Purpose In the critically ill, hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (HA-BSI) are associated with significant mortality. Granular data are required for optimizing management, and developing guidelines and clinical trials. Methods We carried out a prospective international cohort study of adult patients (≥ 18 years of age) with HA-BSI treated in intensive care units (ICUs) between June 2019 and February 2021. Results 2600 patients from 333 ICUs in 52 countries were included. 78% HA-BSI were ICU-acquired. Median Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was 8 [IQR 5; 11] at HA-BSI diagnosis. Most frequent sources of infection included pneumonia (26.7%) and intravascular catheters (26.4%). Most frequent pathogens were Gram-negative bacteria (59.0%), predominantly Klebsiella spp. (27.9%), Acinetobacter spp . (20.3%), Escherichia coli (15.8%), and Pseudomonas spp . (14.3%). Carbapenem resistance was present in 37.8%, 84.6%, 7.4%, and 33.2%, respectively. Difficult-to-treat resistance (DTR) was present in 23.5% and pan-drug resistance in 1.5%. Antimicrobial therapy was deemed adequate within 24 h for 51.5%. Antimicrobial resistance was associated with longer delays to adequate antimicrobial therapy. Source control was needed in 52.5% but not achieved in 18.2%. Mortality was 37.1%, and only 16.1% had been discharged alive from hospital by day-28. Conclusions HA-BSI was frequently caused by Gram-negative, carbapenem-resistant and DTR pathogens. Antimicrobial resistance led to delays in adequate antimicrobial therapy. Mortality was high, and at day-28 only a minority of the patients were discharged alive from the hospital. Prevention of antimicrobial resistance and focusing on adequate antimicrobial therapy and source control are important to optimize patient management and outcomes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00134-022-06944-2.

Extracorporeal lung assist (ELA) has been recommended for the treatment of ARDS if conventional therapy fails. However, the need for nearly complete anticoagulation is a major risk factor for hemorrhagic complications. We describe our experience with 13 ARDS patients treated with ELA using heparin-coated systems (Carmeda). Maintaining partial thromboplastin time and activated clotting time within or close to the normal range, even major surgery (20 thoracotomies and 2 laparotomies) could be performed without undue bleeding complications related to anticoagulation during extracorporeal support. Eight of the 13 patients survived. The use of heparin-coated systems allows prolonged ELA with nearly physiological coagulation function, permitting major surgical intervention. It enhances the safety margin of extracorporeal gas exchange and may ultimately extend its indications.

We report the case of a patient admitted to our intensive care unit in the course of a septic shock, secondary to cholangitis. After rapid hemodynamic stabilization, antibiotherapy, and endoscopic extraction of bile ducts stones, she appeared to have developed flaccid paraplegia. The suspected diagnosis of medullar ischemia was confirmed by typical MRI findings. This case stresses the potential pathogenic role of hypotension in medullar ischemia and the place of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a reliable diagnostic tool.

Surgery in patients treated with extracorporeal lung assist (ELA) carries a high risk of life threatening bleeding complications caused by the need for systemic anticoagulation. A case report describing a successful surgical intervention for the repair of a broncho-pleural leakage by thoracotomy during ELA is presented. A newly developed heparin coated extracorporeal system was used in a patient being treated for severe adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after left sided pneumectomy. The heparin coated system allowed discontinuation of systemic heparinization intraoperatively without coagulation complications related to the extracorporeal system. This procedure was followed by resolution of the ARDS.

Transfusion refusal expressed by Jehovah's Witnesses has always been questioning for medical community. However, abundant literature exists treating about how to manage difficult medical bleeding situations in Jehovah's witnesses, there is a few information available on the legal and ethical aspects of transfusion refusal. Since 1994, Europe has putted a spotlight on patient's right. The question of patient's autonomy and consent have taken a predominant place in care. In order to summarize the actual situation in Europe, this work intends to draw a global view on legal, ethical and medical aspects of transfusion refusal expressed by Jehovah witnesses.