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Objective: Unusual clinical course Background: Obesity-hypoventilation syndrome (OHS), also known as Pickwickian syndrome, is a respiratory consequence of morbid obesity, usually treated with non-invasive positive airway pressure (PAP) therapies and weight loss. This study reports a 53-year-old woman with a body mass index of 49 kg/m2 who experienced acute hypercapnic respiratory failure due to OHS. Her treatment involved mechanical ventilation, home oxygen therapy, and long-term weight loss of >30 kg. Case Report: A 53-year-old woman (109 kg) presented with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure due to OHS, which improved with mechanical ventilation and diuretics. After discharge from the hospital, she was treated with nocturnal non-invasive positive-pressure ventilation (NPPV) and home oxygen therapy. Over a 5-year period, following loss of >30 kg, she was re-evaluated for the discontinuation of NPPV and oxygen therapy. She was evaluated with various NPPV settings and oxygen doses, monitored by transcutaneous pressure of carbon dioxide (PtcCO2). On NPPV, PtcCO2 levels ±55 mmHg were maintained within 10 min, indicating that the durations of PtcCO2 ³50 mmHg were too prolonged for her to be switched to continuous PAP therapy. Nonetheless, oxygen therapy was discontinued because the duration of peripheral blood oxygen saturation <90% was brief. Conclusions: For patients with OHS treated with NPPV and oxygen therapy, weight loss alone may not improve hypoventilation and wean the patient from NPPV. Besides obesity, various factors influence respiratory compromise in OHS; hence, a comprehensive assessment of hypoventilation, including PtcCO2 monitoring, is essential to determine whether NPPV withdrawal is possible after body weight loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High‐flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy is a non‐invasive respiratory treatment characterized by high tolerability, which largely derives from the patient's comfort. Aim: The primary aim of this study was to explore whether the patient's perceived comfort was the same regardless of different approaches used to reach the target humidification temperature. The secondary aim was to assess the patient's perceived nasal dryness and humidity. Study Design: This single‐centre, pragmatic, randomized trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05688189). Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) in need of HFNC therapy were randomly assigned to one of three study arms: a two‐step increase (31 to 34 to 37°C), a one‐step increase in temperature (34–37°C) or no temperature increase (started and remained at 37°C). The patients were asked to rate their perceived comfort, as well as their perceived nasal dryness and humidity on a scale from 1 (lowest value) to 5 (highest value). Results: We enrolled 21 patients, aged 34–85 years. The mean (±1 standard deviation) comfort level was 3.3 (1.3) for patients who received a one‐step increase, 3.1 (1.3) for those who received no increase and 2.7 (1.7) for those who received a two‐step increase (p =.714). There was also no difference in nasal dryness (p =.05) or humidity (p =.612) across the study arms. Greater comfort was fairly correlated with less nasal humidity (ρ = −0.34, 95% confidence interval −0.68 to 0.07) but not with nasal dryness (ρ = 0.01, p =.94). Conclusions: After 30 min of HFNC therapy at a target temperature of 37°C, overall comfort was rated similarly in the three study arms. Additional studies are needed to accumulate evidence corroborating the findings of this study. Relevance to Clinical Practice: The temperature of the mixture of air and oxygen is a fundamental component of HFNC therapy. A pragmatic approach irrespective of the initial temperature setting seems to yield a similar comfort score in hospitalized patients with mild respiratory failure because of extrapulmonary causes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate one-year outcomes of lower versus higher oxygenation targets in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and severe hypoxaemia. Methods: We conducted pre-planned analyses of one-year mortality and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the Handling Oxygenation Targets in COVID-19 trial. The trial randomised 726 ICU patients with COVID-19 and hypoxaemia to partial pressure of arterial oxygen targets of 8 kPa (60 mmHg) versus 12 kPa (90 mmHg) during ICU stay up to 90 days, including readmissions. HRQoL was assessed using EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) and 5-level 5-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). Outcomes were analysed in the intention-to-treat population. Non-survivors were assigned the worst possible score (zero), and multiple imputation was applied for missing EQ-VAS values. Results: We obtained one-year vital status for 691/726 (95.2%) of patients and HRQoL data for 642/726 (88.4%). At one year, 117/348 (33.6%) of patients in the lower-oxygenation group had died compared to 134/343 (39.1%) in the higher-oxygenation group (adjusted risk ratio: 0.85; 98.6% confidence interval (CI) 0.66–1.09; p = 0.11). Median EQ-VAS was 50 (interquartile range, 0–80) versus 40 (0–75) (adjusted mean difference: 4.8; 98.6% CI − 2.2 to 11.9; p = 0.09) and EQ-5D-5L index values were 0.61 (0–0.81) in the lower-oxygenation group versus 0.43 (0–0.79) (p = 0.20) in the higher-oxygenation group, respectively. Conclusion: Among adult ICU patients with COVID-19 and severe hypoxaemia, one-year mortality results were most compatible with benefit of the lower oxygenation target, which did not appear to result in more survivors with poor quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preoxygenation during the peri-intubation period is now considered a critical aspect of rapid sequence intubation and an important skill for emergency medicine and critical care providers. Peri-intubation hypoxemia carries significant risk, including cardiac arrest, and care must be taken for appropriate management including through apnea and initiation of laryngoscopy. Appropriate selection of preoxygenation devices should depend on underlying physiology to optimize oxygenation prior to intubation attempts. A PubMed MEDLINE search was completed with selection of articles from March 2008 to March 2023 describing various techniques for preoxygenation for intubation in the critical care and operating room setting with pregnant and obese patient populations included. Prehospital and pediatric populations were excluded in this review. This review provides an overview of methods of preoxygenation with their clinical indications as well as methods for determining end points to preoxygenation and apneic oxygenation. An overview of approaches to preoxygenation was included for patients considered to have a physiologically difficult airway and obese and pregnant patient populations.

Impaired quality of life (QoL) is prevalent among patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) despite improved survival due to medical advances. We clarified the physical QoL of patients with CTEPH with mildly elevated pulmonary hemodynamics and evaluated its determinants using a database of patients with CTEPH evaluated for hemodynamics during exercise. The QoL was measured in 144 patients with CTEPH (age, 66 (58−73) years; men/women, 48/96) with mildly elevated mean pulmonary artery pressure (<30 mm Hg) at rest after treatment with balloon pulmonary angioplasty and/or pulmonary endarterectomy using the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. The enrolled patients were divided into 2 groups: physical component summary (PCS) scores in the SF-36 over 50 as PCS-good and those under 50 as PCS-poor. The median PCS in SF-36 score was 43.4 (IQR 32.4–49.5) points. The PCS-poor group (n = 110) was older and had lower exercise capacity and SaO 2 during exercise. PCS scores were correlated with 6-minute walk distance (rs = 0.40, p < 0.001), quadriceps strength (rs = 0.34, p < 0.001), peak VO 2 (rs = 0.31, p < 0.001), SaO 2 at rest (rs = 0.35, p < 0.001) and peak exercise (rs = 0.33, p < 0.001), home oxygen therapy usage (rs = −0.28, p = 0.001), and pulmonary vascular resistance at peak exercise (rs = −0.26, p = 0.002). The impairment of physical QoL was common in patients with CTEPH with improved hemodynamics; exercise capacity, hypoxemia, and hemodynamic status during exercise were related to the physical QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Optimal oxygenation targets for patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure in the intensive care unit (ICU) are not clearly defined due to substantial variability in design of previous trials. This study aimed to perform a pre-specified individual patient data meta-analysis of the Handling Oxygenation Targets in the ICU (HOT-ICU) and the Handling Oxygenation Targets in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (HOT-COVID) trials to compare targeting a partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) of 8–12 kPa in adult ICU patients, assessing both benefits and harms. Methods: We assessed 90-day all-cause mortality and days alive without life support in 90 days using a generalised mixed model. Heterogeneity of treatment effects (HTE) was evaluated in 14 subgroups, and results graded using the Instrument to assess the Credibility of Effect Modification Analyses (ICEMAN). Results: At 90 days, mortality was 40.4% (724/1792) in the 8 kPa group and 40.9% (733/1793) in the 12 kPa group (risk ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92–1.07; P = 0.80). No difference was observed in number of days alive without life support. Subgroup analyses indicated more days alive without life support in COVID-19 patients targeting 8 kPa (P = 0.04) (moderate credibility), and lower mortality (P = 0.03) and more days alive without life support (P = 0.02) in cancer-patients targeting 12 kPa (low credibility). Conclusion: This study reported no overall differences comparing a PaO2 target of 8–12 kPa on mortality or days alive without life support in 90 days. Subgroup analyses suggested HTE in patients with COVID-19 (moderate credibility) and cancer (low credibility). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the present study was to develop a clinical–ultrasound model for early detection of hospital admission, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission, and oxygen requirement in children diagnosed with acute bronchiolitis (AB). Furthermore, the prognostic ability of models including sonographic data from antero-lateral, lateral-posterior, and posterior areas (eight zones) vs. antero-lateral and lateral-posterior areas (six zones) vs. only antero-lateral areas (four zones) was analyzed. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on infants under 12 months with AB. A lung ultrasound (LUS) was performed within 24 h of hospital care and analyzed using the Lung Ultrasound Combined Score (LUCS) based on the ultrasound patterns and their extent. Regression models combining LUCS (using eight, six, or four lung areas) with age and clinical scale were created. Results: A total of 90 patients were included (62 admitted to the ward, 15 to PICU), with a median age of 3.7 months. Clinical–ultrasound models with eight and six lung zones predicted hospital admission (AUC 0.89), need for oxygen therapy (AUC 0.88), and its duration (40% explanatory capacity). Models using four lung areas had lower prognostic yield. No model predicted PICU admission needs or duration. Conclusions: The ultrasound pattern and its extension combined with clinical information may be useful to predict hospital admission and oxygen requirement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI) is an immune-inflammatory lung pathology that manifests within the first 6–72 hours after administration of blood products. However, due to reduced awareness of TRALI, it continues to be an underreported and often underdiagnosed complication of transfusion therapy. We report a case of a 6-year-old girl with myelodysplastic syndrome and TRALI developed in the first hour after platelet transfusion. Diagnosis of TRALI is based on the exclusion of etiologic factors such as volume overload and cardiogenic pulmonary edema following transfusion. Symptoms responded to high-flow oxygen therapy, so intubation was not attempted and full recovery was achieved.

BACKGROUND: Supplemental oxygen is designed to raise alveolar PO2 to facilitate diffusion into arterial blood. Oxygen is generally delivered by nasal cannula either by continuous or pulsatile flow. Battery-powered portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) facilitate ambulation in patients experiencing exertional hypoxemia. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clears these devices to be sold by physician prescription. Recently, however, lower-cost devices described as POCs have been advertised by online retailers. These devices lack FDA clearance and are obtained over the counter (OTC) without prescription. This study determined whether a selected group of OTC POCs have oxygen delivery characteristics suitable for use by hypoxemic patients. METHODS: A metabolic simulator, capable of simulating a range of metabolic rates and minute ventilations, determined effects of oxygen supplementation delivered by a variety of devices on alveolar PO2 . Devices tested included 3 OTC POCs, an FDA-cleared POC, and continuous-flow oxygen from a compressed oxygen cylinder. End-tidal PETO2 , a surrogate of alveolar PO2 , was determined at each of each devices flow settings at 3 metabolic rates. RESULTS: Continuous-flow tank oxygen yielded a linear PETO2 increase as flow increased, with progressively lower slope of increase for higher metabolic rate. The prescription POC device yielded similar PETO2 elevations, though with somewhat smaller elevations in pulse-dose operation. One OTC POC was only technically portable (no on-board battery); it provided only modest PETO2 elevation that failed to increase as flow setting was incremented. A second OTC POC produced only minimal PETO2 elevation. A third OTC POC, a pulsed-dose device, produced meaningful PETO2 increases, though not as great as the prescription device. CONCLUSIONS: Only one of 3 OTC POCs tested was potentially of use by patients requiring ambulatory oxygen. Physicians and respiratory therapists should inform patients requiring portable oxygen that OTC devices may not meet their oxygenation requirements.

Background/Aims Hypoxemia is a common side effect of propofol sedation during endoscopy. Applying mild positive airway pressure (PAP) using a nasal mask may offer a simple way to reduce such events and optimize the conditions for diagnostic and therapeutic upper gastrointestinal endoscopies. Methods We compared overweight patients (body mass index >25 kg/m2) with a nasal PAP mask or standard nasal cannula undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopies by non-anesthesiologists who provided propofol sedation. Outcome parameters included the frequency and severity of hypoxemic episodes. Results We analyzed 102 procedures in 51 patients with nasal PAP masks and 51 controls. Episodes of hypoxemia (oxygen saturation [SpO2]

ObjectivesBronchiolitis is the most common cause for nonelective infant hospitalization in the United States with increasing utilization of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC). We standardized initiation and weaning of HFNC for bronchiolitis and quantified the impact on outcomes. Our specific aim was to reduce hospital and ICU length of stay (LOS) by 10% between two bronchiolitis seasons after implementation.DesignA quality improvement (QI) project using statistical process control methodology.SettingTertiary-care children's hospital with 24 PICU and 48 acute care pediatric beds.PatientsChildren less than 24 months old with bronchiolitis without other respiratory diagnoses or underlying cardiac, respiratory, or neuromuscular disorders between December 2017 and November 2018 (baseline), and December 2018 and February 2020 (postintervention).InterventionsInterventions included development of an HFNC protocol with initiation and weaning guidelines, modification of protocol and respiratory assessment classification, education, and QI rounds with a focus on efficient HFNC weaning, transfer, and/or discharge.Measurements and main resultsA total of 223 children were included (96 baseline and 127 postintervention). The primary outcome metric, average LOS per patient, decreased from 4.0 to 2.8 days, and the average ICU LOS per patient decreased from 2.8 to 1.9 days. The secondary outcome metric, average HFNC treatment hours per patient, decreased from 44.0 to 36.3 hours. The primary and secondary outcomes met criteria for special cause variation. Balancing measures included ICU readmission rates, 30-day readmission rates, and adverse events, which were not different between the two periods.ConclusionsA standardized protocol for HFNC management for patients with bronchiolitis was associated with decreased hospital and ICU LOS, less time on HFNC, and no difference in readmissions or adverse events.

Introduction: The cultural practices that mothers have to treat respiratory infections in their children can have positive or negative effects on their recovery. Objective: To describe the home care of the hospitalized child with acute respiratory infections from a cultural approach. Method: Descriptive qualitative study. The sample was represented by 12 mothers of children under five years of age with hospitalized acute respiratory infections. The data was collected through the semi-structured interview and was processed through content analysis. Results: Three categories are established: a) Use of traditional medicine as an ancestral practice to treat acute respiratory infections, b) Eating habits during acute respiratory infections, c) Clothing and hygiene customs against acute respiratory infections. Conclusions: The mothers treat respiratory infections with medicinal plants that are native to their community. There are positive aspects that must be preserved, such as providing breastfeeding during illness, but daily bathing must be negotiated, and oversleeping the child must be restructured. Likewise, the nursing staff must have knowledge about traditional medicine and its effects, in order to provide intercultural health education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Some patients who required oxygen therapy for COVID-19 were cared for by their relatives at home with the supervision of health personnel. Objective: To describe home care for people with oxygen therapy for COVID-19 according to the experience of the family caregiver. Method: Qualitative, descriptive, exploratory study, with the participation of 15 family caregivers, with a member who received oxygen therapy at home for COVID-19. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews and processed through content analysis. Results: a) Participation of health personnel in home care: Medical consultation, medication administration, and health education, b) Family participation in home care: satisfaction of basic needs, emotional and spiritual support, c) Family anecdotes about oxygen's supply, oxygen therapy care and post-COVID-19 respiratory therapy, d) Controversies for the application of biosafety protocols during home care. Conclusions: Home care to the patient with oxygen therapy for COVID-19 was provided privately by the health team and by the family caregiver with family support, who complied with the prescribed indications and also used home remedies, certain nutritious foods, religious beliefs according to their cultural baggage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an increasingly concerning global public health issue due to its high burden of morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a comprehensive intervention to improve patients' physical and psychological conditions, commonly involving oxygen supplementation. The potential benefits of high‐flow nasal cannula (HFNC) have recently sparked interest as oxygen therapy. In this context, this study aims to assess the effects of HFNC during the exercise training component of a PR program in people with COPD. Methods: Systematic review (CRD42022330929). We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), including crossover RCTs with adults with stable COPD. We included trials using oxygen therapy with HFNC during the exercise training component of a PR programme. Primary outcomes: disease‐specific health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), exercise capacity (EC) and adverse events. Secondary outcomes: treatment adherence, breathlessness and future exacerbations. Results: We included five studies with 300 participants with moderate to severe COPD. The certainty of the evidence was primarily low or very low for all outcomes of interest due to risk of bias, inconsistency or imprecision. HFNC has little to no difference in HRQoL (4 studies, 129 participants, MD 0.17, 95% CI −1.20 to 1.54; I2 50%). HFNC may result in little to no difference in EC (3 studies, 212 participants, mean difference 18.73, 95% CI −20.49 to 28.94; I2 56%), and we are uncertain about the effect of HFNC on breathlessness (4 studies; 244 participants, MD of −0.07, 95% CI −0.4 to 0.26; I2 63%). Only one study with 44 participants reported a participant's withdrawal because of progressive dyspnoea during lower limb exercise. Conclusions: We are uncertain about the effect of HFNC during the exercise component of a PR programme in HRQoL, EC or dyspnoea compared to usual care or conventional supplementary oxygen. Non‐domiciliary oxygen patients showed improvements in HRQoL, EC and dyspnoea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Handling Oxygenation Targets in the Intensive Care Unit (HOT‐ICU) trial was a multicentre, randomised, parallel‐group trial of a lower oxygenation target (arterial partial pressure of oxygen [PaO2] = 8 kPa) versus a higher oxygenation target (PaO2 = 12 kPa) in adult ICU patients with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure; the Handling Oxygenation Targets in coronavirus disease 2019 (HOT‐COVID) tested the same oxygenation targets in patients with confirmed COVID‐19. In this study, we aim to evaluate the long‐term effects of these oxygenation targets on cognitive and pulmonary function. We hypothesise that a lower oxygenation target throughout the ICU stay may result in cognitive impairment, whereas a higher oxygenation target may result in impaired pulmonary function. Methods: This is the updated protocol and statistical analysis plan of two pre‐planned secondary outcomes, the long‐term cognitive function, and long‐term pulmonary function, in the HOT‐ICU and HOT‐COVID trials. Patients enrolled in both trials at selected Danish sites and surviving to 1 year after randomisation are eligible to participate. A Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status score and a full‐body plethysmography, including diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide, will be obtained. The last patient is expected to be included in the spring of 2024. Conclusion: This study will provide important information on the long‐term effects of a lower versus a higher oxygenation target on long‐term cognitive and pulmonary functions in adult ICU patients with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Postextubation respiratory support in pediatric ARDS may be used to support the recovering respiratory system and promote timely, successful liberation from mechanical ventilation. This study's aims were to (1) describe the use of postextubation respiratory support in pediatric ARDS from the time of extubation to hospital discharge, (2) identify potential risk factors for post-extubation respiratory support, and (3) provide preliminary data for future larger studies. METHODS: This pilot single-center prospective cohort study recruited subjects with pediatric ARDS. Subjects' respiratory status up to hospital discharge, the use of postextubation respiratory support, and how it changed over time were recorded. Analysis was performed comparing subjects who received postextubation respiratory support versus those who did not and compared its use among pediatric ARDS severity categories. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine variables associated with the use of postextubation respiratory support and included oxygenation index (OI), ventilator duration, and weight. RESULTS: Seventy-three subjects with pediatric ARDS, with median age and OI of 4 (0.6-10.5) y and 7.3 (4.9-12.7), respectively, were analyzed. Postextubation respiratory support was provided to 54/73 (74%) subjects: 28/45 (62.2%), 19/21 (90.5%), and 7/7 (100%) for mild, moderate, and severe pediatric ARDS, respectively, (P < .01). OI and mechanical ventilation duration were higher in subjects who received postextubation respiratory support (8.7 [5.4-14] vs 4.6 [3.7-7], P < .001 and 10 [7-17] d vs 4 [2-7] d, P < .001) compared to those who did not. At hospital discharge, 12/67 (18.2%) survivors received home respiratory support (6 subjects died prior to hospital discharge). In the multivariable model, ventilator duration (adjusted odds ratio 1.3 [95% CI 1.0-1.7], P 5 .050) and weight (adjusted odds ratio 0.95 [95% CI 0.91-0.99], P 5 .02) were associated with the use of postextubation respiratory support. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of intubated subjects with pediatric ARDS received respiratory support postextubation, and a substantial proportion continued to require it up to hospital discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Hypoxemia is a common side effect of propofol sedation during endoscopy. Applying mild positive airway pressure (PAP) using a nasal mask may offer a simple way to reduce such events and optimize the conditions for diagnostic and therapeutic upper gastrointestinal endoscopies. Methods: We compared overweight patients (body mass index >25 kg/m²) with a nasal PAP mask or standard nasal cannula undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopies by non-anesthesiologists who provided propofol sedation. Outcome parameters included the frequency and severity of hypoxemic episodes. Results: We analyzed 102 procedures in 51 patients with nasal PAP masks and 51 controls. Episodes of hypoxemia (oxygen saturation [SpO2] <90% at any time during sedation) occurred in 25 (49.0%) controls compared to 8 (15.7%) patients with nasal PAP masks (p<0.001). Severe hypoxemia (SpO2 <80%) occurred in three individuals (5.9%) in both groups. The mean delta between baseline SpO2 and the lowest SpO2 recorded was significantly decreased among patients with nasal PAP mask compared to controls (3.7 and 8.2 percentage points difference, respectively). There were significantly fewer airway interventions performed in the nasal PAP mask group (15.7% vs. 41.2%, p=0.008). Conclusions: Using a nasal PAP mask may be a simple means of increasing patient safety and ease of examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) is a significant problem that can increase the risk of maternal mortality. Previous studies investigated the effect of Inhaled Oxygen (IO) on PPH. They found some conflicting results. Thus, the current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effect of IO on PPH. Materials and Methods: Randomized trials were searched according to the PRISMA framework until the end of November 2022 in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases. Statistical analyses were performed in the STATA v. 14 software. I2 statistic was applied to assess heterogeneity between studies. The random effect model, sample size, and mean and standard deviation of each group were applied to report the pooled effect size. Version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2) was used to evaluate the risk of bias in the included studies. Finally, five articles were included in the meta-analysis. Two and three studies reported the mean of bleeding after vaginal delivery during one- and two-hours oxygen therapy, respectively. Results: Results showed that IO significantly reduced bleeding by 38.91 mL in the intervention group compared to routine care (WMD: −38.91, 95%CI: −60.18 to −17.64) after vaginal delivery. In addition, IO during one (WMD: −38.42, 95%CI: −71.62 to −5.22) and two (WMD: −41.93, 95%CI: −60.15 to − 23.71) hours significantly decreased bleeding in the intervention. Conclusion: According to the present study, IO can significantly reduce PPH in the intervention group compared to routine care. However, more rigorously randomized clinical trials are required to decide better about this issue.

Background: Oxygen supplementation is ubiquitous in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and acute hypoxaemia, but the optimal oxygenation target has not been established. Methods: This was a pre-planned subgroup analysis of the Handling Oxygenation Targets in the ICU (HOT-ICU) trial, which allocated patients with acute hypoxaemia to a lower oxygenation target (partial pressure of arterial oxygen [Pao2] of 8 kPa) vs a higher target (Pao2 of 12 kPa) during ICU admission, for up to 90 days; the allocation was stratified for presence or absence of COPD. Here, we report key outcomes for patients with COPD. Results: The HOT-ICU trial enrolled 2928 patients of whom 563 had COPD; 277 were allocated to the lower and 286 to the higher oxygenation group. After allocation, the median Pao2 was 9.1 kPa (inter-quartile range 8.7–9.9) in the lower group vs 12.1 kPa (11.2–12.9) in the higher group. Data for arterial carbon dioxide (Paco2) were available for 497 patients (88%) with no between-group difference in time-weighted average; median Paco2 6.0 kPa (5.2–7.2) in the lower group vs 6.2 kPa (5.4–7.3) in the higher group. At 90 days, 122/277 patients (44%) in the lower oxygenation group had died vs 132/285 patients (46%) in the higher (relative risk 0.98; 95% confidence interval 0.82–1.17; P=0.67). No statistically significant differences were found in any secondary outcome. Conclusions: In ICU patients with COPD and acute hypoxaemia, a lower vs a higher oxygenation target did not reduce mortality. There were no between-group differences in Paco2 or in secondary outcomes. Clinical trial registration: NCT 03174002, EudraCT number 2017-000632-34.

Background/Aim. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are one of the most common causes of patient dissatisfaction in the postoperative period after general anesthesia. Hyperoxia may prevent PONV after abdominal surgery, but the effectiveness of intraoperative and early postoperative hyperoxia in preventing PONV after breast cancer surgery has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to assess if the application of intraoperative hyperoxia during surgery could prevent PONV. Methods. Forty female patients with breast cancer were recruited for the study, all of whom underwent surgical treatment of breast cancer with axillary sentinel node sampling or axillary lymph node dissection. A balanced general anesthesia was conducted, which was induced with propofol and maintained with sevofluran. Out of the 40 patients, 20 (in-tervention group) received a volatile gas mixture with a fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) of 0.8 L/min intraoperatively and, afterward, 3 L/min of oxygen via face mask for two hours after surgery. The other 20 patients (control group) received a FiO2 of 0.4 L/min during the surgery without further administration of oxygen in the early postoperative period. The presence and severity of PONV were assessed at 30 min, 4, 24, 32, 48, and 56 hrs after surgery with the use of the PONV numerical Intensity Scale by Wengritzky for evaluating clinically significant PONV in the first six hours after surgery. Data were collected in an Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using the independent Student’s t-test. Results. The overall incidence of PONV during the 30 min after the surgery was 17.5% (15% in the group of patients receiving FiO2 of 0.8 L/min and 20% in the group of patients receiving FiO2 of 0.4 L/min intraoperatively). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the frequency of PONV, as well as in the severity of PONV, measured with the PONV Intensity Scale by Wengritzky (p ≥ 0.05). Conclusion. We found no benefit of intra- and post-operative hyperoxia in reducing the incidence of PONV. The data do not support routine administration of hyperoxia, in addition to antiemetics, for the prevention of PONV in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery.

This systematic review aimed to analyze the available studies that identified overweight and/or obesity as a risk factor for mortality, use of respiratory support, and changes in biochemical markers in adults hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2. The PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched using PRISMA guidelines until January 2024. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (code: CRD42024501551). Of the 473 articles, only 8 met the inclusion criteria (e.g., adult individuals aged 18 or over diagnosed with COVID-19 individuals with overweight and/or obesity). In addition, the Downs and Black tool was used to assess the quality of the studies. The studies analyzed totaled 9782 adults hospitalized for COVID-19, indicating that overweight and obesity are present in more than half of adults. Diseases such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension are more prevalent in adults with obesity. The systematic review also highlighted that a higher incidence of respiratory support is related to a higher incidence of hospitalization in intensive care units and that adults with overweight and obesity have a higher risk of mortality from COVID-19. Biochemical markers such as procalcitinin, C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6 are associated with the severity of COVID-19 infection. This systematic review exposed overweight and/or obesity as a risk factor for worse COVID-19 disease, as well as for the need for intensive care, respiratory support, mortality, and changes in essential blood markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Argentinian Journal of Respiratory & Physical Therapy (AJRPT) is the property of Asociacion Civil Cientifica de Difusion y Promocion de la Kinesiologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) represents a common and serious complication to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The importance of post-resuscitation care targets for blood pressure and oxygenation for the development of AKI is unknown. METHODS: This is a substudy of a randomized 2-by-2 factorial trial, in which 789 comatose adult patients who had out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with presumed cardiac cause and sustained return of spontaneous circulation were randomly assigned to a target mean arterial blood pressure of either 63 or 77 mm Hg. Patients were simultaneously randomly assigned to either a restrictive oxygen target of a partial pressure of arterial oxygen (Pa o 2) of 9 to 10 kPa or a liberal oxygenation target of a Pa o 2 of 13 to 14 kPa. The primary outcome for this study was AKI according to KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) classification in patients surviving at least 48 hours (N=759). Adjusted logistic regression was performed for patients allocated to high blood pressure and liberal oxygen target as reference. RESULTS: The main population characteristics at admission were: age, 64 (54–73) years; 80% male; 90% shockable rhythm; and time to return of spontaneous circulation, 18 (12–26) minutes. Patients allocated to a low blood pressure and liberal oxygen target had an increased risk of developing AKI compared with patients with high blood pressure and liberal oxygen target (84/193 [44%] versus 56/187 [30%]; adjusted odds ratio, 1.87 [95% CI, 1.21–2.89]). Multinomial logistic regression revealed that the increased risk of AKI was only related to mild-stage AKI (KDIGO stage 1). There was no difference in risk of AKI in the other groups. Plasma creatinine remained high during hospitalization in the low blood pressure and liberal oxygen target group but did not differ between groups at 6- and 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In comatose patients who had been resuscitated after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, patients allocated to a combination of a low mean arterial blood pressure and a liberal oxygen target had a significantly increased risk of mild-stage AKI. No difference was found in terms of more severe AKI stages or other kidney-related adverse outcomes, and creatinine had normalized at 1 year after discharge. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03141099. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of two tracheostomy heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs), namely the Shikani Oxygen HME™ (S‐O2HME, ball type, turbulent airflow) and Mallinckrodt Tracheolife II DAR HME (M‐O2HME; flapper type, linear airflow) on tracheobronchial mucosal health, oxygenation, humidification, and patient preference. Methods: A randomized cross‐over study was conducted with HME‐naïve long‐term tracheostomy subjects at two academic medical centers. Bronchoscopy assessments of mucosal health were performed at baseline and day 5 of HME application, along with oxygen saturation (SpO2) and breathed air humidity at four oxygen flow rates (1, 2, 3, and 5 lpm). Patient preference was assessed on study conclusion. Results: Both HMEs were associated with improved mucosal inflammation and decreased mucus production (p < 0.0002), with greater improvements in the S‐O2HME group (p < 0.007). Both HMEs improved humidity concentration at each oxygen flow rate (p < 0.0001), without significant differences between groups. SpO2 was greater for the S‐O2HME versus the M‐O2HME across all measured oxygen flow rates (p = 0.003). At low oxygen flow rates (1 or 2 lpm), the SpO2 in the S‐O2HME group was similar to that of the M‐O2HME at higher oxygen flow rates (3 or 5 lpm; p = 0.6). Ninety percent of subjects preferred the S‐O2HME. Conclusion: Tracheostomy HME uses correlated with improved indicators of tracheobronchial mucosal health, humidity, and oxygenation. The S‐O2HME outperformed the M‐O2HME with respect to tracheobronchial inflammation, SpO2, and patient preference. Regular HME use by tracheostomy patients is recommended to optimize pulmonary health. Newer ball‐type speaking valve technology additionally allows concomitant HME and speaking valve application. Level of Evidence: 2 Laryngoscope, 133:3422–3428, 2023 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Trauma patients frequently receive supplemental oxygen, but its hemodynamic effects in blood loss are poorly understood. We studied the effects of oxygen on the hemodynamic response and tolerance to simulated blood loss in healthy volunteers. Methods Fifteen healthy volunteers were exposed to simulated blood loss by lower body negative pressure (LBNP) on two separate visits at least 24 h apart. They were randomized to inhale 100% oxygen or medical air on visit 1, while inhaling the other on visit 2. To simulate progressive blood loss LBNP was increased every 3 min in levels of 10 mmHg from 0 to 80 mmHg or until hemodynamic decompensation. Oxygen and air were delivered on a reservoired face mask at 15 L/min. The effect of oxygen compared to air on the changes in cardiac output, stroke volume and middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAV) was examined with mixed regression to account for repeated measurements within subjects. The effect of oxygen compared to air on the tolerance to blood loss was measured as the time to hemodynamic decompensation in a shared frailty model. Cardiac output was the primary outcome variable. Results Oxygen had no statistically significant effect on the changes in cardiac output (0.031 L/min/LBNP level, 95% confidence interval (CI): − 0.015 to 0.077, P = 0.188), stroke volume (0.39 mL/LBNP level, 95% CI: − 0.39 to 1.2, P = 0.383), or MCAV (0.25 cm/s/LBNP level, 95% CI: − 0.11 to 0.61, P = 0.176). Four subjects exhibited hemodynamic decompensation when inhaling oxygen compared to 10 when inhaling air (proportional hazard ratio 0.24, 95% CI: 0.065 to 0.85, P = 0.027). Conclusions We found no effect of oxygen compared to air on the changes in cardiac output, stroke volume or MCAV during simulated blood loss in healthy volunteers. However, oxygen had a favorable effect on the tolerance to simulated blood loss with fewer hemodynamic decompensations. Our findings suggest that supplemental oxygen does not adversely affect the hemodynamic response to simulated blood loss. Trial registration This trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05150418) December 9, 2021

Abstract Introduction and objectives High‐flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC) has been successfully used for the treatment of acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure (AHRF) secondary to SARS‐CoV‐2 pneumonia and being effective in reducing progression to invasive mechanical ventilation. The objective of this study was to assess the usefulness of HFNC on a hospital ward for the treatment of AHRF secondary to SARS‐CoV‐2 pneumonia and its impact on the need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and endotracheal intubation. Other objectives include identifying potential physiological parameters and/or biomarkers for predicting treatment failure and assessing the clinical course and survival. Methods Observational study based on data collected prospectively between March 2020 and February 2021 in a single hospital on patients diagnosed with AHRF secondary to SARS‐CoV‐2 pneumonia who received HFNC outside an ICU. Results One hundred and seventy‐one patients out of 1090 patients hospitalised for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. HFNC was set as the ceiling of treatment in 44 cases; 12 survived (27.3%). Among the other 127 patients, intubation was performed in 25.9% of cases with a mortality of 11.8%. Higher creatinine levels (OR 1.942, 95% CI 1.04; 3.732; p = 0.036) and Comorbidity‐Age‐Lymphocyte‐LDH (CALL) score (OR 1.273, 95% CI 1.033; 1.617; p = 0.033) were associated with a higher risk of intubation. High platelet count at HFNC initiation was predictive of good treatment response (OR 0.935, 95% CI 0.884; 0.983; p = 0.012). Conclusions HFNC outside an ICU is a treatment with high success rate in patients with AHRF secondary to SARS‐CoV‐2 pneumonia, including in patients in whom this therapy was deemed to be the ceiling of treatment.

BackgroundRespiratory complications are associated with significant morbidity and mortality in trauma patients. The care transition from the intensive care unit (ICU) to the acute care ward is a vulnerable time for injured patients. There is a lack of knowledge about the epidemiology of respiratory events and their outcomes during this transition.MethodsRetrospective cohort study in a single Level I trauma center of injured patients 18 years and older initially admitted to the ICU from 2015 to 2019 who survived initial transfer to the acute care ward. The primary outcome was occurrence of a respiratory event, defined as escalation in oxygen therapy beyond nasal cannula or facemask for three or more consecutive hours. Secondary outcomes included unplanned intubation for a primary pulmonary cause, adjudicated via manual chart review, as well as in-hospital mortality and length of stay. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine patient characteristics associated with posttransfer respiratory events.ResultsThere were 6,561 patients that met the inclusion criteria with a mean age of 52.3 years and median Injury Severity Score of 18 (interquartile range, 13-26). Two hundred and sixty-two patients (4.0%) experienced a respiratory event. Respiratory events occurred early after transfer (median, 2 days, interquartile range, 1-5 days), and were associated with high mortality (16% vs. 1.8%, p < 0.001), and ICU readmission rates (52.6% vs. 4.7%, p < 0.001). Increasing age, male sex, severe chest injury, and comorbidities, including preexisting alcohol use disorder, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, were associated with increased odds of a respiratory event. Fifty-eight patients experienced an unplanned intubation for a primary pulmonary cause, which was associated with an in-hospital mortality of 39.7%.ConclusionRespiratory events after transfer to the acute care ward occur close to the time of transfer and are associated with high mortality. Interventions targeted at this critical time are warranted to improve patient outcomes.Level of evidencePrognostic and Epidemiological study, level III.

Background: The aim of the present study was to develop a clinical–ultrasound model for early detection of hospital admission, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission, and oxygen requirement in children diagnosed with acute bronchiolitis (AB). Furthermore, the prognostic ability of models including sonographic data from antero-lateral, lateral-posterior, and posterior areas (eight zones) vs. antero-lateral and lateral-posterior areas (six zones) vs. only antero-lateral areas (four zones) was analyzed. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on infants under 12 months with AB. A lung ultrasound (LUS) was performed within 24 h of hospital care and analyzed using the Lung Ultrasound Combined Score (LUCS) based on the ultrasound patterns and their extent. Regression models combining LUCS (using eight, six, or four lung areas) with age and clinical scale were created. Results: A total of 90 patients were included (62 admitted to the ward, 15 to PICU), with a median age of 3.7 months. Clinical–ultrasound models with eight and six lung zones predicted hospital admission (AUC 0.89), need for oxygen therapy (AUC 0.88), and its duration (40% explanatory capacity). Models using four lung areas had lower prognostic yield. No model predicted PICU admission needs or duration. Conclusions: The ultrasound pattern and its extension combined with clinical information may be useful to predict hospital admission and oxygen requirement.

OBJECTIVES: To provide more comprehensive data on the management of oxygen supplementation in neonates in sub-Saharan Africa. STUDY DESIGN: An online survey on the management of oxygen supplementation for infants in neonatal units was sent to 278 healthcare personnel in sub-Saharan Africa. RESULTS: One hundred and nine responses from 82 neonatal care units in 54% (26/48) sub-Saharan African countries were received. All units had the capacity to provide oxygen supplementation. However, only 50% (38/76) had access to blend oxygen with medical air and 1% (1/75) had the capacity to blend oxygen/air for every infant. Although 96% (72/75) of units could monitor oxygen saturation, monitoring was mostly intermittent and only 32% (24/75) were able to monitor oxygen saturation in every infant receiving oxygen supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that oxygen supplementation is inadequately managed in neonatal units in sub-Saharan Africa, which may put infants at risk of developing severe ROP.

BackgroundThe United States Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension Registry (US-CTEPH-R) was designed to characterize the demographic characteristics, evaluation, clinical course, and outcomes of surgical and nonsurgical therapies for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.Research questionWhat are the differences in baseline characteristics and 1-year outcomes between operated and nonoperated subjects?Study design and methodsThis study describes a multicenter, prospective, longitudinal, observational registry of patients newly diagnosed (< 6 months) with CTEPH. Inclusion criteria required a mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥ 25 mm Hg documented by right heart catheterization and radiologic confirmation of CTEPH. Between 2015 and 2018, a total of 750 patients were enrolled and followed up biannually until 2019.ResultsMost patients with CTEPH (87.9%) reported a history of acute pulmonary embolism. CTEPH diagnosis delays were frequent (median, 10 months), and most patients reported World Health Organization functional class 3 status at enrollment with a median mean pulmonary artery pressure of 44 mm Hg. The registry cohort was subdivided into Operable patients undergoing pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) surgery (n = 566), Operable patients who did not undergo surgery (n = 88), and those who were Inoperable (n = 96). Inoperable patients were older than Operated patients; less likely to be obese; have a DVT history, non-type O blood group, or thrombophilia; and more likely to have COPD or a history of cancer. PTE resulted in a median pulmonary vascular resistance decline from 6.9 to 2.6 Wood units (P < .001) with a 3.9% in-hospital mortality. At 1-year follow-up, Operated patients were less likely treated with oxygen, diuretics, or pulmonary hypertension-targeted therapy compared with Inoperable patients. A larger percentage of Operated patients were World Health Organization functional class 1 or 2 at 1 year (82.9%) compared with the Inoperable (48.2%) and Operable/No Surgery (56%) groups (P < .001).InterpretationDifferences exist in the clinical characteristics between patients who exhibited operable CTEPH and those who were inoperable, with the most favorable 1-year outcomes in those who underwent PTE surgery.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT02429284; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.

This document summarizes suggestions of the central sleep apnea (CSA) Technical Expert Panel working group. This paper shares our vision for bringing the right device to the right patient at the right time. For patients with CSA, current coverage criteria do not align with guideline treatment recommendations. For example, CPAP and oxygen therapy are recommended but not covered for CSA. On the other hand, bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) without a backup rate may be a covered therapy for OSA, but it may worsen CSA. Narrow coverage criteria that require near elimination of obstructive breathing events on CPAP or BPAP in the spontaneous mode, even if at poorly tolerated pressure levels, may preclude therapy with BPAP with backup rate or adaptive servoventilation, even when those devices provide demonstrably better therapy. CSA is a dynamic disorder that may require different treatments over time, sometimes switching from one device to another; an example is switching from BPAP with backup rate to an adaptive servoventilation with automatic end-expiratory pressure adjustments, which may not be covered. To address these challenges, we suggest several changes to the coverage determinations, including: (1) a single simplified initial and continuing coverage definition of CSA that aligns with OSA; (2) removal of hypoventilation terminology from coverage criteria for CSA; (3) all effective therapies for CSA should be covered, including oxygen and all PAP devices with or without backup rates or servo-mechanisms; and (4) patients shown to have a suboptimal response to one PAP device should be allowed to add oxygen or change to another PAP device with different capabilities if shown to be effective with testing.

Abstract Background Few studies have focused on high‐flow nasal cannula (HFNC) usage in the last few weeks of life. The aim of this study was to identify the status of HFNC use in patients with cancer at the end of life and the relevant clinical factors. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary hospital in the Republic of Korea. Among patients with cancer who died between 2018 and 2020, those who initiated HFNC within 14 days before death were included. Patients were categorized based on the time from HFNC initiation to death as imminent (

Jun Wang,1 Li Zhou,2 Ke Liu,3 Luqun Dou,4 Rui Wang,2 Bing Chen1 1Department of Nursing, Leshan People’s Hospital, Leshan, 614000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Intensive Care Unit, Leshan People’s Hospital, Leshan, 614000, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Gastrointestinal Surgical, Leshan People’s Hospital, Leshan, 614000, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Cordiovascular Surgery, Leshan People’s Hospital, Leshan, 614000, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Bing Chen, Department of Nursing, Leshan People’s Hospital, No. 238 of White Tower Street, Shizhong District, Leshan, 614000, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 13890655907, Email kej_2021@21cn.comObjective: To investigate the rationality and standardization of oxygen therapy for hospitalized adult patients, so as to provide a basis for improving the quality of oxygen therapy care.Methods: Self-designed “Inpatient Oxygen Therapy Status Questionnaire”, using a cross-sectional survey, surveyed 185 oxygen inhalation patients in a tertiary general hospital from August 3– 15, 2020, based on the formulation and promulgation of the Chinese Nursing Association The “Nursing care for adult patient with oxygen therapy” standard evaluates the rationality of clinical oxygen therapy implementation and the standardization of nursing measures.Results: The reasonable rate of oxygen therapy for hospitalized adult patients was 19.46%, and the standardized rate of nursing measures was 54.52%. The reasonable and standardized rates of medical wards were higher than those of surgical and specialized wards, and were statistically significant (P< 0.05). The incidence of complications of oxygen therapy was positively correlated with the rationality of oxygen therapy and the standardized data of nursing measures.Conclusion: The clinical oxygen therapy nursing practice and the standard of “Nursing care for adult patient with oxygen therapy” are quite inadequate. There are differences in the quality of oxygen therapy in different wards. Nursing managers should strengthen training and management, standardize nursing behaviors, and improve the quality of oxygen therapy and ensure oxygen therapy for patients’ safety.Keywords: clinical nursing, cross-sectional survey, oxygen inhalation therapy, rationality, normative

Background: Trauma patients frequently receive supplemental oxygen, but its hemodynamic effects in blood loss are poorly understood. We studied the effects of oxygen on the hemodynamic response and tolerance to simulated blood loss in healthy volunteers. Methods: Fifteen healthy volunteers were exposed to simulated blood loss by lower body negative pressure (LBNP) on two separate visits at least 24 h apart. They were randomized to inhale 100% oxygen or medical air on visit 1, while inhaling the other on visit 2. To simulate progressive blood loss LBNP was increased every 3 min in levels of 10 mmHg from 0 to 80 mmHg or until hemodynamic decompensation. Oxygen and air were delivered on a reservoired face mask at 15 L/min. The effect of oxygen compared to air on the changes in cardiac output, stroke volume and middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAV) was examined with mixed regression to account for repeated measurements within subjects. The effect of oxygen compared to air on the tolerance to blood loss was measured as the time to hemodynamic decompensation in a shared frailty model. Cardiac output was the primary outcome variable. Results: Oxygen had no statistically significant effect on the changes in cardiac output (0.031 L/min/LBNP level, 95% confidence interval (CI): − 0.015 to 0.077, P = 0.188), stroke volume (0.39 mL/LBNP level, 95% CI: − 0.39 to 1.2, P = 0.383), or MCAV (0.25 cm/s/LBNP level, 95% CI: − 0.11 to 0.61, P = 0.176). Four subjects exhibited hemodynamic decompensation when inhaling oxygen compared to 10 when inhaling air (proportional hazard ratio 0.24, 95% CI: 0.065 to 0.85, P = 0.027). Conclusions: We found no effect of oxygen compared to air on the changes in cardiac output, stroke volume or MCAV during simulated blood loss in healthy volunteers. However, oxygen had a favorable effect on the tolerance to simulated blood loss with fewer hemodynamic decompensations. Our findings suggest that supplemental oxygen does not adversely affect the hemodynamic response to simulated blood loss. Trial registration This trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05150418) December 9, 2021 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Automated oxygen titration to maintain a stable SpO2 has been developed for spontaneously breathing patients but has not been evaluated during CPAP and noninvasive ventilation (NIV). METHODS: We performed a randomized controlled crossover, double-blind study on 10 healthy subjects with induced hypoxemia during 3 situations: spontaneous breathing with oxygen support, CPAP (5 cm H2O), and NIV (7/3 cm H2O). We conducted in random order 3 dynamic hypoxic challenges of 5 min (FIO2 0.08 6 0.02, 0.116 0.02, and 0.14 6 0.02). For each condition, we compared automated oxygen titration and manual oxygen titration by experienced respiratory therapists (RTs), with the aim to maintain the SpO2 at 94 6 2%. In addition, we included 2 subjects hospitalized for exacerbation of COPD under NIV and a subject managed after bariatric surgery with CPAP and automated oxygen titration. RESULTS: The percentage of time in the SpO2 target was higher with automated compared with manual oxygen titration for all conditions, on average 59.6 6 22.8% compared to 44.3 6 23.9% (P 5 .004). Hyperoxemia (SpO2 > 96%) was less frequent with automated titration for each mode of oxygen administration (24.0 6 24.4% vs 39.1 6 25.3%, P < .001). During the manual titration periods, the RT made several changes to oxygen flow (5.1 6 3.3 interventions that lasted 122 6 70 s/period) compared to none during the automated titration to maintain oxygenation in the targeted SpO2. Time in the SpO2 target was higher with stable hospitalized subjects in comparison with healthy subjects under dynamic-induced hypoxemia. CONCLUSIONS: In this proof-of-concept study, automated oxygen titration was used during CPAP and NIV. The performances to maintain the SpO2 target were significantly better compared to manual oxygen titration in the setting of this study protocol. This technology may allow decreasing the number of manual interventions for oxygen titration during CPAP and NIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and objectives: High‐flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC) has been successfully used for the treatment of acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure (AHRF) secondary to SARS‐CoV‐2 pneumonia and being effective in reducing progression to invasive mechanical ventilation. The objective of this study was to assess the usefulness of HFNC on a hospital ward for the treatment of AHRF secondary to SARS‐CoV‐2 pneumonia and its impact on the need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and endotracheal intubation. Other objectives include identifying potential physiological parameters and/or biomarkers for predicting treatment failure and assessing the clinical course and survival. Methods: Observational study based on data collected prospectively between March 2020 and February 2021 in a single hospital on patients diagnosed with AHRF secondary to SARS‐CoV‐2 pneumonia who received HFNC outside an ICU. Results: One hundred and seventy‐one patients out of 1090 patients hospitalised for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. HFNC was set as the ceiling of treatment in 44 cases; 12 survived (27.3%). Among the other 127 patients, intubation was performed in 25.9% of cases with a mortality of 11.8%. Higher creatinine levels (OR 1.942, 95% CI 1.04; 3.732; p = 0.036) and Comorbidity‐Age‐Lymphocyte‐LDH (CALL) score (OR 1.273, 95% CI 1.033; 1.617; p = 0.033) were associated with a higher risk of intubation. High platelet count at HFNC initiation was predictive of good treatment response (OR 0.935, 95% CI 0.884; 0.983; p = 0.012). Conclusions: HFNC outside an ICU is a treatment with high success rate in patients with AHRF secondary to SARS‐CoV‐2 pneumonia, including in patients in whom this therapy was deemed to be the ceiling of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy, which is important in noninvasive respiratory support, is increasingly being used in critically ill neonates with respiratory failure because it is comfortable, easy to setup, and has a low incidence of nasal trauma. The advantages, indications, and risks of HFNC have been the focus of research in recent years, resulting in the development of the application. Based on current evidence, we developed guidelines for HFNC in neonates using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). The guidelines were formulated after extensive consultations with neonatologists, respiratory therapists, nurse specialists, and evidence‐based medicine experts. We have proposed 24 recommendations for 9 key questions. The guidelines aim to be a source of evidence and reference of HFNC oxygen therapy in clinical practice, and so that more neonates and their families will benefit from HFNC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundCumulative supplemental oxygen (CSO) and cumulative mean airway pressure (CMAP) are associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants, but their relationships to white matter injury (WMI) and neurodevelopment have not been evaluated.MethodsPreterm infants

The 2012 Berlin definition of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) provided validated support for three levels of initial arterial hypoxaemia that correlated with mortality in patients receiving ventilatory support. Since 2015, high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) has become widely used as an effective therapeutic support for acute respiratory failure, most recently in patients with severe COVID-19. We propose that the Berlin definition of ARDS be broadened to include patients treated with HFNO of at least 30 L/min who fulfil the other criteria for the Berlin definition of ARDS. An expanded definition would make the diagnosis of ARDS more widely applicable, allowing patients at an earlier stage of the syndrome to be recognised, independent of the need for endotracheal intubation or positive-pressure ventilation, with benefits for the testing of early interventions and the study of factors associated with the course of ARDS. We identify key questions that could be addressed in refining an expanded definition of ARDS, the implementation of which could lead to improvements in clinical practice and clinical outcomes for patients.

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide and causes high mortality of elderly patients. High-flow nasal cannula therapy (HFNC) is an oxygen delivery method for severely ill patients. We retrospectively analyzed the course of illness and outcomes in 110 elderly COVID-19 patients (≥65 years) treated with HFNC from 6 hospitals. 38 patients received HFNC (200 mmHg < PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 300 mmHg, early HFNC group), and 72 patients received HFNC (100 mmHg < PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 200 mmHg, late HFNC group). There were no significant differences of sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores and APECH II scores between early and late HFNC group on admission. Compared with the late HFNC group, patients in the early HFNC group had a lower likelihood of developing severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), longer time from illness onset to severe ARDS and shorter duration of viral shedding after illness onset, as well as shorter lengths of ICU and hospital stay. 24 patients died during hospitalization, of whom 22 deaths (30.6%) were in the late HFNC group and 2 (5.3%) in the early HFNC group. The present study suggested that the outcomes were better in severely ill elderly patients with COVID-19 receiving early compared to late HFNC.

ObjectiveFetal cerebrovascular resistance is influenced by several factors in the setting of intact autoregulation to allow for normal cerebral blood flow and oxygenation. Maternal hyperoxygenation (MH) allows for acute alterations in fetal physiology and can be a tool to test cerebrovascular reactivity in late-gestation fetuses. In this study, we utilized MH to evaluate cerebrovascular reactivity in fetuses with specific congenital heart disease (CHD).MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of fetuses with complex CHD compared to controls without CHD. CHD cases were grouped according to physiology into: left-sided obstructive lesion (LSOL), right-sided obstructive lesion (RSOL) or dextro-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA). Subjects underwent MH testing during the third-trimester fetal echocardiogram. The pulsatility index (PI) was calculated for the fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA), umbilical artery (UA) and branch pulmonary artery (PA). The change in PI from baseline to during MH was compared between each CHD group and controls.ResultsSixty pregnant women were enrolled (CHD, n = 43; control, n = 17). In the CHD group, there were 27 fetuses with LSOL, seven with RSOL and nine with d-TGA. Mean gestational age was 33.9 (95% CI, 33.6-34.2) weeks. At baseline, MCA-PI Z-score was lowest in the LSOL group (-1.8 (95% CI, -2.4 to -1.2)) compared with the control group (-0.8 (95% CI, -1.3 to -0.3)) (P = 0.01). In response to MH, MCA-PI Z-score increased significantly in the control and d-TGA groups but did not change significantly in the LSOL and RSOL groups. The change in MCA-PI Z-score was significantly higher in the control group than in the LSOL group (0.9 (95% CI, 0.42-1.4) vs 0.12 (95% CI, -0.21 to 0.45); P = 0.03). This difference was more pronounced in the LSOL subgroup with retrograde aortic arch flow. Branch PA-PI decreased significantly in response to MH in all groups, with no difference in the change from baseline to MH between the groups, while UA-PI was unchanged during MH compared with at baseline.ConclusionsThe fetal cerebrovascular response to MH varies based on the underlying CHD diagnosis, suggesting that cardiovascular physiology may influence the autoregulatory capacity of the fetal brain. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical implications of these findings on long-term neurodevelopment in these at-risk children. © 2020 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Advising patients before air travel is a frequently overlooked, but important, role of the physician, particularly primary care providers and pulmonary specialists. Although physiologic changes occur in all individuals during air travel, those with underlying pulmonary disease are at increased risk of serious complications and require a specific approach to risk stratification. We discuss the available tools for assessment of preflight risk and strategies to minimize potential harm. We also present a case discussion to illustrate our approach to assessing patients for air travel and discuss the specific conditions that should prompt a more thorough preflight workup.

BackgroundSevere coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is associated with dysregulated inflammation. The effects of combination treatment with baricitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor, plus remdesivir are not known.MethodsWe conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating baricitinib plus remdesivir in hospitalized adults with Covid-19. All the patients received remdesivir (≤10 days) and either baricitinib (≤14 days) or placebo (control). The primary outcome was the time to recovery. The key secondary outcome was clinical status at day 15.ResultsA total of 1033 patients underwent randomization (with 515 assigned to combination treatment and 518 to control). Patients receiving baricitinib had a median time to recovery of 7 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 6 to 8), as compared with 8 days (95% CI, 7 to 9) with control (rate ratio for recovery, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.32; P = 0.03), and a 30% higher odds of improvement in clinical status at day 15 (odds ratio, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0 to 1.6). Patients receiving high-flow oxygen or noninvasive ventilation at enrollment had a time to recovery of 10 days with combination treatment and 18 days with control (rate ratio for recovery, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.10 to 2.08). The 28-day mortality was 5.1% in the combination group and 7.8% in the control group (hazard ratio for death, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.39 to 1.09). Serious adverse events were less frequent in the combination group than in the control group (16.0% vs. 21.0%; difference, -5.0 percentage points; 95% CI, -9.8 to -0.3; P = 0.03), as were new infections (5.9% vs. 11.2%; difference, -5.3 percentage points; 95% CI, -8.7 to -1.9; P = 0.003).ConclusionsBaricitinib plus remdesivir was superior to remdesivir alone in reducing recovery time and accelerating improvement in clinical status among patients with Covid-19, notably among those receiving high-flow oxygen or noninvasive ventilation. The combination was associated with fewer serious adverse events. (Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04401579.).

Background/Aims For patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who require supplemental oxygen, the evidence of the optimal duration of corticosteroid is limited. This study aims to identify whether long-term use of corticosteroids is associated with decreased mortality. Methods Between February 10, 2020 and October 31, 2021, we analyzed consecutive hospitalized patients with COVID-19 with severe hypoxemia. The patients were divided into short-term (≤ 14 days) and long-term (> 14 days) corticosteroid users. The primary outcome was 60-day mortality. We performed propensity score (PS) analysis to mitigate the effect of confounders and conducted Kaplan-Meier curve analysis. Results There were 141 (52%) short-term users and 130 (48%) long-term corticosteroid users. The median age was 68 years and the median PaO2/FiO2 at admission was 158. Of the patients, 40.6% required high-flow nasal cannula, 48.3% required mechanical ventilation, and 11.1% required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The overall 60-day mortality rate was 23.2%, and that of patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) was 22.9%. The Kaplan-Meier curve for 60-day survival in the PS-matched cohort showed that corticosteroid for > 14 days was associated with decreased mortality (p = 0.0033). There were no significant differences in bacteremia and HAP between the groups. An adjusted odds ratio for the risk of 60-day mortality in short-term users was 5.53 (95% confidence interval, 1.90–18.26; p = 0.003). Conclusions For patients with severe COVID-19, long-term use of corticosteroids was associated with decreased mortality, with no increase in nosocomial complications. Corticosteroid use for > 14 days can benefit patients with severe COVID-19.

Introduction and objectives: High-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC) has been successfully used for the treatment of acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure (AHRF) secondary to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and being effective in reducing progression to invasive mechanical ventilation. The objective of this study was to assess the usefulness of HFNC on a hospital ward for the treatment of AHRF secondary to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and its impact on the need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and endotracheal intubation. Other objectives include identifying potential physiological parameters and/or biomarkers for predicting treatment failure and assessing the clinical course and survival. Methods: Observational study based on data collected prospectively between March 2020 and February 2021 in a single hospital on patients diagnosed with AHRF secondary to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia who received HFNC outside an ICU. Results: One hundred and seventy-one patients out of 1090 patients hospitalised for SARS-CoV-2 infection. HFNC was set as the ceiling of treatment in 44 cases; 12 survived (27.3%). Among the other 127 patients, intubation was performed in 25.9% of cases with a mortality of 11.8%. Higher creatinine levels (OR 1.942, 95% CI 1.04; 3.732; p = 0.036) and Comorbidity-Age-Lymphocyte-LDH (CALL) score (OR 1.273, 95% CI 1.033; 1.617; p = 0.033) were associated with a higher risk of intubation. High platelet count at HFNC initiation was predictive of good treatment response (OR 0.935, 95% CI 0.884; 0.983; p = 0.012). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify predictors of persistent cognitive impairment at 12 months after hospitalization due to COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Design: Retrospective, single-centre study. Subjects: All consecutive patients assessed in physical and rehabilitation medicine consultations at 3 months with a neuropsychiatric testing (NPT) at 6 months. Methods: A Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was performed at 3 months and NPT at 6 and 12 months, exploring global cognitive efficiency, attention and processing speed, short-term memory and executive function. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to identify predictors of persistent cognitive impairment. Results: Among 56 patients, 64.3% and 53.6% had 1 or more impaired cognitive functions at 6 and 12 months, respectively, attention and processing speed being the most represented (41.1% at 12 month). Duration of oxygen therapy (odds ratio 0.926 [0.871–0.985], p = 0.015) and MMSE score at 3 months (odds ratio 0.464 [0.276–0.783], p = 0.004) were associated with cognitive impairment at 12 months by multivariable analysis (R² 0.372–0.497). Conclusions: Half of patients have cognitive impairment 12 months after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection requiring hospitalization. The duration of oxygen therapy in acute care could be a protective parameter. Systematic evaluation with the MMSE at 3 months after infection might be an effective tool to detect risk.

Oxygen administration to the mother is commonly performed during labor, especially in the case of a non-reassuring fetal heart rate, aiming to increase oxygen diffusion through the placenta to fetal tissues. The benefits and potential risks are controversial, especially when the mother is not hypoxemic. Its impact on placental gas exchange and the fetal acid–base equilibrium is not fully understood and it probably affects the sensible placental oxygen equilibrium causing a time-dependent vasoconstriction of umbilical and placental vessels. Hyperoxia might also cause the generation of radical oxygen species, raising concerns for the developing fetal cells. Moreover, this practice affects the maternal cardiovascular system, causing alterations of the cardiac index, heart rate and vascular resistance, and unclear effects on uterine blood flow. In conclusion, there is no evidence that maternal oxygen administration can provide any benefit in the case of a non-reassuring fetal heart rate pattern, while possible collateral effects warn of its utilization. Oxygen administration during labor should be reserved for cases of maternal hypoxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The ROX index (iROX) obtained from pulse oximetry saturation/inspired fraction of oxygen and respiratory rate, predicts success with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), however its performance for low-flow oxygenation devices (DOBF) is unknown. Objective: To determine suitability of iROX at 12 hours as a predictor of mechanical ventilation (VMI) in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 and DOBF. Material and methods: An historical cohort was performed. Adults with COVID-19, hospitalized, with supplemental oxygen supply are included, excluding patients with pathologies in chronic stages that could alter the results, calculating the iROX at 12 hours, obtaining the cut-off point using a ROC curve and Youden index, the risk of VMI is prolonged using relative risk (RR), with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Confounding variables were evaluated to determine the performance of the iROX. The dependent variable mechanical ventilation recorded as reported in the file and the independent iROX obtained in the same way as the previous one. Results: 63 patients with a median age of 62 years were included. The best iROX cut-off point at 12 hours was 5.35. With this cut-off point, VMI was associated with a RR of 8.75 (95% CI 2.36-32.35). In the multivariate model with an OR of 9.26; (95% CI, 2.39 - 35.78), after initiation of DOBF was consistently associated with an increased risk of intubation. Conclusion: In hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19, an iROX < 5.35 at 12 hours appears to be a predictor for the onset of VMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]