Erythromycin and early enteral nutrition in mechanically ventilated patients

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether erythromycin facilitates early enteral nutrition in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind trial. SETTING: General intensive care unit in a university-affiliated general hospital. PATIENTS: Forty consecutive critically ill patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation and early nasogastric feeding. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were assigned randomly to intravenous erythromycin (250 mg/6 hrs; n = 20) or a placebo (intravenous 5% dextrose, 50 mL/6 hrs; n = 20) for 5 days. The first erythromycin or 5% dextrose injection was given at 8 am on the day after intubation. One hour later, a daily 18-hr enteral nutrition regimen via a 14-Fr gastric tube was started. Residual gastric volume was aspirated and measured every day at 9 am, 3 pm, 9 pm, and 3 am. Enteral nutrition was discontinued if residual gastric volume exceeded 250 mL or the patient vomited. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: On the first day, residual gastric volume was smaller in the erythromycin than in the placebo group (3 pm, 15 +/- 7 mL vs. 52 +/- 14 mL, p <.05; 9 pm, 29 +/- 15 mL vs. 100 +/- 20 mL, p <.001; 3 am, 11 +/- 4 mL vs. 54 +/- 13 mL, p <.05). With erythromycin, residual gastric volume at 9 pm was smaller on the second day (33 +/- 11 mL vs. 83 +/- 19 mL, p <.01) and residual gastric volume at 3 pm was smaller on the third day (39 +/- 15 mL vs. 88 +/- 19 mL, p <.05) than with placebo. On the fourth and fifth days, the differences in residual gastric volume were not significant. Enteral nutrition was discontinued before the end of the 5-day period in seven of the 20 erythromycin patients and 14 of the 20 placebo patients (p <.001). CONCLUSION: In critically ill patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation, erythromycin promotes gastric emptying and improves the chances of successful early enteral nutrition.     

Impact of obesity in mechanically ventilated patients: a prospective study

Objective  To analyze the influence of severe obesity on mortality and morbidity in mechanically ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Design  Prospective, multi-center exposed/unexposed matched epidemiologic study. Setting  Hospital setting. Patients  Severely obese patients (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m²), mechanically ventilated for at least 2 days were matched with unexposed nonobese patients (BMI < 30 kg/m²) for center, gender, age (±5 years), and the simplified acute physiology (SAPS) II score (±5 points). We recorded tracheal intubation, catheter placement, nosocomial infections, development of pressure ulcers, ICU and hospital outcome. Results  Eighty-two severely obese patients (mean BMI, 42 ± 6 kg/m²) were compared to 124 nonobese patients (mean BMI, 24 ± 4 kg/m²). The ICU course was similar in both the groups, except for the difficulties during tracheal intubation (15 vs. 6%) and post-extubation stridor (15% vs. 3%), which were significantly more frequent in obese patients (P < 0.05). The ICU mortality rate did not differ between obese and nonobese patients (24 and 25%, respectively); nor did the risk-adjusted hospital mortality rate (0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.41–1.16 in obese patients versus 0.82, 95% confidence interval 0.54–1.13 in nonobese patients). Conditional logistic regression confirmed that mortality was not associated with obesity. Conclusion  The only difference in morbidity of obese patients who were mechanically ventilated was increased difficulty with tracheal intubation and a higher frequency of post-extubation stridor. Obesity was not associated either with increased ICU mortality or with hospital mortality. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. This article is discussed in the editorial available at doi: . The authors have no financial interest in any aspect of this report.     

Early sedation and clinical outcomes of mechanically ventilated patients: a prospective multicenter cohort study

Introduction

Sedation overuse is frequent and possibly associated with poor outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU) patients. However, the association of early oversedation with clinical outcomes has not been thoroughly evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the association of early sedation strategies with outcomes of critically ill adult patients under mechanical ventilation (MV).

Methods

A secondary analysis of a multicenter prospective cohort conducted in 45 Brazilian ICUs, including adult patients requiring ventilatory support and sedation in the first 48 hours of ICU admissions, was performed. Sedation depth was evaluated after 48 hours of MV. Multivariate analysis was used to identify variables associated with hospital mortality.

Results

A total of 322 patients were evaluated. Overall, ICU and hospital mortality rates were 30.4% and 38.8%, respectively. Deep sedation was observed in 113 patients (35.1%). Longer duration of ventilatory support was observed (7 (4 to 10) versus 5 (3 to 9) days, P = 0.041) and more tracheostomies were performed in the deep sedation group (38.9% versus 22%, P = 0.001) despite similar PaO₂/FiO₂ ratios and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) severity. In a multivariate analysis, age (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.02; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00 to 1.03), Charlson Comorbidity Index >2 (OR 2.06; 95% CI, 1.44 to 2.94), Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS 3) score (OR 1.02; CI 95%, 1.00 to 1.04), severe ARDS (OR 1.44; CI 95%, 1.09 to 1.91) and deep sedation (OR 2.36; CI 95%, 1.31 to 4.25) were independently associated with increased hospital mortality.

Conclusions

Early deep sedation is associated with adverse outcomes and constitutes an independent predictor of hospital mortality in mechanically ventilated patients.     

Impact of passive humidification on clinical outcomes of mechanically ventilated patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE: Previous meta-analyses reported advantages of passive (i.e., heat and moisture exchangers, or HMEs) compared with active (i.e., heated humidifiers, or HHs) humidifiers in reducing the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, but they did not examine the effect of these devices on mortality, length of intensive care unit stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation. In addition, relevant data were recently published. DESIGN: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing HMEs with HHs for the management of mechanically ventilated patients to determine the impact of these devices on clinical outcomes of such patients. METHODS: We searched PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials as well as reference lists from publications, with no language restrictions. We estimated pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), using a random effects model. RESULTS: Thirteen randomized controlled trials, studying 2,580 patients, were included. There was no difference in incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia among patients managed with HMEs and HHs (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.62-1.16). There was no difference between the compared groups regarding mortality (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.80-1.20), length of intensive care unit stay (weighted mean differences, -0.68 days, 95% CI -3.65 to 2.30), duration of mechanical ventilation (weighted mean differences, 0.11 days, 95% CI -0.90 to 1.12), or episodes of airway occlusion (OR 2.26, 95% CI 0.55-9.28). HMEs were cheaper than HHs in each of the randomized controlled trials. CONCLUSION: The available evidence does not support the preferential performance of either passive or active humidifiers in mechanical ventilation patients in terms of ventilator-associated pneumonia incidence, mortality, or morbidity.     

不同类型谵妄在机械通气患者中的发生现状及临床结局比较

目的 描述3种不同类型的ICU谵妄发生率及谵妄严重程度的变化,对谵妄持续时间、机械通气时间、ICU住院时间、抗精神病药物使用时间等相关临床结局进行比较。方法 选取某三级甲等医院ICU 2016年4月—2017年1月发生谵妄的患者为研究对象,使用ICU患者意识模糊评估法（Confusion Assessment Method of Intensive Care Unit,CAM-ICU）进行谵妄评估,使用重症监护谵妄筛查量表（Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist,ICDSC）进行谵妄筛查,收集患者的临床资料,统计学分析采用Kaplan-Meier法绘制生存曲线并进行Log-rank检验。结果 躁动型谵妄症状严重程度最高,安静型谵妄症状严重程度最低。混合型谵 妄、安静型谵妄、躁动型谵妄所占比例分别为51.9%,39.0%,9.1%,混合型谵妄所占比例最大,且谵妄持续时间、机械通气时间、 ICU住院时间及抗精神病药物使用时间均最长。结论 医护人员可根据谵妄类型实施有针对性的治疗及护理。躁动型谵妄症状最显著,可遵医嘱使用药物进行短期症状控制;混合型谵妄短期临床结局最差,医护人员应加强谵妄监测,落实谵妄管理策略,制订脱机拔管计划,尽量减少抗精神病药物的使用。     

早期康复训练对机械通气重症脑卒中患者的影响

目的:探讨早期康复训练对机械通气重症脑卒中患者功能改善的影响。方法:将50例带有机械通气的重症脑卒中患者按随机字数表法分为试验组和对照组,每组各25例。两组患者均接受神经科ICU常规药物治疗和常规护理,试验组在此基础上进行早期康复训练,包括肢体运动和呼吸训练,2次/d。比较两组患者治疗前后急性生理与慢性健康状况评分Ⅱ(acute physiology and chronic health evaluation,APACHEⅡ),以及呼吸机相关肺炎(ventilator associated pneumonia,VAP)发生率、撤机成功率、机械通气时间和ICU住院时间。结果:①治疗前两组患者APACHEⅡ评分比较,差异无显著性意义(P>0.05);②治疗后,两组患者APACHEⅡ评分与治疗前比较均明显降低(P<0.01),但组间差异无显著性意义(P>0.05);③治疗后试验组VAP发生率明显低于对照组,而撤机成功率显著高于对照组,机械通气时间和ICU住院时间明显短于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:早期肢体运动和呼吸训练可以提高机械通气重症脑卒中患者的撤机成功率,降低...     

Effects of enteral feeding with eicosapentaenoic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, and antioxidants in mechanically ventilated patients with severe sepsis and septic shock

OBJECTIVES: Enteral diets enriched with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), and antioxidants have previously been shown to improve outcomes in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Several studies using animal models of sepsis demonstrate that enteral nutrition enriched with omega-3 fatty acids reduces mortality rate. This study investigated whether an enteral diet enriched with EPA, GLA, and antioxidant vitamins can improve outcomes and reduce 28-day all-cause mortality in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock requiring mechanical ventilation. DESIGN: Prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. SETTING: Three different intensive care units of a tertiary hospital in Brazil. PATIENTS: The study enrolled 165 patients. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to be continuously tube-fed with either a diet enriched with EPA, GLA, and elevated antioxidants or an isonitrogenous and isocaloric control diet, delivered at a constant rate to achieve a minimum of 75% of basal energy expenditure x 1.3 during a minimum of 4 days. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients were monitored for 28 days. Patients who were fed with the study diet experienced a significant reduction in mortality rate compared with patients fed with the control diet, the absolute mortality reduction amounting to 19.4% (p = .037). The group who received the study diet also experienced significant improvements in oxygenation status, more ventilator-free days (13.4 +/- 1.2 vs. 5.8 +/- 1.0, p < .001), more intensive care unit (ICU)-free days (10.8 +/- 1.1 vs. 4.6 +/- 0.9, p < .001), and a lesser development of new organ dysfunctions (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severe sepsis or septic shock and requiring mechanical ventilation and tolerating enteral nutrition, a diet enriched with EPA, GLA, and elevated antioxidants contributed to better ICU and hospital outcomes and was associated with lower mortality rates.     

机械通气病人鼻胃管对胃液返流和误吸的影响

目的探讨鼻胃管是否增加机械通气病人胃内容物的返流和误吸。方法采用随机自身前后对照试验 ,对机械通气可望 >96h的 2 6例患者在带或不带胃管时胃食管返流和误吸情况进行研究。结果鼻胃管存在时返流次数 (88.3%VS77.3% ,P =0 .0 34)和吸入次数 (2 7.5 %VS2 1 .8% ,P =0 .31 9)比没有鼻胃管时高 ;口咽部分泌物 (5 2 86± 2 5 35VS 35 75± 2 1 91 ,P =0 .0 2 2 )和支气管吸出物 (5 36± 2 73VS 4 32± 2 5 8,P =0 .1 6 9)的放射水平也较没有鼻胃管时高。结论鼻胃管的存在是胃内容物返流的潜在危险因素     

Erythropoietin response in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients: a prospective observational study

Introduction

Anemia is a common problem in critically ill patients. The etiology of anemia of critical illness is often determined to be multifactorial in the clinical setting, but the pathophysiology remains to be elucidated. Erythropoietin (EPO) is an endogenous glycoprotein hormone that serves as the primary stimulus for erythropoiesis. Recent evidence has demonstrated a blunted EPO response as a factor contributing to anemia of critical illness in specific subsets of patients. Critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation who exhibit anemia have not been the subject of previous studies. Our goal was to evaluate the erythropoietic response to anemia in the critically ill mechanically ventilated patient.

Methods

A prospective observational study was undertaken in the medical intensive care unit of a tertiary care, military hospital. Twenty patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit requiring mechanical ventilation for at least 72 hours were enrolled as study patients. EPO levels and complete blood count were measured 72 hours after admission and initiation of mechanical ventilation. Admission clinical and demographic data were recorded, and patients were followed for the duration of mechanical ventilation. Twenty patients diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia in the outpatient setting were enrolled as a control population. Control patients had baseline complete blood count and iron panel recorded by primary care physicians. EPO levels were measured at the time of enrollment in conjunction with complete blood count.

Results

The mean EPO level for the control population was 60.9 mU/ml. The mean EPO level in the mechanically ventilated patient group was 28.7 mU/ml, which was significantly less than in the control group (P = 0.035). The mean hemoglobin value was not significantly different between groups (10.6 g/dl in mechanically ventilated patients versus 10.2 g/dl in control patients; P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Mechanically ventilated patients demonstrate a blunted EPO response to anemia. Further study of therapies directed at treating anemia of critical illness and evaluating its potential impact on mechanical ventilation outcomes and mortality is warranted.

     

机械通气患者实施音乐干预的随机对照研究

目的探讨音乐干预降低机械通气患者焦虑水平以及稳定机械通气患者生理指标的效果。方法将150例机械通气患者随机分为音乐组、耳机组、空白组,采用中国版状态焦虑量表（C-SAI）对三组研究对象干预前后的焦虑水平进行测定,同时记录心率、呼吸率和血压。结果干预后音乐组C-SAI评分（40．54±8．34）分,耳机组（47．52±9．25）分,空白组（52．02±10．20）分,三组患者干预前后比较差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;音乐组患者干预前后心率、呼吸率、收缩压和舒张压的变化均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论音乐干预与戴耳机均有降低机械通气患者焦虑水平的作用,且音乐的作用更明显,音乐可以稳定机械通气患者心率、呼吸率、收缩压和舒张压。     

Impact of kinetic beds on the incidence of atelectasis in mechanically ventilated patients

We investigated the impact of kinetic beds on the incidence of atelectasis in mechanically ventilated patients in an intensive care unit (ICU). All bronchoscopies performed for atelectasis on mechanically ventilated patients between July 2000 and June 2001 and between July 2002 and June 2003 were reviewed. On July 26, 2001, 50 kinetic beds, 20 continuous lateral rotation therapy modules, and 20 percussion and vibration modules were introduced to our institution. Of the 3399 ICU admissions between July 2000 and June 2001, 71 patients developed atelectasis while being mechanically ventilated. Of the 3065 ICU admissions between July 2002 and June 2003, 83 patients developed atelectasis while being mechanically ventilated. Of these, 48 (58%) patients had left-sided atelectasis, 30 (36%) had right-sided atelectasis, and 5 (6%) had bilateral atelectasis. There was no decrease in the incidence of atelectasis in mechanically ventilated patients at our institution after the introduction of kinetic beds and vibration, percussion, and rotation modules despite their widespread availability.     

Adverse events during rotary-wing transport of mechanically ventilated patients: a retrospective cohort study

Introduction  

Patients triaged to tertiary care centers frequently undergo rotary-wing transport and may be exposed to additional risk for adverse events. The incidence of physiologic adverse events and their predisposing factors in mechanically ventilated patients undergoing aeromedical transport are unknown.     

Enteral feeding in the critically ill: comparison between the supine and prone positions: a prospective crossover study in mechanically ventilated patients

Introduction  

Prone position is effective in mechanically ventilated patients to improve oxygenation. It is unknown if prone position affects gastric emptying and the ability of continued enteral feeding.     

Impact of endotracheal intubation on septic shock outcome: A post hoc analysis of the SEPSISPAM trial

IntroductionThe objective of the study to is to determine the characteristics associated with endotracheal intubation in septic shock patients.MethodsThis is a post hoc analysis of the database of the SEPSISPAM study, including patients with septic shock.ResultsAmong the 776 patients, 633 (82%) were intubated within 12 hours of study inclusion (early intubation), 113 (15%) were never intubated, and 30 (4%) had delayed intubation. Intensive care units (ICUs) were classified according to frequency of early intubation: early intubation less than 80% of patients (lowest frequency: 7 ICUs, 254 patients), 80% to 90% (middle frequency: 5 ICUs, 170 patients), and greater than 90% (highest frequency: 6 ICUs, 297 patients). Type of ICU, pulmonary infection, lactate greater than 2 mmol/L, lower Pao₂/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio, lower Glasgow score, and absence of immunosuppression were independently associated with early intubation. Patients never intubated had a lower initial severity and a low mortality rate. In comparison to patients intubated early, patients with delayed intubation had had fewer days alive without organ support by day 28. Intensive care units with the highest frequency of early intubation had a higher mortality rate in comparison to ICUs with middle frequency of early intubation. A nonsignificant increased mortality was observed in ICU with lowest frequency of early intubation.ConclusionsPractices regarding the place of endotracheal intubation in septic shock may impact outcome.     

Effects of propofol on sleep quality in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients: a physiological study

Purpose

To access the effect of propofol administration on sleep quality in critically ill patients ventilated on assisted modes.

Methods

This was a randomized crossover physiological study conducted in an adult ICU at a tertiary hospital. Two nights’ polysomnography was performed in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients with and without propofol infusion, while respiratory variables were continuously recorded. Arterial blood gasses were measured in the beginning and at the end of the study. The rate of propofol infusion was adjusted to maintain a sedation level of 3 on the Ramsay scale. Sleep architecture was analyzed manually using predetermined criteria. Patient–ventilator asynchrony was evaluated breath by breath using the flow–time and airway pressure–time waveforms.

Results

Twelve patients were studied. Respiratory variables, patient–ventilator asynchrony, and arterial blood gasses did not differ between experimental conditions. With or without propofol all patients demonstrated abnormal sleep architecture, expressed by lack of sequential progression through sleep stages and their abnormal distribution. Sleep efficiency, sleep fragmentation, and sleep stage distribution (1, 2, and slow wave) did not differ with or without propofol. Compared to without propofol, both the number of patients exhibiting REM sleep (p?=?0.02) and the percentage of REM sleep (p?=?0.04) decreased significantly with propofol.

Conclusions

In critically ill patients ventilated on assisted modes, propofol administration to achieve the recommended level of sedation suppresses the REM sleep stage and further worsens the poor sleep quality of these patients.     

右美托咪定联合咪达唑仑用于机械通气患者的疗效观察

目的观察右美托咪定联合咪达唑仑对成人急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)机械通气患者的镇静镇痛效果、不良反应及其对血流动力学的影响。方法将重症监护病房急性呼吸窘迫综合征患者50例按照随机数字表法分为两组,右美托咪定联合咪达唑仑组25例(D+M组),咪达唑仑组25例(M组)。记录两组唤醒时间、机械通气1周咪达唑仑总用量、芬太尼总用量及其不良反应;并记录两组患者镇静前和镇静后30 min的心率、收缩压、舒张压变化。结果两组患者性别、年龄及急性生理学与慢性健康状况评分系统Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)评分比较差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。两组均能达到满意的镇静镇痛效果,D+M组唤醒时间较M组缩短[(0.16±0.06)h vs(2.11±0.59)h],P<0.01;D+M组机械治疗1周咪达唑仑总用量为(486.3±40.2)mg,芬太尼总用量为(3.25±0.58)mg,较M组亦明显减少(P<0.05)。D+M组谵妄发生例次较M组少,两组低血压、心动过缓发生率比较差异无统计学意义。D+M组和M组患者镇静后心率均有下降,镇静前后差异有统计学意义。D+M组镇静前后血压无明显变化(P>0.05),M组镇静后血压明显下降(P<0.05)。结论右美托咪定联合咪达唑仑用于ARDS患者镇静镇痛效果确切,唤醒时间较短,谵妄的发生率较低,并且减少咪达唑仑、芬太尼的用量,对循环的影响小,该方案值得临床推广。