Risks of ventilator-associated pneumonia and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with viral acute respiratory distress syndrome related or not to Coronavirus 19 disease

 

Risks of ventilator-associated pneumonia and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with viral acute respiratory distress syndrome related or not to Coronavirus 19 disease

 

by Keyvan Razazi, Romain Arrestier, Anne Fleur Haudebourg, Brice Benelli, Guillaume Carteaux, Jean‑Winoc Decousser, Slim Fourati, Paul Louis Woerther, Frederic Schlemmer, Anais Charles-Nelson, Francoise Botterel, Nicolas de Prost and Armand Mekontso Dessap

 

Critical Care volume 24, Article number: 699 (2020) Published: 18 December 2020

 

Background

Data on incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection are limited.

Methods

We conducted a monocenter retrospective study comparing the incidence of VAP and invasive aspergillosis between patients with COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (C-ARDS) and those with non-SARS-CoV-2 viral ARDS (NC-ARDS).

Results

We assessed 90 C-ARDS and 82 NC-ARDS patients, who were mechanically ventilated for more than 48 h. At ICU admission, there were significantly fewer bacterial coinfections documented in C-ARDS than in NC-ARDS: 14 (16%) vs 38 (48%), p < 0.01. Conversely, significantly more patients developed at least one VAP episode in C-ARDS as compared with NC-ARDS: 58 (64%) vs. 36 (44%), p = 0.007. The probability of VAP was significantly higher in C-ARDS after adjusting on death and ventilator weaning [sub-hazard ratio = 1.72 (1.14–2.52), p < 0.01]. The incidence of multi-drug-resistant bacteria (MDR)-related VAP was significantly higher in C-ARDS than in NC-ARDS: 21 (23%) vs. 9 (11%), p = 0.03. Carbapenem was more used in C-ARDS than in NC-ARDS: 48 (53%), vs 21 (26%), p < 0.01. According to AspICU algorithm, there were fewer cases of putative aspergillosis in C-ARDS than in NC-ARDS [2 (2%) vs. 12 (15%), p = 0.003], but there was no difference in Aspergillus colonization.

Conclusions

In our experience, we evidenced a higher incidence of VAP and MDR-VAP in C-ARDS than in NC-ARDS and a lower risk for invasive aspergillosis in the former group.

Resuscitation fluid types in sepsis, surgical, and trauma patients: a systematic review and sequential network meta-analyses

 

Resuscitation fluid types in sepsis, surgical, and trauma patients: a systematic review and sequential network meta-analyses

 

by Chien-Hua Tseng, Tzu-Tao Chen, Mei-Yi Wu, Ming-Cheng Chan, Ming-Chieh Shih and Yu-Kang Tu 

Critical Care volume 24, Article number: 693 (2020) Published: 14 December 2020

Background

Crystalloids and different component colloids, used for volume resuscitation, are sometimes associated with various adverse effects. Clinical trial findings for such fluid types in different patients’ conditions are conflicting. Whether the mortality benefit of balanced crystalloid than saline can be inferred from sepsis to other patient group is uncertain, and adverse effect profile is not comprehensive. This study aims to compare the survival benefits and adverse effects of seven fluid types with network meta-analysis in sepsis, surgical, trauma, and traumatic brain injury patients.

Methods

Searched databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL) and reference lists of relevant articles occurred from inception until January 2020. Studies on critically ill adults requiring fluid resuscitation were included. Intervention studies reported on balanced crystalloid, saline, iso-oncotic albumin, hyperoncotic albumin, low molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch (L-HES), high molecular weight HES, and gelatin. Network meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects model to calculate odds ratio (OR) and mean difference. Risk of Bias tool 2.0 was used to assess bias. Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis (CINeMA) web application was used to rate confidence in synthetic evidence.

Results

Fifty-eight trials (n = 26,351 patients) were identified. Seven fluid types were evaluated. Among patients with sepsis and surgery, balanced crystalloids and albumin achieved better survival, fewer acute kidney injury, and smaller blood transfusion volumes than saline and L-HES. In those with sepsis, balanced crystalloids significantly reduced mortality more than saline (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.74–0.95) and L-HES (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.69–0.95) and reduced acute kidney injury more than L-HES (OR 0.80; 95% CI 0.65–0.99). However, they required the greatest resuscitation volume among all fluid types, especially in trauma patients. In patients with traumatic brain injury, saline and L-HES achieved lower mortality than albumin and balanced crystalloids; especially saline was significantly superior to iso-oncotic albumin (OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.35–0.87).

Conclusions

Our network meta-analysis found that balanced crystalloids and albumin decreased mortality more than L-HES and saline in sepsis patients; however, saline or L-HES was better than iso-oncotic albumin or balanced crystalloids in traumatic brain injury patients.

Protracted viral shedding and viral load are associated with ICU mortality in Covid-19 patients with acute respiratory failure

 

Protracted viral shedding and viral load are associated with ICU mortality in Covid-19 patients with acute respiratory failure

 

by L. Bitker, F. Dhelft, L. Chauvelot, E. Frobert, L. Folliet, M. Mezidi, S. Trouillet-Assant, A. Belot, B. Lina, F. Wallet and J. C. Richard

 

Annals of Intensive Care volume 10, Article number: 167 (2020) Published: 10 December 2020

Background

Protracted viral shedding is common in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, and up to 40% display signs of pulmonary fibrosis on computed tomography (CT) after hospital discharge. We hypothesized that COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) who die in intensive care units (ICU) have a lower viral clearance in the respiratory tract than ICU patients discharged alive, and that protracted viral shedding in respiratory samples is associated with patterns of fibroproliferation on lung CT. We, therefore, conducted a retrospective observational study, in 2 ICU of Lyon university hospital.

Results

129 patients were included in the study, of whom 44 (34%) died in ICU. 432 RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 were performed and 137 CT scans were analyzed. Viral load was significantly higher in patients deceased as compared to patients alive at ICU discharge (p < 0.001), after adjustment for the site of viral sampling and RT-PCR technique. The median time to SARS-CoV-2 negativation on RT-PCR was 19 days [CI95 %:15–21] in patients alive at ICU discharge and 26 days [CI95 %:17-infinity] in non-survivors at ICU discharge. Competitive risk regression identified patients who died in ICU and age as independent risk factors for longer time to SARS-CoV-2 negativation on RT-PCR, while antiviral treatment was independently associated with shorter time. None of the CT scores exploring fibroproliferation (i.e., bronchiectasis and reticulation scores) were significantly associated with time to SARS-CoV-2 negativation.

Conclusions

Viral load in respiratory samples is significantly lower and viral shedding significantly shorter in ICU survivors of COVID-19 associated acute respiratory failure. Protracted viral shedding is unrelated to occurrence of fibrosis on lung CT.

Sepsis and Coronavirus Disease 2019: Common Features and Anti-Inflammatory Therapeutic Approaches

 

Sepsis and Coronavirus Disease 2019: Common Features and Anti-Inflammatory Therapeutic Approaches

 

by Beltrán-García, Jesús; Osca-Verdegal, Rebeca; Pallardó, Federico V.; Ferreres, José; Rodríguez, María; Mulet, Sandra; Ferrando-Sánchez, Carolina; Carbonell, Nieves; García-Giménez, José Luis

 

Critical Care Medicine: December 2020 - Volume 48 - Issue 12 - p 1841-1844

 

Great efforts are being made worldwide to identify the specific clinical characteristics of infected critically ill patients that mediate the associated pathogenesis, including vascular dysfunction, thrombosis, dysregulated inflammation, and respiratory complications. Recently, coronavirus disease 2019 has been closely related to sepsis, which suggests that most deaths in ICUs in infected patients are produced by viral sepsis. Understanding the physiopathology of the disease that lead to sepsis after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection is a current clinical need to improve intensive care–applied therapies applied to critically ill patients. Although the whole representative data characterizing the immune and inflammatory status in coronavirus disease 2019 patients are not completely known, it is clear that hyperinflammation and coagulopathy contribute to disease severity. Here, we present some common features shared by severe coronavirus disease 2019 patients and sepsis and describe proposed anti-inflammatory therapies for coronavirus disease 2019 which have been previously evaluated in sepsis.

The Use of Central Venous to Arterial Carbon Dioxide Tension Gap for Outcome Prediction in Critically Ill Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis*

 

The Use of Central Venous to Arterial Carbon Dioxide Tension Gap for Outcome Prediction in Critically Ill Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis*

 

by Al Duhailib, Zainab; Hegazy, Ahmed F.; Lalli, Raj; Fiorini, Kyle; Priestap, Fran; Iansavichene, Alla; Slessarev, Marat

 

Critical Care Medicine: December 2020 - Volume 48 - Issue 12 - p 1855-1861

Objectives: 

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we assessed whether a high Co2 gap predicts mortality in adult critically ill patients with circulatory shock.

Data Sources: 

A systematic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE electronic databases from inception to October 2019.

Study Selection: 

Studies from adult (age ≥ 18 yr) ICU patients with shock reporting Co2 gap and outcomes of interest. Case reports and conference abstracts were excluded.

Data Extraction: 

Data extraction and study quality assessment were performed independently in duplicate.

Data Synthesis: 

We used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to assess methodological study quality. Effect sizes were pooled using a random-effects model. The primary outcome was mortality (28 d and hospital). Secondary outcomes were ICU length of stay, hospital length of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, use of renal replacement therapy, use of vasopressors and inotropes, and association with cardiac index, lactate, and central venous oxygen saturation.

Conclusions: 

We included 21 studies (n = 2,155 patients) from medical (n = 925), cardiovascular (n = 685), surgical (n = 483), and mixed (n = 62) ICUs. A high Co2 gap was associated with increased mortality (odds ratio, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.30–3.82; p = 0.004) in patients with shock, but only those from medical and surgical ICUs. A high Co2 gap was associated with higher lactate levels (mean difference 0.44 mmol/L; 95% CI, 0.20–0.68 mmol/L; p = 0.0004), lower cardiac index (mean difference, –0.76 L/min/m2; 95% CI, –1.04 to –0.49 L/min/m2; p = 0.00001), and central venous oxygen saturation (mean difference, –5.07; 95% CI, –7.78 to –2.37; p = 0.0002). A high Co2 gap was not associated with longer ICU or hospital length of stays, requirement for renal replacement therapy, longer duration of mechanical ventilation, or higher vasopressors and inotropes use. Future studies should evaluate whether resuscitation aimed at closing the Co2 gap improves mortality in shock.

Percutaneous right ventricular assist device, rapid employment in right ventricular failure during septic shock

 

Percutaneous right ventricular assist device, rapid employment in right ventricular failure during septic shock

 

by Ignazio Condello 

 

Critical Care volume 24, Article number: 674 (2020) Published: 02 December 2020

 

 

Right ventricular (RV) failure, defined by critical care echocardiography Right Ventricular dilatation) and a surrogate of venous congestion (Central Venous Pressure ≥ 8 mmHg), was frequently observed in septic shock patients and negatively associated with response to a fluid challenge despite significant pulse pressure variation (PPV). Right Heart Failure with invasive ventricular device is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A new generation of percutaneous right ventricular assist devices (RVADs) may mitigate the need for invasive surgical RVAD implantation. The Protek Duo (TPD) temporary RVAD, capable of providing up to 4.5 L/min, is a dual-lumen cannula inserted via the right internal jugular vein, with its proximal inflow lumen positioned in the right atrium and distal lumen positioned in the main pulmonary artery…

The future of AI in critical care is augmented, not artificial, intelligence

 

The future of AI in critical care is augmented, not artificial, intelligence

by Vincent X. Liu 

 

Critical Care volume 24, Article number: 673 (2020) Published: 02 December 2020

 

The field of AI—artificial intelligence—has seen tremendous success over the past decade. Today, AI touches billions of lives each day through voice and text processing, computer vision, prediction algorithms, video games, and much more. Naturally, there has also been enormous interest in applying AI to health care and, in particular, to data-rich environments like the intensive care unit. Early examples of AI in healthcare and critical care have already shown great promise [1], but also raise concerns that can be mitigated with preparation and foresight [2,3,4].

Recently, I put my own life into the hands of AI: it nearly killed me and, later, it also saved me. This harrowing experience was a potent reminder for me, an AI practitioner, that we must work to ensure this technology’s formidable capabilities are used to produce ‘augmented’, rather than just ‘artificial’, intelligence. Augmented intelligence places clinicians and ultimately patients, rather than algorithms, at its center. Where we successfully bridge the interface of clinician and machine intelligence, we have vast potential to make healthcare more effective, efficient, and sustainable. This will also ensure that health AI is safe, reliable, and equitable for all patients.

Plasma Exchange: An Effective Rescue Therapy in Critically Ill Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection

 

Plasma Exchange: An Effective Rescue Therapy in Critically Ill Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection

 

by Fernandez, Javier; Gratacos-Ginès, Jordi; Olivas, Pol; Costa, Montserrat; Nieto, Susana; Mateo, Dolors; Sánchez, María Belén; Aguilar, Ferran; Bassegoda, Octavi; Ruiz, Pablo; Caballol, Berta; Pocurull, Anna; Llach, Joan; Mustieles, María Jesús; Cid, Joan; Reverter, Enric; Toapanta, Nestor David; Hernández-Tejero, María; Martínez, José Antonio; Claria, Joan; Fernández, Carlos; Mensa, José; Arroyo, Vicente; Castro, Pedro; Lozano, Miquel; for the Covid Clinic Critical Care (CCCC) Group

 

Objectives: 

Infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 can induce uncontrolled systemic inflammation and multiple organ failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate if plasma exchange, through the removal of circulating mediators, can be used as rescue therapy in these patients.

Design: 

Single center case series.

Setting: 

Local study.

Subjects: 

Four critically ill adults with coronavirus disease 19 pneumonia that failed conventional interventions.

Interventions: 

Plasma exchange. Two to six sessions (1.2 plasma volumes). Human albumin (5%) was used as the main replacement fluid. Fresh frozen plasma and immunoglobulins were administered after each session to avoid coagulopathy and hypogammaglobulinemia.

Measurements and Main Results: 

Serum markers of inflammation and macrophage activation. All patients showed a dramatic reduction in inflammatory markers, including the main cytokines, and improved severity scores after plasma exchange. All survived to ICU admission.

Conclusions: 

Plasma exchange mitigates cytokine storm, reverses organ failure, and could improve survival in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 infection.

Right ventricular-arterial uncoupling independently predicts survival in COVID-19 ARDS

 

Right ventricular-arterial uncoupling independently predicts survival in COVID-19 ARDS

 

by Michele D’Alto, Alberto M. Marra, Sergio Severino, Andrea Salzano, Emanuele Romeo, Rosanna De Rosa, Francesca Maria Stagnaro, Gianpiero Pagnano, Raffaele Verde, Patrizia Murino, Andrea Farro, Giovanni Ciccarelli, Maria Vargas, Giuseppe Fiorentino, Giuseppe Servillo, Ivan Gentile

 

Aim

To investigate the prevalence and prognostic impact of right heart failure and right ventricular-arterial uncoupling in Corona Virus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) complicated by an Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

Methods

Ninety-four consecutive patients (mean age 64 years) admitted for acute respiratory failure on COVID-19 were enrolled. Coupling of right ventricular function to the pulmonary circulation was evaluated by a comprehensive trans-thoracic echocardiography with focus on the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) to systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PASP) ratio

Results

The majority of patients needed ventilatory support, which was noninvasive in 22 and invasive in 37. There were 25 deaths, all in the invasively ventilated patients. Survivors were younger (62 ± 13 vs. 68 ± 12 years, p = 0.033), less often overweight or usual smokers, had lower NT-proBNP and interleukin-6, and higher arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)/fraction of inspired O2 (FIO2) ratio (270 ± 104 vs. 117 ± 57 mmHg, p < 0.001). In the non-survivors, PASP was increased (42 ± 12 vs. 30 ± 7 mmHg, p < 0.001), while TAPSE was decreased (19 ± 4 vs. 25 ± 4 mm, p < 0.001). Accordingly, the TAPSE/PASP ratio was lower than in the survivors (0.51 ± 0.22 vs. 0.89 ± 0.29 mm/mmHg, p < 0.001). At univariate/multivariable analysis, the TAPSE/PASP (HR: 0.026; 95%CI 0.01–0.579; p: 0.019) and PaO2/FIO2 (HR: 0.988; 95%CI 0.988–0.998; p: 0.018) ratios were the only independent predictors of mortality, with ROC-determined cutoff values of 159 mmHg and 0.635 mm/mmHg, respectively.

Conclusions

COVID-19 ARDS is associated with clinically relevant uncoupling of right ventricular function from the pulmonary circulation; bedside echocardiography of TAPSE/PASP adds to the prognostic relevance of PaO2/FIO2 in ARDS on COVID-19.

Discriminating between CPAP success and failure in COVID-19 patients with severe respiratory failure

 

Discriminating between CPAP success and failure in COVID-19 patients with severe respiratory failure

 

By: Pietro Arina, Beatrice Baso, Valeria Moro, Hemani Patel, Gareth Ambler on behalf of the UCL Critical Care COVID-19 Research Group

Intensive Care Medicine (2020) Published: 16 November 2020

 

Research letter

Continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) treatment was used increasingly in the UK and elsewhere for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to avoid the need for mechanical ventilation [1,2,3]. Early identification of patients benefitting from CPAP would assist decision making however we found that intensive care unit (ICU) admission respiratory parameters (rate, PaO2/FiO2 ratio) were poorly discriminatory. Using electronic healthcare records we retrospectively studied COVID-19 patients admitted to the University College London Hospital ICU between 8 March and 5 June 2020 in moderate-to-severe respiratory failure who received initial management with CPAP to see whether better prognosticators could be identified.

Comparison of demographic, clinical and biochemical parameters measured on ICU admission was made between patients adjudged CPAP success (hospital survival with CPAP alone) or failure (either death where CPAP was a ceiling of treatment, or need for mechanical ventilation regardless of hospital outcome). Requirement for other organ support was also compared. Patients managed on CPAP in non-ICU wards were excluded as detailed clinical and lab data were often lacking.

Of 108 within-hospital admissions, 93 (86%) received CPAP as initial respiratory failure management (median[IQR] PaO2/FiO2 ratio 13 [10–18] kPa) (Supplementary Fig. 1). Thirty-two (34%) were adjudged CPAP successes and 61 (66%) failures (14 deaths (23%) with CPAP as the ceiling of treatment, 47 (77%) requiring invasive ventilation of whom 26 died). Demographics and ICU admission values of respiratory rate, inspired oxygen concentration (FiO2) and PaO2/FiO2 ratio were similar between groups (Supplementary data). Admission values of C-reactive protein (CRP) (p < 0.0001), N Terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (p < 0.001), troponin-T (p < 0.001) and D-dimers (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in CPAP failure patients (Fig. 1). Other organ support was only required for CPAP failure patients receiving invasive ventilation (46 vasopressors, 28 renal replacement therapy), but none for CPAP successes. At 6 h post-CPAP the PaO2/FiO2 ratio rose by 76.7% (37.9 to 99.8%) in CPAP success patients but only by 38.1% (−24.4 to 100.5) in the failure group (p = 0.015)…

Performance of the cuff leak test in adults in predicting post-extubation airway complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis

 

Performance of the cuff leak test in adults in predicting post-extubation airway complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis

 

by Akira Kuriyama, Jeffrey L. Jackson and Jun Kamei 

 

Critical Care volume 24, Article number: 640 (2020)

 

Background

Clinical practice guidelines recommend performing a cuff leak test in mechanically ventilated adults who meet extubation criteria to screen those at high risk for post-extubation stridor. Previous systematic reviews demonstrated excellent specificity of the cuff leak test but disagreed with respect to sensitivity. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the cuff leak test for predicting post-extubation airway complications in intubated adult patients in critical care settings.

Methods

We searched Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, the Cochrane Library for eligible studies from inception to March 16, 2020, without language restrictions. We included studies that examined the diagnostic accuracy of cuff leak test if post-extubation airway obstruction after extubation or reintubation was explicitly reported as the reference standard. Two authors in duplicate and independently assessed the risk of bias using the Quality Assessment for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. We pooled sensitivities and specificities using generalized linear mixed model approach to bivariate random-effects meta-analysis. Our primary outcomes were post-extubation airway obstruction and reintubation.

Results

We included 28 studies involving 4493 extubations. Three studies were at low risk for all QUADAS-2 risk of bias domains. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of cuff leak test for post-extubation airway obstruction were 0.62 (95% CI 0.49–0.73; I2 = 81.6%) and 0.87 (95% CI 0.82–0.90; I2 = 97.8%), respectively. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of the cuff leak test for reintubation were 0.66 (95% CI 0.46–0.81; I2 = 48.9%) and 0.88 (95% CI 0.83–0.92; I2 = 87.4%), respectively. Subgroup analyses suggested that the type of cuff leak test and length of intubation might be the cause of statistical heterogeneity of sensitivity and specificity, respectively, for post-extubation airway obstruction.

Conclusions

The cuff leak test has excellent specificity but moderate sensitivity for post-extubation airway obstruction. The high specificity suggests that clinicians should consider intervening in patients with a positive test, but the low sensitivity suggests that patients still need to be closely monitored post-extubation.

Weak anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody response is associated with mortality in a Swedish cohort of COVID-19 patients in critical care

 

Weak anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody response is associated with mortality in a Swedish cohort of COVID-19 patients in critical care

 

by Sana Asif, Robert Frithiof, Miklos Lipcsey, Bjarne Kristensen, Kjell Alving and Michael Hultström 

 

Critical Care volume 24, Article number: 639 (2020)

Research Letter

Profiling of the antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 may be crucial to understand the immunological reaction and to design successful treatment strategies. Studies have confirmed the development of a typical antibody response to an acute viral infection in COVID-19 patients [1]. A robust generation and a dynamic pattern of IgA, IgM and IgG antibodies can be detected 2–3 weeks following the first symptoms of COVID-19 [2, 3]. An early robust antibody response in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 was reported in survivors, versus a weak antibody production in non-survivors [4, 5]. However, antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in critically ill patients is largely unknown.

We investigated the antibody response to SARS-Cov-2 Spike-1 protein in adult patients (n = 19) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at a tertiary care hospital in Uppsala, Sweden. Plasma samples were collected at two different time points; (a) early, day 0–3 and (b) late, day 10–13, and concentrations of IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies were quantified by FluoroEnzymeImmunoassay (FEIA), Phadia AB, Uppsala, Sweden.

The median age of our cohort was 57 years, and 93% were males. The most common co-morbidities were obesity (93%), hypertension (42%) and diabetes mellitus type-2 (32%). The median COVID-19 day at ICU admission was 10 (6–14) days, the median length of ICU stay was 18 (11–38) days, and 30 days mortality was 21% (Table 1). In our cohort, a IgA, IgG and IgM antibody response could be detected as early as day 0–3 post-ICU admission, and this increase in antibodies was persistent up to day 10–13 (Fig. 1). A significant change in antibody concentrations over time was detected in patients who survived till day 30 in comparison with those who did not (Fig. 1). No associations were seen between antibody levels and patient age, or any other clinical or laboratory parameters. At both early and late timepoints, plasma concentrations of IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies tend to be higher in patients who survived compared to those who had died at 30 days (Fig. 1). This suggests that SARS-CoV-2 antibody response, similar to other virus illnesses, is important for virus protection and recovery. A limitation of the present dataset is the relatively low number of patients…

Spontaneous hemothorax in 4 COVID-19 ARDS patients on VV-ECMO revealing pulmonary artery aneurysms

 

Spontaneous hemothorax in 4 COVID-19 ARDS patients on VV-ECMO revealing pulmonary artery aneurysms

 

by Cyrielle Desnos, Samia Boussouar, Guillaume Hekimian, Alban Redheuil and Alain Combes 

 

Critical Care volume 24, Article number: 638 (2020)

 

COVID-19 pneumonia is a cause of severe ARDS. Its pathophysiology involves endothelial dysfunction and angiogenesis related to ACE-2 receptor, the host-cell receptor for SARS-CoV-2, expressed by endothelial cells, which may lead to thrombosis or hemorrhage [1].

This case series describes the presentation of COVID-19 patients who had unusual spontaneous hemothorax while on veno-venous extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) for severe ARDS. In accordance with French legislation, only non-opposition of patient’s surrogate for utilization of the deidentified data was obtained. The ICU database was registered with the national data protection authority (CNIL 1950673). From February to September 2020, 62 patients with confirmed COVID-19-related severe ARDS requiring VV-ECMO were transferred and treated in our tertiary care ICU, of whom 4 had spontaneous hemothorax.

Ages were 33, 63, 48 and 46 years; 2 patients were women. None of them had pulmonary embolism on previous CT angiography, and they had received continuous infusion of unfractionated heparin at high preventive dose according to international expert guidelines [2]. They were on VV-ECMO for 3, 9, 22 and 28 days at the time of the hemothorax onset. In all four patients, hemothorax was revealed by shock, both hemorrhagic and obstructive by compression of the mediastinum, requiring high doses of catecholamine and massive packed red blood cells transfusion. One patient experienced cardiac arrest shortly after shock onset, resuscitated after chest drainage. On chest CT scan, vascular lung abnormalities were very similar in the 4 patients, including peripheral medium and small pulmonary artery branches aneurysms, one of them also having renal and diaphragmatic artery aneurysms (Fig. 1). Three of the patients underwent salvage radioembolization, one of them survived to this episode without relapse, and hemothorax was fatal for the 3 others…

Effects of capillary refill time-vs. lactate-targeted fluid resuscitation on regional, microcirculatory and hypoxia-related perfusion parameters in septic shock: a randomized controlled trial

 

Effects of capillary refill time-vs. lactate-targeted fluid resuscitation on regional, microcirculatory and hypoxia-related perfusion parameters in septic shock: a randomized controlled trial

 

by Ricardo Castro, Eduardo Kattan, Giorgio Ferri, Ronald Pairumani, Emilio Daniel Valenzuela, Leyla Alegría, Vanessa Oviedo, Nicolás Pavez, Dagoberto Soto, Magdalena Vera, César Santis, Brusela Astudillo, María Alicia Cid, Sebastian Bravo, Gustavo Ospina-Tascón, Jan Bakker

 

Annals of Intensive Care volume 10, Article number: 150 (2020) 

 

Background

Persistent hyperlactatemia has been considered as a signal of tissue hypoperfusion in septic shock patients, but multiple non-hypoperfusion-related pathogenic mechanisms could be involved. Therefore, pursuing lactate normalization may lead to the risk of fluid overload. Peripheral perfusion, assessed by the capillary refill time (CRT), could be an effective alternative resuscitation target as recently demonstrated by the ANDROMEDA-SHOCK trial. We designed the present randomized controlled trial to address the impact of a CRT-targeted (CRT-T) vs. a lactate-targeted (LAC-T) fluid resuscitation strategy on fluid balances within 24 h of septic shock diagnosis. In addition, we compared the effects of both strategies on organ dysfunction, regional and microcirculatory flow, and tissue hypoxia surrogates.

Results

Forty-two fluid-responsive septic shock patients were randomized into CRT-T or LAC-T groups. Fluids were administered until target achievement during the 6 h intervention period, or until safety criteria were met. CRT-T was aimed at CRT normalization (≤ 3 s), whereas in LAC-T the goal was lactate normalization (≤ 2 mmol/L) or a 20% decrease every 2 h. Multimodal perfusion monitoring included sublingual microcirculatory assessment; plasma-disappearance rate of indocyanine green; muscle oxygen saturation; central venous-arterial pCO2 gradient/ arterial-venous O2 content difference ratio; and lactate/pyruvate ratio. There was no difference between CRT-T vs. LAC-T in 6 h-fluid boluses (875 [375–2625] vs. 1500 [1000–2000], p = 0.3), or balances (982[249–2833] vs. 15,800 [740–6587, p = 0.2]). CRT-T was associated with a higher achievement of the predefined perfusion target (62 vs. 24, p = 0.03). No significant differences in perfusion-related variables or hypoxia surrogates were observed.

Conclusions

CRT-targeted fluid resuscitation was not superior to a lactate-targeted one on fluid administration or balances. However, it was associated with comparable effects on regional and microcirculatory flow parameters and hypoxia surrogates, and a faster achievement of the predefined resuscitation target. Our data suggest that stopping fluids in patients with CRT ≤ 3 s appears as safe in terms of tissue perfusion.

Clinical Trials: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03762005 (Retrospectively registered on December 3rd 2018)

Corticosteroids in severe COVID-19: a critical view of the evidence

 

Corticosteroids in severe COVID-19: a critical view of the evidence

 

by Daniel De Backer, Elie Azoulay and Jean-Louis Vincent 

 

Critical Care volume 24, Article number: 627 (2020)

 

Since December 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has infected millions of people worldwide, causing excess deaths and a surge in demand for ICU beds. With no effective therapies against SARS-CoV-2, randomized trials of several potential therapeutic agents, including steroids, have been conducted. Although use of steroids in patients with ARDS [1] and severe viral pneumonia [2, 3] has been challenged, several arguments support the biological plausibility of steroid use in patients with severe COVID-19. First, autopsy studies in COVID-19 patients showed lymphocyte alveolitis, acute fibrinous injury and organizing pneumonia [4], which are all probably steroid-sensitive. Second, COVID-19 leads to activation of endothelial cells causing not only systemic inflammation but also microvascular thrombosis, pulmonary infarcts and venous thromboembolism [4, 5]. Admittedly, there are also arguments against steroid use. First, viral particles are often found at autopsy [4], and steroids may decrease viral clearance. Second, steroids only influence the inflammatory component of the inflammation–thrombosis–hypoxia interaction [6], suggesting that steroids may be less effective once thrombi have developed.

The RECOVERY trial compared administration of 6 mg/day dexamethasone for 10 days to usual care in 6425 hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Survival was significantly higher in the dexamethasone-treated patients, especially in the subgroup of 1007 patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation [7]. As a result of the RECOVERY findings, three further steroid trials, focusing on ICU patients, were stopped prematurely after inclusion of 384 [8], 299 [9] and 149 [10] patients, respectively. A meta-analysis of the available data concluded that administration of systemic steroids was associated with a decrease in 28-day mortality [11]. Nevertheless, although administration of steroids appears promising, several limitations must be considered when interpreting the results

Recommendations for hemodynamic monitoring for critically ill children—expert consensus statement issued by the cardiovascular dynamics section of the European Society of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care (ESPNIC)

Recommendations for hemodynamic monitoring for critically ill children—expert consensus statement issued by the cardiovascular dynamics section of the European Society of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care (ESPNIC)

 

by Yogen Singh, Javier Urbano Villaescusa, Eduardo M. da Cruz, Shane M. Tibby, Gabriella Bottari, Rohit Saxena, Marga Guillén, Jesus Lopez Herce, Matteo Di Nardo, Corrado Cecchetti, Joe Brierley, Willem de Boode and Joris Lemson

 

Critical Care volume 24, Article number: 620 (2020) 

 

Background

Cardiovascular instability is common in critically ill children. There is a scarcity of published high-quality studies to develop meaningful evidence-based hemodynamic monitoring guidelines and hence, with the exception of management of shock, currently there are no published guidelines for hemodynamic monitoring in children. The European Society of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care (ESPNIC) Cardiovascular Dynamics section aimed to provide expert consensus recommendations on hemodynamic monitoring in critically ill children.

Methods

Creation of a panel of experts in cardiovascular hemodynamic assessment and hemodynamic monitoring and review of relevant literature—a literature search was performed, and recommendations were developed through discussions managed following a Quaker-based consensus technique and evaluating appropriateness using a modified blind RAND/UCLA voting method. The AGREE statement was followed to prepare this document.

Results

Of 100 suggested recommendations across 12 subgroups concerning hemodynamic monitoring in critically ill children, 72 reached “strong agreement,” 20 “weak agreement,” and 2 had “no agreement.” Six statements were considered as redundant after rephrasing of statements following the first round of voting. The agreed 72 recommendations were then coalesced into 36 detailing four key areas of hemodynamic monitoring in the main manuscript. Due to a lack of published evidence to develop evidence-based guidelines, most of the recommendations are based upon expert consensus.

Conclusions

These expert consensus-based recommendations may be used to guide clinical practice for hemodynamic monitoring in critically ill children, and they may serve as a basis for highlighting gaps in the knowledge base to guide further research in hemodynamic monitoring.

Early Detection of Patients at Risk of Developing a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder After an ICU Stay*

 

Early Detection of Patients at Risk of Developing a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder After an ICU Stay*

 

by Wawer, Emilie; Viprey, Marie; Floccard, Bernard; Saoud, Mohamed; Subtil, Fabien; Wafa, Hashim; Rheims, Elodie; Rimmelé, Thomas; Poulet, Emmanuel

 

Critical Care Medicine: November 2020 - Volume 48 - Issue 11 - p 1572-1579

 

Objectives:

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the Impact Event Scale-Revisited assessed following ICU discharge to predict the emergence of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms at 3 months. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Three medical or surgical ICU of a French university hospital (Lyon, France). Patients: Patients greater than or equal to 18 years old, leaving ICU after greater than or equal to 2 nights of stay, between September 2017 and April 2018.

Interventions:

Patients completed the Impact Event Scale-Revisited and the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire within 8 days after ICU discharge and the Impact Event Scale-Revisited again at 3 months by phone. Patients having an Impact Event Scale-Revisited greater than or equal to 35 at 3 months were considered as having post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.

Measurements and Main Results:

Among the 208 patients screened, 174 were included and 145 reassessed by phone at 3 months. Among the patients included at baseline, 43% presented symptoms of acute stress. At 3 months, 13% had an Impact Event Scale-Revisited greater than or equal to 35 and 17% had a score between 12 and 34. Regarding the performance of the Impact Event Scale-Revisited performed within 8 days after the ICU discharge to predict post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms at 3 months, the area under the curve was 0.90 (95% CI, 0.80–0.99), and an Impact Event Scale-Revisited greater than or equal to 12 had a sensitivity of 90%, a specificity of 71%, a positive predictive value of 32%, and a negative predictive value of 98%. History of anxiety disorder odds ratio = 3.7 (95% CI, 1.24–11.05; p = 0.02) and Impact Event Scale-Revisited greater than or equal to 12 odds ratio = 16.57 (95% CI, 3.59–76.46; p < 0.001) were identified as risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.

Conclusions: Impact Event Scale-Revisited assessed at ICU discharge has a good ability for the detection of patients at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Patients with history of anxiety disorder and those presenting acute stress symptoms at ICU discharge are more at risk to develop post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.

Gut-liver crosstalk in sepsis-induced liver injury

 

Gut-liver crosstalk in sepsis-induced liver injury

 

by Jian Sun, Jingxiao Zhang, Xiangfeng Wang, Fuxi Ji, Claudio Ronco, Jiakun Tian and Yongjie Yin 

 

Critical Care  volume 24, Article number: 614 (2020) 

 

Sepsis is characterized by a dysregulated immune response to infection leading to life-threatening organ dysfunction. Sepsis-induced liver injury is recognized as a powerful independent predictor of mortality in the intensive care unit. During systemic infections, the liver regulates immune defenses via bacterial clearance, production of acute-phase proteins (APPs) and cytokines, and metabolic adaptation to inflammation. Increased levels of inflammatory cytokines and impaired bacterial clearance and disrupted metabolic products can cause gut microbiota dysbiosis and disruption of the intestinal mucosal barrier. Changes in the gut microbiota play crucial roles in liver injury during sepsis. Bacterial translocation and resulting intestinal inflammation lead to a systemic inflammatory response and acute liver injury. The gut-liver crosstalk is a potential target for therapeutic interventions. This review analyzes the underlying mechanisms for the gut-liver crosstalk in sepsis-induced liver injury.

High-Flow Nasal Oxygen in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients With Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure: A Multicenter, Retrospective Cohort Study*

 

High-Flow Nasal Oxygen in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients With Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure: A Multicenter, Retrospective Cohort Study*

 

by Xia, Jingen; Zhang, Yi; Ni, Lan; Chen, Lei; Zhou, Changzhi; Gao, Chang; Wu, Xiaojing; Duan, Jun; Xie, Jungang; Guo, Qiang; Zhao, Jianping; Hu, Yi; Cheng, Zhenshun; Zhan, Qingyuan

Critical Care Medicine: November 2020 - Volume 48 - Issue 11 - p e1079-e1086

Objectives:  

An ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 is spreading globally. Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure is the most common complication of coronavirus disease 2019. However, the clinical effectiveness of early high-flow nasal oxygen treatment in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure has not been explored. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of high-flow nasal oxygen treatment and to identify the variables predicting high-flow nasal oxygen treatment failure in coronavirus disease 2019 patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.

Design:

A multicenter, retrospective cohort study. Setting: Three tertiary hospitals in Wuhan, China. Patients: Forty-three confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 adult patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure treated with high-flow nasal oxygen. Interventions: None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Mean age of the enrolled patients was 63.0 ± 9.7 years; female patients accounted for 41.9%. High-flow nasal oxygen failure (defined as upgrading respiratory support to positive pressure ventilation or death) was observed in 20 patients (46.5%), of which 13 (30.2%) required endotracheal intubation. Patients with high-flow nasal oxygen success had a higher median oxygen saturation (96.0% vs 93.0%; p < 0.001) at admission than those with high-flow nasal oxygen failure. High-flow nasal oxygen failure was more likely in patients who were older (p = 0.030) and male (p = 0.037), had a significant increase in respiratory rate and a significant decrease in the ratio of oxygen saturation/Fio2 to respiratory rate index within 3 days of high-flow nasal oxygen treatment. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis model, male and lower oxygen saturation at admission remained independent predictors of high-flow nasal oxygen failure. The hospital mortality rate of the cohort was 32.5%; however, the hospital mortality rate in patients with high-flow nasal oxygen failure was 65%.

Conclusions:

High-flow nasal oxygen may be effective for treating coronavirus disease 2019 patients with mild to moderate acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. However, high-flow nasal oxygen failure was associated with a poor prognosis. Male and lower oxygenation at admission were the two strong predictors of high-flow nasal oxygen failure.

Frailty, delirium and hospital mortality of older adults admitted to intensive care: the Delirium (Deli) in ICU study

Frailty, delirium and hospital mortality of older adults admitted to intensive care: the Delirium (Deli) in ICU study

 

by David Sanchez, Kathleen Brennan, Masar Al Sayfe, Sharon-Ann Shunker, Tony Bogdanoski, Sonja Hedges, Yu Chin Hou, Joan Lynch, Leanne Hunt, Evan Alexandrou, Manoj Saxena, Simon Abel, Ramanathan Lakshmanan, Deepak Bhonagiri, Michael J. Parr, Anders Aneman…

 

Critical Care volume 24, Article number: 609 (2020)  Published: 15 October 2020

 

 

Background

Clinical frailty among older adults admitted to intensive care has been proposed as an important determinant of patient outcomes. Among this group of patients, an acute episode of delirium is also common, but its relationship to frailty and increased risk of mortality has not been extensively explored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the relationship between clinical frailty, delirium and hospital mortality of older adults admitted to intensive care.

Methods

This study is part of a Delirium in Intensive Care (Deli) Study. During the initial 6-month baseline period, clinical frailty status on admission to intensive care, among adults aged 50 years or more; acute episodes of delirium; and the outcomes of intensive care and hospital stay were explored.

Results

During the 6-month baseline period, 997 patients, aged 50 years or more, were included in this study. The average age was 71 years (IQR, 63–79); 55% were male (n = 537). Among these patients, 39.2% (95% CI 36.1–42.3%, n = 396) had a Clinical Frailty Score (CFS) of 5 or more, and 13.0% (n = 127) had at least one acute episode of delirium. Frail patients were at greater risk of an episode of delirium (17% versus 10%, adjusted rate ratio (adjRR) = 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20–2.43, p = 0.003), had a longer hospital stay (2.6 days, 95% CI 1–7 days, p = 0.009) and had a higher risk of hospital mortality (19% versus 7%, adjRR = 2.54, 95% CI 1.72–3.75, p < 0.001), when compared to non-frail patients. Patients who were frail and experienced an acute episode of delirium in the intensive care had a 35% rate of hospital mortality versus 10% among non-frail patients who also experienced delirium in the ICU.

Conclusion

Frailty and delirium significantly increase the risk of hospital mortality. Therefore, it is important to identify patients who are frail and institute measures to reduce the risk of adverse events in the ICU such as delirium and, importantly, to discuss these issues in an open and empathetic way with the patient and their families.

Awake prone positioning does not reduce the risk of intubation in COVID-19 treated with high-flow nasal oxygen therapy: a multicenter, adjusted cohort study

 

Awake prone positioning does not reduce the risk of intubation in COVID-19 treated with high-flow nasal oxygen therapy: a multicenter, adjusted cohort study

 

by Carlos Ferrando, Ricard Mellado-Artigas, Alfredo Gea, Egoitz Arruti, César Aldecoa, Ramón Adalia, Fernando Ramasco, Pablo Monedero, Emilio Maseda, Gonzalo Tamayo, María L. Hernández-Sanz, Jordi Mercadal, Ascensión Martín-Grande, Robert M. Kacmarek, Jesús Villar and Fernando Suárez-Sipmann

 

Critical Care volume 24, Article number: 597 (2020) Published: 06 October 2020

Background

Awake prone positioning (awake-PP) in non-intubated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients could avoid endotracheal intubation, reduce the use of critical care resources, and improve survival. We aimed to examine whether the combination of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNO) with awake-PP prevents the need for intubation when compared to HFNO alone.

Methods

Prospective, multicenter, adjusted observational cohort study in consecutive COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) receiving respiratory support with HFNO from 12 March to 9 June 2020. Patients were classified as HFNO with or without awake-PP. Logistic models were fitted to predict treatment at baseline using the following variables: age, sex, obesity, non-respiratory Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, APACHE-II, C-reactive protein, days from symptoms onset to HFNO initiation, respiratory rate, and peripheral oxyhemoglobin saturation. We compared data on demographics, vital signs, laboratory markers, need for invasive mechanical ventilation, days to intubation, ICU length of stay, and ICU mortality between HFNO patients with and without awake-PP.

Results

A total of 1076 patients with COVID-19 ARF were admitted, of which 199 patients received HFNO and were analyzed. Fifty-five (27.6%) were pronated during HFNO; 60 (41%) and 22 (40%) patients from the HFNO and HFNO + awake-PP groups were intubated. The use of awake-PP as an adjunctive therapy to HFNO did not reduce the risk of intubation [RR 0.87 (95% CI 0.53–1.43), p = 0.60]. Patients treated with HFNO + awake-PP showed a trend for delay in intubation compared to HFNO alone [median 1 (interquartile range, IQR 1.0–2.5) vs 2 IQR 1.0–3.0] days (p = 0.055), but awake-PP did not affect 28-day mortality [RR 1.04 (95% CI 0.40–2.72), p = 0.92].

Conclusion

In patients with COVID-19 ARF treated with HFNO, the use of awake-PP did not reduce the need for intubation or affect mortality.

Effect of PEEP decremental on respiratory mechanics, gasses exchanges, pulmonary regional ventilation, and hemodynamics in patients with SARS-Cov-2-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome

 

Effect of PEEP decremental on respiratory mechanics, gasses exchanges, pulmonary regional ventilation, and hemodynamics in patients with SARS-Cov-2-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome

 

by Vincent Bonny, Vincent Janiak, Savino Spadaro, Andrea Pinna, Alexandre Demoule and Martin Dres 

 

Critical Care volume 24, Article number: 596 (2020) Published: 06 October 2020

 

Previous reports of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2)-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have been highlighting a profound hypoxemia and it is not yet well defined how to set positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in this context [1]. In this report, we describe the effects of two levels of PEEP on lung mechanics using a multimodal approach.

Patients with confirmed laboratory SARS-Cov-2 infection and meeting criteria for ARDS according to the Berlin definition [2] were eligible within the 48 h after intubation. Written informed consent was waived due to the observational nature of the study. The local ethic approved the study (N° CER-2020-16).

Patients were paralyzed and received lung protective ventilation on volume-controlled ventilation. Effects of PEEP decremental were evaluated at two levels of PEEP, arbitrarily 16 cm H2O and 8 cm H2O. These levels were decided based on previous reports [3, 4]. Measurements were performed after 20 min after changing the level of PEEP. Lung mechanics were assessed using an esophageal catheter (NutriVentTM, Italy) [5]. Hemodynamics, indexed extravascular lung water (EVLWi), pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI), and cardiac function index (CFI) were monitored by transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD) device (PiCCO2, Pulsion Medical Systems, Germany). Pulmonary regional ventilation was monitored by the use of an EIT belt placed around the patient’s chest (PulmoVista500; Dräger Medical GmbH Lübeck, Germany) [6]…

Intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome in patients admitted to the ICU

 

Intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome in patients admitted to the ICU

 

by Marije Smit, Bart Koopman, Willem Dieperink, Jan B. F. Hulscher, H. Sijbrand Hofker, Matijs van Meurs and Jan G. Zijlstra

 

Annals of Intensive Care volume 10, Article number: 130 (2020) Published: 01 October 2020

 

 

Background

Intra-abdominal hypertension is frequently present in critically ill patients and is an independent predictor for mortality. Risk factors for intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome have been widely investigated. However, data are lacking on prevalence and outcome in high-risk patients. Our objectives in this study were to investigate prevalence and outcome of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome in high-risk patients in a prospective, observational, single-center cohort study.

Results

Between March 2014 and March 2016, we included 503 patients, 307 males (61%) and 196 females (39%). Patients admitted to the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of pancreatitis, elective or emergency open abdominal aorta surgery, orthotopic liver transplantation, other elective or emergency major abdominal surgery and trauma were enrolled. One hundred and sixty four (33%) patients developed intra-abdominal hypertension and 18 (3.6%) patients developed abdominal compartment syndrome. Highest prevalence of abdominal compartment syndrome occurred in pancreatitis (57%) followed by orthotopic liver transplantation (7%) and abdominal aorta surgery (5%). Length of intensive care stay increased by a factor 4 in patients with intra-abdominal hypertension and a factor 9 in abdominal compartment syndrome, compared to patients with normal intra-abdominal pressure. Rate of renal replacement therapy was higher in abdominal compartment syndrome (38.9%) and intra-abdominal hypertension (8.2%) compared to patients with normal intra-abdominal pressure (1.2%). Both intensive care mortality and 90-day mortality were significantly higher in intra-abdominal hypertension (4.8% and 15.2%) and abdominal compartment syndrome (16.7% and 38.9%) compared to normal intra-abdominal pressure (1.2% and 7.1%). Body mass index (odds ratio 1.08, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.13), mechanical ventilation at admission (OR 3.52, 95% CI 2.08–5.96) and Apache IV score (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02–1.04) were independent risk factors for the development of intra-abdominal hypertension or abdominal compartment syndrome.

Conclusions

The prevalence of abdominal compartment syndrome was 3.6% and the prevalence of intra-abdominal hypertension was 33% in this cohort of high-risk patients. Morbidity and mortality increased when intra-abdominal hypertension or abdominal compartment syndrome was present. The patient most at risk of IAH or ACS in this high-risk cohort has a BMI > 30 kg/m2 and was admitted to the ICU after emergency abdominal surgery or with a diagnosis of pancreatitis.

Transpulmonary pressures in obese and non-obese COVID-19 ARDS

 

Transpulmonary pressures in obese and non-obese COVID-19 ARDS

by Mehdi Mezidi, Florence Daviet, Paul Chabert, Sami Hraiech, Laurent Bitker, Jean-Marie Forel, Hodane Yonis, Ines Gragueb, Francois Dhelft, Laurent Papazian, Jean-Christophe Richard and Christophe Guervilly

Annals of Intensive Care volume 10, Article number: 129 (2020) Published: 01 October 2020

Background

Data on respiratory mechanics of COVID-19 ARDS patients are scarce. Respiratory mechanics and response to positive expiratory pressure (PEEP) may be different in obese and non-obese patients.

Methods

We investigated esophageal pressure allowing determination of transpulmonary pressures (PL ) and elastances (EL) during a decremental PEEP trial from 20 to 6 cm H2O in a cohort of COVID-19 ARDS patients.

Results

Fifteen patients were investigated, 8 obese and 7 non-obese patients. PEEP ≥ 16 cm H2O for obese patients and PEEP ≥10 cm H2O for non-obese patients were necessary to obtain positive expiratory PL. Change of PEEP did not alter significantly ΔPL or elastances in obese patients. However, in non-obese patients lung EL  and ΔPL increased significantly with PEEP increase. Chest wall EL was not affected by PEEP variations in both groups.

Surgical mask on top of high-flow nasal cannula improves oxygenation in critically ill COVID-19 patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure

 

Surgical mask on top of high-flow nasal cannula improves oxygenation in critically ill COVID-19 patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure

 

by Virginie Montiel, Arnaud Robert, Annie Robert, Anas Nabaoui, Tourneux Marie, Natalia Morales Mestre, Maerckx Guillaume, Pierre-François Laterre and Xavier Wittebole

 

Annals of Intensive Care volume 10, Article number: 125 (2020) Published: 29 September 2020

 

Objective

Critically ill patients admitted in ICU because of COVID-19 infection display severe hypoxemic respiratory failure. The Surviving Sepsis Campaign recommends oxygenation through high-flow nasal cannula over non-invasive ventilation. The primary outcome of our study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of a surgical mask on a high-flow nasal cannula system on oxygenation parameters in hypoxemic COVID-19 patients admitted in ICU who do not require urgent intubation. The secondary outcomes were relevant changes in PaCO2 associated with clinical modifications and patient’s feelings.

Design

We prospectively assessed 21 patients admitted in our mixed Intensive Care Unit of the Cliniques Universitaires Saint Luc.

Main results

While FiO2 was unchanged, we demonstrate a significant increase of PaO2 (from 59 (± 6), to 79 mmHg (± 16), p < 0.001), PaO2/FiO2 from 83 (± 22), to 111 (± 38), p < 0.001) and SaO2 (from 91% (± 1.5), to 94% (± 1.6), p < 0.001), while the patients were under the surgical mask. The SpO2 returned to pre-treatment values when the surgical mask was removed confirming the effect of the device rather than a spontaneous positive evolution.

Conclusion

A surgical mask placed on patient’s face already treated by a High-flow nasal cannula device improves COVID-19 patient’s oxygenation admitted in Intensive Care Unit for severe hypoxemic respiratory failure without any clinically relevant side.

Persistent hypermetabolism and longitudinal energy expenditure in critically ill patients with COVID-19

 

Persistent hypermetabolism and longitudinal energy expenditure in critically ill patients with COVID-19

 

by John Whittle, Jeroen Molinger, David MacLeod, Krista Haines and Paul E. Wischmeyer 

 

Critical Care volume 24, Article number: 581 (2020) Published: 28 September 2020

 

 COVID-19 infection results in respiratory failure requiring ICU care in a small, yet significant, number of patients [1]. The longitudinal metabolic phenotype and energy expenditure of this novel pandemic disease has yet to be described. As a marked and often prolonged, systemic inflammatory response (SIRS) has been suggested to be a hallmark of severe COVID-19 infection [1], we hypothesized a prolonged hypermetabolic state would evolve over ICU stay that would persist beyond the 7–10 day hypermetabolic phase described previously in other ICU conditions [2].

Further, understanding the energy expenditure of COVID-19 ICU patients is essential to help determine safe, optimal nutrition needs for the ICU provider [3], as both over-/underfeeding is associated with increased ICU mortality [3, 4]. Prediction of resting energy expenditure (pREE) using standardized formulas or bodyweight calculations often correlates poorly with measured REE (mREE) [3]. Thus, our aim was to assess longitudinal mREE via indirect calorimetry (IC) in intubated COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19: instruments for the allocation of mechanical ventilators—a narrative review

 

COVID-19: instruments for the allocation of mechanical ventilators—a narrative review

 

by Marcelo José dos Santos, Maristela Santini Martins, Fabiana Lopes Pereira Santana, Maria Carolina Silvano Pacheco Corrêa Furtado, Fabiana Cristina Bazana Remédio Miname, Rafael Rodrigo da Silva Pimentel, Ágata Nunes Brito, Patrick Schneider, Edson Silva dos Santos and Luciane Hupalo da Silva

 

Critical Care volume 24, Article number: 582 (2020) Published: 29 September 2020

 

After the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic, the elaboration of comprehensive and preventive public policies became important in order to stop the spread of the disease. However, insufficient or ineffective measures may have placed health professionals and services in the position of having to allocate mechanical ventilators. This study aimed to identify instruments, analyze their structures, and present the main criteria used in the screening protocols, in order to help the development of guidelines and policies for the allocation of mechanical ventilators in the COVID-19 pandemic. The instruments have a low level of scientific evidence, and, in general, are structured by various clinical, non-clinical, and tiebreaker criteria that contain ethical aspects. Few instruments included public participation in their construction or validation. We believe that the elaboration of these guidelines cannot be restricted to specialists as this question involves ethical considerations which make the participation of the population necessary. Finally, we propose seventeen elements that can support the construction of screening protocols in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fibrin-derived peptide Bβ15-42 (FX06) as salvage treatment in critically ill patients with COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome

 

Fibrin-derived peptide Bβ15-42 (FX06) as salvage treatment in critically ill patients with COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome

 

by Elisabeth H. Adam, Benedikt Schmid, Michael Sonntagbauer, Peter Kranke, Kai Zacharowski and Patrick Meybohm

 

 Critical Care volume 24, Article number: 574 (2020)