Utility of postintubation chest radiographs in the intensive care unit

CLiP, catheter and line position dataset

Correct catheter position is crucial to ensuring appropriate function of the catheter and avoid complications. This paper describes a dataset consisting of 50,612 image level and 17,999 manually labelled annotations from 30,083 chest radiographs from the publicly available NIH ChestXRay14 dataset with manually annotated and segmented endotracheal tubes (ETT), nasoenteric tubes (NET) and central venous catheters (CVCs).

Prescription practice and clinical utility of chest radiographs in a pediatric intensive care unit: a prospective observational study

Background

Chest radiograph (CXR) prescribing pattern and practice vary widely among pediatric intensive care units (PICU). ‘On demand’ approach is increasingly recommended as against daily ‘routine’ CXRs; however, the real-world practice is largely unknown.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study performed in children younger than 12 years admitted to PICU of a tertiary care teaching hospital in India. Data were collected on all consecutive CXRs performed between December 2016 and April 2017. The primary outcome was to assess the factors that were associated with higher chest radiograph prescriptions in PICU. Secondary outcomes were to study the indications, association with mechanical ventilation, image quality and avoidable radiation exposure.

Results

Of 303 children admitted during the study period, 159 underwent a total of 524 CXRs in PICU. Median (IQR) age of the study cohort was 2 (0.6–5) years. More than two thirds [n = 115, 72.3%] were mechanically ventilated. Most CXRs (n = 449, 85.7%) were performed on mechanically ventilated patients, amounting to a median (IQR) of 3 (2–5) radiographs per ventilated patient. With increasing duration of ventilation, the number of CXRs proportionately increased in the first two weeks of mechanical ventilation. In non-ventilated children, about two thirds (68%) underwent only one CXR. Majority of the prescriptions were on demand (n = 461, 88%). Most common indications were peri-procedure prescriptions (37%) followed by evaluation for respiratory disease status (24%). About 40% CXRs resulted in interventions; adjustment in ventilator settings (13.5%) was the most frequent intervention. In 26% (n = 138) of radiographs, image quality required improvement. One or more additional body part exposure other than chest and upper abdomen were noted 336 (64%) images. Children with > 3 CXR had higher PRISM III score, more often mechanically ventilated, had higher number of indwelling devices [mean (SD) 2.6 (1.2) vs. 1.7 (1.0)] and stayed longer in PICU [median (IQR) 11(7.5–18.5) vs. 6 (3–9)].

Conclusion

On demand prescription was the prevalent practice in our PICU. Most non-ventilated children underwent only one CXR while duration of PICU stay and the number of devices determined the number of CXRs in mechanically ventilated children. Quality improvement strategies should concentrate on the process of acquisition of images and limiting the radiation exposure to unwanted body parts.

A multi-center evaluation of a disposable catheter to aid in correct positioning of the endotracheal tube after intubation in critically ill patients

PURPOSE

To demonstrate that use of a minimally invasive catheter reduces endotracheal tube (ETT) malposition rate after intubation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study is a multi-center, prospective observational cohort of intubated patients in the medical intensive care unit. The catheter was inserted into the ETT immediately after intubation. The ETT was adjusted accordingly based on qualitative color markers on the catheter. A confirmatory chest radiograph was obtained to determine the ETT position. Malposition of the ETT was defined by the distal ETT not being within 2-5 cm above the carina.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine patients were enrolled, age 56.2 ± 19.5 years, body mass index 31.0 ± 13.8 kg/m². The catheter prompted repositioning of the ETT in 39 (56.5%) patients. Using the catheter, the rate of malposition decreased to 7.2%, with the distal ETT position at 3.7 ± 1.2 cm above the carina. Without the catheter, the ETT malposition rate would have been 39.1%. The time for catheter use and chest radiograph completion at our institutions was 1.7 ± 1.5 and 44.4 ± 36.4 min, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

With use of an ETT positioning catheter after intubation, the ETT malposition rate was reduced by 82%. This catheter-based system was safe, and its use may perhaps decrease the need for the post-intubation chest radiograph.

Evaluation of medical devices in thoracic radiograms in intensive care unit - time to pay attention!

Objective

To identify and evaluate the correct positioning of the most commonly used medical devices as visualized in thoracic radiograms of patients in the intensive care unit of our center.

Methods

A literature search was conducted for the criteria used to evaluate the correct positioning of medical devices on thoracic radiograms. All the thoracic radiograms performed in the intensive care unit of our center over an 18-month period were analyzed. All admissions in which at least one thoracic radiogram was performed in the intensive care unit and in which at least one medical device was identifiable in the thoracic radiogram were included. One radiogram per admission was selected for analysis. The radiograms were evaluated by an independent observer.

Results

Out of the 2,312 thoracic radiograms analyzed, 568 were included in this study. Several medical devices were identified, including monitoring leads, endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes, central venous catheters, pacemakers and prosthetic cardiac valves. Of the central venous catheters that were identified, 33.6% of the subclavian and 23.8% of the jugular were malpositioned. Of the endotracheal tubes, 19.9% were malpositioned, while all the tracheostomy tubes were correctly positioned.

Conclusion

Malpositioning of central venous catheters and endotracheal tubes is frequently identified in radiograms of patients in an intensive care unit. This is relevant because malpositioned devices may be related to adverse events. In future studies, an association between malpositioning and adverse events should be investigated.

Factors Associated with Misplaced Endotracheal Tubes During Intubation in Pediatric Patients

BACKGROUND

Correct positioning of the endotracheal tube (ETT) during emergent pediatric intubations can be challenging, and incorrect placement may be associated with higher rates of complications.

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study are to: 1) assess the prevalence of clinically undetected misplaced ETTs after intubation in the pediatric emergency department; 2) identify predictors of ETT misplacement; and 3) evaluate for any association between intubation-related complications and ETT position.

METHODS

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, the primary outcome was rate of unrecognized low or high ETTs detected on confirmatory chest radiographs. The secondary outcome was frequency of complications (i.e., hypoxemia, difficult ventilation, atelectasis, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and aspiration) associated with misplaced ETTs. Multivariable analyses were used to evaluate the associations between patient and procedural characteristics and misplaced ETTs and between ETT position and complications.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven of 201 (38.3%) intubations performed in the emergency department resulted in clinically unrecognized misplaced ETTs. Of the misplaced tubes, 45 of 77 (58%) were identified as low and 32 (42%) were high. In multivariable analyses, female sex and decreasing age were associated with increased risk of low tube placement (odds ratio for female sex, 2.4 [95% confidence interval, 1.1-5.1]; odds ratio of decreasing age, 1.16 [95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.3]). Low tube misplacement was associated with an increased risk of intubation-related complications compared to both correct and high tube placement (p < 0.05, Chi-square).

CONCLUSION

Clinically unrecognized ETT misplacement occurs frequently in the pediatric emergency department, with low placement being most common, particularly in girls and younger children. Measures to improve clinical or radiographic recognition of incorrect tube position should be considered.

Defining indications for selective chest radiography in the first 24 hours after cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVE

In the intensive-care unit (ICU), chest radiographs (CXRs) are frequently obtained routinely for postoperative cardiac surgery patients, despite the fact that the efficacy of routine CXRs is known to be low. We investigated the efficacy and safety of CXRs performed after cardiac surgery for specified indications only.

METHODS

In this observational cohort study, we prospectively included all patients who underwent conventional major cardiac surgery by median sternotomy in the year 2012. On-demand CXRs could be obtained during the first postoperative period for specified indications only. A routine control CXR was performed on the morning of the first postoperative day for all patients who had not undergone a CXR before that time. The diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy values were calculated for all CXRs. Differences were tested using Fisher's exact test or χ(2) analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1102 consecutive cardiac surgery patients were included in this study. The diagnostic efficacy of CXRs for major abnormalities was higher for the postoperative on-demand CXRs (n = 301; 27%) than for the routine CXRs taken the morning after surgery (n = 801; 73%) (6.6% vs 2.7%, P = .004). The therapeutic efficacy was higher for the on-demand CXRs, whereas the need for intervention after the next-morning, routine CXRs was limited to 5 patients (4.0% vs 0.6%, P < .001). None of these patients experienced a major adverse event.

CONCLUSIONS

Defining clear indications for selective CXRs after cardiac surgery is effective and seems to be safe. This approach may significantly reduce the total number of CXRs performed, and will increase their efficacy.

The value of routine chest radiographs after minimally invasive cardiac surgery: an observational cohort study

Background

Chest radiographs (CXRs) are obtained frequently in postoperative cardiac surgery patients. The diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of routine CXRs is known to be low and the discussion regarding the safety of abandoning these CXRs after cardiac surgery is still ongoing. We investigated the value of routine CXRs directly after minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

Methods

We prospectively included all patients who underwent minimally invasive cardiac surgery by port access, ministernotomy or bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) in the year 2012. A direct postoperative CXR was performed on all patients at ICU arrival. All CXR findings were noted, including whether they led to an intervention or not. The results were compared to the postoperative CXR results in patients who underwent conventional cardiac surgery by full median sternotomy over the same period.

Main results

A total of 249 consecutive patients were included. Most of these patients underwent valve surgery, rhythm surgery or a combination of both. The diagnostic efficacy for minor findings was highest in the port access and bilateral VATS groups (56% and 63% versus 28% and 45%) (p < 0.005). The diagnostic efficacy for major findings was also higher in these groups (8.9% and 11% versus 4.3% and 3.8%) (p = 0.010). The need for an intervention was most common after minimally invasive surgery by port access, although this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.056).

Conclusions

The diagnostic efficacy of routine CXRs performed after minimally invasive cardiac surgery by port access or bilateral VATS is higher than the efficacy of CXRs performed after conventional cardiac surgery. A routine CXR after these procedures should still be considered.

Significant changes in the practice of chest radiography in Dutch intensive care units: a web-based survey

Background

ICU patients frequently undergo chest radiographs (CXRs). The diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of routine CXRs are now known to be low, but the discussion regarding specific indications for CXRs in critically ill patients and the safety of abandoning routine CXRs is still ongoing. We performed a survey of Dutch intensivists on the current practice of chest radiography in their departments.

Methods

Web-based questionnaires, containing questions regarding ICU characteristics, ICU patients, daily CXR strategies, indications for routine CXRs and the practice of radiologic evaluation, were sent to the medical directors of all adult ICUs in the Netherlands. CXR strategies were compared between all academic and non-academic hospitals and between ICUs of different sizes. A comparison was made between the survey results obtained in 2006 and 2013.

Results

Of the 83 ICUs that were contacted, 69 (83%) responded to the survey. Only 7% of responding ICUs were currently performing daily routine CXRs for all patients, and 61% of the responding ICUs were said never to perform CXRs on a routine basis. A daily meeting with a radiologist is an established practice in 72% of the responding ICUs and is judged to be important or even essential by those ICUs. The therapeutic efficacy of routine CXRs was assumed by intensivists to be lower than 10% or to be between 10 and 20%. The efficacy of ‘on-demand’ CXRs was assumed to be between 10 and 60%. There is a consensus between intensivists to perform a routine CXR after endotracheal intubation, chest tube placement or central venous catheterization.

Conclusion

The strategy of daily routine CXRs for critically ill and mechanically ventilated patients has turned from being a common practice in 2006 to a rare current practice. Other routine strategies and an ‘on-demand only’ strategy have become more popular. Intensivists still assume the value of CXRs to be higher than the efficacy that is reported in the literature.

Novel device (AirWave) to assess endotracheal tube migration: a pilot study

INTRODUCTION

Little is known about endotracheal tube (ETT) migration during routine care among critically ill patients. AirWave is a novel device that uses sonar waves to measure ETT migration and obstructions in real time. The aim of the present study is to assess the accuracy of the AirWave to evaluate ETT migration. In addition, we determined the degree of variation in ETT position and tested whether more pronounced migration occurs in specific clinical scenarios.

METHODS

After institutional review board approval, we included mechanically ventilated patients from February 2012 to May 2012. A chest radiography (CXR) was obtained at baseline and 24 hours when clinically indicated. The ETT distance at the lips was recorded at baseline and every 4 hours. The AirWave system continuously recorded ETT position changes from baseline, and luminal obstructions.

RESULTS

A total of 42 patients (age: 61 [SD ±13] years, men: 52%) were recruited. A total of 19 patients had measurements of ETT migration at 24 hours by the 3 methodologies used in this study. The mean (SD) of the ETT migration at 24 hours was +0.04 (1.2), -0.42 (0.7) and +0.34 (1.81) cm when measured by portable CXR, ETT distance at the teeth and AirWave device, respectively. Bland-Altman analysis of tube migration at 24 hours comparing the AirWave with CXR readings showed a bias of 0.1 cm with 95% limit of agreement of -3.8 and +4.3 cm. Comparison of tube migration at 24 hours determined by AirWave with ETT distance at the lips revealed a bias of -0.4 with 95% limit of agreement -3.7 to +3 cm, similar to the values observed between CXR and ETT distance at the lips (bias of -0.3 cm, 95% limit of agreement of -3.4 to +2.8 cm). Factors associated with ETT migration at 24 hours were ETT size and initial measurement from ETT tip to carina by portable CXR. AirWave detected in eight patients some degree of ETT obstruction (30% ± 9.6%) that resolved with prompt ETT catheter suction.

CONCLUSIONS

The AirWave may provide useful information regarding ETT migration and obstruction in real time.

[Prediction of the clinical usefulness of routine chest X-rays in a traumatology ICU]

BACKGROUND

The clinical value of routine chest X-rays in critical care has been questioned, but has not been studied in the trauma environment to date. The objective of this study was to identify easy to use clinical predictors of utility in this setting.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective observational study was made in an 8-bed traumatology ICU. Severe trauma patients (ISS > 15), aged 15 or older and admitted for 48 h or longer were included. Pregnant women and radiographs obtained during initial care or for reasons other than routine indication were excluded. A staff physician, separated from clinical duties, independently reviewed the films in search of changes, as described in a closed checklist. Following closed criteria, the attending physicians reported previous day clinical events and changes in clinical management after chest X-ray obtainment. Demographic and epidemiological data were also recorded. The associations among variables were studied by univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1440 routine chest X-rays were obtained from 138 consecutive patients during one year. Young males prevailed (82%; 39 ± 16 years). The most common process was severe blunt trauma (97%). Fifty-two percent suffered severe chest trauma. The mean length of stay was 12.9 ± 10.1 days. Mechanical ventilation was used in 86.8% of the cases. A median of 10.4 ± 9.3 films were obtained from each patient. A total of 14% of the X-rays showed changes, most commonly malpositioning of an indwelling device (6.8%) or infiltrates (4.9%). Those findings led to a change in care in 84.6% of the cases. Multivariate analysis identified the following significant (p < 0.05) risk factors for radiographic changes: first two days of evolution, mechanical ventilation, worsening of PaO₂/FiO₂, worsening of lung compliance and changes in respiratory secretions.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results obtained, the risk of not identifying dangerous conditions by restricting routine chest X-rays prescription to the described conditions is low. Observing this policy would probably mean substantial savings and a reduction in radiation exposure.

Secondary confirmation of endotracheal tube position by ultrasound image

OBJECTIVE

Secondary confirmation of endotracheal (ET) tube position by ultrasound image.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized study.

SETTING

A medical center-based tertiary pediatric intensive care unit.

PATIENTS

A total of 59 patients aged from newborn to 17 yrs old underwent ET tube insertion because of cardiopulmonary arrest or impending respiratory failure.

INTERVENTION

Ultrasound imaging was performed immediately before and after the ET tube placement procedure. The most frequently used ultrasonic scanning window was the subxiphoid window at the mid-upper abdominal, just beneath the xiphoid process and the lower margin of liver. The sector angle was set as wide as possible (90 degrees) so that the bilateral diaphragm could be well scanned.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Using the ultrasound imaging method, we successfully identified all of two esophageal intubations and eight incidents of initial ET tube misplacement, which had been positioned down to the right main bronchus. Finally, we successfully identified all 59 of the correct placements of ET tubes in the trachea.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound imaging of diaphragm motion is a useful, quick, noninvasive, portable, and direct anatomic method for assessment of ET tube position. We think it should be considered the method of choice for the secondary confirmation of the ET tube position.

Mechanical Ventilation

Mechanical ventilation is the second most frequently performed therapeutic intervention after treatment for cardiac arrhythmias in intensive care units today. Countless lives have been saved with its use despite being associated with a greater than 30% in-hospital mortality rate. As life expectancies increase and people with chronic illnesses survive longer, artificial support with mechanical ventilation is also expected to rise. In one survey, over half of senior internal medicine residents reported their training on mechanical ventilation as inadequate, whereas the majority of critical care nurses reported having received no formal education on its use. Technological advances resulting in the availability of sleeker ventilators with graphic waveform displays and new modes of ventilation have challenged the bedside clinicians to incorporate this new data along with evidenced-based research into their daily practice. A review of current thoughts on mechanical ventilation and weaning is presented.

Radiology in the intensive care unit (Part I)

The increasing complexity of the intensive care patient combined with the recent advances in imaging technology has generated a new perspective on intensive care radiology. The purpose of this 2-part review article is to describe the contribution of radiology to the management of these critically ill patients. The first article will discuss the impact of picture archiving and communication system (PACS) on critical care management and utility of the portable chest radiograph in the detection and evaluation of pulmonary disease with correlation to computed tomography (CT). The second article describes in more detail the increasing role of CT in diagnosis and therapeutic procedures. In particular, the implementation of CT pulmonary angiography in the evaluation of pulmonary emboli and the introduction of the new multislice detector CT scanners that allow even the most dyspneic patient to be evaluated. Pleural complications in the intensive care unit and image-guided intervention will also be discussed.

Efficacy of daily bedside chest radiography as visualized by digital luminescence radiography

To determine the diagnostic impact of daily bedside chest radiography in comparison with digital luminescence technique (DLR; storage phosphor radiography) and conventional film screen radiography, a prospective randomized study was completed in 210 mechanically ventilated patients with a total of 420 analysed radiographs. The patients were allocated to two groups: 150 patients underwent DLR, and 60 patients underwent conventional film screen radiography. Radiological analysis was performed consensually and therapeutic efficacy was assessed by the clinicians. There was no statistical significant difference between the frequency of abnormal findings seen on DLR and conventional film screen radiography. In total, 448 abnormal findings were present in 249 of 300 DLR and 97 of 120 conventional film screen radiographs. The most common findings were signs of overhydration (41%), pleural effusion (31%), partial collapse of the lung (11%) and pneumothorax (2%). One hundred and twenty-three of 448 (27%) of these abnormal findings were thought to have a considerable impact on patient management. The high rate of abnormal findings with significant impact on patient management suggests that the use of daily bedside chest radiography may be reasonable.