Severe Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome Research Articles

The use of prone position ventilation in Danish patients with COVID-19-induced severe acute respiratory distress syndrome treated with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A nationwide cohort study with focus on pulmonary effects.

Prone position ventilation (PPV) is recommended for patients with COVID-19 induced severe Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and is used for patients supported with V-V ECMO as well. The purpose of this study was to describe the use of PPV in these patients focusing on physiological effects with the hypothesis that PPV could reduce oxygen need and improve dynamic compliance. This study was a nationwide retrospective analysis of all COVID-19 patients in Denmark from March 2020 - December 2021 with severe ARDS and need of V-V ECMO support. Data on the number of patients treated with PPV, number of PPV sessions, timing, the time spent in prone position, pulmonary physiological response types with analysis of variables affecting the response are reported. Out of 68 patients 44 were treated with 220 PPV sessions and a positive clinical response was observed in 80% of patients but only in 45% of sessions. On a single session level, increased compliance was observed in 38% and increased oxygenation in only 15% of 220 sessions, with within-patient heterogeneity. Higher dynamic compliance at the beginning of a PPV session was associated with a lower delta change in dynamic compliance during PPV. The response to a PPV session could not be predicted by the response in the prior session. Dynamic compliance did not change during the ECMO course. Eighty percent of patients responded positively during a PPV session, but this was not associated with overall pulmonary improvement. On a single patient level, responses were heterogenous and only 45% of sessions resulted in clinical improvement. Response in dynamic compliance was associated with starting values of compliance.

Prone position in severe hypoxemia in patients with covid-19 during venovenous ECMO, does the number of cycles matter?

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support has been known to be beneficial in cases of severe Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). The increase in such cases results in an increase in scenarios of severe hypoxemia even during an ECMO run. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefit of the prone position (PP) in an analytical observational retrospective cohort study. The study included adult patients with ARDS, caused as a result of SARS-CoV-2, undergoing PP during ECMO support in the period from 2020 to 2021. Thirty-five patients were placed in PP with an average of 3.6 cycles per patient. The group of patients undergoing >3 PP cycles had a significant improvement in oxygenation during PP, 𝑃𝑎𝑂2 (60.13 vs. 66.15, mmHg p = 0.0065) and 𝑃𝑎𝑂2⁄𝐹𝑖𝑂2 (136 vs. 155, p = 0.0026). After adjusting for confounding variables (age, RESP score, and days from the start of ECMO and the first cycle of PP), the group with >3 cycles showed a hazard ratio of 0.2 (95% confidence interval, 0.051–0.78; p = 0.02). The study outcomes confirmed the benefits of PP as a strategy against severe hypoxemia in ECMO, and evaluated variables such as the number of cycles, which may be associated with improved survival in this subgroup of critically ill patients.

Clinical Characteristics and Mortality Predictors of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Patients in ICU- an Observational Study

Introduction: Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is an inflammatory lung condition characterized by a sudden onset of severe oxygen deficiency, bilateral chest infiltrates, and high morbidity and mortality rates. The causes and prognostic factors for ARDS may vary in tropical regions.
 Objective: This study aimed to investigate the causes, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of ARDS patients admitted in ICU.
 Methodology: We conducted a prospective observational study involving 92 ARDS patients admitted to the medical and surgical intensive care units of a tertiary care hospital in eastern Nepal from 2021 to 2023. We included patients aged 15 years and above who met all the Berlin criteria for ARDS. Patients with burns, end-stage renal disease, hepatic disease, head injuries, congestive cardiac failure, and postoperative patients were excluded. We assessed demographic parameters, initial clinical presentations, causative agents, ventilation parameters, organ failure during the ICU stay, and factors influencing patient mortality.
 Results: Our cohort had a mean age of 45.71 ± 20.02 years, with a predominance of male patients. The majority of patients presented with fever and shortness of breath. Approximately 26.1% had mild ARDS, while 25% had severe ARDS. The initial Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was 10.11 ± 6.07, with most patients having a lung injury score of less than 2.5. Higher lung injury scores and low PaO2/FiO2 ratios were associated with increased mortality (P<0.05). The overall mortality rate in our study was 33.6%.
 Conclusion: Pneumonia emerged as the most common cause of ARDS in our region. Low PaO2/FiO2 ratios and higher lung injury scores significantly influenced ARDS mortality.

Early and Timely Use of Hemofiltration Therapy with Poly Methyl Meth Acrylate (PMMA) Filters in Severe COVID-19 Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome Patients: A Single Centre Study in India

A high Interleukin-6 (IL-6) level in COVID-19 plays a major role in the pathophysiology and is considered a reliable parameter in predicting the adversity of the disease. In COVID-19. Extracorporeal blood purification has been proposed as an adjuvant therapy and it aims at controlling the dysregulation in the immune system. Essentially, it lowers the upregulated levels of several mediators and therefore controls the cytokine storm, instead of actively targeting individual pathways of inflammation. Positive IL-6 balance post-Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) filter used for Cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients with dialysis has shown to be an independent predictor of mortality. A retrospective analysis of seventeen patients wherein hemofiltration was used for cytokine storm with dialysis, sepsis, and septic shock. The inflammatory markers post-hemofiltration sessions were supervised to understand hemofiltration's efficacy. The average age of the patients was 70.2 (18.2) years. They were classified as responders or non-responder groups based on the decrease or no change/ increase respectively between the pre-and post-filtration IL-6 levels. A 3.6-fold increase was noticed in non-responders (N=11) for IL-6 levels post hemofiltration. Responders demonstrated a 21.4% (p<0.05) reduction in IL-6 levels post hemofiltration. Of these, 4 who survived demonstrated a decrease in IL-6 levels of 66.2%. Of 10 non-responders, none survived. However, the survival rate was 71.43 percent among the responders. There was a significant statistical difference in the mortality rate between the two groups (p= 0.003).Cytokine storm, an overwhelming immunological response in COVID-19 patients, can be controlled successfully by the early and timely use of hemofiltration therapy with PMMA filters like Hemofeel. However, patients with higher positive IL-6 balance post-hemofiltration may be associated with limited outcomes.

Use of prone position ventilation in patients with COVID-19 induced severe ARDS supported with V-V ECMO: A danish cohort study with focus on adverse events.

Prone position ventilation (PPV) of patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) supported with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) may improve oxygenation and alveolar recruitment and is recommended when extensive dorsal consolidations are present, but only few data regarding adverse events (AE) related to PPV in this group of patients have been published. Nationwide retrospective analysis of 68 COVID-19 patients admitted from March 2020 - December 2021 with severe ARDS and need of V-V ECMO support. The number of patients treated with PPV, number of PPV-events, timing, the time spent in prone position, number and causes of AE are reported. Causes to stop the PPV regimen and risk factors for AE were explored. 44 out of 68 patients were treated with PPV, and 220 PPV events are evaluated. AE were identified in 99 out of 220 (45%) PPV events and occurred among 31 patients (71%). 1 fatal PPV related AE was registered. Acute supination occurred in 19 events (9%). Causes to stop the PPV regimen were almost equally distributed between effect (weaned from ECMO), no effect, death (of other reasons) and AE. Frequent causes of AE were pressures sores and ulcers, hypoxia, airway related and ECMO circuit related. Most AE occurred during patients first or second PPV event. PPV treatment was found to carry a high incidence of PPV related AE in these patients. Causes and preventive measures to reduce occurrence of PPV related AE during V-V ECMO support need further exploration.

Use of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in trauma patients with severe adult respiratory distress syndrome: A retrospective study.

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has increased, although its survival benefit in trauma patients with severe adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains controversial. We investigated the effect of veno-venous (VV)-ECMO on the clinical outcomes of trauma patients with severe ARDS. This was a retrospective study at a single center comprising trauma patients admitted between January 2013 and December 2017, diagnosed with severe ARDS using the Berlin definition (PaO2/FiO2 ratio ⩽100), in the 7 days following trauma. Patients were managed with VV-ECMO or conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV). The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality (mortality at 60 days); secondary outcomes comprised 28-day mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) LOS, ICU-free days, duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), and MV-free days. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for the baseline differences. Sixteen patients (22.5%) were managed with VV-ECMO and 55 were managed with CMV. After matching, the in-hospital mortality rate (43.8% vs 53.1%; p = 0.760), 28-day mortality rate (37.5% vs 31.3%; p = 0.750), median hospital LOS (39.5 vs 36.5 days; p = 0.533), ICU-free days (0 vs 0 days; p = 0.241), and MV-free days (0 vs 0 days; p = 0.272) did not significantly differ between the VV-ECMO and CMV groups. In-hospital mortality (mortality at 60 days) did not differ significantly between the VV-ECMO and CMV groups. Although the safety of ECMO in trauma patients requires further investigation, VV-ECMO may be considered as a rescue therapy.

The Use of Nitric Oxide as a Rescue Modality for Severe Adult Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Patients, Including COVID-19, in Critical Care Rotor Transport: A Retrospective Community Outcome Study

ObjectiveSevere acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) mortality increases in smaller outlying facilities, and patients (especially those diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) are often “stuck” at these facilities. These patients are on maximal ventilator settings and are often in the prone position. Our purpose was to show that with the use of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), a “community-based” rotor wing critical care transport (CCT) team can safely, consistently, and effectively transport these extremely precarious patients to the tertiary care that is needed. MethodsThis was a retrospective database review of 50 patients (39 patients with COVID-19) transported between 2017 and 2021 in whom iNO was brought to the bedside and initiated by the rotor wing critical care transport team. The review included patient demographics, vital signs, and ventilator settings from the sending hospital, in-flight, and the receiving hospital. We reviewed the transition from transport to venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (if applicable), hospital disposition, and length of stay from the receiving hospital side. Concerning the actual transport, we reviewed the mode of transport, the sending facility size, and the distances covered. ResultsUpon arrival at the sending facilities, we found severely ill patients with almost half (46%) in the prone position or recently transitioned from a prone position within the last 2 hours. Eighty-six percent were pharmaceutically paralyzed, and 44% were in shock. There was a younger and heavier predominance with an average age of 44 years and an average weight of 103 kg. Thirty-nine patients were diagnosed with COVID-19. The other 11 had a mix of non–COVID-19 ARDS, pulmonary embolism, and pulmonary edema. The patients presented from 27 different community hospitals. Forty-four percent were from small referring hospitals that had less than 200 beds. Twenty-eight patients were transported by a Bell 407 helicopter, 18 with an Airbus H135 helicopter, and 4 by ground ambulance. Forty-one percent of patients were transported within 25 miles, and 4 patients were transferred from > 100 miles away. All 50 patients were safely transported without significant deterioration or significant pulmonary pressure increases. Thirty-seven patients were placed on venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (34 of those patients cannulated within 2 hours of arrival). The overall mortality rate was 27%, and the COVID-19 mortality rate was 24%. ConclusioniNO retrieval for severe ARDS can be safely and effectively completed within the COVID-19 population and the nonacademic community setting using helicopters prevalent in the global air medical industry (Bell 407 and Airbus H135).

Predictors of ICU Admission and Mortality in Patients with Coronavirus Disease – 2019 (COVID 19) in Community Hospitals

Background:
 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by novel coronavirus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The mortality of patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is variable and has been reported to be as high as 80%. Not much is known about the factors leading to the progression of hospitalized patients to requiring ICU care and the predictors of mortality among ICU patients. We performed univariate followed by multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine predictors of progression of the disease and factors associated with mortality.
 
 Method:
 Retrospective data were collected from 101 consecutive patients admitted from March, 2020 to June, 2020. Data were collected from five different community hospitals in eastern Virginia with varied demographics.
 
 Result:
 A total of 101 consecutive hospitalized patients in five community hospitals in eastern Virginia were enrolled in the study. Out of the 101 patients, 53 were admitted into the ICU for respiratory failure. Of these 53, 40 patients required intubation and mechanical ventilation. Altogether, 30 of the 53 patients admitted to the ICU died. Of these 30 patients, 25 required intubations. Of these 25 patients, one had mild, 6 moderate and 18 severe Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Patients aged 60 years and above accounted for >2/3rd of the cases in ICU.
 
 Conclusion:
 Logistic regression analysis revealed multiple factors associated with progression of disease leading to transfer into the ICU from floor and unfavorable outcome.

IS ACUTE FIBRINOUS AND ORGANIZING PNEUMONIA AN EMERGING CAUSE OF DIFFUSE ALVEOLAR HEMORRHAGE?

TOPIC: Diffuse Lung Disease TYPE: Medical Student/Resident Case Reports INTRODUCTION: Acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia (AFOP) is a rare and poorly understood form of interstitial lung disease that can present either acutely or insidiously. Among the acute manifestations of AFOP, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) has only been described once before in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 25 year old male with a history of end stage renal disease secondary to bilateral posterior urethral valves (on hemodialysis) and cutaneous neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet syndrome) presented with the abrupt onset of severe dyspnea. Given concern for flash pulmonary edema on initial chest radiograph (Figure 1), he was placed on a nitroglycerine drip and underwent emergent hemodialysis with ultrafiltration. He subsequently developed rapidly progressive acute hypoxic respiratory failure with worsening pulmonary infiltrates (Figure 2) requiring emergent intubation and mechanical ventilation. Copious bloody secretions were noted during intubation, and the patient required multiple blood transfusions following admission. Despite mechanical ventilation with paralysis and proning, the patient developed severe adult respiratory distress syndrome with a P:F ratio nadir of 74. Chest CT revealed diffuse severe consolidative lung injury of unclear etiology (Figure 3). Bronchoscopy with serial aliquots on bronchoalveolar lavage confirmed the presence of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. The patient’s condition improved rapidly with initiation of systemic glucocorticoids, and he was subsequently extubated on hospital day 5. Shortly after discharge home, the patient was readmitted with recurrent severe acute hypoxic respiratory failure in the setting of tapering his glucocorticoids, but he was successfully extubated within 24 hours following reinitiation of high-dose systemic glucocorticoids. Bronchoscopically-guided cryobiopsy during this admission revealed a diagnosis of AFOP, and the patient was ultimately discharged home with plans for a prolonged course of steroids and possible transition to steroid-sparing agents. DISCUSSION: Further investigations are needed to determine whether AFOP represents a distinct clinical entity, or rather the sequelae of concomitant inflammatory or autoimmune processes such as those present in this patient. Regardless of the etiology, data from case reports suggest that AFOP can be highly responsive to systemic glucocorticoids and other forms of immunosuppression. Delay in diagnosis, however, remains a significant barrier to the treatment of AFOP and portends poor prognosis in the acute form of this illness. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of this case to the literature suggests that DAH may represent an emerging manifestation of AFOP. Prompt recognition of this rare and heterogeneous disease process is imperative, as increasing evidence suggests favorable outcomes with early initiation of systemic glucocorticoids. REFERENCE #1: Crowley N, Sessler C, Miller K, Robila V, Debesa, O. Relapsing acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia complicated by diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Chest. 2018;154(4)(suppl):409A-410A. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2018.08.375. REFERENCE #2: Lee JH, Yum HK, Jamous F, Santos C, Campisi A, Surani S, Lococo F, Goo JM, Yoon SH. Diagnostic procedures and clinico-radiological findings of acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia: a systematic review and pooled analysis. Eur Radiol. 2021 Mar 31. doi: 10.1007/s00330-021-07868-z. Epub ahead of print. REFERENCE #3: Santos C, Oliveira RC, Serra P, Baptista JP, Sousa E, Casanova P, Pimentel J, Carvalho L. Pathophysiology of acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia - Clinical and morphological spectra. Pathophysiology. 2019 Sep-Dec;26(3-4):213-217. doi: 10.1016/j.pathophys.2019.04.001. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Andrew Davis, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Nathan Sandbo, source=Web Response

COVID-19: Impact on radiology departments and implications for future service design, service delivery, and radiology education.

The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe adult respiratory distress syndrome Coronavirus-2) and its most severe clinical syndrome, COVID-19, has dramatically impacted service delivery in many radiology departments. Radiology (primarily chest radiography and CT) has played a pivotal role in managing the pandemic in countries with well-developed healthcare systems, enabling early diagnosis, triage of patients likely to require intensive care and detection of arterial and venous thrombosis complicating the disease. We review the lessons learned during the early response to the pandemic, placing these in the wider context of the responsibility radiology departments have to mitigate the impact of hospital-acquired infection on clinical care and staff wellbeing. The potential long-term implications for design and delivery of radiology services are considered. The need to achieve effective social distancing and ensure continuity of service during the pandemic has brought about a step change in the implementation of virtual clinical team working, off-site radiology reporting and postgraduate education in radiology. The potential consequences of these developments for the nature of radiological practice and the education of current and future radiologists are discussed.

Bedside Right Atrium to Left Atrium ECMO Cannulation: A Novel Approach in Patients With Severe ARDS Due to Covid-19

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can provide life-saving treatment of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) complicating COVID-19 infection. We hypothesized that a modified ECMO (right to left atrium [RA-LA] cannulation with TandemHeart cannula and an oxygenator;TandemHeart ECMO) might be superior to conventional veno-venous (VV)-ECMO. Methods: A total of 19 patients with COVID-19 underwent ECMO at Princeton Hospital. We compared in-hospital complications and short-term outcomes between patients with VV ECMO vs. RA-LA ECMO. VV-ECMO was initiated in the cath lab, while RA-LA ECMO was initiated bedside using intracardiac echo guidance. We used Fisher’s exact test for mortality and Student’s t-test for other variables. Results: Between March and September 2020, 19 patients underwent ECMO cannulation. Out of 19 patients, 5 patients had beside TandemHeart ECMO (we performed bedside ICU ECMO procedure in 5 patients, 3 males and 2 females). We placed a 21F LA cannula (TandemHeart, TandemHeart, Pittsburgh, PA) via the right common femoral vein (CFV) and a 25F RA cannula (Edwards, Irvine, CA) through the left CFV. Both the oxygenator and pump were also a TandemHeart system. The median duration of ECMO was 16 days (range 7 to 19 days) for RA-LA ECMO compared to 26 days (range 12-81 days) for conventional VV-ECMO (p<0.02). The mean number of blood transfusions was 10.4±1.6 vs. 21.8±7.1 units, p<0.0001. One patient in the TandemHeart ECMO arm required dialysis, while 8/14 patients on VV-ECMO required dialysis, p=0.1. Intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay was shorter in the RA-LA ECMO group compared to VV ECMO (25.8±7.4 vs. 3.67±14.1 days, p<0.05). A total of 6/14 (42.8%) patients in the VV-ECMO vs. 0/5 (0%) in the RA-LA ECMO died in the hospital. However, this was not statistically significant (p=0.2). No major procedural complications, including tamponade occurred in the RA-LA arm despite using bedside ICE without fluoroscopy. Conclusion: Bedside percutaneous RA-LA cannulation was feasible and safe and was associated with significantly shorter ECMO and ICU days among COVID-19 patients presenting with ARDS. This strategy has the potential benefit of providing complete cardiopulmonary support in patients with ARDS. However, larger studies are needed to confirm its role in COVID-19 infections and potentially other ARDS scenarios.

The Saudi Critical Care Society extracorporeal life support chapter guidance on utilization of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome and special considerations in the era of coronavirus disease 2019.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is considered as a supportive treatment that provides circulatory and ventilatory support and can be thought off as a bridge to organ recovery. Since 2009, it has been applied as a rescue treatment for patients with severe adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) mainly due to viral causes. In December 2019, several patients presented with a constellation of symptoms of viral pneumonia in China. A new strain of the corona virus family, called COVID-19, has been discovered to be the cause of this severe mysterious illness that was named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2). This new virus continued to spread across the globe leading to the World Health Organization announcing it as a pandemic in the early 2020. By the end of March 2021, the number of COVID-19 cases worldwide exceeded 126 million cases. In Saudi Arabia, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported in the 2nd March 2020. By the end of March 2021, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia is just above 360,000. In anticipation of the need of ECMO for the treatment of patients with SARS‑CoV‑2 based on the previous Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus pandemic experience, the Saudi Extra-Corporeal Life Support (ECLS) chapter that is under the umbrella of the Saudi Critical Care Society (SCCS) convened a working group of ECMO experts. The mission of this group was to formulate a guidance for the use of ECMO as a last resort for patients with severe ARDS, especially with COVID-19 based on available evidence. The ECLS-SCCS chapter wanted to generate a document that can be used to simple guide, with a focus on safety, to provide ECMO service for patients with severe ARDS with a special focus on SARS‑CoV‑2.

Intrapleural Steroid Instillation for Critically Ill Patients With Covid-19 Severe Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Within a very short period, outbreaks of a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have affected 183 countries worldwide. COVID-19 resolves acutely, but it has resulted in thousands of deaths, with an overall fatality rate of 2% to 5% (1). Among the fatal cases, over 50% of patients died from respiratory failure with massive alveolar damage due to virus-activated “cytokine storm syndrome” (2). Of these patients, 67% developed adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), 29% developed acute kidney injury, 23% developed cardiac injury, and 29% experienced liver dysfunction (3). The intensive care unit (ICU) mortality rate among those who required invasive mechanical ventilation was 86% (4), and the mortality of patients who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was also extremely high (5). Until now, there have been no proven effective specific treatment strategies and so methylprednisolone may be the best option for COVID-19 patients who develop ARDS (6). Although interferon alfa-2b, antiviral therapy, antibiotics for the prevention of secondary infection, and methylprednisolone were all administered to attenuate lung inflammation, histological examination still revealed bilateral diffuse alveolar damage with hyaline membrane formation in an autopsy of a patient (7). According to the imaging changes and pathological findings associated with ARDS, a tubular and enlarged appearance of the pulmonary vessels with a sudden caliber reduction seen within ground glass opacity lesions showing partial consolidation and fibrosis should be expected in severe cases of COVID-19 (8, 9). Fortunately, corticosteroids have a greater anti-inflammatory effect when administered intrapleurally, rather than via the intravenous route, because the permeability of the damaged visceral pleural membrane increases during pulmonary edema and steroid treatment, with the characteristic of fat-solubility, further permits infiltration into the lung parenchyma. Glucocorticoids can easily pass through the visceral pleura and bind to steroid hormone receptors, thereby allowing them to reach the injured areas and avoiding the problems of a ventilation–perfusion mismatch and the need for a shunt via intratracheal instillation or intravenous instillation. Glucocorticoids can normalize the ion pump (Na-K pump) and increase the synthesis of Na+/K+-ATPase, thus contributing to reductions in lung edema and optimization of oxygenation because alveolar fluid clearance is impaired in the majority of patients with ARDS (10). In COVID-19 severe refractory ARDS, more aggressive management is required to reduce the inflammatory reaction and consequent lung injury. The results of our study provide more evidence supporting the efficacy of intrapleural steroid instillation (IPSI) in the treatment of ARDS with multiple organ failure (11). This alternative treatment resulted in significant improvement in oxygenation and survival benefits after 5 days of treatment. The dosing schedule of intrapleural methylprednisolone was initially 40 mg q6 h in both pleural cavities, but the dose was reduced on the basis of chest radiography appearance, inspired oxygen concentration demand, and positive end-expiratory pressure of the ventilator. Thoracic catheterization was easily performed because COVID-19 patients usually had significant pleural effusion. Although managing COVID-19 pneumonia is currently a major issue for ICU healthcare providers around the world, IPSI will greatly improve the ability to respond effectively to current needs. Our recommendation in this severe case of COVID-19 might help physicians implement suitable therapeutic strategies for similar severe patients and reduce mortality.

Can we learn from others? The Swedish intensive care unit database for COVID-19 cases.

Can we learn from others? The Swedish intensive care unit database for COVID-19 cases.

Prognostic value of the extravascular lung water and pulmonary vascular permeability indices in severe adult respiratory distress syndrome managed with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Prognostic value of the extravascular lung water and pulmonary vascular permeability indices in severe adult respiratory distress syndrome managed with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Experience with veno-venous ecmo in patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome secondary to viral pneumonia. Case series

Introduction: The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has increased exponentially in recent years and has shown to be effective in treating adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to H1N1-related pneumonia. However, evidence remains controversial. This study describes a case series of ECMO in ARDS secondary to viral pneumonia.&#x0D; Methods: A search was conducted in the ECMO database of Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia for the 2013-2017 period. A case series report was written of patients diagnosed with ARDS secondary to confirmed or suspected viral pneumonia.&#x0D; Results: Nineteen patients with ECMO support and ARDS due to viral pneumonia were included in the study. The survival rate upon discharge was 11 patients (58%) and weaning from ECMO support was successful in 13 patients (68%). Hemorrhagic complications were the most frequent: gastrointestinal bleeding, 10 patients (53%); intracranial bleeding, 2 (10%); alveolar hemorrhage, 2 (10%);’ hemothorax requiring thoracostomy with chest tube drainage, 2 (10%); cannulation site bleeding, 9 patients (47%); and surgical site bleeding in 3 patients (25%) who required tracheostomy. Other complications were: pneumothorax, 1 patient (5%); sepsis, 6 patients (32%); and growth of microorganisms in bronchial lavage, 6 patients (32%).&#x0D; Conclusions: This study supports the use of veno-venous ECMO to achieve a higher survival rate than expected in patients with severe ARDS and refractory hypoxemia secondary to viral pneumonia. Early initiation of the therapy should improve overall results.

Hypoxic Respiratory Failure Further Complicated During Airway Exchange Catheter Placement.

IntroductionAn airway exchange catheter is a hollow-lumen tube able to deliver oxygen and maintain access to a difficult endotracheal airway. This case report demonstrates an undocumented complication associated with an airway exchange catheter and jet ventilation, particularly in a patient with reduced airway diameter due to thick endotracheal secretions. Due to the frequent use of airway exchange catheters in the intensive care unit, this report highlights an adverse event of bilateral pneumothoraces that can be encountered by clinicians.Case PresentationThis case report describes a 24-year-old female with severe adult respiratory distress syndrome and thick endotra-cheal secretions whose hospital course was complicated by bilateral pneumothoraces resulting from the use of an airway exchange catheter connected to jet ventilation. During the exchange, the catheter occluded the narrowed endotracheal tube to create a one-way valve that led to excessive lung inflation.ConclusionAirway exchange catheters used with jet ventilation in a patient with a narrowed endotracheal tube and reduced lung compliance have the potential risk of causing a pneumothorax. Clinicians should avoid temporary concomitant oxygenation via jet ventilation in patients with these findings and reserve the use of airway exchange catheters for difficult airways.

Maternal COVID-19 infection, clinical characteristics, pregnancy, and neonatal outcome: A prospective cohort study

ObjectiveTo study the effect of COVID-19 on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Study designProspective cohort study in a large tertiary maternity unit within a university hospital with an average annual birth of over 10,000 births. We prospectively collected and analysed data for a cohort of 23 pregnant patients including singleton and multiple pregnancies tested positive for COVID-19 between February 2020 and April 2020 inclusive to assess the effect of COVID-19 on pregnancy, and neonatal outcomes. ResultsTwenty-three pregnant patients tested positive for COVID-19, delivering 20 babies including a set of twins, with four ongoing pregnancies at the time of manuscript submission. 16/23 (70 %) whom tested positive were patients from Asian (Indian sub-continent) background. The severity of the symptoms ranged from mild in 13/23 (65.2 %) of the patients, moderate in 2/23 (8.7 %), and severe in 8/23 (34.8 %). Four out of total 23 COVID-19 pregnant patients (17.4 %) developed severe adult respiratory distress syndrome complications requiring ICU support, one of whom led to maternal death 1/23 (4.3 %). 11/23 (48 %) of the patients had pre-existing co-morbidities, with morbid obesity 5/23 (21.7 %) and diabetes 4/23 (17.4 %) being the more commonly represented. Of the 23 pregnant patients 19 were in their third trimester of pregnancy and delivered; 7/19 (36.8 %) had preterm birth, 3/19 (15.8 %) developed adult respiratory distress syndrome before delivery, and 2/19 (10.5 %) had pre-eclampsia. 16/19 (84 %) of patients delivered by C-section. Out of the 20 new-borns, 18 were singletons with a set of twin. ConclusionCOVID-19 is associated with high prevalence of preterm birth, preeclampsia, and caesarean section compared to non−COVID pregnancies. COVID-19 infection was not found in the newborns and none developed severe neonatal complications.

2019-novel Coronavirus severe adult respiratory distress syndrome in two cases in Italy: An uncommon radiological presentation

IntroductionSeveral recent case reports have described common early chest imaging findings of lung pathology caused by 2019 novel Coronavirus (SARS-COV2) which appear to be similar to those seen previously in SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV infected patients. ObjectiveWe present some remarkable imaging findings of the first two patients identified in Italy with COVID-19 infection travelling from Wuhan, China. The follow-up with chest X-Rays and CT scans was also included, showing a progressive adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ResultsModerate to severe progression of the lung infiltrates, with increasing percentage of high-density infiltrates sustained by a bilateral and multi-segmental extension of lung opacities, were seen. During the follow-up, apart from pleural effusions, a tubular and enlarged appearance of pulmonary vessels with a sudden caliber reduction was seen, mainly found in the dichotomic tracts, where the center of a new insurgent pulmonary lesion was seen. It could be an early alert radiological sign to predict initial lung deterioration. Another uncommon element was the presence of mediastinal lymphadenopathy with short-axis oval nodes. ConclusionsAlthough only two patients have been studied, these findings are consistent with the radiological pattern described in literature. Finally, the pulmonary vessels enlargement in areas where new lung infiltrates develop in the follow-up CT scan, could describe an early predictor radiological sign of lung impairment.

Prone Position in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Patients: A Retrospective Analysis of Complications.

Early application of prolonged prone positioning has been shown to improve patient survival in moderate to severe adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients. Prone position is a key component of lung protective mechanical ventilation in association with low tidal volume and neuromuscular blocking agents in patients with severe ARDS. Pressure sores are the major prone position complication. The rate of complication is lowering with the increase in center expertise. The aim of this study was to examine the onset of pressure sores and other complications caused by the use of prone position in patients having ARDS. This is a single-center, retrospective, observational study. One hundred seventy patients were enrolled, with a median age of 49 years (interquartile range [IQR], 38-63). Of all participants, 58% (n = 98) survived the intensive care unit recovery. The total prone position maneuvers were 526, with a median of 2 prone position sessions for each patient (IQR, 1-3). The median length of the prone position session was 9 hours (IQR, 7-12). Twenty-three patients developed pressure sores after prone position (14%). The anatomical positions of pressure sores were as follows: face/chin, 5% (n = 8); face/cheekbones, 6% (n = 11); thorax, 2% (n = 3); trochanter, 1% (n = 1); and other sites, 5% (n = 8). Complications were observed in 1% (n = 6) of all pronation maneuvers (vomit, 2%; respiratory device removal, 0.4%). No removal of intravascular catheter was observed. The onset rate of complications given by the use of prone position in ARDS patients is similar to data reported by previous literature. The implementation of a dedicated protocol in specialized centers and the involvement of 5 trained and skilled professionals while moving the patient in the prone position are recommended to prevent the occurrence of similar adverse events.