Need For Subsequent Mechanical Ventilation Research Articles

Clinical characteristics and outcomes using dexmedetomidine in nonintubated patients: A poison center observational study.

Dexmedetomidine is a central α2 agonist commonly used on intubated patients. It is increasingly being used off-label in nonintubated agitated patients. We sought to determine the overall clinical course, adverse effects, and need for subsequent mechanical ventilation in toxicology patients after treatment with dexmedetomidine. This was a retrospective cohort study conducted by chart review of electronic records from the Virginia Poison Control Center from January 1, 2019 to February 4, 2022. Inclusion criteria consisted of all poison center cases where dexmedetomidine was used. The primary outcome was the presence or absence of clinical improvement following dexmedetomidine use. Secondary outcomes included adverse effects, subsequent intubation, or death. During this study period, there were 220 cases in which dexmedetomidine was used to treat agitation. After exclusions, 70 cases were analyzed. The categories included antimuscarinic (n = 19), polysubstance (n = 16), sedative withdrawal (n = 10), unknown agitation (n = 7), sympathomimetic (n = 5), baclofen withdrawal (n = 3), unknown ingestion (n = 3), sedative/hypnotic (n = 2), antipsychotic (n = 2), hallucinogenic (n = 2), and opioid withdrawal (n = 1). Clinical improvement occurred in 62 of 70 patients (89%). There were no deaths. A total of 4 patients were intubated after starting dexmedetomidine, 2 for refractory agitation and 2 for hypoxia after aspiration. Global clinical improvement was observed in the agitated toxicology patients administered dexmedetomidine. There was one case of intubation secondary to oversedation. Dexmedetomidine could be a useful adjunctive treatment for agitated toxicologic patients but should be studied further before routinely used.

Clinical Features Associated With Need for Mechanical Ventilation in Children With Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Retrospective Cohort From India.

To analyze the clinical features associated with the need for mechanical ventilation (MV) in children with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Retrospective cohort study, 2010-2019. PICU. All children, 1 month to 12 years old, diagnosed with GBS in our single-center PICU. Retrospective chart and data review. Out of 189 children identified with a diagnosis of GBS, 130 were boys (69%). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age was 6 years (3-9 yr). At admission, the Hughes disability score was 5 (4-5), and cranial nerve palsies were present in 81 children (42%). Autonomic instability subsequently occurred in a total of 97 children (51%). In the 159 children with nerve conduction studies, the axonal variant of GBS (102/159; 64%) predominated, followed by the demyelinating variant (38/189; 24%). All children received IV immunoglobulins as first-line therapy at the time of admission. The median (IQR) length of PICU stay was 12 days (3-30.5 d). Ninety-nine children (52%) underwent invasive MV, and median duration of MV was 25 days (19-37 d). At admission, upper limb power less than or equal to 3 (p = 0.037; odds ratio (OR), 3.5 [1.1-11.5]), lower limb power less than or equal to 2 (p = 0.008; OR, 3.5 [1.4-8.9]), and cranial nerve palsy (p = 0.001; OR, 3.2 [1.6-6.1]) were associated with subsequent need for MV. Prolonged (> 21 d) MV was associated with more severe examination findings at admission: upper limb power less than or equal to 2 (p < 0.0001; OR, 4.2 [2.5-6.9]) and lower limb power less than or equal to 1 (p < 0.0001; OR, 4.5 [2.6-7.9]). In children with GBS, referred to our center in North India, severe neuromuscular weakness at admission was associated with the need for MV. Furthermore, greater severity of this examination was associated with need for prolonged (> 21 d) MV. Identification of these signs may help in prioritizing critical care needs and early PICU transfer.

English

BACKGROUND Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common condition in preterm and late preterm neonates with age less than or equal to 34 weeks or weight &lt; 1.5 kgs need some intervention like intubation, and administration of surfactant. Early administration of surfactant can give better outcome. We wanted to assess the outcome of babies administered with surfactant. METHODS New-born babies with respiratory distress admitted to NICU, Department of Paediatric, King George Hospital, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, were enrolled in this case control study. A total of 100 neonates of both sexes who were admitted with respiratory distress syndrome of &lt; 35 weeks and &lt; 1.5 kg were included in the study. RESULTS Out of 100 neonates, most of the neonates 34 (66.6 %) in the surfactant group and 37 (75.0 %) neonates in the control group were between 30wks to 32wks of GA respectively. 12 (25.0 %) in the surfactant group and 10(19.4 %) in the control group were between 27wks. to 29 wks. of GA respectively. Very less 4 (11.76 %) in the surfactant group and 3 (8.10 %) in the control group were between 32 wks. of GA to 35 weeks respectively. CONCLUSIONS The study concludes that among spontaneously breathing premature infants treated with INSURE, decreases the need for subsequent MV by 22 %. The higher birth weight, the use of antenatal steroids, the lower RDS score at the time of procedure and the early use of surfactant are the good predictors in the INSURE success group. KEY WORDS RDS, Preterm, Intubation, Surfactant (INSURE), GA (Gestational age), MV (Mechanical ventilation), Pulmonary Haemorrhage, CPAP.

Ventilatory failure in a cat following radical chest wall resection for feline injection site sarcoma

Case summaryA 12-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat presented for chest wall resection and radiation therapy following incomplete surgical excision of a feline injection site sarcoma. A CT scan for surgical planning was performed under general anesthesia and showed extensive tumor infiltration of the soft tissues of the right thorax. The cat recovered uneventfully from this anesthetic event. Nineteen days later, the patient was reanesthetized for forequarter amputation plus radical chest wall resection, including ribs 3–8 and all associated soft tissues plus adjacent spinous processes. Postoperatively, the patient developed acute respiratory failure secondary to hypoventilation. The cat was mechanically ventilated for 12 h prior to being successfully weaned from the ventilator. However, the improvement was transient and mechanical ventilation was reinitiated 6 h later owing to respiratory fatigue. On the second day, the cat developed unexplained central nervous system signs and was euthanized.Relevance and novel informationTo our knowledge, this is the first case report to describe ventilatory failure secondary to radical chest wall resection in a cat. Hypoventilation with subsequent need for mechanical ventilation is a potential complication that should be considered during preoperative planning in patients requiring extensive chest wall resections.

Impaired Myocardial Function Is Prognostic for Severe Respiratory Failure in the Course of COVID-19 Infection.

COVID-19 may lead to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Heart failure and/or pre-existing cardiovascular disease may correlate with poor outcomes and thus require special attention from treating physicians. The present study sought to investigate a possible impact of impaired myocardial function as well as myocardial distress markers on mortality or ARDS with need for mechanical ventilation in 157 consecutive patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. All patients were admitted and treated at the University Hospital of Tübingen, Germany, during the first wave of the pandemic. Electrocardiography, echocardiography, and routine blood sampling were performed at hospital admission. Impaired left-ventricular and right-ventricular function, tricuspid regurgitation > grade 1, and elevated RV-pressure as well as thrombotic and myocardial distress markers (D-dimers, NT-pro-BNP, and troponin-I) were associated with mechanical ventilation and/or all-cause mortality. Impaired cardiac function is more frequent amidst ARDS, leading to subsequent need for mechanical ventilation, and thus denotes a poor outcome in COVID-19. Since a causal treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection is still lacking, guideline-compliant cardiovascular evaluation and treatment remains the best approach to improve outcomes in COVID-19 patients with cardiovascular comorbidities.

A Case Report: Rare Presentation of Intracranial Hemorrhage post Guillain Barré Syndrome

Background: Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disease where antibodies attack the myelin sheath of peripheral nerves. The hallmark of the disease includes symmetrical quadriparesis, respiratory distress, and failure with subsequent need for mechanical ventilation. Most cases occur after a viral or bacterial infection. Other causes, such as intracranial hemorrhage, also exist, and several case studies report an association between these two pathologies. Case Report: In this report, we present the case of an elderly male patient with intracranial (IC) bleeding post-GBS. The patient was admitted to the hospital for dyspnea and diagnosed with pneumonia. When he started complaining of progressive bilateral ascending paralysis of his lower extremities, we performed a lumbar puncture, and he was diagnosed with GBS. We started him on intravenous immune globulins (IVIGs) immediately, but his weakness progressed to include his respiratory muscles, and he required mechanical ventilatory support with Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission. We extubated him after two weeks, but he needed to be reintubated 24 hours later for a severely decreased level of consciousness. An urgent computed tomography scan of the brain showed IC bleeding. The patient developed a septic shock due to his pneumonia, which was refractory to antibiotics and vasopressors. He passed away a few weeks after that. Conclusion: Our case represents a unique type of association between IC hemorrhages and GBS, where the bleeding occurred several days after, as opposed to before GBS. It also reinforces the correlation between GBS and Intracranial bleeding and stresses the importance of having a high index of suspicion when facing either pathology since both have similar symptoms that may overlap or mask each other.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors Versus Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors Versus Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers

I-TRACH: Validating A Tool for Predicting Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation.

We previously developed a bedside model (I-TRACH), which used commonly obtained data at the time of intubation to predict the duration of mechanical ventilation (MV). We now sought to validate this in a prospective trial. A prospective, observational study of 225 consecutive adult medical intensive care unit patients requiring MV. Utilizing the original 6 variables used in the I-TRACH model (Intubation in the ICU, Tachycardia [heart rate > 110], Renal dysfunction [blood urea nitrogen > 25], Acidemia [pH < 7.25], Creatinine [>2.0 or >50% increase from baseline values], and decreased HCO3 [<20]), we (1) confirmed that these were still predictive of length of MV by multivariate analysis and (2) assessed the correlation between the number of criteria met and the subsequent duration of MV. In addition, we compared the performance of I-TRACH to Acute Physiology Age Chronic Health Evaluation-II and III, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, and Acute Physiology Score as predictors of length of MV. Mean age was 62.6 ± 18.7 years, with a mean duration of MV of 5.8 ± 5.7 days. The number of I-TRACH criteria met directly correlated with the duration of MV. Individuals with ≥4 criteria were significantly more likely to require MV >7 and >14 days. Similarly, those who remained on ventilators for both >7 and >14 days met significantly more I-TRACH criteria than those requiring shorter durations of MV (1.7 ± 1.3 vs 2.8 ± 1.3 vs 3.8 ± 1.3 criteria, P < .001). I-TRACH performed better than all other models used to predict the duration of MV. Similar to our previous retrospective study, these findings validate I-TRACH in determining the subsequent need for MV >7 and >14 days at the time of intubation.

Humidified high flow nasal cannula supportive therapy improves outcomes in lung transplant recipients readmitted to the intensive care unit because of acute respiratory failure.

The effectiveness of humidified high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in lung transplant (LTx) recipients readmitted to intensive care unit (ICU) because of acute respiratory failure (ARF) has not been determined to date. Retrospective analysis of a prospectively assessed cohort of LTx patients who were readmitted to ICU because of ARF over a 5-year period. Patients received conventional oxygen therapy (COT) or HFNC (Optiflow, Fisher & Paykel, New Zealand) supportive therapy according to the attending physician's criteria. Treatment failure was defined as the need for subsequent mechanical ventilation (MV). Thirty-seven LTx recipients required ICU readmission, with a total of 40 episodes (18 COT vs. 22 HFNC). At ICU admission, no differences in comorbidities, pulmonary function, or median sequential organ failure assessment (COT, 4 [interquartile range, 4-6] vs. HFNC, 4 [interquartile range, 4-7]; P = 0.51) were observed. Relative risk of MV in patients with COT was 1.50 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.02-2.21). The absolute risk reduction for MV with HFNC was 29.8%, and the number of patients needed to treat to prevent one intubation with HFNC was 3. Multivariate analysis showed that HFNC therapy was the only variable at ICU admission associated with a decreased risk of MV (odds ratio, 0.11 [95% CI, 0.02-0.69]; P = 0.02). Moreover, nonventilated patients had an increased survival rate (20.7% vs. 100%; relative rate 4.83 [95% CI, 2.37-9.86]; P < 0.001). No adverse events were associated with HFNC use. HFNC O2 therapy is feasible and safe and may decrease the need for MV in LTx recipients readmitted to the ICU because of ARF.

Relevance of anxiety in clinical practice of Guillain-Barré syndrome: a cohort study

ObjectivesIllness is often associated with anxiety, but few data exist about the prognostic significance of this phenomenon. To address this issue, we assessed whether patient anxiety is associated with subsequent...

Cerebral Oxygenation in Very Low Birth Weight Infants Supported With Sustained Lung Inflations After Birth

Sustained lung inflations (SIs) immediately after birth might decrease the need for subsequent mechanical ventilation in preterm infants. However, effects of SIs on oxygenation and hemodynamics are undetermined. Our aim was to study immediate effects of SIs on heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation, and cerebral tissue oxygen saturation in preterm infants supported with SIs after birth for lung recruitment. Heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation, and cerebral tissue oxygen saturation using near infrared spectroscopy was measured in 24 preterm infants of 28.0 (26.6-29.3) wk GA [median (interquartile range)] during resuscitation using up to three SIs of 20, 25, and 30 cm H2O of 15 s duration each followed by nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as first line approach for respiratory support. During positioning and suctioning immediately after delivery infants became progressively hypoxemic and bradycardic before respiratory support was initiated. In 18 infants (75%), more than one SI were applied. During the last SIs, there was a rapid increase in the infants' heart rate and an increase in cerebral tissue oxygen saturation. Arterial saturation increased with slight delay. In conclusion, effective last sustained inflations increase heart rate and cerebral tissue oxygen saturation to be followed by an increase in arterial saturation.

Pulmonary Contusion: An Update on Recent Advances in Clinical Management

Pulmonary contusion is a common finding after blunt chest trauma. The physiologic consequences of alveolar hemorrhage and pulmonary parenchymal destruction typically manifest themselves within hours of injury and usually resolve within approximately 7 days. Clinical symptoms, including respiratory distress with hypoxemia and hypercarbia, peak at about 72 h after injury. The timely diagnosis of pulmonary contusion requires a high degree of clinical suspicion when a patient presents with trauma caused by an appropriate mechanism of injury. The clinical diagnosis of acute parenchymal lung injury is usually confirmed by thoracic computed tomography, which is both highly sensitive in identifying pulmonary contusion and highly predictive of the need for subsequent mechanical ventilation. Management of pulmonary contusion is primarily supportive. Associated complications such as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and long-term pulmonary disability, however, are frequent sequelae of these injuries.

Predictors of respiratory failure among previously healthy children with respiratory syncytial virus infection

Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)–related disease is the leading cause of hospitalization among infants, with approximately 7% to 21% of these patients developing acute respiratory failure. Objective The aim of this study was to identify clinical variables at initial presentation in the emergency department (ED) that may predict the subsequent need for mechanical ventilation among previously healthy, RSV-infected children who require pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) hospitalization. Study design This is a retrospective study of 67 previously healthy, RSV-infected patients admitted from January 1997 to March 2000 to the PICU. The primary outcome for this study was the need for mechanical ventilation. The relationship between clinical variables at initial ED presentation and the need for mechanical ventilation were explored using univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results On multivariate analysis, the presence of lethargy (odds ratio [OR], 12.2; P = .005), grunting (OR, 9.3; P = .01), and a Pa co 2 65 mm Hg or greater (OR, 11.8; P = .013) were clinical factors at initial presentation in the ED associated with the subsequent need for mechanical ventilation among the study cohort. A developmental model that included lethargy, grunting, and a Pa co 2 of 65 mm Hg or greater performed well as a prediction model. The developmental model had a sensitivity of 71%, specificity of 96%, a positive predictive value of 86%, and a negative predictive value of 91%. Conclusions The presence of lethargy, grunting, and a Pa co 2 of 65 mm Hg or greater at initial presentation in the ED were predictive for the subsequent need for mechanical ventilation in previously healthy, RSV-infected children admitted to the PICU.

Very Early Surfactant Without Mandatory Ventilation in Premature Infants Treated With Early Continuous Positive Airway Pressure: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Chronic lung disease is one of the most frequent and serious complications of premature birth. Because mechanical ventilation is a major risk factor for chronic lung disease, the early application of nasal continuous positive airway pressure has been used as a strategy for avoiding mechanical ventilation in premature infants. Surfactant therapy improves the short-term respiratory status of premature infants, but its use is traditionally limited to infants being mechanically ventilated. Administration of very early surfactant during a brief period of intubation to infants treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure may improve their outcome and further decrease the need for mechanical ventilation. Our goal was to determine if very early surfactant therapy without mandatory ventilation improves outcome and decreases the need for mechanical ventilation when used in very premature infants treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure soon after birth. Eight centers in Colombia participated in this randomized, controlled trial. Infants born between 27 and 31 weeks' gestation with evidence of respiratory distress and treated with supplemental oxygen in the delivery room were randomly assigned within the first hour of life to intubation, very early surfactant, extubation, and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (treatment group) or nasal continuous airway pressure alone (control group). The primary outcome was the need for subsequent mechanical ventilation using predefined criteria. From January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2006, 279 infants were randomly assigned, 141 to the treatment group and 138 to the control group. The need for mechanical ventilation was lower in the treatment group (26%) compared with the control group (39%). Air-leak syndrome occurred less frequently in the treatment group (2%) compared with the control group (9%). The percentage of patients receiving surfactant after the first hour of life was also significantly less in the treatment group (12%) compared with the control group (26%). The incidence of chronic lung disease (oxygen treatment at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age) was 49% in the treatment group compared with 59% in the control group. All other outcomes, including mortality, intraventricular hemorrhage, and periventricular leukomalacia were similar between the groups. In premature infants treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure early after birth, the addition of very early surfactant therapy without mandatory ventilation decreased the need for subsequent mechanical ventilation, decreased the incidence of air-leak syndrome, and seemed to be safe. Reduction in the need for mechanical ventilation is an important outcome when medical resources are limited and may result in less chronic lung disease in both developed and developing countries.

Effect of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) on mortality in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema: a meta-analysis

Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV), using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bilevel ventilation, has been shown to reduce the need for invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. We assessed additional benefits of NIPPV in a meta-analysis. Meta-analysis comparison in acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema was undertaken to compare (1) CPAP with standard therapy (oxygen by face-mask, diuretics, nitrates, and other supportive care), (2) bilevel ventilation with standard therapy, and (3) bilevel ventilation with CPAP, incorporating randomised controlled trials identified by electronic and hand search (1966-May, 2005). In 23 trials that fulfilled inclusion criteria, we assessed the effect of NIPPV on hospital mortality and mechanical ventilation, estimated as relative risks. CPAP was associated with a significantly lower mortality rate than standard therapy (relative risk 0.59, 95% CI 0.38-0.90, p=0.015). A non-significant trend towards reduced mortality was seen in the comparison between bilevel ventilation and standard therapy (0.63, 0.37-1.10, p=0.11). We recorded no substantial difference in mortality risk between bilevel ventilation and CPAP (p=0.38). The need for mechanical ventilation was reduced with CPAP (0.44, 0.29-0.66, p=0.0003) and with bilevel ventilation (0.50, 0.27-0.90, p=0.02), compared with standard therapy; but no significant difference was seen between CPAP and bilevel ventilation (p=0.86). Weak evidence of an increase in the incidence of new myocardial infarction with bilevel ventilation versus CPAP was recorded (1.49, 0.92-2.42, p=0.11). Heterogeneity of treatment effects was not evident for mortality or mechanical ventilation across patients' groups. In patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, CPAP and bilevel ventilation reduces the need for subsequent mechanical ventilation. Compared with standard therapy, CPAP reduces mortality; our results also suggest a trend towards reduced mortality after bilevel NIPPV.

Noninvasive ventilation in acute respiratory failure--a meta-analysis update.

To present a meta-analytic update on the effects of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in the management of acute respiratory failure. Meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials in acute respiratory failure comparing NIV with standard medical therapy. Randomized controlled trials of NIV in acute respiratory failure were identified by search of i) MEDLINE (1966-2000), ii) published abstracts from scientific meetings, and iii) bibliographies of relevant articles. Of the 15 randomized controlled trials that were identified (13 published and 2 in abstract form), 8 studies were on exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 7 on diverse disease processes in both COPD and non-COPD groups ("mixed-group"). Because of underlying heterogeneity of treatment effects, only the DerSimonian-Laird random effects estimator was used and reported. The effects of NIV vs. standard therapy on mortality and subsequent invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) was assessed as risk difference, and hospital length of stay as mean weighted difference (days). NIV was associated with reduction in mortality (8%, p = .03), reduced need for MV (19%, p = .001) and shortened hospital length of stay (2.74 days, p = .004). In the COPD cohort, significant reductions in mortality (13%, p = .001), need for MV (18%, p = .02), and hospital length of stay (5.66 days, p = .01) were observed in the group treated with NIV. In contrast, in the mixed-group, there was no demonstrable reduction in mortality (0%, p = .98). However, there was significant reduction in the need for MV (22%, p = .001). Publication bias was not evident on analysis. Treatment effect i) as mortality or need for mechanical ventilation was not modified by enrollment pH, PaCO2, nor age and ii) was not related (as log odds ratio) to underlying risk (control arm log odds). Cumulative meta-analysis did not demonstrate any substantial variation in the point estimates with the addition of the recently published studies. However a contraction in the confidence intervals was observed in the COPD subgroup. Complication rates were not significantly different in the standard medical therapy group and the NIV treated patients. Substantial reductions in mortality and the need for subsequent MV were associated with NIV in acute respiratory failure, especially in the COPD subgroup. Hospital length of stay was variably affected. Heterogeneity of treatment effects was observed.

Causes and Outcome of Mechanical Ventilation in Patients With Hemispheric Ischemic Stroke

To attempt to determine factors that influence outcome in mechanically ventilated patients with ischemic hemispheric stroke. We reviewed data on 24 mechanically ventilated patients with an ischemic stroke in the territory of the middle cerebral artery, who had been admitted to a medical, neurologic, or neurosurgical intensive-care unit during the period between 1976 and 1994. The circumstances surrounding mechanical ventilation were generalized tonic-clonic seizures or status epilepticus (N = 6), progression to stupor and inability to protect the airway from brain swelling (N = 8), or--most commonly--bilateral pulmonary edema from congestive heart failure (N = 10). Of the 24 patients, 17 patients died (12 of neurologic causes and 5 of cardiac arrest or cardiac arrhythmias). Of the seven surviving patients, however, four with seizures and one with pulmonary edema were functionally independent. Three clinical scenarios generally underlie mechanical ventilation in patients with ischemic hemispheric stroke (generalized tonic-clonic seizures, brain swelling, and bilateral pulmonary edema). The outcome in patients with an ischemic hemispheric stroke and a subsequent need for mechanical ventilation is poor; however, survival and independent function are possible if seizures or pulmonary edema prompt ventilatory support.

Early continuous positive pressure in the labor room

Indication for intubation and mechanical ventilation in premature infants may be reduced by initiating continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in delivery room. Immediately after birth, respiratory support with CPAP was given to all infants with gestational age less than 32 weeks. In case of apnea or progressing symptoms with hypoxemia or carbonic acidosis, with PCO2 increasing to more than 60 mmHg, infants were treated with nasotracheal intubation and ventilation. One hundred and fifty one infants, with mean gestational age 29.6 +/- 1.9 weeks and mean birth weight 1,326 +/- 378 g were delivered in the obstetrical department of Marseille. In delivery room, 63% were treated with CPAP, and only 13% with nasotracheal intubation. The need for subsequent mechanical ventilation was reduced to 40% of the population. Surfactant therapy was used in 17% of this cohort. Two infants were given surfactant and extubated. Three of 14 deaths (9.2%) were caused by respiratory disease. Early CPAP reduces the indication of mechanical ventilation in premature infants. Incidence of pulmonary complications such as pneumothorax or bronchopulmonary dysplasia is low among those infants who require mechanical ventilation later. Early CPAP takes place in a general policy to decrease neonatal morbidity.

Combined use of Nasal(N)CPAP and Surfactant Therapy for Newborn with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) : Preliminary Results. 55

Background: RDS is frequently initially treated with nCPAP. A single dose of artificial surfactant is associated with a reduced need for subsequent mechanical ventilation(MV) (N Eng J Med 1994;331:1051-5).Aim: To assess whether early nCPAP combined with natural surfactant could reduce the need for MV and the subsequent barotrauma without increasing neonatal morbidity. Study design: Pilot non controlled study of non intubated consecutively admitted infants. Setting: Tertiary perinatal centre. Intervention: Early nCPAP, Curosurf® administration if FiO2>0,3, MV if extubation not possible after surfactant administration, severe RDS (FiO2>0,5), and/or severe apnea. Population: 32 premature infants born from 01/11/94 to 31/03/96 (mean BW: 1631 g (890-2830), mean GA: 30 wk(26-35)).Results: Curosurf® was given 8 h after birth(median). Before its administration, mean FiO2 and a/AO2 were 0,39 and 0,21 respectively. Total duration of nCPAP and O2 were 66 and 49 h respectively(median). 7 infants (22%) required MV (6 severe RDS, 1 failure of extubation after surfactant instillation) for 77 h (median). There were 1 death (3%), 3 air leaks (9%), 2 IVH (6%), no PVL, no BPD. Conclusion: This approach appears feasible, safe and efficient in treating RDS even in very premature infants.

Nasal Prongs and Work of Breathing

The subject of the article by Goldman et al1 is without doubt a highly interesting one to which our attention had been drawn a few years ago. We became aware of the fact that, although most of our neonates treated with continous positive airway pressure (CPAP) did well, some seemed to become exhausted very quickly by the apparently increased work of breathing. They developed an extreme metabolic acidosis and subsequent need for mechanical ventilation. It is known from exercise physiology that during the early phase of exercise, anaerobic processes supply part of the energy-need.