Effects of chest physiotherapy by expiratory flow increase on secretion removal and lung mechanics in ventilated patients: a randomized crossover study

Chest Physiotherapy for Mechanically Ventilated Children: A Systematic Review

The aim of this study was to appraise and summarize the effects of chest physiotherapy in mechanically ventilated children. A systematic review was completed by searching Medline, Embase, Cinahl Plus, PEDro, and Web of Science from inception to February 9, 2021. Studies investigating chest physiotherapy for mechanically ventilated children (0-18 years), in a pediatric intensive care unit were included. Chest physiotherapy was defined as any intervention performed by a qualified physiotherapist. Measurements of effectiveness and safety were included. Exclusion criteria included preterm infants, children requiring noninvasive ventilation, and those in a nonacute setting. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria: two randomized controlled trials, three randomized crossover trials, and eight observational studies. The Cochrane risk of bias and the Critical Appraisal Skills Program tools were used for quality assessment. Oxygen saturations decreased after physiotherapy involving manual hyperinflations (MHI) and chest wall vibrations (CWV). Although statistically significant, these results were not of clinical importance. In contrast, oxygen saturations improved after the expiratory flow increase technique; however, this was not clinically significant. An increase in expiratory tidal volume was demonstrated 30 minutes after MHI and CWV. There was no sustained change in tidal volume following a physiotherapy-led recruitment maneuver. Respiratory compliance and dead-space increased immediately after MHI and CWV. Atelectasis scores improved following intrapulmonary percussive ventilation, and MHI and CWV. Evidence to support chest physiotherapy in ventilated children remains inconclusive. There are few high-quality studies, with heterogeneity in interventions and populations. Future studies are required to investigate multiple physiotherapy interventions and the impact on long-term outcomes.

Effectiveness of chest physiotherapy using passive slow expiratory techniques in dogs with airway fluid accumulation: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Prolonged slow expiration (PSE) and assisted cough (AC) are airway clearance techniques feasible and well tolerated in dogs.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of PSE and AC as chest physiotherapy (CP) techniques in dogs with airway fluid accumulation.

ANIMALS

Thirty-one client-owned dogs hospitalized in an intensive care unit from October 2014 to May 2018.

METHODS

Prospective randomized controlled trial. Dogs presented with or developing acute dyspnea during hospitalization associated with airway fluid accumulation were assigned to CP group (medical treatment and CP, 15 dogs) or control group (medical treatment alone, 16 dogs). The arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2 ) to fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2 ) ratio (P/F ratio; PaO2 /FiO2 × 100) was calculated daily for the 1st 48 hours of hospitalization and using the last arterial blood gas performed before discharge or death. The ratio of days of hospitalization with oxygen/total number of hospitalization days (ratio of oxygen-free-days [O2 Free]) was calculated.

RESULTS

During the 1st 48 hours, the P/F ratio increased significantly in the CP group compared to the control group (+ 35.1 mm Hg/day; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.4-57.5; P = .03). The (median; 1st quartile to 3rd quartile) difference between the P/F ratio at discharge and inclusion was significantly higher in the CP group (178 mm Hg; 123-241) than in the control group (54 mm Hg; -19 - 109; P = .001). Mean O2 Free increased by 46.4% in the CP group compared with control group (95% CI = 16-59; P = .001). Mortality was 13% (2/15) in the CP group and 44% (7/16) in the control group (P = .07).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Prolonged slow expiration and AC improved P/F ratio within 48 hours and decreased need for oxygenation in dyspneic dogs with acute airway fluid accumulation.

Décubitus ventral et kinésithérapie respiratoire : y a-t-il une indication ? Description d’un cas clinique

Contexte : Le décubitus ventral (DV) est appliqué dans un objectif de recrutement alvéolaire, dans le cadre de syndrome de détresse respiratoire aiguë (SDRA). Le DV mobilise parfois des sécrétions bronchiques, interrogeant l’intérêt d’une kinésithérapie de désencombrement.

Matériel et méthode : Une femme de 43 ans, myopathe de Steinert, est hospitalisée pour une insuffisance hépatique aiguë. À j3, elle présente une pneumopathie d’inhalation, suivie d’un SDRA. Le positionnement en DV est réalisé, mobilisant des sécrétions bronchiques. Une séance de kinésithérapie respiratoire est alors appliquée.

Résultats : Après la mise en DVet la séance de kinésithérapie, la quantité de sécrétions recueillies est de 2,4 g. Le rapport entre la pression partielle en oxygène et la fraction inspirée en oxygène (PaO2/FiO2) s’améliore, passant de 64 à 180 au bout de 11 heures de DV. La pression motrice et la pression de plateau sont restées inférieures aux valeurs délétères au cours de la séance de kinésithérapie, celle-ci n’ayant pas généré d’hypoxie pendant ou après la séance.

Discussion : Le positionnement en DV libère les parties postérieures des poumons, permettant une amélioration du rapport PaO2/FiO2. La clairance mucociliaire a été améliorée, mais il n’est pas possible de discriminer les effets du DVou de la kinésithérapie. Dans la littérature, la kinésithérapie respiratoire n’a pas montré son efficacité pour ces patients, même si aucun effet délétère n’a été observé à travers ce cas clinique. Les risques de dé-recrutement alvéolaire restent importants.

Conclusion : Il est difficile de recommander en pratique courante la kinésithérapie respiratoire de désencombrement en DV. Des études ultérieures sont nécessaires, dans un objectif de recherche centré plutôt sur le recrutement alvéolaire que sur le désencombrement, chez ces patients fragiles.