High-flow via a tracheostomy tube and speaking valve during weaning from mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy

Background

Weaning from mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy after prolonged intensive care consume enormous resources with optimal management not currently well described. Restoration of respiratory flow via the upper airway is essential and early cuff-deflation using a one-way valve (OWV) is recommended. However, extended OWV use may cause dry airways and thickened secretions which challenge the weaning process. High-flow therapy via the tracheostomy tube (HFT-T) humidifies inspired air and may be connected via an in-line OWV (HFT-T-OWV) alleviating these problems. We aim to provide clinical and experimental data on the safety of HFT-T-OWV along with a practical guide to facilitate clinical use during weaning from mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy.

Methods

Data on adverse events of HFT-T-OWV were retrieved from a quality register for patients treated at an intensive care rehabilitation center between 2019 and 2022. Benchtop experiments were performed to measure maximum pressures and pressure support generated by HFT-T-OWV at 25–60 L/min flow using two different HFT-T adapters (interfaces). In simulated airway obstruction using a standard OWV (not in-line) maximum pressures were measured with oxygen delivered via the side port at 1–3 L/min.

Results

Of 128 tracheostomized patients who underwent weaning attempts, 124 were treated with HFT-T-OWV. The therapy was well tolerated, and no adverse events related to the practice were detected. The main reason for not using HFT-T-OWV was partial upper airway obstruction using a OWV. Benchtop experiments demonstrated HFT-T-OWV maximum pressures <4 cmH₂O and pressure support 0–0.6 cmH₂O. In contrast, 1–3 L/min supplemental oxygen via a standard OWV caused pressures between 84 and 148 cmH₂O during simulated airway obstruction.

Conclusions

Current study clinical data and benchtop experiments indicate that HFT-T-OWV was well tolerated and appeared safe. Pressure support was low, but humidification may enable extended use of a OWV without dry airway mucosa and thickened secretions. Results suggest the treatment could offer advantages to standard OWV use, with or without supplementary oxygen, as well as to HFT-T without a OWV, for weaning from mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy. However, for definitive treatment recommendations, randomized clinical trials are needed.     

Persistent Fistula for Treatment of a Failed Periprosthetic Joint Infection: Relic From the Past or a Viable Salvage Procedure?

BackgroundNew treatment algorithms for periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) show high success rates in achieving permanent infection eradication with some degree of failure. Different salvage procedures are described, but there is no evidence for persistent fistula (PF). The purpose of this study was to analyze PF as a salvage procedure in patients with therapy-resistant PJIs.MethodsThis retrospective analysis included all patients treated with PF (2005-2018) in a maximum care center with PJI (knee or hip). The baseline parameters (age, sex, BMI) and other data (number of surgeries, pathogen spectrum, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification) were recorded. The function was documented using the Harris Hip Score, the Knee Society Score, and the quality of life using the SF-36 Health Survey.ResultsA total of 159 patients were included (80 ± 12 years) and subdivided into four groups: hip (n = 66), knee (n = 13), Girdlestone resection arthroplasty (n = 50), knee arthrodesis (n = 27). Patients stayed 111 ± 87 days in the hospital, underwent six operations and three revisions after establishing PF. The mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 2.7. The BMI was 31 ± 3 kg/m² (P = .1). The follow-up was 2.8 ± 0.5 years including 27 patients. The Harris Hip Score and Knee Society Score were 38 and 34, respectively. SF-36 showed no significant difference.ConclusionThe study showed poor outcomes regarding quality of life and the function of the infected joint. Therefore, the indication for establishing a PF in the treatment of PJI must be assessed very critically. PF is only an option for multimorbid patients with a limited life expectancy.     

Pressurized IntraPeritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy with one minute of electrostatic precipitation (ePIPAC) is feasible,but the histological tumor response in peritoneal metastasis is insufficient

IntroductionElectrostatic precipitation Pressurized IntraPeritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (ePIPAC) has shown superior penetration depth and tissue uptake compared to standard PIPAC. We investigated the feasibility and objective tumor response to ePIPAC with 1 min of precipitation in patients with peritoneal metastasis (PM).Materials and methodsPatients with PM from various abdominal cancers were included in an amendment to the ongoing prospective PIPAC-OPC2 trial. Colorectal and appendiceal PM were treated with oxaliplatin, patients with PM from other primaries were treated with a combination of cisplatin and doxorubicin. Three ePIPAC procedures were planned in each patient including repeated peritoneal biopsies for response evaluation. After emission to the peritoneal cavity, the aerosolized chemotherapeutics were precipitated for 1 min followed by immediate exsufflation and abdominal closure. Histological regression from the first to the third ePIPAC was evaluated according to the Peritoneal Regression Grading Score (PRGS) and compared to data from the PIPAC-OPC1 trial. Complications and toxicities were recorded according to Dindo-Clavien and CTCAE.ResultsSixty-five ePIPAC procedures were performed in 33 patients (median 2, range 1–6). Ten patients were eligible for response evaluation based on biopsies from the first and third ePIPAC procedure. Four patients had disease progression, four patients had regressive disease, and two patients had stable disease according to PRGS. No life threatening adverse reactions and no mortality was observed following ePIPAC.ConclusionOne minute ePIPAC was feasible and safe, but the histological tumor response was insufficient compared to standard PIPAC directed therapy with 30 min passive diffusion time.     

载As2O3 pH敏感钙砷复合物脂质体的制备及体外评价

目的 制备pH敏感释药的As₂O₃脂质体，并进行体外评价。方法 采用薄膜分散法制备含钙离子脂质体，然后用离子沉淀法孵育制备钙砷复合物脂质体（CaAs-LP）。测定CaAs-LP的粒径、Zeta电位及多分散系数（PDI）；透射电子显微镜观察脂质体的形态；电感耦合等离子体发射光谱仪测定纳米药物的载药量与包封率；透析袋法考察其体外释药特性。噻唑蓝（MTT）法考察未载药脂质体及CaAs-LP对人源性乳腺癌MCF-7细胞、人源性脑胶质瘤U87细胞和人源性肝癌HepG2细胞的毒性；共聚焦显微镜考察U87细胞对CaAs-LP的摄取效率。结果 制备的CaAs-LP呈规整类球型，粒径约为（117.16±1.94）nm，包封率和载药量分别为（74.31±2.11）%、（8.31±0.13）%。体外释放研究表明，CaAs-LP具有明显的缓释以及pH响应释药特征。未载药的脂质体在MCF-7、U87、HepG2和L02细胞中的生物相容性良好；CaAs-LP抑制肿瘤细胞生长的作用较原药有所上升，半数抑制浓度（IC₅₀）值分别为11.91、4.90、19.41、27.59 μmol/L。细胞摄取研究表明肝癌细胞对脂质体具有良好的摄取。结论 CaAs-LP具备显著的缓释以及pH响应释药的特性，在肿瘤治疗方面具有较好的应用前景。