Acute Non-invasive Ventilation Research Articles

Long-term outcomes in patients with COPD treated with non-invasive ventilation for acute hypercapnic respiratory failure

PurposeChronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality across the world. We evaluated survival over 9 years in a cohort of patients with COPD requiring acute inpatient non-invasive ventilation (NIV). We analyzed prognostic indices to evaluate if they were associated with mortality.Patients and methodsWe performed a retrospective chart review of all patients who were admitted to St. James’s Hospital respiratory ward with COPD and acute hypercapnic respiratory failure who required NIV over a 12-month period and followed their outcomes over 9 years. We investigated the association between survival and potential prognostic variables using univariate analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. We evaluated the association between survival and the following parameters: age, gender, multiple admissions requiring NIV (> 1 admission in within 12 months of index presentation), home NIV use preadmission, initial arterial blood gas pH, days spent on NIV, serum albumin and serum albumin to serum CRP ratio at admission.ResultsNinety-nine patients with COPD and acute hypercapnic respiratory failure were identified over a 12-month period from January to December 2011. Survival at 1, 2, 5 and 9 years was 65% (n = 64), 42% (n = 42), 25% (n = 25) and 21% (n = 21), respectively. Increasing age (p value < 0.001) and a lower serum albumin (p value < 0.005) were associated with a higher mortality. There was a trend towards improved survival in the group who were treated with home NIV prior to admission compared to no NIV therapy at home but this did not reach statistical significance (Fig. 3, p value = 0.088).ConclusionThis study highlights the long-term mortality in patients with COPD admitted with hypercapnic respiratory failure requiring NIV and correlates with prior studies. Increasing age and lower serum albumin were associated with increased mortality. Home NIV may have a protective long-term survival benefit in patients with COPD who have been admitted for acute NIV.

Residual upper airway obstruction during nocturnal noninvasive ventilation despite high positive expiratory pressure. Impact of oronasal mask to nasal mask switch

BackgroundNasal mask (NM) and oronasal masks (OM) can be used to provide noninvasive ventilation (NIV). Recent studies suggested that OM is the most used interface and that there is no difference in efficacy or in tolerance between OM and NM for chronic use. However, studies focusing on video laryngoscopy underlined the impact of OM in residual upper airway obstruction (UAO) under NIV. We sought to assess the real-life practice of switching from OM to NM when UAO events persist despite high EPAP levels. MethodsIn an open-label single center prospective cohort study, data from files and full night polysomnography on NM and OM were collected for patients wearing OM and presenting an UAO index ≥15/h despite an EPAP level ≥ 10 cmH20. ResultsForty-four patients were included in the study. In 31 patients (74 %), switching to a NM reduced UAOi to ≥10/h. Interestingly, 92 % of these patients still had NM at 3 to 12 months of follow-up. Switching to a NM was also associated with a trend in paCO2 reduction and significant improvements in Epworth, sleep quality and NIV compliance. Successful interface switching was significantly associated with female gender, and a trend was observed in non-smokers. ConclusionAs for CPAP, switching to a NM improved NIV efficacy in a selected group of patients presenting residual UAO events despite high EPAP levels. Additionally, this switch has an impact on compliance and subjective sleepiness. Thus, in patients with persisting UAO on OM, switching to a NM could be a first-line intervention before considering further investigation such as polygraphy or video laryngoscopy. We also derive an algorithm for mask allocation and adaptation in acute and chronic NIV use.

O056 Is Obstruction Obstructing Survival? Long-term Mortality in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) requiring Acute Non-invasive Ventilation (NIV) with and without Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

Abstract Introduction COPD/OSA overlap syndrome (OVS) is associated with poor outcomes in studies conducted in ambulatory settings. However, little is known about the prognosis of patients hospitalised with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (ARF) requiring NIV. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term prognosis of OVS patients compared to patients with COPD. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, 129 patients with COPD and 52 OVS patients were treated with NIV for ARF and followed up for a median of 1.8 years (IQR 3.8). We compared patient characteristics and overall survival. Results Compared to patients with COPD alone, OVS patients had higher prevalence of hypertension and type-2 diabetes mellitus. There was no difference in arterial pH, PaCO2 or serum bicarbonate at hospital presentation. Mortality was lower in OVS (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.38-0.85) and remained lower after adjustment for age, gender, BMI, FEV1%predicted and comorbid cardiovascular disease. Median survival in OVS patients discharged home on NIV was significantly higher compared to OVS not discharged on therapy, as well as COPD patients, irrespective of home therapy prescription (p&amp;lt;0.01). Discussion OVS patients discharged on NIV had lower mortality compared to OVS patients not discharged on NIV. Patients with COPD and ARF requiring NIV have overall higher mortality rates compared to OVS patients. These findings suggest that following hospital admission with ARF, OVS patients may benefit from ongoing home NIV.

Long-Term Mortality following Acute Noninvasive Ventilation for Obesity-Related Respiratory Failure: A Retrospective Single-Centre Study.

Determinants of long-term mortality following acute hypercapnic respiratory failure have been extensively studied in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, respiratory failure due to obesity has not been studied to the same extent. This retrospective survey aims to identify whether admission pH is associated with long-term mortality in patients requiring acute noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for obesity-related respiratory failure (ORRF). Records from April 2013 to March 2020 were accessed from a NIV quality database at an acute teaching hospital. Adults with hypercapnic ORRF requiring acute NIV were included. pH data were grouped by threshold (pH≤ and >7.25) and correlated with time from presentation to death; multivariable analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards. A total of 277 acute NIV episodes were included. Two-year mortality was similar for patients in both pH categories. Univariable analysis identified pH ≤ 7.25 to increase risk of two-year mortality by 43%. However, multivariable analysis identified that pH was not a significant determinant of long-term mortality, although male sex, older age, and higher admission pCO2 increased the risk of death at two years by 76%, 3% per year of age, and 16% per 1 kPa of pCO2 increase, respectively. Severity of hypercapnia on admission, male sex, and older age are associated with worse two-year mortality in patients requiring acute NIV for ORRF. There is scope for further analyses including investigating the role of domiciliary NIV in ORRF patients.

Noninvasive Home Mechanical Ventilation for Stable Hypercapnic COPD: A Clinical Respiratory Review from Canadian Perspectives.

Acute short-term noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for hypercapnic respiratory failure in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has well-established benefits; however, the role of long-term home NIV remains controversial. In the past decade, studies utilizing aggressive NIV settings to maximally reduce carbon dioxide levels (PaCO2) have resulted in several positive clinical trials and led to updated guidelines on home NIV for stable hypercapnic COPD patients. This clinical respiratory review discusses the high-intensity NIV approach, summarizes recent key trials and guidelines pertaining to home NIV in COPD, and considers key clinical questions for future research and application in the Canadian context. With recent evidence and Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS) guidelines supporting the use of NIV in carefully selected COPD patients with persistent daytime hypercapnia, we believe it is time to reconsider our approach.

Performance of risk scores in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD.

Acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are common causes of hospitalization. Various scoring systems have been proposed to classify the risk of clinical deterioration or mortality in hospitalized patients with AECOPD. We sought to investigate whether clinical deterioration and mortality scores at admission can predict adverse events occurring during hospitalization and after discharge of patients with AECOPD. We performed a retrospective study of patients admitted with AECOPD. The National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2), the NEWS288-92%, the Dyspnea, Eosinopenia, Consolidation, Acidemia, and atrial Fibrillation (DECAF) score, and the modified DECAF (mDECAF) score were calculated at admission. We assessed the sensitivity, specificity, and overall performance of the scores for the following outcomes: in-hospital mortality; need for invasive mechanical ventilation or noninvasive ventilation (NIV); long hospital stays; hospital readmissions; and future AECOPD. We included 119 patients admitted with AECOPD. The median age was 75 years, and 87.9% were male. The NEWS288-92% was associated with an 8.9% reduction in the number of individuals classified as requiring close, continuous observation, without an increased risk of death in the group of individuals classified as being low-risk patients. The NEWS288-92% and NEWS2 scores were found to be adequate in predicting the need for acute NIV and longer hospital stays. The DECAF and mDECAF scores were found to be better at predicting in-hospital mortality than the NEWS2 and NEWS288-92%. The NEWS288-92% safely reduces the need for clinical monitoring in patients with AECOPD when compared with the NEWS2. The NEWS2 and NEWS288-92% appear to be good predictors of the length of hospital stay and need for NIV, but they do not replace the DECAF and mDECAF scores as predictors of mortality.

Audit on non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in acute hypercapnic respiratory failure along with an introduction of proforma for acute NIV prescription

Hypercapnic respiratory failure is a cause of significant morbidity. It occurs in 20% of patients who are admitted with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Non-Invasive-Ventilation (NIV) is a mandatory treatment modality for them. The timely and accurate commencement along with the appropriate maintenance and weaning of NIV is crucial. In this audit cohort, most of the acute-NIV standards were not met as per the British Thoracic Society recommendations. Late detection, poor knowledge of acute NIV-Protocol, and maintenance of NIV has led to these suboptimal standards of the cohort. Therefore, we have suggested an NIV-Proforma to overcome them expecting a good outcome.

1040 Sleep Hypoventilation with Daytime Eucapnia in COPD May Predict Hypercapnia During Exacerbation

Abstract Introduction Patients with severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are known to be at risk for nocturnal hypoventilation1. We present a case of patient with severe COPD with near normalization of PaCO2 levels after exacerbation but persistent nocturnal hypoventilation. Report of case(s) 71-year-old woman with COPD Group 4D, on home oxygen, was seen in pulmonary clinic after two hospitalizations for hypercapnic respiratory failure, PcO2 &amp;gt;100 mm Hg requiring acute Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) support. Three weeks after discharge, ABG improved to 7.39/49/140 on 32% Fio2, preventing her from qualifying for long-term home NIV. Sleep study was negative for sleep apnea but showed hypoventilation during sleep. Wake supine transcutaneous CO2 was 45-47 mmHg, increasing to 51-55 mmHg during sleep, worse with supplemental oxygen to 66-67 mm. Conclusion Chronic hypercapnia is a poor prognostic indicator in COPD4. In patients with persistent hypercapnia following COPD exacerbation, NIV prolongs time to re-admission or death within 12 months2. Blunting of chemoreceptor response has been noted in hypercapnic patients3, possibly causing subsequent daytime hypercapnia and overt respiratory failure. However, nocturnal hypercapnia is present in some patients and may be a risk factor for profound, life-threatening hypercapnia during exacerbation. Future studies are needed to better phenotype patients such as ours who may be seemingly eucapnic in between exacerbations, but markedly hypercapnic during exacerbation, to determine if there is benefit in treating these patients with NIV as well. Support (if any) 1. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine Task Force. Sleep-related breathing disorders in adults: recommendations for syndrome definition and measurement techniques in clinical research. Report of American Academy of Sleep Medicine Task Force. Sleep 1999:22:667-689 2. Murphy PB, Rehal S, Arbane G, Bourke S, Calverley PMA, Crook AM, et al. Effect of home noninvasive ventilation with oxygen therapy vs oxygen therapy alone on hospital readmission or death after an acute COPD exacerbation: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2017:317:2177 3. Scano G,Spinelli A, Duranti R, et al. Carbon dioxide responsiveness in COPD patients with and without chronic hypercapnia. Eur Respir J 1995:8:78-85 4. Cooper CB, Waterhouse J, Howard P. Twelve-year clinical study of patients with hypoxic co pulmonale given long term domiciliary oxygen therapy. Thorax 1987:42:105-110

Prognosis of hospitalised adult patients with respiratory syncytial virus infection: a multicentre retrospective cohort study

ObjectivesRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common agent of viral respiratory infections with significant morbidity and mortality in adults. The objective of this study was to determine risk factors for mortality and invasive mechanical ventilation and to describe the characteristics of patients who received ribavirin. MethodsA retrospective multicentre observational cohort study was conducted in Great Paris area hospitals, including patients hospitalised between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2019 for documented RSV infection. Data were extracted from the Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris Health Data Warehouse. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. ResultsOne thousand one hundred sixty-eight patients were hospitalised for RSV infection, including 288 (24.6%) patients who required intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The median (interquartile range) age of patients was 75 (63–85) years, and 54% (n = 631/1168) of them were women. In-hospital mortality was 6.6% (n = 77/1168) in the whole cohort and 12.8% (n = 37/288) in ICU patients. Factors associated with hospital mortality were age >85 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 6.29, 95% confidence interval [2.47–15.98]), acute respiratory failure (aOR = 2.83 [1.19–6.72]), non-invasive (aOR = 12.60 [1.41–112.36]), and invasive mechanical ventilation support (aOR = 30.13 [3.17–286.27]) and neutropenia (aOR = 13.19 [3.27–53.27]). Factors associated with invasive mechanical ventilation were chronic heart (aOR = 1.98 [1.20–3.26]) or respiratory failure (aOR = 2.83 [1.67–4.80]), and co-infection (aOR = 2.62 [1.60–4.30]). Patients who were treated with ribavirin were significantly younger than others (62 [55–69] vs. 75 [63–86] years; p < 0.001), more frequently males (n = 34/48 [70.8%] vs. n = 503/1120 [44.9%]; p 0.001), and almost exclusively immunocompromised (n = 46/48 [95.8%] vs. n = 299/1120 [26.7%]; p < 0.001). DiscussionThe mortality rate of patients hospitalised with RSV infections was 6.6%. Twenty-five per cent of the patients required ICU admission.

Improving the delivery of acute NIV at Kings Mill Hospital: A closed loop quality improvement project.

The British Thoracic Society (BTS) Acute Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) standards state all patients who require acute NIV should be initiated on NIV within two hours of hospital admission. The delivery of acute NIV is a time critical intervention as prompt application of acute NIV substantially reduces mortality for patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure. This audit aimed to assess the number of patients for whom there is a delay in the initiation of acute NIV. We also assessed the outcome of admission for patients started on acute NIV. Data was collected on patients admitted to Kings Mill Hospital for acute NIV between 1/2/2019 and 31/3/2019. Awareness and knowledge of acute NIV was highlighted as an area for improvement. E-learning packages on 'Acute NIV' were designed and sent to medical-staff. The audit was repeated for patients admitted for acute NIV between 1/2/2020 and 31/3/2020 and analysed using chi-square tests. 25 patients were included in the initial audit and 30 patients in the re-audit. Prior to intervention 31% of patients had a delay in the initiation of acute NIV, which increased to 77% post-intervention (p <0.0001). Prior to intervention there was a mortality rate of 17% and a mortality rate of 13% post-intervention (p >0.05). Further work is required to ensure the sustained delivery of acute NIV to BTS standards, however variable achievements in the targets does not seem to have a significant adverse effect on patient outcomes.

Uric acid associated with acute heart failure presentation in Acute Coronary Syndrome patients

We focused on the role of Uric Acid (UA) as a possible determinant of Heart Failure (HF) related issues in Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) patients. Main outcomes were acute HF and cardiogenic shock at admission, secondary outcomes were the use of Non Invasive Ventilation (NIV) and the admission Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF). We consecutively enrolled 1269 ACS patients admitted to the cardiological Intensive Care Unit of the Niguarda and San Paolo hospitals (Milan, Italy) from June 2016 to June 2019. Median age was 68 (first-third quartile 59–77) years and males were 970 (76%). All the evaluated outcomes occurred more frequently in the hyperuricemic subjects (UA higher than 6 mg/dL for females and 7 mg/dL for males, n = 292): acute HF 35.8 vs 11.1% (p < 0.0001), cardiogenic shock 10 vs 3.1% (p < 0.0001), NIV 24.1 vs 5.1% (p < 0.0001) and lower admission LVEF (42.9±12.8 vs 49.6±9.9, p < 0.0001). By multivariable analyses, UA was confirmed to be significantly associated with all the outcomes with the following Odds Ratio (OR): acute HF OR = 1.119; 95% CI 1.019;1.229; cardiogenic shock OR = 1.157; 95% CI 1.001;1.337; NIV use OR = 1.208; 95% CI 1.078;1.354; LVEF β = -0.999; 95% CI -1.413;-0.586. We found a significant association between UA and acute HF, cardiogenic shock, NIV use and LVEF. Due to the cross-sectional nature of our study no definite answer on the direction of these relationship can be drawn and further longitudinal study on UA changes over time during an ACS hospitalization are needed.

348 Uric acid is associated with acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock at presentation in acute coronary syndrome patients

Abstract Aims we focused on the role of Uric Acid (UA) as a possible determinant of Heart Failure (HF) related issues in Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) patients. Main outcome were acute HF and cardiogenic shock at admission, secondary outcomes were the need of Non Invasive Ventilation (NIV) use and the admission Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF). Methods and results we consecutively enrolled 1269 ACS patients admitted to the cardiological Intensive Care Unit of the Niguarda and San Paolo hospitals (Milan, Italy) from June 2016 to June 2019. Hyperuricaemia was defined as a value higher than 6 mg/dl for females and 7 mg/dl for males. All the evaluated outcomes occurred more frequently in the hyperuricemic subjects (n = 292): acute HF 35.8 vs. 11.1% (P &amp;lt; 0.0001), cardiogenic shock 10 vs. 3.1% (P &amp;lt; 0.0001), NIV 24.1 vs. 5.1% (P &amp;lt; 0.0001) with lower admission LVEF (42.9 ± 12.8 vs. 49.6 ± 9.9, P &amp;lt; 0.0001). By multivariable analyses, UA was confirmed to be significantly associated with all the outcomes with the following odds ratio (OR): acute HF OR = 1.119; 95% CI: 1.019–1.229; cardiogenic shock OR = 1.157; 95% CI: 1.001–1.337; NIV use OR = 1.208; 95% CI: 1.078–1.354; LVEF β = −0.999; 95% CI: −1.413 to − 0.586. Conclusions The main result of our study was the finding of a significant association between UA and acute HF, cardiogenic shock, NIV use and LVEF. Due to the cross-sectional nature of our study no definite answer on the direction of these relationship can be drawn and further longitudinal study on UA changes over time during an ACS hospitalization are needed.

EP.TU.838Educating the ITU Nursing Staff during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Quality Improvement Project

AimsThe nursing staff always plays a crucial role in the management of patients. This pandemic had put the ITUs under an undue burden, and the nurses faced an altogether new challenge. There was extensive use of various oxygen delivery systems and fastly emerging guidelines. So, there is an increased demand for the nursing staff to stay abreast with the situation. Hence a teaching program was organized for the ITU nurses.MethodsFive academic sessions were conducted as a part of the first cycle of QIP in November 2020 under the guidance of nursing tutors and ITU consultants. These topics covered the respiratory system, including Severe Acute Respiratory Illness, Non-invasive and Invasive ventilation techniques, and ARDS. Feedback forms were collected and analysed after each session, which focused on the usefulness and relevance of content, teaching style, and the overall confidence in the topics.ResultsAudit of the feedback forms showed globally positive feedback and improvement in understanding amongst the nursing staff. Also, the confidence of nurses in these topics increased abundantly. Many of them expressed interest in attending similar sessions in the future.ConclusionsKeeping the nursing staff up-to-date with the latest management guidelines is quintessential for patient safety. More so during this pandemic, where academic activities are becoming scarce, and protocols are rapidly changing. Further sessions on relevant topics will continue to enhance learning.

Spanish Influenza Score (SIS): Usefulness of machine learning in the development of an early mortality prediction score in severe influenza

ObjectiveTo develop a mortality prediction score (Spanish Influenza Score [SIS]) for patients with severe influenza considering only variables at ICU admission, and compare its performance against the APACHE II, SOFA and Random Forest (RF). DesignSub-analysis from the GETGAG / SEMICYUC database ScopeIntensive Care Medicine. PatientsPatients admitted to 184 Spanish ICUs (2009–2018) with influenza infection. InterventionNone. VariablesDemographic data, severity of illness, times from symptoms onset until hospital admission (Gap-H), hospital to ICU (Gap-ICU) or hospital to diagnosis (Gap-Dg), antiviral vaccination, number of quadrants infiltrated, acute renal failure, invasive or noninvasive ventilation, shock and comorbidities. The study variable cut-off points and importance were obtained automatically. Logistic regression analysis with cross-validation was performed to develop the SIS score using the output coefficients. Accuracy and discrimination (AUC-ROC) were applied to evaluate SIS, APACHE, SOFA and RF. All analyses were performed using R (CRAN-R Project). ResultsA total of 3959 patients were included. The mean age was 55 years (range 43−67), 60% were men, APACHE II 16 (12−21) and SOFA 5 (4−8), with ICU mortality 21.3%. Mechanical ventilation, shock, APACHE II, SOFA, acute renal failure and Gap-ICU were included in the SIS. The latter was generated according to the ORs obtained by logistic regression, and showed an accuracy of 83% with an AUC-ROC of 82%, which is superior to APACHE (AUC-ROC 67%) and SOFA (AUC-ROC 71%), but similar to RF (AUC-ROC 82%). ConclusionsThe SIS score is easy to apply and shows adequate capacity to stratify the risk of ICU mortality. However, further studies are needed to validate the tool prospectively.

Penggunaan Ventilasi Mekanik non Invansif Untuk Mengatasi Kegagalan Pernafasan pada Pasien dengan Edema Pulmo Akut Kardiogenik

Background: Cardiogenic Pulmo edema can cause a heterogeneous syndrome with a mortality rate of up to 9.5% (Aliberti et all., 2018).Objective: The purpose of this paper was to explain how effective the use of non-invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with acute pulmonary edema with respiratory failure.&#x0D; Methods: The literature review was compiled by synthesizing and comparing various relevant scientific articles from the literature search results using the online database of Proquest and Clinicalkey Elsevier that have significance related to the management of acute cardiogenic pulmo edema.&#x0D; Result: Compared with conservative therapy, noninvasive mechanical ventilation has been shown more effective in improving oxygenation in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmo edema Non-invasive ventilation can reduce dyspnea, acidosis and hypercapnea faster than standard oxygen therapy. Studies show that compared to endotracheal intubation, non-invasive mechanical ventilation is associated with a lower risk of nosocomial infection, lower antibiotic use, shorter length of stay in intensive care units and lower mortality. Study found that there were no differences betwen the two setting of non-invasive mechanical ventilation used, Bilevel positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) and Continues positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) in patients outcomes. However, there are absolute and relative contraindications that must be considered, including the effectiveness of the therapy being insignificant when given too late&#x0D; Conclusion: Noninvasive mechanical ventilation can be considered as the first choice in the management of acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema because of its high clinical effectiveness representing a rescue action for patients not improving with conventional oxygen therapy.

Respiratory support in COPD patients after acute exacerbation with monitoring the quality of support (Rescue2-monitor): an open-label, prospective randomized, controlled, superiority clinical trial comparing hospital- versus home-based acute non-invasive ventilation for patients with hypercapnic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is expected to be the 3rd leading cause of death worldwide by 2020. Despite improvements in survival by using acute non-invasive ventilation (NIV) to treat patients with exacerbations of COPD complicated by acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF), these patients are at high risk of readmission and further life-threatening events, including death. Recent studies suggested that NIV at home can reduce readmissions, but in a small proportion of patients, and with a high level of expertise. Other studies, however, do not show any benefit of home NIV. This could be related to the fact that respiratory failure in patients with stable COPD and their response to mechanical ventilation are influenced by several pathophysiological factors which frequently coexist in the same patient to varying degrees. These pathophysiological factors might influence the success of home NIV in stable COPD, thus long-term NIV specifically adapted to a patient’s “phenotype” is likely to improve prognosis, reduce readmission to hospital, and prevent death. In view of this conundrum, Rescue2-monitor (R2M), an open-label, prospective randomized, controlled study performed in patients with hypercapnic COPD post-AHRF, will investigate the impact of the quality of nocturnal NIV on the readmission-free survival. The primary objective is to show that any of 3 home NIV strategies (“rescue,” “non-targeted,” and “targeted”) will improve readmission-free survival in comparison to no-home NIV. The “targeted” group of patients will receive a treatment with personalized (targeted) ventilation settings and extensive monitoring. Furthermore, the influence of comorbidities typical for COPD patients, such as cardiac insufficiency, OSA, or associated asthma, on ventilation outcomes will be taken into consideration and reasons for non-inclusion of patients will be recorded in order to evaluate the percentage of ventilated COPD patients that are screening failures. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03890224. Registered on March 26, 2019.

Spanish Influenza Score (SIS): utilidad del Machine Learning en el desarrollo de una escala temprana de predicción de mortalidad en la gripe grave

To develop a mortality prediction score (Spanish Influenza Score [SIS]) for patients with severe influenza considering only variables at ICU admission, and compare its performance respect of Random Forest (RF). Sub-analysis from the GETGAG/SEMICYUC database. Intensive Care Medicine. Patients admitted to 184 Spanish ICUs (2009-2018) with influenza infection Intervention: None. Demographic data, severity of illness, times from symptoms onset until hospital admission (Gap-H), hospital to ICU (Gap-ICU) or hospital to diagnosis (Gap-Dg), antiviral vaccination, number of quadrants infiltrated, acute renal failure, invasive or noninvasive ventilation, shock and comorbidities. The study variable cut-off points and importance were obtained automatically. Logistic regression analysis with cross-validation was performed to develop the SIS score using the output coefficients. Accuracy and discrimination (AUC-ROC) were applied to evaluate SIS and RF. All analyses were performed using R (CRAN-R Project). A total of 3959 patients were included. The mean age was 55 years (range 43-67), 60% were men, APACHE II 16 (12-21) and SOFA 5 (4-8), with ICU mortality 21.3%. Mechanical ventilation, shock, APACHE II, SOFA, acute renal failure and Gap-ICU were included in the SIS. The latter was generated according to the ORs obtained by logistic regression, and showed an accuracy of 83% with an AUC-ROC of 82%, similar to RF (AUC-ROC 82%). The SIS score is easy to apply and shows adequate capacity to stratify the risk of ICU mortality. However, further studies are needed to validate the tool prospectively.

Dose-response characteristics of noninvasive ventilation in acute respiratory failure.

Acute noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is a well-established therapy for acute respiratory failure but the dose–response characteristics of this therapy have not been defined. The aim of this study was to define this dose–response relationship.This study was a retrospective review of patients receiving NIV for acute respiratory failure in a tertiary hospital respiratory high-dependency unit between July 2012 and June 2017. Mask-on time (rather than the period that NIV was in use) as the “dose” was compared with hospital survival as the “response”.654 patients were included, 594 (91%) with hypercapnic respiratory failure (HCRF). NIV was used for a median (interquartile range (IQR)) duration of 2.74 (1.51–4.73) days and median (IQR) mask-on time was 34 (18–60) h (56.1% (41.2–69.5%) of treatment time). There was evidence of a dose–response relationship in the HCRF group up to a ceiling of 24 h mask-on time, but not in the hypoxaemic respiratory failure (HRF) group. There was a difference in survival with as little as 2 h mask-on time (92% compared with 73%; p<0.001). Patients requiring NIV for 80–100% of therapy time had lower survival.We conclude that there is evidence of a dose–response relationship between cumulative NIV usage (mask-on time) and survival from as little as 2 h to a ceiling of ∼24 h in HCRF, but not in HRF.

Acute Ventilatory Support During Whole-Body Hybrid Rowing in Patients With High-Level Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial

High-level spinal cord injury (SCI) results in profound spinal and supraspinal deficits, leading to substantial ventilatory limitations during whole-body hybrid functional electrical stimulation (FES)-rowing, a form of exercise that markedly increases the active muscle mass via electrically induced leg contractions. This study tested the effect of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) on ventilatory and aerobic capacities in SCI. This blinded, randomized crossover study enrolled 19 patients with SCI (level of injury ranging from C4 to T8). All patients were familiar with FES-rowing and had plateaued in their training-related increases in aerobic capacity. Patients performed two FES-rowing peak exercise tests with NIV or without NIV (sham). NIV increased exercise tidal volume (peak, 1.50 ± 0.31L vs1.36 ± 0.34 L; P< .05) and reduced breathing frequency (peak, 35 ± 7 beats/min vs38 ± 6 beats/min; P< .05) compared with the sham test, leading to no change in alveolar ventilation but a trend toward increased oxygen uptake efficiency (P= .06). In those who reached peak oxygen consumption (Vo2peak) criteria (n= 13), NIV failed to significantly increase Vo2peak (1.73 ± 0.66 L/min vs1.78 ± 0.59 L/min); however, the range of responses revealed a correlation between changes in peak alveolar ventilation and Vo2peak (r= 0.89; P< .05). Furthermore, those with higher level injuries and shorter time since injury exhibited the greatest increases in Vo2peak. Acute NIV can successfully improve ventilatory efficiency during FES exercise in SCI but may not improve Vo2peak in all patients. Those who benefit most seem to be patients with cervical SCI within a shorter time since injury. ClinicalTrials.gov; Nos.: NCT02865343 and NCT03267212; URL:www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Women Hospitalized for Acute on Chronic Decompensated Systolic Heart Failure Receive Less Furosemide Compared to Men.

The cumulative incidence of systolic heart failure is similar in men and women. However, major prognostic differences exist between genders. We sought to measure gender differences in furosemide prescribing patterns for patients with preexisting heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) admitted with Stage C acute decompensation, regardless of the underlying cause. We conducted a single-center retrospective analysis of patients admitted between 2015 and 2018 for acute on chronic decompensated HFrEF. Primary outcomes were differences in initial furosemide dose, total dose over the first 24 hours of hospitalization, and total dose during the entire hospitalization between women and men. Secondary outcomes included acute kidney injury (AKI), intubation, noninvasive ventilation (NIV), and in-hospital 30-day and 1-year mortality. We studied 434 patients (31% female) with similar baseline characteristics. Females received significantly less furosemide compared to men for the initial dose, over the first 24 hours, and throughout their hospitalization. However, AKI was more prevalent in women versus men (p=0.008). Females admitted for acute on chronic decompensated HFrEF receive significantly less furosemide when compared to men, but developed more AKI prior to discharge.