Effect of Postextubation High-Flow Nasal Cannula vs Noninvasive Ventilation on Reintubation and Postextubation Respiratory Failure in High-Risk Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Prevalence of Reintubation Within 24 Hours of Extubation in Bronchiolitis: Retrospective Cohort Study Using the Virtual Pediatric Systems Database

OBJECTIVES

High-flow nasal cannula and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation are used to support children following liberation from invasive mechanical ventilation. Evidence comparing extubation failure rates between patients randomized to high-flow nasal cannula and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation is available for adult and neonatal patients; however, similar pediatric trials are lacking. In this study, we employed a quality controlled, multicenter PICU database to test the hypothesis that high-flow nasal cannula is associated with higher prevalence of reintubation within 24 hours among patients with bronchiolitis.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of a prior study utilizing the Virtual Pediatric Systems database.

SETTING

One-hundred twenty-four participating PICUs.

PATIENTS

Children less than 24 months old with a primary diagnosis of bronchiolitis who were admitted to one of 124 PICUs between January 2009 and September 2015 and received invasive mechanical ventilation.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Among 759 patients, median age was 2.4 months (1.3-5.4 mo), 41.2% were female, 39.7% had greater than or equal to 1 comorbid condition, and 43.7% were Caucasian. Median PICU length of stay was 8.7 days (interquartile range, 5.8-13.7 d) and survival to PICU discharge was 100%. Median duration of intubation was 5.5 days (3.4-9.0 d) prior to initial extubation. High-flow nasal cannula was used following extubation in most (656 [86.5%]) analyzed subjects. The overall prevalence of reintubation within 24 hours was 5.9% (45 children). Extubation to noninvasive positive pressure ventilation was associated with greater prevalence of reintubation than extubation to high-flow nasal cannula (11.7% vs 5.0%; p = 0.016) and, in an a posteriori model that included Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 score and comorbidities, was associated with increased odds of reintubation (odds ratio, 2.43; 1.11-5.34; p = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

In this secondary analysis of a multicenter database of children with bronchiolitis, extubation to high-flow nasal cannula was associated with a lower prevalence of reintubation within 24 hours compared with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in both unmatched and propensity-matched analysis. Prospective trials are needed to determine if post-extubation support modality can mitigate the risk of extubation failure.

Preventive use of non-invasive ventilation is associated with reduced risk of extubation failure in patients on mechanical ventilation for more than 7 days: a propensity-matched cohort study

BACKGROUND

Extubation failure (EF) is high in patients on mechanical ventilation for more than 7 days. However, strategies to prevent EF in this population are lacking.

AIMS

To evaluate the efficacy of preventive use of noninvasive ventilation in patients on mechanical ventilation for more than 7 days.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study in an intensive care unit of a teaching hospital. We enrolled patients who received mechanical ventilation for more than 7 days and successfully completed a weaning trial. After extubation, patients who immediately received non-invasive ventilation (NIV) were classified as the NIV group, and those who received conventional oxygenation therapy only were classified as the usual care group.

RESULTS

We enrolled 95 patients in the NIV group and 61 patients in the usual care group. NIV is associated with reduced risk of EF compared to usual care both 72 h following extubation (11.6% vs 32.8%, P < 0.01, for the overall cohort; 8.6% vs 42.9%, P < 0.01, for the propensity-matched cohort) and 7 days following extubation (25.3% vs 45.9%, P < 0.01, for the overall cohort; 28.6% vs 51.4%, P = 0.09, for the propensity-matched cohort). Within 7 days of extubation, the NIV group had a lower proportion of EF than the controls (log rank test: P < 0.01 and P = 0.02 for the overall and propensity-matched cohorts, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients on mechanical ventilation for more than 7 days, preventive use of NIV is associated with a reduction in EF.

Acute Responses to Oxygen Delivery via High Flow Nasal Cannula in Patients with Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-HFNC and Severe COPD

Differences in oxygen delivery methods to treat hypoxemia have the potential to worsen CO₂ retention in chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). Oxygen administration using high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has multiple physiological benefits in treating respiratory failure including reductions in PaCO₂ in a flow-dependent manner. We hypothesized that patients with COPD would develop worsening hypercapnia if oxygen fraction was increased without increasing flow rate. We evaluated the acute response to HFNC in subjects with severe COPD when flow remained constant and inspired oxygen was increased. In total, 11 subjects with severe COPD (FEV1 < 50%) on supplemental oxygen with baseline normocapnia (PaCO₂ < 45 mm Hg; n = 5) and hypercapnia (PaCO₂ ≥ 45 mm Hg; n = 6) were studied. Arterial blood gas responses were studied at three timepoints: Baseline, HFNC at a flow rate of 30 L/min at resting oxygen supplementation for 1 h, and FiO₂ 30% above baseline with the same flow rate for the next hour. The primary endpoint was the change in PaCO₂ from baseline. No significant changes in PaCO₂ were noted in response to HFNC applied at baseline FiO₂ in the normocapnic and hypercapnic group. At HFNC with FiO₂ 30% above baseline, the normocapnic group did not show a change in PaCO₂ (baseline: 38.9 ± 1.8 mm Hg; HFNC at higher FiO₂: 38.8 ± 3.1 mm Hg; p = 0.93), but the hypercapnic group demonstrated significant increase in PaCO₂ (baseline: 58.2 ± 9.3 mm Hg; HFNC at higher FiO₂: 63.3 ± 10.9 mm Hg; p = 0.025). We observed worsening hypercapnia in severe COPD patients and baseline hypercapnia who received increased oxygen fraction when flow remained constant. These data show the need for careful titration of oxygen therapy in COPD patients, particularly those with baseline hypercapnia when flow rate is unchanged.

Dyspnea and respiratory muscles ultrasound to predict extubation failure

This study investigated dyspnea intensity and respiratory muscles ultrasound early after extubation to predict extubation failure.It was conducted prospectively in two intensive care units in France and Canada. Patients intubated for at least 48 h were studied within 2 h after an extubation following a successful spontaneous breathing trial. Dyspnea was evaluated by the Dyspnea-Visual Analog Scale from 0 to 10 cm (VAS) and the Intensive Care - Respiratory Distress Observational Scale (range 0-10). The ultrasound thickening fraction of the parasternal intercostal and the diaphragm were measured; limb muscle strength was evaluated using the Medical Research Council score (MRC) (range 0-60).Extubation failure occurred in 21 of the 122 enrolled patients (17%). Dyspnea-VAS and Intensive Care - Respiratory Distress Observational scale were higher in patients with extubation failure versus success: 7 (5-9) cm versus 3 (1-5) cm respectively (p<0.001) and 4.4 (2.5-6.5) versus 2.4 (2.1-2.8) respectively (p<0.001). The ratio of intercostal muscle to diaphragm thickening fraction was significantly higher and MRC was lower in patients with failure (0.9 [0.4-3.0] versus 0.3 [0.2-0.5], p<0.001, and 45 [36-50] versus 52 [44-60], p=0.012). The thickening fraction of the intercostal and its ratio to diaphragm thickening showed the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for an early prediction of extubation failure (0.81). Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of Dyspnea-VAS and Intensive Care - Respiratory Distress Observational scale reached 0.78 and 0.74 respectively.Respiratory muscle ultrasound and dyspnea measured within 2 h after extubation predict subsequent extubation failure.

Post-extubation oxygenation strategies in acute respiratory failure: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background

High-flow nasal cannula oxygenation (HFNC) and noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NPPV) possibly decrease tracheal reintubation rates better than conventional oxygen therapy (COT); however, few large-scale studies have compared HFNC and NPPV. We conducted a network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare the effectiveness of three post-extubation respiratory support devices (HFNC, NPPV, and COT) in reducing the mortality and reintubation risk.

Methods

The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Ichushi databases were searched. COT, NPPV, and HFNC use were assessed in patients who were aged ≥ 16 years, underwent invasive mechanical ventilation for > 12 h for acute respiratory failure, and were scheduled for extubation after spontaneous breathing trials. The GRADE Working Group Approach was performed using a frequentist-based approach with multivariate random-effect meta-analysis. Short-term mortality and reintubation and post-extubation respiratory failure rates were compared.

Results

After evaluating 4631 records, 15 studies and 2600 patients were included. The main cause of acute hypoxic respiratory failure was pneumonia. Although NPPV/HFNC use did not significantly lower the mortality risk (relative risk [95% confidence interval] 0.75 [0.53–1.06] and 0.92 [0.67–1.27]; low and moderate certainty, respectively), HFNC use significantly lowered the reintubation risk (0.54 [0.32–0.89]; high certainty) compared to COT use. The associations of mortality with NPPV and HFNC use with respect to either outcome did not differ significantly (short-term mortality and reintubation, relative risk [95% confidence interval] 0.81 [0.61–1.08] and 1.02 [0.53–1.97]; moderate and very low certainty, respectively).

Conclusion

NPPV or HFNC use may not reduce the risk of short-term mortality; however, they may reduce the risk of endotracheal reintubation.

Trial registration number and date of registration

PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42020139112, 01/21/2020).

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13054-021-03550-4.

The Impact of High-Flow Nasal Cannula Use on Patient Mortality and the Availability of Mechanical Ventilators in COVID-19

Rationale: How to provide advanced respiratory support for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to maximize population-level survival while optimizing mechanical ventilator access is unknown.Objectives: To evaluate the use of high-flow nasal cannula for COVID-19 on population-level mortality and ventilator availability.Methods: We constructed dynamical (deterministic) simulation models of high-flow nasal cannula and mechanical ventilation use for COVID-19 in the United States. Model parameters were estimated through consensus based on published literature, local data, and experience. We had the following two outcomes: 1) cumulative number of deaths and 2) days without any available ventilators. We assessed the impact of various policies for the use of high-flow nasal cannula (with or without "early intubation") versus a scenario in which high-flow nasal cannula was unavailable.Results: The policy associated with the fewest deaths and the least time without available ventilators combined the use of high-flow nasal cannula for patients not urgently needing ventilators with the use of early mechanical ventilation for these patients when at least 10% of ventilator supply was not in use. At the national level, this strategy resulted in 10,000-40,000 fewer deaths than if high-flow nasal cannula were not available. In addition, with moderate national ventilator capacity (30,000-45,000 ventilators), this strategy led to up to 25 (11.8%) fewer days without available ventilators. For a 250-bed hospital with 100 mechanical ventilators, the availability of 13, 20, or 33 high-flow nasal cannulas prevented 81, 102, and 130 deaths, respectively.Conclusions: The use of high-flow nasal cannula coupled with early mechanical ventilation when supply is sufficient results in fewer deaths and greater ventilator availability.

Comparison of outcomes of high-flow nasal cannula and noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation in patients with hypoxemia and various APACHE II scores after extubation

Aims:

The study aimed to compare and analyze the outcomes of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NPPV) in the treatment of patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) who had extubation after weaning from mechanical ventilation.

Methods:

A total 120 patients with AHRF were enrolled into this study. These patients underwent tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. They were organized into two groups according to the score of Acute Physiologic Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II); group A: APACHE II score <12; group B: 12⩽ APACHE II score <24. Group A had 72 patients and patients given HFNC were randomly assigned to subgroup I while patients given NPPV were assigned to subgroup II (36 patients in each subgroup). Group B had 48 patients and patients given HFNC were randomly assigned to subgroup I while patients given NPPV were assigned to subgroup II (24 patients in each subgroup). General information, respiratory parameters, endpoint event, and comorbidities of adverse effect were compared and analyzed between the two subgroups.

Results:

The incidence of abdominal distension was significantly higher in patients treated with NPPV than in those treated with HFNC in group A (19.44% versus 0, p = 0.005) and group B (25% versus 0, p = 0.009). There was no significant difference between the HFNC- and NPPV-treated patients in blood pH, oxygenation index, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, respiratory rate, and blood lactic acid concentration in either group (p > 0.05). Occurrence rate of re-intubation within 72 h of extubation was slightly, but not significantly, higher in NPPV-treated patients (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

There was no significant difference between HFNC and NPPV in preventing respiratory failure in patients with AHRF with an APACHE II score <24 after extubation. However, HFNC was superior to NPPV with less incidence of abdominal distension.

The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

Safety of changes in the use of noninvasive ventilation and high flow oxygen therapy on reintubation in a surgical intensive care unit: A retrospective cohort study

Reintubation after weaning from mechanical ventilation is relatively common and is associated with poor outcomes. Different methods to decrease the reintubation rate post extubation, including noninvasive ventilation, and more recently high-flow oxygen (HFO) therapy, have been proposed. In this study, we aimed to assess the safety of introducing HFO in the post-extubation care of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. We conducted a single-center cohort study of extubated adult patients hospitalized in a surgical ICU and previously mechanically ventilated for > 1 day. Our study consisted of two phases: Phase 1 (before the introduction of HFO from April 2015 to April 2016) and Phase P2 (after the introduction of HFO from April 2017 to April 2018). The primary endpoint was the reintubation rate within 48 hours of extubation. In total, 290 patients (median age 65 years [50–74]; 190 men [65.5%]) were included in the analysis (181 and 109 in Phases 1 and 2, respectively). The results of the post-extubation use of noninvasive methods (noninvasive ventilation and/or HFO) were not significantly different between the two phases (41 [22.7%] versus 29 [26.6%] patients; p = 0.480), however these methods were implemented earlier in Phase 2 (0 versus 4 hours; p = 0.009) and HFO was used significantly more often than noninvasive ventilation (24 [22.0%] versus 25 [13.8%] patients; p = 0.039). The need for reintubation within 48 hours post extubation was significantly lower in Phase 2 (4 [3.7%] versus 20 [11.0%] patients; p = 0.028) but was not significantly different at 7 days post extubation (10 [9.2%] versus 30 [16.6%] patients; p = 0.082). The earlier implementation of noninvasive methods and the increased use of HFO beginning in Phase 2 were safe and effective based on the reintubation rates within the first 48 hours post extubation and after 7 days.

Mechanical ventilation in septic shock

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this study was to review the most recent literature on mechanical ventilation strategies in patients with septic shock.

RECENT FINDINGS

Indirect clinical trial evidence has refined the use of neuromuscular blocking agents, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and recruitment manoeuvres in septic shock patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Weaning strategies and devices have also been recently evaluated. The role of lung protective ventilation in patients with healthy lungs, while recognized, still needs to be further refined. The possible detrimental effects of spontaneous breathing in patients who develop acute respiratory distress syndrome is increasingly recognized, but clinical trial evidence is still lacking to confirm this hypothesis. A new concept of lung and diaphragm protective is emerging in the critical care literature, but its application will need a complex intervention implementation approach to allow adequate scrutiny of this concept and uptake by clinicians.

SUMMARY

Many advances in the management of the mechanically ventilated patient with sepsis and septic shock have occurred in recent years, but clinical trial evidence is still necessary to translate new hypotheses to the bedside and find the right balance between benefits and risks of these new strategies.

High-flow nasal cannulae for respiratory support in adult intensive care patients

BACKGROUND

High-flow nasal cannulae (HFNC) deliver high flows of blended humidified air and oxygen via wide-bore nasal cannulae and may be useful in providing respiratory support for adults experiencing acute respiratory failure, or at risk of acute respiratory failure, in the intensive care unit (ICU). This is an update of an earlier version of the review.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of HFNC compared to standard oxygen therapy, or non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV), for respiratory support in adults in the ICU.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and the Cochrane COVID-19 Register (17 April 2020), clinical trial registers (6 April 2020) and conducted forward and backward citation searches.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomized controlled studies (RCTs) with a parallel-group or cross-over design comparing HFNC use versus other types of non-invasive respiratory support (standard oxygen therapy via nasal cannulae or mask; or NIV or NIPPV which included continuous positive airway pressure and bilevel positive airway pressure) in adults admitted to the ICU.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methodological procedures as expected by Cochrane.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 31 studies (22 parallel-group and nine cross-over designs) with 5136 participants; this update included 20 new studies. Twenty-one studies compared HFNC with standard oxygen therapy, and 13 compared HFNC with NIV or NIPPV; three studies included both comparisons. We found 51 ongoing studies (estimated 12,807 participants), and 19 studies awaiting classification for which we could not ascertain study eligibility information. In 18 studies, treatment was initiated after extubation. In the remaining studies, participants were not previously mechanically ventilated. HFNC versus standard oxygen therapy HFNC may lead to less treatment failure as indicated by escalation to alternative types of oxygen therapy (risk ratio (RR) 0.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45 to 0.86; 15 studies, 3044 participants; low-certainty evidence). HFNC probably makes little or no difference in mortality when compared with standard oxygen therapy (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.11; 11 studies, 2673 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). HFNC probably results in little or no difference to cases of pneumonia (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.09; 4 studies, 1057 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), and we were uncertain of its effect on nasal mucosa or skin trauma (RR 3.66, 95% CI 0.43 to 31.48; 2 studies, 617 participants; very low-certainty evidence). We found low-certainty evidence that HFNC may make little or no difference to the length of ICU stay according to the type of respiratory support used (MD 0.12 days, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.27; 7 studies, 1014 participants). We are uncertain whether HFNC made any difference to the ratio of partial pressure of arterial oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) within 24 hours of treatment (MD 10.34 mmHg, 95% CI -17.31 to 38; 5 studies, 600 participants; very low-certainty evidence). We are uncertain whether HFNC made any difference to short-term comfort (MD 0.31, 95% CI -0.60 to 1.22; 4 studies, 662 participants, very low-certainty evidence), or to long-term comfort (MD 0.59, 95% CI -2.29 to 3.47; 2 studies, 445 participants, very low-certainty evidence). HFNC versus NIV or NIPPV We found no evidence of a difference between groups in treatment failure when HFNC were used post-extubation or without prior use of mechanical ventilation (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.22; 5 studies, 1758 participants; low-certainty evidence), or in-hospital mortality (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.31; 5 studies, 1758 participants; low-certainty evidence). We are very uncertain about the effect of using HFNC on incidence of pneumonia (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.17 to 1.52; 3 studies, 1750 participants; very low-certainty evidence), and HFNC may result in little or no difference to barotrauma (RR 1.15, 95% CI 0.42 to 3.14; 1 study, 830 participants; low-certainty evidence). HFNC may make little or no difference to the length of ICU stay (MD -0.72 days, 95% CI -2.85 to 1.42; 2 studies, 246 participants; low-certainty evidence). The ratio of PaO2/FiO2 may be lower up to 24 hours with HFNC use (MD -58.10 mmHg, 95% CI -71.68 to -44.51; 3 studies, 1086 participants; low-certainty evidence). We are uncertain whether HFNC improved short-term comfort when measured using comfort scores (MD 1.33, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.92; 2 studies, 258 participants) and responses to questionnaires (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.53; 1 study, 168 participants); evidence for short-term comfort was very low certainty. No studies reported on nasal mucosa or skin trauma.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

HFNC may lead to less treatment failure when compared to standard oxygen therapy, but probably makes little or no difference to treatment failure when compared to NIV or NIPPV. For most other review outcomes, we found no evidence of a difference in effect. However, the evidence was often of low or very low certainty. We found a large number of ongoing studies; including these in future updates could increase the certainty or may alter the direction of these effects.

High-Flow Nasal Cannula, a Boon or a Bane for COVID-19 Patients? An Evidence-Based Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review instantiates the efficacy and safety of HFNC in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.

RECENT FINDINGS

Globally, the healthcare system is facing an unprecedented crisis of resources due to the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Fever, cough, dyspnea, myalgia, fatigue, and pneumonia are the most common symptoms associated with it. The incidence of invasive mechanical ventilation in ICU patients ranges from 29.1 to 89.9%. Supplemental oxygen therapy is the main stay treatment for managing hypoxemic respiratory failure. The high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a novel non-invasive strategy for better oxygenation and ventilation in critically ill patients. In this grim scenario, a reduction in mechanical ventilation by means of HFNC is of prime interest.

SUMMARY

HFNC is considered an aerosol-generating intervention with the risk of viral aerosolization with a concern of potential nosocomial transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, there is no consensus regarding the use of HFNC in novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia (NCIP). HFNC seems to be an effective and safe treatment modality in acute respiratory failure with optimal settings and selection of ideal patients.

Effect of High-Flow Oxygen on Exercise Performance in COPD Patients. Randomized Trial

Background: High-flow oxygen therapy (HFOT) provides oxygen-enriched, humidified, and heated air at high flow rates via nasal cannula. It could be an alternative to low-flow oxygen therapy (LFOT) which is commonly used by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during exercise training.

Research Question: We evaluated the hypothesis that HFOT improves exercise endurance in COPD patients compared to LFOT.

Methods: Patients with stable COPD, FEV₁ 40–80% predicted, resting pulse oximetry (SpO₂) ≥92%, performed two constant-load cycling exercise tests to exhaustion at 75% of maximal work rate on two different days, using LFOT (3 L/min) and HFOT (60 L/min, FiO₂ 0.45) in randomized order according to a crossover design. Primary outcome was exercise endurance time, further outcomes were SpO₂, breath rate and dyspnea.

Results: In 79 randomized patients, mean ± SD age 58 ± 9 y, FEV₁ 63 ± 9% predicted, GOLD grades 2-3, resting PaO₂ 9.4 ± 1.0 kPa, intention-to-treat analysis revealed an endurance time of 688 ± 463 s with LFOT and 773 ± 471 s with HFOT, mean difference 85 s (95% CI: 7 to 164, P = 0.034), relative increase of 13% (95% CI: 1 to 28). At isotime, patients had lower respiratory rate and higher SpO₂ with HFOT. At end-exercise, SpO₂ was higher by 2% (95% CI: 2 to 2), and Borg CR10 dyspnea scores were lower by 0.8 points (95% CI: 0.3 to 1.2) compared to LFOT.

Interpretation: In mildly hypoxemic patients with COPD, HFOT improved endurance time in association with higher arterial oxygen saturation, reduced respiratory rate and less dyspnea compared to LFOT. Therefore, HFOT is promising for enhancing exercise performance in COPD.

Clinical Trial Registration:www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03955770.

Non-invasive ventilation alternating with high-flow nasal oxygen versus high-flow nasal oxygen alone after extubation in COPD patients: a post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Background

Several randomized clinical trials have shown that non-invasive ventilation (NIV) applied immediately after extubation may prevent reintubation in patients at high-risk of extubation failure. However, most of studies included patients with chronic respiratory disorders as well as patients without underlying respiratory disease. To date, no study has shown decreased risk of reintubation with prophylactic NIV after extubation among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We hypothesized that prophylactic NIV after extubation may decrease the risk of reintubation in COPD patients as compared with high-flow nasal oxygen. We performed a post hoc subgroup analysis of COPD patients included in a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial comparing prophylactic use of NIV alternating with high-flow nasal oxygen versus high-flow nasal oxygen alone immediately after extubation.

Results

Among the 651 patients included in the original study, 150 (23%) had underlying COPD including 86 patients treated with NIV alternating with high-flow nasal oxygen and 64 patients treated with high-flow nasal oxygen alone. The reintubation rate was 13% (11 out of 86 patients) with NIV and 27% (17 out of 64 patients) with high-flow nasal oxygen alone [difference, − 14% (95% CI − 27% to − 1%); p = 0.03]. Whereas reintubation rates were significantly lower with NIV than with high-flow nasal oxygen alone at 72 h and until ICU discharge, mortality in ICU did not differ between groups: 6% (5/86) with NIV vs. 9% (6/64) with high-flow nasal oxygen alone [difference − 4% (95% CI − 14% to 5%); p = 0.40].

Conclusions

In COPD patients, prophylactic NIV alternating with high-flow nasal oxygen significantly decreased the risk of reintubation compared with high-flow nasal oxygen alone.

Trial registration The study was registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov with the trial registration number NCT03121482 (20 April 2017)

High-flow therapy: physiological effects and clinical applications

Humidified high-flow therapy (HFT) is a noninvasive respiratory therapy, typically delivered through a nasal cannula interface, which delivers a stable fraction of inspired oxygen (F_IO2) at flow rates of up to 60 L·min⁻¹. It is well-tolerated, simple to set up and ideally applied at 37°C to permit optimal humidification of inspired gas. Flow rate and F_IO2 should be selected based on patients' inspiratory effort and severity of hypoxaemia. HFT yields beneficial physiological effects, including improved mucociliary clearance, enhanced dead space washout and optimisation of pulmonary mechanics. Robust evidence supports its application in the critical care setting (treatment of acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure and prevention of post-extubation respiratory failure) and emerging data supports HFT use during bronchoscopy, intubation and breaks from noninvasive ventilation or continuous positive airway pressure. There are limited data on HFT use in patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure, as an adjunct to pulmonary rehabilitation and in the palliative care setting, and further research is needed to validate the findings of small studies. The COVID-19 pandemic raises questions regarding HFT efficacy in COVID-19-related hypoxaemic respiratory failure and concerns regarding aerosolisation of respiratory droplets. Clinical trials are ongoing and healthcare professionals should implement strict precautions to mitigate the risk of nosocomial transmission.

Humidified high-flow therapy is a well-tolerated method of delivering a stable F_IO2 at flow rates up to 60 L/min. It improves secretion clearance, dead space washout and pulmonary mechanics and is an effective treatment in hypoxaemic respiratory failurehttps://bit.ly/35Hvjrj

The Obese Patient: Facts, Fables, and Best Practices

The prevalence of obesity continues to rise worldwide, and anesthesiologists must be aware of current best practices in the perioperative management of the patient with obesity. Obesity alters anatomy and physiology, which complicates the evaluation and management of obese patients in the perioperative setting. Gastric point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) is a noninvasive tool that can be used to assess aspiration risk in the obese patient by evaluating the quantity and quality of gastric contents. An important perioperative goal is adequate end-organ perfusion. Standard noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) is our best available routine surrogate measurement, but is vulnerable to greater inaccuracy in patients with obesity compared to the nonobese population. Current NIBP methodologies are discussed. Obese patients are at risk for wound and surgical site infections, but few studies conclusively guide the exact dosing of intraoperative prophylactic antibiotics for them. We review evidence for low-molecular-weight heparins and weight-based versus nonweight-based administration of vasoactive medications. Finally, intubation and extubation of the patient with obesity can be complicated, and evidence-based strategies are discussed to mitigate danger during intubation and extubation.

Prevent deterioration and long-term ventilation: intensive care following thoracic surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patients with indication for lung surgery besides the pulmonary pathology often suffer from independent comorbidities affecting several other organ systems. Preventing patients from harmful complications due to decompensation of underlying organ insufficiencies perioperatively is pivotal. This review draws attention to the peri- and postoperative responsibility of the anaesthetist and intensivist to prevent patients undergoing lung surgery deterioration.

RECENT FINDINGS

During the last decades we had to accept that 'traditional' intensive care medicine implying deep sedation, controlled ventilation, liberal fluid therapy, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy because of several side-effects resulted in prolongation of hospital length of stay and a decline in quality of life. Modern therapy therefore should focus on the convalescence of the patient and earliest possible reintegration in the 'life-before.' Avoidance of sedative and anticholinergic drugs, early extubation, prophylactic noninvasive ventilation and high-flow nasal oxygen therapy, early mobilization, well-adjusted fluid balance and reasonable use of antibiotics are the keystones of success.

SUMMARY

A perioperative interprofessional approach and a change in paradigms are the prerequisites to improve outcome and provide treatment for elder and comorbid patients with an indication for thoracic surgery.

Evaluation of the therapeutic effect of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy on patients with aspiration pneumonia accompanied by respiratory failure in the post-stroke sequelae stage

Background

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy on patients with aspiration pneumonia accompanied by respiratory failure in the post-stroke sequelae stage, with the goal of providing more effective oxygen therapy and improving patient prognosis.

Methods

Retrospective analysis was conducted on 103 elderly patients with post-stroke aspiration pneumonia and moderate respiratory failure (oxygenation index: 100–200 mmHg) that had been admitted. The patients were divided into two groups according to the mode of oxygen therapy that was used: the Venturi mask group and the HFNC treatment group. The two groups were analyzed and compared in terms of the changes in the blood gas indices measured at different points in time (4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h), the proportion of patients that required transition to invasive auxiliary ventilation, and the 28-day mortality rate.

Results

A total of 103 patients were retrospectively analyzed; 16 cases were excluded, and 87 patients were included in the final patient group (42 in the HFNC group and 45 in the Venturi group). There was a statistically significant difference in the oxygenation indices of the HFNC group and the Venturi group (F = 546.811, P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant interaction between the monitored oxygenation indices and the mode of oxygen therapy (F = 70.961, P < 0.05), and there was a statistically significant difference in the oxygenation indices for the two modes of oxygen therapy (F = 256.977, P < 0.05). HFNC therapy contributed to the improvement of the oxygenation indices at a rate of 75.1%. The Venturi and HFNC groups also differed significantly in terms of the proportion of patients that required transition to invasive auxiliary ventilation within 72 h (P < 0.05). The HFNC group’s risk for invasive ventilation was 0.406 times that of the Venturi group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the 28-day mortality rate of the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

HFNC could significantly improve the oxygenation state of patients with post-stroke aspiration pneumonia and respiratory failure, and it may reduce the incidence of invasive ventilation.

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2020 (J-SSCG 2020)

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2020 (J-SSCG 2020), a Japanese-specific set of clinical practice guidelines for sepsis and septic shock created as revised from J-SSCG 2016 jointly by the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine, was first released in September 2020 and published in February 2021. An English-language version of these guidelines was created based on the contents of the original Japanese-language version. The purpose of this guideline is to assist medical staff in making appropriate decisions to improve the prognosis of patients undergoing treatment for sepsis and septic shock. We aimed to provide high-quality guidelines that are easy to use and understand for specialists, general clinicians, and multidisciplinary medical professionals. J-SSCG 2016 took up new subjects that were not present in SSCG 2016 (e.g., ICU-acquired weakness [ICU-AW], post-intensive care syndrome [PICS], and body temperature management). The J-SSCG 2020 covered a total of 22 areas with four additional new areas (patient- and family-centered care, sepsis treatment system, neuro-intensive treatment, and stress ulcers). A total of 118 important clinical issues (clinical questions, CQs) were extracted regardless of the presence or absence of evidence. These CQs also include those that have been given particular focus within Japan. This is a large-scale guideline covering multiple fields; thus, in addition to the 25 committee members, we had the participation and support of a total of 226 members who are professionals (physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, clinical engineers, and pharmacists) and medical workers with a history of sepsis or critical illness. The GRADE method was adopted for making recommendations, and the modified Delphi method was used to determine recommendations by voting from all committee members. As a result, 79 GRADE-based recommendations, 5 Good Practice Statements (GPS), 18 expert consensuses, 27 answers to background questions (BQs), and summaries of definitions and diagnosis of sepsis were created as responses to 118 CQs. We also incorporated visual information for each CQ according to the time course of treatment, and we will also distribute this as an app. The J-SSCG 2020 is expected to be widely used as a useful bedside guideline in the field of sepsis treatment both in Japan and overseas involving multiple disciplines.

High-flow Tracheal Oxygenation: A New Tool for Difficult Weaning

High-flow tracheal oxygenation (HFTO), a modification of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), has been used in tracheostomized patients but only rarely for weaning. We present two cases on prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) where HFTO assisted weaning.

[Effectiveness and safety evaluation of a cough stimulation device in early postoperative respiratory rehabilitation in cardiac surgery patients]

Postoperative respiratory complications in cardiac surgery patients occur in 22-30% of cases, mostly associated with ineffective cough and evacuation of bronchial secretion.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of cough stimulation using the mechanical in- and exsufflator in the early postoperative period in cardiac surgery patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 37 patients; mean age was 57±12.3 years. Inclusion criteria: age over 18 years; post-extubation spontaneous breathing; fully conscious and cooperative; adequate gas exchange with oxygen therapy; adequate pain control (2 points or less on 10-point visual analogue scale). Exclusion criteria: need for re-intubation and mechanical ventilation; noninvasive mask ventilation; high-flow oxygen therapy; acute cerebrovascular event; uncontrolled bleeding; heart failure (inotropic score over 10); shock; need of extracorporeal blood purification; neuromuscular disease; pneumothorax, hydro- or hemothorax. Cough stimulation was performed using the mechanical in- and exsufflator Comfort Cough Plus («Seoil Pacific Corporation», Republic of Korea). The device provides cough stimulation after high-frequency vibrations transmitted through a special vest and lung tissue recruiting by changing the airways pressure of the gas mixture, delivered through the anesthesia face mask.

RESULTS

Cough stimulation device use was associated with an increase in the cough effectiveness; the number of patients with productive cough increased 8-fold, from 4 (10.8%) to 32 (86.4%), p=0.0000. The increase of blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) on room air from 92% to 96% (p=0.000001) and inspiratory capacity (IC) from 750 mL to 1200 mL (p=0.000002) was observed. The number of patients with IC of 1200-1500 mL increased 3-fold, and those with an IC over 1500 mL increased 2.6-fold. The proportion of patients with low oxygenation (SpO₂ less than 92%) decreased 5-fold after the procedure (p=0.0011). Good tolerability and no side effects of the procedure were noted in all patients.

CONCLUSION

Impaired sputum expectoration early after cardiac surgery is observed in most patients and may cause low oxygenation. The main effects of the cough stimulation device were improvement of sputum expectoration and an increase in oxygenation. An increase in blood oxygen saturation and inspiratory capacity after a single procedure with this device was demonstrated. It resulted in a significantly decreased proportion of patients with respiratory insufficiency. No adverse effects of the procedure were observed.

Canadian Airway Focus Group updated consensus-based recommendations for management of the difficult airway: part 2. Planning and implementing safe management of the patient with an anticipated difficult airway

PURPOSE

Since the last Canadian Airway Focus Group (CAFG) guidelines were published in 2013, the published airway management literature has expanded substantially. The CAFG therefore re-convened to examine this literature and update practice recommendations. This second of two articles addresses airway evaluation, decision-making, and safe implementation of an airway management strategy when difficulty is anticipated.

SOURCE

Canadian Airway Focus Group members, including anesthesia, emergency medicine, and critical care physicians were assigned topics to search. Searches were run in the Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and CINAHL databases. Results were presented to the group and discussed during video conferences every two weeks from April 2018 to July 2020. These CAFG recommendations are based on the best available published evidence. Where high-quality evidence is lacking, statements are based on group consensus.

FINDINGS AND KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

Prior to airway management, a documented strategy should be formulated for every patient, based on airway evaluation. Bedside examination should seek predictors of difficulty with face-mask ventilation (FMV), tracheal intubation using video- or direct laryngoscopy (VL or DL), supraglottic airway use, as well as emergency front of neck airway access. Patient physiology and contextual issues should also be assessed. Predicted difficulty should prompt careful decision-making on how most safely to proceed with airway management. Awake tracheal intubation may provide an extra margin of safety when impossible VL or DL is predicted, when difficulty is predicted with more than one mode of airway management (e.g., tracheal intubation and FMV), or when predicted difficulty coincides with significant physiologic or contextual issues. If managing the patient after the induction of general anesthesia despite predicted difficulty, team briefing should include triggers for moving from one technique to the next, expert assistance should be sourced, and required equipment should be present. Unanticipated difficulty with airway management can always occur, so the airway manager should have a strategy for difficulty occurring in every patient, and the institution must make difficult airway equipment readily available. Tracheal extubation of the at-risk patient must also be carefully planned, including assessment of the patient's tolerance for withdrawal of airway support and whether re-intubation might be difficult.

Impact of Prophylactic Noninvasive Ventilation on Extubation Outcome: A 4-year Prospective Observational Study from a Multidisciplinary ICU

Introduction

With emerging evidence supporting other interventions, there is a need to re-examine the safety and efficacy of postextubation noninvasive ventilation (NIV) support in high-risk patients.

Methods

Data were collected over 4-year period from a multispeciality ICU. High-risk criteria were uniform, and the application of NIV was protocolized. Successful extubation was defined as the absence of both reintubation and NIV support at 72 hours postextubation.

Results

Extubation success was achieved in 79.6%. At extubation, more patients in the failure group had chronic neurological or kidney diseases, longer days of invasive ventilation, higher sequential organ failure assessment score, and more positive fluid balance. Significant differences were also observed in the indications for prophylactic NIV between the two groups. However, in logistic regression analysis, none of these differences observed in univariate analysis was independently associated with extubation outcome. Failure of postextubation NIV was associated with higher hospital mortality (67.7 vs 10.7%, p <0.001) and longer ICU/hospital length of stay (median 10 vs 6 days, p <0.001 and 13 vs 10 days, p <0.01, respectively). No differences were observed in extubation outcomes between 2016 to 2017 and 2018 to 2019 cohorts.

Conclusion

High rate of extubation failure and worse patient-centric outcomes associated with prophylactic NIV calls for a relook into the current recommendation of NIV for this indication.

How to cite this article

Ghosh S, Ghosh S, Singh A, Salhotra R. Impact of Prophylactic Noninvasive Ventilation on Extubation Outcome: A 4-year Prospective Observational Study from a Multidisciplinary ICU. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(6):709–714.

Initial setting of high-flow nasal oxygen post extubation based on mean inspiratory flow during a spontaneous breathing trial

PURPOSE

High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is commonly used post-extubation in intensive care (ICU). Patients' comfort during HFNC is affected by flow rate. The study aims to describe the relationship between pre-extubation inspiratory flow requirements and the post-extubation flow rates on HFNC that maximises patient's comfort.

METHODS

This was an observational, retrospective study conducted in a university-affiliated ICU. We included patients extubated following successful spontaneous breathing trial (SBT). During the SBT we recorded variables including inspiratory flow. Patients who passed the SBT were extubated onto HFNC. HFNC was titrated from 20 L/min and increased in steps of 10 L/min, up to 60 L/min. At each step, patient's level of comfort was assessed. Fraction of inspired oxygen was titrated to maintain oxygen saturation 92-97%.

RESULTS

Nineteen participants were enrolled in the study. There was a significant positive correlation between mean inspiratory flow pre-extubation and the flow setting on HFNC which achieved the best comfort post-extubation (r² 0.88; p < 0.001). Overall, greatest comfort was observed for HFNC flows between 30 and 40 L/min but with individual variability.

CONCLUSION

Measuring mean inspiratory flow during an SBT allows for individualised setting of HFNC flow rate immediately post-extubation and achieves the greatest comfort and interface tolerance.

High-flow nasal cannula for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The evidence for the safety of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) patients is conflicting.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the intubation and mortality risks of HFNC compared to non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and conventional oxygen therapy (COT) for AECOPD patients.

METHODS

A search of electronic databases was performed. Studies that used HFNC to treat AECOPD patients were identified.

RESULTS

Seven RCTs and one observational study were included. There were no differences in intubation risk (risk ratio (RR) 0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49 to 1.78, p = 0.84, very low certainty) and mortality risk (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.46 to 1.79, p = 0.77, very low certainty) for HFNC compared with NIV. No data were available for intubation or mortality risk for HFNC compared with COT.

CONCLUSION

For AECOPD patients, low-quality evidence indicates that HFNC does not increase intubation and mortality risks compared to NIV.

Prolonged Weaning: S2k Guideline Published by the German Respiratory Society

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is an essential part of modern intensive care medicine. MV is performed in patients with severe respiratory failure caused by respiratory muscle insufficiency and/or lung parenchymal disease; that is, when other treatments such as medication, oxygen administration, secretion management, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), or nasal high-flow therapy have failed. MV is required for maintaining gas exchange and allows more time to curatively treat the underlying cause of respiratory failure. In the majority of ventilated patients, liberation or "weaning" from MV is routine, without the occurrence of any major problems. However, approximately 20% of patients require ongoing MV, despite amelioration of the conditions that precipitated the need for it in the first place. Approximately 40-50% of the time spent on MV is required to liberate the patient from the ventilator, a process called "weaning". In addition to acute respiratory failure, numerous factors can influence the duration and success rate of the weaning process; these include age, comorbidities, and conditions and complications acquired during the ICU stay. According to international consensus, "prolonged weaning" is defined as the weaning process in patients who have failed at least 3 weaning attempts, or require more than 7 days of weaning after the first spontaneous breathing trial (SBT). Given that prolonged weaning is a complex process, an interdisciplinary approach is essential for it to be successful. In specialised weaning centres, approximately 50% of patients with initial weaning failure can be liberated from MV after prolonged weaning. However, the heterogeneity of patients undergoing prolonged weaning precludes the direct comparison of individual centres. Patients with persistent weaning failure either die during the weaning process, or are discharged back to their home or to a long-term care facility with ongoing MV. Urged by the growing importance of prolonged weaning, this Sk2 Guideline was first published in 2014 as an initiative of the German Respiratory Society (DGP), in conjunction with other scientific societies involved in prolonged weaning. The emergence of new research, clinical study findings and registry data, as well as the accumulation of experience in daily practice, have made the revision of this guideline necessary. The following topics are dealt with in the present guideline: Definitions, epidemiology, weaning categories, underlying pathophysiology, prevention of prolonged weaning, treatment strategies in prolonged weaning, the weaning unit, discharge from hospital on MV, and recommendations for end-of-life decisions. Special emphasis was placed on the following themes: (1) A new classification of patient sub-groups in prolonged weaning. (2) Important aspects of pulmonary rehabilitation and neurorehabilitation in prolonged weaning. (3) Infrastructure and process organisation in the care of patients in prolonged weaning based on a continuous treatment concept. (4) Changes in therapeutic goals and communication with relatives. Aspects of paediatric weaning are addressed separately within individual chapters. The main aim of the revised guideline was to summarize both current evidence and expert-based knowledge on the topic of "prolonged weaning", and to use this information as a foundation for formulating recommendations related to "prolonged weaning", not only in acute medicine but also in the field of chronic intensive care medicine. The following professionals served as important addressees for this guideline: intensivists, pulmonary medicine specialists, anaesthesiologists, internists, cardiologists, surgeons, neurologists, paediatricians, geriatricians, palliative care clinicians, rehabilitation physicians, intensive/chronic care nurses, physiotherapists, respiratory therapists, speech therapists, medical service of health insurance, and associated ventilator manufacturers.

Actualización de la Declaración de consenso en medicina critica para la atención multidisciplinaria del paciente con sospecha o confirmación diagnóstica de COVID-19

Antecedentes y objetivos

La enfermedad por coronavirus de 2019 (COVID-19) es una enfermedad ocasionada por el nuevo coronavirus del síndrome respiratorio agudo grave (SARS-CoV-2). Se identificó por primera vez en diciembre de 2019 en la ciudad de Wuhan, en los meses siguientes se expandió rápidamente a todos los continentes y la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) la reconoció como una pandemia global el 11 de marzo de 2020. La mayoría de los individuos son asintomáticos pero una baja proporción ingresan a cuidados intensivos con una alta morbimortalidad. Este consenso tiene como objetivo actualizar la declaratoria inicial emitida por la Asociación Colombiana de Medicina Crítica (AMCI) para el manejo del paciente críticamente enfermo con COVID-19, dentro de las áreas críticas de las instituciones de salud.

Métodos

Este estudio utilizó dos técnicas de consenso formal para construir las recomendaciones finales: Delphi modificada y grupos nominales. Se construyeron preguntas por la estrategia PICO. 10 grupos nominales desarrollaron recomendaciones para cada unidad temática. El producto del consenso fue evaluado y calificado en una ronda Delphi y se discutió de forma virtual por los relatores de cada núcleo y los representantes de sociedades médicas científicas afines al manejo del paciente con COVID-19.

Resultados

80 expertos nacionales participaron en la actualización del consenso AMCI, especialistas en Medicina Critica y Cuidados Intensivos, Nefrología, Neurología, Neumología, bioeticistas, Medicina interna, Anestesia, Cirugía General, Cirugía de cabeza y cuello, Cuidados Paliativos, Enfermeras Especialistas en Medicina crítica, Terapeutas respiratorias especialistas en medicina crítica y Fisioterapia, con experiencia clínica en la atención del paciente críticamente enfermo. La declaratoria emite recomendaciones en los ámbitos más relevantes para la atención en salud de los casos de COVID-19, al interior de las unidades de cuidados intensivos, en el contexto nacional de Colombia.

Conclusiones

Un grupo significativo multidisciplinario de profesionales expertos en medicina crítica emiten, mediante técnicas de consenso formal, recomendaciones sobre la mejor práctica para la atención del paciente críticamente enfermo con COVID-19. Las recomendaciones deben ser adaptadas a las condiciones específicas, administrativas y estructurales de las distintas unidades de cuidados intensivos del país.

Extubation Failure and Major Adverse Events Secondary to Extubation Failure Following Neonatal Cardiac Surgery

OBJECTIVES

To describe the prevalence and consequences of major adverse events secondary to extubation failure after neonatal cardiac surgery.

DESIGN

A single-center cohort study.

SETTING

A medical-surgical, 30-bed PICU in Victoria, Australia.

PATIENTS

One thousand one hundred eighty-eight neonates less than or equal to 28 days old who underwent cardiac surgery from January 2007 to December 2018.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Extubation failure was defined as unplanned reintubation within 72 hours after a planned extubation. Major adverse event was defined as one or more of cardiac arrest, emergency chest reopening, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or death within 72 hours after extubation. One hundred fifteen of 1,188 (9.7%) neonates had extubation failure. Hospital mortality was 17.4% and 2.0% in neonates with and without extubation failure. Major adverse event occurred in 12 of 115 reintubated neonates (10.4%). major adverse event included cardiac arrest (n = 10), chest reopening (n = 8), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (n = 5), and death (n = 0). Cardiovascular compromise accounted for major adverse event in eight: ventricular dysfunction (n = 3), pulmonary overcirculation (n = 2), coronary ischemia (n = 2), cardiac tamponade (n = 1). In a multivariable logistic regression, factors associated with major adverse event were high complexity in cardiac surgery (odds ratio 5.9; 95% CI: 1.1-32.2) and airway anomaly (odds ratio 6.0; 95% CI: 1.1-32.6). Hospital morality was 25% and 17% in reintubated neonates with and without major adverse event.

CONCLUSIONS

Around 10% of reintubated neonates suffered major adverse event within 72 hours of extubation. Neonates suffering major adverse event had high mortality. Major adverse event should be monitored and reported in future studies of extubation failure. Along with tracking of extubation failure rates, major adverse event secondary to extubation failure may also serve as a key performance indicator for ICUs and registries.

Cirrhotic Patients on Mechanical Ventilation Have a Low Rate of Successful Extubation and Survival

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

We hypothesized that mechanically ventilated cirrhotic patients not only have poor outcomes, but also that certain clinical variables are likely to be associated with mortality. We aimed to describe the predictors of mortality in these patients.

METHODS

This observational study examined 113 mechanically ventilated cirrhotic patients cared for at our institution between July 1, 2014, and February 28, 2018. We performed bivariate and multivariate analyses to identify risk factors for mortality on mechanical ventilation and created an equation to calculate probability of mortality based on these variables.

RESULTS

Seventy percent of patients had a history of a decompensating event. Altered mental status was the most frequently encountered indication for intubation (46%). 53% patients died on mechanical ventilation. After controlling for variables associated with increased mortality, multivariate analysis revealed that vasopressor use was the strongest predictor of mortality on mechanical ventilation (OR = 9.3) followed by sepsis (OR = 4.1). A formula with an area under the curve of 0.85 was obtained in order to predict the probability of mortality for cirrhotic patients on mechanical ventilation (available at https://medweb.musc.edu/mvcp/ ). This model (AUC = 0.85) outperformed the CLIF-SOFA score (AUC = 0.68) in predicting mortality in this cohort.

CONCLUSION

Cirrhotic patients requiring mechanical ventilation have an extremely poor prognosis, and in patients requiring vasopressors, having a history of decompensation, sepsis or low albumin, mortality is higher. Our data points to the clinical variables should be considered in the medical management of these patients and provide physicians with a formula to predict the probability of mortality.

Risk factors and socio-economic burden in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma operation: a machine learning based analysis

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection is the major way to cure pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, this operation is complex, and the peri-operative risk is high, making patients more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Therefore, establishing a risk model that predicts admission to ICU is meaningful in preventing patients from post-operation deterioration and potentially reducing socio-economic burden.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected 120 clinical features from 1242 PDAC patients, including demographic data, pre-operative and intra-operative blood tests, in-hospital duration, and ICU status. Machine learning pipelines, including Supporting Vector Machine (SVM), Logistic Regression, and Lasso Regression, were employed to choose an optimal model in predicting ICU admission. Ordinary least-squares regression (OLS) and Lasso Regression were adopted in the correlation analysis of post-operative bleeding, total in-hospital duration, and discharge costs.

RESULTS

SVM model achieved higher performance than the other two models, resulted in an AU-ROC of 0.80. The features, such as age, duration of operation, monocyte count, and intra-operative partial arterial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), are risk factors in the ICU admission. The protective factors include RBC count, analgesic pump dexmedetomidine (DEX), and intra-operative maintenance of DEX. Basophil percentage, duration of the operation, and total infusion volume were risk variables for staying in ICU. The bilirubin, CA125, and pre-operative albumin were associated with the post-operative bleeding volume. The operation duration was the most important factor for discharge costs, while pre-lymphocyte percentage and the absolute count are responsible for less cost.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed that several new indicators such as DEX, monocyte count, basophil percentage, and intra-operative PaO2 showed a good predictive effect on the possibility of admission to ICU and duration of stay in ICU. This work provided an essential reference for indication in advance to PDAC operation.

Nasal high flow higher than 60 L/min in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure: a physiological study

Background

Nasal high flow delivered at flow rates higher than 60 L/min in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure might be associated with improved physiological effects. However, poor comfort might limit feasibility of its clinical use.

Methods

We performed a prospective randomized cross-over physiological study on 12 ICU patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Patients underwent three steps at the following gas flow: 0.5 L/kg PBW/min, 1 L/kg PBW/min, and 1.5 L/kg PBW/min in random order for 20 min. Temperature and FiO₂ remained unchanged. Toward the end of each phase, we collected arterial blood gases, lung volumes, and regional distribution of ventilation assessed by electrical impedance tomography (EIT), and comfort.

Results

In five patients, the etiology was pulmonary; infective disease characterized seven patients; median PaO₂/FiO₂ at enrollment was 213 [IQR 136–232]. The range of flow rate during NHF 1.5 was 75–120 L/min. PaO₂/FiO₂ increased with flow, albeit non significantly (p = 0.064), PaCO₂ and arterial pH remained stable (p = 0.108 and p = 0.105). Respiratory rate decreased at higher flow rates (p = 0.014). Inhomogeneity of ventilation decreased significantly at higher flows (p = 0.004) and lung volume at end-expiration significantly increased (p = 0.007), but mostly in the non-dependent regions. Comfort was significantly poorer during the step performed at the highest flow (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

NHF delivered at rates higher than 60 L/min in critically ill patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure is associated with reduced respiratory rate, increased lung homogeneity, and additional positive pressure effect, but also with worse comfort.

The role for high flow nasal cannula as a respiratory support strategy in adults: a clinical practice guideline

Purpose

High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a relatively recent respiratory support technique which delivers high flow, heated and humidified controlled concentration of oxygen via the nasal route. Recently, its use has increased for a variety of clinical indications. To guide clinical practice, we developed evidence-based recommendations regarding use of HFNC in various clinical settings.

Methods

We formed a guideline panel composed of clinicians, methodologists and experts in respiratory medicine. Using GRADE, the panel developed recommendations for four actionable questions.

Results

The guideline panel made a strong recommendation for HFNC in hypoxemic respiratory failure compared to conventional oxygen therapy (COT) (moderate certainty), a conditional recommendation for HFNC following extubation (moderate certainty), no recommendation regarding HFNC in the peri-intubation period (moderate certainty), and a conditional recommendation for postoperative HFNC in high risk and/or obese patients following cardiac or thoracic surgery (moderate certainty).

Conclusions

This clinical practice guideline synthesizes current best-evidence into four recommendations for HFNC use in patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure, following extubation, in the peri-intubation period, and postoperatively for bedside clinicians.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00134-020-06312-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

How to ventilate obstructive and asthmatic patients

Exacerbations are part of the natural history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Severe exacerbations can cause acute respiratory failure, which may ultimately require mechanical ventilation. This review summarizes practical ventilator strategies for the management of patients with obstructive airway disease. Such strategies include non-invasive mechanical ventilation to prevent intubation, invasive mechanical ventilation, from the time of intubation to weaning, and strategies intended to prevent post-extubation acute respiratory failure. The role of tracheostomy, the long-term prognosis, and potential future adjunctive strategies are also discussed. Finally, the physiological background that underlies these strategies is detailed.

Effect of post-extubation high-flow nasal cannula on reintubation in elderly patients: a retrospective propensity score-matched cohort study

Background:

Studies of mechanically ventilated patients with a low risk of reintubation have suggested that the use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy reduces the risk of reintubation compared with conventional oxygen therapy (COT). However, the effect of HFNC following extubation in elderly patients with a high risk of reintubation remains unclear.

Methods:

All consecutive medical intensive care unit (ICU) patients aged >65 years who were mechanically ventilated for >24 h were prospectively registered between July 2017 and June 2018. Control was obtained from a historical database of patients attending the same ICU from January 2012 to December 2013. A total of 152 patients who underwent HFNC after planned extubation according to institutional protocols (HFNC group) were compared with a propensity-matched historical control group who underwent COT (n = 175, COT group). The primary outcome was the proportion of reintubated patients within 48 h after planned extubation.

Results:

One hundred patients from the HFNC group and 129 patients from the COT group were matched by a propensity score that reflected the probability of receiving HFNC, and all variables were well matched. Post-extubation respiratory failure (41.0% versus 33.3%, p = 0.291) and reintubation rate within 48 h (16.0% versus 11.6%, p = 0.436) did not differ between the HFNC and COT groups. However, decreased levels of consciousness as a sign of post-extubation respiratory failure (27.0% versus 11.7%, p = 0.007) were significantly increased in the HFNC group compared with the COT group.

Conclusion:

Among elderly patients who underwent planned extubation, HFNC was not associated with a decrease in the risk of reintubation. Further prospective study evaluating the clinical benefits of post-extubation HFNC in elderly patients is needed.

The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

How to ventilate obese patients in the ICU

Obesity is an important risk factor for major complications, morbidity and mortality related to intubation procedures and ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU). The fall in functional residual capacity promotes airway closure and atelectasis formation. This narrative review presents the impact of obesity on the respiratory system and the key points to optimize airway management, noninvasive and invasive mechanical ventilation in ICU patients with obesity. Non-invasive strategies should first optimize body position with reverse Trendelenburg position or sitting position. Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is considered as the first-line therapy in patients with obesity having a postoperative acute respiratory failure. Positive pressure pre-oxygenation before the intubation procedure is the method of reference. The use of videolaryngoscopy has to be considered by adequately trained intensivists, especially in patients with several risk factors. Regarding mechanical ventilation in patients with and without acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), low tidal volume (6 ml/kg of predicted body weight) and moderate to high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), with careful recruitment maneuver in selected patients, are advised. Prone positioning is a therapeutic choice in severe ARDS patients with obesity. Prophylactic NIV should be considered after extubation to prevent re-intubation. If obesity increases mortality and risk of ICU admission in the overall population, the impact of obesity on ICU mortality is less clear and several confounding factors have to be taken into account regarding the “obesity ICU paradox”.

Nasal high-flow oxygen versus noninvasive ventilation in acute exacerbation of COPD: protocol for a randomised noninferiority clinical trial

Background

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is considered as the first-line treatment for acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) complicated by respiratory acidosis. Recent studies demonstrate a role of nasal high-flow oxygen (NHF) in AECOPD as an alternative treatment in patients intolerant to NIV or with contraindications to it.

Aim

The study aimed to evaluate whether NHF respiratory support is noninferior compared to NIV in respect to treatment failure, defined as need for intubation or change to alternative treatment group, in patients with AECOPD and mild-to-moderate acute or acute-on-chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure.

Methods

We designed a multicentre, prospective, randomised trial on patients with AECOPD, who have pH<7.35 but >7.25 and P_aCO2 >45 mmHg, in whom NIV is indicated as a first-line treatment. According to power analysis, 498 participants will be required for establishing noninferiority of NHF compared to NIV. Patients will be randomly assigned to receive NIV or NHF. Treatment will be adjusted to maintain S_pO2 between 88%–92% for both groups. Arterial blood gases, respiratory variables, comfort, dyspnoea score and any pulmonary or extrapulmonary complications will be assessed at baseline, before treatment initiation, and at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48 h, then once daily from day 3 to patient discharge, intubation or death.

Conclusion

Given the increasing number of studies demonstrating the physiological effects of NHF in COPD patients, we hypothesise that NHF respiratory support will be noninferior to NIV in patients with AECOPD and mild-to-moderate acute or acute on chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure.

Nasal high-flow oxygen could be an effective alternative to NIV respiratory support for patients with mild-to-moderate #AECOPD, especially for those who do not tolerate or have contraindications for NIVhttps://bit.ly/3bgxDYx

The Use of High-Flow Nasal Oxygen in the ICU as a First-Line Therapy for Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure Secondary to Coronavirus Disease 2019

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Objectives:

Limited evidence is available regarding the role of high-flow nasal oxygen in the management of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure secondary to coronavirus disease 2019. Our objective was to characterize outcomes associated with high-flow nasal oxygen use in critically ill adult patients with coronavirus disease 2019-associated acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.

Design:

Observational cohort study between March 18, 2020, and June 3, 2020.

Setting:

Nine ICUs at three university-affiliated hospitals in Philadelphia, PA.

Patients:

Adult ICU patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 infection admitted with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Of 266 coronavirus disease 2019 ICU admissions during the study period, 124 (46.6%) received some form of noninvasive respiratory support. After exclusions, we analyzed 83 patients who were treated with high-flow nasal oxygen as a first-line therapy at or near the time of ICU admission. Patients were predominantly male (63.9%). The most common comorbidity was hypertension (60.2%). Progression to invasive mechanical ventilation was common, occurring in 58 patients (69.9%). Of these, 30 (51.7%) were intubated on the same day as ICU admission. As of June 30, 2020, hospital mortality rate was 32.9% and the median hospital length of stay was 15 days. Among survivors, the most frequent discharge disposition was home (51.0%). In comparing patients who received high-flow nasal oxygen alone (n = 54) with those who received high-flow nasal oxygen in conjunction with noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation via face mask (n = 29), there were no differences in the rates of endotracheal intubation or other clinical and utilization outcomes.

Conclusions:

We observed an overall high usage of high-flow nasal oxygen in our cohort of critically ill patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure secondary to coronavirus disease 2019. Rates of endotracheal intubation and mortality in this cohort were on par with and certainly not higher than other published series. These findings should prompt further considerations regarding the use of high-flow nasal oxygen in the management algorithm for coronavirus disease 2019-associated acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.

The combination of inspiratory muscle training and high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy for promoting weaning outcomes in difficult-to-wean patients: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background

According to the literature, 20-30% of intubated patients are difficult to wean off mechanical ventilation and have a prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay with detrimental effects on muscle strength, functional ability and quality of life. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) via a threshold device has been proposed as an effective exercise for minimising the effects of mechanical ventilation on respiratory muscles of critically ill patients with prolonged weaning. In addition, high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen has been proved to provide efficient support for both high- and low-risk patients after extubation, thus preventing re-intubation.

Material and methods

A randomised controlled trial was designed to assess the efficacy of combining IMT and HFNC as therapeutic strategies for patients with high risk for weaning failure. Once patients with prognostic factors of difficult weaning are awake, ventilated with support settings and cooperative, they will be randomised to one of the two following study groups: intervention group (IMT and HFNC) and control group (IMT and Venturi mask). IMT will start as soon as possible. Each allocated oxygen delivery device will be applied immediately after extubation. IMT intervention will continue until patients' discharge from ICU. The primary outcome is the rate of weaning failure. Secondary outcomes are maximal inspiratory and expiratory strength, endurance of respiratory muscles, global muscle strength, functional ability and quality of life along with duration of ventilation (days) and ICU and hospital length of stay.

Conclusion

The present study could significantly contribute to knowledge of how best to treat patients with difficult weaning and high risk of re-intubation.

The efficacy of the WhisperFlow CPAP system versus high flow nasal cannula in patients at risk for postextubation failure: A Randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

Compare the efficacy(reintubation rate) between a high-flow nasal cannula(HFNC) and the WhisperFlow CPAP system in patients at risk for postextubation failure.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

RCT was conducted in patients who had at least one high-risk criterion for postextubation failure. All patients were randomly assigned to CPAP or HFNC for 48 h.

RESULTS

Of 140 patients, sixty-nine were assigned to the CPAP group and 71 to the HFNC group. The reintubation rate was similar between the HFNC and WhisperFlowCPAP [5 cases(7.0%) vs. 6 cases(8.7%); P = 0.76]. The postextubation respiratory failure rate was not significantly different between the HFNC and WhisperFlow CPAP groups [10 cases(14.1%)vs.7cases(10.1%); P = 0.48]. The respiratory rate was lower in the HFNC than CPAP group(P = 0.04). The pain rating scale score was lower in the HFNC group than in the WhisperFlow CPAP group at 24 h (2.8 ± 2.0 vs. 3.7 ± 1.9, P = 0.02) and 48 h (2.8 ± 1.8 vs. 3.8 ± 1.9, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

We are unable to demonstrate a reduction in postextubation respiratory failure in at risk patients with the use of HFNC compared with the WhisperFlow CPAP system probably because small sample size, but HFNC was better tolerated.

Use of nasal high flow oxygen during acute respiratory failure

Nasal high flow (NHF) has gained popularity among intensivists to manage patients with acute respiratory failure. An important literature has accompanied this evolution. In this review, an international panel of experts assessed potential benefits of NHF in different areas of acute respiratory failure management. Analyses of the physiological effects of NHF indicate flow-dependent improvement in various respiratory function parameters. These beneficial effects allow some patients with severe acute hypoxemic respiratory failure to avoid intubation and improve their outcome. They require close monitoring to not delay intubation. Such a delay may worsen outcome. The ROX index may help clinicians decide when to intubate. In immunocompromised patients, NHF reduces the need for intubation but does not impact mortality. Beneficial physiological effects of NHF have also been reported in patients with chronic respiratory failure, suggesting a possible indication in acute hypercapnic respiratory failure. When intubation is required, NHF can be used to pre-oxygenate patients either alone or in combination with non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Similarly, NHF reduces reintubation alone in low-risk patients and in combination with NIV in high-risk patients. NHF may be used in the emergency department in patients who would not be offered intubation and can be better tolerated than NIV.

Extubation of the Challenging or Difficult Airway

Purpose of Review

This review explores relevant definitions, epidemiology, management, and potential future research directions in the extubation of the challenging/difficult airway. It provides guidance on identifying patients at risk and how to approach these clinical scenarios.

Recent Findings

Based on recent literature, including large-scale audits and closed claims analysis, it is increasingly recognized that extubation of the difficult airway is a situation at risk of severe adverse events. Some strategies to manage the extubation of the challenging/difficult airway have been described.

Summary

Extubating the challenging/difficult airway is a high-risk situation. However, it is fundamental to keep in mind that intended extubation is always an elective procedure. As such, it is imperative to adhere to principles of careful patient and context assessment, planning, and execution only when optimal conditions have been secured.

Phelps D, Kala P, Ravi R, Floros Phelps A, M. Umstead T, Zhang X, Floros J. Impact of Surfactant Protein-A Variants on Survival in Aged Mice in Response to Klebsiella pneumoniae Infection and Ozone: Serendipity in Action

Innate immune molecules, SP-A1 (6A², 6A⁴) and SP-A2 (1A⁰, 1A³), differentially affect young mouse survival after infection. Here, we investigated the impact of SP-A variants on the survival of aged mice. hTG mice carried a different SP-A1 or SP-A2 variant and SP-A-KO were either infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae or exposed to filtered air (FA) or ozone (O₃) prior to infection, and their survival monitored over 14 days. In response to infection alone, no gene- or sex-specific (except for 6A²) differences were observed; variant-specific survival was observed (1A⁰ > 6A⁴). In response to O₃, gene-, sex-, and variant-specific survival was observed with SP-A2 variants showing better survival in males than females, and 1A⁰ females > 1A³ females. A serendipitous, and perhaps clinically important observation was made; mice exposed to FA prior to infection exhibited significantly better survival than infected alone mice. 1A⁰ provided an overall better survival in males and/or females indicating a differential role for SP-A genetics. Improved ventilation, as provided by FA, resulted in a survival of significant magnitude in aged mice and perhaps to a lesser extent in young mice. This may have clinical application especially within the context of the current pandemic.

Surviving 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia: A successful critical case report

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Prone position ventilation therapy should be considered when P/F ratio was still below 150mmHg after intubation in patients of COVID-19.

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Acute cor pulmonale(ACP) was often complicated with ARDS caused by COVID-19, dobutamine and the prone position ventilation therapy would be effective.

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High-Flow nasal cannula(HFNC) oxygen therapy could be as sequential strategy to reduce the risk of reintubation and postextubation respiratory failure, and was safe enough during the current COVID-19 outbreak.

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Cardiorespiratory function support therapy was the core of surviving COVID-19, and it was better to start early to achieve good prognosis.

Background

. An outbreak of acute respiratory illness was proved to be infected by a novel coronavirus, officially named Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) from World Health Organization (WHO), was confirmed first in Wuhan, China, and has become endemic worldwide, which was a serious threaten to public health all over the world. Herein, we reported a successful critical case of COVID-19 and shared our experience of treatment, which would do a favor for other COVID-19 patients.

Case summary

. A 65-year-old man, Wuhan citizen, was infected by COVID-19, and his pulmonary lesions progressed quickly in five days. On admission to Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, China, the immediate arterial blood gas(ABG) analysis showed the PaO2/FiO2(P/F) ratio was 134.4mmHg, moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) was diagnosed. Emergency tracheal intubation was performed, and the initial ventilator mode and parameters were set up based on the lung-protective ventilation strategy, but the P/F ratio could not be improved, and then the prone position ventilation was carried out for four consecutive days, as long as 16 hours every day, the P/F ratio rose to 180mmHg approximately, which still did not reach to the standard of extubation. And then we found that it was complicated with acute cor pulmonale(ACP) by ultrasound examination, dobutamine and diuretic were used for the treatment of ACP caused by ARDS successfully, and the P/F ratio went up to about 250mmHg. Seven days later after admission, the endotracheal intubation was successfully removed, after extubation, High-Flow nasal cannula(HFNC) oxygen therapy was used as a sequential strategy to prevent reintubation. Ultimately, he was discharged on day 34 after admission.

Conclusion

. Our case presented the treatment process of a critical COVID-19. Effective therapy was crucial to heal COVID-19, and organ function support therapy, especially the cardiorespiratory function support therapy, was the core of treatment.

High-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy versus non-invasive ventilation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients after extubation: a multicenter, randomized controlled trial

Background

High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy is being increasingly used to prevent post-extubation hypoxemic respiratory failure and reintubation. However, evidence to support the use of HFNC in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure after extubation is limited. This study was conducted to test if HFNC is non-inferior to non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in preventing post-extubation treatment failure in COPD patients previously intubated for hypercapnic respiratory failure.

Methods

COPD patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure who were already receiving invasive ventilation were randomized to HFNC or NIV at extubation at two large tertiary academic teaching hospitals. The primary endpoint was treatment failure, defined as either resumption of invasive ventilation or switching to the other study treatment modality (NIV for patients in the NFNC group or vice versa).

Results

Ninety-six patients were randomly assigned to the HFNC group or NIV group. After secondary exclusion, 44 patients in the HFNC group and 42 patients in the NIV group were included in the analysis. The treatment failure rate in the HFNC group was 22.7% and 28.6% in the NIV group—risk difference of − 5.8% (95% CI, − 23.8–12.4%, p = 0.535), which was significantly lower than the non-inferior margin of 9%. Analysis of the causes of treatment failure showed that treatment intolerance in the HFNC group was significantly lower than that in the NIV group, with a risk difference of − 50.0% (95% CI, − 74.6 to − 12.9%, p = 0.015). One hour after extubation, the mean respiratory rates of both groups were faster than their baseline levels before extubation (p < 0.050). Twenty-four hours after extubation, the respiratory rate of the HFNC group had returned to baseline, but the NIV group was still higher than the baseline. Forty-eight hours after extubation, the respiratory rates of both groups were not significantly different from the baseline. The average number of daily airway care interventions in the NIV group was 7 (5–9.3), which was significantly higher than 6 (4–7) times in the HFNC group (p = 0.006). The comfort score and incidence of nasal and facial skin breakdown of the HFNC group was also significantly better than that of the NIV group [7 (6–8) vs 5 (4–7), P < 0.001] and [0 vs 9.6%, p = 0.027], respectively.

Conclusion

Among COPD patients with severe hypercapnic respiratory failure who received invasive ventilation, the use of HFNC after extubation did not result in increased rates of treatment failure compared with NIV. HFNC also had better tolerance and comfort than NIV.

Trial registration

chictr.org (ChiCTR1800018530). Registered on 22 September 2018, http://www.chictr.org.cn/usercenter.aspx

COVID-Activated Emergency Scaling of Anesthesiology Responsibilities Intensive Care Unit

In response to the rapidly evolving coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the potential need for physicians to provide critical care services, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) has collaborated with the Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists (SOCCA), the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM), and the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF) to develop the COVID-Activated Emergency Scaling of Anesthesiology Responsibilities (CAESAR) Intensive Care Unit (ICU) workgroup. CAESAR-ICU is designed and written for the practicing general anesthesiologist and should serve as a primer to enable an anesthesiologist to provide limited bedside critical care services.

Retrospective analysis of high flow nasal therapy in COVID-19-related moderate-to-severe hypoxaemic respiratory failure

Invasive mechanical has been associated with high mortality in COVID-19. Alternative therapy of high flow nasal therapy (HFNT) has been greatly debated around the world for use in COVID-19 pandemic due to concern for increased healthcare worker transmission.This was a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients admitted to Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from 10 March 2020 to 24 April 2020 with moderate-to-severe respiratory failure treated with HFNT. Primary outcome was prevention of intubation. Of the 445 patients with COVID-19, 104 met our inclusion criteria. The average age was 60.66 (+13.50) years, 49 (47.12 %) were female, 53 (50.96%) were African-American, 23 (22.12%) Hispanic. Forty-three patients (43.43%) were smokers. Saturation to fraction ratio and chest X-ray scores had a statistically significant improvement from day 1 to day 7. 67 of 104 (64.42%) were able to avoid invasive mechanical ventilation in our cohort. Incidence of hospital-associated/ventilator-associated pneumonia was 2.9%. Overall, mortality was 14.44% (n=15) in our cohort with 13 (34.4%) in the progressed to intubation group and 2 (2.9%) in the non-intubation group. Mortality and incidence of pneumonia was statistically higher in the progressed to intubation group. CONCLUSION: HFNT use is associated with a reduction in the rate of invasive mechanical ventilation and overall mortality in patients with COVID-19 infection.

Noninvasive Ventilation and High-Flow Nasal Therapy Administration in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is considered to be the standard of care for the management of acute hypercapnic respiratory failure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation. It can be delivered safely in any dedicated setting, from emergency rooms to high dependency or intensive care units and wards. NIV helps improving dyspnea and gas exchange, reduces the need for endotracheal intubation, and morbidity and mortality rates. It is therefore recognized as the gold standard in this condition. High-flow nasal therapy helps improving ventilatory efficiency and reducing the work of breathing in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Early studies indicate that some patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure can be managed with high-flow nasal therapy, but more information is needed before specific recommendations for this therapy can be made. Therefore, high-flow nasal therapy use should be individualized in each particular situation and institution, taking into account resources, and local and personal experience with all respiratory support therapies.