Acute and Critical Care

Original Articles

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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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.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Deep Biological Clocks in Critical Care Medicine: A Scoping Review Toward Translational Precision Care
Ithamar Cheyne, Magdalena Voinič, Tara Radaideh, Abdullah Daher, Julia Niezgoda, Maja Anna Romanowska, Małgorzata Mikaszewska-Sokolewicz
Journal of Personalized Medicine.2026; 16(2): 92. CrossRef
Biological age in critical care: current evidence, future prospects, and clinical implications
Li-bing Jiang, Wen Han
Frontiers in Medicine.2025;[Epub] CrossRef

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.

Pediatrics
Hyper- and hypomagnesemia as an initial predictor of outcomes in septic pediatric patients in Egypt: Aya Osama Mohamed; Acute Crit Care. 2025;40(1):105-112. Published online February 4, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.000480

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Abstract PDF: Background
Critically ill septic children are susceptible to electrolyte abnormalities, including magnesium disturbance, which can easily be neglected. This study examined the potential correlation between serum magnesium levels upon admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and the outcomes of critically ill septic patients.
Methods
This prospective study, conducted from May 2023 to November 2023, included 76 children with sepsis who underwent clinical and lab assessments that included initial magnesium levels. The outcome of sepsis was documented. Predictors of mortality were identified through multivariate logistic regression models, with discrimination and calibration assessed using the area under the curve (AUC).
Results
The median magnesium level upon PICU admission was 2.0 mg/dl (range 1.1–4.9), and it was slightly higher in non-survivors than survivors (2.1 mg/dl; interquartile range [IQR], 1.9–2.5 vs. 2.0; IQR, 1.8–2.6, respectively), Hypermagnesemia was observed to have a negative effect on critically ill septic patients. It was also found that hypermagnesemia was associated with low C-reactive protein levels (P=0.043). With a cutoff of 5.5, the pediatric Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score strongly predicted mortality (AUC=0.717, P<0.001), with a sensitivity of 64.3% and specificity of 68.8%.
Conclusions
As an initial predictor of mortality, the serum magnesium level cannot be used alone; however, hypermagnesemia has a negative impact on critically ill septic patients. Thus, healthcare professionals should be cautious with magnesium administration.

Guideline

Meta-analysis
Early management of adult sepsis and septic shock: Korean clinical practice guidelines: Chul Park, Nam Su Ku, Dae Won Park, Joo Hyun Park, Tae Sun Ha, Do Wan Kim, So Young Park, Youjin Chang, Kwang Wook Jo, Moon Seong Baek, Yijun Seo, Tae Gun Shin, Gina Yu, Jongmin Lee, Yong Jun Choi, Ji Young Jang, Yun Tae Jung, Inseok Jeong, Hwa Jin Cho, Ala Woo, Sua Kim, Dae-Hwan Bae, Sung Wook Kang, Sun Hyo Park, Gee Young Suh, Sunghoon Park; Acute Crit Care. 2024;39(4):445-472. Published online November 18, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2024.00920

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Background
Despite recent advances and global improvements in sepsis recognition and supportive care, mortality rates remain high, and adherence to sepsis bundle components in Korea is low. To address this, the Korean Sepsis Alliance, affiliated with the Korean Society of Critical Care Medicine, developed the first sepsis treatment guidelines for Korea based on a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods
A de novo method was used to develop the guidelines. Methodologies included determining key questions, conducting a literature search and selection, assessing the risk of bias, synthesizing evidence, and developing recommendations. The certainty of evidence and the strength of recommendations were determined using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations approach. Draft recommendations underwent internal and external review processes and public hearings. The development of these guidelines was supported by a research grant from the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency.
Results
In these guidelines, we focused on early treatments for adult patients with sepsis and septic shock. Through the guideline development process, 12 key questions and their respective recommendations were formulated. These include lactate measurement, fluid therapies, target blood pressure, antibiotic administration, use of vasopressors and dobutamine, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and echocardiography.
Conclusions
These guidelines aim to support medical professionals in making appropriate decisions about treating adult sepsis and septic shock. We hope these guidelines will increase awareness of sepsis and reduce its mortality rate.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Comparison between norepinephrine plus epinephrine and norepinephrine plus vasopressin after return of spontaneous circulation in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Sejoong Ahn, Bo-Yeong Jin, Sukyo Lee, Jong-Hak Park, Hanjin Cho, Sungwoo Moon, Sang Kuk Han, Phil Cho Choi, Young Hwan Lee, Sang O. Park, Jong Seok Lee, Ki Young Jeong, Sung Hyuk Choi, Young Hoon Yoon, Su Jin Kim, Kap Su Han, Min Seob Sim, Gun Tak Lee, Yo
Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Recommendations for the use of biomarkers for the management of adults with sepsis: a scoping review and critical appraisal
Miriam Mateos-Haro, Ana Garcia-Santa-Vinuela, Daniel Molano-Franco, Ivan Solà, Federico Gordo-Vidal, María Cruz Martín-Delgado, Jesus Lopez-Alcalde, Javier Zamora
BMJ Open.2025; 15(7): e090922. CrossRef
Regional Adherence to Early Sepsis Management Bundle and Associated Mortality in Hong Kong Between 2009–2018
Jack Zhenhe Zhang, Chun Hei Chan, Lok Ching Chang, Lok Ching Sandra Chiu, Pauline Yeung Ng, Manimala Dharmangadan, Eunise Ho, Steven Ling, Man Yee Man, Ka Man Fong, Ting Liong, Alwin Wai Tak Yeung, Ka Fai Au, Jacky Ka Hing Chan, Michele Tang, Katy Hoi Ki
Open Forum Infectious Diseases.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Outcomes of septic shock from urinary and non-urinary sources in nonagenarians and centenarians admitted to intensive care units
Je Min Suh, Laurence Weinberg, Nattaya Raykateeraroj, Jerry Lim, Angelina Yoon, David Pilcher, Dong-Kyu Lee
Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Association between emergency department–to–intensive care unit transfer time and mortality in patients with septic shock: a target trial emulation with septic shock in South Korea
Ji Hyun Cha, Danbee Kang, Ryoung-Eun Ko, Won Young Kim, Dong-gon Hyun, Yeon Joo Lee, Woo Hyun Cho, Sunghoon Park, Juhee Cho, Gee Young Suh
Acute and Critical Care.2025; 40(4): 548. CrossRef
Early Versus Delayed Norepinephrine Initiation in Septic Shock: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized and Observational Studies
Chibuzo C Manafa, Oluwayemisi E Ekor, Akintunde C Akinboboye, Okelue E Okobi, Gift Ojukwu, Osemwegie O Ugbo, Michael U Mochu, Emasenyie Isikwei, Sergio Hernandez Borges, Miguel Diaz-Miret
Cureus.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Quality assessment of clinical practice guidelines for sepsis and variations in recommendations
Hong-Yan Li, Shan-Ling Jiang, Jing Wang, Hai-Shan Wang, Li-Hong Wang
BMC Infectious Diseases.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Evidence-Based Interventions for Sepsis Management in Critically Ill Adults: A Systematic Review
Elsa Jardim Sousa, Michelle de Soresa Virissimo, Abel Mendonça Viveiros, Ana Alves, Valter Gonçalves
European Journal of Medical and Health Research.2025; 3(6): 232. CrossRef

Review Article

Cardiology
Beta-blocker therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction: not all patients need it: Seung-Jae Joo; Acute Crit Care. 2023;38(3):251-260. Published online August 31, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2023.00955

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