Oriol Roca

High-flow nasal therapy in adults with severe acute respiratory infection: a cohort study in patients with 2009 influenza A/H1N1v.

PURPOSE The experience with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy in severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) is limited. The objective was to assess the effectiveness of HFNC oxygen therapy in adult patients with SARI by confirmed 2009 influenza A/H1N1v infection (by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing). MATERIAL AND METHODS A single-center post hoc analysis of a cohort of intensive care unit patients admitted with SARI due to 2009 Influenza A/H1N1v was done. High-flow nasal cannula (Optiflow; Fisher & Paykel, Auckland, New Zealand) was indicated in the presence of acute respiratory failure when the patient was unable to maintain a pulse oxymetry more than 92% with more than 9 L/min of oxygen using a standard face mask conventional delivery systems. Nonresponders were defined by their need of subsequent mechanical ventilation. RESULTS Twenty-five nonintubated adult patients were admitted for SARI (21 pneumonia). Twenty were unable to maintain pulse oxymetry more than 92% with conventional oxygen administration and required HFNC O(2) therapy, which was successful in 9 (45%). All 8 patients on vasopressors required intubation within 24 hours. After 6 hours of HFNC O(2) therapy, nonresponders presented a lower Pao(2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (median, 135 [interquartile range, 84-210] vs 73 [56-81] mm Hg P < .05) and needed higher oxygen flow rate. No secondary infections were reported in health care workers. No nosocomial pneumonia occurred during HFNC O(2) therapy. CONCLUSION High-flow nasal cannula O(2) therapy appears to be an innovative and effective modality for early treatment of adults with SARI.

Patients with New York Heart Association class III heart failure may benefit with high flow nasal cannula supportive therapy: high flow nasal cannula in heart failure.

PURPOSE High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) may decrease preload being associated with beneficial hemodynamic and respiratory effects in adults with heart failure. METHODS This is a sequential intervention prospective study including 10 adults with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III and left ventricle ejection fraction 45% or less. High flow gas was administered (fraction of inspired oxygen, 0.21) through nasal cannula (Optiflow(TM); Fisher & Paykel, Auckland, New Zealand). Sequential echocardiographies were performed at baseline, using HFNC with 20 lpm and 40 lpm and post-HFNC. A reduction greater than 20% in the estimated inspiratory collapse of the inferior vena cava (IVC) from baseline was considered clinically significant. RESULTS Ten patients were included, with median age of 57 (44-65) years; 6 (60%) were female, and 8 (80%) had dilated cardiomyopathy. Median IVC inspiratory significantly (P<.05) decreased from baseline (37%) to HFNC with 20 lpm (28%) and HFNC with 40 lpm (21%), representing mean attributable reductions of 20% (95% confidence interval, 6-55) and 53% (95% confidence interval, 36-67) from baseline. Changes in the IVC inspiratory collapse were reversible after HFNC withdrawal. Respiratory rate was significantly reduced from 23 breaths per minute at baseline to 17 breaths per minute at HFNC with 20 lpm and 13 breaths per minute at HFNC with 40 lpm. In contrast, no significant changes in other echocardiographic or clinical variables were documented. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that patients with NYHA class III heart failure may benefit with HFNC supportive therapy.

Current evidence for the effectiveness of heated and humidified high flow nasal cannula supportive therapy in adult patients with respiratory failure

High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) supportive therapy has emerged as a safe, useful therapy in patients with respiratory failure, improving oxygenation and comfort. Recently several clinical trials have analyzed the effectiveness of HFNC therapy in different clinical situations and have reported promising results. Here we review the current knowledge about HFNC therapy, from its mechanisms of action to its effects on outcomes in different clinical situations.

First influenza season after the 2009 pandemic influenza: characteristics of intensive care unit admissions in adults and children in Vall d’Hebron Hospital

To assess potential differences in epidemiology and management of patients admitted with influenza infection in the intensive care unit (ICU) during the first post-pandemic influenza period. Observational prospective study comparing September 2009-January 2010 with September 2010-January 2011. Variables captured: demographics, co-morbidities, physiological parameters, outcomes and management. Analysis was performed using SPSS v. 13.0; significance was set at p 0.5. Data from 53 patients, 38 adults (age, median 41.5 years; interquartile range (IQR) 32.8-51.3) and 15 children (age, median 2 years, IQR 0.5-9) are presented. Vaccination rates were 0% and 4.3% during the first and second periods, respectively. Differences postpandemic were: 100% of episodes developed after December compared with 16.7% in the 2009 season. Younger children were affected (median age 0.8 years (IQR 0.3-4.8) vs 7 years (IQR 1.25-11.5), p 0.05) and influenza B caused 8.7% of ICU admissions. Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 and respiratory syncytial virus epidemics occurred simultaneously (42.8% of children) and bacterial co-infections doubled (from 10% to 21.7%); the prevalence of co-infections (viral or bacterial) increased from 10% to 39.1% (OR 5.8, 95% CI 1.3-24.8). Respiratory syndromes without chest X-ray opacities reflecting exacerbation of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis or bronchiolitis increased (from 6.9% to 39.1%, p<0.05) and pneumonia decreased (from 83.3% to 56.5%, p <0.05). Primary viral pneumonia predominated among ICU admissions. Postpandemic ICU influenza developed later, with some cases of influenza B, more frequent bacterial and viral co-infections and more patients with severe acute respiratory infection with normal chest X-ray. Increasing vaccination rates among risk-group individuals is warranted to prevent ICU admission and death.

Predicting success of high-flow nasal cannula in pneumonia patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure: The utility of the ROX index

PURPOSE The purpose of the study is to describe early predictors and to develop a prediction tool that accurately identifies the need for mechanical ventilation (MV) in pneumonia patients with hypoxemic acute respiratory failure (ARF) treated with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC). MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a 4-year prospective observational 2-center cohort study including patients with severe pneumonia treated with HFNC. High-flow nasal cannula failure was defined as need for MV. ROX index was defined as the ratio of pulse oximetry/fraction of inspired oxygen to respiratory rate. RESULTS One hundred fifty-seven patients were included, of whom 44 (28.0%) eventually required MV (HFNC failure). After 12 hours of HFNC treatment, the ROX index demonstrated the best prediction accuracy (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.74 [95% confidence interval, 0.64-0.84]; P<.002). The best cutoff point for the ROX index was estimated to be 4.88. In the Cox proportional hazards model, a ROX index greater than or equal to 4.88 measured after 12 hours of HFNC was significantly associated with a lower risk for MV (hazard ratio, 0.273 [95% confidence interval, 0.121-0.618]; P=.002), even after adjusting for potential confounding. CONCLUSIONS In patients with ARF and pneumonia, the ROX index can identify patients at low risk for HFNC failure in whom therapy can be continued after 12 hours.

High-flow nasal cannula support therapy: new insights and improving performance

This article is one of ten reviews selected from the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2017. Other selected articles can be found online at http://ccforum.com/series/annualupdate2017. Further information about the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine is available from http://www.springer.com/series/8901.

Impact of nonexacerbated COPD on mortality in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND The real contribution of nonexacerbated COPD to mortality has not been studied. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of nonexacerbated COPD on mortality in patients requiring mechanical ventilation (MV). METHODS This prospective, observational study included critically ill, ventilated patients without evidence of respiratory infection. Patients with COPD comprised the study group. Clinical and demographics variables were recorded. The main end point was ICU mortality. RESULTS Of the 235 patients included, 60 (25.5%) intubated patients had COPD. The remaining 175 (74.5%) comprised the control group. Those with COPD were more often medical patients who were older and had a higher number of comorbidities and a higher APACHE (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation) II score than intubated patients without COPD (P < .05). The overall ICU mortality was 26.3% (62/235) and significantly higher in patients with nonexacerbated COPD (36.7% vs 22.9%, P < .05), with an attributable mortality to COPD of 13.8%. Incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia was not significantly different between patients with nonexacerbated COPD (11.9/1,000 MV days) and without COPD (16.0/1,000 MV days; P = .40). In the multivariate analysis, only COPD (hazard ratio [HR], 2.1; 95% CI, 1.10-3.94), shock at ICU admission (HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.01-4.01), and medical condition (HR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.01-3.18) were independently associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS Intubated patients with nonexacerbated COPD were not exposed to a higher risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia but had a higher rate of mortality.

The Role of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Treatment of Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Clinical Review

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is defined as the acute onset of noncardiogenic edema and subsequent gas-exchange impairment due to a severe inflammatory process. Recent report on the prognostic value of eicosanoids in patients with ARDS suggests that modulating the inflammatory response through the use of polyunsaturated fatty acids may be a useful strategy for ARDS treatment. The use of enteral diets enriched with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) has reported promising results, showing an improvement in respiratory variables and haemodynamics. However, the interpretation of the studies is limited by their heterogeneity and methodology and the effect of ω-3 fatty acid-enriched lipid emulsion or enteral diets on patients with ARDS remains unclear. Therefore, the routine use of ω-3 fatty acid-enriched nutrition cannot be recommended and further large, homogeneous, and high-quality clinical trials need to be conducted to clarify the effectiveness of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Influence of right ventricular function on the development of primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation

BACKGROUND Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) remains a significant cause of lung transplant postoperative morbidity and mortality. The underlying mechanisms of PGD development are not completely understood. This study analyzed the effect of right ventricular function (RVF) on PGD development. METHODS A retrospective analysis of a prospectively assessed cohort was performed at a single institution between July 2010 and June 2013. The primary outcome was development of PGD grade 3 (PGD3). Conventional echocardiographic parameters and speckle-tracking echocardiography, performed during the pre-transplant evaluation phase up to 1 year before surgery, were used to assess preoperative RVF. RESULTS Included were 120 lung transplant recipients (LTr). Systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (48 ± 20 vs 41 ± 18 mm Hg; p = 0.048) and ischemia time (349 ± 73 vs 306 ± 92 minutes; p < 0.01) were higher in LTr who developed PGD3. Patients who developed PGD3 had better RVF estimated by basal free wall longitudinal strain (BLS; -24% ± 9% vs -20% ± 6%; p = 0.039) but had a longer intensive care unit length of stay and mechanical ventilation and higher 6-month mortality. BLS ≥ -21.5% was the cutoff that best identified patients developing PGD3 (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.54-0.85; p = 0.020). In the multivariate analysis, a BLS ≥ -21.5% was an independent risk factor for PGD3 development (odds ratio, 4.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-17.38; p = 0.026), even after adjusting for potential confounding. CONCLUSIONS A better RVF, as measured by BLS, is a risk factor for severe PGD. Careful preoperative RVF assessment using speckle-tracking echocardiography may identify LTrs with the highest risk of developing PGD.

Prospective validation of right ventricular role in primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation.

Primary graft dysfunction is a significant cause of lung transplant morbidity and mortality, but its underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. The aims of the present study were: 1) to confirm that right ventricular function is a risk factor for severe primary graft dysfunction; and 2) to propose a clinical model for predicting the development of severe primary graft dysfunction. A prospective cohort study was performed over 14 months. The primary outcome was development of primary graft dysfunction grade 3. An echocardiogram was performed immediately before transplantation, measuring conventional and speckle-tracking parameters. Pulmonary artery catheter data were also measured. A classification and regression tree was made to identify prognostic models for the development of severe graft dysfunction. 70 lung transplant recipients were included. Patients who developed severe primary graft dysfunction had better right ventricular function, as estimated by cardiac index (3.5±0.8 versus 2.6±0.7 L·min−1·m−2, p<0.01) and basal longitudinal strain (−25.7±7.3% versus −19.5±6.6%, p<0.01). Regression tree analysis provided an algorithm based on the combined use of three variables (basal longitudinal strain, pulmonary fibrosis disease and ischaemia time), allowing accurate preoperative discrimination of three distinct subgroups with low (11–20%), intermediate (54%) and high (75%) risk of severe primary graft dysfunction (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.81). Better right ventricular function is a risk factor for the development of severe primary graft dysfunction. Preoperative estimation of right ventricular function could allow early identification of recipients at increased risk, who would benefit the most from careful perioperative management in order to limit pulmonary overflow. RV function assessment before LT by STE is essential for identification of recipients with higher risk of PGD http://ow.ly/fidz3036kpG