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Nebulised heparin for patients with or at risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial.
Dixon, B, Smith, RJ, Campbell, DJ, Moran, JL, Doig, GS, Rechnitzer, T, MacIsaac, CM, Simpson, N, van Haren, FMP, Ghosh, AN, et al
The Lancet. Respiratory medicine. 2021;(4):360-372
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Mechanical ventilation in intensive care for 48 h or longer is associated with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which might be present at the time ventilatory support is instituted or develop afterwards, predominantly during the first 5 days. Survivors of prolonged mechanical ventilation and ARDS are at risk of considerably impaired physical function that can persist for years. An early pathogenic mechanism of lung injury in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients is inflammation-induced pulmonary fibrin deposition, leading to thrombosis of the microvasculature and hyaline membrane formation in the air sacs. The main aim of this study was to determine if nebulised heparin, which targets fibrin deposition, would limit lung injury and thereby accelerate recovery of physical function in patients with or at risk of ARDS. METHODS The Can Heparin Administration Reduce Lung Injury (CHARLI) study was an investigator-initiated, multicentre, double-blind, randomised phase 3 trial across nine hospitals in Australia. Adult intensive care patients on invasive ventilation, with impaired oxygenation defined by a PaO2/FiO2 ratio of less than 300, and with the expectation of invasive ventilation beyond the next calendar day were recruited. Key exclusion criteria were heparin allergy, pulmonary bleeding, and platelet count less than 50 X 109/L. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1, with stratification by site and using blocks of variable size and random seed, via a web-based system, to either unfractionated heparin sodium 25 000 IU in 5 mL or identical placebo (sodium chloride 0·9% 5 mL), administered using a vibrating mesh membrane nebuliser every 6 h to day 10 while invasively ventilated. Patients, clinicians, and investigators were masked to treatment allocation. The primary outcome was the Short Form 36 Health Survey Physical Function Score (out of 100) of survivors at day 60. Prespecified secondary outcomes, which are exploratory, included development of ARDS to day 5 among at-risk patients, deterioration of the Murray Lung Injury Score (MLIS) to day 5, mortality at day 60, residence of survivors at day 60, and serious adverse events. Analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle. There was no imputation of missing data. The trial is registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register, number ACTRN12612000418875 . FINDINGS Between Sept 4, 2012, and Aug 23, 2018, 256 patients were randomised. Final follow-up was on Feb 25, 2019. We excluded three patients who revoked consent and one ineligible participant who received no intervention. Of 252 patients included in data analysis, the mean age was 58 years (SD 15), 157 (62%) were men, and 118 (47%) had ARDS. 128 (51%) patients were assigned to the heparin group and 124 (49%) to the placebo group, all of whom received their assigned intervention. Survivors in the heparin group (n=97) had similar SF-36 Physical Function Scores at day 60 compared to the placebo group (n=94; mean 53·6 [SD 31·6] vs 48·7 [35·7]; difference 4·9 [95% CI -4·8 to 14·5]; p=0·32). Compared with the placebo group, the heparin group had fewer cases of ARDS develop to day 5 among the at-risk patients (nine [15%] of 62 patients vs 21 [30%] of 71 patients; hazard ratio 0·46 [95% CI 0·22 to 0·98]; p=0·0431), less deterioration of the MLIS to day 5 (difference -0·14 [-0·26 to -0·02]; p=0·0215), similar day 60 mortality (23 [18%] of 127 patients vs 18 [15%] of 123 patients; odds ratio [OR] 1·29 [95% CI 0·66 to 2·53]; p=0·46), and more day 60 survivors at home (86 [87%] of 99 patients vs 73 [73%] of 100 patients; OR 2·45 [1·18 to 5·08]; p=0·0165). A similar number of serious adverse events occurred in each group (seven [5%] of 128 patients in the heparin group vs three [2%] of 124 patients in the placebo group; OR 2·33 [0·59 to 9·24]; p=0·23), which were a transient increase in airway pressure during nebulisation (n=3 in the heparin group), major non-pulmonary bleeding (n=2 in each group), haemoptysis (n=1 in the heparin group), tracheotomy site bleeding (n=1 in the heparin group), and hypoxaemia during nebulisation (n=1 in the placebo group). INTERPRETATION In patients with or at risk of ARDS, nebulised heparin did not improve self-reported performance of daily physical activities, but was well tolerated and exploratory outcomes suggest less progression of lung injury and earlier return home. Further research is justified to establish if nebulised heparin accelerates recovery in those who have or are at risk of ARDS. FUNDING Rowe Family Foundation, TR and RB Ditchfield Medical Research Endowment Fund, Patricia Madigan Charitable Trust, and The J and R McGauran Trust Fund.
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Relationship Between Obesity and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: A Post Hoc Analysis of the NUTRIREA2 Trial.
Nseir, S, Le Gouge, A, Pouly, O, Lascarrou, JB, Lacherade, JC, Mira, JP, Mercier, E, Declercq, PL, Sirodot, M, Piton, G, et al
Chest. 2021;(6):2309-2317
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with obesity are at higher risk for community-acquired and nosocomial infections. However, no study has specifically evaluated the relationship between obesity and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). RESEARCH QUESTION Is obesity associated with an increased incidence of VAP? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS This study was a post hoc analysis of the Impact of Early Enteral vs Parenteral Nutrition on Mortality in Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation and Catecholamines (NUTRIREA2) open-label, randomized controlled trial performed in 44 French ICUs. Adults receiving invasive mechanical ventilation and vasopressor support for shock and parenteral nutrition or enteral nutrition were included. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 at ICU admission. VAP diagnosis was adjudicated by an independent blinded committee, based on all available clinical, radiologic, and microbiologic data. Only first VAP episodes were taken into account. Incidence of VAP was analyzed by using the Fine and Gray model, with extubation and death as competing risks. RESULTS A total of 699 (30%) of the 2,325 included patients had obesity; 224 first VAP episodes were diagnosed (60 and 164 in obese and nonobese groups, respectively). The incidence of VAP at day 28 was 8.6% vs 10.1% in the two groups (hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% CI 0.63-1.14; P = .26). After adjustment on sex, McCabe score, age, antiulcer treatment, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment at randomization, the incidence of VAP remained nonsignificant between obese and nonobese patients (hazard ratio, 0.893; 95% CI, 0.66-1.2; P = .46). Although no significant difference was found in duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay, 90-day mortality was significantly lower in obese than in nonobese patients (272 of 692 [39.3%] patients vs 718 of 1,605 [44.7%]; P = .02). In a subgroup of patients (n = 123) with available pepsin and alpha-amylase measurements, no significant difference was found in rate of abundant microaspiration of gastric contents, or oropharyngeal secretions between obese and nonobese patients. INTERPRETATION Our results suggest that obesity has no significant impact on the incidence of VAP.
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Randomised controlled trial to investigate the relationship between mild hypercapnia and cerebral oxygen saturation in patients undergoing major surgery.
Wong, C, Churilov, L, Cowie, D, Tan, CO, Hu, R, Tremewen, D, Pearce, B, Pillai, P, Karalapillai, D, Bellomo, R, et al
BMJ open. 2020;(2):e029159
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The effects of hypercapnia on regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) during surgery are unclear. We conducted a randomised controlled trial to investigate the relationship between mild hypercapnia and rSO2. We hypothesised that, compared with targeted normocapnia (TN), targeted mild hypercapnia (TMH) during major surgery would increase rSO2. DESIGN A prospective, randomised, controlled trial in adult participants undergoing elective major surgery. SETTING A single tertiary centre in Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia. PARTICIPANTS 40 participants were randomised to either a TMH or TN group (20 to each). INTERVENTIONS TMH (partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood, PaCO2, 45-55 mm Hg) or TN (PaCO2 35-40 mm Hg) was delivered via controlled ventilation throughout surgery. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES The primary endpoint was the absolute difference between the two groups in percentage change in rSO2 from baseline to completion of surgery. Secondary endpoints included intraoperative pH, bicarbonate concentration, base excess, serum potassium concentration, incidence of postoperative delirium and length of stay (LOS) in hospital. RESULTS The absolute difference between the two groups in percentage change in rSO2 from the baseline to the completion of surgery was 19.0% higher in both hemispheres with TMH (p<0.001). On both sides, the percentage change in rSO2 was greater in the TMH group than the TN group throughout the duration of surgery. The difference between the groups became more noticeable over time. Furthermore, postoperative delirium was higher in the TN group (risk difference 0.3, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.5, p=0.02). LOS was similar between groups (5 days vs 5 days; p=0.99). CONCLUSION TMH was associated with a stable increase in rSO2 from the baseline, while TN was associated with a decrease in rSO2 in both hemispheres in patients undergoing major surgery. This resulted in a clear separation of percentage change in rSO2 from the baseline between TMH and TN over time. Our findings provide the rationale for larger studies on TMH during surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER The Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12616000320459).
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[Clinical application of adaptive minute ventilation + IntelliCycle ventilation mode in patients with mild-to-moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome].
Liu, Z, Di, X, Zhong, L, Su, Z, Xu, B, Zhang, X, Liang, Z, Zhao, G, Hu, Z
Zhonghua wei zhong bing ji jiu yi xue. 2020;(1):20-25
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To verify the clinical safety and efficacy of new intelligent ventilation mode adaptive minute ventilation (AMV)+IntelliCycle ventilation in patients with mild-to-moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS The patients with mild-to-moderate ARDS, admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University from February 2018 to February 2019, were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into synchronous intermittent mandatory ventilation+pressure support ventilation (SIMV+PSV) group and AMV+IntelliCycle group according to the random number table method. All patients were given mechanical ventilation, anti-infection, analgesia and sedation, nutritional support and symptomatic treatment of primary disease after admission. SV800 ventilator was used for mechanical ventilation. In the AMV+IntelliCycle group, after setting the minute ventilation volume (VE), inhaled oxygen concentration (FiO2) and positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), the ventilator was turned on the full-automatic mode, and the preset value of VE percentage was 120%. In the SIMV+PSV group, the ventilator parameters were set as follows: the ventilation frequency was 12-20 times/min, the inspiratory expiratory ratio was 1:1-2, the peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) limit level was 35-45 cmH2O (1 cmH2O = 0.098 kPa), and the setting of FiO2 and PEEP was as the same as that of AMV+IntelliCycle group, the triggering flow was set to 2 L/min. All of the clinical parameters between the two groups were compared. The main outcomes were duration of mechanical ventilation, ventilator alarm times, manual operation times, and the mechanical power; the secondary outcomes were respiratory rate (RR), VE, tidal volume (VT), PIP, mouth occlusion pressure (P0.1), static compliance (Cst), work of breathing (WOB), and time constant at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 120 hours; and the blood gas analysis parameters of patients before and after ventilation were recorded. RESULTS A total of 92 patients with mild-to-moderate ARDS were admitted during the study period, excluding those who quit the study due to death, abandonment of treatment, accidental extubation of tracheal intubation and so on. Eighty patients were finally enrolled in the analysis, with 40 patients in SIMV+PSV group and AMV+IntelliCycle group respectively. (1) Results of main outcomes: compared with the SIMV+PSV mode, AMV+IntelliCycle ventilation mode could shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation (hours: 106.35±55.03 vs. 136.50±73.78), reduce ventilator alarm times (times: 10.35±5.87 vs. 13.93±6.87) and the manual operations times (times: 4.25±2.01 vs. 6.83±3.75), and decrease the mechanical power (J/min: 12.88±4.67 vs. 16.35±5.04, all P < 0.05). But the arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) of AMV+IntelliCycle group was significantly higher than that of SIMV+PSV group [mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 41.58±6.81 vs. 38.45±5.77, P < 0.05]. (2) Results of secondary outcomes: the RR of both groups was improved significantly with the prolongation of ventilation time which showed a time effect (F = 4.131, P = 0.005). Moreover, compared with SIMV+PSV mode, AMV+IntelliCycle mode could maintain a better level of RR, with intervention effect (F = 5.008, P = 0.031), but no interaction effect was found (F = 2.489, P = 0.055). There was no significant difference in VE, PIP, P0.1 or Cst between the two groups, without intervention effect (F values were 3.343, 2.047, 0.496, 1.456, respectively, all P > 0.05), but they were significantly improved with the prolongation of ventilation time in both groups, with time effect (F values were 2.923, 12.870, 23.120, 7.851, respectively, all P < 0.05), but no interaction effect was found (F values were 1.571, 1.291, 0.300, 0.354, respectively, all P > 0.05). The VT, WOB or time constant in both groups showed no significant changes with the prolongation of ventilation time, and no significant difference was found between the two groups, there was neither time effect (F values were 0.613, 1.049, 2.087, respectively, all P > 0.05) nor intervention effect (F values were 1.459, 0.514, 0.923, respectively, all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS AMV+IntelliCycle ventilation mode can shorten the ventilation time of patients with mild-to-moderate ARDS, reduce mechanical power, and reduce the workload of medical care, but PaCO2 in the patients with AMV+IntelliCycle mode is higher than that in the patients with SIMV+PSV mode.
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Intensity of Renal Replacement Therapy and Duration of Mechanical Ventilation: Secondary Analysis of the Acute Renal Failure Trial Network Study.
Sharma, S, Kelly, YP, Palevsky, PM, Waikar, SS
Chest. 2020;(4):1473-1481
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BACKGROUND Randomized clinical trials have failed to show benefit from increasing intensity of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for acute kidney injury, but continue to be frequently used. In addition, intensive RRT is associated with an increase in adverse events potentially secondary to small solute losses, such as phosphate. We hypothesized that, compared with less-intensive RRT, intensive RRT would lead to longer duration of mechanical ventilation. RESEARCH QUESTION Does more-intensive renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury increase time to extubation from mechanical ventilation when compared with less-intensive therapy? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS The Acute Renal Failure Trial Network study was a randomized multicenter trial of more-intensive (hemodialysis or sustained low-efficiency dialysis six times per week or continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration at 35 mL/kg per hour) vs less-intensive (hemodialysis or sustained low-efficiency dialysis three times per week or continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration at 20 mL/kg per hour) RRT in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury. Of 1124 patients, 907 who were supported by mechanical ventilation on study initiation were included in this Cox-proportional hazards analysis. The primary outcome was the time to first successful extubation off mechanical ventilation. RESULTS Patients who were assigned randomly to more-intensive RRT had a 33.3% lower hazard rate of successful extubation (hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.52-0.88; P < .001) when compared with patients who were assigned to less-intensive RRT. Patients who were assigned to more-intensive RRT had, on average, 2.07 ventilator-free days, compared with 3.08 days in those who were assigned to less-intensive RRT (P < .001) over 14 days from start of the study. INTERPRETATION Critically ill mechanically ventilated patients who were assigned randomly to more-intensive RRT had longer duration of mechanical ventilation compared with those who were assigned to less-intensive RRT. The reasons for this, such as excessive phosphate loss from more-intensive RRT, deserve further study to optimize the safety and effectiveness of CRRT delivery. This was a post hoc analysis of the Acute Renal Failure Trial Network study; clinical trial registration of the original trial is NCT00076219.
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Ultra-Protective Ventilation Reduces Biotrauma in Patients on Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
Rozencwajg, S, Guihot, A, Franchineau, G, Lescroat, M, Bréchot, N, Hékimian, G, Lebreton, G, Autran, B, Luyt, CE, Combes, A, et al
Critical care medicine. 2019;(11):1505-1512
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ventilator settings for patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome supported by venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are currently set arbitrarily. The impact on serum and pulmonary biotrauma markers of the transition to ultra-protective ventilation settings following extracorporeal membrane oxygenation implantation, and different mechanical ventilation strategies while on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were investigated. DESIGN Randomized clinical trial. SETTINGS Nine-month monocentric study. PATIENTS Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome patients on venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. INTERVENTIONS After starting extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, patients were switched to the bi-level positive airway pressure mode with 1 second of 24 cm H2O high pressure and 2 seconds of 12 cm H2O low pressure for 24 hours. A computer-generated allocation sequence randomized patients to receive each of the following three experimental steps: 1) high pressure 24 cm H2O and low pressure 20 cm H2O (very high positive end-expiratory pressure-very low driving pressure); 2) high pressure 24 cm H2O and low pressure 5 cm H2O (low positive end-expiratory pressure-high driving pressure); and 3) high pressure 17 cm H2O and low pressure 5 cm H2O (low positive end-expiratory pressure-low driving pressure). Plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products, plasma interleukin-6, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 were sampled preextracorporeal membrane oxygenation and after 12 hours at each step. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Sixteen patients on ECMO after 7 days (1-11 d) of mechanical ventilation were included. "Ultra-protective" mechanical ventilation settings following ECMO initiation were associated with significantly lower plasma sRAGE, interleukin-6, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 concentrations. Plasma sRAGE and cytokines were comparable within each on-ECMO experimental step, but the lowest bronchoalveolar lavage sRAGE levels were obtained at minimal driving pressure. CONCLUSIONS ECMO allows ultra- protective ventilation, which combines significantly lower plateau pressure, tidalvolume, and driving pressure. This ventilation strategy significantly limited pulmonary biotrauma, which couldtherefore decrease ventilator-induced lung injury. However, the optimal ultra-protective ventilation strategy once ECMO is initiated remains undetermined and warrants further investigations. (Crit Care Med 2019; 47:1505-1512).
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Budesonide facilitates weaning from mechanical ventilation in difficult-to-wean very severe COPD patients: Association with inflammatory mediators and cells.
Hashemian, SM, Mortaz, E, Jamaati, H, Bagheri, L, Mohajerani, SA, Garssen, J, Movassaghi, M, Barnes, PJ, Hill, NS, Adcock, IM
Journal of critical care. 2018;:161-167
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INTRODUCTION Mechanical ventilatory support is life-saving therapy for patients with respiratory failure in intensive care units (ICU) but is linked to ventilator-associated pneumonia and other nosocomial infections. Interventions that improve the efficiency of weaning from mechanical ventilation may improve patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE To determine whether inhaled budesonide decreases time-to-weaning in COPD stage 4 difficult-to-wean patients and reduces the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in ICU patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS We recruited 55 difficult-to-wean COPD patients (Stage 4) within the ICU of the Masih Daneshvari Hospital. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive inhaled budesonide (0.5mg/day) or placebo (normal saline). Dynamic compliance and BAL cytokines were measured. RESULTS Budesonide significantly reduced the number of days on MV (days-to-weaning=4.6±1.6days) compared to that seen in the control group (7.2±2.7days, p=0.014). Dynamic compliance was significantly improved in the budesonide group on days 3 (p=0.018) and 5 (p=0.011) The levels of CXCL-8 and IL-6 diminished on days 3-5 after start of budesonide (p<0.05). CONCLUSION In COPD patients on MV, nebulized budesonide was associated with reduced BAL CXCL8 and IL-6 levels and neutrophil numbers as well as an improvement in ventilatory mechanics and facilitated weaning.
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Effects of early administration of acetazolamide on the duration of mechanical ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or obesity-hypoventilation syndrome with metabolic alkalosis. A randomized trial.
Rialp Cervera, G, Raurich Puigdevall, JM, Morán Chorro, I, Martín Delgado, MC, Heras la Calle, G, Mas Serra, A, Vallverdú Perapoch, I
Pulmonary pharmacology & therapeutics. 2017;:30-37
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolic alkalosis (MA) inhibits respiratory drive and may delay weaning from mechanical ventilation (MV). MA is common in CO2-retainer patients that need MV. Acetazolamide (ACTZ) decreases serum bicarbonate concentration and stimulates respiratory drive. This study evaluated the effects of ACTZ on the duration of MV in patients with MA and COPD or obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) intubated with acute respiratory failure. METHODS Multicenter, randomized, controlled, double-blind study, with COPD or OHS patients with MV < 72 h and initial bicarbonate >28 mmol/L and pH > 7.35. Test-treatment, ACTZ 500 mg or placebo, was daily administered if pH > 7.35 and bicarbonate >26 mmol/L. Clinical, respiratory and laboratory parameters were recorded. RESULTS 47 patients (36 men) were randomized. There were no significant differences between groups in comorbidities, baseline characteristics or arterial blood gases at inclusion. The mean difference in the duration of MV between placebo and ACTZ group was 1.3 days (95%CI, -2.1-4.8; p = 0.44). Kaplan-Meier curves showed no differences in the duration of MV (Log-Rank p = 0.41). Between-group comparison of estimated marginal means (CI 95%) during MV were, respectively: PaCO2 55 (51-59) vs 48 (47-50) mm Hg, p = 0.002; bicarbonate concentration 34 (32-35) vs 29 (28-30) mmol/L, p < 0.0001; and minute volume 9.7 (8.9-10.4) vs 10.6 (9.2-12.0) L/min, p = 0.26. There were no severe adverse effects with ACTZ administration. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with MA and COPD or OHS, early treatment with ACTZ did not shorten significantly the duration of MV compared with placebo. TRIAL REGISTRY clinical.trials.gov; NCT01499485; URL:.www.clinicaltrials.gov.
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Targeted therapeutic mild hypercapnia after cardiac arrest: A phase II multi-centre randomised controlled trial (the CCC trial).
Eastwood, GM, Schneider, AG, Suzuki, S, Peck, L, Young, H, Tanaka, A, Mårtensson, J, Warrillow, S, McGuinness, S, Parke, R, et al
Resuscitation. 2016;:83-90
Abstract
BACKGROUND In intensive care observational studies, hypercapnia after cardiac arrest (CA) is independently associated with improved neurological outcome. However, the safety and feasibility of delivering targeted therapeutic mild hypercapnia (TTMH) for such patients is untested. METHODS In a phase II safety and feasibility multi-centre, randomised controlled trial, we allocated ICU patients after CA to 24h of targeted normocapnia (TN) (PaCO2 35-45mmHg) or TTMH (PaCO2 50-55mmHg). The primary outcome was serum neuron specific enolase (NSE) and S100b protein concentrations over the first 72h assessed in the first 50 patients surviving to day three. Secondary end-points included global measure of function assessment at six months and mortality for all patients. RESULTS We enrolled 86 patients. Their median age was 61 years (58, 64 years) and 66 (79%) were male. Of these, 50 patients (58%) survived to day three for full biomarker assessment. NSE concentrations increased in the TTMH group (p=0.02) and TN group (p=0.005) over time, with the increase being significantly more pronounced in the TN group (p(interaction)=0.04). S100b concentrations decreased over time in the TTMH group (p<0.001) but not in the TN group (p=0.68). However, the S100b change over time did not differ between the groups (p(interaction)=0.23). At six months, 23 (59%) TTMH patients had good functional recovery compared with 18 (46%) TN patients. Hospital mortality occurred in 11 (26%) TTMH patients and 15 (37%) TN patients (p=0.31). CONCLUSIONS In CA patients admitted to the ICU, TTMH was feasible, appeared safe and attenuated the release of NSE compared with TN. These findings justify further investigation of this novel treatment.
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Effect of probiotics on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill patients: a randomized controlled multicenter trial.
Zeng, J, Wang, CT, Zhang, FS, Qi, F, Wang, SF, Ma, S, Wu, TJ, Tian, H, Tian, ZT, Zhang, SL, et al
Intensive care medicine. 2016;(6):1018-28
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the potential preventive effect of probiotics on ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). METHODS This was an open-label, randomized, controlled multicenter trial involving 235 critically ill adult patients who were expected to receive mechanical ventilation for ≥48 h. The patients were randomized to receive (1) a probiotics capsule containing live Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecalis (Medilac-S) 0.5 g three times daily through a nasogastric feeding tube plus standard preventive strategies or (2) standard preventive strategies alone, for a maximum of 14 days. The development of VAP was evaluated daily, and throat swabs and gastric aspirate were cultured at baseline and once or twice weekly thereafter. RESULTS The incidence of microbiologically confirmed VAP in the probiotics group was significantly lower than that in the control patients (36.4 vs. 50.4 %, respectively; P = 0.031). The mean time to develop VAP was significantly longer in the probiotics group than in the control group (10.4 vs. 7.5 days, respectively; P = 0.022). The proportion of patients with acquisition of gastric colonization of potentially pathogenic microorganisms (PPMOs) was lower in the probiotics group (24 %) than the control group (44 %) (P = 0.004). However, the proportion of patients with eradication PPMO colonization on both sites of the oropharynx and stomach were not significantly different between the two groups. The administration of probiotics did not result in any improvement in the incidence of clinically suspected VAP, antimicrobial consumption, duration of mechanical ventilation, mortality and length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION Therapy with the probiotic bacteria B. Subtilis and E. faecalis are an effective and safe means for preventing VAP and the acquisition of PPMO colonization in the stomach.