The treatment of choice in severe asthma exacerbations with respiratory failure includes ventilatory support, both invasive and/or non-invasive, along with different kinds of asthma medication. Of ...note, the rate of mortality of patients with asthma has decreased substantially in recent years mainly due to significant advances in pharmacological treatment and other management strategies. However, the risk of death in patients with severe asthma who require invasive mechanical ventilation has been estimated between 6.5% and 10.3%. When conventional measures fail, rescue strategies, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or extracorporeal CO2 removal (ECCO2R) may need to be implemented. While ECMO does not constitute a definitive treatment per se, it can minimize further ventilator associated lung injury (VALI) and can enable diagnostic-therapeutic maneuvers that cannot be performed without ECMO such as bronchoscopy and transfer for diagnostic imaging. Asthma is one of the diseases that is associated with excellent outcomes for patients with refractory respiratory failure requiring ECMO support, as shown by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) registry. Moreover, in such situations, the use of ECCO2R for rescue has been described and utilized in both children and adults and is more widely spread in different hospitals than ECMO. In this article, we aim to review the evidence for the usefulness of extracorporeal respiratory support measures in the management of severe asthma exacerbations that lead to respiratory failure.
Anticipating and avoiding preventable intrahospital cardiac arrest and clinical deterioration are important priorities for international healthcare systems and institutions. One of the ...internationally followed strategies to improve this matter is the introduction of the Rapid Response Systems (RRS). Although there is vast evidence from the international community, the evidence reported in a Spanish context is scarce.
A nationwide cross-sectional research consisting of a voluntary 31-question online survey was performed. The Spanish Society of Intensive, Critical and Coronary Care Medicine (SEMICYUC) supported the research.
We received 62 fully completed surveys distributed within 13 of the 17 regions and two autonomous cities of Spain. Thirty-two of the participants had an established Rapid Response Team (RRT). Common frequency on measuring vital signs was at least once per shift but other frequencies were contemplated (48.4%), usually based on professional criteria (69.4%), as only 12 (19.4%) centers used Early Warning Scores (EWS) or automated alarms on abnormal parameters. In the sample, doctors, nurses (55%), and other healthcare professionals (39%) could activate the RRT via telephone, but only 11.3% of the sample enacted this at early signs of deterioration. The responders on the RRT are the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), doctors, and nurses, who are available 24/7 most of the time. Concerning the education and training of general ward staff and RRT members, this varies from basic to advanced and specific-specialized level, simulating a growing educational methodology among participants. A great number of participants have emergency resuscitation equipment (drugs, airway adjuncts, and defibrillators) in their general wards. In terms of quality improvement, only half of the sample registered RRT activity indicators. In terms of the use of communication and teamwork techniques, the most used is clinical debriefing in 29 centers.
In terms of the concept of RRS, we found in our context that we are in the early stages of the establishment process, as it is not yet a generalized concept in most of our hospitals. The centers that have it are in still in the process of maturing the system and adapting themselves to our context.
The optimal time to intubate patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia has not been adequately determined. While the use of non-invasive respiratory support before invasive mechanical ventilation might ...cause patient-self-induced lung injury and worsen the prognosis, non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is frequently used to avoid intubation of patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF). We hypothesized that delayed intubation is associated with a high risk of mortality in COVID-19 patients.
This is a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from adult patients with ARF due to COVID-19 admitted to 73 intensive care units (ICUs) between February 2020 and March 2021. Intubation was classified according to the timing of intubation. To assess the relationship between early versus late intubation and mortality, we excluded patients with ICU length of stay (LOS) < 7 days to avoid the immortal time bias and we did a propensity score and a cox regression analysis.
We included 4,198 patients median age, 63 (54‒71) years; 71% male; median SOFA (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) score, 4 (3‒7); median APACHE (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation) score, 13 (10‒18), and median PaO
/FiO
(arterial oxygen pressure/ inspired oxygen fraction), 131 (100‒190); intubation was considered very early in 2024 (48%) patients, early in 928 (22%), and late in 441 (10%). ICU mortality was 30% and median ICU stay was 14 (7‒28) days. Mortality was higher in the "late group" than in the "early group" (37 vs. 32%, p < 0.05). The implementation of an early intubation approach was found to be an independent protective risk factor for mortality (HR 0.6; 95%CI 0.5‒0.7).
Early intubation within the first 24 h of ICU admission in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia was found to be an independent protective risk factor of mortality.
The study was registered at Clinical-Trials.gov (NCT04948242) (01/07/2021).
To determine the prevalence of elevated mechanical power (MP) values (>17J/min) used in routine clinical practice.
Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, analytical, multicenter, international ...study conducted on November 21, 2019, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. NCT03936231.
One hundred thirty-three Critical Care Units.
Patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation for any cause.
None.
Mechanical power.
A population of 372 patients was analyzed. PM was significantly higher in patients under pressure-controlled ventilation (PC) compared to volume-controlled ventilation (VC) (19.20±8.44J/min vs. 16.01±6.88J/min; p<0.001), but the percentage of patients with PM>17J/min was not different (41% vs. 35%, respectively; p=0.382). The best models according to AICcw expressing PM for patients in VC are described as follows: Surrogate Strain (Driving Pressure) + PEEP+Surrogate Strain Rate (PEEP/Flow Ratio) + Respiratory Rate. For patients in PC, it is defined as: Surrogate Strain (Expiratory Tidal Volume/PEEP) + PEEP+Surrogate Strain Rate (Surrogate Strain/Ti) + Respiratory Rate+Expiratory Tidal Volume+Ti.
A substantial proportion of mechanically ventilated patients may be at risk of experiencing elevated levels of mechanical power. Despite observed differences in mechanical power values between VC and PC ventilation, they did not result in a significant disparity in the prevalence of high mechanical power values.
Determinar la prevalencia de valores elevados de potencia mecánica (PM) (>17J/min) utilizados en la práctica clínica habitual.
estudio observacional, descriptivo de corte transversal, analítico, multicéntrico e internacional, realizado el 21 de noviembre de 2019 en horario de 8 a 15 horas. NCT03936231.
Ciento treinta y tres Unidad de Cuidados Críticos.
pacientes que recibirán ventilación mecánica por cualquier causa.
ninguna
Potencia mecánica.
se analizaron 372 enfermos. La PM fue significativamente mayor en pacientes en ventilación controlada por presión (PC) que en ventilación controlada por volumen (VC) (19,20+8,44J/min frente a 16,01+6,88J/min; p<0,001), pero el porcentaje de pacientes con PM>17J/min no fue diferente (41% frente a 35% respectivamente; p=0,382). Los mejores modelos según AICcw que expresan la PM para los enfermos en VC se decribe como: Strain subrogante (Presión de conducción) + PEEP+Strain Rate subrogante (PEEP/cociente de flujo) + Frecuencia respiratoria. Para los enfermos en PC se define como: Strain subrogante (Volumen tidal expiratorio/PEEP) + PEEP+Strain Rate subrogante (Strain subrogante/Ti) + Frecuencia respiratoria+Expiratory Tidal Volumen+Ti.
Gran parte de los pacientes en ventilación mecánica en condiciones de práctica clínica habitual reciben niveles de potencia mecánica peligrosos. A pesar de las diferencias observadas en los valores de potencia mecánica entre la ventilación VC y PC, este porcentaje de riesgo fue similar en PC y VC.
This research aims to describe the perspectives of health care professionals, patients, and family members regarding spiritual care options in intensive care units (ICUs). Participants were recruited ...consecutively from January to August 2019, during which time data collection was conducted. A total of 1211 Spanish-language questionnaires were collected from 41 ICUs in Spain and Latin America. Approximately 655 participants worked as ICU professionals (74.5% of these participants were women, and 47.5% were nurses). Additionally, 340 questionnaires were sent to patients' families, and patients completed 216 questionnaires; 59.7% of these participants were men, and their mean age was 59.4 years. Most (69.7%) of the critical care professionals considered this type of care to be a part of their profession, 50.1% did not feel competent to provide this type of care, and 83.4% felt that training in this area was necessary. Most families (71.7%) and patients (60.2%) felt that spiritual suffering occurred during their stay in the ICU. The results of this study suggest a perceived deficit in spiritual care in ICUs.
Background
Up to 25% of patients with acute pancreatitis develop severe complications and are classified as severe pancreatitis with a high death rate. To improve outcomes, patients may require ...interventional measures including surgical procedures. Multidisciplinary approach and best practice guidelines are important to decrease mortality.
Methods
We have conducted a retrospective analysis from a prospectively maintained database in a low-volume hospital. A total of 1075 patients were attended for acute pancreatitis over a ten-year period. We have analysed 44 patients meeting the criteria for severe acute pancreatitis and for intensive care unit (ICU) admittance. Demographics and clinical data were analysed. Patients were treated according to international guidelines and a multidisciplinary flowchart for acute pancreatitis and a step-up approach for pancreatic necrosis.
Results
Forty-four patients were admitted to the ICU due to severe acute pancreatitis. Twenty-five patients needed percutaneous drainage of peri-pancreatic or abdominal fluid collections or cholecystitis. Eight patients underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for choledocholithiasis and biliary sepsis or pancreatic leakage, and one patient received endoscopic trans-gastric endoscopic prosthesis for pancreatic necrosis. Sixteen patients underwent surgery: six patients for septic abdomen, four patients for pancreatic necrosis and two patients due to abdominal compartment syndrome. Four patients had a combination of surgical procedures for pancreatic necrosis and for abdominal compartment syndrome. Overall mortality was 9.1%.
Conclusion
Severe acute pancreatitis represents a complex pathology that requires a multidisciplinary approach. Establishing best practice treatments and evidence-based guidelines for severe acute pancreatitis may improve outcomes in low-volume hospitals.
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