Search

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is an increasingly used method of respiratory support. The use of NIV is expanding over the time and if properly applied, it can save patients' lives and improve long-term prognosis. However, both knowledge and skills of its proper use as life support are paramount. This systematic review aimed to assess the importance of NIV education and training. Literature search was conducted (MEDLINE: 1990 to June, 2018) to identify randomized controlled studies and systematic reviews with the results analyzed by a team of experts across the world through e-mail based communications. Clinical trials examining the impact of education and training in NIV as the primary objective was not found. A few studies with indirect evidence, a simulation-based training study, and narrative reviews were identified. Currently organized training in NIV is implemented only in a few developed countries. Due to a lack of high-grade experimental evidence, an international consensus on NIV education and training based on opinions from 64 experts across the twenty-one different countries of the world was formulated. Education and training have the potential to increase knowledge and skills of the clinical staff who deliver medical care using NIV. There is a genuine need to develop structured, organized NIV education and training programs, especially for the developing countries. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Study objectives Evaluation of the effectiveness of negative-pressure ventilation (NPV) with the use of the iron lung vs noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in the treatment of COPD patients with acute on chronic respiratory failure. Design A retrospective case-control study. Setting Four Italian respiratory intermediate ICUs. Patients Of a total of 393 COPD patients admitted to the ICU in 1996, 53 pairs were treated with the iron lung (NPV group). Patients treated with NIPPV (NIPPV group) were matched according to mean (± SD) age (70.3 ± 7.1 vs 70.3 ± 6.9 years, respectively), sex, causes of acute respiratory failure (ARF), APACHE (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation) II score (22.4 ± 5.3 vs 22.1 ± 4.6, respectively), pH (7.26 ± 0.05 vs 7.27 ± 0.04, respectively), and Pa co 2 (88.1 ± 11.5 vs 85.1 ± 13.5 mm Hg, respectively) on admission to the ICU. The effectiveness of matching was 98.4%. Results Five patients from the NPV group (9.4%) and seven patients from the NIPPV group (13.2%) needed endotracheal intubation (EI). The treatment failure rate ( ie , death and/or need of EI) was 20.7% in the NPV group and 24.5% in the NIPPV group (difference was not significant). The mean duration of mechanical ventilation (29.6 ± 28.6 vs 62.3 ± 35.7 h, respectively) and length of hospital stay (10.4 ± 4.3 vs 15 ± 5.2 d, respectively) among the 35 concordant surviving pairs were significantly lower in the NPV group than in the NIPPV group (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). Conclusions These data suggest that both ventilatory techniques are equally effective in avoiding EI and death in COPD patients with ARF. Prospective trials are needed to confirm these preliminary results.

Background: Acute respiratory failure (ARF) occurring during idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is associated with a poor prognosis. In this subset of individuals, mechanical ventilation (MV) may be required. Objectives: We analysed the characteristics of a group of IPF patients undergoing MV for ARF in order to give some indications on the supposed prognosis. Methods: Hospital records of 34 consecutive patients with IPF, who underwent MV for ARF, were retrospectively examined. Demographic data, time from diagnosis, gas exchange, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, ARF causes and MV failure were recorded. Results: Fifteen subjects (group A) underwent invasive MV and 19 patients (group B) non-invasive ventilation (NIV). The 2 groups were different for disease severity (APACHE II score 24.2 ± 6 vs. 19.5 ± 5.9; p = 0.01). Both ventilatory strategies temporarily increased PaO2/FiO2 as compared with spontaneous breathing (group A: 148.5 ± 52 vs. 99 ± 39, p = 0.0004; group B: 134 ± 36 vs. 89 ± 26, p = 0.0004). NIV reduced the respiratory rate (26 ± 7 vs. 36 ± 9 with spontaneous breathing; p = 0.002). Duration of MV correlated with the time of evolution of IPF (r = 0.45; p = 0.018). The in-hospital mortality rate was 85% (100% for invasive MV, 74% for NIV). Four of the 5 survivors died within 6 months from hospital discharge (range 2–6 months). Conclusions: MV does not appear to have a significant impact on the survival of patients with end-stage IPF. NIV may be useful for compassionate use, providing relief from dyspnoea and avoiding aggressive approaches.

To compare iron lung (ILV) versus mask ventilation (NPPV) in the treatment of COPD patients with acute on chronic respiratory failure (ACRF).Randomised multicentre study.Respiratory intermediate intensive care units very skilled in ILV.A total of 141 patients met the inclusion criteria and were assigned: 70 to ILV and 71 to NPPV. To establish the failure of the technique employed as first line major and minor criteria for endotracheal intubation (EI) were used. With major criteria EI was promptly established. With at least two minor criteria patients were shifted from one technique to the other.On admission, PaO(2)/FiO(2), 198 (70) and 187 (64), PaCO(2), 90.5 (14.1) and 88.7 (13.5) mmHg, and pH 7.25 (0.04) and 7.25 (0.05), were similar for ILV and NPPV groups. When used as first line, the success of ILV (87%) was significantly greater (P = 0.01) than NPPV (68%), due to the number of patients that met minor criteria for EI; after the shift of the techniques; however, the need of EI and hospital mortality was similar in both groups. The total rate of success using both techniques increased from 77.3 to 87.9% (P = 0.028).The sequential use of NPPV and ILV avoided EI in a large percentage of COPD patients with ACRF; ILV was more effective than NPPV on the basis of minor criteria for EI but after the crossover the need of EI on the basis of major criteria and mortality was similar in both groups of patients.

Cardiovascular complications are frequently observed in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) admitted to respiratory intensive care units and may affect the prognosis. The aims of this study were to evaluate a) the prevalence of cardiovascular complications in patients with COPD exacerbation admitted to respiratory intensive care units, b) which parameters detected at admission were predictive of cardiovascular complications, and c) the prognostic role of cardiovascular complications.A series of 278 consecutive patients with COPD admitted to 11 Italian respiratory intensive care units between November 1997 and January 1998 has been retrospectively analyzed. All cardiovascular complications were recorded.One hundred and ten patients (39.6%) developed cardiovascular complications: congestive heart failure 49 (17.6%), arrhythmias 40 (14.4%), shock 13 (4.7%), and hypotension 11 (4%). Multivariate analysis showed that the APACHE II score, ECG abnormalities (supraventricular ectopic beats, right and/or left ventricular hypertrophy) and digoxin therapy were independent predictors of cardiovascular complications. The overall mortality was 9% being 4.7% in patients without and 15.5% in patients with cardiovascular complications (p = 0.0044). Multivariate analysis showed that the APACHE II score, respiratory rate, pneumonia and end-stage respiratory diseases were independent predictors of mortality.Cardiovascular complications occurred in many patients with COPD exacerbation admitted to respiratory intensive care units, and identify a subset of patients with higher mortality.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of negative-pressure ventilation (NPV) with the use of the iron lung vs noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in the treatment of COPD patients with acute on chronic respiratory failure.A retrospective case-control study.Four Italian respiratory intermediate ICUs.Of a total of 393 COPD patients admitted to the ICU in 1996, 53 pairs were treated with the iron lung (NPV group). Patients treated with NIPPV (NIPPV group) were matched according to mean (+/- SD) age (70.3 +/- 7.1 vs 70.3 +/- 6.9 years, respectively), sex, causes of acute respiratory failure (ARF), APACHE (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation) II score (22.4 +/- 5.3 vs 22.1 +/- 4.6, respectively), pH (7.26 +/- 0.05 vs 7.27 +/- 0.04, respectively), and PaCO(2) (88.1 +/- 11.5 vs 85.1 +/- 13.5 mm Hg, respectively) on admission to the ICU. The effectiveness of matching was 98.4%.Five patients from the NPV group (9.4%) and seven patients from the NIPPV group (13.2%) needed endotracheal intubation (EI). The treatment failure rate (ie, death and/or need of EI) was 20.7% in the NPV group and 24.5% in the NIPPV group (difference was not significant). The mean duration of mechanical ventilation (29.6 +/- 28.6 vs 62.3 +/- 35.7 h, respectively) and length of hospital stay (10.4 +/- 4.3 vs 15 +/- 5.2 d, respectively) among the 35 concordant surviving pairs were significantly lower in the NPV group than in the NIPPV group (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively).These data suggest that both ventilatory techniques are equally effective in avoiding EI and death in COPD patients with ARF. Prospective trials are needed to confirm these preliminary results.

BACKGROUND: In Italy, respiratory intensive care units (RICUs) provide an intermediate level of care between the intensive care unit (ICU) and the general ward for patients with single organ respiratory failure. Because of the lack of official epidemiological data in these units, a two phase study was performed with the aim of describing the work profile in Italian RICUs. METHODS: A national survey of RICUs was conducted from January to March 1997 using a questionnaire which comprised over 30 items regarding location, models of service provision, staff, and equipment. The following criteria were necessary for inclusion of a unit in the survey: (1) a nurse to patient ratio ranging from 1:2.5 to 1:4 per shift; (2) availability of adequate continuous non-invasive monitoring; (3) expertise for non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and for intubation in case of NIV failure; (4) physician availability 24 hours a day. Between November 1997 and January 1998 a 3 month prospective cohort study was performed to survey the patient population admitted to the RICUs. RESULTS: Twenty six RICUs were included in the study: four were located in rehabilitation centres and 22 in general hospitals. In most, the reported nurse to patient ratio ranged from 1:2 to 1:3, with 36% of units reporting a ratio of 1:4 per shift. During the study period 756 consecutive patients of mean (SD) age 68 (12) years were admitted to the 26 RICUs. The highest proportion (47%) were admitted from emergency departments, 19% from other medical wards, 18% were transferred from the ICU, 13% from specialist respiratory wards, and 2% were transferred following surgery. All but 32 had respiratory failure on admission. The reasons for admission to the RICU were: monitoring for expected clinical instability (n=221), mechanical ventilation (n=473), and weaning (n=59); 586 patients needed mechanical ventilation during their stay in the RICU, 425 were treated with non-invasive techniques as a first line of treatment (374 by non-invasive positive pressure, 51 by iron lung), and 161 underwent invasive mechanical ventilation (63 intubated, 98 tracheostomies). All but 48 patients had chronic respiratory disease, mainly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; n=451). More than 70% of patients (n=228) had comorbidity, mainly consisting of heart disorders. The median APACHE II score was 18 (range 1--43). The predicted inpatient mortality risk rate according to the APACHE II equation was 22.1% while the actual inpatient mortality rate was 16%. The mean length of stay in the RICU was 12 (11) days. The outcome in most patients (79.2%) admitted to RICUs was favourable. CONCLUSIONS: Italian RICUs are specialised units mainly devoted to the monitoring and treatment of acute on chronic respiratory failure by non-invasive ventilation, but also to weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation. The results of this study provide a useful insight into an increasingly important field of respiratory medicine.