Introduction: There are few scores for mortality prediction in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) incorporating comprehensive ventilatory, acute physiological, organ dysfunction, oxygenation, ...and nutritional parameters. This study aims to determine the risk factors of ARDS mortality from the above-mentioned parameters at 48 h of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), which are feasible across most intensive care unit settings. Methods: Prospective, observational, single-center study with 150 patients with ARDS defined by Berlin definition, receiving IMV with lung protective strategy. Results: Our study had a mortality of 41.3% (62/150). We developed a 9-point novel prediction score, the driving pressure oxygenation and nutritional evaluation (DRONE) score comprising of driving pressure (DP), oxygenation accessed by the ratio of partial pressure of arterial oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO 2 /FiO 2 ) ratio and nutritional evaluation using the modified nutrition risk in the critically ill (mNUTRIC) score. Each component of the DRONE score with the cutoff value to predict mortality was assigned a particular score (the lowest DP within 48 h in a patient being always ≥15 cmH 2 O a score of 2, the highest achievable PaO 2 /FiO 2 <208 was assigned a score of 4 and the mNUTRIC score ≥4 was assigned a score of (3). We obtained the DRONE score ≥4, area under the curve 0.860 to predict mortality. Cox regression for the DRONE score >4 was highly associated with mortality ( P < 0.001, hazard ratio 5.43, 95% confidence interval 2.94–10.047). Internal validation was done by bootstrap analysis. The clinical utility of the DRONE score ≥4 was assessed by Kaplan–Meier curve which showed significance. Conclusions: The DRONE score ≥4 could be a reliable predictor of mortality at 48 h in ARDS patients receiving IMV.
Background. Conventionally, PaO2/FiO2 (P/F ratio) has been used to categorize severity of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and prognostication of outcome. Recent literature has shown that ...incorporation of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) into the P/F ratio (PaO2∗10/FiO2∗PEEP or P/FP∗10) has a much better prognostic ability in ARDS as compared to P/F ratio. The aim of this study was to correlate SpO2∗10/FiO2∗PEEP (S/FP∗10) to PaO2∗10/FiO2∗PEEP (P/FP∗10) and evaluate the utility of S/FP∗10 as a reliable noninvasive indicator of oxygenation in ARDS to avoid repeated arterial blood sampling. Aim. To evaluate if pulse oximetry is a reliable indicator of oxygenation in ARDS patients by calculating SpO2∗10/FiO2∗PEEP (S/FP∗10). The primary objective was to determine the correlation of S/FP∗10 to P/FP∗10 ratio in ARDS patients. The secondary objective was to determine the cut-off value of S/FP∗10 ratio to predict severe ARDS and survival. Methods. Patients aged 18–80 years on invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) diagnosed with ARDS as defined by the Berlin definition were included. The values of PaO2, FiO2, and SpO2 were collected at three different time points. They were at baseline, i.e., after intubation and initiation of MV (within one hour of intubation), day one (1–24 hours of MV), and day three (48–72 hours of MV). The primary outcome was survival at the end of intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Results. A total of 85 patients with ARDS on invasive MV were included. The data points were obtained at baseline, day one, and day three of MV. S/FP∗10 ratio has an excellent correlation to P/FP∗10 ratio at baseline and day three of invasive MV (r = 0.831 and 0.853, respectively; p<0.001) and has a strong correlation on day one of invasive MV (r = 0.733, p<0.001). S/FP∗10 ratio ≤116 at baseline has excellent discriminant function to be categorized as severe ARDS as per Berlin definition (AUC: 0.925, p<0.001, 90% sensitivity, 93% specificity, CI: 0.862–0.988). The increase in S/FP∗10 ratio by ≥64.40 from baseline to day three of MV is a good predictor of survival (AUC: 0.877, p<0.001, 73.5% sensitivity, 97% specificity, CI: 0.803–0.952). Conclusion. S/FP∗10 has a strong correlation to P/FP∗10 in ARDS patients. S/FP∗10 ≤116 has an excellent discriminant function to be categorized as severe ARDS. The S/FP∗10 ratio on day three of MV and the change in S/FP∗10 ratio from baseline and day one to day three of MV are good predictors of survival in ARDS patients. This trial is registered with CTRI/2020/04/024940.
Introduction: Acute febrile illness (AFI) patients present to the emergency department (ED), with fever to multi-organ dysfunction. There is a lack of early point-of-care-based disposition criteria ...in AFI patients regarding the need for intensive care unit (ICU) or high dependency unit (HDU) care. Methods: We enrolled 100 patients with AFI presenting to the ED and evaluated using point-of-care ultrasound with two-dimensional echocardiography (ECHO), lung ultrasound score (LUS), renal arterial resistive index (RRI), and arterial blood gas. The need for ICU/HDU admission, ventilation (either noninvasive or invasive), and renal-replacement therapy (RRT) within 48 h of hospitalization was noted. Results: Ninety-five patients were included in the analysis. 72 (75.8%) patients required either ICU or HDU admission, 45 (47.4%) required ventilatory support (either noninvasive or invasive), and 32 (33.7%) required RRT. After logistic regression, LUS ≥16, and arterial lactate ≥12 mg/dL were independent predictors of the need for ICU or HDU admission. The respiratory rate (RR) ≥28/minute, LUS ≥16 and RRI ≥61 were the independent predictors of the need for ventilation. The MAP ≤73 mmHg, LUS (≥16), and RRI (≥67) were the predictors of the need for RRT. Conclusion: In AFI patients presenting to the ED, the MAP, LUS, and lactate are predictors of the need for ICU/HDU admission. The LUS and RRI were predictors of the need for RRT whereas the RR, LUS, and RRI were the predictors of the need for ventilation.
Abstract
Introduction The criteria for the removal of the tracheostomy tube (decannulation) vary from center to center. Some perform an endoscopic evaluation under anesthesia or computed tomography, ...which adds to the cost and discomfort. We use a simple two-part protocol to determine the eligibility and carry out the decannulation: part I consists of airway and swallowing assessment through an office-based flexible laryngotracheoscopy, and part II involves a tracheostomy capping trial.
Objective The primary objective was to determine the safety and efficacy of the simplified decannulation protocol followed at our center among the patients who were weaned off the mechanical ventilator and exhibited good swallowing function clinically.
Methods Of the patients considered for decannulation between November 1st, 2018, and October 31st, 2020, those who had undergone tracheostomy for prolonged mechanical ventilation were included. The efficacy to predict successful decannulation was calculated by the decannulation rate among patients who had been deemed eligible for decannulation in part I of the protocol, and the safety profile was defined by the protocol's ability to correctly predict the chances of risk-free decannulation among those submitted to part II of the protocol.
Results Among the 48 patients included (mean age: 46.5 years; male-to-female ratio: 3:1), the efficacy of our protocol in predicting the successful decannulation was of 87.5%, and it was was safe or reliable in 95.45%. Also, in our cohort, the decannulation success and the duration of tracheotomy dependence were significantly affected by the neurological status of the patients.
Conclusion The decannulation protocol consisting of office-based flexible laryngotracheoscopy and capping trial of the tracheostomy tube can safely and effectively aid the decannulation process.
Introduction: Nutritional risk in the Critically Ill (NUTRIC) score is a predictor of adverse outcomes in the critically ill, and its utility in a specific population of critically ill has been ...recommended. We aimed to study the utility of modified NUTRIC (mNUTRIC) score as a mortality predictor in acute febrile illness (AFI)-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and all-cause ARDS patients. Methods: We recorded data from two prospective observational ARDS studies conducted at a single-center tertiary care hospital to evaluate the utility of the mNUTRIC score as an independent mortality predictor in all-cause ARDS and AFI-ARDS. A total of 216 all-cause ARDS patients were included, of which 73 were AFI-ARDS and 143 were non-AFI ARDS. Results: Mortality of AFI-ARDS was 16/73 (21.9%) compared to 62/143 (43.35%) in non-AFI ARDS (P = 0.002). There were no significant differences in severity of ARDS in AFI-ARDS and non-AFI ARDS groups (P = 0.504). The mNUTRIC score was found to be an independent predictor of mortality in all-cause ARDS patients (n = 216) and AFI-ARDS patients (n = 73) after Cox regression multivariable analysis. In all-cause ARDS, the mNUTRIC score had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.778, cutoff ≥4, 82.1% sensitivity, and 65.9% specificity as a predictor of mortality. In AFI-ARDS, the mNUTRIC score had an AUC of 0.769, cutoff ≥4, 81.3% sensitivity, 66.67% specificity, and P = 0.001 as a predictor of mortality. Conclusion: The mNUTRIC score is an independent mortality predictor for all-cause ARDS and AFI-ARDS patients. AFI-ARDS has significantly lesser mortality than non-AFI ARDS.
Background. There is ambiguity in the literature regarding hypoalbuminemia as a cause of extravascular lung water and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) outcomes. The aim of the study was to ...determine if low serum albumin on admission leads to lung deaeration and higher lung ultrasound score (LUSS) in ARDS patients. Patients and Methods. It was a prospective observational study in which 110 ARDS patients aged between 18 and 70 years were recruited. Serum albumin level and lung ultrasound score were assessed on the day of ICU admission. Length of ICU stay and hospital mortality were recorded. Results. The mean and standard deviation of serum albumin level in mild, moderate, and severe ARDS was 2.92 ± 0.65 g/dL, 2.91 ± 0.77 g/dL, and 3.21 ± 0.85 g/dL, respectively. Albumin level was not correlated to the global LUSS (Pearson correlation r −0.006, p=0.949) and basal LUSS (r −0.066, p=0.513). The cut-off value of albumin for predicting a prolonged length of ICU stay (≥10 days) in ARDS patients was <3.25 g/dL with AUC 0.623, p<0.05, sensitivity of 86.67%, specificity of 45.45%, and 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.513–0.732, and on multivariate analysis it increased the odds of prolonged ICU stay by 8.9 times (Hosmer and Lemeshow p value 0.810, 95% CI 2.760–28.72). Serum albumin at admission was not a predictor of mortality. LUSS on the day of admission was not useful to predict either a prolonged length of ICU stay or mortality. Basal LUSS contributed about 56% of the global LUSS in mild and moderate ARDS, and 53% in severe ARDS. Conclusion. Serum albumin level was unrelated to LUSS on admission in ARDS patients. Albumin level <3.25 g/dL increased the chances of a prolonged length of ICU stay (≥10 days) but was not associated with an increase in mortality. LUSS on the day of admission could not predict either a prolonged length of ICU stay or mortality. This trial is registered with CTRI/2019/11/021857.
Fahr's syndrome is a rare cause of seizures during pregnancy. It typically presents in the third decade of life, and it may be associated with gait instability, paroxysmal choreoathetosis, speech ...impairment, a neuropsychiatric disorder, myoclonus, and even seizures and coma. Neurological imaging revealing the symmetrical bilateral calcification along with pseudohypoparathyroidism helps in the diagnosis. Prompt treatment of the endocrine abnormalities associated with it can halt the disease process and result in neurological improvement. Thus, evaluation of seizures also requires an endocrine workup of the patient, keeping in mind rare causes like the Fahr's syndrome.
Background and Aims: Failure to secure the airway is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Children are often uncooperative for routine examination and pose problems for ...obtaining external measurements. We aimed to evaluate ratio of height-to-thyromental distance (RHTMD) and ratio of height-to-sternomental distance (RHSMD) as predictors of laryngoscopic grade in children aged 1-12 years.
Material and Methods: This study was an observational study conducted in children aged between 1 and 12 years scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia. Children unable to stand, having limited mouth opening/neck mobility, cleft palate or with midline neck masses were excluded. Weight, height, and thyromental and sternomental distances were measured preoperatively. Following induction of anesthesia and full-muscle relaxation, laryngoscopy was performed and Cormack-Lehane view with Cook's modification was noted. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis using RHTMD and RHSMD was performed for predicting poor laryngoscopic view.
Results: A total of 138 children with mean age of 6.6 ± 3.4, RHTMD of 17.7 ± 2.1, and RHSMD of 10.0 ± 1.0 were included. No Grade 3 or 4 laryngoscopic views were obtained. ROC curve analysis was done for predicting 2b view (restricted), incidence of which was 10.1%. RHTMD was a better predictor of 2b laryngoscopic view with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.792 compared to RHSMD (AUC = 0.463).
Conclusions: In children aged 1-12 years, RHTMD is a better predictor of restricted view compared to RHSMD.
Abstract Introduction: Traditionally, metabolic acidosis is analyzed using an anion gap (AG). The aim of the study was to compare the utility of quantitative David Story’s simplified Stewart approach ...against traditional approach to analyze metabolic acidosis. ICU setting. Analytical, cross-sectional observational study. Methods: Blood gas reports of 50 adult critically ill patients with primary metabolic acidosis at admission were analyzed using both approaches. With traditional approach, acidosis was classified simply as high or normal AG acidosis. With S.A.L.T approach, the components of base deficit were further quantified into sodium chloride, albumin, lactate, and other ions effects. A contribution of sodium chloride or albumin effect of > 30% to the base deficit was considered significant. The proportion of patients with such abnormalities was determined. Descriptive statistics was used. Results: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of patients was 54.52 ± 19.71 years, 52% were males, and 72% were medical admissions. The median (interquartile range IQR) Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score was 10 (5–13). The mean ± SD pH, bicarbonate, base excess, and albumin were 7.198 ± 0.13, 11.73 ± 4.2 mmol/L, −15.13 ± 5.6 mmol/L, and 2.9 ± 0.77 g%, respectively. The median (IQR) of serum lactate was 6.77 (1.53, 16.32) mmol/L. Hyponatremia and hypochloremia were seen in 68% and 46% of patients, respectively. Eighty-eight percent of patients had acidosis due to other ions, 52% due to lactates. Twenty-eight percent had a significant sodium chloride effect and 32% had significant hypoalbuminemia. Conclusion: Quantification of base deficit of metabolic acidosis using S.A.L.T approach showed changes in sodium chloride levels and hypoalbuminemia affecting base deficit in nearly 30% of the patients. Quantification of metabolic acidosis using S.A.L.T approach is likely to help treat metabolic acidosis more appropriately, with clinical implications.
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