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Supplemental digital content is available in the text., Introduction Avoiding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) work-related infection in frontline healthcare workers is a major challenge. A massive training program was launched in our university hospital for anesthesia/intensive care unit and operating room staff, aiming at upskilling 2249 healthcare workers for COVID-19 patients' management. We hypothesized that such a massive training was feasible in a 2-week time frame and efficient in avoiding sick leaves. Methods We performed a retrospective observational study. Training focused on personal protective equipment donning/doffing and airway management in a COVID-19 simulated patient. The educational models used were in situ procedural and immersive simulation, peer-teaching, and rapid cycle deliberate practice. Self-learning organization principles were used for trainers' management. Ordinary disease quantity in full-time equivalent in March and April 2020 were compared with the same period in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Results A total of 1668 healthcare workers were trained (74.2% of the target population) in 99 training sessions over 11 days. The median number of learners per session was 16 (interquartile range = 9–25). In the first 5 days, the median number of people trained per weekday was 311 (interquartile range = 124–385). Sick leaves did not increase in March to April 2020 compared with the same period in the 3 preceding years. Conclusions Massive training for COVID-19 patient management in frontline healthcare workers is feasible in a very short time and efficient in limiting the rate of sick leave. This experience could be used in the anticipation of new COVID-19 waves or for rapidly preparing hospital staff for an unexpected major health crisis.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., Objectives: Recovery from coma might critically depend on the structural and functional integrity of frontoparietal networks. We aimed to measure this integrity in traumatic brain injury and anoxo-ischemic (cardiac arrest) coma patients by using an original multimodal MRI protocol. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Three Intensive Critical Care Units affiliated to the University in Toulouse (France). Patients: We longitudinally recruited 43 coma patients (Glasgow Coma Scale at the admission < 8; 29 cardiac arrest and 14 traumatic brain injury) and 34 age-matched healthy volunteers. Exclusion criteria were disorders of consciousness lasting more than 30 days and focal brain damage within the explored brain regions. Patient assessments were conducted at least 2 days (5 ± 2 d) after complete withdrawal of sedation. All patients were followed up (Coma Recovery Scale-Revised) 3 months after acute brain injury. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Functional and structural MRI data were recorded, and the analysis was targeted on the posteromedial cortex, the medial prefrontal cortex, and the cingulum. Univariate analyses and machine learning techniques were used to assess diagnostic and predictive values. Coma patients displayed significantly lower medial prefrontal cortex–posteromedial cortex functional connectivity (area under the curve, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.93–0.95). Cardiac arrest patients showed specific structural disturbances within posteromedial cortex. Significant cingulum architectural disturbances were observed in traumatic brain injury patients. The machine learning medial prefrontal cortex–posteromedial cortex multimodal classifier had a significant predictive value (area under the curve, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.95–0.97), best combination of subregions that discriminates a binary outcome based on Coma Recovery Scale-Revised). Conclusions: This exploratory study suggests that frontoparietal functional disconnections are specifically observed in coma and their structural counterpart provides information about brain injury mechanisms. Multimodal MRI biomarkers of frontoparietal disconnection predict 3-month outcome in our sample. These findings suggest that fronto-parietal disconnection might be particularly relevant for coma outcome prediction and could inspire innovative precision medicine approaches.

International audience; BACKGROUND: Patients with severe COVID-19 have emerged as a population at high risk of invasive fungal infections (IFIs). However, to our knowledge, the prevalence of IFIs has not yet been assessed in large populations of mechanically ventilated patients. We aimed to identify the prevalence, risk factors, and mortality associated with IFIs in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19 under intensive care. METHODS: We performed a national, multicentre, observational cohort study in 18 French intensive care units (ICUs). We retrospectively and prospectively enrolled adult patients (aged ≥18 years) with RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and requiring mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory distress syndrome, with all demographic and clinical and biological follow-up data anonymised and collected from electronic case report forms. Patients were systematically screened for respiratory fungal microorganisms once or twice a week during the period of mechanical ventilation up to ICU discharge. The primary outcome was the prevalence of IFIs in all eligible participants with a minimum of three microbiological samples screened during ICU admission, with proven or probable (pr/pb) COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) classified according to the recent ECMM/ISHAM definitions. Secondary outcomes were risk factors of pr/pb CAPA, ICU mortality between the pr/pb CAPA and non-pr/pb CAPA groups, and associations of pr/pb CAPA and related variables with ICU mortality, identified by regression models. The MYCOVID study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04368221. FINDINGS: Between Feb 29 and July 9, 2020, we enrolled 565 mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19. 509 patients with at least three screening samples were analysed (mean age 59·4 years [SD 12·5], 400 [79%] men). 128 (25%) patients had 138 episodes of pr/pb or possible IFIs. 76 (15%) patients fulfilled the criteria for pr/pb CAPA. According to multivariate analysis, age older than 62 years (odds ratio [OR] 2·34 [95% CI 1·39-3·92], p=0·0013), treatment with dexamethasone and anti-IL-6 (OR 2·71 [1·12-6·56], p=0·027), and long duration of mechanical ventilation (\textgreater14 days; OR 2·16 [1·14-4·09], p=0·019) were independently associated with pr/pb CAPA. 38 (7%) patients had one or more other pr/pb IFIs: 32 (6%) had candidaemia, six (1%) had invasive mucormycosis, and one (\textless1%) had invasive fusariosis. Multivariate analysis of associations with death, adjusted for candidaemia, for the 509 patients identified three significant factors: age older than 62 years (hazard ratio [HR] 1·71 [95% CI 1·26-2·32], p=0·0005), solid organ transplantation (HR 2·46 [1·53-3·95], p=0·0002), and pr/pb CAPA (HR 1·45 [95% CI 1·03-2·03], p=0·033). At time of ICU discharge, survival curves showed that overall ICU mortality was significantly higher in patients with pr/pb CAPA than in those without, at 61·8% (95% CI 50·0-72·8) versus 32·1% (27·7-36·7; p\textless0·0001). INTERPRETATION: This study shows the high prevalence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and candidaemia and high mortality associated with pr/pb CAPA in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19. These findings highlight the need for active surveillance of fungal pathogens in patients with severe COVID-19. FUNDING: Pfizer.

Summary Background The antiviral efficacy of remdesivir against SARS-CoV-2 is still controversial. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of remdesivir plus standard of care compared with standard of care alone in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19, with indication of oxygen or ventilator support. Methods DisCoVeRy was a phase 3, open-label, adaptive, multicentre, randomised, controlled trial conducted in 48 sites in Europe (France, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, Luxembourg). Adult patients (aged ≥18 years) admitted to hospital with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and illness of any duration were eligible if they had clinical evidence of hypoxaemic pneumonia, or required oxygen supplementation. Exclusion criteria included elevated liver enzymes, severe chronic kidney disease, any contraindication to one of the studied treatments or their use in the 29 days before random assignment, or use of ribavirin, as well as pregnancy or breastfeeding. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1:1) to receive standard of care alone or in combination with remdesivir, lopinavir–ritonavir, lopinavir–ritonavir and interferon beta-1a, or hydroxychloroquine. Randomisation used computer-generated blocks of various sizes; it was stratified on severity of disease at inclusion and on European administrative region. Remdesivir was administered as 200 mg intravenous infusion on day 1, followed by once daily, 1-h infusions of 100 mg up to 9 days, for a total duration of 10 days. It could be stopped after 5 days if the participant was discharged. The primary outcome was the clinical status at day 15 measured by the WHO seven-point ordinal scale, assessed in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was assessed in the modified intention-to-treat population and was one of the secondary outcomes. This trial is registered with the European Clinical Trials Database, EudraCT2020-000936-23, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04315948. Findings Between March 22, 2020, and Jan 21, 2021, 857 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to remdesivir plus standard of care (n=429) or standard of care only (n=428). 15 participants were excluded from analysis in the remdesivir group, and ten in the control group. At day 15, the distribution of the WHO ordinal scale was: (1) not hospitalised, no limitations on activities (61 [15%] of 414 in the remdesivir group vs 73 [17%] of 418 in the control group); (2) not hospitalised, limitation on activities (129 [31%] vs 132 [32%]); (3) hospitalised, not requiring supplemental oxygen (50 [12%] vs 29 [7%]); (4) hospitalised, requiring supplemental oxygen (76 [18%] vs 67 [16%]); (5) hospitalised, on non-invasive ventilation or high flow oxygen devices (15 [4%] vs 14 [3%]); (6) hospitalised, on invasive mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (62 [15%] vs 79 [19%]); (7) death (21 [5%] vs 24 [6%]). The difference between treatment groups was not significant (odds ratio 0·98 [95% CI 0·77–1·25]; p=0·85). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of serious adverse events between treatment groups (remdesivir, 135 [33%] of 406 vs control, 130 [31%] of 418; p=0·48). Three deaths (acute respiratory distress syndrome, bacterial infection, and hepatorenal syndrome) were considered related to remdesivir by the investigators, but only one by the sponsor's safety team (hepatorenal syndrome). Interpretation No clinical benefit was observed from the use of remdesivir in patients who were admitted to hospital for COVID-19, were symptomatic for more than 7 days, and required oxygen support. Funding European Union Commission, French Ministry of Health, Domaine d'interet majeur One Health Ile-de-France, REACTing, Fonds Erasme-COVID-Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre, Austrian Group Medical Tumor, European Regional Development Fund, Portugal Ministry of Health, Portugal Agency for Clinical Research and Biomedical Innovation. Translation For the French translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

The effect of the routine use of a stylet during tracheal intubation on first-attempt intubation success is unclear. We hypothesised that the first-attempt intubation success rate would be higher with tracheal tube + stylet than with tracheal tube alone.In this multicentre randomised controlled trial, conducted in 32 intensive care units, we randomly assigned patients to tracheal tube + stylet or tracheal tube alone (i.e. without stylet). The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with first-attempt intubation success. The secondary outcome was the proportion of patients with complications related to tracheal intubation. Serious adverse events, i.e., traumatic injuries related to tracheal intubation, were evaluated.A total of 999 patients were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis: 501 (50%) to tracheal tube + stylet and 498 (50%) to tracheal tube alone. First-attempt intubation success occurred in 392 patients (78.2%) in the tracheal tube + stylet group and in 356 (71.5%) in the tracheal tube alone group (absolute risk difference, 6.7; 95%CI 1.4-12.1; relative risk, 1.10; 95%CI 1.02-1.18; P = 0.01). A total of 194 patients (38.7%) in the tracheal tube + stylet group had complications related to tracheal intubation, as compared with 200 patients (40.2%) in the tracheal tube alone group (absolute risk difference, - 1.5; 95%CI - 7.5 to 4.6; relative risk, 0.96; 95%CI 0.83-1.12; P = 0.64). The incidence of serious adverse events was 4.0% and 3.6%, respectively (absolute risk difference, 0.4; 95%CI, - 2.0 to 2.8; relative risk, 1.10; 95%CI 0.59-2.06. P = 0.76).Among critically ill adults undergoing tracheal intubation, using a stylet improves first-attempt intubation success.

International audience; Purpose: The effect of the routine use of a stylet during tracheal intubation on first-attempt intubation success is unclear. We hypothesised that the first-attempt intubation success rate would be higher with tracheal tube + stylet than with tracheal tube alone.Methods: In this multicentre randomised controlled trial, conducted in 32 intensive care units, we randomly assigned patients to tracheal tube + stylet or tracheal tube alone (i.e. without stylet). The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with first-attempt intubation success. The secondary outcome was the proportion of patients with complications related to tracheal intubation. Serious adverse events, i.e., traumatic injuries related to tracheal intubation, were evaluated.Results: A total of 999 patients were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis: 501 (50%) to tracheal tube + stylet and 498 (50%) to tracheal tube alone. First-attempt intubation success occurred in 392 patients (78.2%) in the tracheal tube + stylet group and in 356 (71.5%) in the tracheal tube alone group (absolute risk difference, 6.7; 95%CI 1.4-12.1; relative risk, 1.10; 95%CI 1.02-1.18; P = 0.01). A total of 194 patients (38.7%) in the tracheal tube + stylet group had complications related to tracheal intubation, as compared with 200 patients (40.2%) in the tracheal tube alone group (absolute risk difference, - 1.5; 95%CI - 7.5 to 4.6; relative risk, 0.96; 95%CI 0.83-1.12; P = 0.64). The incidence of serious adverse events was 4.0% and 3.6%, respectively (absolute risk difference, 0.4; 95%CI, - 2.0 to 2.8; relative risk, 1.10; 95%CI 0.59-2.06. P = 0.76).Conclusions: Among critically ill adults undergoing tracheal intubation, using a stylet improves first-attempt intubation success.

International audience; Purpose: The 4-point score is the corner stone of brain death (BD) confirmation using computed tomography angiography (CTA). We hypothesized that considering the superior petrosal veins (SPVs) may improve CTA diagnosis performance in BD setting. We aimed at comparing the diagnosis performance of three revised CTA scores including SPVs and the 4-point score in the confirmation of BD.Methods: In this retrospective study, 69 consecutive adult-patients admitted in a French University Hospital meeting clinical brain death criteria and receiving at least one CTA were included. CTA images were reviewed by two blinded neuroradiologists. A first analysis compared the 4-point score, considered as the reference and three non-opacification scores: a "Toulouse score" including SPVs and middle cerebral arteries, a "venous score" including SPVs and internal cerebral veins and a "7-score" including all these vessels and the basilar artery. Psychometric tools, observer agreement and misclassification rates were assessed. A second analysis considered clinical examination as the reference.Results: Brain death was confirmed by the 4-score in 59 cases (89.4 %). When compared to the 4-score, the Toulouse score displayed a 100 % positive predictive value, a substantial observer agreement (0.77 [0.53; 1]) and the least misclassification rate (3.03 %). Results were similar in the craniectomy subgroup. The Toulouse score was the only revised test that combined a sensitivity close to that of the 4-score (86.4 % [75.7; 93.6] and 89.4 % [79.4; 95.6], p-value < 0.001, respectively) and a substantial observer agreement.Conclusions: A score including SPVs and middle cerebral arteries is a valid method for BD confirmation using CTA even in patients receiving craniectomy.

BackgroundTo explore risk factors for unfavorable outcome (death or requiring invasive mechanical ventilation at 28 days from ICU admission) of critically ill COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the Toulouse regionMethodsRetrospective cohort of critically ill COVID-19 patients sequentially admitted to 12 ICUs in Toulouse region (March 9, 2020, to April 8, 2020). All patients had laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and required invasive mechanical ventilation. Baseline characteristics, pathophysiological respiratory data, clinical outcomes, viral shredding, and chest CT scan were collected.ResultsA total of 150 patients were included (median age, 68 years (interquartile range, (IQR), 58-72; 81% male). The most common comorbidities were hypertension (77, 51%) and obesity (42, 28%). At ICU admission, the median PaO2/FiO2 ratio was 138 (IQR,112-178). During hospitalization, the rate of ventilator-acquired pneumonia (VAP) was 61% and 51 (34%) patients had acute kidney injury (AKI) with a Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) score > 1. The 28-day mortality was 15.3%, and 50 (33%) patients had unfavorable outcome. We found that VAP (5.91; 2.10-10.03; p value = 0.002) and AKI with a KDIGO score > 1 (4.71; 1.69-14.41; p value = 0.004) were associated with increased odds of unfavorable outcome. Neither, chest CT scan data on admission, nor pathophysiological respiratory data during ICU stay were associated to patient’s outcome.ConclusionThe potential risk factors of AKI and VAP could help clinicians to identify patients with poor prognosis at an early stage. Targeted care of these factors might have a significant impact on COVID-19 patient’s outcome.

Haemorrhagic radiation cystitis (HRC) is a late complication of pelvic radiotherapy. Severe cases are difficult to treat due to persistent or recurrent bleeding, despite urological and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). However, wound healing requires a good nutritional status. In this respect, we aimed at analysing the nutritional status of patients with HRC prior to the onset of HBOT and at highlighting predictive nutritional factors of outcome.Data were retrospectively collected from a cohort of 179 patients with HRC (between 2011 and 2015). Haematuria was graded according to the Subjective, Objective, Management, Analytic scale (SOMA): grade-4 (n = 46) was compared with grade-3 (n = 56), and with grades 1 and 2 (n = 77). S-albumin, prealbumin, vitamins C, D and B6, zinc, selenium, and essential fatty acids were evaluated before HBOT. HBOT response was measured at 3 months according to the haematuria SOMA grade. The Mann-Whitney test, Fisher's exact test and principal-component analysis were used to compare groups.Patients with higher haematuria grades (3 and 4) harboured significant deficiencies in S-albumin, prealbumin, vitamins C, D and B6, zinc, selenium and essential fatty acids. Moreover, grade-4 patients without improvement after 3 months of HBOT had significant lower initial levels of S-albumin, vitamin C, selenium and linoleic acid. Vitamin C levels2.5 mg/L were strongly associated with HBOT non-response (OR 23.14, 95% CI 3.73-143.69, p = 0.002).Our analyses show serious nutritional deficiencies associated with higher grades of HRC and worse prognoses. Patients with haemorrhagic cystitis might benefit from an adequate dietary supplementation to support healing of their bladder mucosa.

Background To assess the agreement between transpulmonary thermodilution (TPT) and critical care echocardiography (CCE) in ventilated patients with septic shock. Methods Ventilated patients in sinus rhythm requiring advanced hemodynamic assessment for septic shock were included in this prospective multicenter descriptive study. Patients were assessed successively using TPT and CCE in random order. Data were interpreted independently at bedside by two investigators who proposed therapeutic changes on the basis of predefined algorithms. TPT and CCE hemodynamic assessments were reviewed offline by two independent experts who identified potential sources of discrepant results by consensus. Lactate clearance and outcome were studied. Results A total of 137 patients were studied (71 men; age, 61 ± 15 years; Simplified Acute Physiologic Score, 58 ± 18; Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, 10 ± 3). TPT and CCE interpretations at bedside were concordant in 87/132 patients (66%) without acute cor pulmonale (ACP), resulting in a moderate agreement (kappa, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.37-0.60). Experts' adjudications were concordant in 100/129 patients without ACP (77.5%), resulting in a good intertechnique agreement (kappa, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.55-0.77). In addition to ACP (n = 8), CCE depicted a potential source of TPT inaccuracy in 8/29 patients (28%). Lactate clearance at H6 was similar irrespective of the concordance of online interpretations of TPT and CCE (55/84 [65%] vs 32/45 [71%], P = .55). ICU and day 28 mortality rates were similar between patients with concordant and discordant interpretations (29/87 [36%] vs 13/45 [29%], P = .60; and 31/87 [36%] vs 16/45 [36%], P = .99, respectively). Conclusions Agreement between TPT and CCE was moderate when interpreted at bedside and good when adjudicated offline by experts, but without impact on lactate clearance and mortality.

Graph theory has been playing an increasingly important role in understanding the organizational properties of brain networks, subsequently providing new tools for the search of neural correlates of consciousness, particularly in the context of patients recovering from severe brain injury. However, this approach is not without challenges, as it usually relies on arbitrarily fixing a threshold in order to retain the strongest connections proportionally equal across subjects. This method increases the comparability between individuals or groups but it risks the inclusion of false positive and therefore spurious connections, especially in the context of brain disorders. Resting state data acquired in 25 coma patients and 22 healthy subjects was compared. We obtained a representative fixed density of significant connections by first applying a p-value-based threshold on healthy subjects' networks and then choosing a threshold at which all individuals exhibited meaningful connections. The obtained threshold (i.e. 10%) was used to construct graphs in the patient group. The findings showed that coma patients have lower number of significant connections with approximately 50% of them not fulfilling the criteria of the fixed density threshold. The remaining patients with relatively preserved global functional connectivity had sufficient significant connections between regions, but showed signs of major whole-brain network reorganization. These results warrant careful consideration in the construction of functional connectomes in patients with disorders of consciousness and set the scene for future studies investigating potential clinical implications of such an approach.

International audience; OBJECTIVES: To compare the assessment of decision-making capacity of ICU patients by attending clinicians (physicians, nurses, and residents) with a capacity score measured by the Mini-Mental Status Examination, completed by Aid to Capacity Evaluation if necessary. The primary outcome was agreement between physicians' assessments and the score. Secondary outcomes were agreement between nurses' or residents' assessments and the score and identification of factors associated with disagreement. DESIGN: A 1-day prevalence study. SETTING: Nineteen ICUs in France. SUBJECTS: All patients hospitalized in the ICU on the study day and the attending clinicians. INTERVENTIONS: The decision-making capacity of patients was assessed by the attending clinicians and independently by an observer using the score. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 206 patients were assessed by 213 attending clinicians (57 physicians, 97 nurses, and 59 residents). Physicians designated more patients as having decision-making capacity (n = 92/206 [45%]) than score (n = 34/206 [17%]; absolute difference 28% [95% CI, 20-37%]; p = 0.001). There was a high disagreement between assessments of all clinicians and score (Kappa coefficient 0.39 [95% CI, 0.29-0.50] for physicians; 0.39 [95% CI, 0.27-0.52] for nurses; and 0.46 [95% CI, 0.35-0.58] for residents). The main factor associated with disagreement was a Glasgow Coma Scale score between 10 and 15 (odds ratio, 2.92 [1.18-7.19], p = 0.02 for physicians; 4.97 [1.50-16.45], p = 0.01 for nurses; and 3.39 [1.12-10.29], p = 0.03 for residents) without differentiating between the Glasgow Coma Scale scores from 10 to 15. CONCLUSIONS: The decision-making capacity of ICU patients was largely overestimated by all attending clinicians as compared with a score. The main factor associated with disagreement was a Glasgow Coma Scale score between 10 and 15, suggesting that clinicians confused consciousness with decision-making capacity.

Summary Background Acute acidaemia is frequently observed during critical illness. Sodium bicarbonate infusion for the treatment of severe metabolic acidaemia is a possible treatment option but remains controversial, as no studies to date have examined its effect on clinical outcomes. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether sodium bicarbonate infusion would improve these outcomes in critically ill patients. Methods We did a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled, phase 3 trial. Local investigators screened eligible patients from 26 intensive care units (ICUs) in France. We included adult patients (aged ≥18 years) who were admitted within 48 h to the ICU with severe acidaemia (pH ≤7·20, PaCO2 ≤45 mm Hg, and sodium bicarbonate concentration ≤20 mmol/L) and with a total Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score of 4 or more or an arterial lactate concentration of 2 mmol/L or more. We randomly assigned patients (1:1), by stratified randomisation with minimisation via a restricted web platform, to receive either no sodium bicarbonate (control group) or 4·2% of intravenous sodium bicarbonate infusion (bicarbonate group) to maintain the arterial pH above 7·30. Our protocol recommended that the volume of each infusion should be within the range of 125–250 mL in 30 min, with a maximum of 1000 mL within 24 h after inclusion. Randomisation criteria were stratified among three prespecified strata: age, sepsis status, and the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) score. The primary outcome was a composite of death from any cause by day 28 and the presence of at least one organ failure at day 7. All analyses were done on data from the intention-to-treat population, which included all patients who underwent randomisation. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02476253. Findings Between May 5, 2015, and May 7, 2017, we enrolled 389 patients into the intention-to-treat analysis in the overall population (194 in the control group and 195 in the bicarbonate group). The primary outcome occurred in 138 (71%) of 194 patients in the control group and 128 (66%) of 195 in the bicarbonate group (absolute difference estimate −5·5%, 95% CI −15·2 to 4·2; p=0·24). The Kaplan-Meier method estimate of the probability of survival at day 28 between the control group and bicarbonate group was not significant (46% [95% CI 40–54] vs 55% [49–63]; p=0·09. In the prespecified AKIN stratum of patients with a score of 2 or 3, the Kaplan-Meier method estimate of survival by day 28 between the control group and bicarbonate group was significant (37% [95% CI 28–48] vs 54% [45–65]; p=0·0283). Metabolic alkalosis, hypernatraemia, and hypocalcaemia were observed more frequently in the bicarbonate group than in the control group, with no life-threatening complications reported. Interpretation In patients with severe metabolic acidaemia, sodium bicarbonate had no effect on the primary composite outcome. However, sodium bicarbonate decreased the primary composite outcome and day 28 mortality in the a-priori defined stratum of patients with acute kidney injury. Funding French Ministry of Health and the Societe Francaise d'Anesthesie Reanimation.

Background Recent studies suggest that isolated sonographic assessment of the respiratory, cardiac, or neuromuscular functions in mechanically ventilated patients may assist in identifying patients at risk of postextubation distress. The aim of the present study was to prospectively investigate the value of an integrated thoracic ultrasound evaluation, encompassing bedside respiratory, cardiac, and diaphragm sonographic data in predicting postextubation distress. Methods Longitudinal ultrasound data from 136 patients who were extubated after passing a trial of pressure support ventilation were measured immediately after the start and at the end of this trial. In case of postextubation distress (31 of 136 patients), an additional combined ultrasound assessment was performed while the patient was still in acute respiratory failure. We applied machine-learning methods to improve the accuracy of the related predictive assessments. Results Overall, integrated thoracic ultrasound models accurately predict postextubation distress when applied to thoracic ultrasound data immediately recorded before the start and at the end of the trial of pressure support ventilation (learning sample area under the curve: start, 0.921; end, 0.951; test sample area under the curve: start, 0.972; end, 0.920). Among integrated thoracic ultrasound data, the recognition of lung interstitial edema and the increased telediastolic left ventricular pressure were the most relevant predictive factors. In addition, the use of thoracic ultrasound appeared to be highly accurate in identifying the causes of postextubation distress. Conclusions The decision to attempt extubation could be significantly assisted by an integrative, dynamic, and fully bedside ultrasonographic assessment of cardiac, lung, and diaphragm functions.

To assess the agreement between transpulmonary thermodilution (TPT) and critical care echocardiography (CCE) in ventilated patients with septic shock.Ventilated patients in sinus rhythm requiring advanced hemodynamic assessment for septic shock were included in this prospective multicenter descriptive study. Patients were assessed successively using TPT and CCE in random order. Data were interpreted independently at bedside by two investigators who proposed therapeutic changes on the basis of predefined algorithms. TPT and CCE hemodynamic assessments were reviewed offline by two independent experts who identified potential sources of discrepant results by consensus. Lactate clearance and outcome were studied.A total of 137 patients were studied (71 men; age, 61 ± 15 years; Simplified Acute Physiologic Score, 58 ± 18; Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, 10 ± 3). TPT and CCE interpretations at bedside were concordant in 87/132 patients (66%) without acute cor pulmonale (ACP), resulting in a moderate agreement (kappa, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.37-0.60). Experts' adjudications were concordant in 100/129 patients without ACP (77.5%), resulting in a good intertechnique agreement (kappa, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.55-0.77). In addition to ACP (n = 8), CCE depicted a potential source of TPT inaccuracy in 8/29 patients (28%). Lactate clearance at H6 was similar irrespective of the concordance of online interpretations of TPT and CCE (55/84 [65%] vs 32/45 [71%], P = .55). ICU and day 28 mortality rates were similar between patients with concordant and discordant interpretations (29/87 [36%] vs 13/45 [29%], P = .60; and 31/87 [36%] vs 16/45 [36%], P = .99, respectively).Agreement between TPT and CCE was moderate when interpreted at bedside and good when adjudicated offline by experts, but without impact on lactate clearance and mortality.

BACKGROUND:It has been suggested that the complementary use of echocardiography could improve the diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasonography (LUS) in patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF). Nevertheless, the additional diagnostic value of echocardiographic data when coupled with LUS is still debated in this setting. The aim of the current study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of LUS and an integrative cardiopulmonary ultrasound approach (thoracic ultrasonography [TUS]) in patients with ARF. METHODS:We prospectively recruited patients consecutively admitted for ARF to the ICU of a university teaching hospital over a 12-month period. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18 years and the presence of criteria for severe ARF justifying ICU admission. We compared both LUS and TUS approaches and the final diagnosis determined by a panel of experts using machine learning methods to improve the accuracy of the final diagnostic classifiers. RESULTS:One hundred thirty-six patients were included (age, 68 ± 15 years; sex ratio, 1). A three-dimensional partial least squares and multinomial logistic regression model was developed and subsequently tested in an independent sample of patients. Overall, the diagnostic accuracy of TUS was significantly greater than LUS (P CONCLUSIONS:This study demonstrated for the first time to our knowledge a significantly better performance of TUS than LUS in the diagnosis of ARF. The value of the TUS approach was particularly important to disambiguate cases of hemodynamic pulmonary edema and pneumonia. We suggest that the bedside use of artificial intelligence methods in this setting could pave the way for the development of new clinically relevant integrative diagnostic models.

Transcutaneous oxygen pressure (PtcO2) value in response to an increase of FiO2 or oxygen challenge test (OCT) in ventilated patients has been reported to be related to peripheral perfusion and outcome during septic shock. However, patients with sepsis-related acute respiratory distress syndrome could demonstrate compromised arterial oxygenation with OCT impairment decoupled to circulatory failure. The aims of this study were to confirm the prognostic value of OCT and to explore the influence of respiratory status on OCT results. This was a prospective study set in an intensive care unit of a tertiary teaching hospital. Fifty-six mechanically ventilated patients with septic shock criteria were studied. Transcutaneous oxygen pressure was measured at baseline and after OCT, at intensive care unit admittance (T0), and 24 h later (T24). Survival at day 28 and hemodynamic and respiratory parameters were analyzed and compared according to outcome and respiratory status. Central hemodynamic parameters or static transcutaneous data did not differ between survivors and nonsurvivors at enrollment. The OCT was statistically different at T24 according to outcome (P < 0.001), but sensitivity was low (53%). Moreover, patients with low OCT results at T24 exhibited more severe respiratory failure (P < 0.01). The OCT at T24 is related to outcome but is influenced by the severity of respiratory failure. Our results suggest considering with caution hemodynamic management based on OCT in septic shock patients with altered pulmonary function.

An increasingly amount of evidence suggests that lung ultrasonography constitutes a relevant complementary diagnostic tool for adults patient in acute respiratory failure. A comprehensive and standardized ultrasonographic semiology has been described, relying on accurate and reproducible data directly obtained at patient's bedside. Therefore, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, pulmonary consolidation and interstitial lung disease can be diagnosed in a critical care environment with a similar level of performance than when reference diagnosis methods such as thoracic CT-scan are employed. Furthermore, lung ultrasonography seems to be able to contribute to an early therapeutic decision based on such online physiopathological data. Pioneers works in this field have suggested an attractive similarity between the ultrasonographic patterns described in adults and children. Nevertheless, the clinical usefulness of lung ultrasonographic approach in the pediatric critical care medicine still needs to be confirmed by specifically designed studies.

To evaluate the feasibility of guidewire detection in right cardiac cavities by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in order to detect catheter misplacement and to optimize central venous catheter (CVC) positioning. Ultrasonic control for catheter tip positioning was compared to that by chest X-ray (CXR). We conducted a monocentric prospective observational study (January–November 2010). All consecutive patients undergoing CVC insertion were included. The puncture was performed using the landmark method or ultrasound guidance. TTE was performed during the procedure to follow the arrival of the guidewire in the right cardiac cavities. Catheter misplacement was defined as an aberrant position on the postprocedural CXR (catheter positioning in ipsilateral or contralateral veins). The primary endpoint was the prediction of catheter misplacement by guidewire detection in the cardiac cavities. The secondary endpoint was the optimization of the catheter tip placement in the superior vena cava. A total of 98 patients received 101 CVC. The guidewire was visualized in 92 cases. In five cases, the guidewire was not seen in the right cardiac cavities and CXR showed catheter misplacement. In four cases, poor echogenicity led to the ultrasound examination being abandoned. Catheter misplacement was detected by TTE with a sensitivity of 96 % (CI 90–98 %), a specificity of 83 % (CI 44–97 %), a positive predictive value of 98 %, and a negative predictive value of 55 %. Likelihood ratios were LR+ 5.7 (CI 0.96–34.4) and LR− 0.05 (CI 0.02–0.14). Guidewire removal under TTE avoided an excessively distal position of the catheter tip in all cases. TTE is a reliable tool to detect catheter misplacement and to optimize catheter tip positioning during the procedure of CVC insertion.

This study investigated the clinical relevance of early general chest ultrasonography (ie, heart and lung recordings) in patients in the ICU with acute respiratory failure (ARF).We prospectively compared this diagnostic approach (ultrasound) to a routine evaluation established from clinical, radiologic, and biologic data (standard). Subjects were patients consecutively admitted to the ICU of a university teaching hospital during a 1-year period. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18 years and the presence of severe ARF criteria to justify ICU admission. We compared the diagnostic approaches and the final diagnosis determined by a panel of experts.Seventy-eight patients were included (age, 70 ± 18 years; sex ratio, 1). Three patients given two or more simultaneous diagnoses were subsequently excluded. The ultrasound approach was more accurate than the standard approach (83% vs 63%, respectively; Plt; .02). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed greater diagnostic performance of ultrasound in cases of pneumonia (standard, 0.74 ± 0.12; ultrasound, 0.87 ± 0.14; Plt; .02), acute hemodynamic pulmonary edema (standard, 0.79 ± 0.11; ultrasound, 0.93 ± 0.08; Plt; .007), decompensated COPD (standard, 0.8 ± 0.09; ultrasound, 0.92 ± 0.15; Plt; .05), and pulmonary embolism (standard, 0.65 ± 0.12; ultrasound, 0.81 ± 0.17; Plt; .04). Furthermore, we found that the use of ultrasound data could have significantly improved the initial treatment.The use of cardiothoracic ultrasound appears to be an attractive complementary diagnostic tool and seems able to contribute to an early therapeutic decision based on reproducible physiopathologic data.

Background Intracardiac shunts are rare but very serious lesions after non-penetrating chest trauma. Their diagnosis is difficult. This pathology often goes unrecognized in the context of multiple trauma. Case Report We report the case of a 21-year-old man involved in a motor vehicle crash who presented with multiple injuries including myocardial contusion, severe brain injury, multiple pelvic fractures, closed femur fracture, bilateral lung contusion with a right pneumothorax, and intra-abdominal injuries. Three days after the initial event, a new cardiac murmur and complete heart block appeared. Transthoracic echocardiography (echo) followed by transesophageal echo revealed a high-velocity flow communication between the left ventricle and the right atrium. The patient underwent delayed cardiac surgery due to other unstable injuries. The hospital course was prolonged but favorable, and the patient left the hospital 1 month later without any neurologic or cardiologic after-effect. Conclusion This case highlights the potential for cardiac complications to occur in any patient with serious thoracic trauma. Transesophageal echo should be performed on any trauma patient with electrocardiographic abnormalities.

Background Predicting fluid responsiveness remains a difficult question in hemodynamically unstable patients. The author's objective was to test whether noninvasive assessment by transthoracic echocardiography of subaortic velocity time index (VTI) variation after a low volume of fluid infusion (100 ml hydroxyethyl starch) can predict fluid responsiveness. Methods Thirty-nine critically ill ventilated and sedated patients with acute circulatory failure were prospectively studied. Subaortic VTI was measured by transthoracic echocardiography before fluid infusion (baseline), after 100 ml hydroxyethyl starch infusion over 1 min, and after an additional infusion of 400 ml hydroxyethyl starch over 14 min. The authors measured the variation of VTI after 100 ml fluid (ΔVTI 100) for each patient. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated for (ΔVTI 100). When available, receiver operating characteristic curves also were generated for pulse pressure variation and central venous pressure. Results After 500 ml volume expansion, VTI increased ≥ 15% in 21 patients (54%) defined as responders. ΔVTI 100 ≥ 10% predicted fluid responsiveness with a sensitivity and specificity of 95% and 78%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of ΔVTI 100 was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.78-0.98). In 29 patients, pulse pressure variation and central venous pressure also were available. In this subgroup of patients, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for ΔVTI 100, pulse pressure variation, and central venous pressure were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.74-0.98, P < 0.05), 0.55 (95% CI: 0.35-0.73, NS), and 0.61 (95% CI: 0.41-0.79, NS), respectively. Conclusion In patients with low volume mechanical ventilation and acute circulatory failure, ΔVTI 100 accurately predicts fluid responsiveness.

To describe current use and diagnostic and therapeutic impacts of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in the intensive care unit (ICU). POCUS is of growing importance in the ICU. Several guidelines recommend its use for procedural guidance and diagnostic assessment. Nevertheless, its current use and clinical impact remain unknown. Prospective multicentric study in 142 ICUs in France, Belgium, and Switzerland. All the POCUS procedures performed during a 24-h period were prospectively analyzed. Data regarding patient condition and the POCUS procedures were collected. Factors associated with diagnostic and therapeutic impacts were identified. Among 1954 patients hospitalized during the study period, 1073 (55 %) POCUS/day were performed in 709 (36 %) patients. POCUS served for diagnostic assessment in 932 (87 %) cases and procedural guidance in 141 (13 %) cases. Transthoracic echocardiography, lung ultrasound, and transcranial Doppler accounted for 51, 17, and 16 % of procedures, respectively. Diagnostic and therapeutic impacts of diagnostic POCUS examinations were 84 and 69 %, respectively. Ultrasound guidance was used in 54 and 15 % of cases for central venous line and arterial catheter placement, respectively. Hemodynamic instability, emergency conditions, transthoracic echocardiography, and ultrasounds performed by certified intensivists themselves were independent factors affecting diagnostic or therapeutic impacts. With regard to guidelines, POCUS utilization for procedural guidance remains insufficient. In contrast, POCUS for diagnostic assessment is of extensive use. Its impact on both diagnosis and treatment of ICU patients seems critical. This study identified factors associated with an improved clinical value of POCUS.

Patients with acute leukemia receiving intensive chemotherapy encounter deep and prolonged neutropenia, exposing them to life-threatening invasive fungal infections (IFIs). IFIs are frequently caus...

Introduction In a randomized controlled trial comparing tight glucose control with a computerized decision support system and conventional protocols (post hoc analysis), we tested the hypothesis that hypoglycemia is associated with a poor outcome, even when controlling for initial severity. Methods We looked for moderate (2.2 to 3.3 mmol/L) and severe (−5 digit with no replacement). Results A total of 2,601 patients were analyzed and divided into three groups: no hypoglycemia (n =1,474), moderate hypoglycemia (n =874, 34%) and severe hypoglycemia (n =253, 10%). Patients with moderate or severe hypoglycemia had a poorer prognosis, as shown by a higher mortality rate (36% and 54%, respectively, vs. 28%) and decreased number of treatment-free days. In the multivariable analysis, severe (odds ratio (OR), 1.50; 95% CI, 1.36 to 1.56; P =0.043) and multiple hypoglycemic events (OR, 1.76, 95% CI, 1.31 to 3.37; P P P =0.029) and multiple hypoglycemic events (46% vs. 32%, P Conclusion In a large cohort of ICU patients, severe hypoglycemia and multiple hypoglycemic events were associated with increased 90-day mortality. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01002482. Registered 26 October 2009.

International audience; IntroductionLes objectifs du contrôle glycémique en réanimation se sont complexifiés depuis la première étude de Louvain [1] mettant en évidence une réduction de mortalité associée au seul respect d’une cible glycémique stricte (4,4–6,1 mmol/L). Au-delà de la controverse concernant la cible glycémique qui s’en est suivie, hypoglycémie et variabilité glycémique élevée seraient associées à un pronostic défavorable [2]. Le but de l’étude est de vérifier si ces associations existent dans le collectif de patients inclus dans l’étude multicentrique CGAO-REA visant à comparer l’impact sur la mortalité à J90 d’un contrôle glycémique informatisé strict (4,4–6,1 mmol/L) à un contrôle glycémique conventionnel (< 10 mmol/L) [3].Matériel et méthodesPour chacun des 2556 patients (parmi les 2648 randomisés analysables de l’étude CGAO-REA) pour lesquels les données de monitorage glycémique étaient disponibles, nous avons déterminé, pour l’ensemble du séjour en réanimation, la glycémie minimale Gmin, la glycémie maximale Gmax, la différence Gmax–Gmin, et la glycémie moyenne. La division en quintiles de la distribution de ces paramètres descriptifs du contrôle glycémique a permis de construire 5 groupes de patients pour chaque paramètre. La mortalité à J90 a été déterminée dans chacun des groupes et comparée à l’aide d’un test Chi2 à la mortalité attendue.RésultatsParmi les 2556 patients, 835 sont décédés à J90 (mortalité attendue 32,7 %). Les 4 graphiques suivants indiquent la mortalité dans chacun des quintiles pour chaque paramètre (Fig. 1)DiscussionL’analyse des patients inclus dans l’étude CGAO-REA semble confirmer l’association entre hypoglycémie et variabilité glycémique et pronostic défavorable.

Resume Introduction La mesure du debit cardiaque est aujourd’hui un point cle de la prise en charge des patients de reanimation sans methode ideale de monitorage [1] . L’echocardiographie, outil non invasif et facilement disponible au lit du patient, est tres utilisee mais les limites relatives au terrain de la reanimation restent a definir. L’objectif principal est d’evaluer la concordance entre le debit cardiaque mesure (DCm) et le debit cardiaque estime (DCe) a partir de la formule d’estimation du diametre de la valve Aortique (dVAo) decrite par l’equipe de Leye et al. [2] . Materiel et methodes Cette etude observationnelle et prospective a inclus les patients de reanimation beneficiant d’une evaluation hemodynamique non invasive. Une echographie transthoracique a ete realisee et les valeurs mesurees du dVAo et du debit cardiaque ont ete comparees aux valeurs estimees a partir de la formule : dVAo estime = 5,7 × BSA + 12,1. La concordance etait evaluee par un test de Bland et Altman. Resultats Chez les 112 patients inclus, nous retrouvions une majorite d’hommes (70/112), un âge moyen de 46 ± 18 ans, et un IGS II a 43 ± 17. Les donnees demographiques montrent des indices de masse corporelle (IMC) et une surface corporelle (SC) dans les limites de la normale (IMC = 26 ± 5,8 kg/m 2 , SC = 1,89 ± 0,23m 2 ). Les valeurs mesurees de dVAo etaient statistiquement inferieures aux valeurs estimees avec dVAo mesure 2,02 ± 0,18 cm vs dVAo estime 2,30 ± 0,13 cm ( p m 5,6 ± 1,6l/min vs 7,3 ± 1,9l/min de DC e ( p Fig. 1 ). Discussion La concordance entre les valeurs mesurees et estimees du dVAo et du DC en reanimation semble assez mauvaise. La formule d’estimation du dVAo en fonction de la surface corporelle a ete validee sur une population de patients de cardiologie avec une correlation modeste ( r = 0,55, p [2] . En reanimation les conditions de realisation des examens echo-cardio-graphiques sont souvent difficiles (atteinte thoracique, ventilation mecanique invasive…), voir impossibles pour certaines mesures precises comme le dVAo. Meme lorsque l’on pense la mesure du dVAo realisable, elle est imprecise et tend probablement a le sous-estimer. Le debit cardiaque qui en est deduit, est ainsi lui aussi sous-estime amenant a mal classer un patient a l’echelle individuelle. Par contre quel que soit le dVAo utilise (mesure ou estime), l’utilisation d’une meme valeur au cours de l’evolution permettra d’assurer un suivi fiable des variations du debit cardiaque. Il faut donc, en cas d’evaluation hemodynamique de nos patients, rester fidele a l’une des deux methodes tout au long de son hospitalisation.

International audience; Purpose: Both the blood glucose target range in critically ill adult patients and the optimal method to reach this target range remain a matter of debate. To test whether a Computer Decision Support System (CDSS) might improve the outcome of critically ill adult patients through facilitation of a tighter blood glucose control. Methods: We conducted a multicenter randomized trial in 34 French closed-format intensive care units in 19 university hospitals and 15 nonuniversity hospitals from October 2009 to June 2011. Adult patients who were expected to require treatment in the ICU at least 3 days were randomly assigned without blinding to undergo tight computerized glucose control with CDSS or conventional glucose control, with the respective blood glucose targets of 80 to 110 and < 180 mg per deciliter. The primary outcome was all-cause death within 90 days after ICU admission. Results: Of the 2,684 patients who underwent randomization, 1,351 were assigned to tight computerized glucose control and 1,333 to conventional glucose control. Data with regard to the primary outcome were available for 1,335 and 1,311 patients, respectively. A total of 431 (32.3%) patients in the tight computerized glucose control group and 447 (34.1%) in the conventional glucose control group died at day 90 (odds ratio for death in the tight computerized glucose control, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.78-1.78; p = 0.32). Severe hypoglycemia (< 40 mg/dL) was reported in 174 of 1,317 patients (13.2%) in the tight computerized glucose control group and 79 of 1,284 patients (6.2%) in the conventional glucose control group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In critically ill patients, tight computerized glucose control with CDSS did not significantly change 90-day mortality and is associated with more frequent severe hypoglycemia in comparison with conventional glucose control performed without CDSS.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting are common after general anesthesia but rarely produce life-threatening conditions. We report a case of postoperative vomiting complicated by esophageal rupture (Boerhaave's syndrome). As this complication is quite rare and can have varied and atypical presentations, anesthesiologists may fail to consider this diagnosis.We report a case of postoperative vomiting complicated by esophageal rupture (Boerhaave's syndrome). As this complication is quite rare, anesthesiologists may fail to consider this diagnosis.

Predicting fluid responsiveness remains a difficult question in hemodynamically unstable patients. The author's objective was to test whether noninvasive assessment by transthoracic echocardiography of subaortic velocity time index (VTI) variation after a low volume of fluid infusion (100 ml hydroxyethyl starch) can predict fluid responsiveness.Thirty-nine critically ill ventilated and sedated patients with acute circulatory failure were prospectively studied. Subaortic VTI was measured by transthoracic echocardiography before fluid infusion (baseline), after 100 ml hydroxyethyl starch infusion over 1 min, and after an additional infusion of 400 ml hydroxyethyl starch over 14 min. The authors measured the variation of VTI after 100 ml fluid (ΔVTI 100) for each patient. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated for (ΔVTI 100). When available, receiver operating characteristic curves also were generated for pulse pressure variation and central venous pressure.After 500 ml volume expansion, VTI increased ≥ 15% in 21 patients (54%) defined as responders. ΔVTI 100 ≥ 10% predicted fluid responsiveness with a sensitivity and specificity of 95% and 78%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of ΔVTI 100 was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.78-0.98). In 29 patients, pulse pressure variation and central venous pressure also were available. In this subgroup of patients, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for ΔVTI 100, pulse pressure variation, and central venous pressure were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.74-0.98, P0.05), 0.55 (95% CI: 0.35-0.73, NS), and 0.61 (95% CI: 0.41-0.79, NS), respectively.In patients with low volume mechanical ventilation and acute circulatory failure, ΔVTI 100 accurately predicts fluid responsiveness.

Acute respiratory failure does not always present in conditions that are ideal for immediate diagnosis, which sometimes compromises outcome. Physical examination and bedside radiography are imperfect, resulting in a need for sophisticated test results that delay management. Recently, a decision tree utilizing bedside ultrasonography has been proposed to guide diagnosis of severe dyspnoea. This study examines the relevance of this approach to diagnose acute respiratory failure in the emergency room (ER).

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is now widely used in the ICU to assess hemodynamic status. Combined mitral index measured by TTE, as the mitral Doppler inflow E wave velocity to annular tissue Doppler Ea wave velocity ratio (E/Ea), is a reliable diastolic indicator in cardiologic patients. In ICU, E/Ea has only been investigated as a pulmonary arterial occlusion pressure surrogate which poorly reflects fluid responsiveness (FR). Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of E/Ea to FR in the setting of ICU ventilated patients.

The aim as to compare the accuracy of glucose measurements using a glucose meter analyser infingerstick, arterial blood and laboratory tests in critically ill patients and to determine factors influencing the bias between these methods.

Reduced microvascular perfusion has been implicated in organ dysfunction and multiple organ failure associated with severe sepsis. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can provide a non-invasive estimation of local tissue oxygenation (StO2) related to microvascular circulation. Previous investigators have reported a prognosis value of StO2 measurements realized during severe sepsis. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is recommended as an associated treatment during soft-tissue severe infection. Interestingly, a microcirculation improvement has been reportedly identified in septic animals treated by HBO. The aim of this study is to evaluate the microcirculatory effect of HBO therapy in septic patients assessing dynamics changes in StO2.

Introduction Le pronostic des patients admis en reanimation pour pendaison manquee reste difficile a etablir [1] . Ces patients presentent frequemment un arret cardiaque lors de la prise en charge initiale, et des decisions de limitation des therapeutiques actives sont souvent prises precocement. Des donnees permettant d’ameliorer la prediction du pronostic sont necessaires [2] , [3] . Materiel et methodes Une etude retrospective de cohorte concernant les patients admis en reanimation entre 2001 et 2012 dans un CHU francais apres une tentative de pendaison a ete realisee dans l’objectif de definir les facteurs influencant la mortalite en reanimation. Il a ete realise une analyse univariee puis multivariee par regression logistique. Un p Resultats Soixante six cas de pendaison ont ete admis en reanimation sur la periode de l’etude (81,2 % d’hommes, âge median 40 ans [33–50]). L’IGS2 moyen etait de 44 (± 13), le temps de pendaison moyen de 8 minutes (± 5). 41 % des patients etaient en arret circulatoire en pre hospitalier. Au cours de l’hospitalisation 33 % des patients presentaient un evenement epileptique (myoclonies, crise convulsive, etat de mal). La mortalite en reanimation etait de 36 % avec 19,6 % de deces secondaire a une decision de limitation de soins. En analyse univariee la survenue d’un evenement epileptique, le temps de pendaison, l’IGS2 et l’arret cardiorespiratoire a la prise en charge apparaissent comme des facteurs pronostiques de mortalite. L’analyse multivariee identifie comme facteurs independants de mortalite la survenue d’un etat de mal epileptique (p = 0,048), l’IGS 2 (p = 0,001), le temps de pendaison (p Tableau 1 ). Discussion L’arret cardio-respiratoire a la prise en charge apparait comme un facteur pronostic majeur de la mortalite en reanimation apres pendaison manquee. Seul trois patients ayant presente un arret cardiaque a la prise en charge sont sortis vivants de reanimation avec pour les 3 une reanimation de moins de 3 minutes permettant de recuperer une activite cardiaque, 2 n’ayant pas recu d’adrenaline. Ceci faisant evoquer la possibilite d’une bradycardie extreme ou d’un arret cardiaque tres recent.

Introduction Si les services de reanimation sont des lieux de vie, ils representent aussi un lieu d’agression pour les patients qui doivent y subir l’application des techniques de suppleance lourdes, souvent invasives. Dans ce contexte, un sejour en reanimation peut etre vecu comme un evenement traumatisant pour les patients ainsi que pour leur famille. L’ensemble du personnel soignant est lui aussi « agresse » par la repetition des situations stressantes. Pour permettre aux differents acteurs d’un service de reanimation de « mieux vivre », nos societes savantes ont edite en 2009 une conference de consensus intitulee « Mieux vivre la reanimation ». Dans la mesure ou le bien-etre en reanimation est un interet commun, l’objectif de notre etude est d’evaluer l’application des recommandations au sein de 45 services de reanimation du Sud de la France. Materiel et methodes Etude prospective observationnelle, au moyen d’un questionnaire anonyme adresse au medecin et au cadre de sante responsable de chacune des unites de reanimations (UR) interrogees. Cette etude n’a pas ete soumise a l’approbation d’un comite d’ethique. Resultats Parmi les 45 UR interrogees, 34 (76 %) ont repondu au questionnaire. Concernant les « barrieres au mieux vivre » pour le patient, 76 % (26/34) n’ont jamais mesure l’intensite sonore au sein de leur UR, et seulement 38 % (13/34) ont mis en place une strategie de reduction du bruit depuis 2009. Peu de services (12 % 4/34) appliquent la visite des proches sans restriction d’horaires. Les items relatifs aux soins rapportent que la majorite des UR n’utilisent pas de scores d’evaluation du delirium (53 % 18/34) et peu de reanimations ont un programme de rehabilitation precoce adapte (35 % 12/34). Concernant la communication au sein des UR, le journal de bord n’est mis en place que dans 2 unites (6 %), et 12 % (4/34) ont mis en place un depistage du burn-out pour les soignants. Le depistage d’un syndrome de stress post-traumatique chez les patients (15 % 5/34) ou leurs proches (9 % 3/34) est quasiment absent des services de reanimation. Discussion Cette etude permet de mettre l’accent sur les mesures peu ou pas appliquees de la conference de consensus. En effet, si le bien-etre du patient hospitalise en reanimation passe par la prise en charge de la douleur, il passe aussi par le depistage du delirium et du syndrome de stress post-traumatique. De meme, le bien-etre des familles necessite une plus grande participation aux soins, aux processus decisionnels ainsi qu’un plus grand acces a leurs proches durant l’hospitalisation avec une ouverture plus large des horaires de visite. Enfin, si la communication entre le personnel soignant semble s’etre amelioree depuis 2009, le faible depistage du syndrome d’epuisement professionnel nuit a leur bien-etre. Autant de pistes a explorer pour qu’enfin les patients, les familles et le personnel soignant puissent « mieux vivre la reanimation ».

Rupture of the membranous septum is a very rare complication of blunt chest trauma. In this report, we describe a 22-year-old man who sustained multiple blunt trauma injuries during a motor vehicle accident. Rupture of the membranous septum was diagnosed 48 hours after the initial trauma and the defect was closed with Gore-Tex (W.L. Gore & Assoc, Flagstaff, AZ). However, the operation was complicated by complete atrioventricular block requiring implantation of a permanent DDD pacemaker.

Epidural hematoma is a rare but serious complication of epidural anesthesia. We report a case of epidural hematoma, occurring in an obstetric patient after the epidural catheter had been withdrawn accidentally after an episode of hemorrhagic shock leading to a hypocoagulable state.A patient had the epidural catheter inserted during labour when coagulation was normal. She had a postpartum hemorrhage with alteration of coagulation (platelets 16 x 10(-9) x L(-1), thrombin time: 85 sec. Vital signs returned to normal after a general anesthetic, transfusion of blood products, volume repletion and ligation of hypogastric arteries. It was then noticed that the epidural catheter had been withdrawn inadvertently while the patient was hypocoagulable. The patient then developed neurological signs consistent with spinal cord compression due to an epidural hematoma. A hematoma extending from T3 to L5 was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging. Because the cord had minimal compression, no specific action was undertaken, other than clinical and radiological follow-up. There were no long-term sequelae.In the presence of an epidural hematoma, surgery for emergency cord decompression is usually required. Another option that receives increasing attention is to monitor neurological function, but the indications for this expectant treatment are not well defined.

Introduction Malgre les progres permanents de la medecine, le choc cardiogenique (CC) et l’arret cardiaque (AC) demeurent les principales causes de deces chez les patients hospitalises independamment de leur etiologie. Dans ces situations, l’assistance extracorporelle veino-arterielle de type ECMO semble etre une alternative prometteuse au traitement conventionnel mais la mise en œuvre de ce type de technique necessite du materiel efficient et un personnel hautement specialise ce qui pourrait augmenter les depenses de sante et affecter l’allocation des ressources. Nous avons decide d’evaluer les resultats de l’utilisation de l’ECMO pour CC ou AC dans notre centre. Nous avons etudie les facteurs predictifs de mortalite intrahospitaliere et a 3 mois car l’identification precoce des facteurs associes a une meilleure survie semble necessaire. Materiel et methodes Les resultats de 82 patients adultes (> 15 ans) avec CC ou AC refractaire au traitement conventionnel et ayant beneficie de la pose d’une ECMO veino-arterielle dans notre centre (CHU Toulouse, France) entre janvier 2012 et decembre 2013, ont ete analyses retrospectivement. Le protocole d’etude a ete approuve par notre comite institutionnel d’ethique et de la recherche (no 13-0214). Resultats Les patients etaient essentiellement des hommes (n = 53 ; 64,7 %), jeunes : 53 ans en moyenne (15 a 79). Les indications etaient un AC pour 39 patients (47,6 %), une insuffisance cardiaque terminale pour 11 (13,4 %), une insuffisance cardiaque aigue pour 12 (14,6 %), en post-cardiotomie pour 14 (17,1 %), une intoxication aux cardiotropes pour 4 (4,9 %) et un syndrome de detresse respiratoire aigue pour 2 (2,4 %). Dix-sept (20,7 %) n’avaient pas de cardiopathie prealable, mais 44 (53,7 %) avaient une cardiomyopathie ischemique, 12 (14,6 %) une cardiomyopathie dilatee, et 9 (11,0 %) d’autres cardiomyopathies. L’assistance par ECMO a ete compliquee par 8 (9,8 %) ischemies aigues de membre, 11 (13,4 %) œdeme pulmonaire, 27 (32,9 %) hemorragies majeures, 43 (52,4 %) infections, et 5 (6,1 %) dysfonctions d’ECMO. Trente-cinq patients (42,7 %) ont ete sevres avec succes de l’ECMO mais seulement 29 (35,4 %) sont sortis vivants de reanimation, et 23 (28,1 %) de l’hopital. Les AC ont ete associes a la plus forte mortalite a 3 mois (79,5 %, p = 0,024), en particulier si l’ECMO a ete posee sous massage cardiaque externe (88 %, p = 0,035). Le taux de mortalite le plus faible a ete observe pour les intoxications (50 %) et les syndromes de detresse respiratoire aigue (0 %). A 3 mois, 26 (31,7 %) etaient vivants avec 4 transplantations, et 3 patients sous assistance ventriculaire gauche. Pour predire la mortalite a 3 mois, l’analyse univariee a identifie l’âge (p = 0,02), le debit de filtration glomerulaire (p = 0,02) et le taux de lactates (p = 0,008) au moment de la pose de l’assistance. L’analyse multivariee confirme le role pronostique du taux de lactates (p = 0,02). Discussion Comme precedemment decrit, les AC mais aussi les CC sont associes a une mortalite elevee, et en depit d’une morbi-mortalite eleve, l’ECMO permet 28 % de survie totale. Le taux initial de lactates arteriels pourrait servir de predicteur de survie pour la stratification du risque et l’indication de l’ECMO. Certaines indications comme l’arret cardiaque, surtout si les patients sont encore sous massage cardiaque externe, apparaissent comme inadaptees voire meme contre-indiquees.