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Purpose: Spontaneous breathing trials (SBT) evaluate the patient's capacity to maintain inspiratory effort after extubation. SBT practices are heterogeneous and not individualised. The objective of this study was to assess which SBT best reproduces inspiratory effort after extubation in five critical illnesses., Methods: In this multicentre randomized cross-over study, adult intensive care unit patients under invasive mechanical ventilation for at least 24-h and ready for extubation, underwent three 15-min SBTs in random order: pressure support ventilation level of 7-cmH 2 O with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) level of 0-cmH 2 O (PSV7PEEP0), PSV 0-cmH 2 O with PEEP 0-cmH 2 O (PSV0PEEP0) and T-piece trial. Primary outcome was the variation of pressure-time-product per minute (PTPmin) between each SBT and 20-min after extubation. Five categories of critical illnesses were selected: abdominal surgery, brain injury, chest trauma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and miscellaneous., Results: Five hundred measures of effort from 100 patients were analysed. PTPmin (cmH 2 O s/min, median and interquartile range, IQR) was 256 (208-321) after extubation, 192 (127-281) at the end of PSV7PEEP0 (p < 0.001 in comparison to after extubation), 291 (235-347) at the end of PSV0PEEP0 and 262 (198-338) at the end of T-piece (both no different from after extubation). One method of SBT in patients with brain injury (PSV0PEEP0), two in abdominal surgery (PSV0PEEP0 and T-piece) and miscellaneous patients (PSV7PEEP0 and T-piece) and all three methods in chest trauma and COPD exacerbation patients replicated reasonably accurately the postextubation effort to breathe., Conclusion: Unassisted SBTs, namely PSV0PEEP0 and T-piece trial, are the most appropriate to replicate the postextubation effort to breathe., (© 2024. Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: Although noninvasive ventilation (NIV) may reduce reintubation in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure following abdominal surgery, this strategy has not been specifically assessed in patients with obesity., Methods: We conducted a post hoc analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing NIV delivered via facial mask to standard oxygen therapy among patients with obesity and acute hypoxemic respiratory failure within 7 days after abdominal surgery. The primary outcome was reintubation within 7 days. Secondary outcomes were invasive ventilation-free days at day 30, intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired pneumonia and 30-day survival., Results: Among 293 patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure following abdominal surgery, 76 (26%) patients had obesity and were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. Reintubation rate was significantly lower with NIV (13/42, 31%) than with standard oxygen therapy (19/34, 56%) within 7 days (absolute difference: - 25%, 95% confidence interval (CI) - 49 to - 1%, p = 0.03). NIV was associated with significantly more invasive ventilation-free days compared with standard oxygen therapy (27.1 ± 8.6 vs 22.7 ± 11.1 days; p = 0.02), while fewer patients developed ICU-acquired pneumonia (1/42, 2% vs 6/34, 18%; p = 0.04). The 30-day survival was 98% in the NIV group (41/42) versus 85% in the standard oxygen therapy (p = 0.08). In patients with body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m 2 , no significant difference was observed between NIV (36/105, 34%) and standard oxygen therapy (47/109, 43%, p = 0.03). An interaction test showed no statistically significant difference between the two subsets (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 and BMI < 30 kg/m 2 )., Conclusions: Among patients with obesity and hypoxemic respiratory failure following abdominal surgery, use of NIV compared with standard oxygen therapy reduced the risk of reintubation within 7 days, contrary to patients without obesity. However, no interaction was found according to the presence of obesity or not, suggesting either a lack of power to conclude in the non-obese subgroup despite existing differences, or that the statistical difference found in the overall sample was driven by a large effect in the obese subsets., (© 2024. Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: To investigate the impact of Macintosh blade size used during direct laryngoscopy (DL) on first-attempt intubation success of orotracheal intubation in French intensive care units (ICUs). We hypothesized that success rate would be higher with Macintosh blade size No3 than with No4., Methods: Multicenter retrospective observational study based on data from prospective trials conducted in 48 French ICUs of university, and general and private hospitals. After each intubation using Macintosh DL, patients' and operators' characteristics, Macintosh blade size, results of first DL and alternative techniques used, as well as the need of a second operator were collected. Complications rates associated with intubation were investigated. Primary outcome was success rate of first DL using Macintosh blade., Results: A total of 2139 intubations were collected, 629 with a Macintosh blade No3 and 1510 with a No4. Incidence of first-pass intubation after first DL was significantly higher with Macintosh blade No3 (79.5 vs 73.3%, p = 0.0025), despite equivalent Cormack-Lehane scores (p = 0.48). Complications rates were equivalent between groups. Multivariate analysis concluded to a significant impact of Macintosh blade size on first DL success in favor of blade No3 (OR 1.44 [95% CI 1.14-1.84]; p = 0.0025) without any significant center effect on the primary outcome (p = 0.18). Propensity scores and adjustment analyses concluded to equivalent results., Conclusion: In the present study, Macintosh blade No3 was associated with improved first-passed DL in French ICUs. However, study design requires the conduct of a nationwide prospective multicenter randomized trial in different settings to confirm these results., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Purpose: The effect of the routine use of a stylet during tracheal intubation on first-attempt intubation success is unclear. We hypothesised that the first-attempt intubation success rate would be higher with tracheal tube + stylet than with tracheal tube alone., Methods: In this multicentre randomised controlled trial, conducted in 32 intensive care units, we randomly assigned patients to tracheal tube + stylet or tracheal tube alone (i.e. without stylet). The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with first-attempt intubation success. The secondary outcome was the proportion of patients with complications related to tracheal intubation. Serious adverse events, i.e., traumatic injuries related to tracheal intubation, were evaluated., Results: A total of 999 patients were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis: 501 (50%) to tracheal tube + stylet and 498 (50%) to tracheal tube alone. First-attempt intubation success occurred in 392 patients (78.2%) in the tracheal tube + stylet group and in 356 (71.5%) in the tracheal tube alone group (absolute risk difference, 6.7; 95%CI 1.4-12.1; relative risk, 1.10; 95%CI 1.02-1.18; P = 0.01). A total of 194 patients (38.7%) in the tracheal tube + stylet group had complications related to tracheal intubation, as compared with 200 patients (40.2%) in the tracheal tube alone group (absolute risk difference, - 1.5; 95%CI - 7.5 to 4.6; relative risk, 0.96; 95%CI 0.83-1.12; P = 0.64). The incidence of serious adverse events was 4.0% and 3.6%, respectively (absolute risk difference, 0.4; 95%CI, - 2.0 to 2.8; relative risk, 1.10; 95%CI 0.59-2.06. P = 0.76)., Conclusions: Among critically ill adults undergoing tracheal intubation, using a stylet improves first-attempt intubation success.

Purpose: Among acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients in intensive care units, the efficacy of lung recruitment maneuver (LRM) use is uncertain taking into account the most recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We aimed to estimate the effect of LRMs on mortality from ARDS., Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched for RCTs comparing mechanical ventilation with and without LRMs in adults with ARDS. We generated pooled relative risks (RR), mean difference, performed trial-sequential-analysis and cumulative meta-analysis. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. The secondary outcomes were oxygenation evaluated by PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratio, rate of rescue therapy and rate of hemodynamic compromise., Results: In 14 RCTs including 3185 patients, LRMs were not associated with reduced 28-day mortality (RR = 0.92, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.82-1.04, P = 0.21), compared to no-LRM. Trial-sequential-analysis showed that the required information size has been accrued. PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratio was significantly higher in the LRMs group in comparison to the no-LRM group (mean difference = 47.6 mmHg, 95% CI 33.4-61.8, P < 0.001). LRMs were associated with a decreased rate of rescue therapy (RR = 0.69 95% CI 0.56-0.84, P < 0.001), and an increased rate of hemodynamic compromise (RR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.06-1.33, P = 0.002), compared to no-LRM group. Using cumulative meta-analysis, a significant change for effect on mortality was observed after 2017., Conclusions: The results suggest that in ARDS patients, systematic use of LRMs does not significantly improve 28-day mortality. However, LRM use was associated with positive effects such as an oxygenation improvement and a less frequent use of rescue therapy. Nevertheless, LRM use was associated with negative effects such as hemodynamic impairment.

Purpose: The relation between driving pressure (plateau pressure-positive end-expiratory pressure) and mortality has never been studied in obese ARDS patients. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between 90-day mortality and driving pressure in an ARDS population ventilated in the intensive care unit (ICU) according to obesity status., Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center study of prospectively collected data of all ARDS patients admitted consecutively to a mixed medical-surgical adult ICU from January 2009 to May 2017. Plateau pressure, compliance of the respiratory system (Crs) and driving pressure of the respiratory system within 24 h of ARDS diagnosis were compared between survivors and non-survivors at day 90 and between obese (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ) and non-obese patients. Cox proportional hazard modeling was used for mortality at day 90., Results: Three hundred sixty-two ARDS patients were included, 262 (72%) non-obese and 100 (28%) obese patients. Mortality rate at day 90 was respectively 47% (95% CI, 40-53) in the non-obese and 46% (95% CI, 36-56) in the obese patients. Driving pressure at day 1 in the non-obese patients was significantly lower in survivors at day 90 (11.9 ± 4.2 cmH 2 O) than in non-survivors (15.2 ± 5.2 cmH 2 O, p < 0.001). Contrarily, in obese patients, driving pressure at day 1 was not significantly different between survivors (13.7 ± 4.5 cmH 2 O) and non-survivors (13.2 ± 5.1 cmH 2 O, p = 0.41) at day 90. After three multivariate Cox analyses, plateau pressure [HR = 1.04 (95% CI 1.01-1.07) for each point of increase], Crs [HR = 0.97 (95% CI 0.96-0.99) for each point of increase] and driving pressure [HR = 1.07 (95% CI 1.04-1.10) for each point of increase], respectively, were independently associated with 90-day mortality in non-obese patients, but not in obese patients., Conclusions: Contrary to non-obese ARDS patients, driving pressure was not associated with mortality in obese ARDS patients.

Purpose: High-flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNC) has the potential to provide apnoeic oxygenation. We decided to assess in a proof-of-concept study whether the addition of HFNC to non-invasive ventilation (NIV) could reduce oxygen desaturation during intubation, compared with NIV alone for preoxygenation, in severely hypoxaemic intensive care unit (ICU) patients with respiratory failure., Methods: We conducted a randomised, controlled, single-centre trial with assessor-blinded outcome assessment in patients admitted to the ICU. Hypoxaemic patients requiring orotracheal intubation for respiratory failure were randomised to receive preoxygenation using HFNC [flow = 60 L/min, fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO 2 ) = 100 %] combined with NIV (pressure support = 10 cmH 2 O, positive end-expiratory pressure = 5 cmH 2 O, FiO 2  = 100 %) in the intervention group or NIV alone in the reference group prior to intubation. The primary outcome was the lowest oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) during the intubation procedure. Secondary outcomes were intubation-related complications and ICU mortality., Results: Between July 2015 and February 2016, we randomly assigned 25 and 24 patients to the intervention and reference groups, respectively. In both groups the main reasons for respiratory failure were pneumonia and ARDS. During the intubation procedure, the lowest SpO 2 values were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the reference group [100 (95-100) % vs. 96 (92-99) %, p = 0.029]. After exclusion of two patients from analysis for protocol violation, no (0 %) patients in the intervention group and five (21 %) patients in the reference group had SpO 2 below 80 % (p = 0.050). We recorded no significant difference between the groups in intubation-related complications or ICU mortality., Conclusions: A novel strategy for preoxygenation in hypoxaemic patients, adding HFNC for apnoeic oxygenation to NIV prior to orotracheal intubation, may be more effective in reducing the severity of oxygen desaturation than the reference method using NIV alone.

Purpose: Diaphragm function is rarely studied in intensive care patients with unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW) in whom weaning from mechanical ventilation is challenging. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diaphragm function and the outcome using a multimodal approach in ICUAW patients., Methods: Patients were eligible if they were diagnosed for ICUAW [Medical Research Council (MRC) Score <48], mechanically ventilated for at least 48 h and were undergoing a spontaneous breathing trial. Diaphragm function was assessed using magnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerves (change in endotracheal tube pressure), maximal inspiratory pressure and ultrasonographically (thickening fraction). Diaphragmatic dysfunction was defined by a change in endotracheal tube pressure below 11 cmH2O. The endpoints were to describe the correlation between diaphragm function and ICUAW and its impact on extubation., Results: Among 185 consecutive patients ventilated for more than 48 h, 40 (22 %) with a MRC score of 31 [20-36] were included. Diaphragm dysfunction was observed with ICUAW in 32 patients (80 %). Change in endotracheal tube pressure and MRC score were not correlated. Maximal inspiratory pressure was correlated with change in endotracheal tube pressure after magnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerves (r = 0.43; p = 0.005) and MRC score (r = 0.34; p = 0.02). Thickening fraction was less than 20 % in 70 % of the patients and was statistically correlated with change in endotracheal tube pressure (r = 0.4; p = 0.02) but not with MRC score. Half of the patients could be extubated without needing reintubation within 72 h., Conclusion: Diaphragm dysfunction is frequent in patients with ICU-acquired weakness (80 %) but poorly correlated with the ICU-acquired weakness MRC score. Half of the patients with ICU-acquired weakness were successfully extubated. Half of the patients who failed the weaning process died during the ICU stay.

Purpose: Although rapid response systems are known to reduce in-hospital cardiac arrest rate, their effect on mortality remains debated. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of implementing an intensivist-led rapid response team (RRT) on mortality in hospitalized patients., Methods: An implementation of an intervention and a comparison with retrospective data analysis were performed in the four hospitals of Montpellier regional healthcare centre, in France. An intensivist-led RRT was implemented on a 24/7 basis along with educational modules, publicity and bedside simulation-based training in only one of the four hospitals from January 2012 to June 2012. A single activation criterion (heart rate below 40/min or above 140/min, systolic blood pressure below 80 mmHg, cardiac arrest, respiratory rate below 8/min or above 30/min, pulse oximetry below 90% with O2 above 6 l/min, respiratory distress in a tracheotomised patient, respiratory arrest, coma or sudden change in level of consciousness, seizure) allowed any caregiver to directly contact the RRT using a dedicated cell phone number. Patients over 18 years admitted for more than 24 h in the medical-surgical wards from July 2010 to December 2011 (pre-RRT period) and from July 2012 to December 2013 (RRT period) were included. The main outcome was unexpected mortality. Analyses of data from one RRT hospital and three control hospitals (no RRT hospital) were performed., Results: RRT implementation was associated with a decrease in unexpected mortality rate in the hospital that implemented RRT (from 21.9 to 17.4 per 1000 discharges; p = 0.002). Reduction in unexpected mortality associated with RRT implementation could be estimated at 1.5 lives saved per week in the RRT hospital. In the three other hospitals, mortality rate was not significantly modified (from 19.5 to 19.9 per 1000 discharges; p = 0.69). Overall mortality decreased from 39.6 to 34.6 per 1000 discharges between the pre-RRT and RRT period in the RRT hospital (p = 0.012), but did not significantly change in the other hospitals. Patients in the RRT hospital were more frequently admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) during the RRT period (45.8 vs 52.9 per 1000; p = 0.002), and their sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score upon ICU admission significantly decreased from 7 (4-10) to 5 (2-9); p < 0.001., Conclusions: In the present retrospective study, implementation of an intensivist-led RRT along with educational modules, publicity and bedside simulation-based training was associated with a significant decrease in unexpected and overall mortality of inpatients.

Purpose: Single studies of video laryngoscopy (VL) use for airway management in intensive care unit (ICU) patients have produced controversial findings. The aim of this study was to critically review the literature to investigate whether VL reduces difficult orotracheal intubation (OTI) rate, first-attempt success, and complications related to intubation in ICU patients, compared to standard therapy, defined as direct laryngoscopy (DL)., Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, as well as prospective and retrospective observational studies, by searching PubMed, EMBASE, and bibliographies of articles retrieved. We screened for relevant studies that enrolled adults in whom the trachea was intubated in the ICU and compared VL to DL. We included studies reporting at least one clinical outcome of interest to perform a meta-analysis. We generated pooled odd ratios (OR) across studies. The primary outcome measure was difficult OTI. The secondary outcomes were first-attempt success, Cormack 3/4 grades, and complications related to intubation (severe hypoxemia, severe cardiovascular collapse, airway injury, esophageal intubation)., Results: Nine trials with a total of 2,133 participants (1,067 in DL and 1,066 in VL) were included in the current analysis. Compared to DL, VL reduced the risk of difficult OTI [OR 0.29 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20-0.44, p < 0.001)], Cormack 3/4 grades [OR 0.26 (95% CI 0.17-0.41, p < 0.001)], and esophageal intubation [0.14 (95% CI 0.02-0.81, p = 0.03)] and increased the first-attempt success [OR 2.07 (95% CI 1.35-3.16, p < 0.001)]. No statistically significant difference was found for severe hypoxemia, severe cardiovascular collapse or airway injury., Conclusions: These results suggest that VL could be useful in airway management of ICU patients.

Purpose: Airway management in intensive care unit (ICU) patients is challenging. The main objective of this study was to compare the incidence of difficult laryngoscopy and/or difficult intubation between a combo videolaryngoscope and the standard Macintosh laryngoscope in critically ill patients., Methods: In the context of the implementation of a quality-improvement process for airway management, we performed a prospective interventional monocenter before-after study which evaluated a new combo videolaryngoscope. The primary outcome was the incidence of difficult laryngoscopy (defined by Cormack grade 3-4) and/or difficult intubation (more than two attempts). The secondary outcomes were the severe life-threatening complications related to intubation in ICU and the rate of difficult intubation in cases of predicted difficult intubation evaluated by a specific score (MACOCHA score ≥3)., Results: Two hundred and ten non-selected consecutive intubation procedures were included, 140 in the standard laryngoscope group and 70 in the combo videolaryngoscope group. The incidence of difficult laryngoscopy and/or difficult intubation was 16 % in the laryngoscope group vs. 4 % in the combo videolaryngoscope group (p = 0.01). The severe life-threatening complications related to intubation did not differ between groups (16 vs. 14 %, p = 0.79). Among the 32 patients with a MACOCHA score ≥3, there were significantly more patients with difficult intubation in the standard laryngoscope group in comparison to the combo videolaryngoscope group [12/23 (57 %) vs. 0/9 (0 %), p < 0.01]., Conclusions: The systematic use of a combo videolaryngoscope in ICU was associated with a decreased incidence of difficult laryngoscopy and/or difficult intubation.