Incidence, life expectancy and prognostic factors in cancer patients under prolonged mechanical ventilation: a nationwide analysis of 5,138 cases during 1998-2007

Postoperative prolonged mechanical ventilation correlates to poor survival in patients with surgically treated spinal metastasis

Objective

Patients with spinal metastasis (SM) are at advanced stages of systemic cancer disease. Surgical therapy for SM is a common treatment modality enabling histopathological diagnosis and the prevention of severe neurological deficits. However, surgery for SM in this vulnerable patient cohort may require prolonged postoperative intensive care treatment, which could adversely affect the anticipated benefit of the surgery. We therefore assessed postoperative prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) as an indicator for intensive care treatment with regard to potential correlations with early postoperative mortality and overall survival (OS).

Methods

Between 2015 and 2019, 198 patients were surgically treated for SM at the author´s neurosurgical department. PMV was defined as postoperative mechanical ventilation of more than 24 hours. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify pre- and perioperative collectable predictors for 30 days mortality.

Results

Twenty out of 198 patients (10%) with SM suffered from postoperative PMV. Patients with PMV exhibited a median OS rate of 1 month compared to 12 months for patients without PMV (p < 0.0001). The 30 days mortality was 70% and after one year 100%. The multivariate analysis identified “PMV > 24 hrs” (p < 0.001, OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.02-0.4) as the only significant and independent predictor for 30 days mortality (Nagelkerke’s R2 0.38).

Conclusions

Our data indicate postoperative PMV to significantly correlate to high early postoperative mortality rates as well as to poor OS in patients with surgically treated SM. These findings might encourage the initiation of further multicenter studies to comprehensively investigate PMV as a so far underestimated negative prognostic factor in the course of surgical treatment for SM.

Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation: Outcomes and Management

The number of patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) is increasing worldwide, placing a burden on healthcare systems. Therefore, investigating the pathophysiology, risk factors, and treatment for PMV is crucial. Various underlying comorbidities have been associated with PMV. The pathophysiology of PMV includes the presence of an abnormal respiratory drive or ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction. Numerous studies have demonstrated that ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction is related to increases in in-hospital deaths, nosocomial pneumonia, oxidative stress, lung tissue hypoxia, ventilator dependence, and costs. Thus far, the pathophysiologic evidence for PMV has been derived from clinical human studies and experimental studies in animals. Moreover, recent studies have demonstrated the outcome benefits of pharmacological agents and rehabilitative programs for patients requiring PMV. However, methodological limitations affected these studies. Controlled prospective studies with an adequate number of participants are necessary to provide evidence of the mechanism, prognosis, and treatment of PMV. The great epidemiologic impact of PMV and the potential development of treatment make this a key research field.

The Surgical Management of Brain Metastases in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): Identification of the Early Laboratory and Clinical Determinants of Survival

Background: Brain metastases (BM) indicate advanced states of cancer disease and cranial surgery represents a common treatment modality. In the present study, we aimed to identify the risk factors for a reduced survival in patients receiving a surgical treatment of BM derived from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: A total of 154 patients with NSCLC that had been surgically treated for BM at the authors’ institution between 2013 and 2018 were included for a further analysis. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify the predictors of a poor overall survival (OS). Results: The median overall survival (mOS) was 11 months (95% CI 8.2–13.8). An age > 65 years, the infratentorial location of BM, elevated preoperative C-reactive protein levels, a perioperative red blood cell transfusion, postoperative prolonged mechanical ventilation (>48 h) and the occurrence of postoperative adverse events were identified as independent factors of a poor OS. Conclusions: The present study identified several predictors for a worsened OS in patients that underwent surgery for BM of NSCLC. These findings might guide a better risk/benefit assessment in the course of metastatic NSCLC therapy and might help to more sufficiently cope with the challenges of cancer therapy in these advanced stages of disease.

Functional Status After Pulmonary Rehabilitation as a Predictor of Weaning Success and Survival in Patients Requiring Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation

Background: Comprehensive rehabilitation programs are recommended for patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) to facilitate functional recovery and ventilator weaning, but whether the functional status after rehabilitation influences outcome has not been clearly evaluated. This study aimed to investigate the association between post-rehabilitation functional status and weaning and survival outcome in PMV patients. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled PMV patients admitted to the respiratory care center (RCC), a post-ICU weaning facility with protocolized rehabilitation program, from January 2016 through December 2017. Functional status was measured by the de Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI), with a cut-off value set at 20 points. The primary outcomes were the weaning status at RCC discharge and hospital survival. The secondary outcomes were overall survival and survival at 3 months after RCC discharge. We followed patients until 3 months after RCC discharge or death. Logistic and Cox regressions were performed to identify significant parameters associated with weaning success and survival. Results: In total, 320 patients were enrolled. The weaning success rate was 71.6%. The survival rate at RCC discharge, hospital discharge, and 3 months after RCC discharge was 89.1, 77.5, and 66.6%, respectively. Post-rehabilitation DEMMI ≥ 20 (odds ratio [OR], 3.514; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.436-8.598; P = 0.006) was the most significantly associated with weaning success. The weaning success and higher post-rehabilitation DEMMI were the two most significant independent factors associated with both hospital survival (weaning success, OR, 12.272; 95% CI, 5.281-28.517; P < 0.001; post-rehabilitation DEMMI ≥ 20, OR, 6.298; 95% CI, 1.302-30.477; P = 0.022) and survival at 3 months after RCC discharge (weaning success, OR, 38.788; 95% CI, 11.505-130.762; P < 0.001; post-rehabilitation DEMMI ≥ 20, OR, 4.830; 95% CI, 1.072-21.756; P = 0.040). Post-rehabilitation DEMMI ≥ 20 remained significantly association with overall survival at 3 months after RCC discharge (hazard ratio, 0.237; 95% CI, 0.072-0.785; P = 0.018). Conclusions: Post-rehabilitation functional status of PMV patients was independently associated with weaning success, as well as hospital and 3-month overall survival after RCC discharge. Post-rehabilitation, but not pre-rehabilitation, functional status was a significant parameter associated with weaning success and survival in patients requiring PMV.

Explainable Machine Learning to Predict Successful Weaning Among Patients Requiring Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Central Taiwan

Objective: The number of patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) is increasing worldwide, but the weaning outcome prediction model in these patients is still lacking. We hence aimed to develop an explainable machine learning (ML) model to predict successful weaning in patients requiring PMV using a real-world dataset. Methods: This retrospective study used the electronic medical records of patients admitted to a 12-bed respiratory care center in central Taiwan between 2013 and 2018. We used three ML models, namely, extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), random forest (RF), and logistic regression (LR), to establish the prediction model. We further illustrated the feature importance categorized by clinical domains and provided visualized interpretation by using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) as well as local interpretable model-agnostic explanations (LIME). Results: The dataset contained data of 963 patients requiring PMV, and 56.0% (539/963) of them were successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation. The XGBoost model (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.908; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.864-0.943) and RF model (AUC: 0.888; 95% CI 0.844-0.934) outperformed the LR model (AUC: 0.762; 95% CI 0.687-0.830) in predicting successful weaning in patients requiring PMV. To give the physician an intuitive understanding of the model, we stratified the feature importance by clinical domains. The cumulative feature importance in the ventilation domain, fluid domain, physiology domain, and laboratory data domain was 0.310, 0.201, 0.265, and 0.182, respectively. We further used the SHAP plot and partial dependence plot to illustrate associations between features and the weaning outcome at the feature level. Moreover, we used LIME plots to illustrate the prediction model at the individual level. Additionally, we addressed the weekly performance of the three ML models and found that the accuracy of XGBoost/RF was ~0.7 between weeks 4 and week 7 and slightly declined to 0.6 on weeks 8 and 9. Conclusion: We used an ML approach, mainly XGBoost, SHAP plot, and LIME plot to establish an explainable weaning prediction ML model in patients requiring PMV. We believe these approaches should largely mitigate the concern of the black-box issue of artificial intelligence, and future studies are warranted for the landing of the proposed model.

The Impact of Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation on Overall Survival in Patients With Surgically Treated Brain Metastases

Objective

Surgical resection represents a common treatment modality in patients with brain metastasis (BM). Postoperative prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) might have an enormous impact on the overall survival (OS) of these patients suffering from advanced cancer disease. We therefore have analyzed our institutional database with regard to a potential impact of PMV on OS of patients who had undergone surgery for brain metastases.

Methods

360 patients with surgically treated brain metastases were included. The definition of PMV consisted of postoperative mechanical ventilation lasting for more than 48 hours. Analysis of survival incorporating established prognostic factors such as age, location of BM, and preoperative physical status was performed.

Results

14 of 360 patients with BM (4%) suffered from postoperative PMV after surgical treatment of BM. Patients with PMV presented in a significantly more impaired neurological condition preoperatively than patients without (p<0.0001). Multivariate analysis determined PMV to be a significant prognostic factor for OS after surgical treatment in patients with BM, independent of other predictive factors (p<0.0001).

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates postoperative PMV as significantly related to poor OS in patients with surgically treated BM. Postoperative PMV is a so far underestimated prognostic predictor, but might be utilized for optimized patient management early in the postoperative phase. For this purpose, the results of the present study should encourage the initiation of further scientific efforts.

Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors for prolonged mechanical ventilation in patients with acute stroke and brain trauma

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Neurological dysfunction is a common condition necessitating prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV). We investigated the clinical features and outcomes of patients with acute neurological diseases requiring PMV.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study was conducted at the Respiratory Care Center (RCC) of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, between January 2011 and January 2014. The main outcome was weaning success, defined as successful withdrawal from mechanical ventilator support for more than 5 days.

RESULTS

The study included 103 patients with acute stroke and brain trauma receiving PMV. Weaning success was reported in 63 (61%) patients and weaning failure was reported in 40 (39%) patients. Patients in the weaning failure group were older and had a lower RCC Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score (6.0 vs 7.9, p = 0.005), lower albumin level (2.8 vs 3.1, p = 0.015), longer RCC stay (28.7 vs 21.3 days, p = 0.017), and higher in-hospital mortality rate (47% vs 9%, p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that reduced RCC GCS score is an independent prognostic factor for weaning failure (odds ratio [OR] = 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05-1.46, p = 0.016) and that per unit increase of RCC GCS score is associated with a lower risk of in-hospital mortality (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.70-0.96, p = 0.019).

CONCLUSION

Reduced RCC GCS score is an independent prognostic factor for weaning failure, and is associated with increased in-hospital mortality rates in patients with acute stroke and brain trauma requiring PMV.

Estimation of losses of quality-adjusted life expectancy attributed to the combination of cognitive impairment and multimorbidity among Chinese adults aged 45 years and older

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to estimate the losses of quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALE) due to the joint effects of cognitive impairment and multimorbidity, and to further confirm additional losses attributable to this interaction among middle-aged and elderly Chinese people.

METHODS

The National Cause of Death Monitoring Data were linked with the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). A mapping and assignment method was used to estimate health utility values, which were further used to calculate QALE. Losses of QALE were measured by comparing the differences between subgroups. All the losses of QALE were displayed at two levels: the individual and population levels.

RESULTS

At age 45, the individual-level and population-level losses of QALE attributed to the combination of cognitive impairment and multimorbidity were 7.61 (95% CI: 5.68, 9.57) years and 4.30 (95% CI: 3.43, 5.20) years, respectively. The losses for cognitive impairment alone were 3.10 (95% CI: 2.29, 3.95) years and 1.71 (95% CI: 1.32, 2.13) years at the two levels. Similarly, the losses for multimorbidity alone were 3.53 (95% CI: 2.53, 4.56) years and 1.91 (95% CI: 1.24, 2.63) years at the two levels. Additional losses due to the interaction of cognitive impairment and multimorbidity were indicated by the 0.98 years of the individual-level gap and 0.67 years of the population-level gap.

CONCLUSION

Among middle-aged and elderly Chinese people, cognitive impairment and multimorbidity resulted in substantial losses of QALE, and additional QALE losses were seen due to their interaction at both individual and population levels.

Postoperative Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma-An Unrecognized Prognostic Factor

Objective

Although the treatment of glioblastoma patients is well established in neuro-oncological surgery, precious scarce data is available on patients with glioblastoma requiring postoperative prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the influence of PMV on overall survival (OS) in patients with glioblastoma.

Methods

Patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma who had undergone surgical therapy and complete subsequent neuro-oncological treatment at the authors’ neuro-oncological center from January 2013 to December 2018 were selected and included in the further analysis. PMV was defined as mechanical ventilation for more than 24 h after surgery. Survival analyses were performed, including established prognostic factors such as age, Karnofsky performance score, MGMT-promoter methylation status and extent of resection.

Results

A total of 240 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma and subsequent surgical treatment were identified. 13 patients (5%) suffered from PMV during the treatment course of glioblastoma. All but one patient were successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation. Patients suffering from PMV achieved significantly less often favorable functional outcome after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months compared to patients without PMV. Multivariate analysis revealed PMV to constitute a significant prognostic factor for OS, independent of other prognostic factors (p<0.0001, OR 6.7, 95% CI 3.2–13.8).

Conclusions

The present study identifies PMV as significantly associated with impaired functional outcome and poor OS in patients suffering from newly diagnosed glioblastoma. These findings encourage further efforts to investigate/assess this prognostic factor in future studies.

Plasma concentrations of NOX4 are predictive of successful liberation from mechanical ventilation and 28-day mortality in intubated patients

Background

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX) enzymes play important roles in generating reactive oxygen species (ROS); in particular, NOX4 plays a distinct role in regulating lung inflammation and apoptosis.

Methods

We determined whether plasma NOX4 level can be used as a prognostic biomarker to guide weaning from mechanical ventilation and to predict mortality in intubated patients. Plasma levels of NOX4 were measured at days 1 (NOX4 D1) and 7 (NOX4 D7) after initiation of mechanical ventilation in 184 patients.

Results

With increase in day 7 NOX4 quartile, the success of weaning tended to decrease and 28-day mortality tended to increase. On multivariate logistic regression, Acute Physiology, Age, Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) [odds ratio (OR): 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02–1.18], duration of mechanical ventilation (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.06–1.18), and NOX4 D7 levels >18.2 ng/mL (OR: 4.40; 95% CI: 1.91–10.06) were independently associated with weaning failure. Also, Cox-hazard proportional model showed that NOX4 D7 level >18.2 ng/mL (hazard ratio [HR], 2.29; 95% CI, 1.26–4.16), APACHE II (HR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.02–1.14), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) (HR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01–1.20) and coexisting cancer (HR: 1.99; 95% CI, 1.01–3.94), were independently associated with 28-day mortality. The longitudinal trend of NOX4 level varied according to the clinical outcomes.

Conclusions

An increased plasma NOX4 D7 level was associated with weaning failure and 28-day mortality in patients with mechanical ventilation. Our results suggest that NOX4-directed management may lead to improved outcomes in patients with mechanical ventilation.

One-year survival of patients with high-grade glioma discharged alive from the intensive care unit

Introduction

Only limited data are available regarding the long-term prognosis of patients with high-grade glioma discharged alive from the intensive care unit. We sought to quantify 1-year mortality and evaluate the association between mortality and (1) functional status, and (2) management of anticancer therapy in patients with high-grade glioma discharged alive from the intensive care unit.

Patients and methods

Retrospective observational cohort study of patients with high-grade glioma admitted to two intensive care units between January 2009 and June 2018. Functional status was assessed by the Karnofsky Performance Status. Anticancer therapy after discharge was classified as (1) continued (unchanged), (2) modified (changed or stopped), or (3) initiated (for newly diagnosed disease).

Results

Ninety-one high-grade glioma patients (73% of whom had glioblastoma) were included and 78 (86%) of these patients were discharged alive from the intensive care unit. Anticancer therapy was continued, modified, and initiated in 41%, 42%, and 17% of patients, respectively. Corticosteroid therapy at the time of ICU admission [odds ratio (OR) 0.07] and cancer progression (OR 0.09) was independently associated with continuation of anticancer therapy. The mortality rate 1 year after ICU admission was 73%. On multivariate analysis, continuation of anticancer therapy (OR 0.18) and Karnofsky performance status on admission (OR 0.90) were independently associated with lower 1-year mortality.

Conclusion

The presence of high-grade glioma is not sufficient to justify refusal of intensive care unit admission. Performance status and continuation of anticancer therapy are associated with higher survival after intensive care unit discharge.

Previous presentation

Preliminary results were presented at the most recent congress of the French Intensive Care Society, Paris, 2019.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00415-020-10191-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Outcomes after long-term mechanical ventilation of cancer patients

Background

The probability of weaning and of long-term survival of chronically mechanically ventilated cancer patients is unknown, with incomplete information available to guide therapeutic decisions. We sought to determine the probability of weaning and overall survival of cancer patients requiring long-term mechanical ventilation in a specialized weaning unit.

Methods

A single-institution retrospective review of patients requiring mechanical ventilation outside of a critical care setting from 2008 to 2012 and from January 1 to December 31, 2018, was performed. Demographic and clinical data were recorded, including cancer specifics, comorbidities, treatments, and outcomes. Overall survival was determined using the Kaplan-Meier approach. Time to weaning was analyzed using the cumulative incidence function, with death considered a competing risk. Prognostic factors were evaluated for use in prospective evaluations of weaning protocols.

Results

Between 2008 and 2012, 122 patients required mechanical ventilation outside of a critical care setting with weaning as a goal of care. The cumulative incidence of weaning after discharge from the intensive care unit was 42% at 21 days, 49% at 30 days, 58% at 60 days, 61% at 90 days, and 61% at 120 days. The median survival was 0.16 years (95% CI, 0.12 to 0.33) for those not weaned and 1.05 years (95% CI, 0.60 to 1.34) for those weaned. Overall survival at 1 year and 2 years was 52 and 32% among those weaned and 16 and 9% among those not weaned. During 2018, 36 patients at our institution required mechanical ventilation outside of a critical care setting, with weaning as a goal of care. Overall, with a median follow-up of 140 days (range, 0–425 days; average, 141 days), 25% of patients requiring long-term mechanical ventilation (9 of 36) are alive.

Conclusions

Cancer patients can be weaned from long-term mechanical ventilation, even after prolonged periods of support. Implementation of a resource-intensive weaning program did not improve rates of successful weaning. No clear time on mechanical ventilation could be identified beyond which weaning was unprecedented. Short-term overall survival for these patients is poor.

Predictors of 1-year mortality in patients on prolonged mechanical ventilation after surgery in intensive care unit: a multicenter, retrospective cohort study

Objectives

The requirement of prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) is associated with increased medical care demand and expenses, high early and long-term mortality, and worse life quality. However, no study has assessed the prognostic factors associated with 1-year mortality among PMV patients, not less than 21 days after surgery. This study analyzed the predictors of 1-year mortality in patients requiring PMV in intensive care units (ICUs) after surgery.

Methods

In this multicenter, respective cohort study, 124 patients who required PMV after surgery in the ICUs of five tertiary hospitals in Beijing between January 2007 and June 2016 were enrolled. The primary outcome was the duration of survival within 1 year. Predictors of 1-year mortality were identified with a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model. The predictive effect of the ProVent score was also validated.

Results

Of the 124 patients enrolled, the cumulative 1-year mortality was 74.2% (92/124). From the multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis, cancer diagnosis (hazard ratio [HR] 2.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37–3.35; P < 0.01), no tracheostomy (HR 2.01, 95% CI 1.22–3.30; P < 0.01), enteral nutrition intolerance (HR 1.88, 95% CI 1.19–2.97; P = 0.01), blood platelet count ≤150 × 10⁹/L (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.14–2.75; P = 0.01), requirement of vasopressors (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.13–2.80; P = 0.02), and renal replacement therapy (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.01–2.91; P = 0.047) on the 21st day of mechanical ventilation (MV) were associated with shortened 1-year survival.

Conclusions

For patients who required PMV after surgery, cancer diagnosis, no tracheostomy, enteral nutrition intolerance, blood platelet count ≤150 × 10⁹/L, vasopressor requirement, and renal replacement therapy on the 21st day of MV were associated with shortened 1-year survival. The prognosis in PMV patients in ICUs can facilitate the decision-making process of physicians and patients’ family members on treatment schedule.

Weaning outcome of solid cancer patients requiring mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

Whether the weaning outcome of solid cancer patients receiving mechanical ventilation (MV) in the intensive care unit (ICU) is comparable to that in non-cancer patients is unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the weaning outcomes between non-cancer patients and patients with different types of cancer.

METHODS

We studied patients requiring MV during ICU stay for medical reasons between 2012 and 2014. Cancer patients were grouped into those with lung cancer (LC), head and neck cancer (HNC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and other cancers (OC). The primary endpoint was successful weaning at day 90 after the initiation of MV, and the main secondary endpoints were 28-day and 90-day mortality after ICU admission.

RESULTS

Five hundred and eighteen patients with solid cancers and 1362 non-cancer patients were recruited. The rate of successful weaning at day 90 was 57.9% in cancer patients, which was lower than 68.9% in non-cancer patients (p < 0.001). Compared to non-cancer patients, LC was associated with a lower probability of weaning at day 90 (hazard ratio 0.565, 95% CI 0.446 to 0.715), while HNC, HCC, and OC had similar probabilities. The 28-day and 90-day mortality rates were higher in cancer patients than in non-cancer patients (45.2% vs. 29.4%, and 65.6% vs. 37.7%, respectively, both p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Among mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU, those with LC were associated with a lower probability of weaning at day 90 compared to non-cancer patients.

APACHE II score for critically ill patients with a solid tumor: A reclassification study

OBJECTIVE

To improve the accuracy of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II model for predicting hospital mortality in critically ill cancer patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study of 522 patients admitted to ICU with a solid tumor. We developed the "APACHE II score for critically ill patients with a solid tumor" (APACHE II_CCP score), in which typical variables of critically ill cancer patients were added to general APACHE II score. Calibration and discrimination were evaluated by Hosmer-Lemeshow test (H-L) and area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AROC), respectively. The improvement in predicting hospital mortality with the new model was assessed using a reclassification analysis by integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), net reclassification improvement (NRI; cut-off point of 20% in risk of death) and quantitative NRI (qNRI).

RESULTS

The hospital mortality rate was 13%. Discrimination was superior for APACHE II_CCP score (AROC=0.91 [95% CI 0.87-0.94; P<.0001]) compared to general APACHE II score (AROC=0.62 [95% CI 0.54-0.70; P=.002]). Calibration was better using APACHE II_CCP score (H-L; P=.267 vs. P=.001). In reclassification analysis, an improved mortality prediction was observed with APACHE II_CCP score (IDI=0.2994 [P<.0001]; total qNRI=134.3% [95% CI 108.8-159.8%; P<.0001]; total NRI=41.5% [95% CI 23.7-59.3%; P<.0001]).

CONCLUSIONS

The performance of APACHE II_CCP score was superior to that observed for general APACHE II score in predicting mortality in critically ill patients with a solid tumor. Other studies validating this new predictive model are required.

Risk factors and outcomes of severe acute respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation in cancer patients: A retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the risk factors for severe acute respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (SARF-MV) and its effect upon clinical outcomes in critically ill cancer patients.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study was carried out.

SETTING

A 12-bed oncological intensive care unit (ICU) from January 2014 to December 2015.

PATIENTS

A total of 878 consecutive cancer patients were included. Patients with an ICU stay of ≤1 day were excluded. The final sample size was 691 patients.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

VARIABLES

Clinical variables at ICU admission were extracted from the medical records. The primary outcome was SARF-MV. We also measured ICU and hospital mortality, as well as length of stay.

RESULTS

The SARF-MV rate was 15.8%. The multivariate analysis identified brain tumour (OR 14.54; 95%CI 3.86-54.77; p<0.0001), stage IV cancer (OR 3.47; 95%CI 1.26-9.54; p=0.016), sepsis upon admission (OR 2.28; 95%CI 1.14-4.56; p=0.020) and an APACHE II score≥20 points (OR 5.38; 95%CI 1.92-15.05; p=0.001) as being independently associated to SARF-MV. Compared with the patients without SARF-MV, those with SARF-MV had a prolonged length of ICU stay (p<0.0001), a lower ICU survival rate (p<0.0001) and a lower hospital survival rate (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

A number of clinical factors are related to SARF-MV. In this regard, SARF-MV is a powerful factor independently correlated to poor outcomes. Future studies should investigate means for preventing SARF-MV in critically ill cancer patients, which may have an impact upon outcomes.

Long-Term Survival, Quality of Life, and Quality-Adjusted Survival in Critically Ill Patients With Cancer

OBJECTIVES

To assess the long-term survival, health-related quality of life, and quality-adjusted life years of cancer patients admitted to ICUs.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort.

SETTING

Two cancer specialized ICUs in Brazil.

PATIENTS

A total of 792 participants.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The health-related quality of life before ICU admission; at 15 days; and at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months was assessed with the EQ-5D-3L. In addition, the vital status was assessed at 24 months. The mean age of the subjects was 61.6 ± 14.3 years, 42.5% were female subjects and half were admitted after elective surgery. The mean Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 was 47.4 ± 15.6. Survival at 12 and 18 months was 42.4% and 38.1%, respectively. The mean EQ-5D-3L utility measure before admission to the ICU was 0.47 ± 0.43, at 15 days it was 0.41 ± 0.44, at 90 days 0.56 ± 0.42, at 6 months 0.60 ± 0.41, at 12 months 0.67 ± 0.35, and at 18 months 0.67 ± 0.35. The probabilities for attaining 12 and 18 months of quality-adjusted survival were 30.1% and 19.1%, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in survival time and quality-adjusted life years according to all assessed baseline characteristics (ICU admission after elective surgery, emergency surgery, or medical admission; Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3; cancer extension; cancer status; previous surgery; previous chemotherapy; previous radiotherapy; performance status; and previous health-related quality of life). Only the previous health-related quality of life and performance status were associated with the health-related quality of life during the 18-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term survival, health-related quality of life, and quality-adjusted life year expectancy of cancer patients admitted to the ICU are limited. Nevertheless, these clinical outcomes exhibit wide variability among patients and are associated with simple characteristics present at the time of ICU admission, which may help healthcare professionals estimate patients' prognoses.

Significant Clinical Factors Associated with Long-term Mortality in Critical Cancer Patients Requiring Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation

Studies about prognostic assessment in cancer patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) for post-intensive care are scarce. We retrospectively enrolled 112 cancer patients requiring PMV support who were admitted to the respiratory care center (RCC), a specialized post-intensive care weaning facility, from November 2009 through September 2013. The weaning success rate was 44.6%, and mortality rates at hospital discharge and after 1 year were 43.8% and 76.9%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression showed that weaning failure, in addition to underlying cancer status, was significantly associated with an increased 1-year mortality (odds ratio, 6.269; 95% confidence interval, 1.800–21.834; P = 0.004). Patients who had controlled non-hematologic cancers and successful weaning had the longest median survival, while those with other cancers who failed weaning had the worst. Patients with low maximal inspiratory pressure, anemia, and poor oxygenation at RCC admission had an increased risk of weaning failure. In conclusion, cancer status and weaning outcome were the most important determinants associated with long-term mortality in cancer patients requiring PMV. We suggest palliative care for those patients with clinical features associated with worse outcomes. It is unknown whether survival in this specific patient population could be improved by modifying the risk of weaning failure.

Critical Care Prognosis and Outcomes in Patients with Cancer

Advances in cancer treatment and patient survival are associated with increasing number of these patients requiring intensive care. Over the last 2 decades, there has been a steady improvement in the outcomes of critically ill patients with cancer. This review provides data on the use of the intensive care unit (ICU) and short and long-term outcomes of critically ill patients with cancer, the ICU system practices that influence patients outcomes, and the role of the different clinical variables in predicting the prognosis of these patients.

Critical care of patients with cancer

Answer questions and earn CME/CNE The increasing prevalence of patients living with cancer in conjunction with the rapid progress in cancer therapy will lead to a growing number of patients with cancer who will require intensive care treatment. Fortunately, the development of more effective oncologic therapies, advances in critical care, and improvements in patient selection have led to an increased survival of critically ill patients with cancer. As a consequence, critical care has become an important cornerstone in the continuum of modern cancer care. Although, in many aspects, critical care for patients with cancer does not differ from intensive care for other seriously ill patients, there are several challenging issues that are unique to this patient population and require special knowledge and skills. The optimal management of critically ill patients with cancer necessitates expertise in oncology, critical care, and palliative medicine. Cancer specialists therefore have to be familiar with key principles of intensive care for critically ill patients with cancer. This review provides an overview of the state-of-the-art in the individualized management of critically ill patients with cancer. CA Cancer J Clin 2016;66:496-517. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Suppressive oligonucleotides inhibit inflammation in a murine model of mechanical ventilator induced lung injury

BACKGROUND

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is commonly used to improve blood oxygenation in critically ill patients and for general anesthesia. Yet the cyclic mechanical stress induced at even moderate ventilation volume settings [tidal volume (Vt) <10 mL/kg] can injure the lungs and induce an inflammatory response. This work explores the effect of treatment with suppressive oligonucleotides (Sup ODN) in a mouse model of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI).

METHODS

Balb/cJ mice were mechanically ventilated for 4 h using clinically relevant Vt and a positive end-expiratory pressure of 3 cmH₂O under 2-3% isoflurane anesthesia. Lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were collected to assess lung inflammation and lung function was monitored using a FlexiVent^®.

RESULTS

MV induced significant pulmonary inflammation characterized by the influx and activation of CD11c⁺/F4/80⁺ macrophages and CD11b⁺/Ly6G⁺ polymorphonuclear cells into the lung and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The concurrent administration of Sup ODN attenuated pulmonary inflammation as evidenced by reduced cellular influx and production of inflammatory cytokines. Oligonucleotide treatment did not worsen lung function as measured by static compliance or resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with Sup ODN reduces the lung injury induced by MV in mice.

Disease severity at the first hospitalization as a predictor for mechanical ventilation dependency in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are predisposed to respiratory failure with ventilator dependency. This study aims to determine the risk of prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV), defined as 22 days or more of mechanical ventilation dependency after the first day of hospital admission (index date) in patients diagnosed with COPD. A retrospective cohort was conducted using medical claim data of Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Eligible study subjects were those who had a diagnosis of COPD made between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2009. Patients were then followed until being registered as a PMV case, death, or the end of the study. The comorbidities were measured from January 1, 1997 to the index date by the ICD-9 code. The study sample consisted of 6,341 patients with COPD with a mean age of 73.89 (± 12.01) years. Over a maximum of 6 years of follow-up, 654 patients developed PMV dependency, with an incidence density of 41.56 per 1,000 person-years. Patients aged 70 years and older were at significantly increased risk for PMV dependency, compared to those aged 40-49 years after adjusting for confounders. Expenses per visit and hospital visits per year, representing the severity of the COPD, were also associated with an elevated risk of PMV. Most patients developed PMV dependency within the first two years after the index date. Physicians should be aware that elderly patients with COPD have a high risk of PMV after first hospitalization, and these patients need to be closely monitored.

Is prolonged mechanical ventilation of cancer patients futile?

The issue of limiting life-sustaining treatments for intensive care unit (ICU) patients is complex. The ethical principles applied by ICU staff when making treatment-limitation decisions must comply with the law of their country. Until 2011, the law in Taiwan prohibited the withdrawal of mechanical ventilation. Consequently, patients with severe underlying diseases could receive prolonged mechanical ventilation. In a study conducted by Shih and colleagues in patients with cancer in Taiwan, continuous mechanical ventilation for more than 21 days was associated with poor outcomes, particularly in the subgroups of patients with metastases, lung cancer, or liver cancer. These results highlight the need for appropriate legislation regarding the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments in patients, especially those for whom no effective cancer treatments are available.