Catherine Viacroze

Dependency on mask ventilation after acute respiratory failure in the intermediate care unit

The predictive factors for long-term dependency (LTD) on noninvasive ventilation (NIV) immediately after acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF) have not been identified. The present authors studied 42 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 58 non-COPD patients successfully treated by NIV for an AHRF episode. Parameters at stable state, at admission for AHRF and during a 1-yr follow-up were compared in patients with or without LTD-NIV at discharge. The incidence of LTD-NIV was 39% in non-COPD patients and 19% in COPD patients. Based on multivariate analysis with stepwise logistic regression, lower baseline pH values and noninfectious causes of AHRF were independently associated with LTD-NIV. Mutually adjusted odds ratios were found to be 1.316 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.127–1.536) for a 0.01 decrease of baseline pH value and 5.1 (95% CI = 1.8–14.0) for a noninfectious cause of AHRF. Outcome after 1 yr was poor in COPD patients. Long-term dependency on noninvasive ventilation is not an uncommon situation after resolution of an acute hypercapnic respiratory failure episode, especially in patients with non-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease causes of respiratory failure. The present study raises the need for prospective validation of a weaning protocol in patients managed by noninvasive ventilation for an acute hypercapnic respiratory failure episode.

Management and long-term outcomes of sarcoidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension

Studies reporting the effects of modern strategies with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)-targeted therapies in sarcoidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension (S-APH) are limited. Clinical and haemodynamic data from newly diagnosed patients with severe S-APH (mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) >35 mmHg or mPAP 25–35 mmHg with cardiac index <2.5 L·min−1·m−2) were collected from the French Pulmonary Hypertension Registry between 2004 and 2015. Data from 126 patients with severe S-APH were analysed (mean±sd age 57.5±11.6 years, 74% radiological stage IV). 97 patients (77%) received PAH-targeted therapy and immunosuppressive therapy was initiated or escalated in 33 patients at the time of pulmonary hypertension diagnosis. Four months after PAH-targeted therapy initiation, mean±sd pulmonary vascular resistance decreased from 9.7±4.4 to 6.9±3.0 Wood units (p<0.001), without significant improvement in exercise capacity. Among the 11 patients treated only with immunosuppressive therapy, a haemodynamic improvement was observed in four patients, including two with compressive lymph nodes. After a median follow-up of 28 months, 39 patients needed PAH-targeted therapy escalation, nine underwent lung transplantation and 42 had died. Survival at 1, 3 and 5 years was 93%, 74% and 55%, respectively. PAH-targeted therapy improved short-term pulmonary haemodynamics in severe S-APH without change in exercise capacity. Immunosuppressive therapy improved haemodynamics in selected patients. Pulmonary hypertension in sarcoidosis remains associated with a poor prognosis. Severe pulmonary hypertension remains a life-threatening complication of sarcoidosis in the modern management era http://ow.ly/fIln30etYkE

A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effect of Needle Gauge on the Pain and Anxiety Experienced during Radial Arterial Puncture

Background Arterial punctures for assessment of arterial blood-gases can be a painful procedure. Lidocaine can be used to reduce pain prior to needle insertion but it is not a widely accepted practice. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a large size needle induces more pain compared to a smaller size needle for radial arterial puncture and to assess the anxiety associated with radial arterial punctures. Methods We conducted a prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled, monocentric study including all outpatients who had a planned assessment of arterial blood gas analysis. Patients were randomized to have the arterial puncture performed with a 23 or a 25 G needle. The main judgement criteria was pain during arterial puncture. Visual analogue scale for pain (VAS-P) and visual analogue scale for anxiety (VAS-A) were used to assess pain and anxiety during radial arterial puncture. Results Two hundred consecutive patients were randomized. The 25 G needle was as painful as the 23 G needle (6.63 mm [0–19 mm] vs. 5.21 mm [0–18.49 mm], respectively, p = 0.527). Time for arterial puncture was longer with the 25 G needle than with the 23 G needle (42 s [35–55 s] vs. 33 s [24.5–35 s], respectively, p = 0.002). There was a correlation between the level of anxiety prior to the arterial puncture and the pain experienced by the patients (p: 0.369, p<0.0001). There was a correlation between the pain experienced by patients and the anxiety experienced in anticipation of another arterial puncture (p: 0.5124, p<0.0001). Conclusions The use of 23 G needle allows quicker arterial sampling and is not associated with increased pain and symptoms. Anxiety was correlated with the pain experienced by patients during arterial punctures. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02320916

Consequences of atmospheric pollution fluctuations in patients with COPD

INTRODUCTION Fluctuations in atmospheric pollution are responsible for an important morbidity and mortality in the patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). BACKGROUND Epidemiological studies show a significant increase in the mortality and hospitalization rates in COPD patients in relation to moderate increases in atmospheric pollution. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate a pro-inflammatory role and an oxidative toxicity of atmospheric particles and secondary morphological and functional changes in the respiratory epithelium and the immune system. An excess of particulate matter, ozone, NO(2), SO(2) and CO is directly correlated to the number of episodes of acute respiratory failure in different countries all over the world. The mechanisms implicated are complex and variable, dependent on the different pollutant agents, climatic variations and inter-individual susceptibility. VIEWPOINT Further experimental studies are necessary in order to clarify our fundamental understanding and, alongside better control of air quality, to reduce short-term respiratory complications. CONCLUSION The consequences of atmospheric pollution fluctuations on the exacerbation rate and therefore on the morbidity and mortality of patients with COPD emphasize the importance of preventive environmental management in the field of public health.

Six-minute Stepper Test to Set Pulmonary Rehabilitation Intensity in Patients with COPD – A Retrospective Study

ABSTRACT Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Optimal assessment includes cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), but consultations are limited. Field tests could be used to individualize PR instead of CPET. The six-minute stepper test (6MST) is easy to set up and its sensitivity and reproducibility have previously been reported in patients with COPD. The aim of this study was to develop a prediction equation to set intensity in patients attending PR, based on the 6MST. The following relationships were analyzed: mean heart rate (HR) during the first (HR1–3) and last (HR4–6) 3 minutes of the 6MST and HR at the ventilatory threshold (HRvt) from CPET; step count at the end of the 6MST and workload at the Ventilatory threshold (VT) (Wvt); and forced expiratory volume in 1 second and step count during the 6MST. This retrospective study included patients with COPD referred for PR who underwent CPET, pulmonary function evaluations and the 6MST. Twenty-four patients were included. Prediction equations were HRvt = 0.7887 × HR1–3 + 20.83 and HRvt = 0.6180 × HR4–6 + 30.77. There was a strong correlation between HR1–3 and HR4–6 and HRvt (r = 0.69, p < 0.001 and r = 0.57, p < 0.01 respectively). A significant correlation was also found between step count and LogWvt (r = 0.63, p < 0.01). The prediction equation was LogWvt = 0.001722 × step count + 1.248. The 6MST could be used to individualize aerobic training in patients with COPD. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.

Exercise testing in patients with diaphragm paresis

PURPOSE Diaphragm paresis (DP) is characterized by abnormalities of respiratory muscle function. However, the impact of DP on exercise capacity is not well known. This study was performed to assess exercise tolerance in patients with DP and to determine whether inspiratory muscle function was related to exercise capacity, ventilatory pattern and cardiovascular function during exercise. METHODS This retrospective study included patients with DP who underwent both diaphragmatic force measurements, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). RESULTS Fourteen patients were included. Dyspnea was the main symptom limiting exertion (86%). Exercise capacity was slightly reduced (median VO2peak: 80% [74.5%-90.5%]), mostly due to ventilatory limitation. Diaphragm and overall inspiratory muscle function were correlated with exercise ventilation. Moreover, overall inspiratory muscle function was related with oxygen consumption (r=0.61) and maximal workload (r=0.68). CONCLUSIONS DP decreases aerobic capacity due to ventilatory limitation. Diaphragm function is correlated with exercise ventilation whereas overall inspiratory muscle function is correlated with both exercise capacity and ventilation suggesting the importance of the accessory inspiratory muscles during exercise for patients with DP. Further larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.

Home-based Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation as an Add-on to Pulmonary Rehabilitation Does Not Provide Further Benefits in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Multicenter Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVE To assess the additional effect of a home-based neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) program as an add-on to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), on functional capacity in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). DESIGN Single-blind, multicenter randomized trial. SETTING Three PR centers. PARTICIPANTS Subjects with severe to very severe COPD (N=73; median forced expiratory volume in 1 second, 1L (25th-75th percentile, 0.8-1.4L) referred for PR. Twenty-two subjects discontinued the study, but only 1 dropout was related to the intervention (leg discomfort). INTERVENTION Subjects were randomly assigned to either PR plus quadricipital home-based NMES (35Hz, 30min, 5 time per week) or PR without NMES for 8 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) was used to assess functional capacity. RESULTS Eighty-two percent of the scheduled NMES sessions were performed. In the whole sample, there were significant increases in the distance walked during the 6MWT (P<.01), peak oxygen consumption (P=.02), maximal workload (P<.01), modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (P<.01), and Saint Georges Respiratory Questionnaire total score (P=.01). There was no significant difference in the magnitude of change for any outcome between groups. CONCLUSIONS Home-based NMES as an add-on to PR did not result in further improvements in subjects with severe to very severe COPD; moreover, it may have been a burden for some patients.

Ventilation non invasive au cours de la réhabilitation respiratoire des patients atteints de BPCO

INTRODUCTION Pulmonary rehabilitation is currently the gold standard treatment for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the workload achieved may be insufficient to obtain physiological benefits because of the restricted respiratory capacity. BACKGROUND In patients with COPD, changes in flow as well as biomechanical factors (distension) compromise respiratory adaptation to exertion. Some studies have shown that noninvasive ventilation (NIV) during exercise has a positive effect on respiratory muscle workload, physiological parameters and perceived exertion. However the evidence remains insufficient regarding the effects of the NIV during comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation programs. OBJECTIVES The identification of criteria which determine responsive patients is necessary in order to reduce human and time costs and to optimize the use of NIV during exercise. CONCLUSIONS NIV is used during training to overcome dyspnoea and to increase muscle workload. Further studies are needed to verify the effectiveness of NIV in pulmonary rehabilitation.

Right ventricular function changes after therapy in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Background: Endarterectomy and pulmonary vasodilators including riociguat have been shown to have beneficial effects in the treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Exercise capacity and pulmonary vascular resistance can be significantly improved. Little is known about changes in right ventricular (RV) function after therapy. Aim: Identification of change in RV function studied by echocardiography Methods: All patients prospectively underwent a right heart catheterization (RHC), VQ Scan. And 2D Speckle tracking echocardiography within an hour. We measured right atrium (RA) area, TAPSE, RV fractional area change (FAC), global and regional longitudinal strain. All measurements were performed at baseline and after 3 to 6 months. Results: 20 patients (8 women; 12 mean) age 71 ± 13 were included. At baseline, mPAP was 42 ± 9 mmHg, cardiac output was 4.8 ± 1.56, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was 10 ± 4, right atrial pressure was 9 ± 5, pulmonary vascular resistance was 7 ± 3 WU. Two patients were treated by surgery, one patient was treated with balloon pulmonary angioplasty and 13 received pulmonary vasodilators. During follow-up, WHO functional class was improved in all patients (p Conclusion: Right ventricular structure, systolic function and dyssynchrony are improved after surgical or medical therapy in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.