Search

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 (<4 days) and non‐imminent (≥4 days). Results: Among the 2191 deceased patients with terminal cancer, 329 (15.0%) were analyzed. The median age of the patients was 66 years, and 62.9% were male. The leading cause of respiratory failure was pneumonia (70.2%), followed by pleural effusion (30.7%) and aggravation of lung neoplasms (18.8%). Most patients were conscious (79.3%) and had resting dyspnea (76.3%) at HFNC initiation. Patients received HFNC therapy for a mean of 3.4 days in the last 2 weeks of life, and 62.6% initiated it within 4 days before death. Furthermore, female sex, no palliative care consultation, no advance statements in person on life‐sustaining treatment, and no resting dyspnea were independently associated with the imminent use of HFNC. Conclusions: Many patients with cancer started HFNC therapy at the point of imminent death. However, efforts toward goal‐directed use of HFNC at the end‐of‐life stage are required. This study illustrates the status of high‐flow nasal cannula use in patients with terminal cancer at the end of life. Efforts to communicate patients' stated goals of care may help enhance goal‐concordant use of high‐flow nasal cannula at the end of life and reduce initiating in an imminently dying state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundAlthough several therapeutic agents have been evaluated for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), no antiviral agents have yet been shown to be efficacious.MethodsWe conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of intravenous remdesivir in adults who were hospitalized with Covid-19 and had evidence of lower respiratory tract infection. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either remdesivir (200 mg loading dose on day 1, followed by 100 mg daily for up to 9 additional days) or placebo for up to 10 days. The primary outcome was the time to recovery, defined by either discharge from the hospital or hospitalization for infection-control purposes only.ResultsA total of 1062 patients underwent randomization (with 541 assigned to remdesivir and 521 to placebo). Those who received remdesivir had a median recovery time of 10 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 9 to 11), as compared with 15 days (95% CI, 13 to 18) among those who received placebo (rate ratio for recovery, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.49; P

BackgroundAlthough inhaled therapy reduces exacerbations among patients with COPD, the effectiveness of providing inhaled treatment per risk stratification models remains unclear.Research questionAre inhaled regimens that align with the 2017 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) strategy associated with clinically important outcomes?Study design and methodsWe conducted secondary analyses of Long-term Oxygen Treatment Trial (LOTT) data. The trial enrolled patients with COPD with moderate resting or exertional hypoxemia between 2009 and 2015. Our exposure was the patient-reported inhaled regimen at enrollment, categorized as either aligning with, undertreating, or potentially overtreating per the 2017 GOLD strategy. Our primary composite outcome was time to death or first hospitalization for COPD. Additional outcomes included individual components of the composite outcome and time to first exacerbation. We generated multivariable Cox proportional hazard models across strata of GOLD-predicted exacerbation risk (high vs low) to estimate between-group hazard ratios for time to event outcomes. We adjusted models a priori for potential confounders, clustered by site.ResultsThe trial enrolled 738 patients (73.4% men; mean age, 68.8 years). Of the patients, 571 (77.4%) were low risk for future exacerbations. Of the patients, 233 (31.6%) reported regimens aligning with GOLD recommendations; most regimens (54.1%) potentially overtreated. During a 2.3-year median follow-up, 332 patients (44.9%) experienced the composite outcome. We found no difference in time to composite outcome or death among patients reporting regimens aligning with recommendations compared with undertreated patients. Among patients at low risk, potential overtreatment was associated with higher exacerbation risk (hazard ratio, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.09-1.87), whereas inhaled corticosteroid treatment was associated with 64% higher risk of pneumonia (incidence rate ratio, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.01-2.66).InterpretationAmong patients with COPD with moderate hypoxemia, we found no difference in clinical outcomes between inhaled regimens aligning with the 2017 GOLD strategy compared with those that were undertreated. These findings suggest the need to reevaluate the effectiveness of risk stratification model-based inhaled treatment strategies.

It has been well known for decades that prone positioning (PP) improves oxygenation. However, it has gained widespread acceptance only in the last few years since studies have shown significant survival benefit. Many centers have established prone ventilation in their treatment algorithm for mechanically ventilated patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Physiologically, PP should also benefit awake, non-intubated patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. However, proning in non-intubated (PINI) patients did not gain any momentum until a few months ago when the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic surged. A large number of sick patients overwhelmed the health care system, and many centers faced a dearth of ventilators. In addition, outcomes of patients placed on mechanical ventilation because of COVID-19 infection have been highly variable and often dismal. Hence, increased focus has shifted to using various strategies to prevent intubation, such as PINI. There is accumulating evidence that PINI is a low-risk intervention that can be performed even outside intensive care unit with minimal assistance and may prevent intubation in certain patients with ARDS. It can also be performed safely at smaller centers and, therefore, may reduce the patient transfer to larger institutions that are overwhelmed in the current crisis. We present a case series of 2 patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure who experienced significant improvements in oxygenation with PP. In addition, the physiology of PP is described, and concerns such as proning in obese and patient's anxiety are addressed; an educational pamphlet that may be useful for both patients and health care providers is provided.

Premature neonates 30-55 mm Hg promotes pulmonary vasodilation. Targeting saturations of 80-85% by 5 min, 85-95% by 10 min during resuscitation and 90-95% during the postnatal course are appropriate targets for routine management of preterm infants. Among preterm infants with PHT, avoiding hypoxia/hyperoxia by titrating supplemental oxygen to maintain saturations in low to mid 90s with alarm limits at 90 and 97% seems to be a reasonable approach pending further studies. Further high-quality evidence generated from randomized trials is required to guide oxygen therapy in preterm PHT.

BackgroundNitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in normal postnatal transition. Our aims were to determine whether adding inhaled NO (iNO) decreases supplemental oxygen exposure in preterm infants requiring positive pressure ventilation (PPV) during resuscitation and to study iNO effects on heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and need for intubation during the first 20 min of life.MethodsThis was a pilot, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Infants 25 0/7-31 6/7 weeks' gestational age requiring PPV with supplemental oxygen during resuscitation were enrolled. PPV was initiated with either oxygen (FiO2-0.30) + iNO at 20 ppm (iNO group) or oxygen (FiO2-0.30) + nitrogen (placebo group). Oxygen was titrated targeting defined SpO2 per current guidelines. After 10 min, iNO/nitrogen was weaned stepwise per protocol and terminated at 17 min.ResultsTwenty-eight infants were studied (14 per group). The mean gestational age in both groups was similar. Cumulative FiO2 and rate of exposure to high FiO2 (>0.60) were significantly lower in the iNO group. There were no differences in HR, SpO2, and need for intubation.ConclusionsAdministration of iNO as an adjunct during neonatal resuscitation is feasible without side effects. It diminishes exposure to high levels of supplemental oxygen.

Background Impaired brain development in fetuses with congenital heart disease (CHD) may result from inadequate cerebral oxygen supply in utero. Purpose To test whether fetal cerebral oxygenation can be increased by maternal oxygen administration, effects of maternal hyperoxia on blood oxygenation of the placenta and fetal brain were examined by using blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional MRI. Materials and Methods In this prospective study, BOLD MRI was performed in 86 fetuses (56 healthy fetuses and 30 fetuses diagnosed with CHD) between 22 and 39 weeks gestational age (GA) from May 2015 to December 2017, with the following study design: phase I, 2-minute resting state at baseline (room air); phase II, 6-minute maternal hyperoxia with 100% oxygen; and phase III, 5.6-minute return to resting state. After motion correction, the signals were averaged over the placenta and fetal brain and converted to the change in R2* (ΔR2*). Fetuses with CHD were categorized into those with a single ventricle (SV) or two ventricles (TVs) and those with aortic obstruction (AO) or non-AO. Data were analyzed by using generalized linear mixed models controlling for GA and sex. Results Placental ΔR2* increased during maternal hyperoxia in healthy fetuses and fetuses with CHD, but it was higher in SV CHD (mean ΔR2*, 1.3 sec-1 ± 0.1 [standard error; P < .01], 1.9 sec-1 ± 0.2 [P < .01], and 1.0 sec-1 ± 0.3 [P < .01], respectively, for control fetuses, fetuses with SV CHD, and fetuses with TV CHD). Placental ΔR2* during maternal hyperoxia changed with GA in healthy control fetuses and fetuses with SV or AO CHD (ΔR2* per week, 0.1 sec-1 ± 0 [P < .01], 0.2 sec-1 ± 0 [P = .01], and 0.2 sec-1 ± 0 [P = .01], respectively), but not in fetuses with CHD and TV or non-AO. Fetal brain ΔR2* was constant across all phases in healthy control fetuses and fetuses with TV CHD but increased during maternal hyperoxia in fetuses with SV or AO CHD (mean ΔR2*, 0.7 sec-1 ± 0.2 [P = .01] and 0.5 sec-1 ± 0.2 [P = .02], respectively). Conclusion Six minutes of maternal hyperoxia increased placental oxygenation in healthy fetuses and fetuses with congenital heart disease, and it selectively increased cerebral blood oxygenation in fetuses with single ventricle or aortic obstruction. © RSNA, 2019 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Skin avulsions are severe traumatic injuries, in which sections of skin and subcutaneous tissue are torn off from the body, and the surgical management and salvage of these injuries are quite challenging due to their high morbidity and mortality. The entire or partial loss of an avulsed flap is prone to occur. If this happens, scars can be particularly conspicuous, and additional surgery, such as skin grafts or local flaps or even composite grafts, might be required. A 24-year-old male patient presented to the emergency room with a severe traumatic avulsion injury on his nose. We used a combination of three therapies to minimize the loss of the distal portion of the avulsed flap: polydeoxyribonucleotide injection, continuous non-rebreather mask oxygen therapy, and chemical leeching. We achieved complete flap salvage of the avulsed wound, and the patient showed full satisfaction in both aesthetic and functional aspects. Although this report is confined to a single case of severe avulsed injury, we suggest this triple-combination therapy as a good combined modality for maximizing the salvage of an avulsed flap on the basis of this case and a literature review.

Introduction/Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has high transmissibility and mortality rates. High-flow nasal cannula therapy (HFNC) might reduce the need for orotracheal intubation, easing the burden on the health system caused by COVID-19. The objective of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of HFNC in adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Specifically, the present study explores the effects of HFNC on rates of mortality, intubation and intensive care units (ICU) length of stay. The present study also seeks to define predictors of success and failure of HFNC. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed, EMBASE and SCOPUS databases, and the study was prepared according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Study quality was assessed using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s Study Quality Assessment Tools. Results: The search identified 1,476 unique titles; 95 articles received full-text reviews and 40 studies were included in this review. HFNC was associated with a reduction in the rate of orotracheal intubation, notably when compared to conventional oxygen therapy. Studies reported inconsistency in whether HFNC reduced ICU length of stay or mortality rates. Among the predictors of HFNC failure/success, a ratio of oxygen saturation index of approximately 5 or more was associated with HFNC success. Conclusion: In adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19, HFNC may prove effective in reducing the rate of orotracheal intubation. The ratio of the oxygen saturation index was the parameter most examined as a predictor of HFNC success. Low-level research designs, inherent study weaknesses and inconsistent findings made it impossible to conclude whether HFNC reduces ICU length of stay or mortality. Future studies should employ higher level research designs.

Abstract Purpose Early discontinuation of postoperative oxygen support (POS) would partially depend on the innate pulmonary physics. We aimed to examine if the initial driving pressure (dP) at the induction of general anesthesia (GA) predicted POS prolongation. Methods We conducted a single-center retrospective study using the facility's database. Consecutive subjects over 2 years were studied to determine the change in odds ratio (OR) for POS prolongation of different dP classes at GA induction. The dP (cmH2O) was calculated as the ratio of tidal volume (mL) over dynamic Crs (mL/cmH2O) regardless of the respiratory mode. The adjusted OR was calculated using the logistic regression model of multivariate analysis. Moreover, we performed a secondary subgroup analysis of age and the duration of GA. Results We included 5,607 miscellaneous subjects. Old age, high scores of American Society of Anesthesiologist physical status, initial dP, and long GA duration were associated with prolonged POS. The dP at the induction of GA (7.78 [6.48, 9.45] in median [interquartile range]) was categorized into five classes. With the dP group of 6.5–8.3 cmH2O as the reference, high dPs of 10.3–13 cmH2O and ≥ 13 cmH2O were associated with significant prolongation of POS (adjusted OR, 1.62 [1.19, 2.20], p = 0.002 and 1.92 [1.20, 3.05], p = 0.006, respectively). The subgroup analysis revealed that the OR for prolonged POS of high dPs disappeared in the aged and ≥ 6 h anesthesia time subgroup. Conclusions High initial dPs ≥ 10 cmH2O at GA induction predicted longer POS than those of approximately 7 cmH2O. High initial dPs were, however, a secondary factor for prolongation of postoperative hypoxemia in old age and prolonged surgery.

Abstract Background Respiratory problems are among the most challenging situations in emergency care services. Different oxygen therapy methods are usually used to deal with these problems. In recent years, oxygen therapy has been recognized as one of the most widely used therapeutic processes in emergency departments (ED) mainly due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate an e-learning course in oxygen therapy for the ED clinicians. Methods This was a pre-post study conducted in three phases in 2021. Initially, the educational requirements of clinicians (n = 181) were investigated using a questionnaire, and in the second phase, an interactive e-learning course was developed. In the third phase, the course was assessed in terms of maintaining the principles of developing an e-learning course, affecting participants’ knowledge, and supporting usability requirements. Results The findings revealed that training in oxygen therapy was essential for the ED clinicians. Therefore, an e-learning course was developed. The content production experts and the participants evaluated the content and usability of the online course at a good level. In addition, there was a statistically significant difference between the nurses’ (p

Background Modern human patient simulators (HPSs) could be used for researching critical scenarios such as apnea oxygenation. We aimed to study the use of a high-fidelity HPS to assess prolonged apnea using various oxygenation strategies with a simple high-flow nasal cannula (15 L/min). Methods An experimental simulation study using an HPS (CAE Healthcare™) was conducted after obtaining approval from the Institutional Review Board. The HPS responded according to real-time physiologically modeled responses to external gases, such as oxygen (O2). Apnea experiments were performed with different physiological settings, such as shunt fraction (5%) and O2 consumption (250, 500, and 750 ml/min). The following four apnea experiments were conducted: no oxygenation (NO), apnea oxygenation alone (AO), preoxygenation alone (PO), and para-oxygenation (PAO). The time to 92%, 75%, and 50% saturation was recorded. Alveolar and arterial gas levels were recorded till 50% saturation. Results At 250 ml/min, PO (1121 s) and PAO (1274.5 s) had a significantly longer time to 50% saturation (400% increase) compared to NO (222.5 s) and AO (239 s). A similar trend was observed for the time to 92% and 75% saturation. At higher O2 consumption rates, a shorter time to desaturation was observed. Conclusions Apnea trends in the HPS correlated with similar prior human experiments. AO without preoxygenation was found to provide no additional benefit. Preoxygenation with high-flow O2 via nasal cannula prolonged the time to desaturation in the PAO more than PO scenario. Therefore, HPSs can be used in future studies where patient safety is a concern.

Pulmonary embolism is a common and potentially fatal disease, with a significant burden on health and survival. Right ventricular dysfunction and hemodynamic instability are considered two key determinants of mortality in pulmonary embolism, which can reach up to 65% in severe cases. Therefore, timely diagnosis and management are of paramount importance to ensure the best quality of care. However, hemodynamic and respiratory support, both major constituents of management in pulmonary embolism, associated with cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest, have been given little attention in recent years, in favor of other novel advances such as systemic thrombolysis or direct oral anticoagulants. Moreover, it has been implied that current recommendations regarding this supportive care lack enough robustness, further complicating the problem. In this review, we critically discuss and summarize the current literature concerning the hemodynamic and respiratory support in pulmonary embolism, including fluid therapy, diuretics, pharmacological support with vasopressors, inotropes and vasodilators, oxygen therapy and ventilation, and mechanical circulatory support with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and right ventricular assist devices, while also providing some insights into contemporary research gaps.

Hip dysplasia is an alteration with a high incidence in large dogs. The aim of the study was to compare the association of xylazine or dexmedetomidine with fentanyl for radiography with joint distractor for the diagnosis of hip dysplasia. Fifteen healthy dogs, German Shepherd and Belgian Shepherd, were randomly submitted to treatments 0.2 mg/kg xylazine + 2.5 µg/kg fentanyl (XF) or 2 µg/kg dexmedetomidine + 2.5 µg/kg fentanyl (DF), intravenously. HR, f, SAP, MAP, DAP and TR were evaluated at intervals of 5 min before and after the administration of treatments; pH, PaCO2, PaO2, BE, HCO3−, SaO2, Na+, K+ and Hb at 5 and 15 min after treatment administration; and the quality of sedation at intervals of 5 min after administration of treatments. Latency, duration, and recovery times were also compared. The HR values showed a significant reduction in both groups, as well as pH, PaCO2, PaO2 and SaO2. Latency, duration and recovery times, and quality of sedation did not differ statistically between groups. Xylazine and fentanyl or dexmedetomidine and fentanyl combinations provide adequate sedation and analgesia for performing diagnostic radiographic procedures for hip dysplasia. However, oxygen supplementation is recommended to increase protocol safety.

RationaleCharacteristics associated with adherence to long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) in COPD remain unclear.ObjectivesTo identify patient characteristics at the time of oxygen initiation associated with its adherence.MethodsWe conducted a secondary analysis of data from 359 COPD participants assigned to oxygen in the Long-term Oxygen Treatment Trial. Participants were prescribed continuous (n = 214) or intermittent (n = 145) oxygen based on desaturation patterns at study entry. At the time of initial prescription, participants rated their perceived readiness, confidence, and importance to use oxygen on a 0-10 scale (0 = not at all, 10 = very much). During follow-up, they self-reported average hours per day of use (adherence). Adherence was averaged over short-term (0-30 days), medium-term (months 9-12), and long-term (month 13 to last follow-up) intervals. Multivariable logistic regression models explored characteristics associated with high adherence (≥16 h/day [continuous] or ≥8 h/day [intermittent]) during each time interval.ResultsParticipant readiness, confidence, and importance at the time of oxygen initiation were associated with high short- and medium-term adherence. For each unit increase in baseline readiness, the odds of high short-term adherence increased by 21% (odds ratio [OR] 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-1.40) and 94% (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.45-2.59) in the continuous and intermittent groups, respectively. In both groups, high adherence in the medium-term was associated with high adherence in the long-term (continuous, OR 12.49, 95% CI 4.90-31.79; intermittent, OR 38.08, 95% CI 6.96-208.20).ConclusionsReadiness, confidence, and importance to use LTOT at initiation, and early high adherence, are significantly associated with long-term oxygen adherence.

IntroductionA majority of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) die of cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet the mechanisms responsible for this association are not fully understood. It remains unknown if isolated nocturnal oxygen desaturation (iNOD) could be one of the potential pathways by which the 'inflammatory COPD' phenotype leads to CVD.ObjectivesWe aimed to evaluate if COPD patients who meet the Medicare guidelines for nocturnal oxygen therapy (iNOT+) had higher serum hs-CRP and IL-6 than those who did not meet the guidelines for iNOT (iNOT-).MethodsPatients with moderate to severe COPD (ie FEV1  0.3).ConclusionCOPD patients who have more than 5 minutes and 5% of their sleep time spent at oxygen saturation less than 88% have increased hs-CRP, which is associated with increased risk of future CVD.

BACKGROUND: Mobility is human body movement in all its forms, including bed-to-chair transfer, walking, daily tasks, participating in work and social functions, exercising, and using public transport. The mobility of people living with COPD is affected negatively by the disease symptoms. However, limited data are available on the life-space mobility in people with COPD on long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT). This study aimed to explore the life-space mobility in subjects with COPD on LTOT and verify whether life-space mobility is associated with comorbidities and symptoms, activity in daily life, exercise capacity performance, and quality of life. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 61 subjects with COPD on LTOT (73.0 ± 8.8 y, FEV1 41.7 ± 16.0% predicted, on LTOT for 2.8 ± 3.3 y). Life-space mobility (Life-Space Assessment), LTOT usage time, comorbidities (Charlson comorbidity index), need for support from a caregiver, exercise capacity (6-min step test), dyspnea (modified Medical Research Council scale), activities of daily living (ADLs, Katz scale), and health-related quality of life (EuroQol 5-Dimension Questionnaire) were assessed. RESULTS: Mobility restriction was identified in 90% of participants. Life-space mobility was negatively associated with the number of comorbidities (rs = -0.31, P = .02), dyspnea symptom (rs = -0.60, P < .001), and positively associated with basic ADLs performance (rs = 0.59, P < .001) and exercise capacity (rs = 0.49, P < .001). Dyspnea and exercise capacity were independent predictors of vital space mobility. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with COPD on LTOT had limited life-space mobility. Interventions to reduce dyspnea and improve exercise capacity should be prioritized to increase this population's domestic and community mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has high transmissibility and mortality rates. High-flow nasal cannula therapy (HFNC) might reduce the need for orotracheal intubation, easing the burden on the health system caused by COVID-19. The objective of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of HFNC in adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Specifically, the present study explores the effects of HFNC on rates of mortality, intubation and intensive care units (ICU) length of stay. The present study also seeks to define predictors of success and failure of HFNC. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed, EMBASE and SCOPUS databases, and the study was prepared according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Study quality was assessed using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Study Quality Assessment Tools. Results: The search identified 1,476 unique titles; 95 articles received full-text reviews and 40 studies were included in this review. HFNC was associated with a reduction in the rate of orotracheal intubation, notably when compared to conventional oxygen therapy. Studies reported inconsistency in whether HFNC reduced ICU length of stay or mortality rates. Among the predictors of HFNC failure/success, a ratio of oxygen saturation index of approximately 5 or more was associated with HFNC success. Conclusion: In adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19, HFNC may prove effective in reducing the rate of orotracheal intubation. The ratio of the oxygen saturation index was the parameter most examined as a predictor of HFNC success. Low-level research designs, inherent study weaknesses and inconsistent findings made it impossible to conclude whether HFNC reduces ICU length of stay or mortality. Future studies should employ higher level research designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Early discontinuation of postoperative oxygen support (POS) would partially depend on the innate pulmonary physics. We aimed to examine if the initial driving pressure (dP) at the induction of general anesthesia (GA) predicted POS prolongation. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective study using the facility's database. Consecutive subjects over 2 years were studied to determine the change in odds ratio (OR) for POS prolongation of different dP classes at GA induction. The dP (cmH2O) was calculated as the ratio of tidal volume (mL) over dynamic Crs (mL/cmH2O) regardless of the respiratory mode. The adjusted OR was calculated using the logistic regression model of multivariate analysis. Moreover, we performed a secondary subgroup analysis of age and the duration of GA. Results: We included 5,607 miscellaneous subjects. Old age, high scores of American Society of Anesthesiologist physical status, initial dP, and long GA duration were associated with prolonged POS. The dP at the induction of GA (7.78 [6.48, 9.45] in median [interquartile range]) was categorized into five classes. With the dP group of 6.5–8.3 cmH2O as the reference, high dPs of 10.3–13 cmH2O and ≥ 13 cmH2O were associated with significant prolongation of POS (adjusted OR, 1.62 [1.19, 2.20], p = 0.002 and 1.92 [1.20, 3.05], p = 0.006, respectively). The subgroup analysis revealed that the OR for prolonged POS of high dPs disappeared in the aged and ≥ 6 h anesthesia time subgroup. Conclusions: High initial dPs ≥ 10 cmH2O at GA induction predicted longer POS than those of approximately 7 cmH2O. High initial dPs were, however, a secondary factor for prolongation of postoperative hypoxemia in old age and prolonged surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Clinical Healthcare is the property of Chinese Journal of Clinical Healthcare 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.)

Rationale: The long-term effects of using a high-flow nasal cannula for chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease remain unclear. Objectives: To assess whether long-term high-flow nasal cannula use reduces the number of exacerbations and improves other physiological parameters in patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods: We enrolled 104 participants (aged >40 yr) with daytime hypercapnia (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stages 2--4) receiving long-term oxygen therapy (>16 h/d for >1 mo) and randomly assigned them to high-flow nasal cannula/long-term oxygen therapy and long-term oxygen therapy groups. The primary endpoint was the moderate or severe exacerbation rate. We compared changes from baseline in arterial blood gas values, peripheral oxygen saturation, pulmonary function, health-related quality-of-life scores, and the 6-minute-walk test. Measurements and Main Results: High-flow nasal cannula use significantly reduced the rate of moderate/severe exacerbations (unadjusted mean count 1.0 vs. 2.5, a ratio of the adjusted mean count between groups [95% confidence interval] of 2.85 [1.48--5.47]) and prolonged the duration without moderate or severe exacerbations. The median time to first moderate or severe exacerbation in the long-term oxygen therapy group was 25 (14.1--47.4) weeks; this was not reached in the highflow nasal cannula/long-term oxygen therapy group. High-flow nasal cannula use significantly improved health-related quality of life scores, peripheral oxygen saturation, and specific pulmonary function parameters. No safety concerns were identified. Conclusions: A high-flow nasal cannula is a reasonable therapeutic option for patients with stable hypercapnic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a history of exacerbations. Clinical trial registered with www.umin/ac.jp (UMIN000028581) and www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03282019). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Elderly people are more likely to suffer severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and require long-term home oxygen therapy (LTOT) as part of their treatment. LTOT has advantages such as improvement in symptoms, but there are also disadvantages such as physical barriers, psychosocial barriers and emotional challenges. The aim of this study is to understand the experiences of elderly people with COPD using LTOT with respect to their feelings attributed to therapy. Methods Qualitative study. Seven semidirected interviews were conducted with patients with a confirmed COPD diagnosis who used LTOT and were treated at an outpatient service. The content analysis technique was applied with the support of WebQDA software 2.0. Results Three categories emerged that were associated with the use of LTOT: (1) poor self-image; (2) feelings of sadness and (3) the impact of LTOT on others such as family and friends. Conclusions LTOT in elderly people with COPD was associated with a poor self-image, feelings of sadness and impacted on others apart from the patient. When LTOT is prescribed, healthcare practitioners should proactively address these concerns to minimise the negative biopsychosocial experiences caused by LTOT.

Abstract Background Oxygen therapy is a widely used intervention in acutely ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). It is established that not only hypoxia, but also prolonged hyperoxia is associated with poor patient-centered outcomes. Nevertheless, a fundamental knowledge gap remains regarding optimal oxygenation for critically ill patients. In this randomized clinical trial, we aim to compare ventilation that uses conservative oxygenation targets with ventilation that uses conventional oxygen targets with respect to mortality in ICU patients. Methods The “ConservatIve versus CONventional oxygenation targets in Intensive Care patients” trial (ICONIC) is an investigator-initiated, international, multicenter, randomized clinical two-arm trial in ventilated adult ICU patients. The ICONIC trial will run in multiple ICUs in The Netherlands and Italy to enroll 1512 ventilated patients. ICU patients with an expected mechanical ventilation time of more than 24 h are randomized to a ventilation strategy that uses conservative (PaO2 55–80 mmHg (7.3–10.7 kPa)) or conventional (PaO2 110–150 mmHg (14.7–20 kPa)) oxygenation targets. The primary endpoint is 28-day mortality. Secondary endpoints are ventilator-free days at day 28, ICU mortality, in-hospital mortality, 90-day mortality, ICU- and hospital length of stay, ischemic events, quality of life, and patient opinion of research and consent in the emergency setting. Discussion The ICONIC trial is expected to provide evidence on the effects of conservative versus conventional oxygenation targets in the ICU population. This study may guide targeted oxygen therapy in the future. Trial registration Trialregister.nl NTR7376 . Registered on 20 July, 2018.

The use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in COVID-19 patients is a controversial topic due to the benefits and risks which may occur in patients and healthcare workers. The goal of this treatment modality is potential avoidance of invasive mechanical ventilation, but generation of aerosol and increased healthcare professional infection risk must be considered. We present a case of a SARS-CoV-2-positive 71-year-old male with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, who was successfully treated with HFNC combined with prone positioning. Furthermore, we discuss recent literature concerning potential issues of HFNC treatment in COVID-19 patients.

Introduction: Instability of peripheral oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2) in preterm infants is correlated with late disability and is poorly understood. We hypothesised that a reduced ventilation to perfusion ratio (VA/Q) is the key predisposing factor for SpO2 instability.Methods: We first used a mathematical model to compare the effects of reduced VA/Q or shunt on SaO2 stability (SaO2 and SpO2 are used for model and clinical studies respectively). Stability was inferred from the slope of the SaO2 vs. inspired oxygen pressure (PIO2) curve as it intersects the 21 kPa PIO2 line (breathing air). Then, in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit, paired hourly readings of SpO2 and PIO2 were recorded over a 24 h period in week old extremely preterm infants. We noted SpO2 variability and used an algorithm to derive VA/Q and shunt from the paired SpO2 and PIO2 measurements.Results: Our model predicted that when VA/Q < 0.4, a 1% change in PIO2 results in >8% fluctuation in SaO2 at 21 kPa PIO2. In contrast, when a 20% intrapulmonary shunt was included in the model, a 1% change in PIO2 results in 0.85) but only two infants had increased shunt at 1.1 (±0.5) weeks’ postnatal age. Median (IQR) SpO2 fluctuation was 8 (7)%. The greatest SpO2 fluctuations were seen in infants with VA/Q < 0.52 (n = 10): SpO2 fluctuations ranged from 11%–17% at a constant PIO2 when VA/Q < 0.52. Two infants had reduced VA/Q and increased shunt (21% and 27%) which resolved into low VA/Q after 3–6 h.Discussion: Routine monitoring of PIO2 and SpO2 can be used to derive a hitherto elusive measure of VA/Q. Predisposition to SpO2 instability results from reduced VA/Q rather than increased intrapulmonary shunt in preterm infants with cardiorespiratory disease. SpO2 instability can be prevented by a small increase in PIO2.

A possible precision-medicine approach to treating obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) involves targeting ventilatory instability (elevated loop gain) using supplemental inspired oxygen in selected patients. Here we test whether elevated loop gain and three key endophenotypic traits (collapsibility, compensation and arousability), quantified using clinical polysomnography, can predict the effect of supplemental oxygen on OSA severity.36 patients (apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) >20 events·h-1) completed two overnight polysomnographic studies (single-blinded randomised-controlled crossover) on supplemental oxygen (40% inspired) versus sham (air). OSA traits were quantified from the air-night polysomnography. Responders were defined by a ≥50% reduction in AHI (supine non-rapid eye movement). Secondary outcomes included blood pressure and self-reported sleep quality.Nine of 36 patients (25%) responded to supplemental oxygen (ΔAHI=72±5%). Elevated loop gain was not a significant univariate predictor of responder/non-responder status (primary analysis). In post hoc analysis, a logistic regression model based on elevated loop gain and other traits (better collapsibility and compensation; cross-validated) had 83% accuracy (89% before cross-validation); predicted responders exhibited an improvement in OSA severity (ΔAHI 59±6% versus 12±7% in predicted non-responders, p=0.0001) plus lowered morning blood pressure and "better" self-reported sleep.Patients whose OSA responds to supplemental oxygen can be identified by measuring their endophenotypic traits using diagnostic polysomnography.

ObjectivesTo describe the frequency and extent of delivery room resuscitation and evaluate the association of delivery room resuscitation with neonatal outcomes in moderately preterm (MPT) infants.Study designThis was an observational cohort study of MPT infants delivered at 290/7 to 336/7 weeks' gestational age (GA) enrolled in the Neonatal Research Network MPT registry. Infants were categorized into 5 groups based on the highest level of delivery room intervention: routine care, oxygen and/or continuous positive airway pressure, bag and mask ventilation, endotracheal intubation, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation including chest compressions and/or epinephrine use. The association of antepartum and intrapartum risk factors and discharge outcomes with the intensity of resuscitation was evaluated.ResultsOf 7014 included infants, 1684 (24.0%) received routine care and no additional resuscitation, 2279 (32.5%) received oxygen or continuous positive airway pressure, 1831 (26.1%) received bag and mask ventilation, 1034 (14.7%) underwent endotracheal intubation, and 186 (2.7%) received cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Among the antepartum and intrapartum factors, increasing GA, any exposure to antenatal steroids and prolonged rupture of membranes decreased the likelihood of receipt of all levels of resuscitation. Infants who were small for GA (SGA) had increased risk of delivery room resuscitation. Among the neonatal outcomes, respiratory support at 28 days, days to full oral feeds and length of stay were significantly associated with the intensity of delivery room resuscitation. Higher intensity of resuscitation was associated with increased risk of mortality.ConclusionsThe majority of MPT infants receive some level of delivery room resuscitation. Increased intensity of delivery room interventions was associated with prolonged respiratory and nutritional support, increased mortality, and a longer length of stay.

AIM: There are 2.7 million neonatal deaths annually, 75% of which occur in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Effective treatment of hypoxaemia through tailored oxygen therapy could reduce neonatal mortality and prevent oxygen toxicity. METHODS: We undertook a two-part prospective study of neonates admitted to a neonatal unit in Nairobi, Kenya, between January and December 2015. We determined the prevalence of hypoxaemia and explored associations of clinical risk factors and signs of respiratory distress with hypoxaemia and mortality. After staff training on oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) target ranges, we enrolled a consecutive sample of neonates admitted for oxygen and measured SpO2 at 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h post-admission. We estimated the proportion of neonates outside the target range (≥34 weeks: ≥92%;

OBJECTIVE: Articles previously published by Sullivan et al. and Cristofalo et al. were reanalyzed using the proportion of cow milk-based nutrition received to determine whether that affected clinical outcomes during hospitalization for infants birth weight 500-1250 g. Abrams et al. showed in the same cohort incidences of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), NEC requiring surgery and sepsis increased proportionally to the amount of dietary cow milk. METHODS: The data from the two studies conducted under essentially the same protocol were combined yielding a cohort of 260 infants receiving a diet ranging from 0% to 100% cow milk. Data analysis utilized negative binomial regression which mitigates differences between subjects in terms of their time on study by incorporating that number into the statistical model. The percent of cow milk-based nutrition was the only predictor investigated. RESULTS: For all outcomes the larger the amount of cows milk in the diet the greater the number of days of that intervention required. A trend toward statistical significance was seen for ventilator days; however, only parenteral nutrition (PN) days and days to full feeds achieved statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporation of any cow milk-based nutrition into the diet of extremely premature infants correlates with more days on PN and a longer time to achieve full feeds. There was a nonstatistically significant trend toward increased ventilator days. These represent additional clinical consequences of the use of any cow milk-based protein in feeding EP infants.

The Long-Term Oxygen Treatment Trial demonstrated that long-term supplemental oxygen did not reduce time to hospital admission or death for patients who have stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and resting and/or exercise-induced moderate oxyhemoglobin desaturation, nor did it provide benefit for any other outcome measured in the trial. Nine months after initiation of patient screening, after randomization of 34 patients to treatment, a trial design amendment broadened the eligible population, expanded the primary outcome, and reduced the goal sample size. Within a few years, the protocol underwent minor modifications, and a second trial design amendment lowered the required sample size because of lower than expected treatment group crossover rates. After 5.5 years of recruitment, the trial met its amended sample size goal, and 1 year later, it achieved its follow-up goal. The process of publishing the trial results brought renewed scrutiny of the study design and the amendments. This article expands on the previously published design and methods information, provides the rationale for the amendments, and gives insight into the investigators' decisions about trial conduct. The story of the Long-Term Oxygen Treatment Trial may assist investigators in future trials, especially those that seek to assess the efficacy and safety of long-term oxygen therapy. Clinical trial registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00692198).

Background: The use of high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) has the potential to improve patient safety by limiting hypoxaemia during gastrointestinal endoscopy. The degree of benefit is not adequately established. Methods: English language literature searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library electronic databases were performed to identify randomised controlled trials comparing HFNO and conventional oxygen therapy (COT) for patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy under deep sedation. The primary endpoint was the incidence of hypoxic events observed during endoscopic procedures. The secondary endpoints were the incidence of recourse to rescue manoeuvres, procedure interruption, and adverse events. A meta-analysis and a post hoc trial sequence analysis were performed. Results: A total of 2867 patients from six randomised controlled trials were considered. Desaturation was observed in 5.2% and 27.2% of patients receiving HFNO and COT, respectively. Desaturation

Background: Patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with active haematological malignancy and hypoxaemic respiratory failure have a high mortality. Oxygen supplementation is essential, but limited information exists on the optimum oxygenation targets in these patients. Methods: This subgroup analysis was specified before completion of the Handling Oxygenation Targets in the ICU (HOT-ICU) trial. The trial investigated the effects of a lower (8 kPa) vs a higher (12 kPa) arterial oxygenation target and was stratified for active haematological malignancy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and site. We here report the primary outcome (90-day mortality) and selected secondary outcomes in the subgroup of patients with active haematological malignancy. Results: The HOT-ICU trial included 168 patients with active haematological malignancy; 82 were randomly allocated to an arterial oxygenation target of 8 kPa, and 86 to 12 kPa. At 90 days, 53/81 patients (65%) in the lower-oxygenation group and 47/86 patients (55%) in the higher-oxygenation group had died: adjusted relative risk 1.22 (95% confidence interval 0.95–1.56); at 1 year, the numbers were 58/81 (72%) vs 56/86 (65%): adjusted relative risk 1.11 (95% confidence interval 0.90–1.36). No statistically significant differences were found for any secondary outcomes. Conclusion: In ICU patients with active haematological malignancies and hypoxaemic respiratory failure, we found a high mortality at 90 days and 1 year. Our results did not preclude clinically relevant benefits or harms of a lower oxygenation target in patients with active haematological malignancy. A randomised trial may, therefore, be worthwhile for these patients. Clinical trial registration: NCT03174002.

Background: Respiratory problems are among the most challenging situations in emergency care services. Different oxygen therapy methods are usually used to deal with these problems. In recent years, oxygen therapy has been recognized as one of the most widely used therapeutic processes in emergency departments (ED) mainly due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate an e-learning course in oxygen therapy for the ED clinicians. Methods: This was a pre-post study conducted in three phases in 2021. Initially, the educational requirements of clinicians (n = 181) were investigated using a questionnaire, and in the second phase, an interactive e-learning course was developed. In the third phase, the course was assessed in terms of maintaining the principles of developing an e-learning course, affecting participants' knowledge, and supporting usability requirements. Results: The findings revealed that training in oxygen therapy was essential for the ED clinicians. Therefore, an e-learning course was developed. The content production experts and the participants evaluated the content and usability of the online course at a good level. In addition, there was a statistically significant difference between the nurses' (p < 0.001) and general practitioners' (p < 0.002) pre- and post-test scores suggesting that the course improved their knowledge. Conclusion: It seems that the e-learning course developed in the current study can improve health care professionals' knowledge and quality of care. However, more evaluation studies are needed to investigate the effectiveness of the course for other clinicians, such as nurses who work in intensive care units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy is one of the most important oxygen therapy methods, which are commonly applied to relieve dyspnea in advanced cancer patients. Our study aims to observe the efficacy and safety of HFNC oxygen therapy on dyspnea patients with advanced cancer and explore the clinical application. Methods: Sixty subjects with advanced cancer requiring oxygen therapy from a grade 3, class A hospital in China were recruited and randomized (1:1) to traditional nasal catheter oxygen therapy or HFNC. Primary outcomes were dyspnea, oral dryness, and sleep condition, which were recorded after 72-h treatment. Secondary outcomes were heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), SpO2, PaO2, and PaCO2, which were recorded after 2, 6, 24, and 72 h treatment. Results: Seventy-two hours after treatment, there were significant improvements in all primary outcomes (P < 0.001). PaO2 and RR were statistically changed 2 h after HFNC treatment (P < 0.001). PaCO2 and HR were statistically changed 24 h after HFNC treatment (P < 0.001). Conclusion: HFNC oxygen therapy has good effect, high safety, and is easy to be accepted by dyspnea patients with advanced cancer. It can be used as the first choice of oxygen therapy for these patients and has broad clinical prospects. Trial registration. This work was retrospectively registered in the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR2100049582) on August 4, 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The influence of physical function of individuals on long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) on caregiver burden is underexplored. This study investigated the association of caregiver burden with physical function of individuals on LTOT and the association between caregiver's burden and quality of life. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. Informal caregivers were assessed for burden using the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI), the European Quality of Life 5 Dimension questionnaire index (EQ-5D index) and its Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS). Physical function of subjects on LTOT was assessed by dyspnea, activities of daily living (ADLs), and mobility. Univariate and multivariate linear regression models were explored. RESULTS: Fifty-four caregivers (54.7 ± 16.1 y, 74.1% female) were included. CBI total score was correlated with subject's dyspnea (r = 0.369, P = .006) and ADLs (r = 0.300, P = .03). In the multivariate regression models, subject's physical function limitation due to dyspnea explained 26.4% of the CBI total score variance (P = .005). In the CBI dimension analysis, the time-dependence caregiver burden was correlated with subject's dyspnea (r = 0.335, P = .01), ADLs (r = 0.436, P = .001), and mobility (r = -0.415, P = .002). CBI developmental and physical caregiver burden were correlated with dyspnea (r = 0.309, P = .02; r = 0.363, P = .007) and ADLs (r = 0.274, P = .045; r = 0.299, P = .03). Emotional caregiver burden was correlated with dyspnea (r = 0.333, P = .01). Higher CBI total score was correlated with worse quality of life on EQ-5D index (rs = -0.374, P = .005) and EQ-VAS (rs = -0.494, P = .001) in caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: Increased caregiver burden was associated with higher physical limitation due to dyspnea and dependence in ADLs of individuals on LTOT. The increased burden was associated with a worse caregiver's quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of HNO is the property of Springer Nature 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: Modern human patient simulators (HPSs) could be used for researching critical scenarios such as apnea oxygenation. We aimed to study the use of a high-fidelity HPS to assess prolonged apnea using various oxygenation strategies with a simple highflow nasal cannula (15 L/min). Methods: An experimental simulation study using an HPS (CAE Healthcare™) was conducted after obtaining approval from the Institutional Review Board. The HPS responded according to real-time physiologically modeled responses to external gases, such as oxygen (O2). Apnea experiments were performed with different physiological settings, such as shunt fraction (5%) and O2 consumption (250, 500, and 750 ml/min). The following four apnea experiments were conducted: no oxygenation (NO), apnea oxygenation alone (AO), preoxygenation alone (PO), and para-oxygenation (PAO). The time to 92%, 75%, and 50% saturation was recorded. Alveolar and arterial gas levels were recorded till 50% saturation. Results: At 250 ml/min, PO (1121 s) and PAO (1274.5 s) had a significantly longer time to 50% saturation (400% increase) compared to NO (222.5 s) and AO (239 s). A similar trend was observed for the time to 92% and 75% saturation. At higher O2 consumption rates, a shorter time to desaturation was observed. Conclusions: Apnea trends in the HPS correlated with similar prior human experiments. AO without preoxygenation was found to provide no additional benefit. Preoxygenation with high-flow O2 via nasal cannula prolonged the time to desaturation in the PAO more than PO scenario. Therefore, HPSs can be used in future studies where patient safety is a concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the efficacy of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy in patients with severe acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease admitted to the intensive care unit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Totally, 23 patients were enrolled in the study. High-flow nasal oxygen therapy was administered with a predefined protocol. Vital signs, Visual Analog Scale for dyspnea, and arterial blood gas parameters were recorded at the beginning under low-flow oxygen support therapy and the 1st, 6th, 12th, and 24th hours of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy. High-flow nasal oxygen therapy duration, intensive care unit length of stay, and intensive care unit, in-hospital, and 60-day mortality were recorded as outcomes and compared according to the presence of pneumonia upon admission. RESULTS: In 12 patients (52.2%), pneumonia was present. High-flow nasal oxygen therapy was applied for a median of 57 hours [49.2-104.5]. Overall decreases were detected in heart rate (P = .001), respiratory rate (P < .001), and Visual Analog Scale for dyspnea (P = .001) during the first 24 hours of the therapy. Although there was an increase in PaCO2 (P = .001), pH increased (P < .001) over time too. No change in partial arterial oxygen pressure (P = .63) and partial arterial oxygen pressure/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (P = .22) was noted. Nineteen patients (77%) were successfully weaned from high-flow nasal oxygen therapy. While the high-flow nasal oxygen therapy failure rate was 23%, the in-hospital and 60-day mortality rates were 8.6%. Outcomes were not different between patients with and without pneumonia. CONCLUSION: High-flow nasal oxygen therapy was efficient in relieving respiratory distress and well-tolerated with no adverse outcome in severe acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients admitted to the intensive care unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oxygen therapy is a common treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) with both potentially desirable and undesirable long-term effects. This systematic review aimed to assess the long-term outcomes of lower versus higher oxygenation strategies in adult ICU survivors.Methods: We included randomised clinical trials (RCTs) comparing lower versus higher oxygen supplementation or oxygenation strategies in adults admitted to the ICU. We searched major electronic databases and trial registers. We included all non-mortality long-term outcomes. Prespecified co-primary outcomes were the long-term cognitive function measures, the overall score of any valid health-related quality of life (HRQoL) evaluation, standardised 6-min walk test, and lung diffusion capacity. The protocol was published and prospectively registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42021223630).Results: The review included 17 RCTs comprising 6592 patients, and six trials with 825 randomised patients reported one or more outcomes of interest. We observed no difference in cognitive evaluation via Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (one trial, 409 patients) (mean score: 30.6 ± 4.5 in the lower oxygenation group vs. 30.4 ± 4.3 in the higher oxygenation group). The trial was judged at overall high risk of bias and the certainty of evidence was very low. Any difference was neither observed in HRQoL measured via EuroQol 5 dimensions 5 level questionnaire and EQ Visual Analogue Score (one trial, 499 patients) (mean score: 70.1 ± 22 in the lower oxygenation group vs. 67.6 ± 22.4 in the higher oxygenation group). The trial was judged as having high risk of bias, the certainty of evidence was very low. No trial reported neither the standardised 6-min walk test nor lung diffusion test.Conclusion: The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of a lower versus a higher oxygenation strategy on both the cognitive function and HRQoL. A lower versus a higher oxygenation strategy may have a little to no effect on both outcomes but the certainty of evidence is very low. No evidence was found for the effects on the standardised 6-min walking test and diffusion capacity test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some chronic respiratory diseases can cause hypoxemia and, in such cases, long-term home oxygen therapy (LTOT) is indicated as a treatment option primarily to improve patient quality of life and life expectancy. Home oxygen has been used for more than 70 years, and support for LTOT is based on two studies from the 1980s that demonstrated that oxygen use improves survival in patients with COPD. There is evidence that LTOT has other beneficial effects such as improved cognitive function, improved exercise capacity, and reduced hospitalizations. LTOT is indicated in other respiratory diseases that cause hypoxemia, on the basis of the same criteria as those used for COPD. There has been an increase in the use of LTOT, probably because of increased life expectancy and a higher prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases, as well as greater availability of LTOT in the health care system. The first Brazilian Thoracic Association consensus statement on LTOT was published in 2000. Twenty-two years later, we present this updated version. This document is a nonsystematic review of the literature, conducted by pulmonologists who evaluated scientific evidence and international guidelines on LTOT in the various diseases that cause hypoxemia and in specific situations (i.e., exercise, sleep, and air travel). These recommendations, produced with a view to clinical practice, contain several charts with information on indications for LTOT, oxygen sources, accessories, strategies for improved efficiency and effectiveness, and recommendations for the safe use of LTOT, as well as a LTOT prescribing model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Remdesivir, an RNA-polymerase prodrug inhibitor approved for treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), shortens recovery time and improves clinical outcomes. This prespecified analysis compared remdesivir plus standard of care (SOC) with SOC alone in adults hospitalized with COVID-19 requiring oxygen support in the early stage of the pandemic., Methods: Data for 10-day remdesivir treatment plus SOC from the extension phase of an open-label study (NCT04292899) were compared with real-world, retrospective data on SOC alone (EUPAS34303). Both studies included patients aged ≥18 years hospitalized with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 up to 30 May 2020, with oxygen saturation ≤94% on room air or supplemental oxygen (all forms), and with pulmonary infiltrates. Propensity score weighting was used to balance patient demographics and clinical characteristics across treatment groups. The primary endpoint was time to all-cause mortality or end of study (day 28). Time to discharge, with a 10-day landmark to account for duration of remdesivir treatment, was a secondary endpoint., Results: A total of 1974 patients treated with remdesivir plus SOC, and 1426 with SOC alone, were included after weighting. Remdesivir significantly reduced mortality versus SOC (hazard ratio [HR], 0.46; 95% confidence interval, .39-.54). This association was observed at each oxygen support level, with the lowest HR for patients on low-flow oxygen. Remdesivir significantly increased the likelihood of discharge at day 28 versus SOC in the 10-day landmark analysis (HR, 1.64; 95% confidence interval: 1.43-1.87)., Conclusions: Remdesivir plus early-2020 SOC was associated with a 54% lower mortality risk and shorter hospital stays compared with SOC alone in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 requiring oxygen support. Clinical Trials Registration.  ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04292899 and EUPAS34303., Competing Interests: Potential conflicts of interest. D. F. has served on advisory boards for Gilead Sciences, Inc. and Axcella, and as site principal investigator for clinical trials sponsored by Gilead Sciences, Inc., MetroBiotech, LLC, the National Institutes of Health (NIH; DMID COVAIL), and Regeneron. H. F. G. has received honoraria as a member of DMC or advisory boards for Gilead Sciences, Inc., GSK, Janssen, Johnson and Johnson, Merck, Novartis, and ViiV Healthcare. Furthermore, he has received grants outside of this work from the NIH, Swiss HIV Cohort Study, Swiss National Science Foundation, and Yvonne Jacob Foundation; and has received unrestricted research grants from Gilead Sciences, Inc. All grants were paid to his institution. He has also received a travel grant from Gilead Sciences, Inc. for conference attendance. S. K. G. has received independent grant funding from Indiana University, the NIH, and ViiV Healthcare; and has received consulting/advisory fees from Gilead Sciences, Inc. and ViiV Healthcare. D. K. has received consulting fees from E.R. Squibb & Sons, LLC, and holds stock options in HCA Healthcare. B. B. has received grants from AstraZeneca, Gilead Sciences, Inc., and NIH; has received consulting fees, speaker honoraria, and travel support from Gilead Sciences, Inc.; has participated on a Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) or advisory board for Gilead Sciences, Inc. and is a Gilead Sciences, Inc. speaker for their hepatitis C virus antiviral agent. S. O. has received research funding from HRSA Ryan White Funds. J. A. A. has received institutional research support for clinical trials from Emergent BioSolutions, Frontier Technologies, Gilead Sciences, Inc., GSK, Janssen, Merck, Pfizer, Regeneron, and ViiV Healthcare; has received personal fees for advisory boards from GSK/ViiV Healthcare and Merck; and has participated on a DSMB for Kintor Pharmaceutical, all outside the submitted work. I. M., L. E. T., Y. T., C. B., G. W., R. H., C.-Y. W., A. P. C., and A. O. O. are employees of, and stockholders in, Gilead Sciences, Inc. C.-M. W. has received research funding and travel grants from Gilead Sciences, Inc. for this study; has received research grants or contracts; consulting fees, payment, or honoraria for lectures, presentations, or educational events; and travel support from AbbVie, AstraZeneca, BeiGene, BioNTech, Hoffmann-La Roche, Janssen, and Moderna; and has participated on a Data DSMB or advisory board for AbbVie, AstraZeneca, BeiGene, BioNTech, Hoffmann-La Roche, Janssen, and Moderna. R. L. G. has received grants or contracts to his institution from Eli Lilly, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Regeneron, and Roivant Sciences (Kinevant Sciences); has received consulting fees from AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Gilead Sciences, Inc., GSK, and Roche; has received payment or honoraria for lectures/speaker fees from Gilead Sciences, Inc. and Pfizer (for an unrelated field); has received travel support from Gilead Sciences, Inc.; has participated on advisory boards for AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Gilead Sciences, Inc., GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Kinevant Sciences, and Roche/Genentech; is a de minimis stockholder at AbCellera; and received a gift-in-kind to his institution for an unrelated clinical trial (NCT03383419) from Gilead Sciences, Inc. during the conduct of this study. All authors have submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. Conflicts that the editors consider relevant to the content of the manuscript have been disclosed., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

BACKGROUND Detection of episodes of desaturation on pulse oximetry in elderly people in community settings is now a common occurrence. Transfer of such patients to hospital by ambulance has led to a greatly increased exposure to high-dose (FiO₂ > 50%) inhaled oxygen therapy in this group. Current British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidelines recommend administration of oxygen, 15 L/min via a non-rebreather mask (NRB) to acutely hypoxemic patients with an SpO₂ below 85% on room air. In some elderly subjects, such high-dose oxygen therapy induces significant hypercapnia in the absence of an identifiable risk factor for oxygen-induced CO₂ retention. CASE REPORT This case series describes 3 very elderly (>85 years old) female patients developing acute hypercapnia shortly after initiation of high-dose inhaled oxygen therapy. In each of these cases, hypercapnia developed in the absence of an accepted risk factor for oxygen-induced CO₂ retention. In 2 cases, CO₂ narcosis resolved within hours of the establishment of controlled oxygen therapy on bi-level positive airway pressure (BPAP). The possibility of oxygen-induced CO2 retention was not considered by the treating physicians in the acute setting. CONCLUSIONS The possibility of oxygen-induced CO₂ retention should be considered in all elderly patients developing acute type II respiratory failure in the setting of high-dose oxygen therapy. Failure to recognize oxygen-induced CO₂ retention has significant implications for patient outcome and resource utilization.

Background: The NOTACS trial will assess the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of high-flow nasal therapy (HFNT) compared to standard oxygen therapy (SOT) on the outcomes of patients after cardiac surgery., Methods/design: NOTACS is an adaptive, international, multicentre, parallel group, randomised controlled trial, with a pre-planned interim sample size re-estimation (SSR). A minimum of 850 patients will be randomised 1:1 to receive either HFNT or SOT. The primary outcome is days alive and at home in the first 90 days after the planned surgery (DAH90), with a number of secondary analyses and cost-effectiveness analyses also planned. The interim SSR will take place after a minimum of 300 patients have been followed up for 90 days and will allow for the sample size to increase up to a maximum of 1280 patients., Results: This manuscript provides detailed descriptions of the design of the NOTACS trial and the analyses to be undertaken at the interim and final analyses. The main purpose of the interim analysis is to assess safety and to perform a sample size re-estimation. The main purpose of the final analysis is to examine the safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of HFNT compared to SOT on the outcomes of patients after cardiac surgery., Discussion: This manuscript outlines the key features of the NOTACS statistical analysis plan and was submitted to the journal before the final analysis in order to preserve scientific integrity under an adaptive design framework. A previous version of this SAP was published prior to the interim analysis (Dawson, 2022). The NOTACS SAP closely follows published guidelines for the content of SAPs in clinical trials (Gamble, 2017)., Trial Registration: ISRCTN14092678 . (13 May 2020)., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: Epistaxis in critically ill patients may prevent the use of non-invasive ventilation and impair nasal oxygen delivery. Since the onset of COVID-19, high-flow nasal oxygen has dramatically increased. There is a paucity of literature on characteristics of epistaxis in critically ill, COVID-19 positive patients. We aimed to establish the incidence of epistaxis and identify risk factors., Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study conducted at a large academic medical center. Chart review was performed on patients with an intensive care admission and COVID-19 diagnosis between January 2020 and May 2022. Data included epistaxis events, supplemental oxygen delivery and duration, anticoagulation, and antiplatelet therapies., Results: 932 patients met study criteria. Epistaxis incidence was 7.4 %. Of those with epistaxis, 78 % were administered supplemental oxygen. For each additional day on nasal oxygen, patients were at a 7.1 % higher risk for epistaxis (p < .001). Most antiplatelet agents and therapeutic anticoagulation were not found to increase risk., Conclusions: Nasal oxygen was a major risk factor for epistaxis in this population. Nasal hygiene is a standard regimen recommended by otolaryngologists for epistaxis. Protocolizing the inclusion of nasal hygiene measures may be an easy, inexpensive way to prevent epistaxis in this already unstable patient population., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors declare no personal or financial conflicts of interest as related to the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: We evaluated the vaccine effectiveness of monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccine against symptomatic COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and the need for oxygen therapy in South Korea., Design: This study employed a test-negative case-control design. COVID-19 test results in symptomatic subjects from six university hospitals across South Korea were collected (October 26-December 31, 2023). The adjusted absolute and relative vaccine effectiveness were assessed., Results: In total, 5516 subjects were enrolled: 4,824 were unvaccinated with XBB.1.5, and 692 were vaccinated with XBB.1.5 COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. The absolute vaccine effectiveness when comparing the odds between XBB.1.5 vaccination and no vaccination against symptomatic COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and oxygen therapy was 65.2% (95% CI, 36.1-81.0), 77.3% (95% CI, 51.1-89.5), and 85.3% (95% CI, 57.8-94.9), respectively. The relative vaccine effectiveness when comparing the odds between XBB.1.5 vaccination and no XBB.1.5 vaccination against symptomatic COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and oxygen therapy was 57.7% (95% CI, 34.7-72.6), 64.3% (95% CI, 35.9-80.2), and 65.5% (95% CI, 27.0-83.7), respectively., Conclusion: The short-term effectiveness of the XBB.1.5 vaccine against symptomatic COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and receipt of oxygen therapy in South Korea was significant. Long-term vaccine effectiveness warrants evaluation, and these assessments should be conducted regularly., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: We studied the effect of O 2 supplementation on physiological response to exercise in patients with moderate to severe interstitial lung disease (ILD)., Methods: Thirteen patients (age 66 ± 10 yr, 7 males) with ILD (total lung capacity, 71% ± 22% predicted; carbon monoxide diffusion capacity, 44% ± 16% predicted) and 13 healthy individuals (age 50 ± 17 yr, 7 males) were tested. ILD patients performed symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise tests and constant work rate (WR) tests at 80% of the WR at the gas exchange threshold. Tests breathing room air (RA; 21% O 2 ) were compared with tests performed breathing 30% O 2 . Oxygen uptake (V̇O 2 ) kinetics were calculated from the constant WR test results., Results: In the ILD group, peak WR, peak V̇O 2 , and V̇O 2 at the gas exchange threshold improved significantly when breathing 30% O 2 compared with RA (mean ± SD, 75 ± 26 vs 66 ± 23 W, 17 ± 4 vs 15 ± 2 mL·kg -1 ·min -1 , and 932 ± 245 vs 854 ± 232 mL·min -1 ; P = 0.004, P = 0.001, and P = 0.01, respectively). O 2 saturation (SpO 2 %) at peak exercise was higher with 30% O 2 (97% ± 4% vs 88% ± 9%, P = 0.002). The time constant (tau) of V̇O 2 kinetics was faster in ILD patients while breathing 30% O 2 (41 ± 10 s) compared with RA (52 ± 14 s, P = 0.003). There was a negative linear relation between tau and SpO 2 % with RA ( r = -0.76, P = 0.006) and while breathing 30% O 2 ( r = -0.68, P = 0.02)., Conclusions: Using a clinically applicable level of O 2 supplementation (30%) improved maximal, aerobic exercise capacity and V̇O 2 kinetics in ILD patients, likely due to increased blood O 2 content subsequently increasing the O 2 delivery to the working muscles., (Copyright © 2024 by the American College of Sports Medicine.)