Non-invasive ventilation in immunosuppressed patients with pneumonia and extrapulmonary sepsis

The Impact of Delayed Transition From Noninvasive to Invasive Mechanical Ventilation on Hospital Mortality in Immunocompromised Patients With Sepsis

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether mortality differed between initial invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) or noninvasive ventilation (NIV) followed by delayed IMV in immunocompromised patients with sepsis.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis using the National Data Center for Medical Service claims data in China from 2017 to 2019.

SETTING

A total of 3530 hospitals across China.

PATIENTS

A total of 36,187 adult immunocompromised patients with sepsis requiring ventilation.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The primary outcome was hospital mortality. Patients were categorized into NIV initiation or IMV initiation groups based on first ventilation. NIV patients were further divided by time to IMV transition: no transition, immediate (≤ 1 d), early (2-3 d), delayed (4-7 d), or late (≥ 8 d). Mortality was compared between groups using weighted Cox models. Over the median 9-day follow-up, mortality was similar for initial NIV versus IMV (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.006; 95% CI, 0.959-1.055). However, among NIV patients, a longer time to IMV transition is associated with stepwise increases in mortality, from immediate transition (HR 1.65) to late transition (HR 2.51), compared with initial IMV. This dose-response relationship persisted across subgroups and sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Prolonged NIV trial before delayed IMV transition is associated with higher mortality in immunocompromised sepsis patients ultimately intubated.

Association between timing of intubation and clinical outcomes of critically ill patients: A meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Optimal timing of intubation is controversial. We attempted to investigate the association between timing of intubation and clinical outcomes of critically ill patients.

METHODS

PubMed was systematically searched for studies reporting on mortality of critically ill patients undergoing early versus late intubation. Studies involving patients with new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were excluded because a relevant meta-analysis has been published. "Early" intubation was defined according to the authors of the included studies. All-cause mortality was the primary outcome. Pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random effects model. The meta-analysis was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021284850).

RESULTS

In total, 27 studies involving 15,441 intubated patients (11,943 early, 3498 late) were included. All-cause mortality was lower in patients undergoing early versus late intubation (7338 deaths; 45.8% versus 53.5%; RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.87-0.97; p = 0.001). This was also the case in the sensitivity analysis of studies defining "early" as intubation within 24 h from admission in the intensive care unit (6279 deaths; 45.8% versus 53.6%; RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.89-0.98; p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Avoiding late intubation may be associated with lower mortality in critically ill patients without COVID-19.

Survival in Immunocompromised Patients Ultimately Requiring Invasive Mechanical Ventilation: A Pooled Individual Patient Data Analysis

Rationale: Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is associated with high mortality in immunocompromised patients, particularly when invasive mechanical ventilation is needed. Therefore, noninvasive oxygenation/ventilation strategies have been developed to avoid intubation, with uncertain impact on mortality, especially when intubation is delayed. Objectives: We sought to report trends of survival over time in immunocompromised patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation. The impact of delayed intubation after failure of noninvasive strategies was also assessed. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis using individual patient data of studies that focused on immunocompromised adult patients with ARF requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. Studies published in English were identified through PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central (2008-2018). Individual patient data were requested from corresponding authors for all identified studies. We used mixed-effect models to estimate the effect of delayed intubation on hospital mortality and described mortality rates over time. Measurements and Main Results: A total of 11,087 patients were included (24 studies, three controlled trials, and 21 cohorts), of whom 7,736 (74%) were intubated within 24 hours of ICU admission (early intubation). The crude mortality rate was 53.2%. Adjusted survivals improved over time (from 1995 to 2017, odds ratio [OR] for hospital mortality per year, 0.96 [0.95-0.97]). For each elapsed day between ICU admission and intubation, mortality was higher (OR, 1.38 [1.26-1.52]; P < 0.001). Early intubation was significantly associated with lower mortality (OR, 0.83 [0.72-0.96]), regardless of initial oxygenation strategy. These results persisted after propensity score analysis (matched OR associated with delayed intubation, 1.56 [1.44-1.70]). Conclusions: In immunocompromised intubated patients, survival has improved over time. Time between ICU admission and intubation is a strong predictor of mortality, suggesting a detrimental effect of late initial oxygenation failure.

Reduce Mortality and Morbidity in Acute Myeloid Leukemia With Hyperleukocytosis With Early Admission in Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Analysis

Background

Patients presenting with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at diagnosis are at high risk of severe complications and death, particularly with high white blood cell (WBC) count. In this retrospective study, we evaluate interest of early and systematic support in the intensive care unit (ICU) for AML with hyperleukocytosis (AML-HL) at diagnosis.

Methods

Patients with AML-HL, defined by WBC > 50 × 10⁹/L, primary referred in ICU (“Early ICU”) without organ failure and before initiating chemotherapy induction were compared to patients first admitted in the Hematology Department who required a secondary transfer in ICU (“Late ICU”) or not (“No ICU”). Primary end point was mortality during the first month, and secondary end points were the use of life-sustaining therapies in ICU and risk factors for ICU transfer and mortality.

Results

One hundred fifty-four patients were included: 77 (50%) to the group “No ICU”, 18 (12%) to “Late ICU” and 59 (38%) to “Early ICU”. Mortality at day 30 was higher in “Late ICU” than in “Early ICU” and “No ICU”, with 27.8%; 16.9% and 2.6% respectively (P < 0.001). “Late ICU” patients had an increased use of life-sustaining therapy comparing to “Early ICU” patients (56% vs. 29%, P = 0.04).

Conclusions

Early referral to ICU reduces morbidity and seems an effective strategy to reduce short-term mortality in AML-HL at diagnosis.

Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in lung transplant recipients with acute respiratory failure: Beyond the perioperative period

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to evaluate outcomes in MICU lung transplant recipients with acute respiratory failure treated with non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) and identify factors associated with NPPV failure (need for intubation).

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of all lung transplant recipients who were admitted with acute respiratory failure to the MICU from January 2009-August 2016 was completed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine which factors were independently associated with NPPV failure.

RESULTS

Of 156 patients included in the study, 125 (80.1%) were tried on NPPV. Sixty-eight (54.4%) were managed successfully with NPPV with a hospital survival rate of 94.1%. Subjects who failed NPPV had higher hospital mortality, similar to those intubated from the outset (15 [48.3%]; 22 [38.6%], p = .37). In multivariate analyses, APACHE III scores >78 (9.717 [3.346, 28.22]) and PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 151 (4.54 [1.72, 11.99]) were associated with greater likelihood of NPPV failure. There was no difference in NPPV failure based on the presence of BOS. In patients with high severity of illness, there was no difference in mortality between initial IMV and NPPV failure when stratified on the basis of hypoxemia (PaO2/FiO2 > 151, p-value 0.34; PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 151, p-value 0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

NPPV is a viable option for lung transplant recipients with acute respiratory failure. Extreme caution should be exercised when used in patients with high severity of illness (APACHE III >78) and/or severe hypoxemia (PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 151).

High-flow oxygen therapy in immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory failure: A review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Acute respiratory failure remains a common hazardous complication in immunocompromised patients and is associated with increased mortality rates when endotracheal intubation is need. We aimed to evaluate the effect of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC) compared with other oxygen technique for this patient population.

METHODS

We searched Cochrane library, Embase, PubMed databases before Aug. 15, 2017 for eligible articles. A meta-analysis was performed for measuring short-term mortality (defined as ICU, hospital or 28-days mortality) and intubation rate as the primary outcomes, and length of stay in ICU as the secondary outcome.

RESULTS

We included seven studies involving 667 patients. Use of HFNC was significantly association with a reduction in short-term mortality (RR 0.66; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.84, p=0.0007) and intubation rate (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.90; p=0.002). In addition, HFNC did not significant increase length of stay in ICU (MD 0.15days; 95% CI, -2.08 to 2.39; p=0.89).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of current meta-analysis suggest that use of HFNC significantly improve outcomes of acute respiratory failure in immunocompromised patients. Owing to the quality of the included studies, further adequately powered randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm our results.

High-flow Nasal Cannula Versus Noninvasive Ventilation for Treatment of Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure in Renal Transplant Recipients

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy compared with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for the treatment of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure in renal transplant recipients.

METHODS

Data were retrospectively collected from a tertiary intensive care unit (ICU) from July 1, 2011, to September 31, 2015. All renal recipients who had acute respiratory failure at that period of time were classified into the HFNC or NIV group depending on the initial form of respiratory support.

RESULTS

A total of 38 patients were enrolled in this study. Twenty patients received HFNC and the other 18 received NIV as the initial respiratory support. The ICU mortality in the HFNC group was 5% (1 patient), compared with 22.2% (4 patients) in the NIV group (P = .083). The median length of the ICU stay was 12 days in the HFNC group, compared with 14 days in the NIV group (P = .297). The number of ventilator-free days at day 28 was significantly higher in the HFNC group than in the NIV group (26 ± 3 vs 21 ± 3; P < .001). The incidences of both pneumothorax (0% vs 22.2%; P = .042) and skin breakdown (0% vs 22.2%; P = .042) were significantly lower in the HFNC group.

CONCLUSIONS

In renal transplant recipients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure secondary to severe pneumonia, HFNC achieved outcomes similar to NIV. In addition, HFNC was associated with an increased number of ventilator-free days at day 28 and fewer complications.

Use of noninvasive ventilation in immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Acute respiratory failure (ARF) remains a common hazardous complication in immunocompromised patients and is associated with increased mortality rates when endotracheal intubation is needed. We aimed to evaluate the effect of early noninvasive ventilation (NIV) compared with oxygen therapy alone in this patient population.

Methods

We searched for relevant studies in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane database up to 25 July 2016. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included if they reported data on any of the predefined outcomes in immunocompromised patients managed with NIV or oxygen therapy alone. Results were expressed as risk ratio (RR) and mean difference (MD) with accompanying 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Five RCTs with 592 patients were included. Early NIV significantly reduced short-term mortality (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.97, p = 0.04) and intubation rate (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.85, p = 0.01) when compared with oxygen therapy alone, with significant heterogeneity in these two outcomes between the pooled studies. In addition, early NIV was associated with a shorter length of ICU stay (MD −1.71 days, 95% CI −2.98 to 1.44, p = 0.008) but not long-term mortality (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.15, p = 0.46).

Conclusions

The limited evidence indicates that early use of NIV could reduce short-term mortality in selected immunocompromised patients with ARF. Further studies are needed to identify in which selected patients NIV could be more beneficial, before wider application of this ventilator strategy.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13054-016-1586-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Noninvasive Ventilation in Patients With Hematologic Malignancy

INTRODUCTION

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is commonly used as first-line therapy for immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory failure. However, it may not be appropriate for all patients, as failure of NIV and delayed endotracheal intubation (ETI) may increase mortality. We report our center's experience and outcomes for patients with active hematologic malignancy (HM) treated with NIV.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of consecutive patients with HM who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Mount Sinai Hospital for acute respiratory failure between January 1, 2010, and May 31, 2015, and were initially treated with NIV. We compared the characteristics of patients who were successfully treated with NIV and avoided intubation and those who failed NIV.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine patients (mean age 56 ± 14 years, mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score 27 ± 5) with HM were treated with NIV for acute respiratory failure. The etiology of respiratory failure was multifactorial in 31 (39%) patients, with features of pneumonia in 61 (77%) patients, severe sepsis or septic shock in 33 (42%) patients, and pulmonary edema in 24 (30%) patients. The majority of patients were admitted with acute leukemia (n = 60, 76%), 8 (10%) with lymphoma, and 11 (14%) with chronic leukemia, multiple myeloma, or myelodysplastic syndrome. Of the 79 patients treated with NIV, 44 (56%) failed NIV and required ETI, 7 (9%) had a do-not-intubate (DNI) order and died, and 28 (35%) avoided ETI. Compared with patients who avoided ETI, those who failed NIV or had a DNI order and died were more likely to have acute leukemia (84% vs 61%; P = .02) and at baseline had higher Paco2 (39 vs 30; P = .038), higher fraction of inspired oxygen (Fio2) requirements (0.6 vs 0.4; P = .002), and more vasopressor use (31% vs 11%; P = .059). The ICU mortality was 42%; 3-month mortality was 57% overall and was significantly lower in the NIV success patients compared with the NIV failure group (21% vs 74%; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Two-thirds of patients with HM and respiratory failure failed NIV and required ETI, and had high subsequent mortality. Patients who failed NIV had higher Paco2, higher Fio2, and a trend toward more vasopressor use.

Non-invasive mechanical ventilation in elderly patients: A narrative review

The treatment of acute respiratory failure with non-invasive ventilation (NIV) as a first-line therapy is increasingly common in intensive care units. The reduced invasiveness of NIV leads to better outcomes than endotracheal intubation in carefully selected groups of patients. Furthermore, the use of NIV as a palliative treatment for respiratory failure and dyspnea has become increasingly common. NIV also has an impact on the use of "do not intubate" orders. In the present narrative review, we explore the use and outcome of NIV in elderly patients. To accomplish this, we reviewed the most recent available medical literature. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 689-696.

High-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy versus noninvasive ventilation in immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory failure: an observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

Acute respiratory failure is the main cause of admission to intensive care unit in immunocompromised patients. In this subset of patients, the beneficial effects of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) as compared to standard oxygen remain debated. High-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC) is an alternative to standard oxygen or NIV, and its use in hypoxemic patients has been growing. Therefore, we aimed to compare outcomes of immunocompromised patients treated using HFNC alone or NIV as a first-line therapy for acute respiratory failure in an observational cohort study over an 8-year period. Patients with acute-on-chronic respiratory failure, those treated with standard oxygen alone or needing immediate intubation, and those with a do-not-intubate order were excluded.

RESULTS

Among the 115 patients analyzed, 60 (52 %) were treated with HFNC alone and 55 (48 %) with NIV as first-line therapy with 30 patients (55 %) receiving HFNC and 25 patients (45 %) standard oxygen between NIV sessions. The rates of intubation and 28-day mortality were higher in patients treated with NIV than with HFNC (55 vs. 35 %, p = 0.04, and 40 vs. 20 %, p = 0.02 log-rank test, respectively). Using propensity score-matched analysis, NIV was associated with mortality. Using multivariate analysis, NIV was independently associated with intubation and mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on this observational cohort study including immunocompromised patients admitted to intensive care unit for acute respiratory failure, intubation and mortality rates could be lower in patients treated with HFNC alone than with NIV. The use of NIV remained independently associated with poor outcomes.

New puzzles for the use of non-invasive ventilation for immunosuppressed patients

On October 27, 2015, Lemile and colleagues published an article in JAMA entitled "Effect of Noninvasive Ventilation vs. Oxygen Therapy on Mortality among Immunocompromised Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure: A Randomized Clinical Trial", which investigated the effects of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in 28-day mortality of 374 critically ill immunosuppressed patients. The authors found that among immunosuppressed patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with hypoxemic acute respiratory failure, early NIV compared with oxygen therapy alone did not reduce 28-day mortality. Furthermore, different from the previous publications, there were no significant differences in ICU-acquired infections, duration of mechanical ventilation, or lengths of ICU or hospital stays. The study power was limited, median oxygen flow used was higher than used before or 9 L/min, NIV settings provided tidal volumes higher than what is considered protective nowadays or from 7 to 10 mL/kg of ideal body weight and the hypoxemic respiratory failure was moderate to severe (median PaO2/FIO2 was around 140), a group prone to failure in noninvasive ventilatory support. Doubts arose regarding the early use of NIV in immunosuppressed critically ill patients with non-hypercapnic hypoxemic respiratory failure that need to be solved in the near future.

Performance of noninvasive ventilation in acute respiratory failure in critically ill patients: a prospective, observational, cohort study

BACKGROUND

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is used in critically ill patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) to avoid endotracheal intubation. However, the impact of NIV use on ARF patient's outcomes is still unclear. Our objectives were to evaluate the rate of NIV failure in hypoxemic patients with an arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO2) < 45 mmHg or ≥ 45 mmHg at ICU admission, the predictors of NIV failure, ICU and hospital length of stay and 28-day mortality.

METHODS

Prospective single center cohort study. All consecutive patients admitted to a mixed ICU during a three-month period who received NIV, except for palliative care purposes, were included in this study. Demographic data, APACHE II score, cause of ARF, number of patients that received NIV, incidence of NIV failure, length of ICU, hospital stay and mortality rate were compared between NIV failure and success groups.

RESULTS

Eighty-five from 462 patients (18.4 %) received NIV and 26/85 (30.6 %) required invasive mechanical ventilation. NIV failure patients were comparatively younger (67 ± 21 vs. 77 ± 14 years; p = 0.031), had lower arterial bicarbonate (p = 0.005), lower PaCO2 levels (p = 0.032), higher arterial lactate levels (p = 0.046) and APACHE II score (p = 0.034) compared to NIV success patients. NIV failure occurred in 25.0 % of patients with PaCO2 ≥ 45 mmHg and in 33.3 % of patients with PaCO2 < 45 mmHg (p = 0.435). NIV failure was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital death (OR 4.64, 95 % CI 1.52 to 14.18; p = 0.007) and length [median (IQR)] of ICU [12 days (8-31) vs. 2 days (1-4); p < 0.001] and hospital [30 (19-42) vs. 15 (9-33) days; p = 0.010] stay. Predictors of NIV failure included age (OR 0.96, 95 % CI 0.93 to 0.99; p = 0.007) and APACHE II score (OR 1.13, 95 % CI 1.02 to 1.25; p = 0.018).

CONCLUSION

NIV failure was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital death, ICU and hospital stay and was not affected by baseline PaCO2 levels. Patients that failed were comparatively younger and had higher APACHE II score, suggesting the need for a careful selection of patients that might benefit from NIV. A well-designed study on the impact of a short monitored NIV trial on outcomes is needed.

Pathophysiological Basis of Acute Respiratory Failure on Non-Invasive Mechanical Ventilation

Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) was created for patients who needed noninvasive ventilator support, this procedure decreases the complications associated with the use of endotracheal intubation (ETT). The application of NIMV has acquired major relevance in the last few years in the management of acute respiratory failure (ARF), in patients with hypoxemic and hypercapnic failure. The main advantage of NIMV as compared to invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) is that it can be used earlier outside intensive care units (ICUs). The evidence strongly supports its use in patients with COPD exacerbation, support in weaning process in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema (ACPE), and Immunosuppressed patients. On the other hand, there is poor evidence that supports the use of NIMV in other pathologies such as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and during procedures as bronchoscopy, where its use is still controversial because the results of these studies are inconclusive against the decrease in the rate of intubation or mortality.

Effects of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation on oxygenation status and prognosis in patients with acute paraquat-induced lung injury

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) on oxygenation status and prognosis in patients with acute lung injury induced by paraquat (PQ) poisoning.

METHODS

Patients with acute PQ-induced lung injury treated with NIPPV were admitted to an emergency intensive care unit. Changes in oxygenation status (respiratory rate and the partial pressure of alveolar O2 and CO2 [PaO2 and PaCO2, respectively]) after initial NIPPV were observed. Differences in inspiratory pressure (PI) between nonsurvivors and survivors were compared. The relationship between PI and the prognosis of patients with acute PQ-induced lung injury was evaluated.

FINDINGS

A total of 86 patients (47 women, 39 men; mean age, 33.5 [24.5] years [range, 22-61 years]) were included. There were significant differences in respiratory rate, PaO2, and PaCO2 from before to after initial NIPPV (respiratory rate, 35 [14] vs 26 [16] min(-1) [P = 0.037]; PaO2, 61.8 [19.6] vs 73.5 [26.8] mm Hg [P = 0.046]; and PaCO2, 27.7 [16.4] vs 34.6 [19.2] mm Hg [P = 0.039]). The overall mortality rate was 75.6% (65/86) during a 28-day follow-up period. We observed a significant difference in initial PI (PIinit) between nonsurvivors and survivors (8.2 [4.3] vs 6.6 [3.8] cm H2O; P = 0.043). Furthermore, nonsurvivors had a greater maximal PI (PImax) than did survivors (21.6 [9.8] vs 15.4 [8.5] cm H2O; P = 0.022). Correlation analysis revealed that both PIinit and PImax were associated with a poor prognosis in patients with acute PQ-induced lung injury (PIinit, r = -0.29 [P = 0.038]; PImax, r = -0.31 [P = 0.042]).

IMPLICATIONS

NIPPV may effectively improve oxygenation status in patients with acute PQ-induced lung injury, thereby relieving dyspnea and promoting the recovery of pulmonary function. PIinit and PImax may be important determinants of prognosis in acute PQ-induced lung injury. These findings need further verification in a large-scale, multicenter, randomized controlled study that combines other factors with a relatively long-term follow-up.

Nasal high-flow oxygen therapy in patients with hypoxic respiratory failure: effect on functional and subjective respiratory parameters compared to conventional oxygen therapy and non-invasive ventilation (NIV)

Background

Aim of the study was to compare the short-term effects of oxygen therapy via a high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) on functional and subjective respiratory parameters in patients with acute hypoxic respiratory failure in comparison to non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and standard treatment via a Venturi mask.

Methods

Fourteen patients with acute hypoxic respiratory failure were treated with HFNC (FiO₂ 0.6, gas flow 55 l/min), NIV (FiO₂ 0.6, PEEP 5 cm H₂O Hg, tidal volume 6–8 ml/kg ideal body weight,) and Venturi mask (FiO₂ 0.6, oxygen flow 15 l/min,) in a randomized order for 30 min each. Data collection included objective respiratory and circulatory parameters as well as a subjective rating of dyspnea and discomfort by the patients on a 10-point scale. In a final interview, all three methods were comparatively evaluated by each patient using a scale from 1 (=very good) to 6 (=failed) and the patients were asked to choose one method for further treatment.

Results

PaO₂ was highest under NIV (129 ± 38 mmHg) compared to HFNC (101 ± 34 mmHg, p <0.01 vs. NIV) and VM (85 ± 21 mmHg, p <0.001 vs. NIV, p <0.01 vs. HFNC, ANOVA). All other functional parameters showed no relevant differences. In contrast, dyspnea was significantly better using a HFNC (2.9 ± 2.1, 10-point Borg scale) compared to NIV (5.0 ± 3.3, p <0.05), whereas dyspnea rating under HFNC and VM (3.3 ± 2.3) was not significantly different. A similar pattern was found when patients rated their overall discomfort on the 10 point scale: HFNC 2.7 ± 1.8, VM 3.1 ± 2.8 (ns vs. HFNC), NIV 5.4 ± 3.1 (p <0.05 vs. HFNC). In the final evaluation patients gave the best ratings to HFNC 2.3 ± 1.4, followed by VM 3.2 ± 1.7 (ns vs. HFNC) and NIV 4.5 ± 1.7 (p <0.01 vs. HFNC and p <0.05 vs. VM). For further treatment 10 patients chose HFNC, three VM and one NIV.

Conclusions

In hypoxic respiratory failure HFNC offers a good balance between oxygenation and comfort compared to NIV and Venturi mask and seems to be well tolerated by patients.

Trial registration

German clinical trials register: DRKS00005132.

Timing of noninvasive ventilation failure: causes, risk factors, and potential remedies

Background

Identifying the predictors of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) failure has attracted significant interest because of the strong link between failure and poor outcomes. However, very little attention has been paid to the timing of the failure. This narrative review focuses on the causes of NIV failure and risk factors and potential remedies for NIV failure, based on the timing factor.

Results

The possible causes of immediate failure (within minutes to <1 h) are a weak cough reflex, excessive secretions, hypercapnic encephalopathy, intolerance, agitation, and patient-ventilator asynchrony. The major potential interventions include chest physiotherapeutic techniques, early fiberoptic bronchoscopy, changing ventilator settings, and judicious sedation. The risk factors for early failure (within 1 to 48 h) may differ for hypercapnic and hypoxemic respiratory failure. However, most cases of early failure are due to poor arterial blood gas (ABGs) and an inability to promptly correct them, increased severity of illness, and the persistence of a high respiratory rate. Despite a satisfactory initial response, late failure (48 h after NIV) can occur and may be related to sleep disturbance.

Conclusions

Every clinician dealing with NIV should be aware of these risk factors and the predicted parameters of NIV failure that may change during the application of NIV. Close monitoring is required to detect early and late signs of deterioration, thereby preventing unavoidable delays in intubation.

Non-invasive mechanical ventilation and mortality in elderly immunocompromised patients hospitalized with pneumonia: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Mortality after pneumonia in immunocompromised patients is higher than for immunocompetent patients. The use of non-invasive mechanical ventilation for patients with severe pneumonia may provide beneficial outcomes while circumventing potential complications associated with invasive mechanical ventilation. The aim of our study was to determine if the use of non-invasive mechanical ventilation in elderly immunocompromised patients with pneumonia is associated with higher all-cause mortality.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, data were obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs administrative databases. We included veterans age ≥65 years who were immunocompromised and hospitalized due to pneumonia. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between the use of invasive versus non-invasive mechanical ventilation and 30-day and 90-day mortality.

Results

Of 1,946 patients in our cohort, 717 received non-invasive mechanical ventilation and 1,229 received invasive mechanical ventilation. There was no significant association between all-cause 30-day mortality and non-invasive versus invasive mechanical ventilation in our adjusted model (odds ratio (OR) 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66-1.10). However, those patients who received non-invasive mechanical ventilation had decreased 90-day mortality (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.52-0.84). Additionally, receipt of guideline-concordant antibiotics in our immunocompromised cohort was significantly associated with decreased odds of 30-day mortality (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.24-0.39) and 90-day mortality (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.31-0.53).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that physicians should consider the use of non-invasive mechanical ventilation, when appropriate, for elderly immunocompromised patients hospitalized with pneumonia.