Total Duration Of Ventilation Research Articles

Machine learning prediction of the total duration of invasive and non-invasive ventilation During ICU Stay.

Predicting the duration of ventilation in the ICU helps in assessing the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury, ensuring sufficient oxygenation, and optimizing resource allocation. Prior models provided a prediction of total duration without distinguishing between invasive and non-invasive ventilation. This work proposes two independent gradient boosting regression models for predicting the duration of invasive and non-invasive ventilation based on commonly available ICU features. These models are trained on 2.6 million patient stays across 350 US hospitals between 2010 to 2019. The mean absolute error (MAE) for the prediction of duration was 2.08 days for invasive ventilation and 0.36 days for non-invasive ventilation. The total ventilation duration predicted by our model had MAE of 2.38 days, which outperformed the gold standard (APACHE) with MAE of 3.02 days. The feature importance analysis of the trained models showed that, for invasive ventilation, high average heart rate, diagnosis of respiratory infection and admissions from locations other than the operating room were associated with longer ventilation durations. For non-invasive ventilation, higher respiratory rates and having any GCS measurement were associated with longer durations.

ON THE QUESTION OF HEARING IMPAIRMENT IN PREMATURE CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED OXIDATIVE STRESS AT BIRTH

Introduction. Hearing impairment (HI) occupies an important place among perinatal pathology. According to theWHO, the frequency of severe hearing impairment is observed in 1–2 per 1000 newborns and in 15% of newborns whorequired intensive therapy after birth. Mild and moderate HI occurs in 1–2% of children with perinatal pathology.The aim of the work is to study the predictors of hearing impairment and the factors that determine the severityof deafness in children aged 2–3 months who suffered oxidative stress at birth.Material and methods. 131 cases of observation of newborns of 27–36 weeks of gestation with HI in Communalnonprofit enterprise «City perinatal center» Kharkiv city council were analyzed. Children whose families had casesof HI were excluded from the study. During the observation, the audiological examination was carried out in thenewborn period (primary examination) and at 2–3 months of age. To meet the aim of the work, alternative groupswere formed: Group I (n=51) with unilateral and Group II (n=80) with bilateral hearing impairment.To determine the predictors of the severity of PS in the comparison groups, the factors determining deafnesswere studied, and their prognostic informativeness was established. The t-Student and φ-Fisher criteria weredetermined, the Wald-Henkin heterogeneous sequential procedure algorithm was used, predictive coefficients (PC)and informativeness (I) were determined.By decision of the Bioethics Commission № 3 dated March 21, 2023, the study materials comply with the TokyoDeclaration of the World Medical Association, the International Recommendations of the Helsinki Declaration onHuman Rights, the Council of Europe Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine, the Laws of Ukraine, and therequirements of the Code of Ethics of a Doctor of Ukraine.The study was carried out within the framework of the scientific research work of the Department of Pediatrics№ 3 and Neonatology of KhNMU «Study of peculiarities of the course of oxidant stress diseases in newborns» 2022–2024 (state registration № А22U000025).Results. Factors of obstetric and somatic anamnesis of the mother did not influence the nature of HI in the child.Among the complications of pregnancy and childbirth in the anamnesis of children with bilateral HI, dysfunction ofplacenta was more often observed 33.8 and 13.7 % (р<0.001), threat of abortion 30.0 and 17.6 % (<0.05), anemiapregnant women 31.2 and 13.7 % (p<0.001), fetal distress 56.2 and 37.3 % (p<0.01), cesarean delivery 68.8 and 47.1% (p <0.001), especially regarding fetal distress – 67.3 and 29.2 % (р<0.001).The frequency of bilateral HI in children is inversely proportional to gestational age and birth weight and isassociated with a low Apgar score. Sexual dimorphism was revealed: girls predominated in the group with bilateralhearing loss, 56.2 and 35.3 % (р<0.001). Children with bilateral HI more often required surfactant therapy 78.8 and33.3 % (p<0.001), as well as longer respiratory support and oxygen therapy.In the study, bilateral HI was more common in children with diseases whose pathogenesis is closely relatedto oxidative stress: periventricular leukomalacia 55.0 and 7.8 % (<0.001); bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)of the 2nd and 3rd degree: 23.7 and 2.0 % (p<0.001) and 23.7 and 0 % (p<0.001), respectively; retinopathy ofprematurity grade 2–3 42.5 and 17.6 % (р<0.001); with an PDA 81.3 and 41.2 % (p<0.001), including when surgicalclosure was necessary, 18.5 and 9.5 % (p<0,05). The highest informativeness of hearing impairment in childrenwho have undergone oxidative stress belongs to the following characteristics: gestational age (6.14), total durationof mechanical ventilation (5.54), body weight (5.44), BPD (5.4), duration of mechanical ventilation in mode ofnormoventilation (4.1), duration of oxygen therapy (3.91), PDA (3.72).The most significant prognostic factors of bilateral hearing impairment: the presence of BPD 2–3 stages. (-13.8);intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) 2–3 st. (-12.4); total duration of ventilator ≥21 days (-10.33); gestation period≤29 weeks (-8.6); periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) 2–3 st. (-8.48); duration of oxygen therapy ≥21 days (-7.38);body weight (-6.94).Conclusions: The most significant prognostic factors of bilateral hearing impairment: the presence of BPD 2–3st. (-13.8); IVH 2–3 st. (-12.4); total duration of ventilator ≥21 days (-10.33); gestation period ≤29 weeks (-8.6);periventricular leukomalacia 2–3 st. (-8.48); duration of oxygen therapy ≥21 days (-7.38); body weight (-6.94), etc.Bilateral hearing impairment is predicted in newborns based on the presence of gestational immaturity (gestationalterm ≤ 29 weeks), BPD grade 2–3, IVH grade 2–3, total duration of mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy > 21days, PVL grade 2–3. In our study, no reliable relationship was found between the nature of the hearing impairment of aprematurely born child and the somatic and obstetric anamnesis of the mother. Gender characteristics among prematureinfants with bilateral HI were characterized by the predominance of the female gender, 56.2 and 35.3 % (р<0.001).

Maintaining an acceptable indoor air quality of spaces by intentional natural ventilation or intermittent mechanical ventilation with minimum energy use

Ventilation is essential for maintaining good indoor air quality (IAQ). However, many buildings continue to suffer from inadequate ventilation due to a lack of either sufficient natural ventilation or proper operation of mechanical ventilation. During the pandemic of COVID-19, several Chinese guidelines have suggested that the household rooms for isolating infected persons and the classrooms that are not equipped with mechanical ventilation should open the windows for at least 30 min twice a day. This study first investigated whether this way of natural ventilation could ensure an acceptable IAQ. Then, the relationships between ventilation duration, ventilation frequency, and IAQ under different air change rates per hour (ACH) were examined to understand how to optimize ventilation design and operation in an efficient manner. When the ACH is ≥ 6 h−1, an acceptable IAQ can be achieved under the recommended ventilation frequency. An increase in ACH would improve the IAQ and reduce the IAQ difference caused by different CO2 generation rate per unit volume (Gr/V) values. Furthermore, simply increasing single ventilation duration while maintaining constant ventilation frequency is not an effective way to improve IAQ, as the improvement decreases as the ventilation duration is increased. Finally, when total ventilation duration is constant, increasing ventilation frequency can significantly improve the ventilation efficiency and thus IAQ, laying the groundwork for ventilation design that balances IAQ and energy use. The findings provide feasible and economical solutions for ventilation of buildings where conventional mechanical ventilation systems are not affordable.

Risk factors and clinical outcomes of ventilator associated pneumonia in neonates in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Dr. Soetomo Hospital Surabaya

Link of Video Abstract: https://youtu.be/Si_Vw_cWchk Introduction: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a hospital-acquired infection in mechanical ventilation for more than two consecutive days, resulting in increased mortality and treatment costs. This study aimed to analyse the risk factors and clinical outcomes of neonatal with ventilator associated pneumonia in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: A case-control study was conducted on neonates who had mechanical ventilators installed for more than two consecutive days, from January 2020 to December 2021, at Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya. The risk factors studied were duration of stay in the NICU, reintubation, duration of ventilation before VAP, rate of prematurity, low birth weight, enteral feeding, and underlying disease. The clinical outcomes studied were the duration of hospital stay and the total ventilation duration. Results: The study subjects were 135 neonates consisting of 45 cases of VAP and 90 non-VAP. Significant risk factors were duration of NICU stay (p<0.001), duration of ventilation before VAP (p=0.002), and rate of prematurity (p=0.024). Multivariate analysis found no independent risk factors for VAP. Hospital stay duration (p<0.001) and ventilation duration were significantly correlated with the incidence of VAP (p<0.001). Conclusion: Risk factors for neonatal VAP were the duration of NICU stay, duration of ventilation prior to VAP occurrence, and degree of prematurity. The impact of VAP was longer duration of hospitalisation and duration of ventilation.

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

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

Non-invasive ventilation versus invasive weaning in critically ill adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundExtubation to non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has been investigated as a strategy to wean critically ill adults from invasive ventilation and reduce ventilator-related complications.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register...

Ключевые аспекты лечения тяжелой негоспитальной вирусно-бактериальной пневмонии

Актуальность. Высокая частота заболеваемости тяжелой пневмонией при инфицировании гриппом H5N1, A/H1N1, SARS, MERS и COVID-19 привлекает особое внимание и заставляет пересматривать и совершенствовать современные элементы комплексной интенсивной терапии. Цель: проанализировать основные элементы интенсивной терапии клинического случая тяжелой внебольничной вирусно-бактериальной пневмонии, подчеркнуть основные проблемы и предложить пути решения. Материалы и методы. Мы проанализировали клинический случай лечения тяжелой внебольничной вирусно-бактериальной пневмонии пациента, находившегося на лечении в ОАИТ КНП «Клиническая больница скорой медицинской помощи» г. Львова, и выделили основные ключевые аспекты интенсивной терапии: респираторную терапию, неинвазивную искусственную вентиляцию легких (ИВЛ), своевременность интубации, протективную ИВЛ и начало отлучения; cедацию, анальгезию и миорелаксацию; оценку волемического статуса, инфузионную терапию и энтеральное питание. Результаты. Общий срок проведения ИВЛ составил 26 дней. С 16-го дня начат процесс отлучения, который составлял 10 дней. Основные режимы ИВЛ, которые применялись, следующие: SIMV-PC (8 дней), BIPPV (7 дней), CPAP+PS (10 дней). Период применения дексмедетомидина составлял 12 дней. Использование NIV не обеспечило должного эффекта, о чем свидетельствует ухудшение состояния пациента после 24 часов данной респираторной поддержки. Волемический статус в критическом периоде (первые 48 часов после интубации) оценивался с помощью ультрасонографии функции сердца и состояния магистральных сосудов, что оказалось очень эффективно. Выводы. Пациенты с тяжелой внебольничной вирусной пневмонией требуют раннего начала ИВЛ и обязательного применения протективной стратегии. Именно респираторная терапия является основным и первоочередным звеном интенсивной терапии. Обеспечение адекватной и комфортной седации является одним из важных элементов комплекса интенсивной терапии, который решает проблему асинхронии. Ультразвуковое исследование позволяет провести неинвазивную оценку волемического статуса, риска отека легких и предусмотреть ответ пациента на инфузионную терапию. С этой целью следует проводить комплексный УЗИ-мониторинг нижней полой вены, легких и сердца у всех пациентов в критическом состоянии, которым планируется или уже налажена инфузионная терапия.

Increased perinatal survival and improved ventilation skills over a five-year period: An observational study.

The Helping Babies Breathe program gave major reductions in perinatal mortality in Tanzania from 2009 to 2012. We aimed to study whether this effect was sustained, and whether resuscitation skills changed with continued frequent training. We analysed prospective data covering all births (n = 19,571) at Haydom Lutheran Hospital in Tanzania from July 2013 -June 2018. Resuscitation training was continued during this period. All deliveries were monitored by an observer recording the timing of events and resuscitation interventions. Heart rate was recorded by dry-electrode ECG and bag-mask-ventilation by sensors attached to the resuscitator device. We analyzed changes over time in outcomes, use of resuscitation interventions and performance of resuscitation using binary regression models with the log-link function to obtain adjusted relative risks. With introduction of user fees for deliveries since 2014, the number of deliveries decreased by 30% from start to the end of the five-year period. An increase in low heart rate at birth and need for bag-mask-ventilation indicate a gradual selection of more vulnerable newborns delivered in the hospital over time. Despite this selection, newborn deaths <24 hours did not change significantly and was maintained at an average of 8.8/1000 live births. The annual reductions in relative risk for perinatal death adjusted for vulnerability factors was 0.84 (95%CI 0.76-0.94). During the five-year period, longer duration of bag-mask ventilation sequences without interruption was observed. Delivered tidal volumes were increased and mask leak was decreased during ventilation. The time to initiation or total duration of ventilation did not change significantly. The reduction in 24-hour newborn mortality after introduction of Helping Babies Breathe was maintained, and a further decrease over the five-year period was evident when analyses were adjusted for vulnerability of the newborns. Perinatal survival and performance of ventilation were significantly improved.

Is Fetal Endoscopic Tracheal Occlusion (FETO) a Predisposing Factor for Acid Gastro-Esophageal Reflux in Infants With Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia?

Introduction: Various anatomical defects predispose patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) to develop gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) has increased the survival of patients with severe CDHs. The aim of this study was to study GERD in patients who underwent FETO.Materials and Methods: We included patients with CDH treated with or without FETO (“FETO” and “no-FETO” group, respectively) from 2013 to 2016. Data on gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), initial observed/expected lung to head ratio (O/E LHR), final O/E LHR, duration of ventilation and hospitalization, maximal tracheal diameter, and pulmonary volume were collected. All patients underwent pH-metry after 1 year of life, and the results were compared between groups and correlated to risk factors.Results: Thirty-two patients were included in the study: 10 FETO and 22 no-FETO. No significant differences were observed in the pH-metric results of the two groups. No correlation was found between GA, BW, initial O/E LHR, maximal tracheal diameter, pulmonary volume, and pH-metric results. pH-metric results were correlated with the total duration of ventilation (R = 0.5, p = 0.003) and of hospitalization (R = 0.54, p = 0.001). Gastric herniation is associated with the worse pH-metric result.Conclusions: The FETO procedure does not seem to represent an independent risk factor for GERD. However, patients with the most severe CDH have the worst GERD.

Determinants of neurological outcome in neonates with congenital heart disease following heart surgery.

The objective was to determine the association between perioperative risk factors and brain imaging abnormalities on neurologic outcome in neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) or d-Transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) who underwent cardiac surgery including cardiopulmonary bypass. A retrospective analysis of neonates with HLHS or d-TGA undergoing cardiac surgery including cardiopulmonary bypass between 2009 and 2017 was performed. Perioperative risk factors and Andropoulos' Brain Injury Scores from pre- and postoperative brain magnetic resonant images (MRI) were correlated to outcome assessments on patients between 5 and 23 months of age. Neurologic outcome was measured using the Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure (PSOM) and Pediatric Version of the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E). Fifty-three neonates met our enrollment criteria (24 HLHS, 29 d-TGA). Mechanical ventilation > 12 days and DHCA > 40 min were associated with worse outcome. MRI measures of brain injuries were not associated with worse outcome by PSOM or GOS-E. For HLHS and d-TGA patients, duration of mechanical ventilation and DHCA are associated with adverse neurologic outcome. Neonatal brain MRI commonly demonstrates acquired brain injuries, but the clinical impact of these abnormalities are not often seen before 2 years of age. Acquired brain injury is common in high-risk neonates with CHD but poor neurological outcome was not predicted by severity of injury or lesion subtype. Longer stay in ICU is associated with postoperative brain injuries on MRI. Total duration of ventilation > 12 days is predictive of adverse neurological outcome scores. DHCA > 40 min is associated with adverse neurological outcome scores. Neurological outcome before 2 years of age is more affected by the clinical course than by cardiac diagnosis.

Effect of Sequential Noninvasive Ventilation on Early Extubation After Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

Acute type A aortic dissection (aTAAD) is associated with a high incidence of prolonged postoperative invasive mechanical ventilation. We aimed to assess whether sequential noninvasive ventilation (NIV) could facilitate early extubation postoperatively after a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) failure among aTAAD patients. Beginning in December 2016, we transitioned our weaning strategy from repeated SBT until success (phase 1) to extubation concomitant with sequential NIV (phase 2) for subjects who failed their first SBT. The primary outcomes were re-intubation rate, duration of invasive ventilation, and total duration of ventilation. During the study period, 78 subjects with aTAAD failed their first postoperative SBT (38 subjects in phase 1 and 40 subjects in phase 2). Subjects extubated with sequential NIV had shorter median (interquartile range [IQR]) duration of invasive ventilation of 39.5 (30.8-57.8) h vs 89.5 (64-112) h (P < .001) and median (IQR) length of ICU stay of 6 (4.0-7.8) d vs 7.5 (5.8-9.0) d (P = .030). There were no significant differences between the 2 phases with regard to rates of re-intubation (7.5% vs 7.89%, P = .95), tracheostomy (2.5% vs 5.26%, P = .53), and in-hospital mortality (2.5% vs 2.63%, P = .97). Early extubation followed by sequential NIV significantly reduced duration of invasive ventilation and length of ICU stay without increasing re-intubation rate in postoperative subjects with aTAAD who failed their first SBT.

Pressure versus Sudden Wean from Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) is a well-studied treatment for respiratory problems in preterm infants. However, the best strategy for NCPAP weaning is unknown. Objective: We aimed to compare the success of progressive pressure wean versus sudden wean for discontinuation of NCPAP in preterm infants. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of publications identified by searching MEDLINE, Embase, ­CINAHL, and CENTRAL. Randomized controlled trials comparing pressure wean to sudden wean for NCPAP in preterm infants were included. Primary outcomes were postmenstrual age (PMA) at successful weaning and weight gain. Secondary outcomes were total duration of ventilation, success of weaning strategy on first attempt, length of stay (LOS), and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Results: Two trials (422 infants) were eligible for inclusion. Pressure wean was associated with a higher PMA at weaning (33.9 ± 2.1 vs. 32.1 ± 2.0 weeks, mean difference [MD] 0.88, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.35, low quality evidence). Daily weight gain was only reported in 1 trial. Total duration of ventilation was not reported. Pressure wean was associated with higher probability of successful weaning at first attempt (risk ratio [RR] 1.25, 95% CI 1.03–1.53). However, it was not associated with LOS (MD –2.5 days, 95% CI –7.3 to 2.4) or BPD (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.52–1.63). Conclusion: Sudden wean of NCPAP was associated with a lower PMA at successful wean compared to pressure wean but also with a lower rate of successful wean at first attempt, most likely because of the developmental stage at which weaning is possible.

Prophylactic noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in the weaning of difficult-weaning tracheotomy patients.

BackgroundProphylactic noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) reduces reintubation in endotracheal intubation patients. However, the efficacy of using the prophylactic NPPV in the weaning of tracheotomy patients is unclear.MethodsWe performed prophylactic NPPV in 11 tracheotomy patients who passed a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), removed the tracheotomy tube, and closed the incision (intervention group). We matched another 11 tracheotomy patients who also passed an SBT but weaning and removing of tracheotomy tube were managed as conventional methods (control group).ResultsPatients in the control group had reinstitution of mechanical ventilation 36 times after the initial SBT success. Compared with the control group, the interventional group had fewer weaning days (3.0±2.1 vs. 11.3±9.2, P=0.01) from initial SBT success to successful weaning and shorter intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (11.6±4.2 vs. 20.3±11.6, P=0.03) after initial SBT success. The interventional group had lower nosocomial pneumonia rates after initial SBT success (0/11 vs. 2/11), lower ICU mortality (0/11 vs. 2/11), lower hospital mortality (0/11 vs. 3/11), and higher successful weaning rate (11/11 vs. 8/11), but it didn’t reach significant difference. Also, there was no significant difference between groups in total duration of ventilation (25.5±13.3 vs. 34.7±24.2 days), hospital stay after initial SBT success (24.0±22.3 vs. 37.4±31.3 days), total ICU stay (35.7±15.3 vs. 45.0±29.5 days), and total hospital stay (48.7±33.1 vs. 68.6±52.6 days).ConclusionsProphylactic NPPV may be useful to accelerate weaning, and shorten ICU stay after initial SBT success in tracheotomy patients.

Diaphragm and weaning from mechanical ventilation: anticipation and outcome

BackgroundDetermining the optimal moment to extubate a critically ill patient remains a challenge. The parameters of diaphragm sonography offer precious data in the evaluation and follow-up of critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation.AimTo evaluate the diaphragm role in the weaning outcome through the following objectives: detect the association between ultrasonographic parameters of diaphragm [thickness, excursion, and velocity of contraction (slope)] and weaning outcome, success, or failure, in addition to evaluation of the weaning process by measuring the total duration of ventilation, weaning duration, ICU stay, and reventilation.Patients and methodsA longitudinal, observational, prospective study. The primary endpoint was weaning outcome (failed or successful), while the secondary endpoints included length of ICU stay, weaning duration, ventilation duration, presence or absence of complications, and mortality. It was conducted on 240 (138 men and 102 women) invasively mechanically ventilated patients aged between 20 and 78 years were chosen from our Respiratory ICU of Chest Department, Mansoura University Hospital.ResultsThere were statistically significant higher values of all sonographic measurements in the survived compared with the died group (P<0.001). There was statistically significantly higher sonographic diaphragmatic measurements in the successful group compared with the failed group (P<0.001).ConclusionThe measurement of percent change of diaphragmatic thickness as well as excursion and slope could be applied in correlation more with weaning outcome with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 97.4%.

Volume-guaranteed ventilation versus pressure-controlled ventilation in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome: A randomized controlled trial

Background: This study was targeted toward comparing volume-guaranteed (VG) ventilation with conventional pressure-controlled (PC) ventilation in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in terms of the facilitation of weaning and extubation and occurrence of complications, such as pneumothorax, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Methods: This single-center randomized controlled trial was conducted on neonates who were mechanically ventilated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Kasturba Hospital Manipal Udupi, Karnataka, India. Infants with the gestational age (GA) of 27-34 weeks with RDS requiring mechanical ventilation in the first week of life were randomized to receive either SIMV-PC or SIMV-VG ventilation. Infants were stratified into two GA groups of 27-30 and 31-34 weeks. Sealed opaque envelope was used to randomize the infants into two treatment modalities. Sample size was calculated as 120 and 60 in each treatment group. Results: A total of 115 neonates were enrolled. The mean GA and birth weight of the treatment groups were 31±2.3 weeks and 1230±374 g, respectively, and 70% of them received antenatal steroids. As the primary outcome variable, the total duration of ventilation was 8 h (range: 3-17) (median and IQR) in the SIMV-PC group and 6 h (range: 3-13) in the SIMV-VG group (P=0.366). Stratified analysis of neonates with the GA of > 31-34 weeks showed a significant difference between the VG and PC ventilation groups regarding the duration of ventilation. Conclusion: There was a decrease in the duration of ventilation in VG ventilation, compared to that in PC ventilation at a higher GA. The leak was the major issue with VG ventilation in the lower GA group.

Pulmonary complications after liver transplantation in children: risk factors and impact on early post-operative morbidity.

Liver transplantation (LT) is associated with high post-operative morbidity, despite excellent survival rates. With this retrospective study, we report the incidence of early and late pulmonary complications (PC) after LT, identify modifiable risk factors for PC and analyzed the role of PC in post-operative ventilation duration and hospital length of stay. In a series of 79 children (0-16years) with LT over a 12years period, early (<3months post-LT) and/or late (>3months post-LT) PC occurred in 68 patients (86%). Sixty-four percent (64%) developed early major complications such as pulmonary edema, atelectasis, or pleural effusion. Atelectasis requiring an intervention (P≤.02), pulmonary edema (P≤.02), or elevated PELD/MELD scores (P=.05) were associated with an increase in total ventilation duration and length of stay in the ICU. Risk factors for early PC included preoperative hypoxemia (P=.005), low serum albumin at LT admission (P=.003), or early rejection (P=.002). About 20% of patients experienced late PC of which 81% were infections. Risk factor assessment prior to LT may ultimately help reduce early PC thereby possibly minimizing post-operative morbidity and ICU length of stay.

Retrospective study of complete atrioventricular canal defects: Anesthetic and perioperative challenges.

Objective:The objective of this study was to highlight anesthetic and perioperative management and the outcomes of infants with complete atrioventricular (AV) canal defects.Design:This retrospective descriptive study included children who underwent staged and primary biventricular repair for complete AV canal defects from 1999 to 2013.Setting:A single-center study at a university affiliated heart center.Participants:One hundred and fifty-seven patients with a mean age at surgery of 125 ± 56.9 days were included in the study. About 63.6% of them were diagnosed as Down syndrome. Mean body weight at surgery was 5.6 ± 6.3 kg.Methods:Primary and staged biventricular repair of complete AV canal defects. Measurements and main results: A predefined protocol including timing of surgery, management of induction and maintenance of anesthesia, cardiopulmonary bypass, and perioperative intensive care treatment was used throughout the study. Demographic data as well as intraoperative and perioperative Intensive Care Unit (ICU) data, such as length of stay in ICU, total duration of ventilation including reintubations, and total length of stay in hospital and in hospital mortality, were collected from the clinical information system. Pulmonary hypertension was noted in 60% of patients from which 30% needed nitric oxide therapy. Nearly 2.5% of patients needed permanent pacemaker implantation. Thorax was closed secondarily in 7% of patients. In 3.8% of patients, reoperations due to residual defects were undertaken. Duration of hospital stay was 14.5 ± 4.7 days. The in-hospital mortality was 0%.Conclusion:Protocolized perioperative management leads to excellent outcome in AV canal defect repair surgery.

Application effect of critical care professional nursing team in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with respiratory failure

Objective To observe the application effect of critical care professional nursing team applied to sequential mechanical ventilation in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with respiratory failure. Methods Totally 80 patients of COPD with respiratory failure from May 2014 to April 2015 were divided into study group and control group by random number table method, 40 patients in each group. Study group was applied to critical care professional nursing team. Control group was given routine nursing. The two groups were treated for 4 weeks. The clinical indicators of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), pressure support ventilation (PSV), carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO2), oxygen partial pressure (PaO2), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), heart rate, arterial systolic blood pressure, respiratory rate in two groups were compared. The clinical indicators such as the duration of the stay, the duration of the total ventilation, and the time of invasive ventilation, etc, in two groups were compared; and nursing satisfaction was also compared. Results Before nursing, there were no statistical differences between the study group and the control group in PaCO2, PaO2, FEV1, heart rate, systolic arterial blood pressure, respiration rate and PEEP, PSV indicators (t=0.04-0.63, P > 0.05). And after the intervention, the above indicators of the study group were (36.4±2.0) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), (94.7±4.8) mmHg, (45.2±16.0)%, (84.2±4.3) beats/min, (94.2±5.3) mmHg, (15.2±3.0) times/min, (3.6±1.2) mmHg, (10.2±2.0) ml and (48.5±5.3) mmHg, (88.3±4.1) mmHg, (36.9±14.1)%, (92.4±6.2) beats/min, (110.4±6.2) mmHg, (20.9±4.1) times/min, (4.2±1.6) mmHg, (13.9±2.4) ml in the control group. The differences were statistically significant (t=4.37-13.51, P < 0.01). After nursing care, the study group of patients with clinical indicators such as admission time, total duration of ventilation, the time of invasive ventilation were (12.5±1.5) d, (10.2±2.6) h, (5.2±2.1) h, while (18.2±2.6) d, (15.9±1.1) h, (7.9±2.9) h in the control group, the differences were statistically significant (t=12.01, 12.77, 4.77, P < 0.01).The nursing satisfaction rate was 80.0% (32/40) in the study group while 62.5% (25/40) in the control group, the difference was statistically significant (χ2=6.30, P < 0.01). Conclusions Sequential mechanical ventilation therapy and nursing care in patients with COPD can significantly improve the clinical symptoms, improve nursing satisfaction, it is worthy of clinical promotion. Key words: Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Respiratory insufficiency; Critical care professional nursing team; Sequential mechanical ventilation

High-frequency oscillatory ventilation is an effective treatment for severe pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome with refractory hypoxemia.

Background and purposeEarly or primary application of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) has been recently suggested not to offer benefit to patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, the rescue effects of HFOV on severe pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS) with hypoxemia refractory to conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) remain unclear. This study aimed to determine whether severe PARDS children would benefit from HFOV when oxygenation deteriorated on CMV and to identify any potential risk factors related to mortality.Patients and methodsIn a retrospective and observational study, 48 children with severe PARDS between January 2009 and July 2015 were divided into two groups: 26 in HFOV group and 22 in CMV group. Data regarding demographic, underlying conditions, arterial blood gases and clinical outcomes were collected and analyzed.ResultsThe arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)/fraction of inspiration oxygen (FiO2) ratio and PaO2 improved significantly during HFOV, whereas arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and oxygenation index decreased. There was no statistical difference in the in-hospital mortality between the groups (P=0.367). The odds ratio of survival in HFOV group was 2.74 (95% confidence interval 0.52 to 14.58, P=0.237). The pediatric intensive care unit length of stay and total ventilation duration were longer in HFOV group (P=0.048 and P=0.000, respectively). Vasoactive agents were used more frequently in HFOV group (P=0.007). The incidence of new air leak was similar between the two groups (P=0.674). The presence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and heavier body weight were identified as predictors of mortality in the HFOV group (P=0.006 and P=0.020, respectively).ConclusionHFOV as an efficient alternative therapy could significantly improve hypoxemia and promote CO2 removal in severe PARDS children when oxygenation progressively worsens on CMV.

Flow versus pressure triggering in mechanically ventilated acute respiratory failure patients

The effects of flow triggering (FT) compared with pressure triggering (PT) on breathing effort have been the focus of several studies, and discrepant results have been reported; yet, it remains an area of conflict that warrants further studies. The aim of this work is to compare flow versus PT in ventilating patients with acute respiratory failure. One hundred patients with acute respiratory failure of pulmonary origin were assigned randomly to two groups: 50 patients ventilated with PT and 50 patients ventilated with FT. The primary end points were weaning duration, evaluation of patient/machine synchronization, total duration of ventilation and ICU stay as well time under sedation and occurrence of complications. Mortality was considered the secondary end point. Patients were categorized into those with obstructive, restrictive, and combined pulmonary disease according to their medical history, and clinical and radiological assessment, and also more and less severe disease according to the APACHE II score level (cut-off point). In all the patients studied, including those with restrictive pulmonary disorder and more severe disease (APACHE II score ≥32.5), there was a statistically significantly shorter duration of weaning, duration of ventilation, and duration of ICU stay in the FT group than the PT group. The pre-extubation oxygenation index was highly statistically significantly better in the FT group than the PT group (P < 0.001). In patients with obstructive pulmonary disorders, combined pulmonary disorders, and less severe disease (APACHE II <32.5), there was no significant difference between both PT and FT groups in these parameters. FT may be considered to be better than PT in ventilating acute respiratory failure patients with a restrictive pattern and those with higher severity scoring. In obstructive and mixed ventilatory impairment, use of either of them does not make a difference.