A group of patients who were hepatitis C virus- (HCV) positive had an increased incidence of infectious complications in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU), particularly ventilator-assisted pneumonia (VAP) and bacteremia. This according to a study of 1,941 patients admitted to an SICU. Researchers found:

• The group that was HCV-positive had a higher overall incidence of infectious complications (25% vs 18%), particularly VAP and bacteremia.

• Increased incidences of VAP and bacteremia persisted when cirrhotic patients were excluded.

• Prolonged intubation (OR=2.1), abdominal surgery (OR=1.6), and model for end-stage liver disease ≥ 15 (OR=1.4) were independent predictors of SICU infectious complications.

Citation: Kueht M, Bebko S, Helmick R, Awad S. Hepatitis C status and infectious complications in the surgical intensive care unit: a retrospective analysis of 1,941 consecutive patients. [Published online ahead of print December 13, 2015]. Am J Surg. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2015.07.033.