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Introduction: The course of the disease in SARS-CoV-2 infection in mechanically ventilated patients is unknown. To unravel the clinical heterogeneity of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in these patients, we designed the prospective observational Maastricht Intensive Care COVID cohort (MaastrICCht). We incorporated serial measurements that harbour aetiological, diagnostic and predictive information. The study aims to investigate the heterogeneity of the natural course of critically ill patients with a SARS-CoV-2 infection., Methods and Analysis: Mechanically ventilated patients admitted to the intensive care with a SARS-CoV-2 infection will be included. We will collect clinical variables, vital parameters, laboratory variables, mechanical ventilator settings, chest electrical impedance tomography, ECGs, echocardiography as well as other imaging modalities to assess heterogeneity of the course of a SARS-CoV-2 infection in critically ill patients. The MaastrICCht is also designed to foster various other studies and registries and intends to create an open-source database for investigators. Therefore, a major part of the data collection is aligned with an existing national intensive care data registry and two international COVID-19 data collection initiatives. Additionally, we create a flexible design, so that additional measures can be added during the ongoing study based on new knowledge obtained from the rapidly growing body of evidence. The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic requires the swift implementation of observational research to unravel heterogeneity of the natural course of the disease of SARS-CoV-2 infection in mechanically ventilated patients. Our study design is expected to enhance aetiological, diagnostic and prognostic understanding of the disease. This paper describes the design of the MaastrICCht., Ethics and Dissemination: Ethical approval has been obtained from the medical ethics committee (Medisch Ethische Toetsingscommissie 2020-1565/3 00 523) of the Maastricht University Medical Centre+ (Maastricht UMC+), which will be performed based on the Declaration of Helsinki. During the pandemic, the board of directors of Maastricht UMC+ adopted a policy to inform patients and ask their consent to use the collected data and to store serum samples for COVID-19 research purposes. All study documentation will be stored securely for fifteen years after recruitment of the last patient. The results will be published in peer-reviewed academic journals, with a preference for open access journals, while particularly considering deposition of the manuscripts on a preprint server early., Trial Registration Number: The Netherlands Trial Register (NL8613)., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Introduction: Monitoring the microcirculation may be helpful in guiding resuscitation in patients with circulatory shock. Sublingual side-stream dark field imaging cameras allow for noninvasive, bedside evaluation of the microcirculation, although their use in clinical practice has not yet been validated. The GlycoCheck system automatically analyzes images to determine glycocalyx thickness, red blood cell filling percentage, and vessel density. Although GlycoCheck has been used to study microcirculation in critically ill patients, little is known about the reproducibility of measurements in this population., Materials and Methods: A total of 60 critically ill patients were studied. Three consecutive microcirculation measurements were performed with the GlycoCheck system in 40 of these patients by one of two experienced observers. Twenty patients were assessed by both observers. Intra- and interobserver variability were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs)., Results: ICCs of single measurements were poor for glycocalyx thickness and good for filling percentage and vessel density. Reproducibility could be substantially increased for all parameters when three consecutive measurements were performed and averaged., Discussion: GlycoCheck can be used to study microcirculation. However, to obtain reliable results three consecutive measurements should be performed and averaged. The variation of the measurements currently hampers the clinical application in individual patients.

Background: Low skeletal muscle mass on intensive care unit admission is related to increased mortality. It is however unknown whether this association is influenced by co-morbidities that are associated with skeletal muscle loss. The aim of this study was to investigate whether sarcopenia is an independent risk factor for hospital mortality in critical illness in the presence of co-morbidities associated with muscle wasting., Methods: Data of 155 patients with abdominal sepsis were retrospectively analyzed. Skeletal muscle area was assessed using CT-scans at the level of vertebra L3. Demographic and clinical data were retrieved from electronic patient files. Sarcopenia was defined as a muscle area index below the 5th percentile of the general population. Uni- and multivariable analyses were performed to assess the association between sarcopenia and hospital mortality, correcting for age and comorbidities., Results: The prevalence of sarcopenia was higher in patients that did not survive until hospital discharge. However, it appeared that this relation was confounded by the presence of chronic renal insufficiency and cancer. These were independent risk factors for hospital mortality, whereas sarcopenia was not., Conclusion: In critically ill patients with abdominal sepsis, muscle wasting associated co-morbidities rather than sarcopenia were risk factors for hospital mortality., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose of Review: Skeletal muscle wasting during critical illness is the result of disturbed metabolism. No proven effective interventions targeting skeletal muscle mass and function during critical illness currently exist. This review summarizes recent advances regarding the complexity of metabolic factors involved and the challenge of establishing the clinical effects of metabolic interventions targeting the muscle., Recent Findings: Although the catabolic state is limited to the acute phase of critical illness, its subsequent impact on muscle mass and function persists long after ICU discharge. Immobilization, inflammation and disturbed muscle energy and nutrient metabolism are key drivers of muscle protein loss. Current research focuses on the effects of enhanced protein provision, specific substrate delivery and physical exercise. Whilst some interventions have been successful at improving muscle mass, these effects do not always carry over into muscle function or strength., Summary: Increased understanding of metabolic derangements during critical illness provides new potential targets for treatment. The potential of dietary protein to attenuate the muscle protein catabolic state has yet to be established in clinical trials. Basic research should focus on ways to further improve the anabolic potential of nutrition by unravelling mechanisms that regulate anabolic and catabolic pathways and energy metabolism.

Background: In most western countries, the median donor age is increasing. The incidence of malignancies in older populations is increasing as well. To prevent donor-derived malignancies we evaluated radiologic donor screening in a retrospective donor cohort., Methods: This study analyzes the efficacy of a preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan on detecting malignancies. All deceased organ donors in the Netherlands between January 2013 and December 2017 were included. Donor reports were analyzed to identify malignancies detected before or during organ procurement. Findings between donor screening with or without CT-scan were compared., Results: Chest or abdominal CT-scans were performed in 17% and 18% of the 1644 reported donors respectively. Screening by chest CT-scan versus radiograph resulted in 1.5% and 0.0% detected thoracic malignancies respectively. During procurement no thoracic malignancies were found in patients screened by chest CT compared with 0.2% malignancies in the radiograph group. Screening by abdominal CT-scan resulted in 0.0% malignancies, compared with 0.2% in the abdominal ultrasound group. During procurement 1.0% and 1.3% malignancies were found in the abdominal CT-scan and ultrasound groups, respectively., Conclusions: Screening by CT-scan decreased the perioperative detection of tumors by 30%. A preoperative CT-scan may be helpful by providing additional information on (aberrant) anatomy to the procuring or transplanting surgeon. In conclusion, donor screening by CT-scan could decrease the risk of donor-derived malignancies and prevents unnecessary procurements per year in the Netherlands., Competing Interests: The authors declare no funding or conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2019 The Author(s). Transplantation Direct. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Return of spontaneous circulation occurs in less than 10% of patients with cardiac arrest undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for more than 15 minutes. Studies suggest that extracorporeal life support during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) improves survival rate in these patients. These studies, however, are hampered by their non-randomized, observational design and are mostly single-center. A multicenter, randomized controlled trial is urgently warranted to evaluate the effectiveness of ECPR., Hypothesis: We hypothesize that early initiation of ECPR in refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) improves the survival rate with favorable neurological status., Study Design: The INCEPTION trial is an investigator-initiated, prospective, multicenter trial that will randomly allocate 110 patients to either continued CPR or ECPR in a 1:1 ratio. Patients eligible for inclusion are adults (≤ 70 years) with witnessed OHCA presenting with an initial rhythm of ventricular fibrillation (VF) or ventricular tachycardia (VT), who received bystander basic life support and who fail to achieve sustained return of spontaneous circulation within 15 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation by emergency medical services. The primary endpoint of the study is 30-day survival rate with favorable neurological status, defined as 1 or 2 on the Cerebral Performance Category score. The secondary endpoints include 3, 6 and 12-month survival rate with favorable neurological status and the cost-effectiveness of ECPR compared to CCPR., Summary: The INCEPTION trial aims to determine the clinical benefit for the use of ECPR in patients with refractory OHCA presenting with VF/VT. Additionally, the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of ECPR will be evaluated., (Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

To report on our clinical experience using EIT in individualized PEEP titration in ARDS. Using EIT assessment, we optimized PEEP settings in 39 ARDS patients. The EIT PEEP settings were compared with the physicians' PEEP settings and the PEEP settings according to the ARDS network. We defined a PEEP difference equal to or greater than 4 cm H 2 O as clinically relevant. Changes in lung compliance and PaO 2 /FiO 2 -ratio were compared in patients with EIT-based PEEP adjustments and in patients with unaltered PEEP. In 28% of the patients, the difference in EIT-based PEEP and physician-PEEP was clinically relevant; in 36%, EIT-based PEEP and physician-PEEP were equal. The EIT-based PEEP disagreed with the PEEP settings according to the ARDS network. Adjusting PEEP based upon EIT led to a rapid increase in lung compliance and PaO 2 /FiO 2 -ratio. However, this increase was also observed in the group where the PEEP difference was less than 4 cm H 2 O. We hypothesize that this can be attributed to the alveolar recruitment during the PEEP trial. EIT based individual PEEP setting appears to be a promising method to optimize PEEP in ARDS patients. The clinical impact, however, remains to be established.

Introduction: Nissen fundoplication is frequently applied in the surgical treatment of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). When the gastroesophageal junction remains too large or becomes too narrow, persistent GERD or dysphagia may occur. To assure a correct size of the gastroesophageal junction, the fundoplication can be created over a bougie. However, this increases the risk of esophageal perforation. Therefore, we have modified a previously described technique to create a standardized fundoplication without the use of a bougie. In this article, we describe this technique and demonstrate the initial results., Materials and Methods: We describe a technique to create a standardized Nissen fundoplication. After suture repair of the hiatal hernia, three marking sutures were placed on the gastric fundus, based on an equilateral triangle. The size of this triangle determines the final diameter of the fundoplication. With these measurements, we assure sufficient patency, minimize rotation, and create a more reproducible fundoplication that may reduce postoperative dysphagia., Results: We have operated 15 patients according to this technique. Mean operative time was 69.5 (SD 8.4) minutes, no complications occurred. There was no early dysphagia and the mean length of stay was 1.3 days (1-2). Quality of life after 1 year was excellent., Conclusions: This modified method for standardized Nissen fundoplication is safe and might reduce postoperative dysphagia. Quality of life after 1 year is excellent. The effect on postoperative dysphagia and the reproducibility of this technique should be established in a large prospective study.

Background: Laparoscopic cruroplasty and fundoplication have become the gold standard in the treatment of hiatal hernia and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The use of a mesh-reinforcement of the cruroplasty has been proven effective; although, there is a lack of evidence considering which type of mesh is superior. The aim of this study was to compare recurrence rates after mesh reinforced cruroplasty using biological versus synthetic meshes., Methods: We performed a systematic review of all clinical trials published between January 2004 and September 2015 describing the application of a mesh in the hiatal hernia repair during Nissen fundoplication for both GERD and hiatal hernia. The primary outcome was the recurrence rate, and secondary outcomes were complication rate, mortality and symptomatic outcome., Results: We included 16 studies and extracted data regarding 1089 mesh operated patients of whom 385 received a biological mesh and 704 a synthetic mesh. The mean follow-up was 53.4 months. The recurrence rate in the synthetic mesh group was 6.8% compared to 16.1% in the biological mesh group (P < 0.05). The complication rate was 5.1% and 4.6% (P = 0.694), respectively, and there were 12 mesh-related complications. No mesh-related mortality was reported., Conclusion: Mesh reinforcement of hiatal hernia repair seems safe in the short-term follow-up. The available literature suggests no clear advantage of biological over synthetic meshes. Regarding cost-efficiency and short-term results, the use of synthetic nonabsorbable meshes might be advocated., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest

Background: Clear definitions for septic shock assist clinicians regarding recognition, treatment and standardized reporting of characteristics and outcome of this entity. Sepsis-3 definition of septic shock incorporates a new criterion, a lactate level >2 mmol/L. Differences in epidemiology and outcome of septic shock based upon both definitions were studied in an intensive care (ICU) population of septic patients., Methods: We analyzed a prospectively collected cohort of data in the ICU of the Maastricht University Medical Centre. 632 septic patients were included. ICU mortality was compared between the patient group fulfilling Sepsis-3 definition for septic shock and those that met Sepsis-2 definition. Furthermore, association between lactate levels and ICU mortality was studied., Results: Of 632 septic patients, 482 (76.3%) had septic shock according to Sepsis-2 and 300 patients (48.4%) according to Sepsis-3 definition, respectively. Patients meeting Sepsis-3 definition had a higher mortality than patients meeting Sepsis-2 definition (38.9 vs. 34.0%). Serum lactate levels between 2 and 4 mmol/L (25.0 vs. 26.2%, OR 0.94 (0.5-1.5)) and between 4 and 6 mmol/L (23.8 vs. 26.2%, OR 0.88 (0.4-1.7)) compared to levels ≤2 mmol/L were not associated with significantly higher ICU mortality. Serum lactate values ≥6 mmol/L, were significantly associated with increased ICU mortality., Conclusion: Patients classified according to Sepsis-3 criteria had a higher ICU mortality compared with Sepsis-2 criteria. Lactate levels <6 mmol/L were not able to identify patients with increased ICU mortality. Lactate threshold of 2 mmol/L may be too low to point out patients with actual increased ICU mortality.

Purpose: For decades, an intrathoracic stomach (ITS) has been a definite indication for surgery due to the perceived risk of an acute volvulus with perforation, gangrene, or hemorrhage. At the present time, elective laparoscopic repair is the first choice for treatment of ITS. There is a lack of evidence in the long-term quality of life after a hiatal hernia repair for an intrathoracic stomach., Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients undergoing a hiatal hernia repair for an intrathoracic stomach between January 2004 and January 2015. Additionally, to a hiatal closure, the patients received an antireflux procedure. Outcome measures included patient characteristics, operative details, complications, and postoperative morbidity and mortality. All patients were sent a quality of life questionnaire to assess long-term quality of life and patient satisfaction. A higher quality of life score represents a better quality of life., Results: Eighty-six patients underwent laparoscopic repair for ITS, from which, one patient died during surgery. Eighty-five patients were contacted and 81 completed the questionnaire, resulting in a response rate of 95.3 %. At a median follow-up of 2.7 years (range 0.1-9.6), the mean quality of life score was 13.5 (standard deviation 2.8). The mean overall satisfaction was 8.4. There were four recurrences: three in the first 12 days after surgery and one in 2.4 years., Conclusions: Very good results in patient satisfaction and symptom reduction were achieved after a median follow-up of 2.7 years in this laparoscopic repair of the intrathoracic stomach single center experience study. The symptomatic recurrence rate was very low.