Readmission rates and life threatening events in COPD survivors treated with non-invasive ventilation for acute hypercapnic respiratory failure

Long-term mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requiring acute non-invasive ventilation with and without obstructive sleep apnoea

INTRODUCTION

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) overlap syndrome (OVS) is associated with higher mortality compared with COPD alone in stable outpatients. However, the prognosis of patients hospitalised with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (ARF) is unclear.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, 124 patients with COPD and 44 patients with OVS were treated with positive airway pressure (PAP) for ARF and followed up for a median of 20.6 months (IQR 3.80-53.4). Patients treated in the emergency or intensive care units and did not continue PAP on the wards were excluded. We compared patient characteristics and overall survival.

RESULTS

Mean (SD) age of participants was 71 (9.7) years and 51% were males. Patients with OVS had a higher prevalence of hypertension (75% vs 50.0%, p=0.004) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (45.5% vs 19.4%, p<0.001). There was no difference in arterial pH or carbon dioxide levels at presentation. On univariate analysis, mortality was lower in OVS compared with patients with COPD alone (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.87). Median survival was 51.0 (95% CI 38.1 to 93.7) months in OVS and 27.7 (95% CI 16.9 to 35.1) months in COPD alone. Median survival in OVS prescribed home PAP therapy was significantly higher (59.0 months) compared with OVS not discharged on therapy (36.1 months), and to patients with COPD, irrespective of home therapy prescription (p=0.022). After adjusting for multiple known confounders, patients with OVS still appeared to have lower mortality; however, this was no longer statistically significant (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.24).

DISCUSSION

We found that patients with COPD and ARF requiring non-invasive ventilation may have higher mortality rates compared with patients with OVS. Patients with OVS treated with home PAP had lower mortality compared with patients not prescribed PAP on discharge. These findings suggest that patients with COPD who present with ARF may benefit from early diagnosis of OSA and initiation of long-term PAP therapy.

Predictive value of the CURB-65, qSOFA, and APACHE II for in-hospital mortality in patients with acute exacerbation chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, Confusion, Urea, Respiratory Rate, Blood Pressure, and Age Above or Below 65 Years (CURB-65), and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II in predicting the in-hospital mortality of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). This retrospective study was conducted on 1583 hospitalized patients diagnosed with AECOPD from 2017 to 2019. Appropriate clinical data were retrieved from medical records from the time of admission up until the patients were discharged. The patients' most severe physiological condition and laboratory data within the first 24 hours of admission were used to determine CURB-65, Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, and APACHE II scores. The accuracy of these 3 instruments in predicting the in-hospital mortality of patients with AECOPD was compared. It was observed that patients who had died had significantly higher APACHE II and CURB-65 scores (P < .05). Binary logistic regression analysis confirmed their significant association with mortality. The APACHE II score had a sensitivity of 91.6% and a specificity of 89.2%, while CURB-65 had a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 67.2%. The receiver operating characteristic curves for APACHE II and CURB-65 showed high predictive accuracy (area under the curve, 0.965 and 0.882, P < .001), respectively. Mortality rates substantially increased with higher scores (P < .001), reaching 38.2% for APACHE II scores ≥16 and 15.8% for CURB-65 scores ≥2. Our findings reveal a clear link between higher mortality rates and higher APACHE II and CURB-65 scores. The receiver operating characteristic curves' strong predictive ability highlights the dependability of these scoring systems in assessing the risk of in-hospital mortality, making them useful tools for predicting the outcomes in critical care.

Long-term cohort study of patients presenting with hypercapnic respiratory failure

OBJECTIVE

We sought to describe the long-term prognosis for a population-based cohort of people with hypercapnic respiratory failure (HRF) and the associations between underlying diagnoses and the risks of death and rehospitalisation.

METHODS

We performed a historical cohort study of all persons with HRF in the Liverpool local government area in New South Wales, Australia, in the 3-year period from 2013 to 2015. Cohort members were identified using arterial blood gas results from Liverpool Hospital demonstrating pH ≤7.45 and PaCO2 >45 mm Hg within 24 hours of presentation. Linked health data were obtained from statewide registries with a minimum follow-up period of 6 years. The primary outcomes were time to death from any cause and the standardised mortality ratio (SMR) which compares the observed to the expected number of deaths in the same population. Secondary outcomes were time to rehospitalisation and the associations between death and/or hospitalisation and underlying diagnoses.

RESULTS

The cohort comprised 590 adults aged between 15 and 101 years. Overall, 415 (70.3%) participants died in the follow-up period. Among those who survived the index admission, the probability of survival at 1, 3 and 5 years was 81%, 59% and 45%, respectively. The overall SMR was 9.2 (95% CI 7.6 to 11.0), indicating a near 10-fold risk of death than otherwise expected for age. Most (91%) survivors experienced rehospitalisation, with median (IQR) time to readmission of 3.9 (1.2-10.6) months. Congestive cardiac failure and neuromuscular disease were associated with an increased risk of death, whereas chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and sleep disordered breathing increased the risk of rehospitalisation.

CONCLUSIONS

HRF is associated with poor survival and high risk of rehospitalisation in the 5 years following an index event. The underlying disease appears to have some influence on overall survival and subsequent hospitalisations.

[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.

Frailty and in-hospital mortality in older patients with acute exacerbation of COPD: A real-world prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Few evidence exists for the effect of frailty on the patients admitted with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).

OBJECTIVE

We explored the link between frailty and in-hospital death in AECOPD, and whether laboratory indicators mediate this association.

METHODS

This was a real-world prospective cohort study including older patients with AECOPD, consisting of two cohorts: a training set (n = 1356) and a validation set (n = 478). The independent prognostic factors, including frail status, were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The relationship between frailty and in-hospital mortality was estimated by multivariable Cox regression. A nomogram was developed to provide clinicians with a quantitative tool to predict the risk of in-hospital death. Mediation analyses for frailty and in-hospital death were conducted.

RESULTS

The training set included 1356 patients (aged 86.7 ± 6.6 years), and 25.0 % of them were frail. A nomogram model was created, including ten independent variables: age, sex, frailty, COPD grades, severity of exacerbation, mean arterial pressure (MAP), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), albumin, and troponin T (TPN-T). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROCs) was 0.862 and 0.845 for the training set and validation set, respectively. Patients with frailty had a higher risk of in-hospital death than those without frailty (HR,1.83, 95%CI: 1.14, 2.94; p = 0.013). Furthermore, CRP and albumin mediated the associations between frailty and in-hospital death.

CONCLUSIONS

Frailty may be an adverse prognostic factor for older patients admitted with AECOPD. CRP and albumin may be part of the immunoinflammatory mechanism between frailty and in-hospital death.

The rate of hypercapnic respiratory failure in a pulmonary function test laboratory database

Hypercapnia rates are in the range 3.6-12% among those with abnormal spirometry and FEV1 ≥80% pred, and 53-58% among those with FEV1 <35% pred. Both airflow obstruction and preserved ratio impaired spirometry are associated with higher risk of CHRF. https://bit.ly/3H8DlfM.

Development and validation of a prospective study to predict the risk of readmission within 365 days of respiratory failure: based on a random survival forest algorithm combined with COX regression modeling

BACKGROUND

There is a need to develop and validate a widely applicable nomogram for predicting readmission of respiratory failure patients within 365 days.

METHODS

We recruited patients with respiratory failure at the First People's Hospital of Yancheng and the People's Hospital of Jiangsu. We used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression to select significant features for multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis. The Random Survival Forest algorithm was employed to construct a model for the variables that obtained a coefficient of 0 following LASSO regression, and subsequently determine the prediction score. Independent risk factors and the score were used to develop a multivariate COX regression for creating the line graph. We used the Harrell concordance index to quantify the predictive accuracy and the receiver operating characteristic curve to evaluate model performance. Additionally, we used decision curve analysiso assess clinical usefulness.

RESULTS

The LASSO regression and multivariate Cox regression were used to screen hemoglobin, diabetes and pneumonia as risk variables combined with Score to develop a column chart model. The C index is 0.927 in the development queue, 0.924 in the internal validation queue, and 0.922 in the external validation queue. At the same time, the predictive model also showed excellent calibration and higher clinical value.

CONCLUSIONS

A nomogram predicting readmission of patients with respiratory failure within 365 days based on three independent risk factors and a jointly developed random survival forest algorithm has been developed and validated. This improves the accuracy of predicting patient readmission and provides practical information for individualized treatment decisions.

Hypercapnia and its relationship with respiratory infections

INTRODUCTION

Hypercapnia is developed in patients with acute and/or chronic respiratory conditions. Clinical data concerning hypercapnia and respiratory infections interaction is limited.

AREAS COVERED

Currently, the relationship between hypercapnia and respiratory infections remains unclear. In this review, we summarize studies on the effects of hypercapnia on models of pulmonary infections to clarify the role of elevated CO2 in these pulmonary pathologies. Hypercapnia affects different cell types in the alveoli, leading to changes in the immune response. In vitro studies show that hypercapnia downregulates the NF-κβ pathway, reduces inflammation and impairs epithelial wound healing. While in vivo models show a dual role between short- and long-term effects of hypercapnia on lung infection. However, it is still controversial whether the effects observed under hypercapnia are pH dependent or not.

EXPERT OPINION

The role of hypercapnia is still a controversial debate. Hypercapnia could play a beneficial role in mechanically ventilated models, by lowering the inflammation produced by the stretch condition. But it could be detrimental in infectious scenarios, causing phagocyte dysfunction and lack of infection control. Further data concerning hypercapnia on respiratory infections is needed to elucidate this interaction.

Predictors of Readmission, for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - A Systematic Review

Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third-leading cause of death globally and is responsible for over 3 million deaths annually. One of the factors contributing to the significant healthcare burden for these patients is readmission. The aim of this review is to describe significant predictors and prediction scores for all-cause and COPD-related readmission among patients with COPD.

Methods

A search was conducted in Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, from database inception to June 7, 2022. Studies were included if they reported on patients at least 40 years old with COPD, readmission data within 1 year, and predictors of readmission. Study quality was assessed. Significant predictors of readmission and the degree of significance, as noted by the p-value, were extracted for each study. This review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022337035).

Results

In total, 242 articles reporting on 16,471,096 patients were included. There was a low risk of bias across the literature. Of these, 153 studies were observational, reporting on predictors; 57 studies were observational studies reporting on interventions; and 32 were randomized controlled trials of interventions. Sixty-four significant predictors for all-cause readmission and 23 for COPD-related readmission were reported across the literature. Significant predictors included 1) pre-admission patient characteristics, such as male sex, prior hospitalization, poor performance status, number and type of comorbidities, and use of long-term oxygen; 2) hospitalization details, such as length of stay, use of corticosteroids, and use of ventilatory support; 3) results of investigations, including anemia, lower FEV1, and higher eosinophil count; and 4) discharge characteristics, including use of home oxygen and discharge to long-term care or a skilled nursing facility.

Conclusion

The findings from this review may enable better predictive modeling and can be used by clinicians to better inform their clinical gestalt of readmission risk.

Long-term non-invasive ventilation for COPD patients following an exacerbation with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure: a randomized controlled trial

Introduction

It remains unclear whether long-term non-invasive ventilation (LT-NIV) for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) improves survival and reduces admissions as results from randomized trials are inconsistent. We aim to determine whether LT-NIV initiated after an admission with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF) can affect survival and admission rate in COPD patients.

Methods

A randomized controlled open-label trial, allocating patients with COPD to LT-NIV or standard of care immediately after an admission with AHRF treated with acute NIV. LT-NIV was aimed to normalize PaCO2 using high-pressure NIV.

Results

The study was discontinued before full sample size due to slow recruitment. 28 patients were randomized to LT-NIV and 27 patients to standard of care. 42% of patients had a history of ≥ 2 admissions with AHRF. Median IPAP was 24 cmH2O (IQR 20-28). The primary outcome, time to readmission with AHRF or death within 12 months, did not reach significance, hazard ratio 0.53 (95% CI 0.25-1.12) p = 0.097. In a competing risk analysis, adjusted for history of AHRF, the odds ratio for AHRF within 12 months was 0.30 (95% CI 0.11-0.87) p = 0.024. The LT-NIV group had less exacerbations (median 1 (0-1) vs 2 (1-4) p = 0.021) and readmissions with AHRF (median 0 (0-1) vs 1 (0-1) p = 0.016).

Conclusion

The risk of the primary outcome, time to readmission with AHRF or death within 12 months was numerically smaller in the LT-NIV group, however, did not reach significance. Nevertheless, several secondary outcome analyses like risk of AHRF, number of episodes of AHRF and exacerbations were all significantly reduced in favour of high-pressure LT-NIV, especially in patients with frequent AHRF.

COPD Exacerbation: Why It Is Important to Avoid ICU Admission

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Hospitalization due to acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) is a relevant health problem both for its impact on disease outcomes and on health system resources. Severe AECOPD causing acute respiratory failure (ARF) often requires admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) with endotracheal intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation. AECOPD also acts as comorbidity in critically ill patients; this condition is associated with poorer prognoses. The prevalence reported in the literature on ICU admission rates ranges from 2 to 19% for AECOPD requiring hospitalization, with an in-hospital mortality rate of 20-40% and a re-hospitalization rate for a new severe event being 18% of the AECOPD cases admitted to ICUs. The prevalence of AECOPD in ICUs is not properly known due to an underestimation of COPD diagnoses and COPD misclassifications in administrative data. Non-invasive ventilation in acute and chronic respiratory failure may prevent AECOPD, reducing ICU admissions and disease mortality, especially when associated with a life-threating episode of hypercapnic ARF. In this review, we report on up to date evidence from the literature, showing how improving the knowledge and management of AECOPD is still a current research issue and clinical need.

Getting It Right in Obstructive Lung Disease

Chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure in obstructive lung diseases may benefit from nocturnal Home non-invasive ventilation (HNIV). It has been shown that in patients with persistence of hypercapnia after an acute episode of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation requiring mechanical ventilation, HNIV may improve the risk for new admission and survival. The ability to reach these aims depends on the correct timing of enrolling patients, as well as a correct definition of ventilatory needing and setting of the ventilator. This review tries to define a possible home treatment path of hypercapnic respiratory failure in COPD by analyzing the main studies published in recent years.

Modelling 30-day hospital readmission after discharge for COPD patients based on electronic health records

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third most common chronic disease in China with frequent exacerbations, resulting in increased hospitalization and readmission rate. COPD readmission within 30 days after discharge is an important indicator of care transitions, patient's quality of life and disease management. Identifying risk factors and improving 30-day readmission prediction help inform appropriate interventions, reducing readmissions and financial burden. This study aimed to develop a 30-day readmission prediction model using decision tree by learning from the data extracted from the electronic health record of COPD patients in Macao. Health records data of COPD inpatients from Kiang Wu Hospital, Macao, from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019 were reviewed and analyzed. A total of 782 hospitalizations for AECOPD were enrolled, where the 30-day readmission rate was 26.5% (207). A balanced dataset was randomly generated, where male accounted for 69.1% and mean age was 80.73 years old. Age, length of stay, history of tobacco smoking, hemoglobin, systemic steroids use, antibiotics use and number of hospital admission due to COPD in last 12 months were found to be significant risk factors for 30-day readmission of CODP patients (P < 0.01). A data-driven decision tree-based modelling approach with Bayesian hyperparameter optimization was developed. The mean precision-recall and AUC value for the classifier were 73.85, 73.7 and 0.7506, showing a satisfying prediction performance. The number of hospital admission due to AECOPD in last 12 months, smoke status and patients' age were the top factors for 30-day readmission in Macao population.

How do I wean a patient with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure from noninvasive ventilation?

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been increasingly used for the management of different etiologies of acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF). Although NIV implementation has been framed well by the guidelines, limited number of studies evaluated the NIV weaning strategies, including a gradual decrease in the level of ventilator support and/or duration of NIV as well as abrupt discontinuation, once respiratory acidosis and distress have resolved. None of the methods have yet been established to be superior to the other in terms of the success rate of weaning and duration of NIV; as well as mortality, length of stay (LOS) in hospital, respiratory ICU (RICU), and ICU.  Patient-derived factors, such as etiology of AHRF, disease severity, history of prior NIV use, and clinical status can help to predict NIV weaning outcome and eventually choose the best method for each individual. In this paper, we have described the strategies for weaning a patient with AHRF from NIV and provided a quick guide for implementation of these data into daily practice based on our experience in and the current scientific evidence.

Efficacy of Nasal High-Flow Oxygen Therapy in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients in Long-Term Oxygen and Nocturnal Non-Invasive Ventilation during Exercise Training

High-flow oxygen therapy (HFOT) improves gas exchange and dead space washout and reduces the level of work required for breathing. This study aimed to evaluate pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) combined with HFOT in COPD patients treated with nocturnal non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT). In particular, we sought to discover whether the addition of HFOT during exercise training could improve patients’ performance, mainly with regard to their Six-Minute Walking Test (6MWT) outcomes, and reduce the exacerbation rates, periods of rehospitalization or need to resort to unscheduled visits. Thirty-one COPD subjects (13 female) who used nocturnal NIV were included in a randomized controlled trial and allocated to one of two groups: the experimental group (EG), with 15 subjects, subjected to PR with HFOT; and the control group (CG), with 16 subjects, subjected to PR without HFOT. The primary outcome of the study was the observation of changes in the 6MWT. The secondary outcome of the study was related to the rate of exacerbation and hospitalization. Data were collected at baseline and after one, two and three cycles of cycle-ergometer exercise training performed in 20 supervised sessions of 40 min thrice per week, with a washout period of 3 months between each rehabilitation cycle. Statistical significance was not found for the 6MWT distance (W = 0.974; p = 0.672) at the last follow-up, but statistical significance was found for the Borg scale in regard to dyspnea (W = 2.50; p < 0.001) and fatigue (W = 2.00; p < 0.001). HFOT may offer a positive option for dyspnea-affected COPD patients in the context of LTOT and nocturnal NIV.

Home Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Why, Who, and How?

Advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) might result in chronic hypercapnic ventilatory failure. Similar to neuromuscular and restrictive chest wall diseases, long-term non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) is increasingly used in chronic hypercapnic COPD. This review describes the methods, patient selection, ventilatory strategies, and therapeutic effects of long-term Home-NPPV based on randomized controlled clinical trials published since 1985 in English language retrieved from the databases PubMed and Scopus. Long-term NPPV is feasible and effective in stable, non-exacerbated COPD patients with daytime hypercapnia with arterial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) levels ≥50 mm Hg (6.6 kPa), if the applied ventilatory pressures and application times improve baseline hypercapnia by at least 20%. Patients who survived an acute hypercapnic exacerbation might benefit from long-term NPPV if hypercapnia persists 2-4 weeks after resolution of the exacerbation. Pressure-controlled ventilation or pressure-support ventilation with adequate minimum backup breathing frequencies, in combination with nasal masks or oronasal masks have been successfully used in all larger clinical trials. Ventilatory strategies with mean inspiratory pressures of up to 28 cm H2O are well-tolerated by patients, but limitations exist in patients with impaired cardiac performance. Home-NPPV with a PaCO2-reductive approach might be considered as an additional treatment option in patients with stable chronic hypercapnic COPD.

Hypercapnia in COPD: Causes, Consequences, and Therapy

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory disorder that may lead to gas exchange abnormalities, including hypercapnia. Chronic hypercapnia is an independent risk factor of mortality in COPD, leading to epithelial dysfunction and impaired lung immunity. Moreover, chronic hypercapnia affects the cardiovascular physiology, increases the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and promotes muscle wasting and musculoskeletal abnormalities. Noninvasive ventilation is a widely used technique to remove carbon dioxide, and several studies have investigated its role in COPD. In the present review, we aim to summarize the causes and effects of chronic hypercapnia in COPD. Furthermore, we discuss the use of domiciliary noninvasive ventilation as a treatment option for hypercapnia while highlighting the controversies within the evidence. Finally, we provide some insightful clinical recommendations and draw attention to possible future research areas.

Hospital re-admission after critical care survival: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Survivors of critical illness frequently require increased healthcare resources after hospital discharge. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess hospital re-admission rates following critical care admission and to explore potential re-admission risk factors. We searched the MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL databases on 05 March 2020. Our search strategy incorporated controlled vocabulary and text words for hospital re-admission and critical illness, limited to the English language. Two reviewers independently applied eligibility criteria and assessed quality using the Newcastle Ottawa Score checklist and extracted data. The primary outcome was acute hospital re-admission in the year after critical care discharge. Of the 8851 studies screened, 87 met inclusion criteria and 41 were used within the meta-analysis. The analysis incorporated data from 3,897,597 patients and 741,664 re-admission episodes. Pooled estimates for hospital re-admission after critical illness were 16.9% (95%CI: 13.3-21.2%) at 30 days; 31.0% (95%CI: 24.3-38.6%) at 90 days; 29.6% (95%CI: 24.5-35.2%) at six months; and 53.3% (95%CI: 44.4-62.0%) at 12 months. Significant heterogeneity was observed across included studies. Three risk factors were associated with excess acute care rehospitalisation one year after discharge: the presence of comorbidities; events during initial hospitalisation (e.g. the presence of delirium and duration of mechanical ventilation); and subsequent infection after hospital discharge. Hospital re-admission is common in survivors of critical illness. Careful attention to the management of pre-existing comorbidities during transitions of care may help reduce healthcare utilisation after critical care discharge. Future research should determine if targeted interventions for at-risk critical care survivors can reduce the risk of subsequent rehospitalisation.

Characteristics of Obese Patients with Acute Hypercapnia Respiratory Failure Admitted in the Department of Pneumology: An Observational Study of a North African Population

BACKGROUND

Acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF) is a common life-threatening event in patients with obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS).

OBJECTIVES

To study the clinical pattern, noninvasive ventilatory support, as well as the short- and long-term outcomes of patients with OHS admitted in a ward because of AHRF.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study including all adults with OHS aged ≥ 18 - year - old, admitted in a 90-bed-ward for AHRF.

RESULTS

A total of 44 patients were included. Fifteen (34.1%) and 29 (65.9%) patients were diagnosed with malignant OHS (mOHS) and nonmalignant OHS (non-mOHS), respectively, while 36 (81.8%) had coexisting obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Patients with mOHS had a significantly higher rate of heart failure (100% vs. 31%; p < 0.001), chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) (73.3% vs. 41.4%; p = 0.04), and dyslipidemia (66.7% vs. 34.5%; p = 0.04) than those with non-mOHS. The mean forced vital capacity (FVC) in our patients was of 59.5% ± 18.5 of the predicted value, lower than what is usually reported in stable patients with OHS. At hospital admission, more than two-thirds (n = 34, 77.3%) were misdiagnosed as having asthma exacerbation (n = 4, 4.9.1%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation (n = 12, 27.3%) and/or heart failure (n = 29, 65.9%). Acute pulmonary oedema (ACPE) (n = 16, 36.4%) and acute viral bronchitis (n = 12, 27.3%) were the main identified causal factors, while no cause could be determined in 5 (11.4%) patients. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) using bilevel positive airway pressure (BIPAP) was very highly effective to treat AHRF, with only 2.27% of patients failing the modality. Median overall duration of ventilation was 9 hours per day (1.3-20) and was significantly longer in patients with mOHS than in those with non-mOHS (10 [6-18] vs. 8 [1.3-20], respectively; p = 0.01). Forty two of the forty-three patients discharged alive were treated with BIPAP or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in 26 and 16 patients, respectively. The probability of survival was 90% at 12 months, while the probability of readmission for a new episode of AHRF was 56% at 6 months and 22% at 12 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

AHRF in OHS patients is a life-threatening event which can be successfully and safely treated with BIPAP, with a low long-term mortality even in patients with mOHS.

Hypercapnia from Physiology to Practice

Acute hypercapnic ventilatory failure is becoming more frequent in critically ill patients. Hypercapnia is the elevation in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂) above 45 mmHg in the bloodstream. The pathophysiological mechanisms of hypercapnia include the decrease in minute volume, an increase in dead space, or an increase in carbon dioxide (CO₂) production per sec. They generate a compromise at the cardiovascular, cerebral, metabolic, and respiratory levels with a high burden of morbidity and mortality. It is essential to know the triggers to provide therapy directed at the primary cause and avoid possible complications.

Assistive technologies for home NIV in patients with COPD: feasibility and positive experience with remote-monitoring and volume-assured auto-EPAP NIV mode

Background

Outcomes for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with persistent hypercapnic respiratory failure are improved by long-term home non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Provision of home-NIV presents clinical and service challenges. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes of home-NIV in hypercapnic patients with COPD who had been set-up at our centre using remote-monitoring and iVAPS-autoEPAP NIV mode (Lumis device, ResMed).

Methods

Retrospective analysis of a data set of 46 patients with COPD who commenced remote-monitored home-NIV (AirView, ResMed) between February 2017 and January 2018. Events including time to readmission or death at 12 months were compared with a retrospectively identified cohort of 27 patients with hypercapnic COPD who had not been referred for consideration of home-NIV.

Results

The median time to readmission or death was significantly prolonged in patients who commenced home-NIV (median 160 days, 95% CI 69.38 to 250.63) versus the comparison cohort (66 days, 95% CI 21.9 to 110.1; p<0.01). Average time to hospital readmission was 221 days (95% CI, 47.77 to 394.23) and 70 days (95% CI, 55.31 to 84.69; p<0.05), respectively. Median decrease in bicarbonate level of 4.9 mmol/L (p<0.0151) and daytime partial pressure of carbon dioxide 2.2 kPa (p<0.032) in home-NIV patients with no required increase in nurse home visits is compatible with effectiveness of this service model. Median reduction of 14 occupied bed days per annum was observed per patient who continued home-NIV throughout the study period (N=32).

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate the feasibility and provide initial utility data for a technology-assisted service model for the provision of home-NIV therapy for patients with COPD.

One-Year Readmission Following Undifferentiated Acute Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure

Patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF) often require hospitalization and respiratory support. Early identification of patients at risk of readmission would be helpful. We evaluated 1-y readmission and mortality rates of patients admitted for undifferentiated AHRF and identified the impact of initial severity on clinically important outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed patients who presented with AHRF to the emergency department of St Michael's Hospital in 2017. We collected data about patients' characteristics, hospital admission, readmission and mortality one year after the index admission. We analyzed predictors of readmission and mortality and conducted a survival analysis comparing patients who did and did not receive ventilatory support. A cohort of 212 patients with AHRF who survived their hospital admission were analyzed. At one year, 150 patients (70.8%) were readmitted and 19 (9%) had died. Main diagnoses included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (60%), congestive heart failure (36%), asthma (22%) and obesity (19%), and these categories of patients had similar 1 y readmission rates. One third had more than one coexisting chronic illness. Although comorbidities were more frequent in readmitted patients, only a history of previous hospital admissions remained associated with 1 y readmission and mortality in multivariate analysis. Need for ventilatory support at admission was not associated with higher 1 y probability of readmission or death. Undifferentiated AHRF is the presentation of multiple chronic illnesses. Patients who survive one episode of AHRF and with previous history of admission have the highest risk of readmission and death regardless of whether they receive ventilatory support during index admission.

Long-term home non-invasive ventilation in chronic hypercapnic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: Real-world impact on lung function, acute exacerbations and survival

INTRODUCTION

Although long-term home non-invasive ventilation (H-NIV) has been used among chronic hypercapnic COPD patients, its clinical benefit is still on debate. We aim to assess the impact of H-NIV in chronic hypercapnic COPD patients.

METHODS

COPD patients who initiated H-NIV between January 2010 and December 2017 were included. Patients with concomitant respiratory disorders were excluded. Acute exacerbation (AE) before and 2 years after H-NIV initiation was assessed as main outcome. Secondary outcomes included lung function and gas exchange parameters. Survival since H-NIV initiation was determined, and factors related with survival were explored.

RESULTS

Seventy-two patients were enrolled. A decrease in partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂ ) in arterial blood (p < 0.001) and an improvement of partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂ ) (p < 0.001) were achieved using a high-intensity H-NIV. Regarding lung function, residual volume (RV) reduced (p = 0.010) and forced-expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁ ) improved (p = 0.043) after H-NIV initiation. No significant differences in 6-min walking test (6MWT) were found. Compared with the year before H-NIV initiation, the number of AE diminished in the first and in the second years of follow-up (p < 0.001). The median survival was 79.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 52.9-105.1), and the covered distance in 6MWT predicted survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.026, p = 0.003) in the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

High-intensity H-NIV significantly improved FEV1 and hyperinflation, decreased frequency of AEs and led to a remarkable median survival, which was independently predicted by the walking distance in 6MWT.

Long-Term Domiciliary Noninvasive Ventilation for COPD

COPD can lead to abnormalities in oxygenation as well as ventilation. Thanks to pioneering work by Dr Thomas Petty, supplemental oxygen therapy has been shown to improve morbidity and mortality for individuals with COPD and severe daytime hypoxemia. However, efforts to augment ventilation have been less uniformly successful. Recent studies employing a so-called high-intensity noninvasive ventilation strategy, which used high inspiratory pressures and backup breathing frequency to reduce arterial carbon dioxide levels, have shown improved quality of life and reduced mortality. Thus, efforts are underway to better identify and treat patients with COPD who might benefit from noninvasive ventilation, though many practical questions remain.

Gait speed is associated with death or readmission among patients surviving acute hypercapnic respiratory failure

Objectives

Death or hospital readmission are frequent among patients surviving acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF). Severity scores are not valid to predict death or readmission after AHRF. Gait speed, a simple functional parameter, has been associated with hospital admission and death in the general population. The purpose of this study is to highlight an association between gait speed at hospital discharge and death or readmission among AHRF survivors.

Design

Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study.

Settings

Single Swiss tertiary hospital, pulmonary division.

Participants

Patients were prospectively recruited to form a cohort of patients surviving AHRF in the intensive care unit between January 2012 and May 2015.

Outcome measure

Gait speed was derived from a 6 min walking test (6MWT) before hospital discharge. All predictive variables were prospectively collected. Death or hospital readmission were recorded for 6 months. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the association between predictive variables and death or hospital readmission.

Results

71 patients performed a 6MWT. 34/71 (48%) patients died or were readmitted to the hospital during the observation period. Median gait speed was 0.7 (IQR 0.3–1.0) m/s. At 6 months, 66% (25/38) of slow walkers (gait speed <0.7 m/s) and 27% (9/33) of non-slow walkers died or were readmitted to the hospital (p=0.002). In univariate analysis, gait speed was associated with death or readmission (HR 0.41; 95% CI 0.19 to 0.90, p=0.025). In a multivariate model adjusted for age, gender, body mass index, forced expired volume, heart failure and home mechanical ventilation, gait speed remained the only variable associated with death or readmission (multivariate HR: 0.35; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.88, p=0.025).

Conclusion

This study suggests that a simple functional parameter such as gait speed is associated with death or hospital readmission in patients surviving AHRF.

Trial registration number

NCT02111876.

Evaluation of Hospital Admission Status for Emergency Department Patients Seen for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation: A Retrospective Observational Study

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and preventable condition. The disease accounts for a large economic burden in the US health care system. Better control and prevention of COPD exacerbations can help prevent presentations to already-crowded emergency departments (EDs) and hospitals. The objective of our study was to identify variables associated with hospital admission status in ED patients presenting with COPD exacerbation. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients seen at 1 of 3 US EDs from 2012 to 2014 with a primary diagnosis related to COPD exacerbation. Hospital admission status was modeled using patient characteristic data via adaptive least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression. Study results are presented as adjusted odds ratios with 95% CIs. Planned post hoc model dependency and external data sensitivity analyses were conducted. Results: The study sample included 1,165 unique patients with COPD with an ED encounter related to exacerbation at 1 of the 3 reviewed hospitals. Approximately half of these patients had a hospital admission. Variables inversely associated with an admission included oxygen saturation and number of prior ED encounters for COPD exacerbation. Variables positively associated with admission were initial ED heart rate, patient age, and documented comorbidities of anxiety and/or depression. These mental health comorbidities had the strongest association with admission status. Conclusion: Understanding the characteristics of admitted patients may help direct resources and outpatient services to prevent encounters. Of note, the study revealed mental health variables as being strongly associated with admission status.

Development and Relevance of Hypercapnia in COPD

Background

Identification of patients who may become hypercapnic, or develop acidotic hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF), is important in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to avoid hospital admission and select patients for use of home NIV. This study aimed to identify factors associated with presence and development of hypercapnia.

Methods

1224 patients, 637 with COPD and 587 with alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), from 4 previously established patient cohorts, were included in cross-sectional analyses of hypercapnia (PaCO₂ ≥ 6.5 kPa or 48.8 mmHg), focusing on phenotypic features of COPD and mortality. Longitudinal associations of rising PaCO₂ were also assessed. A second cohort of 160 COPD patients underwent sleep studies and 1-year follow-up, analysing in a similar way, incorporating additional information from their sleep studies if appropriate.

Results

Hypercapnia was 15 times more common in usual COPD than AATD (p < 0.01) after adjustment for baseline differences by regression. Independent predictors of hypercapnia in COPD included FEV₁ and current use of oxygen; these variables, together with lack of emphysema, explained 11% of variance in CO₂. Increasing PaCO₂ also associated with higher risk of death (p=0.03). 44/160 patients exhibited sleep disordered breathing. The sleep study cohort also showed an association of low FEV₁ with hypercapnia. Prior hospital admission for AHRF was also clinically significant, being a feature of almost double the number of hypercapnic patients in both test and sleep study COPD cohorts.

Conclusion

Lower FEV₁ and prior AHRF are the main associations of hypercapnia in COPD, which carries a poor prognosis, particularly worsening over time.

Long-Term Noninvasive Ventilation in Chronic Stable Hypercapnic Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. An Official American Thoracic Society Clinical Practice Guideline

Background: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is used for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic hypercapnia. However, evidence for clinical efficacy and optimal management of therapy is limited.

Target Audience: Patients with COPD, clinicians who care for them, and policy makers.

Methods: We summarized evidence addressing five PICO (patients, intervention, comparator, and outcome) questions. The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach was used to evaluate the certainty in evidence and generate actionable recommendations. Recommendations were formulated by a panel of pulmonary and sleep physicians, respiratory therapists, and methodologists using the Evidence-to-Decision framework.

Recommendations:1) We suggest the use of nocturnal NIV in addition to usual care for patients with chronic stable hypercapnic COPD (conditional recommendation, moderate certainty); 2) we suggest that patients with chronic stable hypercapnic COPD undergo screening for obstructive sleep apnea before initiation of long-term NIV (conditional recommendation, very low certainty); 3) we suggest not initiating long-term NIV during an admission for acute-on-chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure, favoring instead reassessment for NIV at 2–4 weeks after resolution (conditional recommendation, low certainty); 4) we suggest not using an in-laboratory overnight polysomnogram to titrate NIV in patients with chronic stable hypercapnic COPD who are initiating NIV (conditional recommendation, very low certainty); and 5) we suggest NIV with targeted normalization of Pa_CO2 in patients with hypercapnic COPD on long-term NIV (conditional recommendation, low certainty).

Conclusions: This expert panel provides evidence-based recommendations addressing the use of NIV in patients with COPD and chronic stable hypercapnic respiratory failure.

Respiratory support in COPD patients after acute exacerbation with monitoring the quality of support (Rescue2-monitor): an open-label, prospective randomized, controlled, superiority clinical trial comparing hospital- versus home-based acute non-invasive ventilation for patients with hypercapnic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is expected to be the 3rd leading cause of death worldwide by 2020. Despite improvements in survival by using acute non-invasive ventilation (NIV) to treat patients with exacerbations of COPD complicated by acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF), these patients are at high risk of readmission and further life-threatening events, including death. Recent studies suggested that NIV at home can reduce readmissions, but in a small proportion of patients, and with a high level of expertise. Other studies, however, do not show any benefit of home NIV. This could be related to the fact that respiratory failure in patients with stable COPD and their response to mechanical ventilation are influenced by several pathophysiological factors which frequently coexist in the same patient to varying degrees. These pathophysiological factors might influence the success of home NIV in stable COPD, thus long-term NIV specifically adapted to a patient's "phenotype" is likely to improve prognosis, reduce readmission to hospital, and prevent death. In view of this conundrum, Rescue2-monitor (R2M), an open-label, prospective randomized, controlled study performed in patients with hypercapnic COPD post-AHRF, will investigate the impact of the quality of nocturnal NIV on the readmission-free survival. The primary objective is to show that any of 3 home NIV strategies ("rescue," "non-targeted," and "targeted") will improve readmission-free survival in comparison to no-home NIV. The "targeted" group of patients will receive a treatment with personalized (targeted) ventilation settings and extensive monitoring. Furthermore, the influence of comorbidities typical for COPD patients, such as cardiac insufficiency, OSA, or associated asthma, on ventilation outcomes will be taken into consideration and reasons for non-inclusion of patients will be recorded in order to evaluate the percentage of ventilated COPD patients that are screening failures. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03890224 . Registered on March 26, 2019.

Palestinian strategies, guidelines, and challenges in the treatment and management of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is a global concern and the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The Palestinian Authority (PA) has quickly and effectively responded to the outbreak of COVID-19, using an internationally and nationally coordinated, to contain the spread of the virus within the borders. The PA approaches are containment and suppression, which is designed to protect the citizens from infection while also mitigating the stress on the health care system. The PA immediately declared a State of Emergency when the first cases in Palestine were diagnosed on 5 March 2020 and launched robust national containment measures to encourage the citizens to protect themselves and follow the guidance.

OBJECTIVES

There is currently no vaccine or effective treatment for COVID-19, the treatment is either supportive and/ or the treatment of symptoms. Several strategies in the treatment of the disease were applied including medications. This review aims to summarize the different strategies, guidelines, challenges, and treatments used against COVID-19 worldwide and in Palestine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Different literature and guidelines among different databases were searched. Literature reviewing was conducted using the following search engines, Google Scholar, Medline, Pub Med, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Science Direct. Data also obtained from WHO and PA reports, and the published peer-reviewed articles of 2019-nCoV. The review focuses on the strategies, guidelines, therapeutics, challenges, and different approaches used in the treatment and management of the disease in Palestine and globally.

CONCLUSION

The Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) strategies to end the COVID-19 pandemic were; slow and stop transmission; provide optimized care for patients; and minimize the impact of the epidemic on health systems, social services, and economic activity. Thus, proper management, right actions, and effective treatment of the disease should be considered to achieve these strategies. The biggest problem for PA to control and stop the outbreak of the disease is the different challenges which include; the Israeli military and economic control, uncontrol the borders, shortage of medical and financial resources, crowded cities and refugee camps, poverty, food insecurity, and the financial crisis. To date, there are no specific vaccines or medicines for COVID-19; and treatments are under investigation through clinical trials. However, an array of drugs approved for other indications, as well as multiple investigational agents, are being studied for the treatment of COVID-19; in several hundred clinical trials around the World. Treatment is essentially supportive and symptomatic.

Comorbidities and Readmissions in Survivors of Acute Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is defined by chronic airflow obstruction, but is presently considered as a complex, heterogeneous, and multicomponent disease in which comorbidities and extrapulmonary manifestations make important contributions to disease expression. COPD-related hospital readmission. In particular frequent intensive care unit (ICU) readmissions for exacerbations represent a major challenge and place a high burden on patient outcomes and health-related quality of life, as well as on the healthcare system.In this narrative review, we first address major and often undiagnosed comorbidities associated with COPD that could have an impact on hospital readmission after an index ICU admission for acute hypercapnic respiratory failure. Some guidance for treatment is discussed. Second, we present predictors of hospital and ICU readmission and discuss various strategies to reduce such events.There is a strong rationale to detect and treat major comorbidities early after index ICU admission for acute hypercapnic respiratory failure. It still remains unclear, however, if a comprehensive and holistic approach to comorbidities in frail patients surviving hypercapnic respiratory failure can efficiently reduce the readmission rate.

Predicting and preventing hospital readmission for exacerbations of COPD

More than a third of patients hospitalised for acute exacerbation of COPD are readmitted to hospital within 90 days. Healthcare professionals and service providers are expected to collaboratively drive efforts to improve hospital readmission rates, which can be challenging due to the lack of clear consensus and guidelines on how best to predict and prevent readmissions. This review identifies these risk factors, highlighting the contribution of multimorbidity, frailty and poor socioeconomic status. Predictive models of readmission that address the multifactorial nature of readmissions and heterogeneity of the disease are reviewed, recognising that in an era of precision medicine, in-depth understanding of the intricate biological mechanisms that heighten the risk of COPD exacerbation and re-exacerbation is needed to derive modifiable biomarkers that can stratify accurately the highest risk groups for targeted treatment. We evaluate conventional and emerging strategies to reduce these potentially preventable readmissions. Here, early recognition of exacerbation symptoms and the delivery of prompt treatment can reduce risk of hospital admissions, while patient education can improve treatment adherence as a key component of self-management strategies. Care bundles are recommended to ensure high-quality care is provided consistently, but evidence for their benefit is limited to date. The search continues for interventions which are effective, sustainable and applicable to a diverse population of patients with COPD exacerbations. Further research into mechanisms that drive exacerbation and affect recovery is crucial to improve our understanding of this complex, highly prevalent disease and to advance the development of more effective treatments.

Risk of Readmission and Mortality Following Hospitalization with Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure

PURPOSE

Hypercapnic respiratory failure (HRF) is a frequent cause of hospitalization and a common comorbidity in hospitalized patients. There are few studies addressing what factors might predict poor outcomes in this patient population. The purpose of the current study was to investigate characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized with HRF.

METHODS

A study of patients ≥ 18 years admitted with HRF in a 1-year period. Patients with limited life expectancy related to other conditions, and those with a non-respiratory cause of HRF, were excluded.

RESULTS

202 subjects met eligibility criteria: 24% had a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea, 6% obesity hypoventilation, 46% chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 10% asthma. Fifteen (7%) died during the index admission. Forty-one patients (23%) were readmitted within 30 days: peripheral vascular disease [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 4.78, CI 1.45-15.74] and tachycardia (aOR 2.97, CI 1.22-7.26) were associated with an increased risk of readmission. Sixty-six patients (36%) died after discharge. Risk of death was increased in older patients (aOR 1.32, CI 1.13-1.54 per 5 years), those with peripheral vascular disease (aOR 12.56, CI 2.35-67.21), higher Charlson co-morbidity index (aOR 1.39, CI 1.09-1.76), use of home oxygen (aOR 4.03, CI 1.89-8.57), and those who had been readmitted (aOR 3.07, CI 1.46-6.43).

CONCLUSIONS

Hospitalization for HRF is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Our observation that home oxygen use was associated with increased mortality suggests that oxygen use could be a risk factor for death in patients with HRF.

Prevalence Of Chronic Hypercapnia In Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Data From The HOmeVent Registry

Background

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has been shown to improve survival and quality of life in COPD patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure. However, the proportion of COPD patients with chronic hypercapnia is not yet known and clinical data enabling better identification of patients are scarce. The HOmeVent registry was initiated to determine the prevalence of chronic hypercapnia in COPD in an outpatient setting and to evaluate the predictors of hypercapnia.

Methods

HOmeVent is a multicenter, prospective, observational, non-interventional patient registry that includes COPD patients in GOLD stage 3 or 4. Eligible patients were identified and enrolled in an outpatient setting during routine clinic visits. Assessments included blood gas analyses, pulmonary function testing and quality of life assessment.

Results

Ten outpatient clinics in Germany enrolled 231 COPD patients in the registry (135 in GOLD stage 3 (58%) and 96 in GOLD stage 4 (42%)). Arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO₂) was ≥45 mmHg in 58 patients (25%); of these, 20 (9%) had PaCO₂ ≥50 mmHg. The prevalence of hypercapnia at both cut-off values was numerically higher for patients in GOLD stage 4 versus 3. An increased body mass index, a decreased forced vital capacity and an increased bicarbonate level were significant independent predictors of hypercapnia. The proportion of patients who received NIV was 6% overall and 22% of those with hypercapnia.

Conclusion

A relevant proportion of COPD patients in GOLD stage 3 and 4 exhibits chronic hypercapnia and might, therefore, be candidates for long-term domiciliary NIV treatment.

Non-invasive ventilation in palliative care: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

An ageing population and steady increase in the rates of neoplasms and chronic degenerative diseases poses a challenge for societies and their healthcare systems. Because of the recent and continued advances in therapies, such as the development and widespread use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV), survival rates have increased for these pathologies. For patients with end-stage chronic respiratory diseases, the use of NIV following the onset of acute or severe chronic respiratory failure is a valid option when intubation has been excluded.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

The following electronic databases were searched from their inception to January 2000 to December 2017: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINHAIL, CENTRAL (Cochrane Central register of Controlled Trials), DARE (Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness), the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, ACP Journal Club database.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

The available evidence strongly supports the use of NIV in patients presenting with an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well end-stage neuromuscular disease. Few studies support the use of NIV in end-stage interstitial lung disease and in morbid obesity patients. In patients with cancer has been recommend offering NIV as palliative care to improve dyspnea.

CONCLUSIONS

The decision regarding the treatment should be made by the patient, ideally before reaching the terminal stage and after having a frank dialogue with healthcare professionals and family members.

Frontiers in Clinical Practice of Long-Term Care of Chronic Ventilatory Failure

Home mechanical ventilation (HMV) is an effective long-term treatment for chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure. In addition to the established practice of providing HMV for the treatment of chronic ventilatory failure in slowly progressive neuromuscular and chest wall disease, there is accumulating evidence for improvement of quality of life and prolongation of survival by HMV in highly prevalent diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and ever-increasing obesity hypoventilation syndrome as well as rapidly progressive neuromuscular disease. The key concepts for successful HMV are an experienced team selecting the right patients, timely initiation of adequate ventilation via an appropriate interface, and monitoring effectiveness during regular long-term follow-up. Coaching of patients with chronic respiratory failure on long-term HMV within a dedicated service and collaborations with community services for home care are essential. The current review describes various important practical aspects of HMV that remain frontiers in the implementation of the current knowledge in clinical practice and may help in providing effective HMV to all those in need.

A clinical prediction model for hospitalized COPD exacerbations based on "treatable traits"

Background

Assessing risk of future exacerbations is an important component in COPD management. History of exacerbation is a strong and independent predictor of future exacerbations, and the criterion of ≥2 nonhospitalized or ≥1 hospitalized exacerbation is often used to identify high-risk patients in whom therapy should be intensified. However, other factors or "treatable traits" also contribute to risk of exacerbation.

Objective

The objective of the study was to develop and externally validate a novel clinical prediction model for risk of hospitalized COPD exacerbations based on both exacerbation history and treatable traits.

Patients and methods

A total of 237 patients from the COPD Registry of Changi General Hospital, Singapore, aged 75±9 years and with mean post-bronchodilator FEV1 60%±20% predicted, formed the derivation cohort. Hospitalized exacerbation rate was modeled using zero-inflated negative binomial regression. Calibration was assessed by graphically comparing the agreement between predicted and observed annual hospitalized exacerbation rates. Predictive (discriminative) accuracy of the model for identifying high-risk patients (defined as experiencing ≥1 hospitalized exacerbations) was assessed with area under the curve (AUC) and receiver operating characteristics analyses, and compared to other existing risk indices. We externally validated the prediction model using a multicenter dataset comprising 419 COPD patients.

Results

The final model included hospitalized exacerbation rate in the previous year, history of acute invasive/noninvasive ventilation, coronary artery disease, bronchiectasis, and sputum nontuberculous mycobacteria isolation. There was excellent agreement between predicted and observed annual hospitalized exacerbation rates. AUC was 0.789 indicating good discriminative accuracy, and was significantly higher than the AUC of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) risk assessment criterion (history of ≥1 hospitalized exacerbation in the previous year) and the age, dyspnea, and obstruction index. When applied to the independent multicenter validation cohort, the model was well-calibrated and discrimination was good.

Conclusion

We have derived and externally validated a novel risk prediction model for COPD hospitalizations which outperforms several other risk indices. Our model incorporates several treatable traits which can be targeted for intervention to reduce risk of future hospitalized exacerbations.

Home mechanical ventilation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: What next after the HOT-HMV trial?

The benefits of acute non-invasive ventilation to treat acidotic exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are well-established. Until recently, the evidence for home mechanical ventilation (HMV) to treat patients with stable COPD had been lacking. This has subsequently been addressed by the application of higher levels of pressure support combined with targeted management of chronic respiratory failure, which demonstrated a reduction in all-cause mortality. Similarly, the previous trial of home oxygen therapy (HOT) and HMV delivered following an acute exacerbation failed to demonstrate an improvement in outcome. With the focus on patients with persistent hypercapnic respiratory failure in the recovery phase following a life-threatening exacerbation combined with targeted reduction in carbon dioxide, HOT and HMV (HOT-HMV) was shown to be clinically effective in reducing the time to readmission or death and cost effective in both the United Kingdom and United States healthcare systems. Future work will need to focus on promoting adherence to home ventilation and novel auto-titrating ventilator modes to facilitate and optimize the set-up of overnight ventilatory support in different target population such as COPD patients with obstructive sleep apnoea and COPD patients with episodic nocturnal hypoventilation.

Can Early Introduction of Palliative Care Limit Intensive Care, Emergency and Hospital Admissions in Patients with Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease? A Pilot Randomized Study

BACKGROUND

Despite their poor prognosis, patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have little access to palliative care and tend to have a high rate of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions during their last year of life.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the feasibility of a home palliative care intervention during 1 year versus usual care, and the possible impact of this intervention on emergency, hospital and ICU admissions, survival, mood, and health-related quality of life (HRQL).

METHODS

Prospective controlled study of patients with severe COPD (GOLD stage III or IV) and long-term oxygen therapy and/or home noninvasive ventilation and/or one or more hospital admissions in the previous year for acute exacerbation, randomized to usual care versus usual care with add-on monthly intervention by palliative care specialists at home for 12 months.

RESULTS

Of 315 patients screened, 49 (15.5%) were randomized (26 to early palliative care; 23 to the control group); aged (mean ± SD) 71 ± 8 years; FEV1 was 37 ± 14% predicted; 88% with a COPD assessment test score > 10; 69% on long-term oxygen therapy or home noninvasive ventilation. The patients accepted the intervention and completed the assessment scales. After 1 year, there was no difference between groups in symptoms, HRQL and mood, and there was a nonsignificant trend for higher admission rates to hospital and emergency wards in the intervention group.

CONCLUSION

Although this pilot study was underpowered to formally exclude a benefit from palliative care in severe COPD, it raises several questions as to patient selection, reluctance to palliative care in this group, and modalities of future trials.

Improving acceptance and uptake of pulmonary rehabilitation after acute exacerbation of COPD: Acceptability, feasibility, and safety of a PR "taster" session delivered before hospital discharge

The objectives of this study were to (1) assess the acceptability, feasibility, and safety of delivering a pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) "taster" session to patients hospitalized with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; (2) evaluate the changes in patient knowledge and readiness to commence PR; and (3) make recommendations for future intervention iterations. Acceptability was measured by the proportion of patients that accepted to participate. Feasibility was measured by the proportion of eligible participants. Knowledge was evaluated using the modified versions of the Understanding COPD (UCOPD) and Bristol COPD Knowledge (BCKQ) questionnaires. Readiness to commence PR was measured by a modified version of the Readiness to Change Exercise Questionnaire. All measures were delivered pre- and post-intervention. Thirty-one of 34 eligible individuals were able to be approached. Prospective acceptability was low, with 24 individuals declining the intervention, 1 being discharged without making a decision, and only 6 participating. Positive median change was recorded in the modified UCOPD questionnaire (+8), but not the BCKQ (0). Three of the patients were already in the action phase pre-intervention, with all but one in that phase post-intervention. The delivery of a PR "taster" session was not prospectively acceptable to a large portion of patients and only feasible with modifications to the original protocol.

Long-term outcomes after acute hypercapnic COPD exacerbation : First-ever episode of non-invasive ventilation

BACKGROUND

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is used to treat acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, long-term outcomes following discharge are largely unknown. This study aimed to characterize long-term outcomes and identify associated markers in patients with COPD after surviving the first episode of HRF requiring NIV.

METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed 122 patients, mean age 62 ± 8 years, 52% female and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) predicted 30 ± 13%, admitted with an acute hypercapnic exacerbation of COPD and receiving a first-ever NIV treatment between 2000 and 2012.

RESULTS

A total of 40% of the patients required hospital readmission due to respiratory reasons within 1 year. Persistent hypercapnia leading to the prescription of domiciliary NIV, older age and lower body mass index (BMI) were risk factors for readmission due to respiratory reasons. Survival rates were 79% and 63% at 1 and 2 years after discharge, respectively. A shorter time to readmission and recurrent hypercapnic failure, lower BMI and acidemia on the first admission, as well as hypercapnia at hospital discharge were correlated with a decreased long-term survival.

CONCLUSION

Patients with COPD surviving their first episode of AHRF requiring NIV are at high risk for readmission and death. Severe respiratory acidosis, chronic respiratory failure and a lower BMI imply shorter long-term survival.

Clinical features, bacteriology of endotracheal aspirates and treatment outcomes of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and community-acquired pneumonia in an intensive care unit in Taiwan with an emphasis on eosinophilia versus non-eosinophilia: a retrospective case-control study

OBJECTIVES

The clinical implications of blood eosinophil level in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and intensive care unit (ICU) admission are still unknown. Thus, this study aimed to compare the features of such patients with and without blood eosinophilia.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective case-control study.

SETTING

An ICU of a medical centre in central Taiwan.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 262 patients with COPD and CAP requiring IMV and ICU admission.

RESULTS

Of all participants (n=262), 32 (12.2%) had an eosinophil percentage (EP) >2% and 169 (64.5%) had an absolute eosinophil count (AEC) >300 cells/µL. Regardless of whether 2% or 300 cells/µL was used as a cut-off value, the eosinophilia group were slightly older (years) (82.9±5.4 vs 78.1±9.1, p=0.000 and 79.2±8.4 vs 77.6±9.6, p=0.246, respectively), and had a higher forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity (%) (56.0±8.0 vs 51.3±11.6, p=0.005 and 53.1±11.2 vs 49.5±11.2, p=0.013, respectively), less severe spirometric classification (p=0.008 and p=0.001, respectively), and lower white cell count 109/L (8.8±3.2 vs 11.1±4.9, p=0.009 and 10.3±4.4 vs 11.8±5.3, p=0.017, respectively) than the non-eosinophilia group. The bacteriology of endotracheal aspirates showed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other gram-negative bacilli were the most common organisms in all study groups. Participants with an EP >2% had a shorter ICU length of stay (OR=12.13, p=0.001) than those with an EP ≤2%, while an AEC >300 cells/µL was not associated with any in-ICUoutcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study have significant clinical implications and should be considered when making treatment decisions for the management of patients with COPD and CAP requiring IMV and ICU admission.

Does Adherence to Domiciliary NIMV Decrease the Subsequent Hospitalizations Rates and Cost for Patients Diagnosed with COPD?

Domiciliary noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) is used for treating patients with hypercapnic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We aimed to evaluate the association between adherence to the treatment and subsequent hospitalizations and costs. Data from 54 (27 adherent; 27 non-adherent) patients with COPD who were undergoing NIMV treatment at home for 6 months. We assessed adherence based on digitally recorded data and checked hospital records for clinical and laboratory data, rehospitalization rates, and costs during the following 6 months. Nocturnal NIMV usage, mean daily usage of the device, and time to first hospitalization were higher in the treatment-adherent group (p < .001, p < .001, and p=.006, respectively). The percentage of active smokers, device leaks above 30 L/min, length of hospital stay, rehospitalization rates, and costs were significantly higher in the treatment-non-adherent group (p = 05, p = 006, p = 004, p = 006, and p = 01, respectively). The most frequent reasons for not using NIMV in the treatment-non-adherent group were a decreased need, dry mouth, mask incompatibility, and gastrointestinal complaints. Adherence to NIMV treatment decreases the subsequent hospitalizations rates and noncompliance leads to complications. Findings of this study may help physicians in convincing patients diagnosed with COPD of the need for correct NIMV use to prevent hospitalizations and reduce the costs of COPD treatment.

Severe Dyspnea Is an Independent Predictor of Readmission or Death in COPD Patients Surviving Acute Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure in the ICU

Background: Predicting outcome after index admission in the ICU for COPD-related acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF) is difficult. Simple tools to stratify this risk and to promote interventions to mitigate it are needed. Aim: To prospectively evaluate the ability of severe dyspnea (NYHAIII-IV) to predict hospital readmission or death in COPD patients surviving AHRF in the ICU. Methods: 50 consecutive COPD patients were recruited from a larger cohort of patients (n = 78) surviving AHRF in the ICU. All predictive variables were collected within 15 days after resolution of respiratory failure before hospital discharge. COPD was diagnosed by spirometry. Heart failure was diagnosed with clinical rules and echocardiography. NYHA was measured upon hospital discharge. Hospital readmission and death were recorded at regular intervals for 3 months. Results: 21/50 (42%) COPD patients died or were readmitted to the hospital during the observation period: 12 out of the 20 NYHA III-IV patients (60%) and 8 out of the 28 NYHA I-II patients (29%). NYHA III-IV was associated with risk of readmission or death (univariate HR: 2.73, IC95: 1.11-6.69, p = 0.028). After controlling for age, FEV1, heart failure and BMI, NYHA III-IV remained associated with readmission or death (multivariate HR: 2.71, IC95: 1.06-6.93, p = 0.038). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that severe dyspnea measured upon hospital discharge in COPD patients surviving AHRF can stratify patient's risk of 3-month readmission or death.

COPD is independently associated with 6-month survival in patients who have life support withheld in intensive care

BACKGROUND

In-hospital outcomes following decisions of withholding or withdrawing in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients have been previously assessed, little is known about outcomes after ICU and hospital discharge. Our objective was to report the 6-month outcomes of discharged patients who had treatment limitations in a general ICU and to identify prognostic factors of survival.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected the data of patients discharged from the ICU for whom life support was withheld from 2009 to 2011. We assessed the survival status of all patients at 6 months post-discharge and their duration of survival. Survivors and non-survivors were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses by Cox's proportional hazard model.

RESULTS

One hundred fourteen patients were included. The survival rate at 6 months was 58.8%. Survival was associated with acute respiratory failure (48% vs 19%, P = .006), a history of COPD (40% vs 21%, P = .03) and a lower SAPS II score (44 vs 49, P = .006). We identified a history of COPD as a prognostic factor for survival in the multivariate analysis (HR = 2.1; IC 95% 1.02-4.36, P = .04).

CONCLUSION

A total of 58.8% of patients for whom life-sustaining therapies were withheld in the ICU survived for at least 6 months after discharge. Patients with COPD appeared to have a significantly higher survival rate. The decision to withhold life support in patients should not lead to a cessation of post-ICU care and to non-readmission of COPD patients.

Noninvasive ventilation in stable hypercapnic COPD: what is the evidence?

Long-term noninvasive ventilation (NIV) to treat chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure is still controversial in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. However, with the introduction of high-intensity NIV, important benefits from this therapy have also been shown in COPD. In this review, the focus will be on the arguments for long-term NIV at home in patients with COPD. The rise of (high-intensity) NIV in COPD and the randomised controlled trials showing positive effects with this mode of ventilation will be discussed. Finally, the challenges that might be encountered (both in clinical practice and in research) in further optimising this therapy, monitoring and following patients, and selecting the patients who might benefit most will be reviewed.

Respiratory parameters predict poor outcome in COPD patients, category GOLD 2017 B

Background

Respiratory parameters are important predictors of prognosis in the COPD population. Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2017 Update resulted in a vertical shift of patients across COPD categories, with category B being the most populous and clinically heterogeneous. The aim of our study was to investigate whether respiratory parameters might be associated with increased all-cause mortality within GOLD category B patients.

Methods

The data were extracted from the Czech Multicentre Research Database, a prospective, noninterventional multicenter study of COPD patients. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were performed at different levels of respiratory parameters (partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood [PaO₂], partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide [PaCO₂] and greatest decrease of basal peripheral capillary oxygen saturation during 6-minute walking test [6-MWT]). Univariate analyses using the Cox proportional hazard model and multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors for mortality in hypoxemic and hypercapnic individuals with COPD.

Results

All-cause mortality in the cohort at 3 years of prospective follow-up reached 18.4%. Chronic hypoxemia (PaO₂ <7.3 kPa), hypercapnia (PaCO₂ >7.0 kPa) and oxygen desaturation during the 6-MWT were predictors of long-term mortality in COPD patients with forced expiratory volume in 1 second ≤60% for the overall cohort and for GOLD B category patients. Univariate analyses confirmed the association among decreased oxemia (<7.3 kPa), increased capnemia (>7.0 kPa), oxygen desaturation during 6-MWT and mortality in the studied groups of COPD subjects. Multivariate analysis identified PaO₂ <7.3 kPa as a strong independent risk factor for mortality.

Conclusion

Survival analyses showed significantly increased all-cause mortality in hypoxemic and hypercapnic GOLD B subjects. More important, PaO₂ <7.3 kPa was the strongest risk factor, especially in category B patients. In contrast, the majority of the tested respiratory parameters did not show a difference in mortality in the GOLD category D cohort.