Mechanical ventilation in neurocritical care setting: A clinical approach

Extubation timing and risk of extubation failure in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients

BACKGROUND

The extubation time is critical during the intensive care unit stay in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients. The current conventional parameters for predicting extubation failure (EF) and extubation time may not be suitable for this population. Here, we aimed to identify factors associated with EF in aSAH patients.

METHODS

From a single-center observational study on aSAH patients with computed tomography angiography from 2019 to 2021, patients who received microsurgery were enrolled and divided into two groups according to whether EF occurred. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to evaluate disease severity, medical history, and extubation time differences between patients with and without EF.

RESULTS

Of 335 patients included, EF occurred with a rate of 0.14. Delayed cerebral ischemia (67.4% vs. 13.5%) and acute hydrocephalus (6.5% vs. 1.4%) were frequently observed in patients with EF. Also, patients who develop EF presented higher disability (65.9% vs. 17.4%) and mortality (10.9% vs. 0.7%) rates. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that age (OR 1.038; 95% CI 1.004-1.073; P = 0.028), onset to admission time (OR 0.731; 95% CI 0.566-0.943; p = 0.016), WFNS grade > 3 (OR 4.309; 95% CI 1.639-11.330; p = 0.003), and extubation time < 24 h (OR 0.097; 95% CI 0.024-0.396; p = 0.001) were significantly associated with EF occurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

These data provide further evidence that older aSAH patients with onset to admission time < 2 days and WFNS grade > 3 have a high risk of developing EF, which is amplified by the ultra-early extubation. Moreover, in patients with two or more risk factors, a prolonged intubation recommendation requires consideration to avoid the EF.

Guideline-recommended basic parameter adherence in neurocritical care stroke patients: Observational multicenter individual participant data analysis

INTRODUCTION

Neurocritical care patients with neurovascular disease often face poor long-term outcomes, highlighting the pivotal role of evidence-based interventions. Although International Guidelines emphasize managing basic physiological parameters like temperature, blood glucose, blood pressure, and oxygen levels, physician adherence to these targets remains uncertain. This study aimed to assess adherence to guideline-based treatment targets for basic physiological parameters in neurocritical care.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This multicenter observational study was conducted across eight tertiary University Hospitals in Germany analyzed 474 patients requiring mechanical ventilation (between January 1st and December 31st, 2021). Adherence was defined as the rate of measurements within therapeutic ranges for systolic blood pressure (situation-adapted), mean blood pressure (MAP, 60-90 mmHg), glucose levels (80-180 mg/dl), body temperature (<37.5°C), partial arterial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) 80-120 mmHg und partial arterial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) 35-45 mmHg during the initial 96 h of hospitalization in 4 hour-intervals.

RESULTS

Overall, 70.7% of all measurements were within the predetermined therapeutic ranges including SBP (71.3%), temperature (68.3%), MAP (71.4%), PaO2 (65.2%), PaCO2 (75.0%) and blood glucose (80.7%).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

This multicenter study demonstrates adherence to guideline-based treatment targets, underscoring the high standards maintained by neurological intensive care units. Our study offers valuable insights into adherence to guideline-based treatment targets for neurocritical care patients in Germany. To improve patient care and optimize therapeutic strategies in neurovascular diseases, further research is needed to examine the impact of these adherence parameters on long-term outcomes.

Effects of PEEP on intracranial pressure in patients with acute brain injury: An observational, prospective and multicenter study

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the impact of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) changes on intracranial pressure (ICP) dynamics in patients with acute brain injury (ABI).

DESIGN

Observational, prospective and multicenter study (PEEP-PIC study).

SETTING

Seventeen intensive care units in Spain.

PATIENTS

Neurocritically ill patients who underwent invasive neuromonitorization from November 2017 to June 2018.

INTERVENTIONS

Baseline ventilatory, hemodynamic and neuromonitoring variables were collected immediately before PEEP changes and during the following 30 min.

MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST

PEEP and ICP changes.

RESULTS

One-hundred and nine patients were included. Mean age was 52.68 (15.34) years, male 71 (65.13%). Traumatic brain injury was the cause of ABI in 54 (49.54%) patients. Length of mechanical ventilation was 16.52 (9.23) days. In-hospital mortality was 21.1%. PEEP increases (mean 6.24-9.10 cmH2O) resulted in ICP increase from 10.4 to 11.39 mmHg, P < .001, without changes in cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) (P = .548). PEEP decreases (mean 8.96 to 6.53 cmH2O) resulted in ICP decrease from 10.5 to 9.62 mmHg (P = .052), without changes in CPP (P = .762). Significant correlations were established between the increase of ICP and the delta PEEP (R = 0.28, P < .001), delta driving pressure (R = 0.15, P = .038) and delta compliance (R = -0.14, P = .052). ICP increment was higher in patients with lower baseline ICP.

CONCLUSIONS

PEEP changes were not associated with clinically relevant modifications in ICP values in ABI patients. The magnitude of the change in ICP after PEEP increase was correlated with the delta of PEEP, the delta driving pressure and the delta compliance.

Evaluation of the last 2 decades in the characteristics of presentation, management and prognosis of serious spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in a third level hospital

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the change in the characteristics of presentation, evolution and treatment in the ICU, as well as the functional evolution at 12 months of spontaneous intracranial hemorrhages (ICHs) treated in an ICU reference center.

PATIENT AND METHODS

Descriptive, retrospective study in a Neurocritical Reference Hospital. All admissions of patients with HICE during three periods are studied: 1999-2001 (I), 2015-2016 (II) and 2020-2021 (III). Evolution in the three periods of demographic variables, baseline characteristics of the patients, clinical variables and characteristics of bleeding, evolutionary data in the ICU are studied. At one year we assessed the GOS scale (Glasgow Outcome Score) according to whether they had a poor (GOS 1-3) or good (GOS 4-5) prognosis.

RESULTS

300 admitted patients, distributed in periods: I: 28.7%, II: 36.3% and III: 35%. 56.7% were males aged 66 (55.5-74) years; ICH score 2 (1-3). The ICU stay was 5 (2-14) days with a mortality of 36.8%. GOS 1-3 a year in 67.3% and GOS 4-5 in 32.7%. Comparing the three periods, we observed a higher prevalence in women, and the presence of cardiovascular factors; no changes in etiology; in relation to the location, it increases cerebellar hemorrhage and in the brainstem. Although the severity was greater, the stay in the ICU, the use of invasive mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy were lower. Open surgery has decreased its use by 50%. Mortality continues to be high, stagnating in the ICU at 35% and entails a high degree of disability one year after assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe ICH is a complex pathology that has changed some characteristics in the last two decades, with more severe patients, with more cardiovascular history and a greater predominance of brainstem and cerebellar hemorrhage. Despite the increase in severity, better parameters during the ICU stay, with open surgery used 50% less. Mortality remains stagnant at 35% with high disability per year.

Rehabilitative intervention for successful decannulation in adult patients with acquired brain injury and tracheostomy: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Tracheostomy and dysphagia are independently associated with increased complications and poorer functional outcome after acquired brain injury (ABI). The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate rehabilitation to restore functional swallowing ability and respiratory capacity during tracheal tube weaning.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Any study design with adult patients with ABI and tracheostomy was eligible. The primary outcome was decannulation.

RESULTS

A total of 2647 records were identified and eight papers included. Four studies investigated pharyngeal electrical stimulation (PES), two explored Facial Oral Tract Therapy (F.O.T.T.), one respiratory physiotherapy (RPT), and one study investigated external subglottic air flow (ESAF). Two RCTs found a significant difference between intervention and control on successful decannulation and readiness for decannulation in favour of PES. Time from rehabilitation admission and tracheostomy to decannulation was significantly reduced after implementing an F.O.T.T.-based protocol.

CONCLUSION

Four interventions were identified, PES, F.O.T.T., RPT, and ESAF, all aimed at increasing oropharyngeal sensory input through stimulation. Due to heterogeneity of interventions, designs and outcome measures, effect could not be estimated. This review highlights the limited research on rehabilitative interventions and thus the limited evidence to guide clinical rehabilitation.

Effects of positive end-expiratory pressure on intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, and brain oxygenation in acute brain injury: Friend or foe? A scoping review

Background

Patients with acute brain injury (ABI) are a peculiar population because ABI does not only affect the brain but also other organs such as the lungs, as theorized in brain-lung crosstalk models. ABI patients often require mechanical ventilation (MV) to avoid the complications of impaired respiratory function that can follow ABI; MV should be settled with meticulousness owing to its effects on the intracranial compartment, especially regarding positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). This scoping review aimed to (1) describe the physiological basis and mechanisms related to the effects of PEEP in ABI; (2) examine how clinical research is conducted on this topic; (3) identify methods for setting PEEP in ABI; and (4) investigate the impact of the application of PEEP in ABI on the outcome.

Methods

The five-stage paradigm devised by Peters et al. and expanded by Arksey and O'Malley, Levac et al., and the Joanna Briggs Institute was used for methodology. We also adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension criteria. Inclusion criteria: we compiled all scientific data from peer-reviewed journals and studies that discussed the application of PEEP and its impact on intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, and brain oxygenation in adult patients with ABI. Exclusion criteria: studies that only examined a pediatric patient group (those under the age of 18), experiments conducted solely on animals; studies without intracranial pressure and/or cerebral perfusion pressure determinations, and studies with incomplete information. Two authors searched and screened for inclusion in papers published up to July 2023 using the PubMed-indexed online database. Data were presented in narrative and tubular form.

Results

The initial search yielded 330 references on the application of PEEP in ABI, of which 36 met our inclusion criteria. PEEP has recognized beneficial effects on gas exchange, but it produces hemodynamic changes that should be predicted to avoid undesired consequences on cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure. Moreover, the elastic properties of the lungs influence the transmission of the forces applied by MV over the brain so they should be taken into consideration. Currently, there are no specific tools that can predict the effect of PEEP on the brain, but there is an established need for a comprehensive monitoring approach for these patients, acknowledging the etiology of ABI and the measurable variables to personalize MV.

Conclusion

PEEP can be safely used in patients with ABI to improve gas exchange keeping in mind its potentially harmful effects, which can be predicted with adequate monitoring supported by bedside non-invasive neuromonitoring tools.

Crosstalk Between the Nervous System and Systemic Organs in Acute Brain Injury

Organ crosstalk is a complex biological communication between distal organs mediated via cellular, soluble, and neurohormonal actions, based on a two-way pathway. The communication between the central nervous system and peripheral organs involves nerves, endocrine, and immunity systems as well as the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain. Particularly, acute brain injury is complicated by neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration causing multiorgan inflammation, microbial dysbiosis, gastrointestinal dysfunction and dysmotility, liver dysfunction, acute kidney injury, and cardiac dysfunction. Organ crosstalk has become increasingly popular, although the information is still limited. The present narrative review provides an update on the crosstalk between the nervous system and systemic organs after acute brain injury. Future research might help to target this pathophysiological process, preventing the progression toward multiorgan dysfunction in critically ill patients with brain injury.

Pressure-support compared with pressure-controlled ventilation mitigates lung and brain injury in experimental acute ischemic stroke in rats

BACKGROUND

We aimed to evaluate the pulmonary and cerebral effects of low-tidal volume ventilation in pressure-support (PSV) and pressure-controlled (PCV) modes at two PEEP levels in acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

METHODS

In this randomized experimental study, AIS was induced by thermocoagulation in 30 healthy male Wistar rats. After 24 h, AIS animals were randomly assigned to PSV or PCV with VT = 6 mL/kg and PEEP = 2 cmH2O (PSV-PEEP2 and PCV-PEEP2) or PEEP = 5 cmH2O (PSV-PEEP5 and PCV-PEEP5) for 2 h. Lung mechanics, arterial blood gases, and echocardiography were evaluated before and after the experiment. Lungs and brain tissue were removed for histologic and molecular biology analysis. The primary endpoint was diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) score; secondary endpoints included brain histology and brain and lung molecular biology markers.

RESULTS

In lungs, DAD was lower with PSV-PEEP5 than PCV-PEEP5 (p < 0.001); interleukin (IL)-1β was lower with PSV-PEEP2 than PCV-PEEP2 (p = 0.016) and PSV-PEEP5 than PCV-PEEP5 (p = 0.046); zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) was lower in PCV-PEEP5 than PCV-PEEP2 (p = 0.042). In brain, necrosis, hemorrhage, neuropil edema, and CD45 + microglia were lower in PSV than PCV animals at PEEP = 2 cmH2O (p = 0.036, p = 0.025, p = 0.018, p = 0.011, respectively) and PEEP = 5 cmH2O (p = 0.003, p = 0.003, p = 0.007, p = 0.003, respectively); IL-1β was lower while ZO-1 was higher in PSV-PEEP2 than PCV-PEEP2 (p = 0.009, p = 0.007, respectively), suggesting blood-brain barrier integrity. Claudin-5 was higher in PSV-PEEP2 than PSV-PEEP5 (p = 0.036).

CONCLUSION

In experimental AIS, PSV compared with PCV reduced lung and brain injury. Lung ZO-1 reduced in PCV with PEEP = 2 versus PEEP = 5 cmH2O, while brain claudin-5 increased in PSV with PEEP = 2 versus PEEP = 5 cmH2O.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia in neurocritically ill patients: insights from the ENIO international prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Acute brain injured (ABI) patients are at high risk of developing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). However, incidence, risk factors and effects on outcome of VAP are not completely elucidated in this population. The primary aim of this study was to determine the incidence of VAP in a cohort of ABI patients. The secondary objectives included the identification of risk factors for development of VAP, and the impact of VAP on clinical outcomes. Clinical outcomes were defined as intensive care unit length of stay (ICU-LOS), duration of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and ICU mortality.

METHODS

Pre-planned sub-analysis of the Extubation strategies in Neuro-Intensive care unit (ICU) patients and associations with Outcomes (ENIO) international multi-center prospective observational study. Patients with available data on VAP, who received at least 48 h of IMV and ICU-LOS ≥ 72 h were included.

RESULTS

Out of 1512 patients included in the ENIO study, 1285 were eligible for this analysis. The prevalence of VAP was 39.5% (33.7 cases /1000 ventilator-days), with a high heterogeneity across countries and according to the type of brain injury. VAP was significantly more frequent in male patients, in those with smoke habits and when intraparenchymal probe (IP), external ventricular drain (EVD) or hypothermia (p < 0.001) were used. Independent risk factors for VAP occurrence were male gender, the use of IP, hypothermia, and the occurrence of tracheobronchitis during ICU stay. VAP was not an independent risk factor for ICU mortality (Hazard Ratio, HR = 0.71 95%CI 0.43-1.16, p = 0.168), but was independently associated with longer ICU stay (OR = 2.55 95%CI 2.01-3.23, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

VAP is common in ABI patients. Male gender, IP and EVD insertion, tracheobronchitis, and the use of therapeutic hypothermia were significantly associated with VAP occurrence. VAP did not affect mortality but increased ICU-LOS.

Ventilatory targets following brain injury

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Recent studies have focused on identifying optimal targets and strategies of mechanical ventilation in patients with acute brain injury (ABI). The present review will summarize these findings and provide practical guidance to titrate ventilatory settings at the bedside, with a focus on managing potential brain-lung conflicts.

RECENT FINDINGS

Physiologic studies have elucidated the impact of low tidal volume ventilation and varying levels of positive end expiratory pressure on intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion. Epidemiologic studies have reported the association of different thresholds of tidal volume, plateau pressure, driving pressure, mechanical power, and arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations with mortality and neurologic outcomes in patients with ABI. The data collectively make clear that injurious ventilation in this population is associated with worse outcomes; however, optimal ventilatory targets remain poorly defined.

SUMMARY

Although direct data to guide mechanical ventilation in brain-injured patients is accumulating, the current evidence base remains limited. Ventilatory considerations in this population should be extrapolated from high-quality evidence in patients without brain injury - keeping in mind relevant effects on intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion in patients with ABI and individualizing the chosen strategy to manage brain-lung conflicts where necessary.

Mechanical Ventilation in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: Is it so Different?

Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) frequently require invasive mechanical ventilation and admission to an intensive care unit. Ventilation of patients with TBI poses unique clinical challenges, and careful attention is required to ensure that the ventilatory strategy (including selection of appropriate tidal volume, plateau pressure, and positive end-expiratory pressure) does not cause significant additional injury to the brain and lungs. Selection of ventilatory targets may be guided by principles of lung protection but with careful attention to relevant intracranial effects. In patients with TBI and concomitant acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), adjunctive strategies include sedation optimization, neuromuscular blockade, recruitment maneuvers, prone positioning, and extracorporeal life support. However, these approaches have been largely extrapolated from studies in patients with ARDS and without brain injury, with limited data in patients with TBI. This narrative review will summarize the existing evidence for mechanical ventilation in patients with TBI. Relevant literature in patients with ARDS will be summarized, and where available, direct data in the TBI population will be reviewed. Next, practical strategies to optimize the delivery of mechanical ventilation and determine readiness for extubation will be reviewed. Finally, future directions for research in this evolving clinical domain will be presented, with considerations for the design of studies to address relevant knowledge gaps.

Brain-lung interactions and mechanical ventilation in patients with isolated brain injury

During the last decade, experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated that isolated acute brain injury (ABI) may cause severe dysfunction of peripheral extracranial organs and systems. Of all potential target organs and systems, the lung appears to be the most vulnerable to damage after brain injury (BI). The pathophysiology of these brain–lung interactions are complex and involve neurogenic pulmonary oedema, inflammation, neurodegeneration, neurotransmitters, immune suppression and dysfunction of the autonomic system. The systemic effects of inflammatory mediators in patients with BI create a systemic inflammatory environment that makes extracranial organs vulnerable to secondary procedures that enhance inflammation, such as mechanical ventilation (MV), surgery and infections. Indeed, previous studies have shown that in the presence of a systemic inflammatory environment, specific neurointensive care interventions—such as MV—may significantly contribute to the development of lung injury, regardless of the underlying mechanisms. Although current knowledge supports protective ventilation in patients with BI, it must be born in mind that ABI-related lung injury has distinct mechanisms that involve complex interactions between the brain and lungs. In this context, the role of extracerebral pathophysiology, especially in the lungs, has often been overlooked, as most physicians focus on intracranial injury and cerebral dysfunction. The present review aims to fill this gap by describing the pathophysiology of complications due to lung injuries in patients with a single ABI, and discusses the possible impact of MV in neurocritical care patients with normal lungs.