Stephanie Dizier

Early Hepatic Dysfunction Is Associated with a Worse Outcome in Patients Presenting with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Post-Hoc Analysis of the ACURASYS and PROSEVA Studies

Introduction Bilirubin is well-recognized marker of hepatic dysfunction in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Multiple organ failure often complicates acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) evolution and is associated with high mortality. The effect of early hepatic dysfunction on ARDS mortality has been poorly investigated. We evaluated the incidence and the prognostic significance of increased serum bilirubin levels in the initial phase of ARDS. Methods The data of 805 patients with ARDS were retrospectively analysed. This population was extracted from two recent multicenter, prospective and randomised trials. Patients presenting with ARDS with a ratio of the partial pressure of arterial oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen < 150 mmHg measured with a PEEP ≥ 5 cm of water were included. The total serum bilirubin was measured at inclusion and at days 2, 4, 7 and 14. The primary objective was to analyse the bilirubin at inclusion according to the 90-day mortality rate. Results The 90-day mortality rate was 33.8% (n = 272). The non-survivors were older, had higher Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and were more likely to have a medical diagnosis on admission than the survivors. At inclusion, the SOFA score without the liver score (10.3±2.9 vs. 9.0±3.0, p<0.0001) and the serum bilirubin levels (36.1±57.0 vs. 20.5±31.5 μmol/L, p<0.0001) were significantly higher in the non-survivors than in the survivors. Age, the hepatic SOFA score, the coagulation SOFA score, the arterial pH level, and the plateau pressure were independently associated with 90-day mortality in patients with ARDS. Conclusion Bilirubin used as a surrogate marker of hepatic dysfunction and measured early in the course of ARDS was associated with the 90-day mortality rate.

Comparison of femorofemoral and femorojugular configurations during venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for severe ARDS

Dear Editor, Schmidt et al. [1] recently demonstrated that an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) flow greater than 60 % of cardiac output was always associated with an SaO2 greater than 90 % during venovenous ECMO (vvECMO) for severe ARDS. We postulate that the configuration of the circuit may affect arterial oxygenation. We performed a retrospective comparative study of the medical charts of the patients according to ECMO configuration. During the oldest period, cannulation was performed with a femorofemoral (FF) configuration according to the experience of the ANZIC group [2], whereas during the latest period femorojugular (FJ) configuration was preferred. Details about the cannulas and the ECMO circuit’s components are available in previous publications [3, 4]. Nine patients with FF were compared with nine with FJ configuration (Table 1). In the case of the FF configuration, the drainage cannulation was inserted via the left femoral vein with the tip located at the junction between the iliac vein and the inferior vena cava, and the infusion cannula was inserted via the right femoral vein with the tip located at the junction between the right atrium and the inferior vena cava. In the case of the FJ configuration, the drainage cannula was inserted via the right femoral vein with the tip located at the junction

Pharmacological interventions in acute respiratory distress syndrome

Pharmacological interventions are commonly considered in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients. Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) and neuromuscular blockers (NMBs) are used in patients with severe hypoxemia. No outcome benefit has been observed with the systematic use of iNO. However, a sometimes important improvement in oxygenation can occur shortly after starting administration. Therefore, its ease of use and its good tolerance justify iNO optionally combined with almitirne as a rescue therapy on a trial basis. Recent data from the literature support the use of a 48-h infusion of NMBs in patients with a PaO2 to FiO2 ratio <120 mmHg. No strong evidence exists on the increase of ICU-acquired paresis after a short course of NMBs. Fluid management with the goal to obtain zero fluid balance in ARDS patients without shock or renal failure significantly increases the number of days without mechanical ventilation. On the other hand, patients with hemodynamic failure must receive early and adapted fluid resuscitation. Liberal and conservative fluid strategies therefore are complementary and should ideally follow each other in time in the same patient whose hemodynamic state progressively stabilizes. At present, albumin treatment does not appear to be justified for limitation of pulmonary edema and respiratory morbidity. Aerosolized β2-agonists do not improve outcome in patients with ARDS and one study strongly suggests that intravenous salbutamol may worsen outcome in those patients. The early use of high doses of corticosteroids for the prevention of ARDS in septic shock patients or in patients with confirmed ARDS significantly reduced the duration of mechanical ventilation but had no effect or even increased mortality. In patients with persistent ARDS after 7 to 28 days, a randomized trial showed no reduction in mortality with moderate doses of corticosteroids but an increased PaO2 to FiO2 ratio and thoracopulmonary compliance were found, as well as shorter durations of mechanical ventilation and of ICU stay. Conflicting data exist on the interest of low doses of corticosteroids (200 mg/day of hydrocortisone) in ARDS patients. In the context of a persistent ARDS with histological proof of fibroproliferation, a corticosteroid treatment with a progressive decrease of doses can be proposed.

Time to Intubation Is Associated with Outcome in Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Introduction It has been suggested that delayed intensive care unit (ICU) transfer is associated with increased mortality for patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, ICU admission policies and patient epidemiology vary widely across the world depending on local hospital practices and organizational constraints. We hypothesized that the time from the onset of CAP symptoms to invasive mechanical ventilation could be a relevant prognostic factor. Methods One hundred patients with a CAP and necessitating invasive mechanical ventilation were included. Prospectively collected data were retrospectively analysed. Two study groups were identified based on the time of the initiation of invasive mechanical ventilation (rapid respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation within 72 h of the onset of CAP and progressive respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation 4 or more days after the onset of CAP). Results Excepting more COPD patients in the rapid respiratory failure group and more patients with diabetes in the progressive respiratory failure group, these patients had similar characteristics. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 28% in the rapid respiratory failure group and 51% in the progressive respiratory failure group (P = 0.03). The ICU and the day 30 mortality rates were higher in the progressive respiratory failure group (47% vs. 23%, P = 0.02; and 37.7% vs. 21.3%, P = 0.03; respectively). After adjusting for the propensity score and other potential confounding factors, progressive respiratory failure remained associated with hospital mortality only after 12 days of invasive mechanical ventilation. Conclusions This study suggested that the duration or delay in the time to intubation from the onset of CAP symptoms was associated with the outcomes in those patients who ultimately required invasive mechanical ventilation.

The Use of Paralytics in Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Interest in the role of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been renewed since a recent randomized clinical trial showed a reduction in mortality associated with the use of NMBAs. However, the role of paralytics in a protective mechanical ventilation strategy should be detailed. This review summarizes data in the literature concerning the clinical effects of NMBAs on the outcome of patients with ARDS, in an attempt to explain some pathophysiologic hypotheses concerning their action and to integrate them into the overall management strategy for the mechanical ventilation of ARDS patients.

Single-lung and double-lung transplantation: technique and tips

The first successful single-lung and double-lung transplantations were performed in the eighties. Since then both surgical and anesthesiological management have improved. The aim of this paper is to describe the surgical technique of lung transplantation: from the anesthesiological preparation, to the explantation and implantation of the lung grafts, and the preparation of the donor lungs. We will also describe the main surgical complications after lung transplantation and their management. Each step of the surgical procedure will be illustrated with photos and videos.

Stratégie chirurgicale : quelles nouvelles techniques ? La chirurgie minimalement invasive (RATS/VATS). Les exérèses d’épargne parenchymateuse. Les parcours de soin accélérés

Resume La chirurgie thoracique a beneficie de nombreuses innovations techniques au cours des dernieres decennies. En parallele les programmes de depistage permettent de diagnostiquer des cancers bronchiques primitifs a des stades plus precoces. Les pratiques chirurgicales se sont donc modifiees d’une part par la generalisation des voies mini-invasives, d’autre part par l’apparition des resections anatomiques infralobaires (segmentectomies) que l’on pourraient qualifier de « chirurgie de precision » qui apparaissent comme des alternatives valables a la lobectomie dans des situations definies, et enfin par la mise en place de parcours de soins acceleres et personnalises, parfois meme ambulatoires. L’objet de cette revue, sera de detailler ces aspects modernes de la chirurgie thoracique au travers de ces trois points, intrinsequement lies les uns aux autres.