High-flow nasal cannula therapy with sequential noninvasive ventilation versus noninvasive ventilation alone as the initial ventilatory strategy in acute COPD exacerbations: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is the recommended mode of ventilation used in acute respiratory failure secondary to an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Recent data has shown that high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) treatment can be an alternative for patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure. The purpose of this study is to evaluate HFNC with sequential NIV versus NIV alone as the initial ventilatory strategy in AECOPD.

METHODS

This investigator-initiated, unblinded, single center, randomized controlled trial will be conducted in the emergency department, emergency intensive care unit, or respiratory intensive care unit of a tertiary-care urban teaching hospital. A total of 66 patients will be enrolled and randomized into the intervention group (HFNC with sequential NIV) or the control group (NIV group). The primary endpoint will be the mean difference in PaCO₂ from baseline to 24 h after randomization. Secondary endpoints include the mean difference in PaCO₂ from baseline to 6, 12, and 18 h, as well as the dyspnea score, overall discomfort score, rate of treatment failure, respiratory rate, rate of endotracheal intubation, length of hospital stay, and mortality.

DISCUSSION

Taking the advantages of both HFNC and NIV on AECOPD patients into account, we designed this clinical trial to investigate the combination of these ventilatory strategies. This trial will help us understand how HFNC with sequential NIV compares to NIV alone in treating AECOPD patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR2100054809.

Prediction of noninvasive ventilation failure using the ROX index in patients with de novo acute respiratory failure

BACKGROUND

The ratio of SpO₂/FiO₂ to respiratory rate (ROX) index is commonly used to predict the failure of high-flow nasal cannula. However, its predictive power for noninvasive ventilation (NIV) failure is unclear.

METHODS

This was a secondary analysis of a multicenter prospective observational study, intended to update risk scoring. Patients with de novo acute respiratory failure were enrolled, but hypercapnic patients were excluded. The ROX index was calculated before treatment and after 1-2, 12, and 24 h NIV. Differences in predictive power for NIV failure using the ROX index, PaO₂/FiO₂, and PaO₂/FiO₂/respiratory rate were tested.

RESULTS

A total of 1286 patients with de novo acute respiratory failure were enrolled. Of these, 568 (44%) experienced NIV failure. Patients with NIV failure had a lower ROX index than those with NIV success. The rates of NIV failure were 92.3%, 70.5%, 55.3%, 41.1%, 35.1%, and 29.5% in patients with ROX index values calculated before NIV of ≤ 2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, 8-10, and > 10, respectively. Similar results were found when the ROX index was assessed after 1-2, 12, and 24 h NIV. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.64 (95% CI 0.61-0.67) when the ROX index was used to predict NIV failure before NIV. It increased to 0.71 (95% CI 0.68-0.74), 0.74 (0.71-0.77), and 0.77 (0.74-0.80) after 1-2, 12, and 24 h NIV, respectively. The predictive power for NIV failure was similar for the ROX index and for the PaO₂/FiO₂. Likewise, no difference was found between the ROX index and the PaO₂/FiO₂/respiratory rate, except at the time point of 1-2 h NIV.

CONCLUSIONS

The ROX index has moderate predictive power for NIV failure in patients with de novo acute respiratory failure.

Long term noninvasive ventilation and continuous positive airway pressure in children with neuromuscular diseases in France

The aim of the study was to describe the characteristics of children with neuromuscular diseases treated with long term noninvasive ventilation or continuous positive airway pressure in France. On June 1st 2019, 387 patients (63% boys, mean age 11.2 ± 5.5 years) were treated with long term noninvasive ventilation/continuous positive airway pressure. Thirty three percent of patients had spinal muscular atrophy, 30% congenital myopathy/dystrophy, 20% Duchenne muscular dystrophy, 7% Steinert myotonic dystrophy, and 9% other neuromuscular diseases. Ninety-four percent of patients were treated with long term noninvasive ventilation and 6% with continuous positive airway pressure. Treatment was initiated electively for 85% of patients, mainly on an abnormal overnight gas exchange recording (38% of patients). Noninvasive ventilation/continuous positive airway pressure was initiated during a respiratory exacerbation in 15% of patients. Mean duration of noninvasive ventilation/continuous positive airway pressure was 3.3 ± 3.1 years. Mean objective long term noninvasive ventilation/continuous positive airway pressure use was 8.0 ± 3.1 h/24. Spinal muscular atrophy, congenital myopathy/dystrophy, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy represented 83% of children with neuromuscular diseases treated with long term noninvasive ventilation in France. Screening for nocturnal hypoventilation was satisfactory as noninvasive ventilation /continuous positive airway pressure was predominantly initiated electively.

Effect of Respiratory Events on Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Treated with Long-Term Noninvasive Ventilation

BACKGROUND

Long-term noninvasive ventilation (NIV) can increase or maintain health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHRF). Evidence from studies systematically assessing how NIV-specific factors influence HRQoL is limited.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to describe HRQoL measured by the Severe Respiratory Insufficiency Questionnaire (SRI) in patients with CHRF treated with long-term NIV and to analyze the associations between HRQoL and hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and respiratory events such as apneas, hypopneas (AHI), and patient ventilator asynchrony (PVA) occurring during long-term NIV.

METHODS

We included sixty-seven stable patients with established long-term NIV due to neuromuscular disease or thoracic cage disorders in a prospective cross-sectional study at Oslo University Hospital. Patients answered the SRI and underwent daytime arterial blood gases, nocturnal pulse oximetry, sleep polygraphy, and nocturnal transcutaneous CO2.

RESULTS

The mean global SRI for 62 patients was 64.8 ± 14.5, with the highest score in SRI Social Relationships (79.5 ± 15.6). There were no differences in HRQoL between the different patient groups. Compliant patients had a significantly higher score in SRI Attendant and Sleep. Residual nocturnal hypoxemia affected both the subscale SRI "Respiratory Complaints" and SRI "Attendant Symptoms and Sleep." Persisting daytime hypercapnia, nocturnal hypoventilation, and high AHI affected the subscale SRI "Anxiety" negatively, while frequent PVA was associated with a lower score in SRI "Physical Function."

CONCLUSION

In a group of patients with long-term NIV, undesired respiratory events during NIV are associated with lower HRQoL in several of the SRI subscales. We suggest designing interventional studies to confirm the possible relationship between HRQoL and respiratory events during long-term NIV.

Effect of postextubation noninvasive ventilation with active humidification vs high-flow nasal cannula on reintubation in patients at very high risk for extubation failure: a randomized trial

PURPOSE

High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy was noninferior to noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for preventing reintubation in a heterogeneous population at high-risk for extubation failure. However, outcomes might differ in certain subgroups of patients. Thus, we aimed to determine whether NIV with active humidification is superior to HFNC in preventing reintubation in patients with ≥ 4 risk factors (very high risk for extubation failure).

METHODS

Randomized controlled trial in two intensive care units in Spain (June 2020‒June 2021). Patients ready for planned extubation with ≥ 4 of the following risk factors for reintubation were included: age > 65 years, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score > 12 on extubation day, body mass index > 30, inadequate secretions management, difficult or prolonged weaning, ≥ 2 comorbidities, acute heart failure indicating mechanical ventilation, moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, airway patency problems, prolonged mechanical ventilation, or hypercapnia on finishing the spontaneous breathing trial. Patients were randomized to undergo NIV with active humidification or HFNC for 48 h after extubation. The primary outcome was reintubation rate within 7 days after extubation. Secondary outcomes included postextubation respiratory failure, respiratory infection, sepsis, multiorgan failure, length of stay, mortality, adverse events, and time to reintubation.

RESULTS

Of 182 patients (mean age, 60 [standard deviation (SD), 15] years; 117 [64%] men), 92 received NIV and 90 HFNC. Reintubation was required in 21 (23.3%) patients receiving NIV vs 35 (38.8%) of those receiving HFNC (difference -15.5%; 95% confidence interval (CI) -28.3 to -1%). Hospital length of stay was lower in those patients treated with NIV (20 [12‒36.7] days vs 26.5 [15‒45] days, difference 6.5 [95%CI 0.5-21.1]). No additional differences in the other secondary outcomes were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Among adult critically ill patients at very high-risk for extubation failure, NIV with active humidification was superior to HFNC for preventing reintubation.

A Three-Arm Randomized, Controlled Trial of Different Nasal Interfaces on the Safety and Efficacy of Nasal Intermittent Positive-Pressure Ventilation in Preterm Newborns

OBJECTIVES

To compare the safety and efficacy of different nasal interfaces for delivering non invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in preterm neonates.

METHODS

In this three-arm parallel group stratified nonblinded randomized trial involving 210 preterm neonates the participants were randomly allocated to 'nasal mask', 'nasal prongs' and '4 hourly rotation of masks and prongs' groups in a 1:1:1 ratio. The groups were further stratified by gestational age (26-31^6/7 wk versus 32-36^6/7 wk) and indication of NIPPV (primary versus post extubation). Primary outcome was incidence of NIPPV failure within 72 h of initiation. Secondary outcomes were moderate/severe nasal injury, requirement of surfactant post randomization, total duration of respiratory support, duration of NICU stay, common neonatal morbidities and mortality.

RESULTS

Primary analysis revealed that mask group was superior to prongs and rotation groups in terms of reduction in NIPPV failure within 72 h (8.6%, 24.3%, 22.8%, p = 0.033), decreased incidence of moderate/severe nasal injury (8.6%, 22.8%, 11.4% p = 0.038), decreased requirement of surfactant (20%, 38.6%, 42.8%, p = 0.01) and reduction in total duration of respiratory support [median (interquartile range)-6 (3, 10) d, 7.7 (4.9, 19.2) d, 7 (5.5, 18.5) d, p = 0.005]. Post hoc analysis confirmed that nasal mask was superior to prongs with respect to primary outcome (p = 0.012) and also reduced surfactant requirement compared to both prongs (p = 0.015) and rotation (p = 0.003) groups. Other pairwise comparisons were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Administering NIPPV by nasal mask significantly decreases the incidence of NIPPV failure within first 72 h compared to nasal prongs and also reduces the requirement of surfactant compared to both prongs and rotation groups.

HIGH-FLOW NASAL CANNULA COMBINED WITH PRONE POSITIONING AS AN INTUBATION ALTERNATIVE IN COVID-19: A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

The use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in COVID-19 patients is a controversial topic due to the benefits and risks which may occur in patients and healthcare workers. The goal of this treatment modality is potential avoidance of invasive mechanical ventilation, but generation of aerosol and increased healthcare professional infection risk must be considered. We present a case of a SARS-CoV-2-positive 71-year-old male with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, who was successfully treated with HFNC combined with prone positioning. Furthermore, we discuss recent literature concerning potential issues of HFNC treatment in COVID-19 patients.

Patients experience regarding home mechanical ventilation in an outpatient setting

BACKGROUND

The patient's experience of treatment is a cornerstone of high-quality healthcare, along with clinical safety and effectiveness. We aimed to evaluate the patients' perspectives regarding home mechanical ventilation (HMV) follow up in an outpatient setting and ascertain differences between patients that started HMV in the outpatient setting compared to other settings.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted with patients with chronic respiratory failure under HMV in the Outpatient Ventilation Clinic. Patients filled in a patient experience questionnaire and the S3-NIV questionnaire.

RESULTS

The study included 235 patients (127, 54% male), median 70 [25-75 percentiles 64-76] years) and about half were adapted to HMV in the outpatient setting (117, 49.8%). Patients had a daily ventilator usage of 8.0 [6.0-10.0] hours and have been on ventilator for a median of 35.0 [12.0-66.0] months. Patients reported an overall good experience regarding education at initiation (209 [88.9%] considered the information given was enough), short time to adaptation [104 (44.3%) felt adapted after some hours], with perceived benefits (171 [72.8%] reported less shortness of breath, 158 (67.2%) improved quality of life and 150 (63.8%) less tiredness). Benefits overcame the treatment side-effects (158 [67.2%] reported mucosal dryness, 109 (46.4%) mask sores and 96 (40.9%) leaks). There was no difference in terms of reported health gains, side effects or time to adaptation between adaptation settings, but patients starting HMV in the outpatient setting reported better communication and education at adaptation.

CONCLUSIONS

Outpatient setting was perceived as a positive experience, both in HMV initiation and follow up, with good patient-physician communication leading to significant health reported gains, improvement of health status and well-being and good treatment adherence.

A Novel Mask with Selective Ports for Inflow and Outflow Reduces CO2 Rebreathing during Non-Invasive Ventilation: A Physiological Study in Healthy Volunteers

BACKGROUND

CO2 rebreathing is one of the risks associated with noninvasive ventilation (NIV), possibly contributing to failure. In a bench study, we showed that a novel mask design, with separate limbs for inflow and outflow gases, significantly reduced CO2 rebreathing in different ventilation settings.

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to test whether a new mask design could 1) reduce CO2 rebreathing in healthy volunteers during NIV (phase 1) and 2) reduce minute ventilation (phase 2).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to NIV using two masks in a crossover design: a traditional single-limb mask for inflow and outflow gases and a mask with two separated limbs. In phase 1, six ventilation settings were tested for each mask: CPAP (PEEP 5 cmH2O) and pressure support ventilation (PSV, PS Level 5 cmH2O) using a mechanical ventilator with a bias flow of 8 or 20 L/min; free-flow CPAP (PEEP 5 cmH2O) with 60 or 90 L/min of gas flow. A nasal cannula was inserted in one nostril of the volunteers and connected to a CO2 gas analyzer to measure CO2 during the respiratory cycle. In phase 2, volunteers underwent a prolonged time of ventilation in CPAP 90 L/min and PSV with 20 L/min of bias flow. During free-flow CPAP, electrical impedance tomography was used to record the change in impedance during tidal breathing and then estimate tidal volume.

RESULTS

Ten healthy adults were enrolled in phase 1, and 8 volunteers in phase 2. CO2 during inspiration was significantly lower in each setting with the two-limb versus the one-limb mask (p < 0.001). The maximum CO2 reduction was observed in the continuous-flow CPAP settings. EtCO2 was lower with the two-limb mask compared to the one-limb mask (p < 0.001). However, no difference in minute ventilation was observed between the two masks.

CONCLUSION

The new mask design with two ports for inhaled and exhaled gases reduced the amount of CO2 rebreathing in all tested ventilation settings. The CO2 rebreathing reduction did not decrease minute ventilation in healthy volunteers.

The Impact of High-flow Nasal Cannula vs Other Oxygen Delivery Devices during Bronchoscopy under Sedation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analyses

Background

The widespread diagnostic and therapeutic application of bronchoscopy is often associated with complications like desaturation. This systematic review and meta-analysis intend to scrutinize whether the high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is advantageous for providing respiratory support during bronchoscopic procedures under sedation, in comparison with other conventional modalities for oxygen therapy.

Materials and methods

A thorough screening of electronic databases was done till 31st December 2021 after obtaining registration in PROSPERO (CRD42021245420). Randomized controlled trials (RCT), evaluating the impact of HFNC and standard/any other oxygen-delivery devices during bronchoscopy were included in this meta-analysis.

Results

We retrieved in nine RCTs, with a total of 1306 patients, the application of HFNC during bronchoscopy led to decreased number of desaturation spells [relative risk (RR) 0.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.27-0.44, I ² = 23%], higher nadir value of SpO₂ [Mean difference (MD) 4.30, 95% CI 2.41-6.19, I ² = 96%], and improved PaO₂ from baseline (MD 21.77, 95% CI 2.8-40.74, I ² = 99%), along with similar PaCO₂ values (MD -0.34, 95% CI -1.82 to 1.13, I ² = 58%) just after the procedure. However, apart from desaturation spell, the findings are significantly heterogeneous. In subgroup analysis, HFNC had significantly lesser desaturation spells and better oxygenation than low-flow devices, but in comparison to noninvasive ventilation (NIV) had a lower nadir value of SpO₂ with no other significant difference.

Conclusion

High-flow nasal cannula led to greater oxygenation and prevented desaturation spells more effectively in comparison with low-flow devices like nasal cannula, venturi mask, etc., and may be considered as an alternative to NIV during bronchoscopy in certain high-risk patients.

How to cite this article

Roy A, Khanna P, Chowdhury SR, Haritha D, Sarkar S. The Impact of High-flow Nasal Cannula vs Other Oxygen Delivery Devices during Bronchoscopy under Sedation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analyses. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(10):1131-1140.

Domiciliary noninvasive ventilation for chronic respiratory diseases

Patients with chronic respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), neuromuscular diseases, kyphoscoliosis and obstructive sleep apnoea-obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OSA-OHS), are at a higher risk of decompensation in the form of hypercapnic respiratory failure leading to intensive care unit (ICU) admission and increased mortality. This article reviews the evidence of role of domiciliary noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in patients with diseases with chronic ventilatory failure, including the mechanism of the effect of (NIV).

Comparative evaluation of high-flow nasal cannula oxygenation vs nasal intermittent ventilation in postoperative paediatric patients operated for acyanotic congenital cardiac defects

Background

This study aimed to compare high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygenation vs nasal intermittent ventilation (NIV) oxygenation for respiratory care after extubation in postoperative paediatric cardiac patients.

Methods

This study was a randomised controlled trial. One hundred twenty-one paediatric patients with acyanotic congenital heart disease undergoing corrective cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass were included in the study. Patients were randomised to receive either HFNC (AIRVO) or NIV (RAM Cannula) postextubation. Arterial blood gas was analysed at different time points perioperatively.

Results

Patients in both the groups were matched with respect to diagnosis and demographic profiles. Baseline hemodynamic and respiratory parameters were also similar in both the groups. Patients in HFNC/AIRVO group did not show improved carbon dioxide (CO2) washout but showed improved pO2 and pO2/FiO2 ratio immediate postextubation. Reintubation rate and other intensive care unit (ICU) complications were similar in both the groups.

Conclusion

Postcardiopulmonary bypass respiratory complications in paediatric patients with congenital acyanotic heart disease can be minimised with newer oxygen therapy devices such as AIRVO (HFNC) or RAM cannula (NIV). In comparison between these two, AIRVO did not show improved CO2 washout over RAM cannula; however, it did provide better oxygenation as measured by pO2 in arterial blood and pO2/FiO2 ratio immediate postextubation. Also, long-term results such as duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay were not affected by the choice of device.

Alveolar-arterial Oxygen Gradient in COVID-19 Pneumonia Initiated on Noninvasive Ventilation: Looking into the Mortality-prediction Ability

How to cite this article: Karim HMR, Esquinas AM. Alveolar-arterial Oxygen Gradient in COVID-19 Pneumonia Initiated on Noninvasive Ventilation: Looking into the Mortality-prediction Ability. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(10):1152.

Ketamine Sedation for Noninvasive Ventilation in Distressed Elderly Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: Is it Safe?

How to cite this article: Karim HMR, Esquinas AM. Ketamine Sedation for Noninvasive Ventilation in Distressed Elderly Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: Is it Safe? Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(10):1161.

Breathing pattern, accessory respiratory muscles work, and gas exchange evaluation for prediction of NIV failure in moderate-to-severe COVID-19-associated ARDS after deterioration of respiratory failure outside ICU: the COVID-NIV observational study

BACKGROUND

Data on the efficacy of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) after progression of respiratory failure in patients who have already received oxygen therapy, or CPAP outside ICU is limited. The study aimed to find predictors of NIV failure based on breathing pattern, gas exchange, and accessory respiratory muscles evaluation in patients who progressed to moderate-to-severe COVID-19 ARDS.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study in patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19-ARDS on NIV (n = 80) admitted to COVID-ICU of Sechenov University. The combined success rate for conventional oxygen and CPAP outside ICU was 78.6% (440 of 560 patients). The primary endpoints were intubation rate and mortality. We measured respiratory rate, exhaled tidal volume (Vte), mean peak inspiratory flow (PIF), inspiratory time (Ti), PaO₂, SpO₂, end-tidal carbon dioxide (P_ETCO₂), and Patrick score, and calculated ROX index, PaO₂/FiO₂, ventilatory ratio, and alveolar dead space (Vdalv/Vt) on Days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14. For all significant differences between NIV success and failure groups in measured data, we performed ROC analysis.

RESULTS

NIV failure rate in ICU after deterioration of respiratory failure outside ICU was 71.3% (n = 57). Patients with the subsequent NIV failure were older at inclusion, more frail, had longer duration of disease before ICU admission, and higher rate of CPAP use outside ICU. ROC-analysis revealed that the following respiratory parameters after 48 h of NIV can serve as a predictors for NIV failure in moderate-to-severe COVID-19-associated ARDS: PaO₂/FiO₂ < 112 mmHg (AUROC 0.90 (0.93-0.97), p < 0.0001); P_ETCO₂ < 19.5 mmHg (AUROC 0.84 (0.73-0.94), p < 0.0001); VDalv/VT > 0.43 (AUROC 0.78 (0.68-0.90), p < 0.0001); ROX-index < 5.02 (AUROC 0.89 (0.81-0.97), p < 0.0001); Patrick score > 2 points (AUROC 0.87 (0.78-0.96), p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

In patients who progressed to moderate-to-severe COVID-19-ARDS probability of NIV success rate was about 1/3. Prediction of the NIV failure can be made after 48 h based on ROX index < 5.02, PaO₂/FiO₂ < 112 mmHg, P_ETCO2 < 19.5 mmHg, and Patrick score >  = 2.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04667923 , registered on 16/12/2020.

Prediction of Noninvasive Ventilation Failure in a Mixed Population Visiting the Emergency Department in a Tertiary Care Center in India

Background

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is an established first-line treatment of acute respiratory failure both in emergency departments (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU) settings. It is however not always successful.

Materials and methods

Prospective, observational study was done among patients above 18 years presenting with acute respiratory failure initiated on NIV. Patients were placed in one of two groups covering successful NIV treatment and NIV failure. Two groups were compared on four variables: initial respiratory rate (RR), initial high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio (p/f ratio), and heart rate, acidosis, consciousness, oxygenation, and respiratory rate (HACOR) score at the end of 1 hour of initiation of NIV.

Results

A total of 104 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study, of which 55 (52.88%) were exclusively treated with NIV (NIV success group), and 49 (47.11%) required endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation (NIV failure group). Noninvasive ventilation failure group had a higher mean initial RR compared with NIV success group (40.65 ± 3.88 vs 31.98 ± 3.15, p <0.001). Mean initial PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio was also significantly lower in the NIV failure group (184.57 ± 50.33 vs 277.29 ± 34.70, p <0.001). Odds ratio for successful NIV treatment with a high initial RR was 0.503 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.390-0.649) and with a higher initial PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio was 1.053 (95% CI: 1.032-1.071 and with a HACOR score of >5 at the end of 1 hour of initiation of NIV was highly associated with NIV failure (p <0.001). A high initial level of hs-CRP was 0.949 (95% CI: 0.927-0.970).

Conclusion

Noninvasive ventilation failure could be predicted with information available at presentation in ED, and unnecessary delay in endotracheal intubation could possibly be prevented.

How to cite this article

Mathen PG, Kumar KPG, Mohan N, Sreekrishnan TP, Nair SB, Krishnan AK, et al. Prediction of Noninvasive Ventilation Failure in a Mixed Population Visiting the Emergency Department in a Tertiary Care Center in India. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(10):1115-1119.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurs in up to 10% of patients with respiratory failure admitted through the emergency department. Use of noninvasive respiratory support has proliferated in recent years; clinicians must understand the relative merits and risks of these technologies and know how to recognize signs of failure. The cornerstone of ARDS care of the mechanically ventilated patient is low-tidal volume ventilation based on ideal body weight. Adjunctive therapies, such as prone positioning and neuromuscular blockade, may have a role in the emergency department management of ARDS depending on patient and department characteristics.

Noninvasive ventilation in COVID-19 patients aged ≥ 70 years-a prospective multicentre cohort study

BACKGROUND

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is a promising alternative to invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) with a particular importance amidst the shortage of intensive care unit (ICU) beds during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to evaluate the use of NIV in Europe and factors associated with outcomes of patients treated with NIV.

METHODS

This is a substudy of COVIP study-an international prospective observational study enrolling patients aged ≥ 70 years with confirmed COVID-19 treated in ICU. We enrolled patients in 156 ICUs across 15 European countries between March 2020 and April 2021.The primary endpoint was 30-day mortality.

RESULTS

Cohort included 3074 patients, most of whom were male (2197/3074, 71.4%) at the mean age of 75.7 years (SD 4.6). NIV frequency was 25.7% and varied from 1.1 to 62.0% between participating countries. Primary NIV failure, defined as need for endotracheal intubation or death within 30 days since ICU admission, occurred in 470/629 (74.7%) of patients. Factors associated with increased NIV failure risk were higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (OR 3.73, 95% CI 2.36-5.90) and Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) on admission (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.06-2.00). Patients initially treated with NIV (n = 630) lived for 1.36 fewer days (95% CI - 2.27 to - 0.46 days) compared to primary IMV group (n = 1876).

CONCLUSIONS

Frequency of NIV use varies across European countries. Higher severity of illness and more severe frailty were associated with a risk of NIV failure among critically ill older adults with COVID-19. Primary IMV was associated with better outcomes than primary NIV. Clinical Trial Registration NCT04321265 , registered 19 March 2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov .

High-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy versus noninvasive ventilation for patients with blunt chest trauma: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

High-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC) is recommended by some scholars as an optimized respiratory support method for blunt chest trauma (BCT) patients. The basis of this recommendation is limited, however, and the efficacy of HFNC or noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in BCT patients has not yet been rigorously explored. This study aims to determine if HFNC is non-inferior to NIV in reducing treatment failure in moderate to severe BCT patients with acute respiratory failure.

METHODS

This will be a prospective, open-label, multicenter, non-inferiority, randomized controlled trial. Moderate to severe BCT patients with acute respiratory failure (100mmHg < PaO₂/FiO₂ ≦ 200mmHg) who do not need immediate intubation will be randomized to HFNC or NIV within 48 h after trauma. The primary outcome is treatment failure, defined as invasive ventilation or a switch in respiratory support modality (from HFNC to NIV or vice-versa). Secondary outcomes include arterial blood gas analysis and vital signs at 2 and 12 h after initiating HFNC or NIV treatment, as well as patients' comfort scores, dyspnea scores, daily number of nursing airway care interventions, incidence of pneumonia or pneumothorax, facial skin breakdown, duration of NIV or HFNC, 28-day mortality, and total ICU and hospital lengths of stay. Based on an α error of 5% and a β error of 80%, with a non-inferiority limit of 9%, a sample size of 562 will be required to accomplish the trial goal, considering potential patient dropouts and nonparametric analysis.

DISCUSSION

We hypothesize that HFNC will be non-inferior to NIV in reducing treatment failure in moderate to severe BCT with acute respiratory failure. The results should be useful for judging whether HFNC could be an effective alternative to NIV to treat moderate to severe BCT patients, especially for those who do not tolerate or have contraindications for NIV.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1800017313 . Registered on July 24, 2018.

One-Year Follow up of Noninvasive Respiratory Support in General Wards

BACKGROUND

Noninvasive respiratory support (NRS) has been used to treat acute respiratory failure outside the ICU, but existing data have left many knowledge gaps for managing NRS in general wards. The primary objective of this study was to describe indications, duration of treatment, and outcomes of subjects treated with NRS outside the ICU. The secondary objective was to compare outcomes based on age < 80 or ≥ 80 y.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study was conducted at Maggiore della Carità University Hospital in Novara, Italy, and included all patients treated with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) or CPAP outside the ICU from November 2017 to October 2018, with 1 year of follow-up.

RESULTS

Of the 570 treatments performed, 383 subjects were analyzed, 136 NIV and 247 CPAP. Subjects' median (interquartile range [IQR]) age was 79 (72-85) y, and the main diagnoses of respiratory failure were cardiogenic pulmonary edema in 128 subjects (33%), pneumonia in 99 (26%), and COPD exacerbation in 52 (14%), with a median (IQR) treatment duration of 38 (16-74) h. Rapid response team visits lasted a median (IQR) 3 (2-6) d. Interface-related pressure lesions occurred in 13% of the subjects, in no case leading to definitive treatment discontinuation. Compared with the subjects ≥ 80 y old, the younger subjects had a median (IQR) longer hospitalization (16 [10-24] d vs 13 [9-20] d; P = .003) but slightly decreased in-hospital mortality (21% vs 30%; P = .061) and a decreased post-discharged 1-year mortality in hospital survivors (25% vs 41%; P = .002), differences observed only in the subjects treated with NIV.

CONCLUSIONS

In a real-life setting outside the ICU, NIV and CPAP managed by a rapid response team with a daily visit in collaboration with ward staff highly experienced in NRS allowed us to treat the subjects without major complications. Post-discharge 1-year mortality was higher in the subjects ≥ 80 y old treated with NIV for acute hypercapnic respiratory failure.

An updated HACOR score for predicting the failure of noninvasive ventilation: a multicenter prospective observational study

Background

Heart rate, acidosis, consciousness, oxygenation, and respiratory rate (HACOR) have been used to predict noninvasive ventilation (NIV) failure. However, the HACOR score fails to consider baseline data. Here, we aimed to update the HACOR score to take into account baseline data and test its predictive power for NIV failure primarily after 1–2 h of NIV.

Methods

A multicenter prospective observational study was performed in 18 hospitals in China and Turkey. Patients who received NIV because of hypoxemic respiratory failure were enrolled. In Chongqing, China, 1451 patients were enrolled in the training cohort. Outside of Chongqing, another 728 patients were enrolled in the external validation cohort.

Results

Before NIV, the presence of pneumonia, cardiogenic pulmonary edema, pulmonary ARDS, immunosuppression, or septic shock and the SOFA score were strongly associated with NIV failure. These six variables as baseline data were added to the original HACOR score. The AUCs for predicting NIV failure were 0.85 (95% CI 0.84–0.87) and 0.78 (0.75–0.81) tested with the updated HACOR score assessed after 1–2 h of NIV in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. A higher AUC was observed when it was tested with the updated HACOR score compared to the original HACOR score in the training cohort (0.85 vs. 0.80, 0.86 vs. 0.81, and 0.85 vs. 0.82 after 1–2, 12, and 24 h of NIV, respectively; all p values < 0.01). Similar results were found in the validation cohort (0.78 vs. 0.71, 0.79 vs. 0.74, and 0.81 vs. 0.76, respectively; all p values < 0.01). When 7, 10.5, and 14 points of the updated HACOR score were used as cutoff values, the probability of NIV failure was 25%, 50%, and 75%, respectively. Among patients with updated HACOR scores of ≤ 7, 7.5–10.5, 11–14, and > 14 after 1–2 h of NIV, the rate of NIV failure was 12.4%, 38.2%, 67.1%, and 83.7%, respectively.

Conclusions

The updated HACOR score has high predictive power for NIV failure in patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure. It can be used to help in decision-making when NIV is used.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13054-022-04060-7.

Noninvasive Respiratory Devices in COVID-19

How to cite this article: Mehta C, Mehta Y. Noninvasive Respiratory Devices in COVID-19. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(7):770-772.

Noninvasive Respiratory Assist Devices in the Management of COVID-19-related Hypoxic Respiratory Failure: Pune ISCCM COVID-19 ARDS Study Consortium (PICASo)

Objective

To determine whether high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) or noninvasive ventilator (NIV) can avoid invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ADRS), and the outcome predictors of these modalities.

Design

Multicenter retrospective study conducted in 12 ICUs in Pune, India.

Patients

Patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who had PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio <150 and were treated with HFNO and/or NIV.

Intervention

HFNO and/or NIV.

Measurements

The primary outcome was to assess the need of IMV. Secondary outcomes were death at Day 28 and mortality rates in different treatment groups.

Main results

Among 1,201 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 35.9% (431/1,201) were treated successfully with HFNO and/or NIV and did not require IMV. About 59.5% (714/1,201) patients needed IMV for the failure of HFNO and/or NIV. About 48.3, 61.6, and 63.6% of patients who were treated with HFNO, NIV, or both, respectively, needed IMV. The need of IMV was significantly lower in the HFNO group (p <0.001). The 28-day mortality was 44.9, 59.9, and 59.6% in the patients treated with HFNO, NIV, or both, respectively (p <0.001). On multivariate regression analysis, presence of any comorbidity, SpO₂ <90%, and presence of nonrespiratory organ dysfunction were independent and significant determinants of mortality (p <0.05).

Conclusions

During COVID-19 pandemic surge, HFNO and/or NIV could successfully avoid IMV in 35.5% individuals with PO₂/FiO₂ ratio <150. Those who needed IMV due to failure of HFNO or NIV had high (87.5%) mortality.

How to cite this article

Jog S, Zirpe K, Dixit S, Godavarthy P, Shahane M, Kadapatti K, et al. Noninvasive Respiratory Assist Devices in the Management of COVID-19-related Hypoxic Respiratory Failure: Pune ISCCM COVID-19 ARDS Study Consortium (PICASo). Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(7):791-797.