Multiple organ support therapy for the critically ill patient in intensive care

Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal: From Pathophysiology to Clinical Applications; Focus on Combined Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Lung-protective ventilation (LPV) with low tidal volumes can significantly increase the survival of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) by limiting ventilator-induced lung injuries. However, one of the main concerns regarding the use of LPV is the risk of developing hypercapnia and respiratory acidosis, which may limit the clinical application of this strategy. This is the reason why different extracorporeal CO₂ removal (ECCO₂R) techniques and devices have been developed. They include low-flow or high-flow systems that may be performed with dedicated platforms or, alternatively, combined with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). ECCO₂R has demonstrated effectiveness in controlling PaCO₂ levels, thus allowing LPV in patients with ARDS from different causes, including those affected by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Similarly, the suitability and safety of combined ECCO₂R and CRRT (ECCO₂R-CRRT), which provides CO₂ removal and kidney support simultaneously, have been reported in both retrospective and prospective studies. However, due to the complexity of ARDS patients and the limitations of current evidence, the actual impact of ECCO₂R on patient outcome still remains to be defined. In this review, we discuss the main principles of ECCO₂R and its clinical application in ARDS patients, in particular looking at clinical experiences of combined ECCO₂R-CRRT treatments.

Combined Renal-Pulmonary Extracorporeal Support with Low Blood Flow Techniques: A Retrospective Observational Study (CICERO Study)

BACKGROUND

Critically ill patients with acute respiratory failure frequently present concomitant lung and kidney injury, within a multiorgan failure condition due to local and systemic mediators. To face this issue, extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) systems have been integrated into continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) platforms to provide a combined organ support, with efficient clearance of CO2 with very low extracorporeal blood flows (<400 mL/min).

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate efficacy and safety of combined ECCO2R-CRRT support with PrismaLung®-Prismaflex® in patients affected by hypercapnic respiratory acidosis associated with AKI in a second level intensive care unit.

METHODS

We carried out a retrospective observational study enrolling patients submitted to PrismaLung®-Prismaflex® due to mild to moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (aeCOPD). The primary endpoints were the shift to protective ventilation and extubation of mechanically ventilated patients and the shift to invasive mechanical ventilation of patients receiving noninvasive ventilation (NIV). Clinical-laboratoristic data and operational characteristics of ECCO2R-CRRT were recorded.

RESULTS

Overall, 12/17 patients on mechanical ventilation shifted to protective ventilation, CO2 clearance was satisfactorily maintained during the whole observational period, and pH was rapidly corrected. Treatment prevented NIV failure in 4 out of 5 patients. No treatment-related complications were recorded.

CONCLUSION

ECCO2R-CRRT was effective and safe in patients with aeCOPD and ARDS associated with AKI.

Acute pancreatitis--from cellular signalling to complicated clinical course

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common disease that has a mild to moderate course in most cases. During the last decade, a change in diagnostic facilities as well as improved intensive care have influenced both morbidity and mortality in AP. Still, however, a number of controversies and unresolved questions remain regarding AP. These include prognostic factors and how these may be used to improve outcome, diagnostic possibilities, their indications and optimal timing, and the systemic inflammatory reaction (systemic inflammatory response syndrome--SIRS) and its effect on the concomitant course of the disease and potential development of organ failure. The role of the gut has been suggested to be important in severe AP, but has recently been somewhat questioned. Despite extensive research, pharmacological and medical intervention of proven clinical value is scarce. Various aspects on surgical interventions, including endoscopic sphincterotomy, cholecystectomy and necrosectomy, as regards indications and timing, will be reviewed. Last, but not least, are the management of late complications and long-term outcome for patients with especially severe AP.

Better Understanding of Organ Dysfunction Requires Proteomic Involvement

Organ dysfunction is defined as a systemic consequence of acute and chronic diseases, a critical and important phase of disease development. The mortality of patients with severe illness is highly correlated with the number and duration of dysfunctional organs. There is still not an efficient and specific therapy to improve the prognosis of patients with organ dysfunction, due to the complexity and severity of the disease. There is a great need to understand molecular mechanisms of the disease, identify disease-related biomarkers, and validate therapeutic effects. Thus, it is important to have a special attention from proteomic scientists to explore the combination between advanced proteomic biotechnology, clinical proteomics, tissue imaging and profiling, and organ dysfunction score systems, to improve the clinical outcomes of these patients.