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Night work is frequently associated with sleep deprivation and is associated with greater surgical and medical complications. Lung transplantation (LT) is carried out both at night and during the day and involves many medical healthcare workers. The goal of the study was to compare morbidity and mortality between LT recipients according to LT operative time. We performed a retrospective, observational, single-center study. When the procedure started between 6 AM and 6 PM, the patient was allocated to the Daytime group. If the procedure started between 6 PM and 6 AM, the patient was allocated to the Nighttime group. Between January 2015 and December 2020, 253 patients were included. A total of 168 (66%) patients were classified into the Day group, and 85 (34%) patients were classified into the Night group. Lung Donors' general characteristics were similar between the groups. The 90-day and one-year mortality rates were similar between the groups (90-days: n = 13 (15%) vs. n = 26 (15%), p = 0.970; 1 year: n = 18 (21%) vs. n = 42 (25%), p = 0.499). Daytime LT was associated with more one-year airway dehiscence (n = 36 (21%) vs. n = 6 (7.1%), p = 0.004). In conclusion, among patients who underwent LT, there was no significant association between operative time and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antifibrotic agents (AFAs) are now standard‐of‐care for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Concerns have arisen about the safety of these drugs in patients undergoing lung transplantation (LTx). Methods: We performed a multi‐centre, nationwide, retrospective, observational study of French IPF patients undergoing LTx between 2011 and 2018 to determine whether maintaining AFAs in the peri‐operative period leads to increased bronchial anastomoses issues, delay in skin healing and haemorrhagic complications. We compared the incidence of post‐operative complications and the survival of patients according to AFA exposure. Results: Among 205 patients who underwent LTx for IPF during the study period, 58 (28%) had received AFAs within 4 weeks before LTx (AFA group): pirfenidone in 37 (18.0%) and nintedanib in 21 (10.2%). The median duration of AFA treatment before LTx was 13.8 (5.6–24) months. The AFA and control groups did not significantly differ in airway, bleeding or skin healing complications (p = 0.91, p = 0.12 and p = 0.70, respectively). Primary graft dysfunction was less frequent in the AFA than control group (26% vs. 43%, p = 0.02), and the 90‐day mortality was lower (7% vs. 18%, p = 0.046). Conclusions: AFA therapy did not increase airway, bleeding or wound post‐operative complications after LTx and could be associated with reduced rates of primary graft dysfunction and 90‐day mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 24-year-old Senegalese woman without remarkable history except anemia and iron deficiency related to excessive menstrual bleeding and sickle cell trait was admitted to our internal medicine department with 4-month fever, weight loss (−13 kg), dyspnea for limited efforts, intermittent productive cough, and bilateral metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and interphalangeal arthralgia. She was born and lived in France. She traveled previously to Senegal in 2015. She had no history of tobacco, alcohol, or drug use nor proximity with animals. She was taking no medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SARS-CoV-2 infection goes beyond acute pneumonia, as it also impacts lipid metabolism. Decreased HDL-C and LDL-C levels have been reported in patients with COVID-19. The lipid profile is a less robust biochemical marker than apolipoproteins, components of lipoproteins. However, the association of apolipoprotein levels during COVID-19 is not well described and understood. The objective of our study is to measure plasma levels of 14 apolipoproteins in patients with COVID-19 and to evaluate the relationships between apolipoprotein levels, severity factors and patient outcomes. From November to March 2021, 44 patients were recruited on admission to the intensive care unit because of COVID-19. Fourteen apolipoproteins and LCAT were measured by LC-MS/MS in plasma of 44 COVID-19 patients on admission to the ICU and 44 healthy control subjects. Absolute apolipoprotein concentrations were compared between COVID-19 patients and controls. Plasma apolipoproteins (Apo) A (I, II, IV), C(I, II), D, H, J and M and LCAT were lower in COVID-19 patients, whereas Apo E was higher. COVID-19 severity factors such as PaO2/FiO2 ratio, SO-FA score and CRP were correlated with certain apolipoproteins. Lower Apo B100 and LCAT levels were observed in non-survivors of COVID-19 versus survivors. To conclude, in this study, lipid and apolipoprotein profiles are altered in COVID-19 patients. Low Apo B100 and LCAT levels may be predictive of non-survival in COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence, risk factors and outcomes associated with culture-positive preservation fluid (PF) after lung transplantation (LT) are unknown. From January 2015 to December 2020, the microbiologic analyses of PF used to store the cold ischaemia-placed lung graft(s) of 271 lung transplant patients were retrospectively studied. Culture-positive PF was defined as the growth of any microorganism. Eighty-three (30.6%) patients were transplanted with lung grafts stored in a culture-positive PF. One-third of culture-positive PF were polymicrobial. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were the most frequently isolated microorganisms. No risk factors for culture-positive PF based on donor characteristics were identified. Forty (40/83; 48.2%) patients had postoperative pneumonia on Day 0 and 2 (2/83; 2.4%) patients had pleural empyema with at least one identical bacteria isolated in culture-positive PF. The 30-day survival rate was lower for patients with culture-positive PF compared with patients with culture-negative PF (85.5% vs. 94.7%, p = 0.01). Culture-positive PF has a high prevalence and may decrease lung transplant recipient survival. Further studies are required to confirm these results and improve understanding of the pathogenesis of culture-positive PF and their management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-density lipoproteins (HDLs), whose main role is the reverse transport of cholesterol, also have pleiotropic anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-infectious properties. During sepsis, HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration is low, HDL particle functionality is altered, and these modifications are correlated with poor outcomes. Based on the protective effects of HDL, we hypothesized that HDL-C levels could be associated with lung transplantation (LT) outcome. We thus looked for an association between basal HDL-C concentration and one-year mortality after LT. In this single-center prospective study including consecutive LTs from 2015 to 2020, 215 patients were included, essentially pulmonary fibrosis (47%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (38%) patients. Mortality rate at one-year was 23%. Basal HDL-C concentration stratified nonsurvivors to survivors at one-year (HDL-C = 1.26 [1.12-1.62] mmol/L vs. HDL-C = 1.55 [1.22-1.97] mmol/L, p = 0.006). Multivariate analysis confirmed that HDL-C concentration during the pretransplant assessment period was the only variable inversely associated with mortality. Moreover, mortality at one-year in patients with HDL-C concentrations =1.45 mmol/L was significantly higher (log-rank test, p = 0.00085). In conclusion, low basal HDL-C concentrations in candidates for LT are strongly associated with mortality after LT. To better understand this association, further studies in this field are essential and, in particular, a better characterization of HDL particles seems necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to describe the prevalence, risk factors, morbidity and mortality associated with the occurrence of bacteraemia during the postoperative ICU stay after lung transplantation (LT). We conducted a retrospective single-centre study that included all consecutive patients who underwent LT between January 2015 and October 2021. We analysed all the blood cultures drawn during the postoperative ICU stay, as well as samples from suspected infectious sources in case of bacteraemia. Forty-six bacteria were isolated from 45 bacteraemic patients in 33/303 (10.9%) patients during the postoperative ICU stay. Staphylococcus aureus (17.8%) was the most frequent bacteria, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.6%) and Enterococcus faecium (15.6%). Multidrug-resistant bacteria accounted for 8/46 (17.8%) of the isolates. The most common source of bacteraemia was pneumonia (38.3%). No pre- or intraoperative risk factor for bacteraemia was identified. Recipients who experienced bacteraemia required more renal replacement therapy, invasive mechanical ventilation, norepinephrine support, tracheotomy and more days of hospitalization during the ICU stay. After adjustment for age, sex, type of LT procedure and the need for intraoperative ECMO, the occurrence of bacteraemia was associated with a higher mortality rate in the ICU (aOR = 3.55, 95% CI [1.56–8.08], p = 0.003). Bacteraemia is a major source of concern for lung transplant recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are synthesized by the liver and display endothelioprotective properties, including anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, antithrombotic and antioxidant effects. In both septic and chronic liver failure patients, a low HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration is associated with overmortality. Whereas sepsis-associated liver dysfunction is poorly defined, the aim of this study was to characterize the relationship between liver dysfunction, lipoprotein concentrations and mortality in septic patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in a university hospital ICU. All consecutive patients admitted for septic shock or sepsis were included. Total cholesterol, HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride levels were assessed at admission. Sepsis-associated liver dysfunction was defined as a serum bilirubin≥ 2N or aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase concentrations ≥ 2N. Short-term and one-year prognostic outcomes were prospectively assessed. Results: A total of 219 septic patients were included, and 15% of them presented with sepsis-associated liver dysfunction at admission. Low concentrations of lipoproteins were associated with mortality at Day 28 in the overall population. Sepsis-associated liver dysfunction at admission was associated with overmortality. In this subgroup, patients had a lower HDL-C concentration than patients without hepatic dysfunction (HDL-C = 0.31 [0.25, 0.55] mmol/L vs. 0.48 [0.29, 0.73] mmol/L, p = 0.0079) but there was no relationship with the outcome. Interestingly, no correlation was observed between lipoprotein concentrations and liver dysfunction markers. Conclusion: Sepsis-associated liver dysfunction at ICU admission is strongly associated with overmortality and is associated with a lower HDL-C concentration. However, in this subgroup of patients, HDL-C concentration had no relationship with mortality. Further exploratory studies are needed to better understand the interaction between lipoproteins and liver dysfunction during sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) have multiple endothelioprotective properties. During SARS-CoV-2 infection, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration is markedly reduced, and studies have described severe impairment of the functionality of HDL particles. Here, we report a multi-omic investigation of the first administration of recombinant HDL (rHDL) particles in a severe COVID-19 patient in an intensive care unit. Plasma ApoA1 increased and HDL-C decreased after each recombinant HDL injection, suggesting that these particles were functional in terms of reverse cholesterol transport. The proportion of large HDL particles also increased after injection of recombinant HDL. Shotgun proteomics performed on HDLs isolated by ultracentrifugation indicated that ApoA1 was more abundant after injections whereas most of the pro-inflammatory proteins identified were less abundant. Assessment of Serum amyloid A-1, inflammatory markers, and cytokines showed a significant decrease for most of them during recombinant HDL infusion. Our results suggest that recombinant HDL infusion is feasible and a potential therapeutic strategy to be explored in COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The first aim of this study was to assess the association between stage 3 PGD and pre‐donation blood transfusion of the donor. The secondary objectives were to assess the epidemiology of donor transfusion and the outcome of LT recipients according to donor transfusion status and massive donor transfusion status. Methods: This was an observational, prospective, single‐center study. The results are expressed as absolute numbers, percentages, medians, and interquartile ranges. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi squared, Fischer's exact tests, and Mann‐Whitney U tests (P <.05 was considered significant). A multivariate analysis was performed. Results: Between January 2016 and February 2019, 147 patients were included in the analysis. PGD was observed in 79 (54%) patients, 45 (31%) of whom had stage 3 PGD. Pre‐donation blood transfusion was administered in 48 (33%) donors (median of 3[1–9] packed red cells (PRCs)). On multivariate analysis, stage 3 PGD was significantly associated with donor blood transfusion (OR 2.69, IC (1.14–6.38), P =.024). Mortality at days 28 and 90 was not significantly different according to the pre‐donation transfusion status of the donor. Conclusion: Pre‐donation blood transfusion is associated with stage 3 PGD occurrence after LT. Transfusion data of the donor should be included in donor lung assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among 197 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in ICU, 88 (44.7%) experienced at least one bacterial infection, with pneumonia (39.1%) and bloodstream infections (15,7%) being the most frequent. Unusual findings include frequent suspicion of bacterial translocations originating from the digestive tract as well as bacterial persistence in the lungs despite adequate therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2 has caused a global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). High-density lipoproteins (HDLs), particles chiefly known for their reverse cholesterol transport function, also display pleiotropic properties, including anti-inflammatory or antioxidant functions. HDLs and low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) can neutralize lipopolysaccharides and increase bacterial clearance. HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) decrease during bacterial sepsis, and an association has been reported between low lipoprotein levels and poor patient outcomes. The goal of this study was to characterize the lipoprotein profiles of severe ICU patients hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia and to assess their changes during bacterial ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) superinfection. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in a university hospital ICU. All consecutive patients admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia were included. Lipoprotein levels were assessed at admission and daily thereafter. The assessed outcomes were survival at 28 days and the incidence of VAP. Results: A total of 48 patients were included. Upon admission, lipoprotein concentrations were low, typically under the reference values ([HDL-C] = 0.7[0.5–0.9] mmol/L; [LDL-C] = 1.8[1.3–2.3] mmol/L). A statistically significant increase in HDL-C and LDL-C over time during the ICU stay was found. There was no relationship between HDL-C and LDL-C concentrations and mortality on day 28 (log-rank p = 0.554 and p = 0.083, respectively). A comparison of alive and dead patients on day 28 did not reveal any differences in HDL-C and LDL-C concentrations over time. Bacterial VAP was frequent (64%). An association was observed between HDL-C and LDL-C concentrations on the day of the first VAP diagnosis and mortality ([HDL-C] = 0.6[0.5–0.9] mmol/L in survivors vs. [HDL-C] = 0.5[0.3–0.6] mmol/L in nonsurvivors, p = 0.036; [LDL-C] = 2.2[1.9–3.0] mmol/L in survivors vs. [LDL-C] = 1.3[0.9–2.0] mmol/L in nonsurvivors, p = 0.006). Conclusion: HDL-C and LDL-C concentrations upon ICU admission are low in severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients but are not associated with poor outcomes. However, low lipoprotein concentrations in the case of bacterial superinfection during ICU hospitalization are associated with mortality, which reinforces the potential role of these particles during bacterial sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colonization pressure is a risk factor for intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired multi-drug-resistant organisms (MDROs).Aim: To measure the long-term respective impact of colonization pressure on ICU-acquired extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-PE) and meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).Methods: All patients admitted to two ICUs (medical and surgical) between January 1997 and December 2015 were included in this retrospective observational study. Rectal and nasal surveillance cultures were obtained at admission and weekly thereafter. Contact precautions were applied for colonized or infected patients. Colonization pressure was defined as the ratio of the number of MDRO-positive patient-days (PDs) of each MDRO to the total number of PDs. Single-level negative binomial regression models were used to evaluate the incidence of weekly MDRO acquisition.Findings: Among the 23,423 patients included, 2327 (10.0%) and 1422 (6.1%) were colonized with ESBL-PE and MRSA, respectively, including 660 (2.8%) and 351 (1.5%) acquisitions. ESBL-PE acquisition increased from 0.51/1000 patient-exposed days (PEDs) in 1997 to 6.06/1000 PEDs in 2015 (P<0.001). In contrast, MRSA acquisition decreased steadily from 3.75 to 0.08/1000 PEDs (P<0.001). Controlling for period-level covariates, colonization pressure in the previous week was associated with MDRO acquisition for ESBL-PE (P<0.001 and P=0.04 for medical and surgical ICU, respectively), but not for MRSA (P=0.34 and P=0.37 for medical and surgical ICU, respectively). The increase in colonization pressure was significant above 100/1000 PDs for ESBL-PE.Conclusion: Colonization pressure contributed to the increasing incidence of ESBL-PE but not MRSA. This study suggests that preventive control measures should be customized to MDROs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is an important tool in managing severe cardio‐circulatory and respiratory failures. The axillary and the femoral sites are the most frequently used for arterial cannulation. There is no current evidence favoring one site over the other. We tested the hypothesis that the axillary and femoral arterial cannulation site may have different effects on left ventricular (LV) outflow. Seven patients with femoro‐axillary ECLS and 4 patients with femoro‐femoral ECLS were prospectively studied using the Pulse‐wave Doppler (PWD) velocity time integral (VTI) in the descending thoracic aorta (DTA VTI) at different short‐time variations of ECLS flow rates during the ECLS weaning process. The measurements were safe and feasible in all patients. We found a directly proportional correlation between DTA VTI and ECLS flow rate for femoro‐axillary cannulation (P < 0.05) and an inversely proportional correlation in the case of femoro‐femoral cannulation (P < 0.05). This is the first reported utilization of DTA VTI during ECLS that could improve our understanding of the LV‐aorta interactions in patients with ECLS. DTA VTI could be used as a tool, guiding weaning from ECLS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) is an emerging and challenging issue in transplantation. Endothelial deposition of C4d and microvascular inflammation (MI) are reliable markers of AMR in renal and cardiac transplantation, but remain controversial in the lung. Our aim was to assess C4d immunohistochemistry and histological patterns for the diagnosis of lung AMR. Methods and results: We reviewed 158 transbronchial biopsies (TBBs) (n = 85 clinically indicated, and n = 73 surveillance TBBs) from 48 recipients, blinded to clinical and serological data. C4d was scored as 0, 1+ (<10%), 2+ (10–50%) or 3+ (>50%). TBBs were reassessed for MI and acute lung injury (ALI). Donor‐specific antibodies (DSAs), acute clinical graft dysfunction and chronic lung allograft graft dysfunction (CLAD) were recorded. C4d3+, C4d2+, C4d1+ and C4d0 occurred respectively in four (2.5%), six (3.8%), 28 (17.7%) and 120 (75.9%) TBBs. MI and ALI were rare but more frequent in C4d1–3+ TBBs than in the absence of C4d. C4d2+ was frequently observed with concomitant infection. Among the surveillance TBBs, only two (2.7%) showed MI. Neither ALI nor C4d3+ was diagnosed on surveillance TBBs. No significant association was found between histopathological findings and DSAs. All four patients with C4d3+ could retrospectively be diagnosed with AMR and developed CLAD. Conclusion: Although rare, diffuse C4d deposition appears to be a strong indication of acute clinical AMR in lung transplant patients, whereas intermediate C4d2+ requires more investigations. In stable patients, histopathology and C4d may lack the sensitivity to diagnose subclinical AMR. This emphasises the need for a multidisciplinary evaluation of each suspected AMR case, and the need for complementary diagnostic tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outcomes of lung transplantation (LT) recipients who received a graft from a brain-dead donor after successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest (CA donors) have been poorly described. This study compared the one-year survival of LT recipients depending on the CA status of the donor. This prospective observational single-centre study analysed all consecutive patients who underwent LT at Bichat Claude Bernard Hospital, Paris, between January 2016 and December 2020. All donors who experienced CA prior to organ donation, regardless of rhythm or duration, were considered CA donors. The postoperative complications and outcomes of LT recipients were analysed. The one-year survival was compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests. Independent risk factors for one-year mortality were assessed using multivariate analysis (p < 0.05 was considered significant). The Paris North Hospitals Institutional Review Board approved the study. A total of 236 LT recipients were analysed and 66 (28%) received a graft from a CA donor. The median durations of no/low flow were 4 [0–10]/20 [15–30] minutes, respectively. Shockable and non-shockable rhythms were observed in 11 (17%) and 47 (72%) of the CA donors, respectively. The characteristics of the grafts and early postoperative complications were not different in the CA and non-CA groups. Receiving a graft from a CA donor was not an independent risk factor for recipient one-year mortality. Receiving a graft from a CA donor did not worsen the outcome of LT recipients. Acceptation of these grafts must be systematically considered to increase the pool of available grafts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While the role of Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (eFAST) is well defined in the management of severe blunt trauma, its performance in injuries caused by stab wounds has been poorly assessed., Methods: Prospective single centre study which included all patients with stab wounds to the thorax or abdomen between December 2016 and December 2018. All patients underwent initial investigation with both eFAST and CT scan, except in cases of haemodynamic or respiratory instability, and in cases with a positive diagnosis by eFAST in which case surgery without CT scan was performed., Results: Of the 200 consecutive patients included, 14 unstable patients underwent surgery immediately after eFAST. In these 14 patients, 9 had cardiac tamponade identified by eFAST and all were confirmed by surgery. In the remaining 186 patients, the median time between eFAST and CT scan was 30 min (IQR 20-49 min). Test characteristics (including 95% CI) for eFAST compared with reference standard of CT scan for detecting pneumothorax were as follows: sensitivity 77% (54%-92%), specificity 93% (90%-97%), positive predictive value (PPV) 60% (49%-83%), negative predictive value (NPV) 97% (93%-99%). Test characteristics (including 95% CI) for eFAST compared with CT scan for detecting haemothorax were as follows: sensitivity 97% (74%-99%), specificity 96% (92%-98%), PPV 83% (63%-93%) and NPV 99% (96%-100%). Finally, test characteristics (including 95% CI) for eFAST compared with CT scan for detecting haemoperitoneum were as follows: sensitivity 75% (35%-97%), specificity 97% (93%-99%), PPV 55% (23%-83%) and NPV 99% (96%-99%)., Conclusions: In patients admitted with stab wounds to the torso, eFAST was not sensitive enough to diagnose pneumothorax and haemoperitoneum, but performed better in the detection of cardiac tamponade and haemothorax than the other injuries. More robust multicentre studies are needed to better define the role of eFAST in this specific population., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Risk factors and the incidence of prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) after lung transplantation (LT) have been poorly described. The study assessed predictive factors of PMV after LT., Methods: This observational, retrospective, monocentric study included all patients who received LT in Bichat Claude Bernard Hospital between January 2016 and December 2020. PMV was defined as a duration of MV > 14 days. Independent risk factors for PMV were studied using multivariate analysis. One-year survival depending on PMV was studied using Kaplan Meier and log-rank tests. A p value <0.05 was defined as significant., Results: 224 LT recipients were analysed. 64 (28%) of them received PMV for a median duration of 34 [26-52] days versus 2 [1-3] days without PMV. Independent risk factors for PMV were higher body mass index (BMI) ( p = 0.031), diabetes mellitus of the recipient ( p = 0.039), ECMO support during surgery ( p = 0.029) and intraoperative transfusion >5 red blood cell units ( p < 0.001). Increased mortality rates were observed at one-year in recipients who received PMV (44% versus 15%, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: PMV was associated with increased morbidity and mortality one-year after LT. Preoperative risk factors (BMI and diabetes mellitus) must be considered when selecting and conditioning the recipients., Competing Interests: JM received congress reimbursement fees from Biotest and CSLBehring. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Atchade, Boughaba, Dinh, Jean-Baptiste, Tanaka, Copelovici, Lortat-Jacob, Roussel, Castier, Messika, Mal, Tymowski and Montravers.)

Background: Early pneumonia is an independent risk factor for 1-y mortality after lung transplantation (LTx). Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common isolate in early pneumonia and is also associated with an increased risk of chronic lung allograft dysfunction. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of secondary prophylaxis with inhaled colistin (IC) in preventing the recurrence of P aeruginosa or extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-PE) pneumonia in the postoperative period in the intensive care unit after LTx., Methods: We conducted a before-and-after retrospective cohort study by including all patients who underwent LTx between January 2015 and December 2020 in our center. Secondary prophylaxis with IC was instituted in January 2018 (observation period from January 2015 to December 2017, intervention period from January 2018 to December 2020)., Results: A total of 271 lung transplants were included (125 in the observation period and 146 in the intervention period). The patients were predominately male (64.2%) with a median age of 57 y and received double LTx (67.9%) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema (36.2%) or interstitial lung disease (48.3%). The proportion of patients who experienced at least 1 recurrence of P aeruginosa or ESBL-PE pneumonia was significantly lower in the intervention period than in the observation period (0.7% versus 7.2%, P = 0.007)., Conclusions: Our study suggests a potential benefit of secondary prophylaxis with IC to prevent the recurrence of P aeruginosa or ESBL-PE pneumonia in the intensive care unit after LTx., Competing Interests: P. Montravers declares personal honorarium by Menarini, Pfizer, and MSD. J.M. declares support for attending meetings and travel by CSL Behring and Biotest. The other authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Recent studies described the threat of emerging multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, but few data are available for necrotizing skin and soft tissue infections (NSTI). In a cohort of ICU patients admitted for NSTI, we describe the dynamic changes of microbial population during repeated surgeries. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study compiled consecutive cases admitted for the management of severe NSTI. Clinical characteristics, NSTI features, morbidity and mortality data were collected. The microbiological characteristics of surgical samples obtained during initial surgery were compared with those obtained during the first reoperation, including persistence of initial pathogens and/or emergence of microorganisms. Risk factors for emergence of microorganisms and MDR bacteria were assessed by univariable and multivariable analyses. Results: Among 100 patients {63% male, 58 years old [interquartile ratio (IQR) 50-68]} admitted for NSTI, 54 underwent reoperation with a median [IQR] delay of 3 (1-7) days. Decreased proportions of susceptible strains and emergence of Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa , staphylococci and enterococci strains, were reported based on the cultures of surgical specimen collected on reoperation. On reoperation, 22 (27%) of the isolated strains were MDR ( p < 0.0001 vs. MDR bacteria cultured from the first samples). Broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy as first-line therapy was significantly associated with a decreased emergence of microorganisms. Adequate antibiotic therapy from the initial surgery did not modify the frequency of emergence of microorganisms ( p = 0.79) and MDR bacteria ( p = 1.0) or the 1-year survival rate. Conclusion: The emergence of microorganisms, including MDR bacteria, is frequently noted in NSTI without affecting mortality., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The reviewer, DG, declared a past co-authorship with two of the authors (EA and PM) at time of review to the handling editor., (Copyright © 2021 Thy, Tanaka, Tran-Dinh, Ribeiro, Lortat-Jacob, Donadio, Zappella, Ben-Rehouma, Tashk, Snauwaert, Atchade, Grall and Montravers.)

Objective: To evaluate the clinical course of and risk factors for arterial thrombotic events in adult inpatients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)., Methods: All consecutive adult patients admitted for COVID-19 infection in a referral center in France and discharged from the hospital between April 1 and April 30, 2020, were included. All arterial thrombotic events that occurred through discharge were considered for analysis. Epidemiologic, demographic, clinical, laboratory, treatment, and outcome data were extracted from electronic medical records with use of a standardized data collection form., Results: Overall, 531 COVID-19+ patients were analyzed. Among them, 30 (5.6%) experienced arterial thrombotic events. Arterial thrombotic events in the setting of COVID-19 infection happened at a median of 11 (5-20) days after the first symptoms of infection; occurred in high-risk patients according to traditional cardiovascular risk factors; had an atypical pattern, such as thrombosis of the aorta, upper limb, or renal arteries or cerebral microvasculopathy in 7 (23.3%) cases; and were associated with an in-hospital mortality rate of 40%. Arterial thrombotic events increased the risk of death by 3-fold in COVID-19+ patients (hazard ratio, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.4 to 4.7; P=.002). A subdistribution survival hazard model showed that a concentration of D-dimer above 1250 ng/mL increased the risk of arterial thrombotic events in COVID-19+ patients by more than 7 (subdistribution hazard ratio, 7.68; 95% CI, 2.9 to 20.6; P<.001)., Conclusion: A dramatically high rate of in-hospital death was observed in patients who suffered arterial thrombotic events in the setting of COVID-19 infection. A D-dimer level above 1250 ng/mL at entry may identify COVID-19+ patients at risk for arterial thrombotic events., (Copyright © 2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)