Complex ascending and aortic arch surgery requires the implementation of different cerebral protection strategies to avoid or limit the probability of intraoperative brain damage during circulatory ...arrest. The etiology of the damage is multifactorial, involving cerebral embolism, hypoperfusion, hypoxia and inflammatory response. These protective strategies include the use of deep or moderate hypothermia to reduce the cerebral oxygen consumption, allowing the toleration of a variable period of absence of cerebral blood flow, and the use of different cerebral perfusion techniques, both anterograde and retrograde, on top of hypothermia, to avoid any period of intraoperative brain ischemia. In this narrative review, the pathophysiology of cerebral damage during aortic surgery is described. The different options for brain protection, including hypothermia, anterograde or retrograde cerebral perfusion, are also analyzed, with a critical review of the advantages and limitations under a technical point of view. Finally, the current systems of intraoperative brain monitoring are also discussed.
Excessive sedation is associated with poor outcome in critically ill acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients. Whether this prognostic effect varies among ARDS patients with and without ...COVID-19 has yet to be determined. We compared the prognostic value of excessive sedation—in terms of delirium, length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU-LOS) and ICU mortality—between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 critically ill ARDS patients. This was a second analysis of prospectively collected data in four European academic centers pertaining to 101 adult critically ill ARDS patients with and without COVID-19 disease. Depth of sedation (DOS) and delirium were monitored through processed electroencephalogram (EEG) and the Confusion Assessment Method for ICU (CAM-ICU). Our main exposure was excessive sedation and how it relates to the presence of delirium, ICU-LOS and ICU mortality. The criterion for excessive sedation was met in 73 (72.3%) patients; of these, 15 (82.2%) and 58 (69.1%) were in non-COVID-19 and COVID-19 ARDS groups, respectively. The criteria of delirium were met in 44 patients (60.3%). Moreover, excessive sedation was present in 38 (86.4%) patients with delirium (p < 0.001). ICU death was ascertained in 41 out of 101 (41.0%) patients; of these, 37 (90.2%) had excessive sedation (p < 0.001). The distribution of ICU-LOS among excessive-sedated and non-sedated patients was 22 (16−27) vs. 14 (10.5−19.5) days (p < 0.001), respectively. In a multivariable framework, excessive sedation was independently associated with the development of delirium (p = 0.001), increased ICU mortality (p = 0.009) and longer ICU-LOS (p = 0.000), but only in COVID-19 ARDS patients. Independent of age and gender, excessive sedation might represent a risk factor for delirium in COVID-19 ARDS patients. Similarly, excessive sedation shows to be an independent predictor of ICU-LOS and ICU mortality. The use of continuous EEG-based depth of sedation (DOS) monitoring and delirium assessment in critically ill COVID-19 patients is warranted.
To describe the epidemiology of superinfections (occurring > 48 hr after hospital admission) and their impact on the ICU and 28-day mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 with acute ...respiratory distress syndrome, requiring mechanical ventilation.
Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected observational data.
University-affiliated adult ICU.
Ninety-two coronavirus disease 2019 patients admitted to the ICU from February 21, 2020, to May 6, 2020.
None.
The prevalence of superinfection at ICU admission was 21.7%, and 53 patients (57.6%) had at least one superinfection during ICU stay, with a total of 75 (82%) ventilator-associated pneumonia and 57 (62%) systemic infections. The most common pathogens responsible for ventilator-associated pneumonia were
(
= 26, 34.7%) and
(
= 14, 18.7%). Bloodstream infection occurred in 16 cases, including methicillin-resistant
(
= 8, 14.0%),
species (
= 6, 10.5%), and
species (
= 2, 3.5%). Fungal infections occurred in 41 cases, including 36 probable (30 by
, six by
) and five proven invasive candidiasis (three
, two
). Presence of bacterial infections (odds ratio, 10.53; 95% CI, 2.31-63.42;
= 0.005), age (odds ratio, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.07-1.31;
= 0.001), and the highest Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (odds ratio, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.06-1.63;
= 0.032) were independently associated with ICU or 28-day mortality.
Prevalence of superinfections in coronavirus disease 2019 patients requiring mechanical ventilation was high in this series, and bacterial superinfections were independently associated with ICU or 28-day mortality (whichever comes first).
We present a 4-year-old patient with severe rightward cardiac dislocation due to left tension pneumothorax after surgical closure of a perimembranous ventricular septal defect. The chest ...roentgenograms showed the “dextrocardia-like” appearance of the cardiac silhouette. Given the persistent severe cardiac dislocation despite resolution of the pneumothorax, and considering the patient's ongoing hemodynamic instability, we decided to reopen the chest to return the heart to its natural position. The procedure was uneventful, and the patient was discharged at home on postoperative day 5.
IMPORTANCE: In December 2019, a novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 SARS-CoV-2) emerged in China and has spread globally, creating a pandemic. Information about the ...clinical characteristics of infected patients who require intensive care is limited. OBJECTIVE: To characterize patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) requiring treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU) in the Lombardy region of Italy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective case series of 1591 consecutive patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 referred for ICU admission to the coordinator center (Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy) of the COVID-19 Lombardy ICU Network and treated at one of the ICUs of the 72 hospitals in this network between February 20 and March 18, 2020. Date of final follow-up was March 25, 2020. EXPOSURES: SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay of nasal and pharyngeal swabs. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Demographic and clinical data were collected, including data on clinical management, respiratory failure, and patient mortality. Data were recorded by the coordinator center on an electronic worksheet during telephone calls by the staff of the COVID-19 Lombardy ICU Network. RESULTS: Of the 1591 patients included in the study, the median (IQR) age was 63 (56-70) years and 1304 (82%) were male. Of the 1043 patients with available data, 709 (68%) had at least 1 comorbidity and 509 (49%) had hypertension. Among 1300 patients with available respiratory support data, 1287 (99% 95% CI, 98%-99%) needed respiratory support, including 1150 (88% 95% CI, 87%-90%) who received mechanical ventilation and 137 (11% 95% CI, 9%-12%) who received noninvasive ventilation. The median positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) was 14 (IQR, 12-16) cm H2O, and Fio2 was greater than 50% in 89% of patients. The median Pao2/Fio2 was 160 (IQR, 114-220). The median PEEP level was not different between younger patients (n = 503 aged ≤63 years) and older patients (n = 514 aged ≥64 years) (14 IQR, 12-15 vs 14 IQR, 12-16 cm H2O, respectively; median difference, 0 95% CI, 0-0; P = .94). Median Fio2 was lower in younger patients: 60% (IQR, 50%-80%) vs 70% (IQR, 50%-80%) (median difference, −10% 95% CI, −14% to 6%; P = .006), and median Pao2/Fio2 was higher in younger patients: 163.5 (IQR, 120-230) vs 156 (IQR, 110-205) (median difference, 7 95% CI, −8 to 22; P = .02). Patients with hypertension (n = 509) were older than those without hypertension (n = 526) (median IQR age, 66 years 60-72 vs 62 years 54-68; P < .001) and had lower Pao2/Fio2 (median IQR, 146 105-214 vs 173 120-222; median difference, −27 95% CI, −42 to −12; P = .005). Among the 1581 patients with ICU disposition data available as of March 25, 2020, 920 patients (58% 95% CI, 56%-61%) were still in the ICU, 256 (16% 95% CI, 14%-18%) were discharged from the ICU, and 405 (26% 95% CI, 23%-28%) had died in the ICU. Older patients (n = 786; age ≥64 years) had higher mortality than younger patients (n = 795; age ≤63 years) (36% vs 15%; difference, 21% 95% CI, 17%-26%; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this case series of critically ill patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 admitted to ICUs in Lombardy, Italy, the majority were older men, a large proportion required mechanical ventilation and high levels of PEEP, and ICU mortality was 26%.
IMPORTANCE: Many patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are critically ill and require care in the intensive care unit (ICU). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the independent risk factors associated ...with mortality of patients with COVID-19 requiring treatment in ICUs in the Lombardy region of Italy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective, observational cohort study included 3988 consecutive critically ill patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 referred for ICU admission to the coordinating center (Fondazione IRCCS Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy) of the COVID-19 Lombardy ICU Network from February 20 to April 22, 2020. Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction assay of nasopharyngeal swabs. Follow-up was completed on May 30, 2020. EXPOSURES: Baseline characteristics, comorbidities, long-term medications, and ventilatory support at ICU admission. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Time to death in days from ICU admission to hospital discharge. The independent risk factors associated with mortality were evaluated with a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Of the 3988 patients included in this cohort study, the median age was 63 (interquartile range IQR 56-69) years; 3188 (79.9%; 95% CI, 78.7%-81.1%) were men, and 1998 of 3300 (60.5%; 95% CI, 58.9%-62.2%) had at least 1 comorbidity. At ICU admission, 2929 patients (87.3%; 95% CI, 86.1%-88.4%) required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). The median follow-up was 44 (95% CI, 40-47; IQR, 11-69; range, 0-100) days; median time from symptoms onset to ICU admission was 10 (95% CI, 9-10; IQR, 6-14) days; median length of ICU stay was 12 (95% CI, 12-13; IQR, 6-21) days; and median length of IMV was 10 (95% CI, 10-11; IQR, 6-17) days. Cumulative observation time was 164 305 patient-days. Hospital and ICU mortality rates were 12 (95% CI, 11-12) and 27 (95% CI, 26-29) per 1000 patients-days, respectively. In the subgroup of the first 1715 patients, as of May 30, 2020, 865 (50.4%) had been discharged from the ICU, 836 (48.7%) had died in the ICU, and 14 (0.8%) were still in the ICU; overall, 915 patients (53.4%) died in the hospital. Independent risk factors associated with mortality included older age (hazard ratio HR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.60-1.92), male sex (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.31-1.88), high fraction of inspired oxygen (Fio2) (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.10-1.19), high positive end-expiratory pressure (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06) or low Pao2:Fio2 ratio (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.74-0.87) on ICU admission, and history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.28-2.19), hypercholesterolemia (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.02-1.52), and type 2 diabetes (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.01-1.39). No medication was independently associated with mortality (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.97-1.42; angiotensin receptor blockers HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.85-1.29). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this retrospective cohort study of critically ill patients admitted to ICUs in Lombardy, Italy, with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, most patients required IMV. The mortality rate and absolute mortality were high.
We report on the outcome of 114 COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) survivors evaluated at 3, 6 and 12 months after intensive care unit discharge with assessment of ...physical, mental and cognitive impairments. Critical illness polyneuromyopathy was diagnosed in 23 patients (39%). Handgrip dynamometry was 70% predicted at 3 months and significantly improved over time, whereas the 6 min walk test (80% predicted) and severe fatigue (27% of patients) did not. Independence in activities of daily living (ADL) was achieved by 98% at 3 months. Cognitive impairment (28% at 3 months) improved over time, whereas depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, present in 9%, 10% and 4% at 3 months, did not. Normalised health-related quality of life was good. COVID-19-associated ARDS leads to persisting impairment in performance-based measures of physical function, while ADL, cognitive and mental health status, and health-related quality of life may be less impaired. Trial registration number NCT04608994.
A hyperinflammatory syndrome (HIS) may cause a life-threatening acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.
A prospective series of 100 consecutive patients ...admitted to the Spedali Civili University Hospital in Brescia (Italy) between March 9th and March 20th with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia and ARDS requiring ventilatory support was analyzed to determine whether intravenous administration of tocilizumab (TCZ), a monoclonal antibody that targets the interleukin 6 (IL-6) receptor, was associated with improved outcome. Tocilizumab was administered at a dosage of 8 mg/kg by two consecutive intravenous infusions 12 h apart. A third infusion was optional based on clinical response.
The outcome measure was an improvement in acute respiratory failure assessed by means of the Brescia COVID Respiratory Severity Score (BCRSS 0 to 8, with higher scores indicating higher severity) at 24–72 h and 10 days after tocilizumab administration.
Out of 100 treated patients (88 M, 12 F; median age: 62 years), 43 received TCZ in the intensive care unit (ICU), while 57 in the general ward as no ICU beds were available. Of these 57 patients, 37 (65%) improved and suspended noninvasive ventilation (NIV) (median BCRSS: 1 IQR 0–2), 7 (12%) patients remained stable in NIV, and 13 (23%) patients worsened (10 died, 3 were admitted to ICU). Of the 43 patients treated in the ICU, 32 (74%) improved (17 of them were taken off the ventilator and were discharged to the ward), 1 (2%) remained stable (BCRSS: 5) and 10 (24%) died (all of them had BCRSS≥7 before TCZ). Overall at 10 days, the respiratory condition was improved or stabilized in 77 (77%) patients, of whom 61 showed a significant clearing of diffuse bilateral opacities on chest x-ray and 15 were discharged from the hospital. Respiratory condition worsened in 23 (23%) patients, of whom 20 (20%) died.
All the patients presented with lymphopenia and high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, ferritin and IL-6 indicating a HIS. During the 10-day follow-up, three cases of severe adverse events were recorded: two patients developed septic shock and died, one had gastrointestinal perforation requiring urgent surgery and was alive at day 10.
In conclusion, our series showed that COVID-19 pneumonia with ARDS was characterized by HIS. The response to TCZ was rapid, sustained, and associated with significant clinical improvement.
The intricate management of hemostatic disorders in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) assisted patients poses challenges, particularly when procoagulant administration is necessary. We ...hereby report the performance of the Nautilus* Smart ECMO Module in three patients with hemostatic disorders. We collected data from ECMO procedures with Nautilus* Smart ECMO Module and analyzed the performance: the operating pressures and resistance of the device in addition to the coagulation status of the patients. During the three procedures, partial pressure oxygen post-oxygenator (paO 2 ) stayed above 100 mm Hg and partial pressure carbon dioxide post-oxygenator (paCO 2 ) did not exceed 45 mm Hg. Membrane FiO 2 (fractional inspired O 2 ) did not exceed 75% and air flow remained within a 1:1 ratio with blood flow in veno-arterial ECMO (V-A) and within 1:2 in veno-venous ECMO (V-V). There was no evidence of excessive operating pressure for the device, with a pressure drop consistently below 28 mm Hg and a maximum peak resistance of 7 Δmm Hg/L/min. The Nautilus* Smart ECMO Module showed good performance in patients with hemostatic disorders despite the implications associated with procoagulant administration.
Right ventricular failure has a high morbidity and mortality in patients suffering from advanced heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, acute myocardial infarction after cardiac surgery and in left ...ventricular assist device patients. The Impella RP
catheter is a mechanical circulatory device, positioned from a venous femoral percutaneous access and passing through the tricuspid and pulmonary valves, reaches the pulmonary artery. Impella RP (Abiomed Inc., MA, USA) acts as a direct right ventricle bypass and it provides a flow up to 4.4 liters per minute, unloading the right ventricle. The main contraindications are: thrombi in the vena cava, right atrium and ventricle and pulmonary artery; mechanical tricuspid or pulmonary prostheses. In this review, the principles of operations, clinical applications and results of Impella RP are summarized and evaluated.
PDF
