Outcomes After Tracheostomy for Patients With Respiratory Failure due to COVID-19

The Effect of Comorbidities and Complications on COVID-19 Mortality: A Detailed Retrospective Study in Western Romania

COVID-19 continues to impact global health systems even after being declared over, with some patients exhibiting severe complications linked to pre-existing conditions. This study aimed to investigate the association between comorbidities, complications, and survival outcomes among COVID-19 survivors in Western Romania. Our hypothesis posited that comorbidities and complications significantly influence survival rates. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 1948 COVID-19 survivors admitted from January to December 2021, with 192 selected for detailed analysis based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The severity of COVID-19 was classified according to WHO guidelines, and conditions like hypertension and obesity were defined using criteria from the European Society of Hypertension (ESH), the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), and WHO, respectively. Among the 192 patients, 33 had mild, 62 had moderate, and 97 had severe COVID-19. The median age across the severity groups was 63.2 years. Patients undergoing tracheostomy had a mortality rate of 83.3% versus 22.2% for non-tracheostomy patients (p < 0.001) and presented with significantly higher lung injury, hospitalization duration, and complications. Remarkably, tracheostomized patients were 17.50 times more likely to succumb to the disease (95% CI 4.39-116.91, p < 0.001). Furthermore, pneumothorax increased the mortality risk significantly (OR 22.11, 95% CI 5.72-146.03, p < 0.001). Intriguingly, certain conditions like grade I hypertension and grade II obesity showed a protective effect against mortality, whereas type 2 diabetes mellitus increased mortality risk (univariate OR 2.89, p = 0.001). The presence of certain comorbidities and complications significantly impacts the survival rates of COVID-19 patients in Western Romania. Notably, tracheostomy, pneumothorax, and T2DM were associated with increased mortality. This study underscores the importance of personalized patient care and provides insights for healthcare policymakers in Western Romania to improve clinical management strategies.

Optimal timing and outcomes among COVID-19 patients undergoing tracheostomy

BACKGROUND

Patients who require mechanical ventilation secondary to severe COVID-19 infection have poor survival. It is unknown if the benefit of tracheostomy extends to COVID-19 patients. If so, what is the optimal timing?

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study within a large hospital system in the United States. The population included patients with COVID-19 from January 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020. In total, 93,918 cases were identified. They were excluded if no intubation or tracheostomy, underwent tracheostomy before intubation, <18 years old, hospice patients before admission, and bacterial pneumonia. In total, 5,911 patients met the criteria. Outcomes between patients who underwent endotracheal intubation only versus tracheostomy were compared. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality. All patients who underwent tracheostomy versus intubation only were compared. Three cohort analysis compared early (<10 days) versus late (>10 days) tracheostomy versus control. Eight cohort analysis compared days 0-2, days 3-6, days 7-10, days 11-14, days 15-18, days 19-22, and days 23+ to tracheostomy versus control.

RESULTS

There was an overall inpatient mortality rate of 37.5% in the tracheostomy cohort compared to 54.4% in the control group (P < .0001). There was an early tracheostomy group inpatient mortality rate of 44.7% (adjusted odds ratio 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.52-1.01) compared to 33.1% (adjusted odds ratio 0.44, 95% confidence interval 0.34-0.58) in the late tracheostomy group.

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 patients with tracheostomy had a significantly lower mortality rate compared to intubated only. Optimal timing for tracheostomy placement for COVID-19 patients is 11 days or later. Future studies should focus on early tracheostomy patients.

Association between tracheostomy and survival in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 who require prolonged mechanical ventilation for more than 14 days: A multicenter cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Tracheostomy is a common procedure with potential prognostic advantages for patients who require prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV). Early recommendations for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) suggested delayed or limited tracheostomy considering the risk for viral transmission to clinicians. However, updated guidelines for tracheostomy with appropriate personal protective equipment have revised its indications. This study aimed to evaluate the association between tracheostomy and prognosis in patients with COVID-19 requiring PMV.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study using data from the nationwide Japanese Intensive Care PAtient Database. We included adult patients aged ≥16 years who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to COVID-19 and who required PMV (for >14 days or until performance of tracheostomy). The primary outcome was hospital mortality, and the association between implementation of tracheostomy and patient prognosis was assessed using weighted Cox proportional hazards regression analysis with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) using the propensity score to address confounders.

RESULTS

Between January 2020 and February 2021, 453 patients with COVID-19 were observed. Data from 109 patients who required PMV were analyzed: 66 (60.6%) underwent tracheostomy and 38 (34.9%) died. After adjusting for potential confounders using IPTW, tracheostomy implementation was found to significantly reduce hospital mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.316, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.163-0.612). Patients who underwent tracheostomy had a similarly decreased ICU and 28-day mortality (HR: 0.269, 95% CI: 0.124-0.581; HR 0.281, 95% CI: 0.094-0.839, respectively). A sensitivity analysis using different definitions of PMV duration consistently showed reduced mortality in patients who underwent tracheostomy.

CONCLUSION

The implementation of tracheostomy was associated with favorable patient prognosis among patients with COVID-19 requiring PMV. Our findings support proactive tracheostomy in critically ill patients with COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation for >14 days.

In Situ Simulation as a Tool to Longitudinally Identify and Track Latent Safety Threats in a Structured Quality Improvement Initiative for SARS-CoV-2 Airway Management: A Single-Center Study

BACKGROUND

In situ simulation has emerged as a powerful tool for identifying latent safety threats (LSTs). After the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, an urban community emergency department (ED) identified opportunities for improvement surrounding acute airway management and particularly focused on infection control precautions, equipment availability, and interprofessional communication during acute resuscitation. Using the Model for Improvement, a hybrid in situ/quality improvement initiative was implemented using Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles to enhance systems for intubating patients with SARS-CoV-2.

METHODS

Three PDSA cycles consisting of 10 simulations each were conducted from June 2020 through February 2021. Latent safety threats (LST) were identified through an in situ simulation scenario involving a patient with SARS-CoV-2 in acute respiratory failure. LSTs were collected through structured debriefs focused on (1) infection control, (2) equipment availability, and (3) communication. The SAFER-Matrix was used to score LSTs according to frequency and likelihood of harm by members of the ED QI team (SAFER score). The research team worked with the same QI leaders to implement action plans based on scored threats using cause-and-effect and driver diagrams. The Donabedian model was used to conceptually evaluate the quality of interventions upon conclusion of the third PDSA cycle.

RESULTS

The median SAFER score decreased from 10.94 in PDSA cycle 1 to 6.77 in PDSA cycle 2 to 4.71 in PDSA cycle 3. Across all identified LSTs, the SAFER score decreased by 3.114 for every additional PDSA cycle ( P = 0.0167). When evaluating for threats identified as being primarily structure based, there was a decrease in SAFER score of 1.28 per every additional PDSA cycle ( P = 0.001). There was a decrease in total count of LST of 0.20 per additional simulation run ( P = 0.02) after controlling for shift type, census, perceived workload, team size, and prior attendance in simulations across all PDSA cycles.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents a blueprint for the utilization of in situ simulation through multiple waves of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to identify LSTs and use the SAFER score as a surrogate marker to monitor the impact of interventions for a safer environment for both medical staff and patients.

Tracheostomy outcomes in critically ill patients with COVID-19: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression

BACKGROUND

We performed a systematic review of mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19, which analysed the effect of tracheostomy timing and technique (surgical vs percutaneous) on mortality. Secondary outcomes included intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay (LOS), decannulation from tracheostomy, duration of mechanical ventilation, and complications.

METHODS

Four databases were screened between January 1, 2020 and January 10, 2022 (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane). Papers were selected according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and the Population or Problem, Intervention or exposure, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) guidelines. Meta-analysis and meta-regression for main outcomes were performed.

RESULTS

The search yielded 9024 potentially relevant studies, of which 47 (n=5268 patients) were included. High levels of between-study heterogeneity were observed across study outcomes. The pooled mean tracheostomy timing was 16.5 days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 14.7-18.4; I2=99.6%). Pooled mortality was 22.1% (95% CI: 18.7-25.5; I2=89.0%). Meta-regression did not show significant associations between mortality and tracheostomy timing, mechanical ventilation duration, time to decannulation, and tracheostomy technique. Pooled mean estimates for ICU and hospital LOS were 29.6 (95% CI: 24.0-35.2; I2=98.6%) and 38.8 (95% CI: 32.1-45.6; I2=95.7%) days, both associated with mechanical ventilation duration (coefficient 0.8 [95% CI: 0.2-1.4], P=0.02 and 0.9 [95% CI: 0.4-1.4], P=0.01, respectively) but not tracheostomy timing. Data were insufficient to assess tracheostomy technique on LOS. Duration of mechanical ventilation was 23.4 days (95% CI: 19.2-27.7; I2=99.3%), not associated with tracheostomy timing. Data were insufficient to assess the effect of tracheostomy technique on mechanical ventilation duration. Time to decannulation was 23.8 days (95% CI: 19.7-27.8; I2=98.7%), not influenced by tracheostomy timing or technique. The most common complications were stoma infection, ulcers or necrosis, and bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with COVID-19 requiring tracheostomy, the timing and technique of tracheostomy did not clearly impact on patient outcomes.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW PROTOCOL

PROSPERO CRD42021272220.

Long-Term Follow up of Renal and Other Acute Organ Failure in Survivors of Critical Illness Due to Covid-19

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the long-term health sequelae and outcomes of various organ failures in ICU survivors of Covid-19. The aim of our research was to study the characteristics of 120-day ICU survivors of the initial pandemic surge and report their long term (>6 months) outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a telephone questionnaire-based follow up study of 120- day survivors of Covid-19 admitted to ICUs at Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY from 3/10/2020 to 4/11/2020. The study period was 2 months (11/1/2020-12/31/2020).

RESULTS

126 out of 300 (42%) survived to 120-days post-hospital discharge. The median age of survivors was 54 (47-61) years. Seventy-eight (62%) patients developed acute kidney injury (AKI); thirty-five (44.9%) of them required renal replacement therapy (RRT). One hundred-five (83.3%) required invasive mechanical ventilation; ten of them required tracheotomy. 103 (81.7%) completed the telephone questionnaire-based study, at a median (IQR) of 216.5 (200-234.5) days after hospital discharge. 29 (28.2%) patients reported persistent shortness of breath, 24, (23.3%) complained of persistent cough, and persistent anosmia in 9 (8.8%). AKI resolved completely in 58 (74.4%) patients. Of 35 AKI patients who required initiation of RRT during hospitalization, 27 (77%) were liberated from RRT and 20 (57%) had resolution of AKI. Of 20 patients without AKI resolution, 12 developed chronic kidney disease, whereas 8 still require RRT. Thirty-three (32.4%) patients developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 10 (11.8%) reported major depression. Many of the patients (68%) regained baseline functional status. Readmissions occurred in 22.3% patients within first 6 months after discharge.

CONCLUSION

Persistent symptoms of long Covid have been reported in ICU survivors of Covid-19 for extended durations. Outcomes of Covid-19 associated acute kidney injury are excellent. There is a high incidence of PTSD and depression in COVID-19 ICU survivors. Functional outcomes are good, but these patients remain at increased risk of hospital readmission.

Tracheostomy Outcomes in Patients With COVID-19 at a New York City Hospital

Objective

Tracheostomies have been performed in patients with prolonged intubation due to COVID-19. Understanding outcomes in different populations is crucial to tackle future epidemics.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary academic medical center in New York City.

Methods

A prospectively collected database of patients with COVID-19 undergoing open tracheostomy between March 2020 and April 2020 was reviewed. Primary endpoints were weaning from the ventilator and from sedation and time to decannulation.

Results

Sixty-six patients underwent tracheostomy. There were 42 males (64%) with an average age of 62 years (range, 23-91). Patients were intubated for a median time of 26 days prior to tracheostomy (interquartile range [IQR], 23-30). The median time to weaning from ventilatory support after tracheostomy was 18 days (IQR, 10-29). Of those sedated at the time of tracheostomy, the median time to discontinuation of sedation was 5 days (IQR, 3-9). Of patients who survived, 39 (69%) were decannulated. Of those decannulated before discharge (n = 39), the median time to decannulation was 36 days (IQR, 27-49) following tracheostomy. The median time from ventilator liberation to decannulation was 14 days (IQR, 8-22). Thirteen patients (20.0%) had minor bleeding requiring packing. Two patients (3%) had bleeding requiring neck exploration. The all-cause mortality rate was 10.6%. No patients died of procedural causes, and no surgeons acquired COVID-19.

Conclusion

Open tracheostomies were successfully and safely performed at our institution in the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of patients were successfully weaned from the ventilator and sedation. Approximately 60% of patients were decannulated prior to hospital discharge.

Swallowing function in COVID-19 patients after invasive mechanical ventilation

Objective

To explore swallowing function and risk factors associated with delayed recovery of swallowing in COVID-19 patients post invasive mechanical ventilation using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS).

Design

Longitudinal cohort study.

Setting

3 secondary-level hospitals.

Participants

Invasively ventilated patients (n=28), hospitalized with severe COVID-19 who were referred to the Speech and Language Pathology (SLP) departments post mechanical ventilation between March 5 and July 5 2020 for an evaluation of swallowing function before commencing oral diet.

Interventions

SLP assessment, advice and therapy for dysphagia.

Main outcome measures

Oral intake levels at baseline and hospital discharge according to the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS). Patients were stratified according to FOIS (1-5=dysphagia, 6-7= functional oral intake). Data regarding comorbidities, frailty, intubation and tracheostomy, proning and SLP evaluation were collected.

Results

Dysphagia was found in 71% of the patients at baseline (in total 79% male, age 61 ±12 years, BMI 30 ±8 kg/m²). Median FOIS score at baseline was 2 (IQR 1) vs 5 (IQR 2.5) at hospital discharge. Patients with dysphagia were older (64 ±8.5 vs 53 ±16 years; p= 0.019), had a higher incidence of hypertension (70% vs 12%; p=0.006) were ventilated invasively longer (16 ±7 vs 10 ±2 days; p=0.017) or with tracheostomy (9 ±9 vs 1 ±2 days; p=0.03) longer. A negative association was found between swallowing dysfunction at bedside and days hospitalized (r=-0.471, p=0.01), and number of days at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (r=-0.48, p=0.01).

Conclusion

Dysphagia is prevalent in COVID-19 patients post invasive mechanical ventilation and is associated with number of days in hospital and number of days in the ICU. Swallowing function and tolerance of oral diet improved at discharge (p<0.001).

Association of Tracheostomy With Outcomes in Patients With COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Among Health Care Professionals: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Importance

Approximately 5% to 15% of patients with COVID-19 require invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and, at times, tracheostomy. Details regarding the safety and use of tracheostomy in treating COVID-19 continue to evolve.

Objective

To evaluate the association of tracheostomy with COVID-19 patient outcomes and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission among health care professionals (HCPs).

Data Sources

EMBASE (Ovid), Medline (Ovid), and Web of Science from January 1, 2020, to March 4, 2021.

Study Selection

English-language studies investigating patients with COVID-19 who were receiving IMV and undergoing tracheostomy. Observational and randomized clinical trials were eligible (no randomized clinical trials were found in the search). All screening was performed by 2 reviewers (P.S. and M.L.). Overall, 156 studies underwent full-text review.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

We performed data extraction in accordance with Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. We used a random-effects model, and ROBINS-I was used for the risk-of-bias analysis.

Main Outcomes and Measures

SARS-CoV-2 transmission between HCPs and levels of personal protective equipment, in addition to complications, time to decannulation, ventilation weaning, and intensive care unit (ICU) discharge in patients with COVID-19 who underwent tracheostomy.

Results

Of the 156 studies that underwent full-text review, only 69 were included in the qualitative synthesis, and 14 of these 69 studies (20.3%) were included in the meta-analysis. A total of 4669 patients were included in the 69 studies, and the mean (range) patient age across studies was 60.7 (49.1-68.8) years (43 studies [62.3%] with 1856 patients). We found that in all studies, 1854 patients (73.8%) were men and 658 (26.2%) were women. We found that 28 studies (40.6%) investigated either surgical tracheostomy or percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. Overall, 3 of 58 studies (5.17%) identified a small subset of HCPs who developed COVID-19 that was associated with tracheostomy. Studies did not consistently report the number of HCPs involved in tracheostomy. Among the patients, early tracheostomy was associated with faster ICU discharge (mean difference, 6.17 days; 95% CI, -11.30 to -1.30), but no change in IMV weaning (mean difference, -2.99 days; 95% CI, -8.32 to 2.33) or decannulation (mean difference, -3.12 days; 95% CI, -7.35 to 1.12). There was no association between mortality or perioperative complications and type of tracheostomy. A risk-of-bias evaluation that used ROBINS-I demonstrated notable bias in the confounder and patient selection domains because of a lack of randomization and cohort matching. There was notable heterogeneity in study reporting.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that enhanced personal protective equipment is associated with low rates of SARS-CoV-2 transmission during tracheostomy. Early tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19 may reduce ICU stay, but this finding is limited by the observational nature of the included studies.

Predictors for inpatient mortality during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic overwhelmed healthcare systems, highlighting the need to better understand predictors of mortality and the impact of medical interventions.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study examined data from every patient who tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to White Plains Hospital between March 9, 2020, and June 3, 2020. We used binomial logistic regression to analyze data for all patients, and propensity score matching for those treated with hydroxychloroquine and convalescent plasma (CP). The primary outcome of interest was inpatient mortality.

RESULTS

1,108 admitted patients with COVID-19 were available for analysis, of which 124 (11.2%) were excluded due to incomplete data. Of the 984 patients included, 225 (22.9%) died. Risk for death decreased for each day later a patient was admitted [OR 0.970, CI 0.955 to 0.985; p < 0.001]. Elevated initial C-reactive protein (CRP) value was associated with a higher risk for death at 96 hours [OR 1.007, 1.002 to 1.012; p = 0.006]. Hydroxychloroquine and CP administration were each associated with increased mortality [OR 3.4, CI 1.614 to 7.396; p = 0.002, OR 2.8560, CI 1.361 to 6.160; p = 0.006 respectively].

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated CRP carried significant odds of early death. Hydroxychloroquine and CP were each associated with higher risk for death, although CP was without titers and was administered at a median of five days from admission. Randomized or controlled studies will better describe the impact of CP. Mortality decreased as the pandemic progressed, suggesting that institutional capacity for dynamic evaluation of process and outcome measures may benefit COVID-19 survival.

Tracheostomy outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tracheostomy is a standard surgical procedure that is used in critically ill patients who require sustained mechanical ventilation. In this article, we review the outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who underwent tracheostomy. We searched for relevant articles on PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, up to April 20, 2021. This meta- analysis examines ventilation liberation, decannulation, and hospital mortality rates in COVID-19 patients who have undergone tracheostomy. Two investigators evaluated the articles, and the differences of opinion were settled by consensus with a third author. A total of 4366 patients were included in 47 related articles for this meta-analysis. After data pooling, the proportions of ventilation liberation, decannulation and mortality were found to be 48% (95% CI: 31-64), 42% (95% CI: 17-69) and 18% (95% CI: 9-28) respectively. The Luis Furuya-Kanamori (LFK) index values for ventilation liberation, decannulation and mortality were 4.28, 1.32 and 0.69. No transmission of the disease attributable to participating in tracheostomy procedures was reported in most of the included articles.