Prolonged Weaning Research Articles

Medical Research Council Scale Predicts Spontaneous Breathing Trial Failure and Difficult or Prolonged Weaning of Critically Ill Individuals.

Handgrip strength is an alternative measure to assess peripheral muscle strength and is correlated with the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale, with promising values for diagnosing ICU-acquired weakness (ICUAW). Because ICUAW has been associated with delayed weaning from mechanical ventilation, we hypothesized that ICUAW evaluated with both the MRC scale score and handgrip strength are associated with failure of a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) and duration of mechanical ventilation weaning. We conducted a prospective observational study in 3 general ICUs with a total of 54 beds at 2 academic hospitals. Adult subjects with > 48 h of mechanical ventilation who were eligible for weaning were included in the study. In the evaluation before the first SBT, the MRC score (P < .001) and handgrip strength (P < .001) were significantly different between subjects extubated after a successful first SBT (simple weaning) and those extubated any time after a failed first SBT (difficult weaning). Only the MRC score discriminated between first SBT success or failure (P < .001); in multivariate analysis, the MRC score was significantly associated with first SBT failure (odds ratio 0.91, 95% CI 0.88-0.97, P < .001) and difficult weaning (odds ratio 0.91, 95% CI 0.87-0.96, P < .001). Handgrip strength exhibited good accuracy in identifying ICUAW. MRC score was independently associated with SBT failure and difficult or prolonged weaning.

Limits and Ethics of Mechanical Ventilation and Intensive Care Medicine in Old Age

Changing demography with more older people and more patients with chronic diseases as well as the progress of medicine leads to more geriatric patients treated in intensive care and requiring mechanical ventilation due to severe respiratory insufficiency.Frailty is associated with a more complicated intensive care stay, more difficult convalescence and with a higher mortality.In principle, geriatric expertise should be brought in as early as possible in the course of intensive care treatment for older patients in order to carry out adequate risk stratification and, depending on the extent of the impairment, to plan discharge or early rehabilitation.In older and frail patients preexisting chronic ventilatory insufficiency often leads to prolonged weaning. Patients with weaning failure should be referred to a specialized weaning center. Part of the assessment will be whether out-of-hospital invasive or non invasive ventilation is indicated and the wish of the patient.In intensive care the likelihood of a successful outcome and the patient's wishes must constantly be re-evaluated. This is particularly true in older patients. In addition it should be clarified with the patients and relatives what constitutes "success"; for example a patient may consider intensive care "worth it" if the ultimate goal is discharge to their own home but not if nursing home care and tracheostomy ventilation is the best that can be achieved. It may become apparent that a successful outcome is unlikely and then withdrawal of invasive ventilation is appropriate.

Epidural versus general anesthesia for open pyloromyotomy in infants: A retrospective observational study.

BackgroundThoracic epidural anesthesia for open infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis surgery is a controversial issue in the presence of little comparative data.AimsTo compare this approach to general anesthesia for desaturation events (≤90% oxygen saturation) and absolute values of minimal oxygen saturation, minimal heart frequency, operating‐room occupancy time, and durations of surgery in a retrospective study design.MethodsData were retrieved for patients with infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis managed by thoracic epidurals under sedation or general anesthesia with rapid sequence induction between 01/2007 and 12/2017. Oxygen saturation and heart rate were analyzed over eight 5‐minutes intervals relative to the start of anesthesia / sedation (four‐time intervals) and before discharge of the patient from the operating room (four‐time intervals). Fisher's exact tests and mixed model two‐way analysis of variance for repeated measures were employed for intergroup comparisons.ResultsThe epidural and general anesthesia groups included 69 and 32 evaluable infants, respectively. Patients managed under epidural anesthesia had cumulatively higher minimimal mean (SD) oxygen saturation values (98.2 [2.6] % versus 96.6 [5.2] %, p < 0.001) and lower minimal mean (SD) heart rate values (127.9 [15.0] beats per minute versus 140.7 [17.2] beats per minute, p < 0.001) over time. Similarly, the frequency of desaturation events (defined as ≤90% oxygen saturation) was significantly lower for these patients during the period of 5 minutes after induction of sedation or general anesthesia (odds ratio 7.4 [2.1–25.9]; p = 0.001) and during the subsequent period of five minutes (odds ratio 6.2 [1.1–33.9]; p = 0.031). One case of prolonged respiratory weaning was observed in the general anesthesia group. The mean (SD) operating‐room occupancy was 61.9 (16.6) minutes for the epidural anesthesia group versus 73.3 (22.2) minutes for the general anesthesia group (p = 0.005) as a result of shorter emergence from sedation.ConclusionsIn our series, maintaining spontaneous breathing with minimal airway manipulation in patients undergoing open repair of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis under single‐shot epidural anesthesia resulted in fewer desaturation events ≤90% than general anesthesia. In addition, this approach seems to result in shorter turnover times in the operating room.

The disconcerting differences in pancreatic cancer care among races

Presenter: Catalina Mosquera MD | Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center Background: Racial disparities in surgical access and post-operative outcomes following pancreatic resection for pancreatic cancer, continues to be a concern and target for improvement. Unfortunately, studies that investigate the independent impact of race in cancer treatment and post-operative outcomes are lacking. The goal of our study was to investigate the impact of race on oncologic treatment and surgical outcomes following pancreatico-duodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma using a large national database. We hypothesize that the non-white patients will have lower rates of adjuvant therapy and worse postoperative outcomes. Methods: A retrospective survey was performed utilizing the National-Surgical-Quality-Improvement-Program (NSQIP), data from 2014-2019 for patients undergoing pancreatico-duodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Preoperative characteristics, tumor factors and postoperative outcomes were compared between race groups in all patients. Distributions of each race in the database was calculated relative to the estimated number of patients with resectable pancreatic cancer in the US. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to assess the independent impact of race on outcomes following pancreatico-duodenectomy. Results: A total of 6562 patients undergoing pancreatic resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma were evaluated. There was similar gender distribution (52% male) with a median age of 66 years of age. Majority of the patients were classified as white 84%, followed by African American 7.9%, Asian 4.5% and Hispanic 3.0%. Only 20% were categorized as ASA 1-2. In terms of tumor characteristics, 58% of patients had T3 disease followed by T2 in 25%, and T1 in 12% of the cases. Nodal positivity was common (65%). Less than half of the patients received chemotherapy (39.6%) and only a quarter received radiation therapy (16.9%). Regarding outcomes, Majority of patients were discharged home (87.7%) There was a 30-day readmission rate of 14.7% and a 30-day mortality rate of 1.7%. On univariate analysis Asians and Hispanics were healthier compared to their counterparts (ASA1-2 30% and 23% vs. 19.1% and 14.3%, p<0.05). There were no significant differences in tumor characteristics between races. Asians and Hispanics were less likely to receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy compared to African Americans and whites [(chemotherapy: Asian:31.2%, Hispanic 30.4%, African American 41.4% and white 40.2%), (Radiation therapy: Asian: 11.1%, Hispanic 12.3%, African American 19.7% and white 17%, p<0.008)]. Disparities played a significant role in postoperative complications; African Americans were more likely to develop sepsis and return to the operating room (p<0.005) whereas Asians and Hispanics were more likely to require transfusions, have a prolonged ventilator wean and longer hospital stay. Discharge destination, readmissions and 30 day mortality were similar between racial groups. On multivariate analysis race persisted as an independent predictor of oncologic care and postoperative complications. Conclusion: In this large national-level surgical database, a significant interaction between race and postoperative outcomes was found. Disparities were noted in access to oncologic therapy. Race was independently associated with postoperative complications

Weaning in a Pandemic Situation - A Position Paper

ZusammenfassungDie logistischen und infektiologischen Besonderheiten und Erfordernisse in der Pandemie stellen die intensivmedizinischen Behandlungsteams vor außerordentliche Herausforderungen, die eine erfolgreiche Liberation von Patienten im prolongierten Weaning erschweren können. Gerade in der Pandemie gilt es daher, alle Potenziale zur Beatmungsentwöhnung und Dekanülierung von Patienten im prolongierten Weaning oder in der Langzeitbeatmung auszuschöpfen.Weaning-Zentren stellen Einheiten der intensivmedizinischen Betreuung mit besonderer Spezialisierung auf prolongiertes Weaning dar und sind integraler Bestandteil eines kontinuierlichen Versorgungskonzeptes dieser Patienten. Ein systematisches Weaning-Konzept in der Pandemie setzt strukturelle, personelle, apparative, infektiologische und hygienische Aspekte voraus.Im Mittelpunkt dieses Positionspapiers stehen als Ergänzung zur S2k-Leitlinie „Prolongiertes Weaning“ eine neue Klassifikation im prolongierten Weaning und zukünftig erforderliche Organisationsstrukturen für die Pandemie-Situation.Patienten der Kategorie A mit hohem Weaning-Potenzial bedürfen der strukturierten Respiratorentwöhnung in spezialisierten Weaning-Einheiten, um so die größtmögliche Chance auf erfolgreiches Weaning zu realisieren. Patienten der Kategorie B mit geringem oder aktuell nicht vorhandenem Weaning-Potenzial sollten verzögert nach einer Zwischenphase der weiteren Stabilsierung in einer außerklinischen Beatmungseinrichtung einen Weaning-Versuch erhalten. Patienten der Kategorie C ohne Weaning-Potenzial benötigen eine dauerhafte außerklinische Versorgung, alternativ eine palliativmedizinisch begleitete Beendigung der Beatmung. Die sich aus den 3 Kategorien ergebenden Aufgaben für die Weaning-Zentren werden im Positionspapier vertieft.Schließlich werden unter perspektivischer Betrachtung im Positionspapier folgende zukünftig denkbare Netzwerke und Register benannt: 1. lokal organisierte regionale Netzwerke von zertifizierten Weaning-Zentren, 2. ein zentrales, bundesweites Register der Weaning-Kapazitäten entsprechend dem DIVI-Register und 3. eine Registrierung der Patienten im schwierigen oder prolongierten Weaning.

Inspiratory Muscle Training With an Electronic Resistive Loading Device Improves Prolonged Weaning Outcomes in a Randomized Controlled Trial.

To test if the use of an inspiratory muscle training program with an electronic resistive loading device is associated with benefits as to muscle strength, weaning, and survival in the ICU. Prospective randomized controlled trial. Study conducted at the ICU of a Navy's hospital, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from January 2016 to September 2018. Tracheostomized patients (18-86 yr) on prolonged weaning. Participants were assigned to inspiratory muscle training (intervention group) or a traditional T-piece protocol (control group). In the inspiratory muscle training group, participants underwent training with an electronic inspiratory training device (POWERbreathe K-5; Technologies Ltd, Birmingham, United Kingdom). Changes in respiratory muscle strength and rates of ICU survival and weaning success were compared between groups. Forty-eight participants in the inspiratory muscle training group and 53 ones in the control group were included in the final analysis. The inspiratory muscle training was associated with a substantially higher gain on muscle strength as assessed by the maximal inspiratory pressure (70.5 [51.0-82.5] vs -48.0 cm H2O [36.0-72.0 cm H2O]; p = 0.003) and the timed inspiratory effort index (1.56 [1.25-2.08] vs 0.99 cm H2O/s [0.65-1.71 cm H2O/s]; p = 0.001). Outcomes at the 60th day of ICU were significantly better in the intervention group regarding both survival (71.1% vs 48.9%; p = 0.030) and weaning success (74.8% vs 44.5%; p = 0.001). The use of an inspiratory muscle training program with an electronic resistive loading device was associated with substantial muscle strength gain and positive impacts in two very relevant clinical outcomes: the rates of ICU survival and successful weaning.

Modern strategies of adaptation to the respiratory support as a way to reduce self-induced lung injury (SILI)

Background. The success of respiratory support depends on the effectiveness of improving gas exchange, reducing lung damage, and adaptation of the respirator. Reduction of lung damage has previously been reported in the context of ventilator-associated injury: barotrauma in case of high plateau pressure and driving pressure, volume trauma in case of large tidal volume, atelectasis trauma due to the cyclic collapse of lungs on exhalation and opening on inspiration.&#x0D; Objective. To describe the features of lung damage during mechanical lung ventilation (MLV) and the possibility of its prevention.&#x0D; Materials and methods. Analysis of literature sources on this topic.&#x0D; Results and discussion. The main causes of “air hunger” breathing type and shortness of breath include hypoxia, acidosis, increased anatomical and functional dead space, psychomotor agitation and fear. Metabolic acidosis is compensated by hyperventilation and respiratory alkalosis, but it is treated by improving oxygenation. High-flow oxygenation helps to leach CO2 from the dead space. Psychomotor agitation and pain aggravate shortness of breath, so all components of these processes should be influenced by effective analgesia, providing the patient with a comfortable body position (especially obese people), ensuring the absence of hunger and thirst, creating conditions for night sleep and more. If all these measures are taken, but the patient’s agitation is maintained, sedation should be considered. Propofol and dexmedetomidine are increasingly used for short-term sedation. Approaches to sedation have been changing abroad in recent years. First, non-pharmacological methods are used and only then – pharmacological ones. First of all, it is recommended to achieve analgesia, and then – sedation. It is advisable to maintain moderate sedation (from 0 to -2 on the RASS scale) and avoid deep sedation (from -3 to -5 points on the RASS scale). Sedation should be stopped each morning for the wake-up test and the respirator quitting test. To improve the immediate consequences of treatment (duration of MLV and stay in the intensive care unit), it is advisable to minimize the use of benzodiazepines and prefer propofol or dexmedetomidine. The depth of sedation should be constantly monitored, however, even experienced physicians may not always be able to detect asynchrony and excessive sedation. Asynchrony is associated with the increased mortality and prolonged weaning. To assess the intensity of the patient’s respiratory effort, the index of rapid shallow breathing, the maximum vacuum in the airways and the pressure in 0.1 second after the start of the breathing attempt are used. If the latter exceeds 3.5 cm H2O, it indicates the excessive respiratory effort of the patient (Telias I. et al., 2020).&#x0D; Conclusions. 1. The term “self-induced lung injury” has become widely used in the practice of anesthesiologists. 2. The need for respiratory support is determined primarily by the patient’s breathing efforts. 3. The ability to timely identify and respond to asynchrony helps to avoid self-induced lung damage.

Timing of Tracheostomy for Prolonged Respiratory Wean in Critically Ill Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients: A Machine Learning Approach.

To propose the optimal timing to consider tracheostomy insertion for weaning of mechanically ventilated patients recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia. We investigated the relationship between duration of mechanical ventilation prior to tracheostomy insertion and in-hospital mortality. In addition, we present a machine learning approach to facilitate decision-making. Prospective cohort study. Guy's & St Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom. Consecutive patients admitted with acute respiratory failure secondary to coronavirus disease 2019 requiring mechanical ventilation between March 3, 2020, and May 5, 2020. Baseline characteristics and temporal trends in markers of disease severity were prospectively recorded. Tracheostomy was performed for anticipated prolonged ventilatory wean when levels of respiratory support were favorable. Decision tree was constructed using C4.5 algorithm, and its classification performance has been evaluated by a leave-one-out cross-validation technique. One-hundred seventy-six patients required mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory failure, of which 87 patients (49.4%) underwent tracheostomy. We identified that optimal timing for tracheostomy insertion is between day 13 and day 17. Presence of fibrosis on CT scan (odds ratio, 13.26; 95% CI [3.61-48.91]; p ≤ 0.0001) and Pao2:Fio2 ratio (odds ratio, 0.98; 95% CI [0.95-0.99]; p = 0.008) were independently associated with tracheostomy insertion. Cox multiple regression analysis showed that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (hazard ratio, 6.56; 95% CI [1.04-41.59]; p = 0.046), ischemic heart disease (hazard ratio, 4.62; 95% CI [1.19-17.87]; p = 0.027), positive end-expiratory pressure (hazard ratio, 1.26; 95% CI [1.02-1.57]; p = 0.034), Pao2:Fio2 ratio (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% CI [0.97-0.99]; p = 0.003), and C-reactive protein (hazard ratio, 1.01; 95% CI [1-1.01]; p = 0.005) were independent late predictors of in-hospital mortality. We propose that the optimal window for consideration of tracheostomy for ventilatory weaning is between day 13 and 17. Late predictors of mortality may serve as adverse factors when considering tracheostomy, and our decision tree provides a degree of decision support for clinicians.

Out-of-hospital ventilation after prolonged weaning

Die Zahl der Patienten im prolongierten Weaning steigt infolge des zunehmenden Alters und der Komorbidität der Patienten sowie des technischen Fortschrittes in der Chirurgie und der Intensivmedizin kontinuierlich an. Die Daten des WeanNet-Registers zeigen, dass über die Hälfte (64 %) der von der Intensivstation in ein spezialisiertes Weaningzentrum verlegten Patienten vom Respirator definitiv entwöhnt werden konnte. Mit einem Weaningversagen waren eine längere Beatmungsdauer vor Verlegung auf die Weaningstation, gefolgt von einem niedrigen Body-Mass-Index, vorbestehende neuromuskuläre Erkrankungen und ein fortgeschrittenes Alter assoziiert. Die Zahl der Patienten mit außerklinischer Beatmung, die wegen der Kontrolle der Beatmung oder eines Notfalls rehospitalisiert werden mussten, hat sich in Deutschland zwischen 2006 und 2016 vervierfacht. Die außerklinische invasive Beatmung bzw. Langzeit-NIV (nichtinvasive Beatmung) geht häufig mit einem deutlichen Autonomieverlust und geringer Lebensqualität einher, sodass deren Beginn in Zusammenschau mit der Komorbidität des Patienten und dem Patientenwillen sorgfältig geprüft, die Indikation regelmäßig reevaluiert und ggf. eine Entscheidung zur Therapiezieländerung getroffen werden sollte. Die Einstellung auf eine außerklinische Beatmung nach erfolglosem prolongiertem Weaning sollte in einem spezialisierten Weaningzentrum durchgeführt werden. Für das Behandlungskonzept von Patienten mit invasiver außerklinischer Beatmung bzw. NIV ist ein Weaningzentrum verantwortlich. Abhängig von der Infrastruktur und Vernetzung des jeweiligen Weaningzentrums ist es grundsätzlich auch möglich, die ambulante Betreuung klinisch stabiler Patienten im Rahmen eines Kooperationsmodells gemeinsam mit in der Beatmungsmedizin erfahrenen niedergelassenen Pneumologen durchzuführen.

COVID-19 and Jaundice

COVID-19 and Jaundice

Reducing patient harm following inadvertent endobronchial placecement of nasogastric tubes in patients with SARS-COV-2

IntroductionNasogastric tube (NGT) insertion is essential for enteral feeding but can potentially cause significant injury to the lungs (1). Following a critical incident, we audited our practice of NGT insertion and the consequences of injury in patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome COVID-19 caused by the (SARS-CoV-2) virus.MethodsNGT insertion followed a local standard safety protocol and were inserted by consultants or senior registrars in anaesthesia and critical care medicine, or advanced critical care practitioners. Individual practitioners were able to choose their technique of insertion. All patients had their post-NGT insertion chest x-ray reviewed and those with misplaced NGTs had their case notes reviewed. Early in the outbreak, blind insertion was recommended in our institution to reduce aerosolisation, this was rapidly changed to direct visualisation with laryngoscopy as our experience managing SARS-CoV-2 patients increased.ResultsDuring the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, a total of 135 NGTs were inserted into ventilated and/or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients. All of NGTs positioned were confirmed by a chest radiograph. Eleven (8.1%) were inadvertently endobronchial, of which four developed pneumothoraces (figure 1). Three patients (including both who had received ECMO) died and a fourth is currently undergoing a prolonged respiratory wean. No patients were fed or received drugs via a misplaced NGT.Chest radiograph of patient with inadvertent NGT placement in right lower lobe. Note the path of the tube suggests breech of the bronchial tree and direct injury to the lung parenchyma (arrowhead). A CT the following day showed a large pneumothorax (arrowhead), some haemothorax (black arrow) and severe ground glass changes consistent with SARS-CoV-2 (white arrow).DiscussionOur inadvertent endobronchial NGT rate is relatively high, compared to our previous clinical experience, which we believe may be related to the challenges of working with cumbersome personal protective equipment and/or changed practice to attempt to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (2). We suspect the lung parenchyma is particularly fragile in acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by SARS-CoV-2, which contributes to the high rate of pleural breech and subsequent poor outcome (3). We recommend experienced operators place NGTs and do so using direct or videolaryngoscopy to minimise the risk of incorrect placement.We would like to thank the families of our patients for their permission to share the images in this work.

Dispositivos de Treino Muscular Inspiratório em idosos com desmame da ventilação mecânica e com traqueostomia

Objetivo: investigar os efeitos de dois dispositivos de treino muscular inspiratório em idosos com desmame prolongado da ventilação mecânica invasiva e com traqueostomia. Materiais e Métodos: O estudo foi realizado com 12 idosos em desmame prolongado da ventilação mecânica e traqueostomia, nas Unidades de Terapia Intensiva do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Seis idosos foram submetidos ao uso do dispositivo Powerbreathe plus medic® (PPM), e seis idosos ao Powerbreathe K5® (PK5). Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros respiratórios antes e depois da intervenção: índice de respiração rápida e superficial (IRRS) e pressão inspiratória máxima (PImáx). A análise dos dados foi conduzida por meio da estatística descritiva e inferencial (p&lt;0,05). Resultados: os resultados evidenciaram diferença significativa na PImáx (p = 0,014), onde média do grupo PPM foi superior a do grupo PK5. Houve efeito do tempo (F = 7,756) no IRRS, com variações negativas após o período de intervenção no grupo PK5. Foi encontrado efeito do grupo (F = 8,394) e do tempo (F = 8,141) na PImáx, sugerindo que os grupos eram diferentes e que apresentaram variação positiva ao longo do tempo. Houve efeito do tempo (F = 43,808) e da interação (F = 12,020) na carga de treinamento, indicando maior incremento de carga no grupo PPM, com tamanho do efeito grande (d=1,261). Conclusão: Concluiu-se que o PK5 se mostrou mais efetivo para a melhora do IRRS, PImáx e frequência respiratória.

Percutaneous tracheostomy guided by bronchoscopy: experience in 235 procedures

Measurement of the efficacy and complications associated with performing percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) guided by video bronchoscopy. Retrospective observational study conducted between May 2017 and August 2019. Adult patients who underwent elective PT guided by video bronchoscopy were included. The criteria for the indication of PT was prolonged weaning from mechanical ventilation in all cases. Demographic variables, APACHE II score and days of mechanical ventilation prior to PT were recorded. The efficacy of the procedure was evaluated based on the success rate in the execution, the need for conversion to open technique. Also complications observed were recorded. 235 procedures (149 men and 86 women) were evaluated in patients with an average age of 61 years ± 19 and APACHE II score 18 ± 8. The PT was performed quickly and satisfactorily in all patients without conversion to open technique in any case. Complications occurred in 3.8% (9) of the cases. Minor bleeding was the most frequently observed complication in 5 cases (2.1%), hypotension in 3 cases (1.3%), and transient hypoxemia in one patient (0.4%). Also, 2,1% (5) of the cases presented late complications. Performing PT guided by video bronchoscopy is described as an effective and safe procedure that can be done in intensive care units with a low rate of complications.

Predictors of survival after prolonged weaning from mechanical ventilation.

Weaning from mechanical ventilation is a key component of intensive care treatment; however, this process may be prolonged as some patients require care at specialised centres. Current data indicate that weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation is successful in approximately 65% of patients; however, data on long-term survival after discharge from a weaning centre are limited. We analysed predictors of survival among 597 patients (392 men, mean age 68±11) post-discharge from a specialised German weaning centre. Complete weaning from mechanical ventilation was achieved in 407 (57.8%) patients, and 106 patients (15.1%) were discharged with non-invasive ventilation; thus, prolonged weaning was successful in 72.9% of the patients. The one-year and five-year survival rates post-discharge were 66.5% and 37.1%, respectively. Age, duration of mechanical ventilation, certain clusters of comorbidities, and discharged with mechanical ventilation significantly influenced survival (p<.001). Completely weaned patients who were discharged with a tracheostomy had a significantly reduced survival rate than did those who were completely weaned and discharged with a closed tracheostomy (p=.004). The identified predictors of survival after prolonged weaning could support therapeutic strategies during patients' intensive care unit stay. Patients should be closely monitored after discharge from a weaning centre.

Weaning in neurological and neurosurgical early rehabilitation-Results from the "WennFrüh" study of the German Society for Neurorehabilitation

Neurologisch-neurochirurgische Frührehabilitanden sind klinisch oft so schwer betroffen, dass sie neben der frührehabilitativen Behandlung auch von der mechanischen Beatmung entwöhnt werden müssen. In einer Umfrage der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurorehabilitation (DGNR) wurden neurologische Weaningzentren gebeten, Informationen zu Strukturmerkmalen ihrer Einrichtung, ihrer personellen und apparativen Ausstattung sowie basierend auf anonymen Daten zu Fallzahl und Behandlungsergebnis zur Verfügung zu stellen. Es nahmen 36 Weaningeinheiten aus 11 Bundesländern mit insgesamt 496 Betten teil. Von 2516 erfassten Weaningfällen im Jahr 2019 wurden 2097 (83,3 %) primär erfolgreich entwöhnt und nur 120 (4,8 %) mussten mit Heimbeatmung entlassen werden. Die Mortalität in dieser Stichprobe lag bei 11,0 % (n = 276). Die Erhebung zeigt, dass das prolongierte Weaning in der neurologisch-neurochirurgischen Frührehabilitation ein wichtiger und erfolgreicher Bestandteil der Versorgung schwerstkranker Patienten darstellt.

Lung ultrasonography as a tool to guide perioperative atelectasis treatment bundle in head and neck cancer patients undergoing free flap reconstructive surgeries: a preliminary observational study

IntroductionGeneral anesthesia causes pulmonary atelectasis within few minutes of induction. This can have significant impact on postoperative outcome of cancer patients undergoing prolonged reconstructive surgeries. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of sonographically detected perioperative atelectasis on the need for postoperative oxygen supplementation, bronchodilator therapy and assisted chest physiotherapy in patients undergoing free flap surgeries for head and neck carcinoma. MethodsTwenty eight head and neck cancer patients underwent bilateral pulmonary ultrasonographic assessments before and after lung surgery. Lung ultrasound scores, serum lactate, and PaO2/FiO2 ratio were measured both at the beginning and at end of the surgery. Patients were scanned in the supine position and the number of single and confluent B lines was noted. These values were correlated with the need for oxygen therapy, requirement of bronchodilators and total weaning time to predict the postoperative outcome. Other factors affecting weaning were also studied. ResultsAmong twenty eight patients, seven had mean lung ultrasound score of ≥10.5 which correlated with prolonged weaning time (144.56±33.5min vs. 66.7±15.7min; p=0.005). The change in lung ultrasound score significantly correlated with change in PaO2/FiO2 ratio (r=−0.56, p=0.03). Elevated total leukocyte count >8200μL and serum lactate >2.1mmoL/L also predicted prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation. ConclusionThis preliminary study detected significant levels of perioperative atelectasis using point of care lung ultrasonography in head and neck cancer patients undergoing long duration surgical reconstructions. Higher lung ultrasound scores highlighted the need for frequent bronchodilator nebulizations as well as assisted chest physiotherapy and were associated with delayed weaning. We propose more frequent point of care lung ultrasonographic evaluations and use of recruitment maneuvers to reduce the impact of perioperative pulmonary atelectasis.

The combination of inspiratory muscle training and high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy for promoting weaning outcomes in difficult-to-wean patients: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BackgroundAccording to the literature, 20–30% of intubated patients are difficult to wean off mechanical ventilation and have a prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay with detrimental effects on muscle strength, functional ability and quality of life. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) via a threshold device has been proposed as an effective exercise for minimising the effects of mechanical ventilation on respiratory muscles of critically ill patients with prolonged weaning. In addition, high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen has been proved to provide efficient support for both high- and low-risk patients after extubation, thus preventing re-intubation.Material and methodsA randomised controlled trial was designed to assess the efficacy of combining IMT and HFNC as therapeutic strategies for patients with high risk for weaning failure. Once patients with prognostic factors of difficult weaning are awake, ventilated with support settings and cooperative, they will be randomised to one of the two following study groups: intervention group (IMT and HFNC) and control group (IMT and Venturi mask). IMT will start as soon as possible. Each allocated oxygen delivery device will be applied immediately after extubation. IMT intervention will continue until patients' discharge from ICU. The primary outcome is the rate of weaning failure. Secondary outcomes are maximal inspiratory and expiratory strength, endurance of respiratory muscles, global muscle strength, functional ability and quality of life along with duration of ventilation (days) and ICU and hospital length of stay.ConclusionThe present study could significantly contribute to knowledge of how best to treat patients with difficult weaning and high risk of re-intubation.

The effect of intraoperative methadone during pediatric cardiac surgery on postoperative opioid requirements.

Pain control in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery presents a unique challenge. Postoperatively, many of these patients require long-term opioid infusions and sedation leading to need for prolonged weaning from opioids and longer hospital stays. We hypothesized that intravenous methadone as the sole opioid in children having cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass would improve perioperative pain control and decrease overall perioperative use of opioid analgesics and sedatives. We instituted a practice change involving pediatric patients aged <18years who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass over a 14-month period, comparing the patient population who had surgery prior to the institution of intraoperative methadone usage to patients who had surgery in the months following. We then separated patients into two groups: neonatal (aged<30days) and non-neonatal (aged>30days to 18years). Our primary outcome was intraoperative and postoperative opioid requirements measured in morphine equivalents intraoperatively, during the first 24hours postoperatively, and up to postoperative day 7. Secondary outcomes included extubation rates in the OR, pain and sedation scores, sedation requirements, and time to start of oxycodone. Patients in both groups had similar demographics. In neonatal patients, the postintervention group required significantly lower doses of intraoperative opioids. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative opioid use. In non-neonatal patients, the postintervention group required significantly less intraoperative opioids. Postoperatively, those in the postintervention group required significantly less opioids in the first 24hours. The use of intraoperative methadone appears to be a reasonable alternative to the use of fentanyl with potential other benefits both intra- and postoperatively of decreased total dose of opioids and other sedatives. Future studies will assess for any improvement in total postoperative opioid requirements during the total hospital stay, and potential use of methadone by the ICU team.

Prolonged Weaning from Mechanical Ventilation.

To accommodate the increasing number of patients requiring prolonged weaning from mechanical ventilation, specialized weaning centers have been established for patients in whom weaning on the intensive care unit (ICU) was unsuccessful. This study aimed to determine both the outcome of treatment and the factors associated with prolonged weaning in patients who were transferred from the ICU to specialized weaning centers in Germany during the period 2011 to 2015, based on a nationwide registry covering all specialized weaning centers currently going through the process of accreditation by the German Respiratory Society. Of 11 424 patients, 7346 (64.3%) were successfully weaned, of whom 2236 were switched to long-term non-invasive ventilation; 1658 (14.5%) died in the weaning unit; and 2420 (21.2%) could not be weaned. The duration of weaning decreased significantly from 22 to 18 days between 2011 and 2015 (p <0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that the factor most strongly associated with in-hospital mortality was advanced age (odds ratio [OR] 11.07, 95% confidence interval [6.51; 18.82], p <0.0001). The need to continue with invasive ventilation was most strongly associated with the duration mechanical ventilation prior to transfer from the ICU (OR 4.73 [3.25; 6.89]), followed by a low body mass index (OR 0.38 [0.26; 0.58]), pre-existing neuromuscular disorders (OR 2.98 [1.88; 4.73]), and advanced age (OR 2.96 [1.87; 4.69]) (each p <0.0001). Weaning duration has decreased over time, but prolonged weaning is still unsuccessful in one third of patients.Overall, the results warrant the establishment of specialized weaning centers. Variables associated with death and weaningfailure can be integrated into ICU decision-making processes.

Weaning from Invasive Ventilation in Specialist Centers Following Primary Weaning Failure.

Ever more patients are being treated with invasive ventilation in the outpatient setting. Most have no access to a structured weaning process in a specialized weaning center. The personal burden on the patients is heavy, and the costs for the health care system are high. 61 patients who had been considered unfit for weaning were admitted to a weaning center. The primary endpoint was the number of patients who had been successfully weaned from the ventilator at six months. The comparison group consisted of health-insurance datasets derived from patients who were discharged from an acute hospital stay to receive invasive ventilation in the outpatient setting. 50 patients (82%; 95% confidence interval [70.5; 89.6]) were successfully weaned off of invasive ventilation in the weaning centers, 21 of them (34% [23.8; 47]) with the aid of non-invasive ventilation. The survival rate at 1 year was higher than in the group without invasive ventilation (45/50, or 90%, versus 6/11,or 55%); non-invasive ventilation was comparable in this respect to no ventilation at all. The identified risk factors for weaning failure included the presence of more than five comorbidities and a longer duration of invasive ventilation before transfer to a weaning center. If patients with prolonged weaning are cared for in a certified weaning center before being discharged to receive invasive ventilation in the outpatient setting, the number of persons being invasively ventilated outside the hospital will be reduced and the affected persons will enjoy a higher survival rate. This would also spare nursing costs.