Pongdhep Theerawit

Predicting laryngeal edema in intubated patients by portable intensive care unit ultrasound

PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of portable ultrasound for detection of laryngeal edema (LE) in intubated patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a prospective, observational study from December 2010 to September 2011. We measured air column width differences (ACWD) in planned extubation patients admitted in intensive care unit by ultrasound. The primary outcome was the diagnostic accuracy of ACWD to predict the presence of LE. RESULTS A total of 101 patients were enrolled. The prevalence of LE was 16.8%. Baseline characteristics were similar between intubated patients with and without LE. The mean difference of increasing of air column width in patients without LE was higher than in LE group (1.9 vs 1.08 mm, P<.001). The sensitivity and specificity at ACWD higher or equal to 1.6 mm were 0.706 and 0.702, respectively. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 0.324 and 0.922, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of laryngeal ultrasound was 0.823 (95% confidence interval, 0.698-0.947) and that of cuff leak test was 0.840 (95% confidence interval, 0.715-0.964). CONCLUSION Portable intensive care unit ultrasound visualizing ACWD between predeflation and postdeflation cuff balloon is a promising objective tool, which aids in prediction of successful extubation regarding LE.

Association between admission delay and adverse outcome of emergency medical patients.

Aim To determine whether admission delay (lead-time) and other factors are associated with hospital mortality rates of emergency medical patients. Methods Patients presenting with emergency conditions during August to November 2009, and admitted to medical wards, including intensive care units, were enrolled. The time each patient spent in the ED, and other parameters were recorded. The primary outcome was the association between lead-time and hospital mortality. The secondary outcome was the association between lead-time and delta Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) (MEWS at ward − MEWS at ED). Results 381 cases were analysed. The overall mortality rate was 8.9%. By univariate analysis, the significant factors associated with mortality outcome were lead-time, ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) score, MEWS at ED, delta MEWS and sepsis. By multivariate analysis, the remaining significant factors were MEWS at ED, delta MEWS and sepsis. There was no significant relationship between delta MEWS and lead-time. In a sub-group of patients admitted to intensive care units, however, there was a positive correlation between lead-time and delta MEWS. Conclusion MEWS, delta MEWS and sepsis were predictors of hospital mortality in emergency medical patients. Lead-time was not associated with mortality, which could be due to benefits of various treatments initiated in the ED. In patients requiring intensive care, however, the longer lead-time probably led to higher MEWS and mortality.

The Correlation Between Arterial Lactate and Venous Lactate in Patients With Sepsis and Septic Shock.

Background: Applying peripheral venous lactate instead of arterial lactate in clinical practice is questionable because of deviation between both values. We aimed to find the relationship between the arterial lactate and the peripheral venous lactate before reasoned that the venous lactate could be used in substitution to the arterial lactate in sepsis. Methods: We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional study at a university hospital. The patients with sepsis in ICU who required lactate level monitoring were enrolled in this research. The correlation and agreement between arterial lactate (A-LACT) and peripheral venous lactate (V-LACT) were the primary outcomes. Results: A total of 63 paired samples were collected. The A-LACT and V-LACT were strongly correlated (r = .934, P < .0001, r2 = .873). The regression equation was A-LACT = (0.934 × V-LACT) − 0.236. The mean difference between V-LACT and A-LACT was 0.66 ± 1.53 mmol/L. The 95% limits of agreement were between −3.66 and 2.33 mmol/L. The V-LACT ≥ 4 mmol/L can predict A-LACT level ≥ 4 mmol/L with 87.5% sensitivity and 91.5% specificity, and the area under receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.948. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated a strong correlation between A-LACT and V-LACT, but an agreement between both parameters was poor. We suggest not to use the V-LACT in substitution to the A-LACT in sepsis regarding the absolute value and clearance rate, but the V-LACT ≥ 4.5 mmol/L may be used for predicting the A-LACT ≥ 4 mmol/L.

Transthoracic ultrasound assessment of B-lines for identifying the increment of extravascular lung water in shock patients requiring fluid resuscitation.

Introduction: Several studies have shown that the number of B-lines was related to the amount of extravascular lung water (EVLW). In our study, we aimed to demonstrate the magnitude of the incremental B-lines in shock patients with positive net fluid balance and the association with gas exchange impairment. Materials and Methods: We performed trans-thoracic ultrasound at admission (T0) and at follow-up period (TFL) to demonstrate the change of B lines (ΔB-lines) after fluid therapy. We compared the total B-line score (TBS) at T0 and TFL and calculated the Pearsons correlation coefficient between the ΔB-lines and PaO2/FiO2 ratio. Results: A total of 20 patients were analyzed. All patients had septic shock. Net fluid balance was + 2228.05 ± 1982.15 ml. The TBS at T0 and TFL were 36.6 ± 23.73 and 63.80 ± 29.25 (P < 0.01). The ΔB-lines along anterior axillary line (AAL) correlated to the ΔTBS (r = 0.90, P < 0.01). The ΔB-lines along AAL had inverse correlation to PaO2/FiO2 ratio (r = −0.704, P < 0.05). The increase of B-lines ≥ 10 was related to the decrease of PaO2/FiO2 ratio. The inter-observer reliability between two ultrasound readers was high (r = 0.92, P < 0.01). Discussion: The number of B-lines increased in shock patients with positive net fluid balance and correlated to impaired oxygenation. These data supported the benefit of ultrasound for assessing the EVLW.

Respiratory monitoring in adult intensive care unit

ABSTRACT Introduction: The mortality of patients with respiratory failure has steadily decreased with the advancements in protective ventilation and treatment options. Although respiratory monitoring per se has not been proven to affect the mortality of critically ill patients, it plays a crucial role in patients’ care, as it helps to titrate the ventilatory support. Several new monitoring techniques have recently been made available at the bedside. The goals of monitoring comprise alerting physicians to detect the change in the patients’ conditions, to improve the understanding of pathophysiology to guide the diagnosis and provide cost-effective clinical management. Areas covered: We performed a review of the recent scientific literature to provide an overview of the different methods used for respiratory monitoring in adult intensive care units, including bedside imaging techniques such as ultrasound and electrical impedance tomography. Expert commentary: Appropriate respiratory monitoring plays an important role in patients with and without respiratory failure as a guiding tool for the optimization of ventilation support, avoiding further complications and decreasing morbidity and mortality. The physician should tailor the monitoring strategy for each individual patient and know how to correctly interpret the data.

Assessment of diaphragmatic function parameters by intensive care ultrasound compared to conventional parameters during spontaneous breathing trial

Ultrasound can demonstrate the characteristics of the diaphragm functions that involve to the weaning process.