR for in-hospital mortality.
Results
The present study included 141 patients with a mean age of 72 years. Non-survivors were significantly older with higher rates of mechanical ventilation. NLAR was significantly elevated in non-survivors compared with survivors (0.88 [0.57–1.24] vs. 0.44 [0.28–0.77], P<0.001). In ROC analysis, the area under the curve for NLAR was 0.70 (P<0.001). Using a cutoff value of 0.56, NLAR showed a sensitivity of 77.8% and a specificity of 61.5% for predicting in-hospital mortality.
Conclusions
Elevated NLAR on admission was associated with a higher mortality rate in sepsis patients. NLAR could be used as an early prognostic marker for sepsis mortality.

Anesthesiology
Anesthesiological management in endovascular mechanical thrombectomy: a propensity score-matched retrospective analysis in Italy: Antonio Romanelli, Aniello Iovino, Antonella Langone, Rosa Napoletano, Giulia Frauenfelder, Flora Minichino, Liliana D’Ambrosio, Miriam Caterino, Raffaele Tortora, Renato Gammaldi, Paolo Barone, Renato Saponiero, Daniele Giuseppe Romano; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):252-263. Published online April 11, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.003000

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Abstract PDF: Background
Endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (EMT) can be performed with general anesthesia (GA) or using non-GA techniques. Several meta-analyses on the topic have reported discordant main outcomes. The aim of this retrospective single-center study was to analyze the relationship between clinical outcomes and anesthesiological management (GA vs. non-GA) in patients who underwent EMT for acute anterior ischemic stroke (AIS).
Methods
We performed a propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis of patients who underwent EMT for acute AIS from January 2018 to December 2021. For PSM, we chose covariates influencing clinical decisions about anesthesiological management. Comparisons between groups were performed with the chi-square test for categorical variables and Student t-test or the Mann-Whitney U-test for continuous variables as appropriate. The relationships between anesthesiological management and clinical outcomes were analyzed using logistic regression, and results are reported as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. A two-sided P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
From 194 observations (78 in the GA group, 116 in the non-GA group), after PSM, we obtained 70 data pairs. Both anesthesiological approaches resulted in similar rates of in-hospital mortality, 90-day functional independence, full recanalization, procedural complications, and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Performing EMT with GA was unrelated to the in-hospital and 90-day death rates, 90-day functional independence, full recanalization rate, procedural complications, and ICH (P>0.05).
Conclusions
Anesthesiological management did not influence clinical outcomes of EMT for acute AIS. Physiological stability during EMT may impact outcomes more significantly than anesthesiological management. Further studies on this topic are needed.

General ICU care
Biological age and clinical frailty scale measured at intensive care unit admission as predictors of hospital mortality among the critically ill in Western Australia: a retrospective cohort study: Nicholas Phillip Anthony, Kwok Ming Ho; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):264-272. Published online May 28, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.000200

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Frailty is a widely accepted predictor of health outcomes in patients including the critically ill. Biological age is also increasingly recognized as a determinant of chronic health outcomes. Whether these factors are independently predictive of mortality among the critically ill is unknown. We assessed whether biological age, measured as PhenoAge at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, predicts mortality in critically ill patients independent of the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS).
Methods
This single-center retrospective cohort study included adult patients with available CFS and PhenoAge data at admission to ICU, excluding patients with incomplete records for key variables. The Levine PhenoAge model was used to estimate each patient’s biological age (PhenoAge). PhenoAge was then calibrated to generate a regression residual to reflect excessive biological age unexplained by chronological age.
Results
Of the 1,073 critically ill adult patients analyzed, 117 died (10.9%) before hospital discharge. PhenoAge and CFS were significantly correlated (correlation coefficient, 0.235; P=0.001). PhenoAge (receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC], 0.622) and its residuals (AUROC, 0.627) and CFS (AUROC, 0.601) were predictive of hospital mortality, with no significant differences in their ability to differentiate between survivors and non-survivors (paired comparison to CFS: P=0.586 and P=0.537, respectively). PhenoAge interacted with frailty in its effect on mortality (P=0.004) which was particularly prominent among those who were not clinically frail (CFS ≤3).
Conclusions
PhenoAge and CFS, both measured at ICU admission, independently predicted hospital mortality. PhenoAge showed a notable interaction with frailty, particularly in non-frail patients.

Cardiology
Clinical decision guidance by an automated, brachial cuff-based cardiac output assessment in patients with shock under treatment: a pilot study in Athens, Greece: Dimitrios Xanthis, Panagiotis Kanatas, Dimitrios Mouziouras, Antonios A. Argyris, Pavlos Vernikos, Georgia Mastakoura, Elpida Athanasopoulou, Theodore G. Papaioannou, Athanase D. Protogerou; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):273-281. Published online May 23, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.001728

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Abstract PDF: Background
Cardiac output (CO) estimation in patients in intensive care units (ICUs) by a non-invasive, automated, oscillometric, cuff-based apparatus (Mobil-O-Graph [MG]) is reproducible with acceptable accuracy versus thermodilution. In this pilot study, we tested the hypothesis that clinical decisions based on the MG device are in agreement with those based on invasive measurements using a Swan-Ganz catheter (SGC). Methods: Hemodynamic monitoring using an SGC and an MG was performed on 20 consenting critically ill patients in shock and under treatment, hospitalized in ICU. Retrospectively, three ICU physicians were asked to determine the need for blood transfusion, inotropes, fluids, diuretics, oxygen, and vasoconstrictive agents. Decisions (defined as “need for action” or “no action”) were based: (i) on SGC-acquired data and standard ICU monitoring (SIM); (ii) on MG-acquired data and SIM; (iii) SIM only. The decisions were compared using Cohen’s kappa agreement coefficient and Wilcoxon’s nonparametric test. Results: The overall number of decisions, as well as the subanalysis of “need for action” decisions, based either on information from an SGC or MG, were comparable. The significant positive kappa agreement coefficients indicated moderate to strong agreement. MG-derived decisions agreed with SGC-derived decisions to a significantly higher degree compared with SIM-based decisions. Conclusions: Clinical decisions in the ICU setting based on MG data were in acceptable agreement with SGC-based decisions. Larger studies are required to confirm this finding. MG devices may provide a simple, operator-independent, low-cost, first-line bedside method for simultaneous continuous monitoring of blood pressure and CO levels in critically ill patients outside the ICU.

Neurology
Effectiveness of intravenous thrombolysis in patients with large-vessel occlusion receiving endovascular treatment in South Korea: Min Kim, Ji Sung Lee, Seong-Joon Lee, So Young Park, Jungyun Seo, Ji Man Hong, Hee-Kwon Park, Jae-Kwan Cha, Jeffrey L. Saver, Jin Soo Lee; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):282-292. Published online April 11, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.004248

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Background
The effectiveness of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) in patients with large-vessel occlusion (LVO) receiving endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has been questioned. We investigated IV tPA effectiveness in real-world AIS patients, including those with intracranial LVO receiving EVT.
Methods
We identified patients with AIS who presented to hospital with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale ≥4 within 8 hours of symptom onset from the institutional stroke registry. The association of IV tPA use with effectiveness and safety outcomes was analyzed in overall enrolled AIS patients; LVO patients; and patients treated with EVT. The effect of IV tPA was assessed using multiple logistic regression.
Results
Among the 654 patients meeting study entry criteria, 238 (36.4%) received IV tPA and 416 (63.6%) did not. Multiple logistic regression analysis and shift analysis revealed IV tPA was associated with improved outcomes in overall enrolled AIS population, LVO, and EVT-treated subgroups. Among EVT-treated patients, IV tPA was associated with higher likelihood of ambulatory or better outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0–3) with odds ratio of 1.95 (P=0.03).
Conclusions
In this real-world study, IV tPA use was associated with improved outcomes for patients with AIS, including among LVO patients treated and not treated with EVT, in the contemporary mechanical thrombectomy era.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

SMART-M24: A Prognostic Nomogram for Long-Term Mortality in Acute Ischemic Stroke Beyond 24 H from Symptom Onset
Soo-Hyun Park, Ji Sung Lee, Tae Jung Kim, Mi Sun Oh, Ji-Woo Kim, Kyungbok Lee, Kyung-Ho Yu, Byung-Chul Lee, Byung-Woo Yoon, Sang-Bae Ko
Translational Stroke Research.2025;[Epub] CrossRef

Surgery
Classification of postoperative fever patients in the intensive care unit following intra-abdominal surgery: a machine learning-based cluster analysis using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV database, developed in the United States: Sang Mok Lee, Hongjin Shim; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):293-303. Published online April 30, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.004464

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Abstract PDF: Background
Postoperative fever is common. However, it can sometimes indicate severe complications such as sepsis or pneumonia. Intensive care unit (ICU) patients who have undergone abdominal surgery have a higher risk of postoperative fever due the physical severity of this type of surgery. Nevertheless, determining when more aggressive or invasive management of fever is necessary remains a challenge.
Methods
We analyzed the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV and MIMIC-IV-Note databases, which are open critical care big databases from a single institute in the United States. From this, we selected ICU patients who developed fever after intra-abdominal surgery and classified these patients into two groups using cluster analysis based on diverse variables from the MIMIC-IV databases. Following this cluster analysis, we assessed differences among the identified groups.
Results
Of 2,858 ICU stays after intra-abdominal surgery, 331 postoperative fever cases were identified. These patients were clustered into two groups. Group A included older patients with a higher mortality rate, while group B consisted of younger patients with a lower mortality rate.
Conclusions
Postoperative ICU patients with a fever could be classified into two distinct groups, a high-risk group and low-risk group. The high-risk patient group was characterized by older age, higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and more unstable hemodynamic status, indicating the need for aggressive management. Clustering postoperative fever patients by clinical variables can support medical decision-making and targeted treatment to improve patient outcomes.

Nutrition
The impact of enteral feeding intolerance on the prognosis of patients with septic shock in South Korea: Hyun-Jun Park, Yoon Hae Ahn, Hong Yeul Lee, Sang-Min Lee, Jinwoo Lee; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):304-312. Published online May 30, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.000700

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Abstract PDF: Background
While enteral feeding intolerance (EFI) is associated with worse clinical outcomes in critically ill patients, the relationship between the number of days of EFI and mortality outcomes remains unclear.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed adult patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) with septic shock at a tertiary referral center. EFI was defined as the presence of vomiting, abdominal distension, pain, diarrhea, or radiographic evidence of ileus. EFI status was assessed daily, and we evaluated the prognostic impact of total number of EFI days during the first 3 days of enteral feeding on clinical outcomes.
Results
A total of 94 patients were included in the analysis, with 77 (81.9%) experiencing EFI. During the first 3 days of enteral feeding, 25 patients (26.6%) experienced EFI for 1 day, 22 patients (23.4%) experienced EFI for 2 days, and 30 patients (31.9%) experienced EFI for all 3 days. The total number of EFI days was identified as an independent risk factor of 90-day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.400; 95% CI 1.021–1.919). Higher total EFI days was significantly associated with increased ICU mortality (P for trend=0.036), in-hospital mortality (P for trend=0.007), 30-day mortality (P for trend=0.004), and 90-day mortality (P for trend=0.006).
Conclusions
An increase in the total number of EFI days was significantly associated with mortality outcomes in patients with septic shock, suggesting that EFI may serve as a useful indicator for predicting outcomes in this population.

Nutrition
Effect of nutrition support team on 28-day mortality in Korean patients with acute respiratory failure: Inhan Lee, Junghyun Kim, Mihyun Ku, Yurim Choi, Sohyun Park, Jihyeon Bang, Joohae Kim; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):313-321. Published online April 28, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.003312

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Abstract PDF: Background
Providing optimal nutrition to patients with acute respiratory failure is difficult because nutritional requirements vary according to disease severity and comorbidities. In 2021, the National Medical Center initiated a protocol for screening upon admission and regular monitoring by a multidisciplinary nutritional support team (NST), for all patients in the medical intensive care unit (ICU). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of routine NST monitoring and active intervention on the clinical outcomes of patients with acute respiratory failure.
Methods
Patients with acute respiratory failure requiring high-flow nasal cannula, non-invasive ventilation, or mechanical ventilation were included. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality after ICU admission. Secondary outcomes included the supplied/target calorie ratio, supplied/target protein ratio on day 7, and complications.
Results
In total, 152 patients were included in the analysis. The patients were divided into a pre-monitoring (n=96) and post-monitoring groups (n=56). More patients in the post-monitoring group received NST intervention and had earlier initiation of enteral feeding. In survival analysis, 28-day mortality was significantly lower in post-monitoring group (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.24–0.74). The ratio of achievement for required calories and protein on day 7 was higher, but not significantly, in the post-monitoring group. No significant differences were observed in the incidence of complications.
Conclusions
Regular NST monitoring in the ICU could have contributed to a reduced risk of 28-day mortality in critically ill patients with acute respiratory failure.

Nursing
Comparison of the clinimetric properties of the two versions of the HACOR scale for predicting noninvasive ventilation failure in Brazilian patients: Matheus Pereira Nunes da Silva, Adriana Claudia Lunardi; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):322-329. Published online May 28, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.000175

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Abstract PDF: Background
Scales that detect noninvasive ventilation (NIV) failure need to have adequate clinimetric properties to be reliable. This study aimed to compare the clinimetric properties of the Heart rate, Acidosis, Consciousness, Oxygenation, Respiratory rate (HACOR) and updated HACOR scales when applied to hypoxemic adult patients undergoing NIV. Methods: This prospective study applied the HACOR and updated HACOR scales to hypoxemic patients after one hour of NIV in an emergency department setting. A second application of the scales was performed after ten minutes to assess reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient), measurement error (standard error of measurement and minimum detectable difference), ceiling and floor effects, convergent validity by correlation (Pearson’s r) with peripheral oximetry saturation (SpO2), and predictive validity (area under the receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve) for the outcome of needing invasive mechanical ventilation. Results: Sixty patients were included in this study (59.45±17.48 years; Simplified Acute Physiology Score III, 56.1±13.95; 30% with respiratory disease and 25% with cardiovascular disease). After 1 hour of NIV, patients had a HACOR score of 3 (interquartile range [IQR], 1.0–5.0) and an updated HACOR score of 5 (IQR, 3.0–8.87). Clinimetric properties were adequate for both versions of the HACOR scale but were superior for the updated version, including predictive validity (ROC [95% CI], 0.78 [0.64–0.91] vs. 0.73 [0.57–0.89]) and the absence of the ceiling effect. Conclusions: Both versions of the HACOR scale demonstrated adequate clinimetric properties for predicting NIV failure, with the updated HACOR version showing superior predictive validity and no ceiling effect compared with the original version.

Nursing
Characteristics and associated risk factors of exposure keratopathy among ventilated patients in intensive care units in Jordan: Sajeda Al-Tamimi, Mohammad Y.N. Saleh, Al-Mutez Gharaibeh, Farah Al-A’mar, Rasmieh Al-Amer; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):330-338. Published online April 11, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.003648

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Abstract PDF: Background
Exposure keratopathy is the most common ocular surface disorder in ventilated patients due to poor eyelid closure, decreased blink reflex, and the inability to produce tears. Healthcare providers in intensive care units (ICUs) play a significant role in preventing exposure keratopathy through appropriate eyelid taping and eye ointments.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional study to describe the characteristics and factors associated with exposure keratopathy in all mechanically ventilated patients admitted to an adult ICU between February and June 2023. Patients were examined for corneal changes using a corneal fluorescein staining test with a cobalt blue filter indirect ophthalmoscope.
Results
Of 156 ventilated patients included in this study, 42.3% had exposure keratopathy, 13.5% had lagophthalmos, and 26.9% of patients had chemosis. For patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 3, the odds ratio of exposure keratopathy was 21.47 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.82–163.05). The use of inotropes increased the odds ratio to 35.55 (95% CI, 3.41–369.90), whereas a hospital stay >7.23 days increased the odds ratio to 43.59 (95% CI, 15.66–1,316.32).
Conclusions
The frequency of exposure keratopathy is high and is underestimated in ventilated patients, with lower GCS and increased hospital length of stay as the main risk factors. Prioritizing eye care in ventilated patients with low GCS scores or prolonged ICU stays is essential to reduce exposure keratopathy.

Nursing
Engagement and perspectives regarding the family conference process when considering discontinuation of life-sustaining treatments among critical care specialist nurses: a nationwide cross-sectional survey in Japan: Akane Kato, Yuta Tanaka, Yoshiyuki Kizawa, Hiroaki Yamase, Asami Tado, Junko Tatsuno, Mitsunori Miyashita; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):339-348. Published online May 20, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.003096

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Abstract PDF: Background
Recognizing the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration during treatment family conferences is increasing in critical care settings. We aimed to elucidate how critical care specialist nurses engage in the family conference process in terms of the actual discussions held, the recommended topics, and their perspectives regarding transfer of critical care patients to general wards.
Methods
This self-administered nationwide survey was conducted between October and December 2020, targeting a random sample of 740 critical care specialist nurses. An anonymous questionnaire based on established guidelines and pilot tests was used to assess the level of engagement with the family conference process, content of discussions, considerations regarding withholding or withdrawing treatment, and perspectives concerning patient care location and discontinuation of life-sustaining treatments among the surveyed nurses.
Results
Of the 396 returned questionnaires (response rate, 51.9%), 384 were analyzed. Less than 35% of the nurses consistently participated in family conferences and ensured that decisions regarding withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments were re-evaluated following the conferences. Discussions focused predominantly on the patients’ physical aspects, whereas the nurses believed that patients’ values and preferences should be discussed. More than 70% of the nurses supported transferring patients from critical care settings to general wards for end-of-life scenarios.
Conclusions
Critical care specialist nurses in Japan exhibit limited engagement in family conferences and often fail to address their patients’ values and preferences. Educational programs and enhanced interprofessional collaborations are warranted to improve nurse involvement in family conferences and ensure continuity of care between critical care and general ward settings.

Editorial

Basic science and research
Survival improvement through well-designed intensive care unit architecture: Dong Hyun Lee; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):349-350. Published online May 30, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.001500

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Letters to the Editor

Rapid response system
The dose of alteplase in massive pulmonary embolism: should it be individualized?: Sunil Kumar Garg; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):351-353. Published online May 30, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.000850

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Neurology
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome requiring intensive care unit admission in two patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Portugal: Marina Costa, Ana Raquel Covas, Fábio Neves Correia, Sara Bernardo, Pedro Silveira; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):354-356. Published online March 13, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.004632

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Thoracic surgery
Left ventricular unloading strategies in venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients: how much do we truly understand?: Jihyuk Chung, Su Yong Kim, Juhyun Lee, Yang Hyun Cho; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(2):357-359. Published online April 23, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.005064

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