Predictors of noninvasive ventilation failure in patients with hematologic malignancy and acute respiratory failure

[Non-invasive Mechanical Ventilation in Acute Respiratory Failure. Clinical Practice Guidelines - on behalf of the German Society of Pneumology and Ventilatory Medicine]

The guideline update outlines the advantages as well as the limitations of NIV in the treatment of acute respiratory failure in daily clinical practice and in different indications.Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has a high value in therapy of hypercapnic acute respiratory failure, as it significantly reduces the length of ICU stay and hospitalization as well as mortality.Patients with cardiopulmonary edema and acute respiratory failure should be treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and oxygen in addition to necessary cardiological interventions. This should be done already prehospital and in the emergency department.In case of other forms of acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure with only mild or moderately disturbed gas exchange (PaO2/FiO2 > 150 mmHg) there is no significant advantage or disadvantage compared to high flow nasal oxygen (HFNO). In severe forms of ARDS NIV is associated with high rates of treatment failure and mortality, especially in cases with NIV-failure and delayed intubation.NIV should be used for preoxygenation before intubation. In patients at risk, NIV is recommended to reduce extubation failure. In the weaning process from invasive ventilation NIV essentially reduces the risk of reintubation in hypercapnic patients. NIV is regarded useful within palliative care for reduction of dyspnea and improving quality of life, but here in concurrence to HFNO, which is regarded as more comfortable. Meanwhile NIV is also recommended in prehospital setting, especially in hypercapnic respiratory failure and pulmonary edema.With appropriate monitoring in an intensive care unit NIV can also be successfully applied in pediatric patients with acute respiratory insufficiency.

How I manage acute respiratory failure in patients with hematological malignancies

ABSTRACT

Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is common in patients with hematological malignancies notably those with acute leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, or allogeneic stem cell transplantation. ARF is the leading reason for intensive care unit (ICU) admission, with a 35% case fatality rate. Failure to identify the ARF cause is associated with mortality. A prompt, well-designed diagnostic workup is crucial. The investigations are chosen according to pretest diagnostic probabilities, estimated by the DIRECT approach: D stands for delay, or time since diagnosis; I for pattern of immune deficiency; R and T for radiological evaluation; E refers to clinical experience, and C to the clinical picture. Thorough familiarity with rapid diagnostic tests helps to decrease the use of bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage, which can cause respiratory status deterioration in those patients with hypoxemia. A prompt etiological diagnosis shortens the time on unnecessary empirical treatments, decreasing iatrogenic harm and costs. High-quality collaboration between intensivists and hematologists and all crossdisciplinary health care workers is paramount. All oxygen delivery systems should be considered to minimize invasive mechanical ventilation. Treatment of the malignancy is started or continued in the ICU under the guidance of the hematologists. The goal is to use the ICU as a bridge to recovery, with the patient returning to the hematology ward in sufficiently good clinical condition to receive optimal anticancer treatment.

The role of ultrasound in predicting non-invasive ventilation outcomes: a systematic review

Purpose

To systematically review and compare ultrasonographic methods and their utility in predicting non-invasive ventilation (NIV) outcomes.

Methods

A systematic review was performed using the PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases from January 2015 to March 2023. The search terms included the following: ultrasound, diaphragm, lung, prediction, non-invasive, ventilation, and outcomes. The inclusion criteria were prospective cohort studies on adult patients requiring non-invasive ventilation in the emergency department or inpatient setting.

Results

Fifteen studies were analyzed, which comprised of 1,307 patients (n = 942 for lung ultrasound score studies; n = 365 patients for diaphragm dysfunction studies). Lung ultrasound scores (LUS) greater than 18 were associated with NIV failure with a sensitivity 62-90.5% and specificity 60-91.9%. Similarly, a diaphragm thickening fraction (DTF) of less than 20% was also associated with NIV failure with a sensitivity 80-84.6% and specificity 76.3-91.5%.

Conclusion

Predicting NIV failure can be difficult by routine initial clinical impression and diagnostic work up. This systematic review emphasizes the importance of using lung and diaphragm ultrasound, in particular the lung ultrasound score and diaphragm thickening fraction respectively, to accurately predict NIV failure, including the need for ICU-level of care, requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, and resulting in higher rates of mortality.

Comparação da Mortalidade entre Pacientes com Neoplasias submetidos à Ventilação Invasiva e não Invasiva: Estudo de Coorte Retrospectiva

Introdução: O paciente com câncer apresenta alta prevalência de insuficiência respiratória aguda (IRpA) relacionada a complicações do tratamento oncológico. O suporte ventilatório mecânico e a principal terapêutica para resolução dessas complicações. No entanto, tal recurso pode aumentar a mortalidade. Objetivo: Verificar a taxa de mortalidade e os fatores intervenientes de pacientes oncológicos com IRpA expostos a ventilação mecânica invasiva (VMI) e não invasiva (VNI). Método: Estudo de coorte retrospectiva. Foram incluídos 121 pacientes oncológicos em ventilação mecânica separados em grupos: neoplasias hematológicas em VMI (HVMI, n=17), neoplasias hematológicas em VNI (HVNI, n=36), neoplasias solidas em VMI (SVMI, n=39) e neoplasias solidas em VNI (SVNI, n=29). Os desfechos avaliados foram: taxa de mortalidade, tempo de internamento, tempo de exposição a ventilação mecânica, taxa de falha da VNI e fatores relacionados a falha da VNI. Resultados: A taxa de mortalidade geral foi de 47,9%, distribuídos em HVMI (82,4%), HVNI (27,8%), SVMI (69,2%) e SVNI (24,1%). O escore APACHE III elevado foi associado a uma maior taxa de mortalidade. A taxa de mortalidade associada a falha da VNI foi de 71,4% HVNI e 77,8% SVNI. As variáveis associadas a maior taxa de falha da VNI foram o APACHE III>7 e o tempo de exposição a VNI>72 horas. Conclusão: A taxa de mortalidade de pacientes com neoplasia hematológica e solida em IRpA mostrou-se menor em pacientes expostos a VNI.

Early prediction of noninvasive ventilation failure after extubation: development and validation of a machine-learning model

Background

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been widely used in critically ill patients after extubation. However, NIV failure is associated with poor outcomes. This study aimed to determine early predictors of NIV failure and to construct an accurate machine-learning model to identify patients at risks of NIV failure after extubation in intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods

Patients who underwent NIV after extubation in the eICU Collaborative Research Database (eICU-CRD) were included. NIV failure was defined as need for invasive ventilatory support (reintubation or tracheotomy) or death after NIV initiation. A total of 93 clinical and laboratory variables were assessed, and the recursive feature elimination algorithm was used to select key features. Hyperparameter optimization was conducted with an automated machine-learning toolkit called Neural Network Intelligence. A machine-learning model called Categorical Boosting (CatBoost) was developed and compared with nine other models. The model was then prospectively validated among patients enrolled in the Cardiac Surgical ICU of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University.

Results

Of 929 patients included in the eICU-CRD cohort, 248 (26.7%) had NIV failure. The time from extubation to NIV, age, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, heart rate, respiratory rate, mean blood pressure (MBP), saturation of pulse oxygen (SpO₂), temperature, glucose, pH, pressure of oxygen in blood (PaO₂), urine output, input volume, ventilation duration, and mean airway pressure were selected. After hyperparameter optimization, our model showed the greatest accuracy in predicting NIV failure (AUROC: 0.872 [95% CI 0.82–0.92]) among all predictive methods in an internal validation. In the prospective validation cohort, our model was also superior (AUROC: 0.846 [95% CI 0.80–0.89]). The sensitivity and specificity in the prediction group is 89% and 75%, while in the validation group they are 90% and 70%. MV duration and respiratory rate were the most important features. Additionally, we developed a web-based tool to help clinicians use our model.

Conclusions

This study developed and prospectively validated the CatBoost model, which can be used to identify patients who are at risk of NIV failure. Thus, those patients might benefit from early triage and more intensive monitoring.

Trial registration: NCT03704324. Registered 1 September 2018, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-022-02096-7.

Outcome Prediction of Hematologic Malignancy in Critically Sick People

People with hematologic malignancies (HM) frequently postulate intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization due to organ damage caused by the disease process or treatment-related consequences. This study is aimed at looking at mortality and sign factors in adult patients with hematologic malignancy (HM) who have been hospitalized in the ICU. Death was one quality indicator; researchers used a machine learning approach to find determinants of death. As per the study, there have been 206 patients hospitalized in the ICU (mean age: 51.3 ± 13.6 years; 60% male). The average length of stay was three days, with 14.1% requiring extended ICU commitment. ICU death was 45.6% at 30 days, 62.6% at sixty days, and 74.3% at twelve months, rising to 59.2% at thirty days, 62.6% at sixty days, and 74.3% at twelve months. Ventilation systems and vasodilating medication were linked to higher ICU death, but admission to the ICU surgically and experiencing malignancies are linked with lower death rates. Patients with HM who are hospitalized in the ICU have a high mortality rate (45.6%), which rises to 74.3% after a year. Serious illness, postsurgical hospitalization, and malignancy were revealed as determinants of patient outcomes in multivariate analyses.

Prognostic factors for advanced lung cancer patients with do-not-intubate order in intensive care unit: a retrospective study

Background

The survival of patients with lung cancer undergoing critical care has improved. An increasing number of patients with lung cancer have signed a predefined do-not-intubate (DNI) order before admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). These patients may still be transferred to the ICU and even receive non-invasive ventilation (NIV) support. However, there is still a lack of prognostic predictions in this cohort. Whether patients will benefit from ICU care remains unclear.

Methods

We retrospectively collected data from patients with advanced lung cancer who had signed a DNI order before ICU admission in a tertiary medical center between 2014 and 2016. The clinical characteristics and survival outcomes were discussed.

Results

A total of 140 patients (median age, 73 years; 62.1% were male) were included, had been diagnosed with stage III or IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (AJCC 7th edition), and signed a DNI. Most patients received NIV during ICU stay. The median APACHE II score was 14 (standard error [SE], ± 0.66) and the mean PaO2/FiO2 ratio (P/F ratio) was 174.2 (SD, ± 104 mmHg). The APACHE II score was significantly lower in 28-day survivors (survivor: 12 (± 0.98) vs. non-survivor: 15 (± 0.83); p = 0.019). The P/F ratio of the survivors was higher than that of non-survivors (survivors: 209.6 ± 111.4 vs. non-survivors: 157.9 ± 96.7; p = 0.006). Patients with a P/F ratio ≥ 150 had better 28-day survival (p = 0.005). By combining P/F ratio ≥ 150 and APACHE II score < 16, those with high P/F ratios and low APACHE II scores during ICU admission had a notable 28-day survival compared with the rest (p < 0.001). These prognostic factors could also be applied to 90-day survival (p = 0.003). The prediction model was significant for those with driver mutations in 90-day survival (p = 0.021).

Conclusions

P/F ratio ≥ 150 and APACHE II score < 16 were significant prognostic factors for critically ill patients with lung cancer and DNI. This prediction could be applied to 90-day survival in patients with driver mutations. These findings are informative for clinical practice and decision-making.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-022-02042-7.

Treatment of acute respiratory failure: noninvasive mechanical ventilation

Background: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been an important strategy to support patients with respiratory failure, while preventing complications assorted with invasive mechanical ventilation. Physicians need to be aware of the various roles of NIV and the challenges encountered in clinical practice.Current Concepts: Traditionally, the application of NIV has been well-known to be associated with reduced mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or acute pulmonary edema and those suffering from acute respiratory failure. However, despite some positive results of NIV treatment in patients with de novo hypoxemic respiratory failure such as acute pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome, NIV failure (or delayed intubation) can have deleterious effects on patients outcomes. Besides, the aggravation of lung injury should also be taken into consideration when applied to patients exhibiting high respiratory drive. Nonetheless, NIV has potential for wide applications in various clinical situations such as facilitation of ventilator weaning, post-operative respiratory failure, or palliative treatment.Discussion and Conclusion: In addition to the strong evidence in patients with acute respiratory failure due to COPD or acute pulmonary edema, the NIV treatment can be potentially used for various clinical conditions. However, compared to European countries, the prevalence of NIV use continues to remain lower in South Korea. Nevertheless, when applied in appropriately selected patients in a timely manner, NIV treatment can be associated with improved patient outcomes.

High Flow Nasal Cannula as Support in Immunocompromised Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure: A Retrospective Study

Introduction:

High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) is a novel technique for respiratory support that improves oxygenation. In some patients, it may reduce the work of breathing. In immunocompromised patients with Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF), Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) is the main support recommended strategy, since invasive mechanical ventilation could increase mortality rates. NIV used for more than 48 hours may be associated with increased in-hospital mortality and hospital length of stay. Therefore HFNC seems like a respiratory support alternative.

Objective:

To describe clinical outcomes of immunocompromised patients with ARF HFNC-supported.

Methods:

Retrospective study in patients admitted with ARF and HFNC-supported. 25 adult patients were included, 21 pharmacologically and 4 non- pharmacologically immunosuppressed. Median age of the patients was 64 [60-76] years, APACHE II 15 [11-19], and PaO2:FiO2 218 [165-248]. Demographic information, origin of immunosuppression, Respiratory Rate (RR), Heart Rate (HR), Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), oxygen saturation (SpO2) and PaO2:FiO2 ratio were extracted from clinical records of our HFNC local protocol. Data acquisition was performed before and after the first 24 hours of connection. In addition, the need for greater ventilatory support after HFNC, orotracheal intubation, in-hospital mortality and 90 days out-patients’ mortality was recorded.

Results:

Mean RR before the connection was 25±22 breaths/min and 22±4 breaths/min after the first 24 hours of HFNC use (95% CI; p=0.02). HR mean before connection to HFNC was 96±22 beats/min, and after, it was 86±15 beats/min (95%CI; p=0.008). Previous mean MAP was 86±15 mmHg, and after HFNC, it was 80±12 mmHg (95%CI; p=0.09); mean SpO2 after was 93±5% and before it was 95±4% (95% CI; p=0.13); and previous PaO2:FiO2 mean was 219±66, and after it was 324±110 (95%CI; p=0.52). In-hospital mortality was 28% and 90 days out-patients’ mortality was 32%.

Conclusion:

HFNC in immunosuppressed ARF subjects significantly decreases HR and RR, being apparently an effective alternative to decrease work of breathing. In-hospital mortality in ARF immunosuppressed patients was high even though respiratory support was used. Better studies are needed to define the role of HFNC-support in ARF.

Oxygenation strategy during acute respiratory failure in immunocompromised patients

Acute respiratory failure (ARF) in immunocompromised patients remains challenging to treat. A large number of case require admission to intensive care unit (ICU) where mortality remains high. Oxygenation without intubation is important in this setting. This review summarizes recent studies assessing oxygenation devices for immunocompromised patients. Previous studies showed that non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has been associated with lower intubation and mortality rates. Indeed, in recent years, the outcomes of immunocompromised patients admitted to the ICU have improved. In the most recent randomized controlled trials, including immunocompromised patients admitted to the ICU with ARF, neither NIV nor high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) could reduce the mortality rate. In this setting, other strategies need to be tested to decrease the mortality rate. Early admission strategy and avoiding late failure of oxygenation strategy have been assessed in retrospective studies. However, objective criteria are still lacking to clearly discriminate time to admission or time to intubation. Also, diagnosis strategy may have an impact on intubation or mortality rates. On the other hand, lack of diagnosis has been associated with a higher mortality rate. In conclusion, improving outcomes in immunocompromised patients with ARF may include strategies other than the oxygenation strategy alone. This review discusses other unresolved questions to decrease mortality after ICU admission in such patients.

Management strategy for hematological malignancy patients with acute respiratory failure

Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is still the major cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admission for hematological malignancy (HM) patients although the advance in hematology and supportive care has greatly improved the prognosis. Clinicians have to make decisions whether the HM patients with ARF should be sent to ICU and which ventilation support should be administered. Based on the reported investigations related to management of HM patients with ARF, we propose a selection procedure to manage this population and recommend hematological ICU as the optimal setting to recuse these patients, where hematologists and intensivists can collaborate closely and improve the outcomes. Moreover, noninvasive ventilation (NIV) still has its own place for selected HM patients with ARF who have mild hypoxemia and reversible causes. It is also crucial to monitor the efficacy of NIV closely and switch to invasive mechanical ventilation at appropriate timing when NIV shows no apparent improvement. Otherwise, early IMV should be initiated to HM with ARF who have moderate and severe hypoxemia, adult respiratory distress syndrome, multiple organ dysfunction, and unstable hemodynamic. More studies are needed to elucidate the predictors of ICU mortality and ventilatory mode for HM patients with ARF.

Risk factors of non-invasive ventilation failure in hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome

Background:

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) was one of the first-line ventilation supports for hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Successful NIV may avoid need for intubation. However, the influence NIV failure had on patients’ outcome and its risk factors were hardly known.

Methods:

In this retrospective observational study, we reported risk factors and incidence of NIV failure in HSCT patients who were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with a diagnosis of ARDS and supported with mechanical ventilation, in a 5-year period. Patient outcomes, such as ventilator-free days, ICU-free days, and ICU mortality were also reported.

Results:

Of all the 94 patients included, 70 patients were initially supported with NIV. NIV failure occurred in 44 (63%) patients. Male sex, elevated serum galactomannan (GM) test, (1-3)-β-D-glucan (BG) assay, or elevated serum creatinine level were risk factors for NIV failure. When compared with the NIV success group, failure of NIV was associated with much fewer ICU-free days (22 versus 0, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.62) and higher ICU mortality (9.5% versus 75.5%, p < 0.001, Pearson’s r = 0.75). There was no difference in ICU-free days, ventilator-free days and ICU mortality between NIV failure and initial invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) groups. Patients who failed in NIV support had a higher ICU mortality (75.5%) than those who succeeded (9.5%).

Conclusion:

In a small cohort of HSCT patients with mainly moderate severity of ARDS, male patients with elevated serum GM/BG test or serum creatinine level had a higher risk of NIV failure. Both NIV failure and initial IMV groups were characterized by high mortality rate and extremely low ICU-free days and ventilator-free days; failure of NIV support may further aggravate patient prognosis.

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

Sepsis and Septic Shock in Patients With Malignancies: A Groupe de Recherche Respiratoire en Réanimation Onco-Hématologique Study

OBJECTIVES

Cancer affects up to 20% of critically ill patients, and sepsis is one of the leading reasons for ICU admission in this setting. Early signals suggested that survival might be increasing in this population. However, confirmation studies have been lacking. The goal of this study was to assess trends in survival rates over time in cancer patients admitted to the ICU for sepsis or septic shock over the last 2 decades.

DATA SOURCE

Seven European ICUs.

STUDY SELECTION

A hierarchical model taking into account the year of admission and the source dataset as random variables was used to identify risk factors for day 30 mortality.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data from cancer patients admitted to ICUs for sepsis or septic shock were extracted from the Groupe de Recherche Respiratoire en Réanimation Onco-Hématologique database (1994-2015).

DATA SYNTHESIS

Overall, 2,062 patients (62% men, median [interquartile range] age 59 yr [48-67 yr]) were included in the study. Underlying malignancies were solid tumors (n = 362; 17.6%) or hematologic malignancies (n = 1,700; 82.4%), including acute leukemia (n = 591; 28.7%), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 461; 22.3%), and myeloma (n = 244; 11.8%). Two-hundred fifty patients (12%) underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and 640 (31.0%) were neutropenic at ICU admission. Day 30 mortality was 39.9% (823 deaths). The year of ICU admission was associated with significant decrease in day 30 mortality over time (odds ratio, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93-0.98; p = 0.001). Mechanical ventilation (odds ratio, 3.25; 95% CI, 2.52-4.19; p < 0.01) and vasopressors use (odds ratio, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.10-1.83; p < 0.01) were independently associated with day 30 mortality, whereas underlying malignancy, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and neutropenia were not.

CONCLUSIONS

Survival in critically ill oncology and hematology patients with sepsis improved significantly over time. As outcomes improve, clinicians should consider updating admission policies and goals of care in this population.

A simple nomogram for predicting failure of non-invasive respiratory strategies in adults with COVID-19: a retrospective multicentre study

Background

Non-invasive respiratory strategies (NIRS) including high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) have become widely used in patients with COVID-19 who develop acute respiratory failure. However, use of these therapies, if ineffective, might delay initiation of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in some patients. We aimed to determine early predictors of NIRS failure and develop a simple nomogram and online calculator that can identify patients at risk of NIRS failure.

Methods

We did a retrospective, multicentre observational study in 23 hospitals designated for patients with COVID-19 in China. Adult patients (≥18 years) with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and acute respiratory failure receiving NIRS were enrolled. A training cohort of 652 patients (21 hospitals) was used to identify early predictors of NIRS failure, defined as subsequent need for IMV or death within 28 days after intensive care unit admission. A nomogram was developed by multivariable logistic regression and concordance statistics (C-statistics) computed. C-statistics were validated internally by cross-validation in the training cohort, and externally in a validation cohort of 107 patients (two hospitals).

Findings

Patients were enrolled between Jan 1 and Feb 29, 2020. NIV failed in 211 (74%) of 286 patients and HFNC in 204 (56%) of 366 patients in the training cohort. NIV failed in 48 (81%) of 59 patients and HFNC in 26 (54%) of 48 patients in the external validation cohort. Age, number of comorbidities, respiratory rate–oxygenation index (ratio of pulse oximetry oxygen saturation/fraction of inspired oxygen to respiratory rate), Glasgow coma scale score, and use of vasopressors on the first day of NIRS in the training cohort were independent risk factors for NIRS failure. Based on the training dataset, the nomogram had a C-statistic of 0·80 (95% CI 0·74–0·85) for predicting NIV failure, and a C-statistic of 0·85 (0·82–0·89) for predicting HFNC failure. C-statistic values were stable in both internal validation (NIV group mean 0·79 [SD 0·10], HFNC group mean 0·85 [0·07]) and external validation (NIV group value 0·88 [95% CI 0·72–0·96], HFNC group value 0·86 [0·72–0·93]).

Interpretation

We have developed a nomogram and online calculator that can be used to identify patients with COVID-19 who are at risk of NIRS failure. These patients might benefit from early triage and more intensive monitoring.

Funding

Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, Key Research and Development Plan of Jiangsu Province, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

A scoring system derived from electronic health records to identify patients at high risk for noninvasive ventilation failure

OBJECTIVE

To develop and validate a clinical risk prediction score for noninvasive ventilation (NIV) failure defined as intubation after a trial of NIV in non-surgical patients.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study of a multihospital electronic health record database.

PATIENTS

Non-surgical adult patients receiving NIV as the first method of ventilation within two days of hospitalization.

MEASUREMENT

Primary outcome was intubation after a trial of NIV. We used a non-random split of the cohort based on year of admission for model development and validation. We included subjects admitted in years 2010-2014 to develop a risk prediction model and built a parsimonious risk scoring model using multivariable logistic regression. We validated the model in the cohort of subjects hospitalized in 2015 and 2016.

MAIN RESULTS

Of all the 47,749 patients started on NIV, 11.7% were intubated. Compared with NIV success, those who were intubated had worse mortality (25.2% vs. 8.9%). Strongest independent predictors for intubation were organ failure, principal diagnosis group (substance abuse/psychosis, neurological conditions, pneumonia, and sepsis), use of invasive ventilation in the prior year, low body mass index, and tachypnea. The c-statistic was 0.81, 0.80 and 0.81 respectively, in the derivation, validation and full cohorts. We constructed three risk categories of the scoring system built on the full cohort; the median and interquartile range of risk of intubation was: 2.3% [1.9%-2.8%] for low risk group; 9.3% [6.3%-13.5%] for intermediate risk category; and 35.7% [31.0%-45.8%] for high risk category.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients started on NIV, we found that in addition to factors known to be associated with intubation, neurological, substance abuse, or psychiatric diagnoses were highly predictive for intubation. The prognostic score that we have developed may provide quantitative guidance for decision-making in patients who are started on NIV.

Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, and Prognostic Factors in Critically Ill Patients with Hematolymphoid Malignancy

Objective

Despite advances in the field of oncology and intensive care, the outcomes of hematolymphoid malignancy (HLM) patients admitted to ICU are poor. This study was carried out to look at the demographic data, clinical features, and predictors of hospital mortality in these patients.

Materials and methods

We prospectively studied 101 adult critically ill patients with HLM admitted to the 14-bedded mixed medical surgical ICU of a tertiary care cancer center. Out of 101 patients, end-of-life care decisions were taken in 7 patients, who were excluded from the outcome analysis. Predictors of in-hospital mortality were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

The ICU and in-hospital mortality recorded in our study were 48.9 and 54.3%, respectively. Neutropenia at ICU admission, Simplified Acute Physiology Score III (SAPS III) score, and mechanical ventilation (MV) within 24 hours of ICU admission were associated with in-hospital mortality on univariate analysis. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, neutropenia at ICU admission (OR 4.621; 95% CI, 1.2–17.357) and MV within 24 hours of ICU admission (OR 2.728; 95% CI, 1.077–6.912) were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality.

Conclusion

The HLM patients needing critical care have high acuity of illness, and acute respiratory failure is the commonest reason for ICU admission in these patients. In our study, the ICU survival was more than 50% and more than 45% patients were discharged alive from the hospital. We found a need for MV within 24 hours of ICU admission and presence of neutropenia at ICU admission to be independent predictors of hospital mortality in our study.

How to cite this article

Siddiqui SS, Prabu NR, Chaudhari HK, Narkhede AM, Sarode SV, Dhundi U, et al. Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, and Prognostic Factors in Critically Ill Patients with Hematolymphoid Malignancy. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(1):56–61.

Toxicities Associated with Immunotherapy and Approach to Cardiotoxicity with Novel Cancer Therapies

In recent years, major advances in oncology especially the advent of targeted agents and immunotherapies (immune checkpoint inhibitors [ICIs] and chimeric antigen receptor [CAR] T-cell therapy) have led to improved quality of life and survival rates in patients with cancer. This article focuses on the clinical features, and grading and management of toxicities associated with ICIs and CAR T-cell therapy. In addition, because cardiotoxicity is one of the most harmful effects of anticancer therapeutics, we describe the risk factors and mechanisms of cardiovascular injury associated with newer agents, screening technologies for at-risk patients, and preventive and treatment strategies.

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.

Predictive Factors for Failure of Noninvasive Ventilation in Adult Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Clinical Study

Background

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been reported to be beneficial for patients with acute respiratory failure in intensive care unit (ICU); however, factors that influence the clinical outcome of NIV were unclarified. We aim to determine the factors that predict the failure of NIV in critically ill patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF). Setting. Adult mixed ICU in a medical university affiliated hospital. Patients and Methods. A retrospective clinical study using data from critical adult patients with initial NIV admitted to ICU in the period August 2016 to November 2017. Failure of NIV was regarded as patients needing invasive ventilation. Logistic regression was employed to determine the risk factor(s) for NIV, and a predictive model for NIV outcome was set up using risk factors.

Results

Of 101 included patients, 50 were unsuccessful. Although more than 20 variables were associated with NIV failure, multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that only ideal body weight (IBW) (OR 1.110 (95%1.027-1.201), P=0.009), the maximal heart rate during NIV period (HR-MAX) (OR 1.024 (1.004-1.046), P=0.021), the minimal respiratory rate during NIV period (RR-MIN) (OR 1.198(1.051-1.365), P=0.007), and the highest body temperature during NIV period (T-MAX) (OR 1.838(1.038-3.252), P=0.037) were independent risk factors for NIV failure. We set up a predictive model based on these independent risk factors, whose area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was 0.783 (95% CI: 0.676-0.899, P < 0.001), and the sensitivity and specificity of model were 68.75% and 71.43%, respectively, with the optimal cut-off value of 0.4863.

Conclusion

IBW, HR-MAX, RR-MIN, and T-MAX were associated with NIV failure in patients with ARF. A predictive model based on the risk factors could help to discriminate patients who are vulnerable to NIV failure.

Non-invasive ventilation indication for critically ill cancer patients admitted to the intensive care unit for acute respiratory failure (ARF) with associated cardiac dysfunction: Results from an observational study

Background

Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is a life-threatening complication in onco-hematology patients. Optimal ventilation strategy in immunocompromised patients has been highly controversial over the last decade. Data are lacking on patients presenting with ARF associating isolated cardiac dysfunction or in combination with another etiology. The aim of this study was to assess prognostic impact of initial ventilation strategy in onco-hematology patients presenting ARF with associated cardiac dysfunction.

Methods

We conducted an observational retrospective study in Institut Paoli-Calmettes, a cancer-referral center, assessing all critically ill cancer patients admitted to the ICU for a ARF with cardiac dysfunction.

Results

Between 2010–2017, 127 patients were admitted. ICU and hospital mortality were 29% and 57%. Initial ventilation strategy was invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) in 21%. Others ventilation strategies were noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in 50%, associated with oxygen in 21% and high flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) in 29%, HFNO alone in 6% and standard oxygen in 23%. During ICU stay, 48% of patients required intubation. Multivariate analysis identified 3 independent factors associated with ICU mortality: SAPSII at admission (OR = 1.07/point, 95%CI = 1.03–1.11, p<0.001), invasive fungal infection (OR = 7.65, 95%CI = 1.7–34.6, p = 0.008) and initial ventilation strategy (p = 0.015). Compared to NIV, HFNO alone and standard oxygen alone were associated with an increased ICU mortality, with respective OR of 19.56 (p = 0.01) and 10.72 (p = 0.01). We realized a propensity score analysis including 40 matched patients, 20 in the NIV arm and 20 receiving others ventilation strategies, excluding initial MV patients. ICU mortality was lower in patients treated with NIV (10%), versus 50% in the other arm (p = 0.037).

Conclusion

In onco-hematology patients admitted for ARF with associated cardiac dysfunction, severity at ICU admission, invasive fungal infections and initial ventilation strategy were independently associated with ICU mortality. NIV was a protective factor on ICU mortality.

Severe diffuse alveolar hemorrhage related to autoimmune disease: a multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) occurs during the course of autoimmune disease and may be life threatening. The objective was to assess characteristics and prognosis factors of DAH who required intensive care unit (ICU) admission in patients with autoimmune diseases.

METHODS

French multicenter retrospective study including patients presenting DAH related to autoimmune diseases requiring ICU admission from 2000 to 2016.

RESULTS

One hundred four patients (54% of men) with median age of 56 [32-68] years were included with 79 (76%) systemic vasculitis and 25 (24%) connective tissue disorders. All patients received steroids, and 72 (69%), 12 (11.5%), and 57 (55%) patients had cyclophosphamide, rituximab, and plasma exchanges, respectively. During ICU stay, 52 (50%), 36 (35%), and 55 (53%) patients required mechanical ventilation, vasopressor use, and renal replacement therapy, respectively. Factors associated with mechanical ventilation weaning were age (HR [95%CI] 0.97 [0.96-0.99] per 10 years, p < 0.0001), vasculitis-related DAH (0.52 [0.27-0.98], p = 0.04), and time from dyspnea onset to ICU admission (0.99 [0.99-1] per day, p = 0.03). ICU mortality was 15%. Factors associated with alive status at ICU discharge were chronic cardiac failure (HR [95%CI] 0.37 [0.15-0.94], p = 0.04), antiphospholipid syndrome-related DAH (3.17 [1.89-5.32], p < 0.0001), SAPS II (0.98 [0.97-0.99], p = 0.007), and oxygen flow at ICU admission (0.95 [0.91-0.99] per liter/min, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

DAH in autoimmune diseases is a life-threatening complication which requires mechanical ventilation in half of the cases admitted to ICU.

Indications for Non-Invasive Ventilation in Respiratory Failure

BACKGROUND

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is increasingly being used to treat episodes of acute respiratory failure not only in critical care and respiratory wards, but also in emergency departments.

AIM

Aim of this review is to summarize the current indications for the management of NIV for respiratory failure.

METHODS

Current literature about the topic was reviewed and critically reported to describe the rationale and physiologic advantages of NIV in various situations of respiratory failure.

RESULTS

Early NIV use is commonly associated with the significant decrease in endotracheal intubation rate, the incidence of infective complications (especially ventilatory associated pneumonia), Intensive Care Units and the length of hospital stay and, in selected conditions, also in mortality rates. Severe acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (pH<7.35 and relative hypercarbia) and acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema are the most common NIV indications; in these conditions NIV advantages are clearly documented. Not so evident are the NIV benefits in hypoxaemic respiratory failure occurring without prior chronic respiratory disease (De novo respiratory failure). One recent randomized control trial reported in hypoxaemic respiratory failure a survival benefit of high-flow nasal cannulae over standard oxygen therapy and bilevel NIV. Evidence suggests the advantages of NIV also in respiratory failure in immunocompromised patients or chest trauma patients. Use during a pandemic event has been assessed in several observational studies but remains controversial; there also is not sufficient evidence to support the use of NIV treatment in acute asthma exacerbation.

CONCLUSION

NIV eliminates morbidity related to the endotracheal tube (loss of airway defense mechanism with increased risk of pneumonia) and in selected conditions (COPD exacerbation, acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema, immunosuppressed patients with pulmonary infiltrates and hypoxia) is clearly associated with a better outcome in comparison to conventional invasive ventilation. However, NIV is associated with complications, especially minor complications related to interface. Major complications like aspiration pneumonia, barotrauma and hypotension are infrequent.

Noninvasive Oxygen Therapies in Oncologic Patients

Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (ARF) is the most common cause of critical illness in oncologic patients. Despite significant advancements in survival of oncologic patients who develop critical illness, mortality rates in those requiring invasive mechanical ventilation have improved but remain high. Avoiding intubation is paramount to the management of oncologic patients with ARF. There are important differences between the oncologic patient with ARF compared to the general ICU population that likely underlie the increased mortality once intubated. Noninvasive oxygen modalities have been recognized as an important therapeutic approach to prevent intubation. Continuous low-flow oxygen therapy, noninvasive ventilation, and high-flow nasal cannula are the most commonly used noninvasive oxygen therapies in recent years. They have unique physiologic properties. The data surrounding their efficacy in the general ICU population and oncologic population has evolved over time reflecting the changes in the oncologic population. This chapter reviews the three different noninvasive oxygen modalities, their physiologic impact, and evidence surrounding their effectiveness.

PICU Admission Rates in Pediatric Cancer and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients Receiving High-flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy on the General Ward

The use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy is growing as an alternative to standard oxygen. However, its use in patients treated for malignancies, including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients, is controversial. In this retrospective cohort study, we assessed outcomes of pediatric cancer and HSCT patients (including nonmalignant indications) with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure treated with HFNC on the ward. Among 39 patients included in the study, 53 episodes of HFNC treatment were analyzed. Of these episodes, 18 (34%) failed and patients required subsequently pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission. A significant median higher C reactive protein (175 [range, 72 to 308] vs. 80 [13.5 to 187.8] mg/dL; P=0.006) and higher Bedside Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) 1 to 4 hours after initiation of HFNC (10.1±0.8 vs. 7.1±0.4; P=0.001) was found in the failure group compared with the nonfailure group. Among the 18 patients admitted to PICU, 14 (78%) needed intubation. Five (28%) patients died during their PICU admission. In summary, one third of the pediatric cancer and HSCT patients receiving HFNC on the ward eventually required PICU admission of which 78% were intubated. C reactive protein and BedsidePEWS 1 to 4 hours after initiation of HFNC were significantly associated with the need for PICU admission. However, no firm conclusion can be drawn whether HFNC treatment should actually be initiated in the ward in this vulnerable patient population. Larger, prospective studies are needed to evaluate the most appropriate treatment and setting (PICU or general ward) for these patients.

Predictors of success of high-flow nasal cannula in the treatment of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure

BACKGROUND

High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy is used in the treatment of acute respiratory failure (ARF) and is both safe and effective in reversing hypoxemia. In order to minimize mortality and clinical complications associated to this practice, a series of tools must be developed to allow early detection of failure. The present study was carried out to: (i)examine the impact of respiratory rate (RR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂), ROX index (ROXI=[SpO₂/FiO₂]/RR) and oxygen inspired fraction (FiO₂) on the success of HFNC in patients with hypoxemic ARF; and (ii)analyze the length of stay and mortality in the ICU, and the need for mechanical ventilation (MV).

METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out in the medical-surgical ICU of Hospital de Montilla (Córdoba, Spain). Patients diagnosed with hypoxemic ARF and treated with HFNC from January 2016 to January 2018 were included.

RESULTS

Out of 27 patients diagnosed with ARF, 19 (70.37%) had hypoxemic ARF. Fifteen of them (78.95%) responded satisfactorily to HFNC, while four (21.05%) failed. After two hours of treatment, RR proved to be the best predictor of success (area under the ROC curve [AUROC] 0.858; 95%CI: 0.63-1.05; P=.035). For this parameter, the optimal cutoff point was 29rpm (sensitivity 75%, specificity 87%). After 8hours of treatment, FiO₂ and ROXI were reliable predictors of success (FiO₂: AUROC 0.95; 95%CI: 0.85-1.04; P=.007 and ROXI: AUROC 0.967; 95%CI: 0.886-1.047; P=.005). In the case of FiO₂ the optimal cutoff point was 0.59 (sensitivity 75%, specificity 93%), while the best cutoff point for ROXI was 5.98 (sensitivity 100%, specificity 75%). Using a Cox regression model, we found RR<29rpm after two hours of treatment, and FiO₂<0.59 and ROXI>5.98 after 8hours of treatment, to be associated with a lesser risk of MV (RR: HR 0.103; 95%CI: 0.11-0.99; P=.05; FiO₂: HR 0.053; 95%CI: 0.005-0.52; P=.012; and ROXI: HR 0.077; 95%CI: 0.008-0.755; P=.028, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

RR after two hours of treatment, and FiO₂ and ROXI after 8hours of treatment, were the best predictors of success of HFNC. RR<29rpm, FiO₂<0.59 and ROXI>5.98 were associated with a lesser risk of MV.

Predictors of Intubation in Patients With Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure Treated With a Noninvasive Oxygenation Strategy

OBJECTIVES

In patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, noninvasive ventilation and high-flow nasal cannula oxygen are alternative strategies to conventional oxygen therapy. Endotracheal intubation is frequently needed in these patients with a risk of delay, and early predictors of failure may help clinicians to decide early. We aimed to identify factors associated with intubation in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure treated with different noninvasive oxygenation techniques.

DESIGN

Post hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

SETTING

Twenty-three ICUs.

PATIENTS

Patients with a respiratory rate greater than 25 breaths/min and a PaO2/FIO2 ratio less than or equal to 300 mm Hg.

INTERVENTION

Patients were treated with standard oxygen, high-flow nasal cannula oxygen, or noninvasive ventilation.

MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS

Respiratory variables one hour after treatment initiation. Under standard oxygen, patients with a respiratory rate greater than or equal to 30 breaths/min were more likely to need intubation (odds ratio, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.13-6.75; p = 0.03). One hour after high-flow nasal cannula oxygen initiation, increased heart rate was the only factor associated with intubation. One hour after noninvasive ventilation initiation, a PaO2/FIO2 ratio less than or equal to 200 mm Hg and a tidal volume greater than 9 mL/kg of predicted body weight were independent predictors of intubation (adjusted odds ratio, 4.26; 95% CI, 1.62-11.16; p = 0.003 and adjusted odds ratio, 3.14; 95% CI, 1.22-8.06; p = 0.02, respectively). A tidal volume above 9 mL/kg during noninvasive ventilation remained independently associated with 90-day mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure breathing spontaneously, the respiratory rate was a predictor of intubation under standard oxygen, but not under high-flow nasal cannula oxygen or noninvasive ventilation. A PaO2/FIO2 below 200 mm Hg and a high tidal volume greater than 9 mL/kg were the two strong predictors of intubation under noninvasive ventilation.

Changes in critically ill cancer patients' short-term outcome over the last decades: results of systematic review with meta-analysis on individual data

PURPOSE

The number of averted deaths due to therapeutic advances in oncology and hematology is substantial and increasing. Survival of critically ill cancer patients has also improved during the last 2 decades. However, these data stem predominantly from unadjusted analyses. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of ICU admission year on short-term survival of critically ill cancer patients, with special attention on those with neutropenia.

METHODS

Systematic review and meta-analysis of individual data according to the guidelines of meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology.

DATASOURCE

Pubmed and Cochrane databases.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Adult studies published in English between May 2005 and May 2015.

RESULTS

Overall, 7354 patients were included among whom 1666 presented with neutropenia at ICU admission. Median ICU admission year was 2007 (IQR 2004-2010; range 1994-2012) and median number of admissions per year was 693 (IQR 450-1007). Overall mortality was 47.7%. ICU admission year was associated with a progressive decrease in hospital mortality (OR per year 0.94; 95% CI 0.93-0.95). After adjustment for confounders, year of ICU admission was independently associated with hospital mortality (OR for hospital mortality per year: 0.96; 95% CI 0.95-0.97). The association was also seen in patients with neutropenia but not in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients.

CONCLUSION

After adjustment for patient characteristics, severity of illness and clustering, hospital mortality decreased steadily over time in critically ill oncology and hematology patients except for allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients.

Acute respiratory failure in immunocompromised adults

Acute respiratory failure occurs in up to half of patients with haematological malignancies and 15% of those with solid tumours or solid organ transplantation. Mortality remains high. Factors associated with mortality include a need for invasive mechanical ventilation, organ dysfunction, older age, frailty or poor performance status, delayed intensive care unit admission, and acute respiratory failure due to an invasive fungal infection or unknown cause. In addition to appropriate antibacterial therapy, initial clinical management aims to restore oxygenation and predict the most probable cause based on variables related to the underlying disease, acute respiratory failure characteristics, and radiographic findings. The cause of acute respiratory failure must then be confirmed using the most efficient, least invasive, and safest diagnostic tests. In patients with acute respiratory failure of undetermined cause, a standardised diagnostic investigation should be done immediately at admission before deciding whether to perform more invasive diagnostic procedures or to start empirical treatments. Collaborative and multidisciplinary clinical and research networks are crucial to improve our understanding of disease pathogenesis and causation and to develop less invasive diagnostic strategies and more targeted treatment options.

Influence of neutropenia on mortality of critically ill cancer patients: results of a meta-analysis on individual data

Background

The study objective was to assess the influence of neutropenia on outcome of critically ill cancer patients by meta-analysis of individual data. Secondary objectives were to assess the influence of neutropenia on outcome of critically ill patients in prespecified subgroups (according to underlying tumor, period of admission, need for mechanical ventilation and use of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)).

Methods

Data sources were PubMed and the Cochrane database. Study selection included articles focusing on critically ill cancer patients published in English and studies in humans from May 2005 to May 2015. For study selection, the study eligibility was assessed by two investigators. Individual data from selected studies were obtained from corresponding authors.

Results

Overall, 114 studies were identified and authors of 30 studies (26.3% of selected studies) agreed to participate in this study. Of the 7515 included patients, three were excluded due to a missing major variable (neutropenia or mortality) leading to analysis of 7512 patients, including 1702 neutropenic patients (22.6%). After adjustment for confounders, and taking study effect into account, neutropenia was independently associated with mortality (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.23–1.62; P = 0.03). When analyzed separately, neither admission period, underlying malignancy nor need for mechanical ventilation modified the prognostic influence of neutropenia on outcome. However, among patients for whom data on G-CSF administration were available (n = 1949; 25.9%), neutropenia was no longer associated with outcome in patients receiving G-CSF (OR 1.03; 95% CI 0.70–1.51; P = 0.90).

Conclusion

Among 7512 critically ill cancer patients included in this systematic review, neutropenia was independently associated with poor outcome despite a meaningful survival. Neutropenia was no longer significantly associated with outcome in patients treated by G-CSF, which may suggest a beneficial effect of G-CSF in neutropenic critically ill cancer patients.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42015026347. Date of registration: Sept 18 2015

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13054-018-2076-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Improved oxygenation 48 hours after high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy is associated with good outcome in immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory failure

Background

Respiratory failure requiring intubation is a risk factor for mortality in immunocompromised patients, therefore, noninvasive methods to avoid intubation are preferred in such patients. A high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is an alternative noninvasive technique for oxygen delivery but can be potentially harmful in cases of delayed intubation. We sought to identify the physiological predictors of outcome to assess the responsiveness to HFNC of immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory failure.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of immunocompromised patients treated with HFNC in 2015 and 2016 in a tertiary hospital. Oxygenation was assessed by calculating the SpO₂/FiO₂ (SF) ratio. Subjects were defined as "SF-improved" when HFNC resulted in an increase in the SF ratio compared with baseline. The values were collected at baseline, 12, 24, and 48 h.

Results

Ninety-one patients with a median age of 64 years were analyzed; 68.1% were men. There was no significant difference between the SF₄₈-improved and the SF₄₈-nonimproved groups in clinical baseline characteristics or severity of illness as evaluated at the time of initiation of HFNC by APACHE II, SAPS II, and SOFA. The 28-day mortality was significantly lower in the SF₄₈-improved compared with the SF₄₈-nonimproved group. In univariate analysis, mortality was significantly associated with body mass index (BMI), poor functional status, do-not-intubate (DNI) status, the "SF₄₈-improved" group, the reason for immunocompromise, and the severity of illness at the time of initiation of HFNC. In multivariate analysis, "SF₄₈-improved" group was not significantly associated with increased mortality [odds ratio (OR) 0.462; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.107-1.988; P=0.299].

Conclusions

In immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory failure, an improved SF ratio 48 h after HFNC treatment was associated with improved 28-day mortality.

Oxygenation/non-invasive ventilation strategy and risk for intubation in immunocompromised patients with hypoxemic acute respiratory failure

We investigated how the initial ventilation/oxygenation management may influence the need for intubation on the coming day in a cohort of immunocompromised patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (ARF).

Data from 847 immunocompromised patients with ARF were used to estimate the probability of intubation at day+1 within the first 3 days of ICU admission, according to oxygenation management. First, noninvasive ventilation (NIV) was compared to oxygen therapy whatever the administration device; then standard oxygen was compared to High Flow Nasal Cannula therapy alone (HFNC), NIV alone or NIV+HFNC. To take into account the oxygenation regimens over time and to handle confounders, propensity score weighting models were used.

In the original sample, the probability of intubation at day+1 was higher in the NIV group vs oxygenation therapy (OR = 1.64, 95CI, 1.09–2.48) or vs the standard oxygen group (OR = 2.05, 95CI: 1.29–3.29); it was also increased in the HFNC group compared to standard oxygen (OR = 2.85, 95CI: 1.37–5.67). However, all these differences disappeared by handling confounding-by-indication in the weighted samples, as well as in the pooled model. Note that adjusted OR for day-28 mortality increased with the day of intubation.

In this large cohort of immunocompromised patients, ventilation/oxygenation management had no impact on the probability of intubation on the coming day.

Non-invasive ventilation in cardiogenic pulmonary edema

Cardiogenic pulmonary edema (CPE) is among the most common causes of acute respiratory failure (ARF) in the acute care setting and often requires ventilatory assistance. In patients with ARF due to CPE, use of non-invasive positive airway pressure can decrease the systemic venous return and the left ventricular (LV) afterload, thus reducing LV filling pressure and limiting pulmonary edema. In these patients, either non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can improve vital signs and physiological parameters, decreasing the need for endotracheal intubation (ETI) and hospital mortality when compared to conventional oxygen therapy. Results on the use of NIV or CPAP in patients with CPE prior to hospitalization are not homogeneous among studies, hampering any conclusive recommendation regarding their role in the pre-hospital setting.

The challenge of avoiding intubation in immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory failure

INTRODUCTION

A growing number of immunocompromised (IC) patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (ARF) is admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) worldwide. Areas covered: This review provides an overview of the current knowledge of the ways to prevent intubation in IC patients with ARF. Expert commentary: Striking differences oppose ARF incidence, characteristics, etiologies and management between IC and non-IC patients. Survival benefits have been reported with early admission to ICU in IC patients. Then, while managing hypoxemia and associated organ dysfunction, the identification of the cause of ARF will be guided by a rigorous clinical assessment at the bedside, further assisted by an invasive or noninvasive diagnostic strategy based on clinical probability for each etiology. Finally, the initial respiratory support aims to avoid mechanical ventilation for the many yet recognizing those patients for whom delaying intubation expose them to suboptimal management. We advocate for not using noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in this setting. A proper evaluation of High-flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNC)  is required in IC patients as to demonstrate its superiority compared to standard oxygen therapy. Day-to-day decisions must strive to avoid delayed intubation, and make every effort to identify ARF etiology.

Immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: secondary analysis of the LUNG SAFE database

Background

The aim of this study was to describe data on epidemiology, ventilatory management, and outcome of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in immunocompromised patients.

Methods

We performed a post hoc analysis on the cohort of immunocompromised patients enrolled in the Large Observational Study to Understand the Global Impact of Severe Acute Respiratory Failure (LUNG SAFE) study. The LUNG SAFE study was an international, prospective study including hypoxemic patients in 459 ICUs from 50 countries across 5 continents.

Results

Of 2813 patients with ARDS, 584 (20.8%) were immunocompromised, 38.9% of whom had an unspecified cause. Pneumonia, nonpulmonary sepsis, and noncardiogenic shock were their most common risk factors for ARDS. Hospital mortality was higher in immunocompromised than in immunocompetent patients (52.4% vs 36.2%; p < 0.0001), despite similar severity of ARDS. Decisions regarding limiting life-sustaining measures were significantly more frequent in immunocompromised patients (27.1% vs 18.6%; p < 0.0001). Use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) as first-line treatment was higher in immunocompromised patients (20.9% vs 15.9%; p = 0.0048), and immunodeficiency remained independently associated with the use of NIV after adjustment for confounders. Forty-eight percent of the patients treated with NIV were intubated, and their mortality was not different from that of the patients invasively ventilated ab initio.

Conclusions

Immunosuppression is frequent in patients with ARDS, and infections are the main risk factors for ARDS in these immunocompromised patients. Their management differs from that of immunocompetent patients, particularly the greater use of NIV as first-line ventilation strategy. Compared with immunocompetent subjects, they have higher mortality regardless of ARDS severity as well as a higher frequency of limitation of life-sustaining measures. Nonetheless, nearly half of these patients survive to hospital discharge.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02010073. Registered on 12 December 2013.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13054-018-2079-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Management and outcomes of acute respiratory distress syndrome patients with and without comorbid conditions

Rationale

The standard of care for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been developed based on studies that usually excluded patients with major comorbidities.

Objectives

To describe treatments and outcomes according to comorbidities in patients with ARDS admitted to 19 ICUs (1997–2014).

Methods

Patients were grouped based on comorbidities. Determinants of day-28 mortality were identified by multivariable Cox analysis stratified on center.

Measurements and main results

Among 4953 ARDS patients, 2545 (51.4%) had major comorbidities; the proportion with major comorbidities increased after 2008. Hematological malignancy was associated with severe ARDS and rescue therapies for refractory hypoxemia. COPD, HIV infection, and hematological malignancy were associated with a lower likelihood of invasive mechanical ventilation on the admission day. Admission-day SOFA score was higher in patients with major comorbidities, who more often received vasopressors, dialysis, or treatment-limitation decisions. Day-28 mortality was 33.7% overall, 27.2% in patients without major comorbidities, and 31.1% (COPD) to 56% (hematological malignancy) in patients with major comorbidities. By multivariable analysis, mortality was lower in patients with COPD and higher in those with chronic heart failure, solid tumors, or hematological malignancies. Mortality was independently associated with P_aO₂/F_iO₂ and PaCO₂ on day 1, ARDS of pulmonary origin, worse SOFA score, and ICU-acquired events.

Conclusions

Half the patients with ARDS had major comorbidities, which were associated with severe ARDS, multiple organ dysfunction, and day-28 mortality. These findings do not support the exclusion of ARDS patients with severe comorbidities from randomized clinical trials. Trials in ARDS patients with whatever comorbidities are warranted.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00134-018-5209-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Noninvasive Options

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has assumed a central role in the treatment of selected patients with acute respiratory failure due to exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Recent advances in the understanding of physiologic aspects of NIV application through different interfaces and ventilator settings have led to improved patient-machine interaction, enhancing favorable NIV outcome. In recent years, the growing role of NIV in the acute care setting has led to the development of technical innovations to overcome the problems related to gas leakage and dead space, improving the quality of the devices and optimizing ventilation modes.

Prognostic factors of noninvasive mechanical ventilation in lung cancer patients with acute respiratory failure

Introduction

Few studies have reported outcomes of lung cancer patients with acute respiratory failure (RF) using noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV). The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic factors in these patients.

Materials and methods

This retrospective observational study included all hospitalized lung cancer patients who received NIPPV for acute RF. It was conducted at a tertiary medical center in Taiwan from 2005 to 2010. The primary outcome was all cause mortality at 28 days after the initiation of NIPPV. Secondary outcomes included all-cause in-hospital mortality, weaning from NIPPV, intubation rate, tracheostomy rate, duration of NIPPV, hospital stay and intensive care unit stay.

Results

The all-cause mortality rate at day 28 of the enrolled 58 patients was 39.66%. The 90-day and 1-year mortality rates were 63.79% and 86.21%, respectively. NIPPV as the first line therapy for RF had higher 28-day mortality rate than it used for post-extubation RF (57.6% versus 16.0%, p<0.05). Independent predictors of mortality at 28 days were progressive disease or newly diagnosed lung cancer (OR 14.02 95% CI 1.03–191.59, p = 0.048), combined with other organ failure (OR 18.07 95% CI 1.87–172.7, p = 0.012), and NIPPV as the first line therapy for RF (OR 35.37 95% CI 3.30–378.68, p = 0.003).

Conclusion

Lung cancer patients using NIPPV with progressive or newly diagnosed cancer disease, combined with other organ failure, or NIPPV as the first line therapy for respiratory failure have a poor outcome.

Evidence-based Utilization of Noninvasive Ventilation and Patient Outcomes

RATIONALE

Strong evidence supports use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for patients with respiratory distress from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure (strong evidence conditions [SECs]). Despite unclear benefits of NIV for other causes of acute respiratory failure, utilization for conditions with weaker evidence is increasing, despite evidence demonstrating higher mortality for patients who suffer NIV failure (progression from NIV to invasive mechanical ventilation [IMV])) compared with being treated initially with IMV.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the association of hospital variation in evidence-based utilization of NIV with patient outcomes.

METHODS

Using the California State Inpatient Database 2011, we identified adult patients who received NIV. Patients were considered to have an SEC for NIV if they had an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart failure. We used multivariable hierarchical logistic regression to determine the association between hospital rates of NIV use for SECs and patient risk of NIV failure (need for IMV after NIV).

RESULTS

Among 22,706 hospitalizations with NIV as the initial ventilatory strategy, 6,820 (30.0%) had SECs. Patients with SECs had lower risk of NIV failure than patients with weak evidence conditions (8.1 vs. 18.2%, P < 0.0001). Regardless of underlying diagnosis, patients admitted to hospitals with greater use of NIV for SECs had lower risk of NIV failure (Quartile 4 vs. Quartile 1 adjusted odds ratio = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.49-0.80). Even patients without an SEC benefited from admission to hospitals that used NIV more often for patients with SECs (Quartile 4 vs. Quartile 1 adjusted odds ratio for NIV failure = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.52-0.88).

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients who received NIV did not have conditions with strong supporting evidence for its use with wide institutional variation in patient selection for NIV. Surprisingly, we found that all patients, even those without an SEC, benefited from admission to hospitals with greater evidence-based utilization of NIV, suggesting a "hospital effect" that is synergistic with patient selection.

Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure in immunocompromised patients: the Efraim multinational prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

In immunocompromised patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (ARF), initial management aims primarily to avoid invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV).

METHODS

To assess the impact of initial management on IMV and mortality rates, we performed a multinational observational prospective cohort study in 16 countries (68 centers).

RESULTS

A total of 1611 patients were enrolled (hematological malignancies 51.9%, solid tumors 35.2%, systemic diseases 17.3%, and solid organ transplantation 8.8%). The main ARF etiologies were bacterial (29.5%), viral (15.4%), and fungal infections (14.7%), or undetermined (13.2%). On admission, 915 (56.8%) patients were not intubated. They received standard oxygen (N = 496, 53.9%), high-flow oxygen (HFNC, N = 187, 20.3%), noninvasive ventilation (NIV, N = 153, 17.2%), and NIV + HFNC (N = 79, 8.6%). Factors associated with IMV included age (hazard ratio = 0.92/year, 95% CI 0.86-0.99), day-1 SOFA (1.09/point, 1.06-1.13), day-1 PaO₂/FiO₂ (1.47, 1.05-2.07), ARF etiology (Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (2.11, 1.42-3.14), invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (1.85, 1.21-2.85), and undetermined cause (1.46, 1.09-1.98). After propensity score matching, HFNC, but not NIV, had an effect on IMV rate (HR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.59-1.00, p = 0.05). ICU, hospital, and day-90 mortality rates were 32.4, 44.1, and 56.4%, respectively. Factors independently associated with hospital mortality included age (odds ratio = 1.18/year, 1.09-1.27), direct admission to the ICU (0.69, 0.54-0.87), day-1 SOFA excluding respiratory score (1.12/point, 1.08-1.16), PaO₂/FiO₂ < 100 (1.60, 1.03-2.48), and undetermined ARF etiology (1.43, 1.04-1.97). Initial oxygenation strategy did not affect mortality; however, IMV was associated with mortality, the odds ratio depending on IMV conditions: NIV + HFNC failure (2.31, 1.09-4.91), first-line IMV (2.55, 1.94-3.29), NIV failure (3.65, 2.05-6.53), standard oxygen failure (4.16, 2.91-5.93), and HFNC failure (5.54, 3.27-9.38).

CONCLUSION

HFNC has an effect on intubation but not on mortality rates. Failure to identify ARF etiology is associated with higher rates of both intubation and mortality. This suggests that in addition to selecting the appropriate oxygenation device, clinicians should strive to identify the etiology of ARF.

The efficacy of initial ventilation strategy for adult immunocompromised patients with severe acute hypoxemic respiratory failure: study protocol for a multicentre randomized controlled trial (VENIM)

Background

Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is still one of the most severe complications in immunocompromised patients. Our previous systematic review showed noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) reduced mortality, length of hospitalization and ICU stay in AIDS/hematological malignancy patients with relatively less severe ARF, compared to invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). However, this systematic review was based on 13 observational studies and the quality of evidence was low to moderate. The efficacy of NIV in more severe ARF and in patients with other causes of immunodeficiency is still unclear. We aim to determine the efficacy of the initial ventilation strategy in managing ARF in immunocompromised patients stratified by different disease severity and causes of immunodeficiency, and explore predictors for failure of NIV.

Methods and analysis

The VENIM is a multicentre randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing the effects of NIV compared with IMV in adult immunocompromised patients with severe hypoxemic ARF. Patients who meet the indications for both forms of ventilatory support will be included. Primary outcome will be 30-day all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes will include in-hospital mortality, length of stay in hospital, improvement of oxygenation, nosocomial infections, seven-day organ failure, adverse events of intervention, et al. Subgroups with different disease severity and causes of immunodeficiency will also be analyzed.

Discussion

VENIM is the first randomized controlled trial aiming at assessing the efficacy of initial ventilation strategy in treating moderate and severe acute respiratory failure in immunocompromised patients. The result of this RCT may help doctors with their ventilation decisions.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02983851. Registered 2 September 2016.

Official ERS/ATS clinical practice guidelines: noninvasive ventilation for acute respiratory failure

Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) is widely used in the acute care setting for acute respiratory failure (ARF) across a variety of aetiologies. This document provides European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society recommendations for the clinical application of NIV based on the most current literature.The guideline committee was composed of clinicians, methodologists and experts in the field of NIV. The committee developed recommendations based on the GRADE (Grading, Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology for each actionable question. The GRADE Evidence to Decision framework in the guideline development tool was used to generate recommendations. A number of topics were addressed using technical summaries without recommendations and these are discussed in the supplementary material.This guideline committee developed recommendations for 11 actionable questions in a PICO (population-intervention-comparison-outcome) format, all addressing the use of NIV for various aetiologies of ARF. The specific conditions where recommendations were made include exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, de novo hypoxaemic respiratory failure, immunocompromised patients, chest trauma, palliation, post-operative care, weaning and post-extubation.This document summarises the current state of knowledge regarding the role of NIV in ARF. Evidence-based recommendations provide guidance to relevant stakeholders.

Predictors of high flow nasal cannula failure in immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory failure due to non-HIV pneumocystis pneumonia

Background

To evaluate the predictors of high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) failure in pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF).

Methods

Fifty-two non-HIV-related PCP subjects were divided into a HFNC success group (44%) and a HFNC failure group (who required mechanical ventilation (MV) despite HFNC application) (56%). The clinical characteristics and physiologic effects were retrospectively reviewed and compared between the groups.

Results

At baseline, the heart rate, alveolar-arterial PO₂ difference [P(A-a)O₂], Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and proportion of subjects who used vasopressors were significantly higher in the HFNC failure group than in the HFNC success group. The 60-day mortality was 52% in the HFNC failure group and 13% in the HFNC success group (P=0.004). The results of the multivariate analysis indicated that the baseline SOFA score was independently associated with HFNC failure (adjusted odds ratio, 1.74 per each score unit increase; 95% CI, 1.05-2.89; P=0.03). Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that within 6 h of HFNC initiation, the mean PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio decreased and the mean P(A-a)O₂ increased rapidly in the HFNC failure group.

Conclusions

Patients with ARF due to PCP subjected to HFNC therapy should be carefully monitored, and particular attention should be paid to those who had organ dysfunction and did not show early oxygenation improvement.

Official ERS/ATS clinical practice guidelines: noninvasive ventilation for acute respiratory failure

Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) is widely used in the acute care setting for acute respiratory failure (ARF) across a variety of aetiologies. This document provides European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society recommendations for the clinical application of NIV based on the most current literature.The guideline committee was composed of clinicians, methodologists and experts in the field of NIV. The committee developed recommendations based on the GRADE (Grading, Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology for each actionable question. The GRADE Evidence to Decision framework in the guideline development tool was used to generate recommendations. A number of topics were addressed using technical summaries without recommendations and these are discussed in the supplementary material.This guideline committee developed recommendations for 11 actionable questions in a PICO (population-intervention-comparison-outcome) format, all addressing the use of NIV for various aetiologies of ARF. The specific conditions where recommendations were made include exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, de novo hypoxaemic respiratory failure, immunocompromised patients, chest trauma, palliation, post-operative care, weaning and post-extubation.This document summarises the current state of knowledge regarding the role of NIV in ARF. Evidence-based recommendations provide guidance to relevant stakeholders.

The Intensive Care Medicine research agenda on critically ill oncology and hematology patients

Over the coming years, accelerating progress against cancer will be associated with an increased number of patients who require life-sustaining therapies for infectious or toxic chemotherapy-related events. Major changes include increased number of cancer patients admitted to the ICU with full-code status or for time-limited trials, increased survival and quality of life in ICU survivors, changing prognostic factors, early ICU admission for optimal monitoring, and use of noninvasive diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. In this review, experts in the management of critically ill cancer patients highlight recent changes in the use and the results of intensive care in patients with malignancies. They seek to put forward a standard of care for the management of these patients and highlight important updates that are required to care for them. The research agenda they suggest includes important studies to be conducted in the next few years to increase our understanding of organ dysfunction in this population and to improve our ability to appropriately use life-saving therapies or select new therapeutic approaches that are likely to improve outcomes. This review aims to provide more guidance for the daily management of patients with cancer, in whom outcomes are constantly improving, as is our global ability to fight against what is becoming the leading cause of mortality in industrialized and non-industrialized countries.

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.

Efficacy of non-invasive ventilation and oxygen therapy on immunocompromised patients with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

BACKGROUND

The number of immunocompromised patients has increased in recent years. Acute respiratory failure is a common complication leading to intensive care unit (ICU) admission and high mortality among such patients. The use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or oxygen therapy among these patients remains controversial, according to the inconsistent results of several randomised clinical trials (RCTs). This meta-analysis aims to evaluate whether NIV or oxygen therapy is the more appropriate initial oxygenation strategy for the immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory failure.

METHOD

We will search all the RCTs that compared the efficacy of NIV and oxygen therapy on immunocompromised adult patients with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure on the major databases (Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and others), conference proceedings and grey literature. Eligible RCTs will be included in accordance with the pre-specified eligibility criteria. The risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration criteria and the quality of evidence will be assessed with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. Data will be extracted with a standardised form and analysed using RevMan V.5.3 analyses software. Heterogeneity will be assessed using I² statistic and the source of which will be investigated. Publication bias will be identified with the funnel plot.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval is not required since it is not carried out in humans. The systematic review will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated extensively through conferences.

Severe varicella-zoster virus pneumonia: a multicenter cohort study

BACKGROUND

Pneumonia is a dreaded complication of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection in adults; however, the data are limited. Our objective was to investigate the clinical features, management, and outcomes of critically ill patients with VZV-related community-acquired pneumonia (VZV-CAP).

METHODS

This was an observational study of patients with VZV-CAP admitted to 29 intensive care units (ICUs) from January 1996 to January 2015.

RESULTS

One hundred and two patients with VZV-CAP were included. Patients were young (age 39 years (interquartile range 32-51)) and 53 (52%) were immunocompromised. Time since respiratory symptom onset was 2 (1-3) days. There was a seasonal distribution of the disease, with more cases during spring and winter time. All but four patients presented with typical skin rash on ICU admission. Half the patients received mechanical ventilation within 1 (1-2) day following ICU admission (the ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to fractional inspired oxygen (PaO₂/FiO₂) = 150 (80-284), 80% with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)). Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score on day 1 (odds ratio (OR) 1.90 (1.33-2.70); p < 0.001), oxygen flow at ICU admission (OR 1.25 (1.08-1.45); p = 0.004), and early bacterial co-infection (OR 14.94 (2.00-111.8); p = 0.009) were independently associated with the need for mechanical ventilation. Duration of mechanical ventilation was 14 (7-21) days. ICU and hospital mortality rates were 17% and 24%, respectively. All patients were treated with aciclovir and 10 received adjunctive therapy with steroids. Compared to 60 matched steroid-free controls, patients treated with steroids had a longer mechanical ventilation duration, ICU length of stay, and a similar hospital mortality, but experienced more ICU-acquired infections.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe VZV-CAP is responsible for an acute pulmonary involvement associated with a significant morbidity and mortality. Steroid therapy did not influence mortality, but increased the risk of superinfection.

Impact of Initial Ventilatory Strategy in Hematological Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Acute respiratory failure in hematological patients is related to a high mortality. Noninvasive mechanical ventilation may benefit a subset of these patients, but the overall effect on mortality and the risks derived from its failure are unclear. Our objective was to review the impact of initial ventilatory strategy on mortality and the risks related to noninvasive mechanical ventilation failure in this group of patients.

DATA SOURCES

Data sources, including PubMed and conference proceedings, were searched from the year 2000 to January 2015.

STUDY SELECTION

We selected studies reporting mortality and the need for mechanical ventilation in hematological patients with acute respiratory failure.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two trained reviewers independently conducted study selection, abstracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. Discrepancies between reviewers were resolved through discussion and consensus. The outcomes explored were all-cause mortality after mechanical ventilation and incidence of noninvasive mechanical ventilation failure.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A random-effects model was used in all the analysis. Thirteen studies, involving 2,380 patients, were included. Use of noninvasive mechanical ventilation was related to a better outcome than initial intubation (risk ratio, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.65-0.84). Failure of noninvasive mechanical ventilation did not increase the overall risk of death (risk ratio, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.93-1.13). There were signs of publication bias and substantial heterogeneity among the studies. Compensation of this bias by using the trim-and-fill method showed a significant risk of death after noninvasive mechanical ventilation failure (risk ratio, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.00-1.14). Meta-regression analysis showed that the predicted risk of death for the noninvasive mechanical ventilation group acted as a significant moderator, with a higher risk of death after noninvasive mechanical ventilation failure in those studies reporting lower predicted mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Noninvasive mechanical ventilation is associated with a lower risk of death in hematological patients with respiratory failure. Noninvasive mechanical ventilation failure may worsen the prognosis, mainly in less severe patients.