Search

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurring in patients with hematological malignancies (HM) is a life-threatening condition with specific features. Mortality rate remains high but improvement has been described over the past several years. We aimed to describe characteristics and outcomes of ARDS in HM patients admitted in French ICUs (Intensive Care Units) during a one year-period. Data for this nationwide cohort study were collected from the French national hospital database (Programme de Médicalisation des Systèmes d'Information (PMSI)). All patients (18 years or older) admitted to French ICUs in 2017 and with a diagnosis of ARDS were included. Three groups were compared according to the presence of an HM, a solid cancer or no cancer. The primary endpoint was 90-day mortality. Secondary endpoints were the description of ICU management, etiologies of ARDS and mortality risk factors. Results: A total of 12 846 patients with ARDS were included. Among them, 990 had HM and 2744 had a solid cancer. The main malignancies were non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) (28.5%), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (20.4%) and multiple myeloma (19.7%). Day-90 mortality in patients with HM was higher than in patients with no cancer (64.4% vs. 46.6% p = 0.01) but was not different from that of patients with solid cancer (64.4% vs. 61.4%,p = 0.09). Intubation rate was lower in patients with HM in comparison with both groups (87.7% vs. 90.4% p = 0.02 for patients with solid cancer and 87.7% vs. 91.3%; p < 0.01 with no cancer). Independent predictors of mortality for patients with HM were a diagnosis of lymphoma or acute leukemia, age, a high modified SAPS II score, a renal replacement therapy, invasive fungal infection, and a septic shock. Bacterial pneumonia, extrapulmonary infections and non-invasive ventilation were protective. Conclusion: Mortality remains high in patients with HM admitted in ICU with ARDS in comparison with patients without cancer. Mortality predictors for this population were a diagnosis of lymphoma or acute leukemia, age, a high modified SAPS II score, a renal replacement therapy, invasive fungal infection and a septic shock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the use of prone positioning (PP) during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The authors explain that PP has been shown to improve oxygenation and respiratory mechanics in ARDS patients, and it may also help mitigate the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury. However, the evidence regarding the routine application of PP during ECMO is conflicting, and more research is needed. The authors conclude that while waiting for more conclusive data, PP remains a promising treatment option for ARDS patients in specialized ECMO centers. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Before the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in France, undocumented migrants had a higher risk than general population for being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) because of acute respiratory failure or severe infection. Specific data concerning the impact of COVID-19 on undocumented migrants in France are lacking. We aimed to analyze the mortality and respiratory severity of COVID-19 in this specific population. We retrospectively included all undocumented adult migrants admitted in French ICUs from March 2020 through April 2021 using the French nationwide hospital information system (Programme de Médicalisation des Systèmes d'Information). We focused on admissions related to COVID-19. Undocumented migrants were compared to the general population, first in crude analysis, then after matching on age, severity and main comorbidities. The primary outcome was the ICU mortality from COVID-19. Secondary objectives were the incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the need for mechanical ventilation (MV), the duration of MV, ICU and hospital stay. Results: During the study period, the rate of ICU admission among patients hospitalized for COVID-19 was higher for undocumented migrants than for general population (463/1627 (28.5%) vs. 81 813/344 001 (23.8%); p < 0.001). Although ICU mortality was comparable after matching (14.3% for general population vs. 13.3% for undocumented migrants; p = 0.50), the incidence of ARDS was higher among undocumented migrants (odds ratio, confidence interval (OR (CI)) 1.25 (1.06–1.48); p = 0.01). Undocumented migrants needed more frequently invasive MV (OR (CI) 1.2 (1.01–1.42); p = 0.04 than general population. There were no differences between groups concerning duration of MV, ICU and hospital length of stay. Conclusion: During the first waves of COVID-19 in France, undocumented migrants had a mortality similar to the general population but a higher risk for ICU admission and for developing an ARDS. These results highlight the need for reinforcing prevention and improving primary healthcare access for people in irregular situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exposure to air pollutants promotes inflammation, cancer, and mortality in chronic diseases. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common condition among intensive care unit patients and is associated with a high mortality rate. ARDS is characterized by significant lung inflammation, which can be replicated in animal models by acute exposure to high doses of various air pollutants. Recently, several clinical studies have been conducted in different countries to investigate the role of chronic or acute air pollutant exposure in enhancing both ARDS incidence and severity. Results: Chronic exposure studies have mainly been conducted in the US and France. The results of these studies suggest that some air pollutants, notably ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter, increase susceptibility to ARDS and associated mortality. Furthermore, their impact may differ according to the cause of ARDS. A cohort study conducted in an urbanized zone in China showed that exposure to very high levels of air pollutants in the few days preceding intensive care unit admission was associated with an increased incidence of ARDS. The effects of acute exposure are more debatable regarding ARDS incidence and severity. Conclusion: There is a likely relationship between air pollutant exposure and ARDS incidence and severity. However, further studies are required to determine which pollutants are the most involved and which patients are the most affected. Due to the prevalence of ARDS, air pollutant exposure may have a significant impact and could be a key public health issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) has been widely used in patients with COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (C-ARDS), though its physiological effects and outcome are debated in this setting. The objective of this cohort study was to describe the modalities of iNO use, clinical response, and outcomes in a large cohort of C-ARDS patients. Methods: Multicentre, retrospective cohort study conducted in France. Results: From end February to December 2020, 300 patients (22.3% female) were included, 84.5% were overweight and 69.0% had at least one comorbidity. At ICU admission, their median (IQR) age, SAPS II, and SOFA score were 66 (57–72) years, 37 (29–48), and 5 (3–8), respectively. Patients were all ventilated according to a protective ventilation strategy, and 68% were prone positioned before iNO initiation. At iNO initiation, 2%, 37%, and 61% of patients had mild, moderate, and severe ARDS, respectively. The median duration of iNO treatment was 2.8 (1.1–5.5) days with a median dosage of 10 (7–13) ppm at initiation. Responders (PaO2/FiO2 ratio improving by 20% or more) represented 45.7% of patients at 6 h from iNO initiation. The severity of ARDS was the only predictive factor associated with iNO response. Among all evaluable patients, the crude mortality was not significantly different between responders at 6 h and their counterparts. Of the 62 patients with refractory ARDS (who fulfilled extracorporeal membrane oxygenation criteria before iNO initiation), 32 (51.6%) no longer fulfilled these criteria after 6 h of iNO. The latter showed significantly lower mortality than the other half (who remained ECMO eligible), including after confounder adjustment (adjusted OR: 0.23, 95% CI 0.06, 0.89, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Our study reports the benefits of iNO in improving arterial oxygenation in C-ARDS patients. This improvement seems more relevant in the most severe cases. In patients with ECMO criteria, an iNO-driven improvement in gas exchange was associated with better survival. These results must be confirmed in well-designed prospective studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The prevalence of burnout in intensive care unit (ICU) professionals is difficult to establish due to the variety of survey instruments used, the heterogeneity of the targeted population, the design of the studies, and the differences among countries regarding ICU organization. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the prevalence of high-level burnout in physicians and nurses working in adult ICUs, including only studies that use the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) as a tool to evaluate burnout and involving at least 3 different ICUs. Results: Twenty-five studies with a combined population of 20,723 healthcare workers from adult ICUs satisfied the inclusion criteria. Combining 18 studies including 8187 ICU physicians, 3660 of them reported a high level of burnout (prevalence 0.41, range 0.15–0.71, 95% CI [0.33; 0.5], I2 97.6%, 95% CI [96.9%; 98.1%]). The heterogeneity can be at least in part explained by the definition of burnout used and the response rate as confirmed by the multivariable metaregression done. In contrast, there was no significant difference regarding other factors such as the study period (before or during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic), the income of the countries, or the Healthcare Access and Quality (HAQ) index. Combining 20 studies including 12,536 ICU nurses, 6232 of nurses were reporting burnout (prevalence 0.44, range 0.14–0.74, [95% CI 0.34; 0.55], I2 98.6% 95% CI [98.4%; 98.9%]). The prevalence of high-level burnout in ICU nurses for studies performed during the COVID-19 pandemic was higher than that reported for studies performed before the COVID-19 pandemic (0.61 [95% CI, 0.46; 0.75] and 0.37 [95% CI, 0.26; 0.49] respectively, p = 0.003). As for physicians, the heterogeneity is at least in part explained by the definition used for burnout using the MBI but not by the number of participants. When compared, the prevalence of high-level burnout was not different between ICU physicians and ICU nurses. However, the proportion of ICU nurses with a high level of emotional exhaustion was higher than for ICU physicians (0.42 [95% CI, 0.37; 0.48] and 0.28 [0.2; 0.39], respectively, p = 0.022). Conclusion: According to this meta-analysis, the prevalence of high-level burnout is higher than 40% in all ICU professionals. However, there is a great heterogeneity in the results. To evaluate and to compare preventive and therapeutic strategies, there is the need to use a consensual definition of burnout when using the MBI instrument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sepsis is a heterogeneous syndrome that results in life-threatening organ dysfunction. Our goal was to determine the relevant variables and patient phenotypes to use in predicting sepsis outcomes.Methods: We performed an ancillary study concerning 119 patients with septic shock at intensive care unit (ICU) admittance (T0). We defined clinical worsening as having an increased sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score of ≥ 1, 48 h after admission (ΔSOFA ≥ 1). We performed univariate and multivariate analyses based on the 28-day mortality rate and ΔSOFA ≥ 1 and determined three patient phenotypes: safe, intermediate and unsafe. The persistence of the intermediate and unsafe phenotypes after T0 was defined as a poor outcome.Results: At T0, the multivariate analysis showed two variables associated with 28-day mortality rate: norepinephrine dose and serum lactate concentration. Regarding ΔSOFA ≥ 1, we identified three variables at T0: norepinephrine dose, lactate concentration and venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide difference (P(v-a)CO2). At T0, the three phenotypes (safe, intermediate and unsafe) were found in 28 (24%), 70 (59%) and 21 (18%) patients, respectively. We thus suggested using an algorithm featuring norepinephrine dose, lactate concentration and P(v-a)CO2 to predict patient outcomes and obtained an area under the curve (AUC) of 74% (63-85%).Conclusion: Our findings highlight the fact that identifying relevant variables and phenotypes may help physicians predict patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of prone position (PP) during invasive mechanical ventilation was first reported more than 45 years ago as a mean to improve oxygenation in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure [[1]]. Soon after the publication of the PROSEVA trial, an international epidemiologic study was conducted across 29,144 patients evaluating the management of patients with ARDS [[9]]. Facilitating respiratory secretions drainage and maintaining or even improving hemodynamics are other important additional beneficial effects of PP in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). 19903918 17 Girard R, Baboi L, Ayzac L. The impact of patient positioning on pressure ulcers in patients with severe ARDS: results from a multicentre randomised controlled trial on prone positioning. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is one of the main viruses responsible of acute encephalitis. However, data on the prognosis and neurologic outcome of critically ill patients with VZV encephalitis are limited. We aimed to describe the clinical features of VZV encephalitis in the ICU and to identify factors associated with a favorable neurologic outcome. We performed a multicenter cohort study of patients with VZV encephalitis admitted in 18 ICUs in France between 2000 and 2017. Factors associated with a favorable neurologic outcome, defined by a modified Rankin Score (mRS) of 0–2 1 year after ICU admission, were identified by multivariable regression analysis. Results: Fifty-five patients (29 (53%) men, median age 53 (interquartile range 36–66)) were included, of whom 43 (78%) were immunocompromised. ICU admission occurred 1 (0–3) day after the onset of neurological symptoms. Median Glasgow Coma Score at ICU admission was 12 (7–14). Cerebrospinal fluid examination displayed a median leukocyte count of 68 (13–129)/mm3, and a median protein level of 1.37 (0.77–3.67) g/L. CT scan and MRI revealed brain lesions in 30% and 66% of the cases, respectively. Invasive mechanical ventilation was implemented in 46 (84%) patients for a median duration of 13 (3–30) days. Fourteen (25%) patients died in the ICU. One year after ICU admission, 20 (36%) patients had a favorable neurologic outcome (mRS 0–2), 12 (22%) had significant disability (mRS 3–5), and 18 (33%) were deceased (lost to follow-up n = 5, 9%). On multivariable analysis, age (OR 0.92 per year, (0.88–0.97), p = 0.01), and invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 0.09 CI 95% (0.01–0.84), p = 0.03) reduced the likelihood of favorable neurologic outcome. Conclusion: One in every three critically ill patients with VZV encephalitis had a favorable neurologic outcome 1 year after ICU admission. Older age and invasive mechanical ventilation were associated with a higher risk of disability and death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Previous studies support the potential efficacy of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vvECMO) for improving survival in severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) cases. Prone positioning (PP) has been shown to improve the outcomes of moderate-to-severe ARDS patients. Few studies and no randomized controlled trials have evaluated the effect of PP performed in ECMO patients. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the effect of prone positioning for ARDS patients receiving vvECMO on survival. All authors were contacted to obtain complementary information not mentioned in the original articles. The main objective was to compare 28-day survival in vvECMO patients with PP to vvECMO patients without PP (controls). Results: Thirteen studies with a combined population of 1836 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. PP was associated with a significant improvement in 28-day survival (503 survivors among 681 patients in the PP group [74%; 95% CI 71–77] vs. 450 survivors among 770 patients in the control group [58%, 95% CI 55–62]; RR 1.31 [95% CI 1.21–1.41]; I2 22% [95% CI 0–62%]; P < 0.0001). Survival was also improved in terms of other endpoints (60-day survival, 90-day survival, ICU survival, and hospital survival). In contrast, the duration of mechanical ventilation was increased in vvECMO patients with PP (mean difference 11.4 days [95% CI 9.2–13.5]; 0.64 [95% CI 0.50–0.78]; I2 8%; P < 0.0001). Conclusion: According to this meta-analysis, survival was improved when prone positioning was used in ARDS patients receiving vvECMO. The impact of this combination on survival should be investigated in prospective randomized controlled trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Whether undocumented migrants admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) have specific features is unknown. We aimed to determine the features and outcomes of undocumented migrants admitted to French ICUs. Methods: We retrospectively included all undocumented adult migrants admitted in 2011–2018 and compared them to the general ICU population. We also compared these two groups matched on age, sex, severity, comorbidities, reason for ICU admission and public/private hospital. Results: We identified 14,554 ICU stays, with an increase from 2 to 4‰ of all ICU admissions over time. Shock (16.7%), post-operative care (13.8%), and trauma (10.5%) were the main reasons for ICU admission. Compared to general ICU patients, migrants were younger and had greater disease severity. After adjustment on age and sex, the following were more common in migrants: shock (OR 1.2 [1.14–1.25]; P < 0.0001), infections (1.48 [1.38–1.54]; P < 0.001), acute respiratory failure (1.09 [1.03–1.15]; P = 0.006), acute kidney injury (1.12 [1.05–1.19]; P < 0.001), obstetric events (1.53 [1.66–1.81]; P < 0.0001), and neurological deficits (1.19 [1.12–1.27]; P < 0.0001). In the matched study, migrants more often required vasopressors, mechanical ventilation, and renal replacement therapy; had longer ICU stays (median 4 [2–8] vs. 4 [2–7] days; P < 0.0001) and hospital stays (10 [5–20] vs. 8 [4–15]; P < 0.0001) and had higher hospital costs (14.2 ± 23.6 vs. 13.4 ± 11.5 K€; P < 0.0001). Hospital mortality was similar (6.7% vs. 6.6%; P = 0.69). Conclusion: Admissions of undocumented migrants to French ICUs doubled from 2011 to 2018. The patients were younger and, although sicker, achieved similar outcomes to those in general ICU patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In-person mass gathering events (MGE) are returning after a period of restrictions, yet few prospective scientific evaluations of their safety are available. Methods: Prospective observational study, including both attendees of the French Intensive Care Society (FICS) annual meeting held in Paris between June the 9th and June the 11th, 2021 and matched controls (healthcare professionals who stayed in the ICU during the conference). SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow test was performed on day 7. Follow-up occurred until day 21. Results: Out of the 1824 healthcare professionals attending the congress (all of which fulfilled legal requirements: 7 days or more following a second dose of vaccine or a negative PCR test performed within less than 72 h), 520 (28.5%) agreed to participate. Follow-up data were received for 216 (41.5%) out of the 520 included attendees, and for 191 matched controls. No positive SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow test was reported in the attendees or in the matched controls. The probability of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the MGE was less than 1.7% in the attendees (95% confidence interval [0;1.7%]), less than 2% in the controls (95%CI [0;2%]) and the difference in probabilities of infection was less than 1.9% (95% CI [0;1.9%]). Conclusion: During a low incidence period, in this population of congress attendees screened for SARS-CoV-2 by a lateral flow test at day 7, no positive cases could be documented, no concomitant infection occurred in the matched controls; suggesting no extra risk of infection during the MGE. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrial.gov, #NCT04918160. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since March 2020, health care systems were importantly affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak, with some patients presenting severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), requiring extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We designed an ambispective observational cohort study including all consecutive adult patients admitted to 5 different ICUs from a university hospital. The main objective was to identify the risk factors of severe COVID-19 ARDS patients supported by ECMO associated with 90-day survival. Results: Between March 1st and November 30th 2020, 76 patients with severe COVID-19 ARDS were supported by ECMO. Median (interquartile range IQR) duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) prior to ECMO was of 6 (3–10) days. At ECMO initiation, patients had a median PaO2:FiO2 of 71 mmHg (IQR 62–81), median PaCO2 of 58 mmHg (IQR 51–66) and a median arterial pH of 7.33 (IQR 7.25–7.38). Forty-five patients (59%) were weaned from ECMO. Twenty-eight day, 60-day and 90-day survival rates were, respectively, 92, 62 and 51%. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, with 2 models, one with the RESP score and one with the PRESERVE score, we found that higher BMI was associated with higher 90-day survival [odds ratio (OR): 0.775 (0.644–0.934), p = 0.007) and 0.631 (0.462–0.862), respectively]. Younger age was also associated with 90-day survival in both models [OR: 1.1354 (1.004–1.285), p = 0.044 and 1.187 (1.035–1.362), p = 0.014 respectively]. Obese patients were ventilated with higher PEEP than non-obese patients and presented slightly higher respiratory system compliance. Conclusion: In this ambispective observational cohort of COVID-19 severe ARDS supported by ECMO, obesity was an independent factor associated with improved survival at 90-day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dexamethasone decreases mortality in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and has become the standard of care during the second wave of pandemic. Dexamethasone is an immunosuppressive treatment potentially increasing the risk of secondary hospital acquired infections in critically ill patients. We conducted an observational retrospective study in three French intensive care units (ICUs) comparing the first and second waves of pandemic to investigate the role of dexamethasone in the occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and blood stream infections (BSI). Patients admitted from March to November 2020 with a documented COVID-19 and requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) for ≥ 48 h were included. The main study outcomes were the incidence of VAP and BSI according to the use of dexamethasone. Secondary outcomes were the ventilator-free days (VFD) at day-28 and day-60, ICU and hospital length of stay and mortality. Results: Among the 151 patients included, 84 received dexamethasone, all but one during the second wave. VAP occurred in 63% of patients treated with dexamethasone (DEXA+) and 57% in those not receiving dexamethasone (DEXA−) (p = 0.43). The cumulative incidence of VAP, considering death, duration of MV and late immunosuppression as competing factors was not different between groups (p = 0.59). A multivariate analysis did not identify dexamethasone as an independent risk factor for VAP occurrence. The occurrence of BSI was not different between groups (29 vs. 30%; p = 0.86). DEXA+ patients had more VFD at day-28 (9 (0–21) vs. 0 (0–11) days; p = 0.009) and a reduced ICU length of stay (20 (11–44) vs. 32 (17–46) days; p = 0.01). Mortality did not differ between groups. Conclusions: In this cohort of COVID-19 patients requiring invasive MV, dexamethasone was not associated with an increased incidence of VAP or BSI. Dexamethasone might not explain the high rates of VAP and BSI observed in critically ill COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effect of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation on the length of mechanical ventilation and mortality in immunocompetent ICU patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation remains controversial. The main objective of this study was to determine whether preemptive intravenous ganciclovir increases the number of ventilator-free days in patients with CMV blood reactivation. Methods: This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial involved 19 ICUs in France. Seventy-six adults ≥ 18 years old who had been mechanically ventilated for at least 96 h, expected to remain on mechanical ventilation for ≥ 48 h, and exhibited reactivation of CMV in blood were enrolled between February 5th, 2014, and January 23rd, 2019. Participants were randomized to receive ganciclovir 5 mg/kg bid for 14 days (n = 39) or a matching placebo (n = 37). Results: The primary endpoint was ventilator-free days from randomization to day 60. Prespecified secondary outcomes included day 60 mortality. The trial was stopped for futility based on the results of an interim analysis by the DSMB. The subdistribution hazard ratio for being alive and weaned from mechanical ventilation at day 60 for patients receiving ganciclovir (N = 39) compared with control patients (N = 37) was 1.14 (95% CI from 0.63 to 2.06; P = 0.66). The median [IQR] numbers of ventilator-free days for ganciclovir-treated patients and controls were 10 [0–51] and 0 [0–43] days, respectively (P = 0.46). Mortality at day 60 was 41% in patients in the ganciclovir group and 43% in the placebo group (P =.845). Creatinine levels and blood cells counts did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusions: In patients mechanically ventilated for ≥ 96 h with CMV reactivation in blood, preemptive ganciclovir did not improve the outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In ARDS patients, the change from supine to prone position generates a more even distribution of the gas–tissue ratios along the dependent–nondependent axis and a more homogeneous distribution of lung stress and strain. The change to prone position is generally accompanied by a marked improvement in arterial blood gases, which is mainly due to a better overall ventilation/perfusion matching. Improvement in oxygenation and reduction in mortality are the main reasons to implement prone position in patients with ARDS. The main reason explaining a decreased mortality is less overdistension in non-dependent lung regions and less cyclical opening and closing in dependent lung regions. The only absolute contraindication for implementing prone position is an unstable spinal fracture. The maneuver to change from supine to prone and vice versa requires a skilled team of 4–5 caregivers. The most frequent adverse events are pressure sores and facial edema. Recently, the use of prone position has been extended to non-intubated spontaneously breathing patients affected with COVID-19 ARDS. The effects of this intervention on outcomes are still uncertain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) inhibit patient-initiated active breath and the risk of high tidal volumes and consequent high transpulmonary pressure swings, and minimize patient/ ventilator asynchrony in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Minimization of volutrauma and ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) results in a lower incidence of barotrauma, improved oxygenation and a decrease in circulating proinflammatory markers. Recent randomized clinical trials did not reveal harmful muscular effects during a short course of NMBAs. The use of NMBAs should be considered during the early phase of severe ARDS for patients to facilitate lung protective ventilation or prone positioning only after optimising mechanical ventilation and sedation. The use of NMBAs should be integrated in a global strategy including the reduction of tidal volume, the rational use of PEEP, prone positioning and the use of a ventilatory mode allowing spontaneous ventilation as soon as possible. Partial neuromuscular blockade should be evaluated in future trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most frequent ICU-acquired infections. Reported incidences vary widely from 5 to 40% depending on the setting and diagnostic criteria. VAP is associated with prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay. The estimated attributable mortality of VAP is around 10%, with higher mortality rates in surgical ICU patients and in patients with mid-range severity scores at admission. Microbiological confirmation of infection is strongly encouraged. Which sampling method to use is still a matter of controversy. Emerging microbiological tools will likely modify our routine approach to diagnosing and treating VAP in the next future. Prevention of VAP is based on minimizing the exposure to mechanical ventilation and encouraging early liberation. Bundles that combine multiple prevention strategies may improve outcomes, but large randomized trials are needed to confirm this. Treatment should be limited to 7 days in the vast majority of the cases. Patients should be reassessed daily to confirm ongoing suspicion of disease, antibiotics should be narrowed as soon as antibiotic susceptibility results are available, and clinicians should consider stopping antibiotics if cultures are negative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Herpesviridae reactivation among non-immunocompromised critically ill patients is associated with impaired prognosis, especially during acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, little is known about herpes simplex virus (HSV) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation occurring in patients with severe ARDS under veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We tried to determine the frequency of Herpesviridae reactivation and its impact on patients' prognosis during ECMO for severe ARDS. Results: During a 5-year period, 123 non-immunocompromised patients with a severe ARDS requiring a veno-venous ECMO were included. Sixty-seven patients (54%) experienced HSV and/or CMV reactivation during ECMO course (20 viral co-infection, 40 HSV alone, and 7 CMV alone). HSV reactivation occurred earlier than CMV after the beginning of MV [(6–15) vs. 19 (13–29) days; p < 0.01] and after ECMO implementation [(2–8) vs. 14 (10–20) days; p < 0.01]. In univariate analysis, HSV/CMV reactivation was associated with a longer duration of mechanical ventilation [(22–52.5) vs. 17.5 (9–28) days; p < 0.01], a longer duration of ECMO [15 (10–22.5) vs. 9 (5–14) days; p < 0.01], and a prolonged ICU [29 (19.5–47.5) vs. 16 (9–30) days; p < 0.01] and hospital stay [44 (29–63.5) vs. 24 (11–43) days; p < 0.01] as compared to non-reactivated patients. However, in multivariate analysis, viral reactivation remained associated with prolonged MV only. When considered separately, both HSV and CMV reactivation were associated with a longer duration of MV as compared to non-reactivation patients [29 (19.5–41) and 28 (20.5–37), respectively, vs. 17.5 (9–28) days; p < 0.05]. Co-reactivation patients had a longer duration of MV [58.5 (38–72.3); p < 0.05] and ICU stay [51.5 (32.5–69) vs. 27.5 (17.75–35.5) and 29 (20–30.5), respectively] as compared to patients with HSV or CMV reactivation alone. In multivariate analysis, HSV reactivation remained independently associated with a longer duration of MV and hospital length of stay. Conclusions: Herpesviridae reactivation is frequent among patients with severe ARDS under veno-venous ECMO and is associated with a longer duration of mechanical ventilation. The direct causative link between HSV and CMV reactivation and respiratory function worsening under ECMO remains to be confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Prognosis of solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients has improved, mainly because of better prevention of rejection by immunosuppressive therapies. However, SOT recipients are highly susceptible to conventional and opportunistic infections, which represent a major cause of morbidity, graft dysfunction and mortality.Methods: Narrative review.Results: We cover the current epidemiology and main aspects of infections in SOT recipients including risk factors such as postoperative risks and specific risks for different transplant recipients, key points on anti-infective prophylaxis as well as diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. We provide an up-to-date guide for management of the main syndromes that can be encountered in SOT recipients including acute respiratory failure, sepsis or septic shock, and central nervous system infections as well as bacterial infections with multidrug-resistant strains, invasive fungal diseases, viral infections and less common pathogens that may impact this patient population.Conclusion: We provide state-of the art review of available knowledge of critically ill SOT patients with infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition, efforts to provide a safe environment to migrants have varied widely across countries and, in some cases, migrants are held in detention centers where the conditions are designed to be grim to discourage further migrants from coming. Every day, people leave their country, families, and belongings because of war, persecution, or poverty. A host of factors can put undocumented migrants at high risk for critical care illness (Fig. [Extracted from the article]

The current international outbreak of respiratory illness due to SARS-CoV-2 and named Covid-19 can evolve to severe progressive pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multiorgan failure, and death. Hydroxychloroquine has been found to be more potent than chloroquine to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in vitro [[3]] and a recent report suggested that 70% of 20 non-ICU hydroxychloroquine-treated patients had negative PCR results in nasopharyngeal samples at day 6 (D6) post-inclusion [[4]] and in all the 6 patients treated with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin combination (hydroxychloroquine-azithromycin) [[4]]. Although a positive PCR is not synonymous with active viral development, these results highlight the fact that neither of the treatments was able to achieve a rapid viral clearance in ARDS patients, as it has been suggested in one report on non-severe patients [[4]]. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: Relatives of intensive care unit (ICU) patients suffer emotional distress that impairs their ability to acquire the information they need from the staff. We sought to evaluate whether providing relatives with a list of important questions was associated with better comprehension on day 5.Methods: Randomized, parallel-group trial. Relatives of mechanically ventilated patients were included from 14 hospitals belonging to the FAMIREA study group in France. A validated list of 21 questions was handed to the relatives immediately after randomization. The primary endpoint was comprehension on day 5. Secondary endpoints were satisfaction (Critical Care Family Needs Inventory, CCFNI) and symptoms of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS).Results: Of 394 randomized relatives, 302 underwent the day-5 assessment of all outcomes. Day-5 family comprehension was adequate in 68 (44.2%) and 75 (50.7%) intervention and control group relatives (P = 0.30), respectively. Over the first five ICU days, median number of family-staff meetings/patient was 6 [3-9], median total meeting time was 72.5 [35-110] min, and relatives asked a median of 20 [8-33] questions including 11 [6-13] from the list, with no between-group difference. Satisfaction and anxiety/depression symptoms were not significantly different between groups. The only variable significantly associated with better day-5 comprehension by multivariable analysis was a higher total number of questions asked before day 5.Conclusions: Providing relatives with a list of questions did not improve day-5 comprehension, secondary endpoints, or information time. Further research is needed to help families obtain the information they need.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02410538. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: The standard of care for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been developed based on studies that usually excluded patients with major comorbidities.Objectives: To describe treatments and outcomes according to comorbidities in patients with ARDS admitted to 19 ICUs (1997-2014).Methods: Patients were grouped based on comorbidities. Determinants of day-28 mortality were identified by multivariable Cox analysis stratified on center.Measurements and Main Results: Among 4953 ARDS patients, 2545 (51.4%) had major comorbidities; the proportion with major comorbidities increased after 2008. Hematological malignancy was associated with severe ARDS and rescue therapies for refractory hypoxemia. COPD, HIV infection, and hematological malignancy were associated with a lower likelihood of invasive mechanical ventilation on the admission day. Admission-day SOFA score was higher in patients with major comorbidities, who more often received vasopressors, dialysis, or treatment-limitation decisions. Day-28 mortality was 33.7% overall, 27.2% in patients without major comorbidities, and 31.1% (COPD) to 56% (hematological malignancy) in patients with major comorbidities. By multivariable analysis, mortality was lower in patients with COPD and higher in those with chronic heart failure, solid tumors, or hematological malignancies. Mortality was independently associated with PaO2/FiO2 and PaCO2 on day 1, ARDS of pulmonary origin, worse SOFA score, and ICU-acquired events.Conclusions: Half the patients with ARDS had major comorbidities, which were associated with severe ARDS, multiple organ dysfunction, and day-28 mortality. These findings do not support the exclusion of ARDS patients with severe comorbidities from randomized clinical trials. Trials in ARDS patients with whatever comorbidities are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the clinical significance of infection-related ventilator-associated complications (IVAC) and their impact on carbapenem consumption in mechanically ventilated (MV) patients colonised with extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBLE).Methods: Inception cohort study from the French prospective multicenter OUTCOMEREA database (17 ICUs, 1997-2015) including all ESBLE carriers (systematic rectal swabbing at admission then weekly and/or urinary or superficial surgical site colonisation) with MV duration > 48 h and ≥ 1 episode of IVAC after carriage documentation. All ICU-acquired infections were microbiologically documented.Results: The 318 enrolled ESBLE carriers (median age 68 years; males 67%; medical admission 68%; imported carriage 53%) experienced a total of 576 IVAC comprising 361 episodes (63%) without documented infection, 124 (21%) related to infections other than ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), 73 (13%) related to non-ESBLE VAP and 18 (3%) related to ESBLE VAP. Overall, ESBLE infections accounted for only 43 episodes (7%). Carbapenem exposure within the preceding 3 days was the sole independent predictor of ESBLE infection as the causative event of IVAC, with a protective effect (adjusted odds ratio 0.2, 95% confidence interval 0.05-0.6; P < 0.01). Carbapenems were initiated in 9% of IVAC without infection, 15% of IVAC related to non-VAP infections, 42% of IVAC related to non-ESBLE VAP, and 56% of IVAC related to ESBLE VAP (ESBLE VAP versus non-ESBLE VAP: P = 0.43).Conclusions: IVAC in ESBLE carriers mostly reflect noninfectious events but act as a strong driver of empirical carbapenem consumption. ESBLE infections are scarce yet hard to predict, strengthening the need for novel diagnostic approaches and carbapenem-sparing alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nosocomial infections occurring during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support have already been reported, but few studied infections directly related to ECMO devices. This study aims to evaluate the rate of both colonisations and infections related to ECMO devices at the time of ECMO removal. Results: We included all consecutive adult patients treated with venovenous ECMO (VV-ECMO) for at least 48 h during a 34-month study. At the time of ECMO removal, blood cultures, swab cultures on insertion cannula site and intravascular cannula extremity cultures were systematically performed. Each ECMO device was classified according to the infectious status into three groups: (1) uninfected/uncolonised ECMO device, (2) ECMO device colonisation and (3) ECMO device infection. Ninety-nine patients underwent 103 VV-ECMO, representing 1472 ECMO days. The ECMO device infection rate was 9.7% (10 events), including 7 ECMO device-related bloodstream infections (6.8%). The ECMO device colonisation rate was 32% (33 events). No difference was observed between the three groups, regarding days of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, ICU mortality and in-hospital mortality. We observed a longer ECMO duration in the ECMO device colonisation group as compared to the uninfected/uncolonised ECMO device group [12 (9-20 days) vs. 5 days (5-16 days), respectively, p < 0.05]. Conclusions: At the time of ECMO removal, systematic blood culture and intravascular extremity cannula culture may help to diagnose ECMO device-related infection. We reported a quite low infection rate related to ECMO device. Further studies are needed to evaluate the benefits of systematic strategies of cannula culture at the time of ECMO removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to concisely describe the current standards of care, major recent advances, common beliefs that have been contradicted by recent trials, areas of uncertainty, and clinical studies that need to be performed over the next decade and their expected outcomes with regard to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).Methods: Narrative review based on a systematic analysis of the medical literature, national and international guidelines, and expert opinion.Results: The use of venovenous ECMO (VV-ECMO) is increasing in the most severe forms of acute lung injury. In patients with cardiogenic shock, short-term veno-arterial ECMO (VA-ECMO) provides both pulmonary and circulatory support. Technological improvements and recently published studies suggest that ECMO is able to improve patients' outcomes. There are, however, many uncertainties regarding the real benefits of this technique both in hemodynamic and respiratory failure, the territorial organization to deliver ECMO, the indications and the use of concomitant treatments.Conclusions: Although there have been considerable advances regarding the use of ECMO in critically ill patients, the risk/benefit ratio remains underinvestigated. ECMO indications, organization of ECMO delivery, and use of adjuvant therapeutics need also to be explored. Ongoing and future studies may be able to resolve these issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) have been shown to improve the outcome of the most severely hypoxemic, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients. However, the recommended dosage as well as the necessity of monitoring the neuromuscular block is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the efficiency of a nurse-directed protocol of NMBA administration based on a train-of-four (TOF) assessment to ensure a profound neuromuscular block and decrease cisatracurium consumption compared to an elevated and constant dose regimen. A prospective open labeled study was conducted in two medical intensive care units of two French university hospitals. Consecutive ARDS patients with a PaO/FiO ratio less than 120 with a PEEP ≥5 cm HO were included. Cisatracurium administration was driven by the nurses according to an algorithm based on TOF monitoring. The primary endpoint was cisatracurium consumption. The secondary endpoints included the quality of the neuromuscular block, the occurrence of adverse events, and the evolution of ventilatory and blood gas parameters. Results: Thirty patients were included. NMBAs were used for 54 ± 30 h. According to this new algorithm, the initial dosage of cisatracurium was 11.8 ± 2 mg/h, and the final dosage was 14 ± 4 mg/h, which was significantly lower than in the ACURASYS study protocol (37.5 mg/h with a constant infusion rate ( p < 0.001). The overall cisatracurium dose used was 700 ± 470 mg in comparison with 2040 ± 1119 mg for patients had received the ACURASYS dosage for the same period ( p < 0.001). A profound neuromuscular block (TOF = 0, twitches at the ulnar site) was obtained from the first hour in 70% of patients. Modification of the cisatracurium dosage was not performed from the beginning to the end of the study in 60% of patients. Patient-ventilator asynchronies occurred in 4 patients. Conclusion: A nurse-driven protocol based on TOF monitoring for NMBA administration in ARDS patients was able to decrease cisatracurium consumption without significantly affecting the quality of the neuromuscular block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We performed an individual patient data meta-analysis to assess the possible benefits and harms of statin therapy in adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and to investigate effects in specific ARDS subgroups.Methods: We identified randomised clinical trials up to 31 October 2016 that had investigated statin therapy versus placebo in patients with ARDS. Individual patient data from each trial were compiled. Conventional two-stage meta-analyses were performed for primary and secondary outcomes, and one-stage regression models with single treatment-covariate interactions for subgroup analyses. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool.Results: Six trials with a total of 1755 patients were included. For the primary outcomes, there was no significant effect of statin therapy on 28-day mortality [relative risk (RR) 1.03, 95% CI 0.86-1.23], ventilator-free days (mean difference 0.34 days, 95% CI -0.68 to 1.36) or serious adverse events (RR 1.14, 95% CI 0.84-1.53). There was a significantly increased incidence of raised serum creatine kinase or transaminase levels with statin therapy (106/879; 12.1%) versus control (78/876; 8.9%) (RR 1.40, 95% CI 1.07-1.83, p = 0.015). There were no significant treatment-covariate interactions in the predefined subgroups investigated.Conclusions: We found no clinical benefit from initiation of statin therapy in adult patients with ARDS, either overall or in predefined subgroups. While there was an increased incidence of raised serum creatine kinase and transaminase levels, there was no difference in serious adverse events among groups. Therefore, we do not recommend initiation of statin therapy for the treatment of ARDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate whether neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) exert beneficial effects in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) by reason of their action on respiratory mechanics, particularly transpulmonary pressures (P L).Methods: A prospective randomised controlled study in patients with moderate to severe ARDS within 48 h of the onset of ARDS. All patients were monitored by means of an oesophageal catheter and followed up for 48 h. Moderate ARDS patients were randomised into two groups according to whether they were given a 48-h continuous infusion of cisatracurium besylate or not (control group). Severe ARDS patients did not undergo randomisation and all received cisatracurium besylate per protocol. The changes during the 48-h study period in oxygenation and in respiratory mechanics, including inspiratory and expiratory P L and driving pressure, were assessed and compared. Delta P L (∆P L) was defined as inspiratory P L minus expiratory P L.Results: Thirty patients were included, 24 with moderate ARDS and 6 with severe ARDS. NMBA infusion was associated with an improvement in oxygenation in both moderate and severe ARDS, accompanied by a decrease in both plateau pressure and total positive end-expiratory pressure. The mean inspiratory and expiratory P L were higher in the moderate ARDS group receiving NMBA than in the control group. In contrast, there was no change in either driving pressure or ∆P L related to NMBA administration.Conclusions: NMBA could exert beneficial effects in patients with moderate ARDS, at least in part, by limiting expiratory efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates whether macrolides decrease mortality, mechanical ventilation duration (MVD) or impact the risk of secondary infections within 28-days following intensive care admission of patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF). Findings do not support any association between macrolide therapy and survival or decrease MVD or secondary infection in ARF patients. It concludes that time difference and dose of macrolides may explain the discrepancies reflected in the present study.

The authors discuss a retrospective observational study to compare outcomes of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients under veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vvECMO) according to the use of prone positioning (PP). Findings showed that patients with severe ARDS who underwent PP ECMO were more likely to be weaned from ECMO. They claim that findings from the study warrant justification for further clinical trials on the value of PP in ECMO.

The article focuses on the prevention of healthcare‑associated infections (HAIs) using chlorhexidine gluconate‑impregnated washcloths. It mentions the HAIs include surgical site infections, central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheterassociated urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumonias (VAPs), and bloodstream infections; and also mentions the use of pre-packaged Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) impregnated washcloths in patients at high risk of Gram-negative infection.

Purpose: Prone position (PP) improves oxygenation and outcome of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients with a PaO2/FiO2 ratio <150 mmHg. Regional changes in lung aeration can be assessed by lung ultrasound (LUS). Our aim was to predict the magnitude of oxygenation response after PP using bedside LUS.Methods: We conducted a prospective multicenter study that included adult patients with severe and moderate ARDS. LUS data were collected at four time points: 1 h before (baseline) and 1 h after turning the patient to PP, 1 h before and 1 h after turning the patient back to the supine position. Regional lung aeration changes and ultrasound reaeration scores were assessed at each time. Overdistension was not assessed.Results: Fifty-one patients were included. Oxygenation response after PP was not correlated with a specific LUS pattern. The patients with focal and non-focal ARDS showed no difference in global reaeration score. With regard to the entire PP session, the patients with non-focal ARDS had an improved aeration gain in the anterior areas. Oxygenation response was not associated with aeration changes. No difference in PaCO2 change was found according to oxygenation response or lung morphology.Conclusions: In ARDS patients with a PaO2/FiO2 ratio ≤150 mmHg, bedside LUS cannot predict oxygenation response after the first PP session. At the bedside, LUS enables monitoring of aeration changes during PP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen therapy can be delivered using low-flow, intermediate-flow (air entrainment mask), or high-flow devices. Low/intermediate-flow oxygen devices have several drawbacks that cause critically ill patients discomfort and translate into suboptimal clinical results. These include limitation of the FiO2 (due to the high inspiratory flow often observed in patients with respiratory failure), and insufficient humidification and warming of the inspired gas. High-flow nasal cannula oxygenation (HFNCO) delivers oxygen flow rates of up to 60 L/min and over the last decade its effect on clinical outcomes has widely been evaluated, such as in the improvement of respiratory distress, the need for intubation, and mortality. Mechanisms of action of HFNCO are complex and not limited to the increased oxygen flow rate. The main aim of this review is to guide clinicians towards evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. It summarizes current knowledge about HFNCO use in ICU patients and the potential areas of uncertainties. For instance, it has been recently suggested that HFNCO could improve the outcome of patients with hypoxemic acute respiratory failure. In other settings, research is ongoing and additional evidence is needed. For instance, if intubation is required, studies suggest that HFNCO may help to improve preoxygenation and can be used after extubation. Likewise, HFNCO might be used in obese patients, or to prevent respiratory deterioration in hypoxemic patients requiring bronchoscopy, or for the delivery of aerosol therapy. However, areas for which conclusive data exist are limited and interventions using standardized HFNCO protocols, comparators, and relevant clinical outcomes are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) has not been shown to be beneficial in the management of moderate-to-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). There is uncertainty about the actual pressure applied into the lung during HFOV. We therefore performed a study to compare the transpulmonary pressure ( P ) during conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) and different levels of mean airway pressure (mPaw) during HFOV. Methods: This is a prospective randomized crossover study in a university teaching hospital. An esophageal balloon catheter was used to measure esophageal pressures (Pes) at end inspiration and end expiration and to calculate P . Measurements were taken during ventilation with CMV (CMVpre) after which patients were switched to HFOV with three 1-h different levels of mPaw set at +5, +10 and +15 cm HO above the mean airway pressure measured during CMV. Patients were thereafter switched back to CMV (CMVpost). Results: Ten patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS were included. We demonstrated a linear increase in Pes and P with the increase in mPaw during HFOV. Contrary to CMV, P was always positive during HFOV whatever the level of mPaw applied but not associated with improvement in oxygenation. We found significant correlations between mPaw and Pes. Conclusion: HFOV with high level of mPaw increases transpulmonary pressures without improvement in oxygenation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is defined by the association of bilateral infiltrates and hypoxaemia following an initial insult. Although a new definition has been recently proposed (Berlin definition), there are various forms of ARDS with potential differences regarding their management (ventilator settings, prone positioning use, corticosteroids). ARDS can be caused by various aetiologies, and the adequate treatment of the responsible cause is crucial to improve the outcome. It is of paramount importance to characterize the mechanisms causing lung injury to optimize both the aetiological treatment and the symptomatic treatment. If there is no obvious cause of ARDS or if a direct lung injury is suspected, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) should be strongly considered to identify microorganisms responsible for pneumonia. Blood samples can also help to identify microorganisms and to evaluate biomarkers of infection. If there is no infectious cause of ARDS or no other apparent aetiology is found, second-line examinations should include markers of immunologic diseases. In selected cases, open lung biopsy remains useful to identify the cause of ARDS when all other examinations remain inconclusive. CT scan is fundamental when there is a suspicion of intra-abdominal sepsis and in some cases of pneumonia. Ultrasonography is important not only in evaluating biventricular function but also in identifying pleural effusions and pneumothorax. The definition of ARDS remains clinical and the main objective of the diagnostic workup should be to be focused on identification of its aetiology, especially a treatable infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite expensive life-sustaining interventions delivered in the ICU, mortality and morbidity in patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) remain unacceptably high. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has emerged as a promising intervention that may provide more efficacious supportive care to these patients. Improvements in technology have made ECMO safer and easier to use, allowing for the potential of more widespread application in patients with ARF. A greater appreciation of the complications associated with the placement of an artificial airway and mechanical ventilation has led clinicians and researchers to seek viable alternatives to providing supportive care in these patients. Thus, this review will summarize the current knowledge regarding the use of venovenous (VV)-ECMO for ARF and describe some of the recent controversies in the field, such as mechanical ventilation, anticoagulation and transfusion therapy, and ethical concerns in patients supported with VV-ECMO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relationship between tiredness and the risk of medical errors is now commonly accepted. The main objective of this study was to assess the impact of an intensive care unit (ICU) night shift on the cognitive performance of a group of intensivists. The influence of professional experience and the amount of sleep on cognitive performance was also investigated.Methods: A total of 51 intensivists from three ICUs (24 seniors and 27 residents) were included. The study participants were evaluated after a night of rest and after a night shift according to a randomized order. Four cognitive skills were tested according to the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test.Results: All cognitive abilities worsened after a night shift: working memory capacity (11.3 ± 0.3 vs. 9.4 ± 0.3; p < 0.001), speed of processing information (13.5 ± 0.4 vs. 10.9 ± 0.3; p < 0.001), perceptual reasoning (10.6 ± 0.3 vs. 9.3 ± 0.3; p < 0.002), and cognitive flexibility (41.2 ± 1.2 vs. 44.2 ± 1.3; p = 0.063). There was no significant difference in terms of level of cognitive impairment between the residents and ICU physicians. Only cognitive flexibility appeared to be restored after 2 h of sleep. The other three cognitive skills were altered, regardless of the amount of sleep during the night shift.Conclusions: The cognitive abilities of intensivists were significantly altered following a night shift in the ICU, regardless of either the amount of professional experience or the duration of sleep during the shift. The consequences for patients' safety and physicians' health should be further evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Approximately 20 years have passed since we reported our results of histologically proven cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonia in non-immunocompromised ICU patients. Even if there are more recent reports suggesting that CMV may worsen the outcomes for ICU patients, there is no definite answer to this question: is CMV a potential pathogen for ICU patients or is it simply a bystander?Methods: We will describe the pathophysiology of active CMV infection and the most recent insights concerning the epidemiological aspects of these reactivations.Major Findings: Cytomegalovirus can be pathogenic by a direct organ insult (such as for the lung), by decreasing host defences against other microorganisms and/or by enhancing the body's inflammatory response (as in acute respiratory distress syndrome). The incidence of active CMV infection is dependent on the diagnostic method used. Using the most sophisticated available biological tools, the incidence can reach 15-20% of ICU patients (20-40% in ICU patients with positive CMV serology). In adequately powered cohorts of patients, active CMV infection appears to be associated with worse outcomes for mechanically ventilated ICU patients.Discussion: There is no absolute direct proof of a negative impact of active CMV infection on the health outcomes of mechanically ventilated patients. Prospective randomized trials are lacking. Future trials should examine the potential benefits for health outcomes of using antiviral treatments. Such treatments could be prophylactic, pre-emptive or used only when there is an end-organ disease.Conclusion: Cytomegalovirus infection may affect health outcomes for ICU patients. Additional prospective trials are necessary to confirm this hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A commentary on a study which identified two subphenotypes by analysing data from patients who participated in the ARDSNetwork low tidal volume (ARMA) trial and in the Assessment of Low Tidal Volume and Elevated End-Expiratory Volume to Obviate Lung Injury (ALVEOLI) trials, is presented. Topics covered include biomarkers in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), association of some biomarkers with outcomes in ARDS patients and biomarkers that are more specific regarding lung injury.

The members of the OUTCOMEREA Study Group were provided in such a way that they could not be indexed as collaborators on PubMed. The publisher apologizes for this error and is pleased to list the members of the group here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented on the necessity for intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians to be regularly tested for burnout. It expresses the view that observation on the prevalence of burnout in ICUs is necessary as it has been shown that burnout is strongly associated with depressive symptoms and staff hangover.

The article reports publications from intensive care on severe infections, septic shock, healthcare and ventilator associated pneumonia, highly resistant bacteria, antimicrobial therapy, invasive fungal infections, severe viral infections, Ebola virus disease and paediatrics. Topics discussed include the physiology of circulation, venous return and hypovolemia and the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) in critically ill patients.

Purpose: Critically ill patients often require CT scans. Adverse events (AE) can occur during intra-hospital transport (IHT). The aim of this prospective study was to determine the diagnostic and therapeutic yield and the safety of CT scans in ICU patients. Methods: All ICU patients having a CT scan for diagnostic purposes were eligible. Diagnostic yield was evaluated by the agreement (full, partial or disagreement) between the physician main diagnostic hypothesis before the CT scan and the diagnosis established after the CT scan. Therapeutic yield was assessed by therapeutic changes after the CT scan. The safety was determined by the AE rate during IHT. Results: A total of 533 CT scans were performed on 359 patients in three teaching hospital ICUs. The diagnostic yield of CT scan showed 40.7 % of full agreement, 5.6 % of partial agreement and 53.7 % of disagreement with the main diagnostic hypothesis formulated before the CT scan. The CT-scan brought new elements to the diagnosis in 22.9 % of the cases. There was 54.4 % of therapeutic change after CT scan, while 22.3 % of AE occurred during IHT, including 6.7 % of life-threatening events. AE occurred more frequently in the first 48 h after ICU admission, in the most severely ill patients (higher SAPS II at admission), and when there was a large amount of equipment required for transport. Conclusions: The CT scan as a diagnostic procedure invalidated a diagnostic hypothesis and led to a therapeutic change in more than half of the cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights research and developments related to intensive care medicine in 2014. Topics discussed include recent findings about airway management in critically ill patients, evidence showing that there is no indication for using statins either in infection or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, and research about the pathophysiology of acute liver failure (ALF).

The article presents several medical research papers that were published in the 2014 issues of the journal "Intensive Care (IC) Medicine." Topics covered include cardiac dysfunction, neurocritical care, acute kidney injury, neuromonitoring, neuromuscular disorders that develop after an IC unit admission, and nutrition in the critically ill patient.

Purpose: A specific biomarker of post-ARDS fibroproliferation could be useful in the identification of patients who could benefit from therapies aiming to modulate fibroproliferation such as corticosteroids.The aim of this prospective study was to determine the best threshold of the N-terminal-peptidetype III procollagen (NT-PCP-III) in non-resolving ARDS to validate this threshold according to the outcome. Methods: Concerning the best threshold of NT-PCP-III, all consecutive patients with a non-resolving ARDS were included if all the following criteria were fulfilled: moderate to severe ARDS lasting for at least 5 days, lung biopsy performed, serum and alveolar NT-PCP-III obtained within 1 week prior to biopsy, and no documented infection contra-indicating the corticosteroids. In the validation cohort part of the study, patients were included at day 7 if they presented a persistent moderate to severe ARDS. Results: Nineteen of 32 patients had fibroproliferatio nonbiopsy. Serum and alveolar NT-PCP-III were higher in patients with fibroproliferation. Using a threshold of 9 µg/L, alveolar NT-PCP-III had the highest accuracy for diagnosing fibroproliferation (sensitivity = 89.5 % and specificity = 92.3 %). Regarding the 51 patients included in the validation cohort, the mortality rate at day 60 was increased in patients presenting an alveolar NT-PCP-III level higher than 9 µg/L (69 vs. 17 %, p < 0.001). The mean alveolar level of NT-PCP-III on day 7 was 8.1-fold higher in nonsurvivors ( p = 0.03). Conclusions: The determination of NT-PCP-III on BAL done at day 7 in persistent ARDS is able to identify patients with fibroproliferation who could be included in a trial of corticosteroids or any other treatment that might help resolve lung fibroproliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]