Early Tracheostomy Research Articles

Our Clinical Experience in the Treatment of Myasthenia Gravis Acute Exacerbations with a Novel Nanomembrane-Based Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Technology.

According to the American Academy of Neurology 2011 guidelines, there is insufficient evidence to support or refute the use of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) for myasthenia gravis (MG). The goal of this study was to determine whether a novel nanomembrane-based TPE could be useful in the treatment of MG. Thirty-six adult patients, MGFA 4/4B and 5, with acute MG episodes were enrolled into a single-center retrospective before-and-after study to compare a conventional treatment group (n = 24) with a nanomembrane-based TPE group (n = 12). TPE or intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) infusions were used in impending/manifested myasthenic crises, especially in patients at high-risk for prolonged invasive ventilation (IMV) and in those tolerating non-invasive ventilation (NIV). The clinical improvement was assessed using the Myasthenia Muscle Score (0–100), with ≥20 increase for responders. The primary outcome measures included the rates of implemented TPE, IVIG, and corticosteroids immunotherapies, NIV/IMV, early tracheotomy, MMS scores, extubation time, neuro-ICU/hospital LOS, complications, and mortality rates. The univariate analysis found that IMV was lower in the nanomembrane-based group (42%) compared to the conventional treatment group (83%) (p = 0.02). The multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression revealed TPE and NIV as independent predictors for short-term (≤7 days) respiratory support (p = 0.014 for TPE; p = 0.002 for NIV). The novel TPE technology moved our clinical practice towards proactive rather than protective treatment in reducing prolonged IMV during MG acute exacerbations.

Respiratory support in severe traumatic brain injury (literature review)

Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are the largest group of victims at the emergency departments. Up to 20% of patients with severe TBI require endotracheal intubation and prolonged mechanical ventilation. The ventilation parameters choice should be focused on the normal arterial blood gas composition. Hypoxia causes secondary damage to the brain tissue, and hyperoxia carries risks of oxygen toxicity. Hypercapnia leads to cerebral vasodilatation, increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and the risk of cerebral edema. Hypocapnia promotes cerebral vasoconstriction, which reduces cerebral blood flow and ICP, but also leads to cerebral tissue ischemia, so prolonged hyperventilation in TBI is not currently recommended. Patients with TBI often require sedation to synchronize with the respirator. The drugs of choice are propofol and midazolam. Routine use of muscle relaxants is not recommended. The initial ventilation mode should provide a certain respiration rate to achieve normocapnia, while allowing the patient to make breathing attempts. Support ventilation modes are used while weaning from mechanical ventilation. Promising in predicting extubation success is the assessment of the VISAGE score, which includes visual pursuit, swallowing, age, and the Glasgow coma score. Modern principles of respiratory support in severe TBI include: tracheal intubation by Glasgow coma score ≤8 ; early mechanical ventilation; PaO2 80-120 mm Hg (SaO2 ≥95%); PaCO2 35-45 mm Hg; tidal volume ≤8 ml/kg; respiratory rate ≈20/min; PEEP ≥5 cm H2O; head elevation by 30°; sedation in poor synchronization with the respirator; weaning through support ventilation modes; extubation when reaching 3 points on the VISAGE scale; early (up to 4 days) tracheotomy in predicted extubation failure.

Functional state of the diaphragm in patients with cervical spinal cord injury at the stages of respiratory support

Objective. To analyze the role of the functional state of the diaphragm in patients with cervical spinal cord injury at the stages of respiratory support and to substantiate additional criteria for their readiness to transfer to spontaneous breathing.Material and Methods. The state of the diaphragm was assessed by ultrasound in 24 patients with spinal cord injury. The excursion of the diaphragm during quiet breathing, the excursion and thickness of the diaphragm during forced breathing, and the change in forced expiratory volume from the moment of admission till the end of mechanical ventilation were analyzed.Results. On the first day, on the background of mechanical ventilation, there was a significant decrease in the excursion and thickness of the diaphragm during forced breathing (p = 0.002; p = 0.008) which persisted up to 3 days (p < 0.001; p < 0.001); by the fifth day of mechanical ventilation, the indicators increased to the initial levels (p = 0.112; p = 0.433); and by the 10th day they exceeded the initial values (p < 0.001). When comparing the excursion and thickness of the diaphragm during the transfer of patients to spontaneous breathing with the data on their admission, a significant difference was obtained (p < 0.001; p < 0.001). The dynamics of forced expiratory volume indicators was similar to those of diaphragm excursion during forced breathing.Conclusion. A peculiarity of the functional state of the diaphragm in patients with cervical spinal cord injury in the acute period was a significant decrease in diaphragm excursion and the development of ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction (VIDD) associated with mechanical ventilation in replacement modes. The tactics of early tracheostomy and the use of auxiliary ventilation modes determined the absence of progression of VIDD during prolonged mechanical ventilation. The presence of a strong correlation between the diaphragm excursion during forced breathing and the forced expiratory volume allows concluding that these indicators can be additional objective criteria for the readiness of patients with cervical SC injury to transfer to spontaneous breathing, since they reflect not only the functional state of the diaphragm, but also the state of the lung tissue.

Effect of tracheostomy timing on outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury

Tracheostomy following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common, yet the outcomes associated with tracheostomy timing are unclear. The objective of this study was to assess hospital outcomes of tracheostomy timing in TBI patients. We retrospectively analyzed data from the National Inpatient Sample database of adult patients aged ≥18 years with a primary diagnosis of TBI. Indexed hospitalizations of TBI patients who underwent either percutaneous or surgical tracheostomy between 1995 and 2015 in the United States were included. The interventional groups were 1) early tracheostomy (≤7 days) vs standard tracheostomy (8–14 days), vs late tracheostomy (≥15 days), and 2) tracheostomy vs no tracheostomy. Propensity score matching and conditional logistic regression models were used to analyze in-hospital mortality, length of hospitalization, and in-hospital complications among TBI patients in relation to tracheostomy timing. The risk of in-hospital mortality was 35% lower in patients who underwent tracheostomy vs those who did not (odds ratio 0.65; P < 0.001). Patients who underwent early tracheostomy had a higher risk of in-hospital mortality compared to standard tracheostomy (odds ratio 1.69; P < 0.001) or late tracheostomy (odds ratio 1.80; P < 0.001). An early tracheostomy was associated with a shorter mean hospital length of stay (27 days) compared to standard (36 days) or late tracheostomy (48 days).

Timing of Tracheostomy in Patients with Intracerebral Haemorrhage: A Propensity-Matched Analysis.

Although early tracheostomy (ET) is recommended for patients with severe stroke, the optimal timing of tracheostomy for patients with intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) remains controversial. This study aimed to explore the clinical characteristics, risk factors and timing of tracheostomy in patients after tracheal intubation using a propensity-matched analysis. We conducted a retrospective database search and assessed 267 consecutive patients who underwent endotracheal intubation (175 of whom underwent tracheostomy) and ICH between July 2017 and June 2021. A logistic regression model was applied to identify the critical factors influencing the decision for tracheostomy by comparing factors in a tracheostomy group and a nontracheostomy group. Patients were divided into an early (≤5 days) or a late (>5 days) group according to the median time of tracheostomy. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for possible confounders and investigate differences in outcomes between ET and late tracheostomy (LT). Among the 267 enrolled patients with ICH and endotracheal intubation, 65.5% received tracheostomy during hospitalisation, and 52.6% received ET. The independent risk factors for tracheostomy included National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) (odds ratio [OR]: 1.179; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.028-1.351; P = 0.018), aspiration (OR: 2.171; 95% CI: 1.054-4.471; P = 0.035) and infiltrates (OR: 2.149; 95% CI: 1.088-4.242; P = 0.028). Using propensity matching, we found that ET was associated with fewer antibiotic-using days (15 vs. 18; P < 0.001) and sedativeusing days (6 vs. 8; P < 0.001), shorter intensive care unit (ICU) Length of Study (LOS) (9 vs. 12; P < 0.05) and reduced in-ICU costs (3.59 vs. 7.4; P < 0.001) and total hospital costs (8.26 vs. 11.28, respectively; P < 0.001). Muscle relaxants (31.8% vs. 60.6%) were used less frequently in patients with ET (P = 0.001). However, there were no differences between the ET and LT groups in terms of modified Rankin Scale (mRS) (4 vs. 4; P = 0.932), in-general-ward costs (4.74 vs. 4.37; P = 0.052), mechanical ventilation days (6 vs. 6; P = 0.961) and hospital LOS (23 vs. 23; P = 0.735) as well as the incidences of ventilator-associated pneumonia (28.8% vs. 37.9%; P = 0.268), tracheostomyrelated complications (16.7% vs. 19.7%; P = 0.652), respiratory failure (24.2% vs. 31.8%; P = 0.333), all-cause deaths (15.2% vs. 16.7%; P = 0.812) and pneumonia (77.3% vs. 87.9%; P = 0.108). We recommend ET for high-risk patients with ICH. Although ET cannot reduce inhospital mortality or improve patient prognosis, it may help reduce hospital costs and ICU LOS as well as the use of antibiotics, sedatives and muscle relaxants.

The Practice, Outcome and Complications of Tracheostomy in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients in a Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit: Surgical versus Percutaneous Tracheostomy and Early versus Late Tracheostomy.

BackgroundThe tracheostomy procedure is commonly required to wean patients off the severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study aimed to determine the practice, outcome and complications of two techniques: i) surgical tracheostomy (ST) versus percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) and ii) two different times of procedure: early tracheostomy (ET) versus late tracheostomy (LT).MethodsThis was a retrospective, cross-sectional study conducted from 1 January 2013 until 31 December 2017, involving 268 severe TBI patients who required tracheostomy during neurosurgical intensive care unit (Neuro-ICU) management. The data were obtained from their medical records.ResultsWhen based on techniques, PT displayed a significantly shorter day of tracheostomy plan (7.0 [2.5] versus 8.3 [2.6] days; P < 0.001); day of execution (7.2 [2.6] versus 8.6 [2.9] days; P < 0.001); duration of mechanical ventilation (9.8 [3.4] versus 11.3 [3.1] days; P < 0.001) and duration of ICU stay (12.3 [3.7] versus 13.8 [3.5] days; P < 0.003) than ST. If based on timing, ET showed a significantly shorter duration of mechanical ventilation (8.8 [2.1] versus 12.9 [2.9] days; P < 0.001), length of ICU stay (11.4 [2.4] versus 15.2 [3.5] days; P < 0.001) and length of hospital stay (17.1 [3.2] versus 20.0 [4.0] days; P < 0.001) than LT.ConclusionPT showed a shorter mechanical ventilation and ICU stay duration than ST. In comparison, ET showed shorter mechanical ventilation, ICU stay and hospital stay duration than LT.

P84: Advantages of Early Tracheostomy in COVID-19 Patients Supported with ECMO

P84: Advantages of Early Tracheostomy in COVID-19 Patients Supported with ECMO

Prognostic Factors for Respiratory Dysfunction for Cervical Spinal Cord Injury and/or Cervical Fractures in Elderly Patients: A Multicenter Survey.

Retrospective Cohort Study. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognosis of respiratory function in elderly patients with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) and to identify predictive factors. We included 1353 cases of elderly cervical SCI patients collected from 78 institutions in Japan. Patients who required early tracheostomy and ventilator management and those who developed respiratory complications were defined as the respiratory disability group. Patients' background characteristics, injury mechanism, injury form, neurological disability, complications, and treatment methods were compared between the disability and non-disability groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the independent factors. Patients who required respiratory management for 6 months or longer after injury and those who died of respiratory complications were classified into the severe disability group and were compared with minor cases who were weaned off the respirator. A total of 104 patients (7.8%) had impaired respiratory function. Comparisons between the disabled and non-disabled groups and between the severe and mild injury groups yielded distinct trends. In multiple logistic regression analysis, age, blood glucose level, presence of ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), anterior vertebral hematoma, and critical paralysis were selected as independent risk factors. Age, OPLL, severe paralysis, anterior vertebral hematoma, hypoalbuminemia, and blood glucose level at the time of injury were independent factors for respiratory failure. Hyperglycemia may have a negative effect on respiratory function in this condition.

Mean platelet volume is useful for predicting weaning failure: a retrospective, observational study

BackgroundTo evaluate the usefulness of mean platelet volume (MPV), a marker of inflammation and stress, for predicting weaning failure in patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) compared to traditional inflammation markers.MethodsThe retrospective observational study including patients who received IMV and underwent spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) was conducted in ICU at Beijing Chao-Yang hospital in China from January, 2013 to December, 2019. According to the weaning outcome, MPV, leukocyte count and C-reaction protein(CRP) were compared between weaning failure and weaning success group. Receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves and multivariate logistical regression analysis were constructed to analyze the value of these inflammatory markers for predicting weaning failure.ResultsA total of 261 patients were enrolled in the study and 54 patients (20.7%) experienced weaning failure (45 SBT failure and 9 extubation failure after successful SBT). MPV was a better predictor for weaning failure (AUC 0.777;95%CI, 0.722–0.826) than leukocyte count (AUC 0.6;95%CI,0.538–0.66) and CRP (0.627;95%CI,0.565–0.685). The cutoff value of MPV for predicting weaning failure was 11.3 fl with sensitivity 55.56%, specificity 87.92%, and diagnostic accuracy 81.22%. According to multivariate logistic regression analyses, MPV > 11.3 fl was an independent risk factor for predicting weaning failure.ConclusionsMPV could be a more valuable marker for predicting weaning failure. and the patients with MPV > 11.3 fl should be attentively evaluated before weaning since they are at high risk of weaning failure, and it would be auspicable for those patients to undergo a noninvasive ventilation or high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy after extubation or even an early tracheostomy.

TTCOV19: timing of tracheotomy in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients: a multicentre, single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial

BackgroundCritically ill COVID-19 patients may develop acute respiratory distress syndrome and the need for respiratory support, including mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit. Previous observational studies have suggested early tracheotomy to be advantageous. The aim of this parallel, multicentre, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the optimal timing of tracheotomy.MethodsSARS-CoV-2-infected patients within the Region Västra Götaland of Sweden who needed intubation and mechanical respiratory support were included and randomly assigned to early tracheotomy (≤ 7 days after intubation) or late tracheotomy (≥ 10 days after intubation). The primary objective was to compare the total number of mechanical ventilation days between the groups.ResultsOne hundred fifty patients (mean age 65 years, 79% males) were included. Seventy-two patients were assigned to early tracheotomy, and 78 were assigned to late tracheotomy. One hundred two patients (68%) underwent tracheotomy of whom sixty-one underwent tracheotomy according to the protocol. The overall median number of days in mechanical ventilation was 18 (IQR 9; 28), but no significant difference was found between the two treatment regimens in the intention-to-treat analysis (between-group difference: − 1.5 days (95% CI − 5.7 to 2.8); p = 0.5). A significantly reduced number of mechanical ventilation days was found in the early tracheotomy group during the per-protocol analysis (between-group difference: − 8.0 days (95% CI − 13.8 to − 2.27); p = 0.0064). The overall correlation between the timing of tracheotomy and days of mechanical ventilation was significant (Spearman’s correlation: 0.39, p < 0.0001). The total death rate during intensive care was 32.7%, but no significant differences were found between the groups regarding survival, complications or adverse events.ConclusionsThe potential superiority of early tracheotomy when compared to late tracheotomy in critically ill patients with COVID-19 was not confirmed by the present randomized controlled trial but is a strategy that should be considered in selected cases where the need for MV for more than 14 days cannot be ruled out.Trial registrationNCT04412356, registered 05/24/2020.Graphic abstract

Indication-based timing of tracheostomy and its effects on outcome in the pediatric intensive care unit.

The objective of study was to find an association between the timing of tracheostomy with duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) and length of stay (LOS) in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and hospital. The data were collected prospectively from 2000 to 2018 and were analyzed retrospectively. Data included clinical diagnosis, indication, and duration (days) of MV, LOS in PICU and hospital before and after tracheostomy. Patients who did not receive MV or underwent MV for <24 h were excluded. According to the indication of tracheostomy enrolled patients were divided into four groups-airways anomalies (AA), central neurological impairment (CNI), cardiopulmonary insufficiency (CPI), and neuromuscular disorders (NMD). Patients in each group were divided into early (ET) and late tracheostomy (LT) category based on the median (interquartile range interquartile range [IQR]) days of pretracheostomy MV. Two hundred and fifty six patients were analyzed. The frequency and median [IQR] days of pretracheostomy MV were -AA 54 [7(3,16)], CNI 120 [12(9,16)], CPI 51 [25(16.5,30.5)], and NMD 31[12(8,16.5)]. In AA patients, median (IQR) durations of posttracheostomy MV [2(1,5.2) versus 3.5(2,12); p = 0.032], PICU [7(5,8.2) versus11(7,18); p = 0.004] and hospital [12(9.7,21) versus 21.5(12,28); p = 0.027] stays were lower in ET as compared with LT group. Posttracheostomy MV duration was significantly short in ET patients with CNI and NMD (p < 0.005). The total days of MV, PICU and hospital stay were significantly lower in ET as compared with LT patients in all four groups (p < 0.01). As compared with LT, ET patient had shorter durations of total MV and PICU and hospital stay.

ICU tracheotomies in patients with COVID-19: a lesson learned for future viral pandemic

IntroductionThe coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in a large number of patients requiring intubation and prolonged mechanical ventilation. The current knowledge on the tracheotomies regarding the time form intubation, method and ventilatory parameters optimal for their performance in the mechanically ventilated patients with COVID ARDS are scarce; thus, the aim of this study is to present new data regarding their safety, adverse events and timing.Materials and methodsThis retrospective observational study is based on the data of 66 critically ill COVID patients including demographic data, timing and technique of tracheotomy, ventilatory parameters in the time of procedure, as well as complication and survival rate.ResultsA number of 66 patients with COVID-related pneumonia were included in the study, among whom 32 were tracheotomized—25 patients underwent an early tracheotomy and 7 patients had late tracheotomy. The median duration of mechanical ventilation before the tracheotomy in the early group was 8 days (IQR 6–10) compared to 11 days (IQR 11–12.5.) p < 0.001) in late group. Risk of death in tracheotomy patients was significantly growing with growing level of PEEP and FiO2 at the moment of decision on tracheotomy, OR = 1.91 CI95 (1.23;3.57); p = 0.014 and OR = 1.18 CI95(1.03;1.43); p = 0.048, respectively.ConclusionEarly percutaneous tracheotomy is safe (both in terms of risk of viral transmission and complication rate) and feasible in COVID-19 patients. Stability of gas exchange, and ventilatory parameters are the main prognostic factors of the outcome.

The Impact of Different Ventilatory Strategies on Clinical Outcomes in Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia.

Introduction: The aim was to investigate the impact of different ventilator strategies (non-invasive ventilation (NIV); invasive MV with tracheal tube (TT) and with tracheostomy (TS) on outcomes (mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay) in patients with COVID-19. We also assessed the impact of timing of percutaneous tracheostomy and other risk factors on mortality. Methods: The retrospective cohort included 868 patients with severe COVID-19. Demographics, MV parameters and duration, and ICU mortality were collected. Results: MV was provided in 530 (61.1%) patients, divided into three groups: NIV (n = 139), TT (n = 313), and TS (n = 78). Prevalence of tracheostomy was 14.7%, and ICU mortality was 90.4%, 60.2%, and 30.2% in TT, TS, and NIV groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Tracheostomy increased the chances of survival and being discharged from ICU (OR 6.3, p < 0.001) despite prolonging ICU stay compared to the TT group (22.2 days vs. 10.7 days, p < 0.001) without differences in survival rates between early and late tracheostomy. Patients who only received invasive MV had higher odds of survival compared to those receiving NIV in ICU prior to invasive MV (OR 2.7, p = 0.001). The odds of death increased with age (OR 1.032, p < 0.001), obesity (1.58, p = 0.041), chronic renal disease (1.57, p = 0.019), sepsis (2.8, p < 0.001), acute kidney injury (1.7, p = 0.049), multiple organ dysfunction (3.2, p < 0.001), and ARDS (3.3, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Percutaneous tracheostomy compared to MV via TT significantly increased survival and the rate of discharge from ICU, without differences between early or late tracheostomy.

Clinical Outcomes of Early Versus Late Tracheostomy in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

A significant proportion of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients require admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Tracheostomy is increasingly performed when a prolonged course of IMV is anticipated. To determine clinical and resource utilization benefits of early versus late tracheostomy among COVID-19 patients. Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Embase were used to identify relevant studies comparing outcomes of COVID-19 patients undergoing early and late tracheostomy from January 1, 2020, to December 1, 2021. Twelve studies were selected, and 2222 critically ill COVID-19 patients hospitalized between January to December 2020 were included. Among the included patients, 34.5% and 65.5% underwent early and late tracheostomy, respectively. Among the included studies, 58.3% and 41.7% defined early tracheostomy using cutoffs of 14 and 10 days, respectively. All-cause in-hospital mortality was not different between the early and late tracheostomy groups (32.9% vs. 33.1%; OR = 1.00; P = 0.98). Sensitivity analysis demonstrated a similar mortality rate in studies using a cutoff of 10 days (34.6% vs. 35.5%; OR = 0.97; P = 0.89) or 14 days (31.2% vs. 27.7%; OR = 1.05; P = 0.78). The early tracheostomy group had shorter ICU length of stay (LOS) (mean: 23.18 vs. 30.51 days; P < 0.001) and IMV duration (mean: 20.49 vs. 28.94 days; P < 0.001) than the late tracheostomy group. The time from tracheostomy to decannulation was longer (mean: 23.36 vs. 16.24 days; P = 0.02) in the early tracheostomy group than in the late tracheostomy group, but the time from tracheostomy to IMV weaning was similar in both groups. Other clinical characteristics, including age, were similar in both groups. Early tracheostomy reduced the ICU LOS and IMV duration among COVID-19 patients compared with late tracheostomy, but the mortality rate was similar in both groups. The findings have important implications for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, especially in a resource-limited setting.

Effect of Early vs Standard Approach to Tracheostomy on Functional Outcome at 6 Months Among Patients With Severe Stroke Receiving Mechanical Ventilation

ImportanceMany patients with severe stroke have impaired airway protective reflexes, resulting in prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation.ObjectiveTo test whether early vs standard tracheostomy improved functional outcome among patients with stroke receiving mechanical ventilation.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsIn this randomized clinical trial, 382 patients with severe acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke receiving invasive ventilation were randomly assigned (1:1) to early tracheostomy (≤5 days of intubation) or ongoing ventilator weaning with standard tracheostomy if needed from day 10. Patients were randomized between July 28, 2015, and January 24, 2020, at 26 US and German neurocritical care centers. The final date of follow-up was August 9, 2020.InterventionsPatients were assigned to an early tracheostomy strategy (n = 188) or to a standard tracheostomy (control group) strategy (n = 194).Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was functional outcome at 6 months, based on the modified Rankin Scale score (range, 0 [best] to 6 [worst]) dichotomized to a score of 0 (no disability) to 4 (moderately severe disability) vs 5 (severe disability) or 6 (death).ResultsAmong 382 patients randomized (median age, 59 years; 49.8% women), 366 (95.8%) completed the trial with available follow-up data on the primary outcome (177 patients [94.1%] in the early group; 189 patients [97.4%] in the standard group). A tracheostomy (predominantly percutaneously) was performed in 95.2% of the early tracheostomy group in a median of 4 days after intubation (IQR, 3-4 days) and in 67% of the control group in a median of 11 days after intubation (IQR, 10-12 days). The proportion without severe disability (modified Rankin Scale score, 0-4) at 6 months was not significantly different in the early tracheostomy vs the control group (43.5% vs 47.1%; difference, −3.6% [95% CI, −14.3% to 7.2%]; adjusted odds ratio, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.60-1.42]; P = .73). Of the serious adverse events, 5.0% (6 of 121 reported events) in the early tracheostomy group vs 3.4% (4 of 118 reported events) were related to tracheostomy.Conclusions and RelevanceAmong patients with severe stroke receiving mechanical ventilation, a strategy of early tracheostomy, compared with a standard approach to tracheostomy, did not significantly improve the rate of survival without severe disability at 6 months. However, the wide confidence intervals around the effect estimate may include a clinically important difference, so a clinically relevant benefit or harm from a strategy of early tracheostomy cannot be excluded.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02377167

Improving tracheostomy delivery for trauma and surgical critical care patients: timely trach initiative.

BackgroundTracheostomy is recommended within 7 days of intubation for patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) or requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. A quality improvement project aimed to decrease time to tracheostomy to ≤7 days after intubation for eligible patients requiring tracheostomy in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU).Local problemFrom January 2017 to June 2018, approximately 85% of tracheostomies were performed >7 days after intubation. The tracheostomy was placed a median of 10 days after intubation (range: 1–57).MethodsQuality improvement principles were applied at an American College of Surgeons-verified level I trauma centre to introduce and analyse interventions to improve tracheostomy timing. Using the electronic health record, we analysed changes in tracheostomy timing, hospital length of stay (LOS), ventilator-associated pneumonia and peristomal bleeding rates for three subgroups: patients with TBI, trauma patients and all SICU patients.InterventionsIn July 2018, an educational roll-out for SICU residents and staff was launched to inform them of potential benefits of early tracheostomy and potential complications, which they should discuss when counselling patient decision-makers. In July 2019, an early tracheostomy workflow targeting patients with head injury was published in an institutional Trauma Guide app.ResultsMedian time from intubation to tracheostomy decreased for all patients from 14 days (range: 4–57) to 8 days (range: 1–32, p≤0.001), and median hospital LOS decreased from 38 days to 24 days (p<0.001, r=0.35). Median time to tracheostomy decreased significantly for trauma patients after publication of the algorithm (10 days (range: 3–21 days) to 6 days (range: 1–15 days), p=0.03). Among patients with TBI, family meetings were held earlier for patients who underwent early versus late tracheostomy (p=0.008).ConclusionsWe recommend regular educational meetings, enhanced by digitally published guidelines and strategic communication as effective ways to improve tracheostomy timing. These interventions standardised practice and may benefit other institutions.

Impact of early versus late tracheotomy on diaphragmatic function assessed by ultrasonography in mechanically ventilated stroke patients

ABSTRACT Background Cerebrovascular stroke is one of the most disabling chronic conditions, as it is often associated with devastating long-term neurologic deficits. Design A prospective observational study. Setting Critical Care Units of Alexandria Main University Hospital. Patients 60 adult mechanically ventilated stroke patients of both genders according to sample size calculation. Objective Compare the outcome of early versus late tracheotomy on diaphragmatic function, assessed by ultrasonographic assessment in mechanically ventilated stroke patients. Methods Patients were randomized blindly into two groups: group I was subjected to early bedside percutaneous tracheotomy within 4 days of ICU stay, while group II was tracheostomized after 14 days. A Sonosite Mindray DP10 2015–08 with a 3–5 MHz linear probe was used to assess the diaphragm daily before and after tracheotomy. Measures taken were diaphragmatic excursion (DE) and diaphragmatic thickness (DT). Primary outcome was impact of early tracheotomy on diaphragmatic ultrasound measurements. Secondary outcomes were days of mechanical ventilation, ICU stay, and 28-day mortality. Results After tracheotomy, a significant improvement in DE and DTF in group I was encountered more than group II (p < 0.01). There was a significant decrease in ventilator days, and ICU stay in group I (p < 0.01), without statistical significance in the 28-day mortality (p = 0.612). Conclusion Early tracheotomy in mechanically ventilated stroke patients could improve diaphragmatic ultrasound measurements resulting in rapid weaning off mechanical ventilation and less ICU stay without significant effect on 28-day mortality.

Characteristics, complications, and a comparison between early and late tracheostomy: A retrospective observational study on tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Background and AimsAs the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic spread worldwide in 2020, the number of patients requiring intensive care and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) has increased rapidly. During the pandemic, early recommendations suggested that tracheostomy should be postponed, as the potential benefits were not certain to exceed the risk of viral transmission to healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of tracheostomy in patients with COVID‐19‐related acute respiratory distress syndrome, in terms of patient and clinical characteristics, outcomes, and complications, by comparing between early and late tracheostomy.MethodsA multicenter, retrospective observational study was conducted in Jönköping County, Sweden. Between 14 March 2020 and 13 March 2021, 117 patients were included. All patients ≥18 years of age with confirmed COVID‐19, who underwent tracheostomy were divided into two groups based on the timing of the procedure (≤/>7 days). Outcomes including the time on IMV, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, and mortality 30 days after ICU admission, as well as complications due to tracheostomy were compared between the groups.ResultsEarly tracheostomy (<7 days, n = 56) was associated with a shorter median duration of mechanical ventilation (7 [12], p = 0.001) as well as a shorter median ICU stay (8 [14], p = 0.001). The most frequent complication of tracheostomy was minor bleeding. With the exception of a higher rate of obesity in the group receiving late tracheostomy, the patient characteristics were similar between the groups.ConclusionThis study showed that early tracheostomy was safe and associated with a shorter time on IMV as well as a shorter ICU length of stay, implicating possible clinical benefits in critically ill COVID‐19 patients. However, it is necessary to verify these findings in a randomized controlled trial.

Prefer early tracheostomy

Tracheotomies are commonly performed for the patients with low GCS who needs a respiratory support. Still over the period there existed a controversy when to do tracheotomy ? Early or late. Our study aimed at reassessing the complications of delayed tracheotomy versus the advantages of the early tracheostomy. This was a prospective comparative, observational study comprising of 140 patients in 2 different hospitals admitted to the neurosurgery ICU with poor GCS. Group A: Early tracheostomy (2-5 days) and Group B: Late tracheostomy (7-14 days). Both groups were followed ,Early tracheostomy required a mechanical ventilator support for average 5-8 days with early weaning whereas late tracheostomy required 12-20 days of mechanical

"HYPER-EARLY" Tracheostomy within 48 hours has less Complications and Better Prognosis Compared to Traditional Tracheostomy.

Tracheostomies may be performed "early" or "late." There is no agreement on the best timing for tracheostomy. This study compares tracheostomies and complications when performed within 48 hours with those performed from 48hours to 21days. Patients who underwent tracheostomy in the 2017-2018 National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) were categorized into 2 groups: early tracheostomy (≤48hours) and late tracheostomy (>48hours to 21days). Primary outcome measured was mortality. Chi square models, Mann-Whitney U Test, and multivariate logistics were used for data analysis. 843 patients had tracheostomy performed, of which 16% underwent early tracheostomy. Majority were male in both early (84%) and late (74%) tracheostomy groups. Mortality was not statically significant in early (13%) or late (9%) (P = .151). Total duration of ventilation in early tracheostomy group was less (5days) compared to late tracheostomy group (16 days, P < .001). Patients with late tracheostomy had almost 18% cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) when compared to early tracheostomy patients (7%, P < .001). Early tracheostomy patients also had shorter hospital length of stay (HLOS) (13 vs 27days) and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) (7 vs 20days) than late tracheostomy patients (P<.001). Early tracheostomy patients also had shorter hospital length of stay (HLOS) (13 vs 27 days) and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) (7 vs 20days) than late tracheostomy patients (P < .001). Tracheostomy performed as early as 48hours is beneficial as it demonstrates a decrease time on ventilator, decreased HLOS, as well as lower VAP rates. Our data shows "hyper-early" tracheostomies might be more beneficial that the current national practice.