Broncoscopia durante la ventilación mecánica no invasiva: revisión de técnicas y procedimientos

Non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) is used to treat acute respiratory failure by improving gas exchange abnormalities and reducing the signs of respiratory effort, dyspnea and the activity of accessory respiratory muscles. Bronchoscopy is a key technique in the study of respiratory diseases that is necessary to perform in acute and critical patients, often times only after orotracheal intubation (OTI) due to possible complications of the technique. In this review, we evaluate the evidence of NIMV use during bronchoscopy, concluding that its use should be considered in severe patients as an alternative that is capable of preventing the complications related with OTI and mechanical ventilation, especially in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and with a tendency towards developing hypercapnia.     

Disfunción muscular respiratoria: una entidad multicausal en el paciente críticamente enfermo sometido a ventilación mecánica

Respiratory muscle dysfunction, particularly of the diaphragm, may play a key role in the pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to difficulty in weaning patients from mechanical ventilation. The limited mobility of critically ill patients, and of the diaphragm in particular when prolonged mechanical ventilation support is required, promotes the early onset of respiratory muscle dysfunction, but this can also be caused or exacerbated by other factors that are common in these patients, such as sepsis, malnutrition, advanced age, duration and type of ventilation, and use of certain medications, such as steroids and neuromuscular blocking agents. In this review we will study in depth this multicausal origin, in which a common mechanism is altered protein metabolism, according to the findings reported in various models. The understanding of this multicausality produced by the same pathophysiological mechanism could facilitate the management and monitoring of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.     

Prevención no farmacológica de la neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the first cause of mortality due to nosocomial infections in the intensive care unit. Its incidence ranges from 9% to 67% of patients on mechanical ventilation. Risk factors are multiple and are associated with prolonged stays in hospital and intensive care units. Additional costs for each episode of VAP range from 9,000 € to 31,000 €.     

Medidas de prevención de la transmisión de microorganismos entre pacientes hospitalizados. Higiene de manos

Health-care associated infections are an important public health problem worldwide. The rates of health-care associated infections are indicators of the quality of health care. The infection control activities related to prevention of transmission of hospital microorganisms can be grouped in 4 mayor areas: standard precautions, specific precautions (including isolation if appropriate), environmental cleaning and disinfection, and surveillance activities (including providing infection rates and monitoring procedures). Hand hygiene and the correct use of gloves are the most important measures to prevent health-care associated infections and to avoid the dissemination of multidrug-resistant microorganisms. Continuous educational activities aimed at improving adherence to hand hygiene are needed. Periodical assessment of adherence to hand hygiene recommendations with feed-back have been shown to provide sustained improvement. Several complementary activities are being evaluated, including skin decolonization prior to certain surgeries, a package of measures in patients with central venous catheters or mechanical ventilation, and universal body hygiene with chlorhexidine. The present area of discussion concerns in which situations and in which groups would such measures be effective and efficient.     

Evaluación de la musculatura respiratoria en la predicción del resultado de la extubación de pacientes con ictus

Background

Patients with cerebral infarction often present impaired consciousness and unsatisfactory extubation. We aimed to assess the respiratory mechanics components that might be associated with the success of extubation in stroke patients.

Methods

Twenty consecutive patients with stroke who needed mechanical ventilation support were enrolled. The maximal inspiratory pressure, gastric and the esophageal pressure (Pdi/Pdimax), minute volume, respiratory rate, static compliance, airway resistance, rapid and superficial respiration index (RSRI), inspiratory time/total respiratory cycle (Ti/Ttot), and PaO₂/FiO₂ were measured.

Results

The group who presented success to the extubation process presented 12.5 ± 2.2 = days in mechan-ical ventilation and the group who failed presented 13.1 ± 2 = days. The mean Ti/Ttot and Pdi/Pdimax for the failure group was 0.4 ± 0.08 (0.36-0.44) and 0.5 ± 0.7 (0.43-0.56), respectively. The Ti/Ttot ratio was 0.37 ± 0.05 (0.34-0.41; p = 0.0008) and the Pdi/Pdimax was 0.25 ± 0.05 for the success group (0.21-0.28; p < 0.0001). A correlation was found between Pdi/Pdimax ratio and the RSRI (r = 0.55; p = 0.009) and PaO₂/FiO₂ (r = −0.59; p = 0.005). Patients who presented a high RSRI (OR, 3.66; p = 0.004) and Pdi (OR, 7.3; p = 0.002), and low PaO₂/FIO₂ (OR, 4.09; p = 0.007), Pdi/Pdimax (OR, 4.12; p = 0.002) and RAW (OR, 3.0; p = 0.02) developed mechanical ventilation extubation failure.

Conclusion

Muscular fatigue index is an important predicting variable to the extubation process in prolonged mechanical ventilation of stroke patients.     

Utilidad de la videotoracoscopia para una correcta estadificación de tumores T3 por invasión de pared

Background

Exploratory video-assisted thoracoscopy (EVT) can be used to assess the resectability of lung carcinomas. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of this technique for distinguishing between tumors that invade the chest wall and should be staged as T3 and tumors that have been incorrectly staged as T3 on the basis of imaging studies.

Patients and Methods

From March 1993 through December 2007, we studied 1277 patients, of whom 150 (137 men and 13 women; age range, 28–81 years) presented tumors classified as cT3 because of chest wall invasion on the basis of imaging studies.

Results

After exploratory EVT, 44 pT3 tumors with chest wall invasion were confirmed intraoperatively and by histopathology. Of these, 36 had been correctly classified as cT3 by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. However, tumors had been understaged as cT2 in 6patients and overstaged as cT4 in 2 patients. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values obtained were 100%.

Conclusions

We believe that exploratory EVT is clearly better than computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging for detecting chest wall invasion. In addition to correctly staging a tumor as T3 because of chest wall invasion, the technique can also help decide the best surgical approach in each case.     

Evidencias de la posición en decúbito prono para el tratamiento del síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo: una puesta al día

Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have high incidence and mortality rates. Most of the recently introduced treatments have failed to improve the prognosis of patients with ALI or ARDS or to reduce mortality. Several studies have shown improved oxygenation in the prone position during mechanical ventilation in patients with ARDS. However, current evidence strongly suggests that placing ARDS patients in prone position does not improve survival or reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation. Therefore, though in clinical practice this position may improve refractory hypoxemia in patients with ARDS, there is no evidence to support its systematic use.     

Evaluación inicial del programa de prevención de la transmisión materno-infantil de la infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en Guinea Ecuatorial

Background

The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected pregnant women in Equatorial Guinea (EG) has been reported as 7.3%. In 2008 an updated version of the PMTCT protocol was accepted according to the current WHO guidelines. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and outcome of children exposed to HIV after the introduction of the protocol.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted on the clinical characteristics of the infants born to HIV-infected mothers in the Hospital Regional de Bata and Primary Health Care Centre Maria Rafols in Bata (EG) between June 2008 and November 2011. The diagnosis of HIV infection in children was based on rapid serology tests.

Results

A total of 103 children were included, of which 47 were males. Fifty three patients (51%) completed the follow-up (51%). Fourteen children (26%) were diagnosed with HIV infection (11 presumptive diagnosis, 3 due to persistence of antibodies at 18 months). Six children (12%) died before a definitive diagnosis. Just over than half (52%) of mothers received antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy. The transmission rate in children whose mothers received ART was 16% (3/19), compared with 43% (10/23) in children whose mothers did not receive it. Only one child was infected (8%) when the mother received ART, and child received postnatal prophylaxis.

Conclusions

The PMTCT protocol compliance was still very low. Antiretroviral therapy in pregnant women decreased the rate of vertical transmission, but the rate still remains very high. Many children were lost to follow-up. Strategies to prevent loss to follow-up and methods for earlier virological diagnostic are needed.     

Evolución del uso de la ventilación mecánica no invasiva en enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en una región española, 1997-2010

Introduction

Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) appeared in the 1980s as an alternative to invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in patients with acute respiratory failure. We evaluated the introduction of NIV and the results in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Region of Murcia (Spain).

Subjects and methods

A retrospective observational study based on the minimum basic hospital discharge data of all patients hospitalised for this pathology in all public hospitals in the region between 1997 and 2010. We performed a time trend analysis on hospital attendance, the use of each ventilatory intervention and hospital mortality through joinpoint regression.

Results

We identified 30.027 hospital discharges. Joinpoint analysis: downward trend in attendance (annual percentage change [APC] = −3.4, 95% CI: − 4.8; −2.0, P <.05) and in the group without ventilatory intervention (APC = −4.2%, −5.6; −2.8, P <.05); upward trend in the use of NIV (APC = 16.4, 12.0; 20. 9, P <.05), and downward trend that was not statistically significant in IMV (APC = −4.5%, −10.3; 1.7). We observed an upward trend without statistical significance in overall mortality (APC = 0.5, −1.3; 2.4) and in the group without intervention (APC = 0.1, −1.6; 1.9); downward trend with statistical significance in the NIV group (APC = −7.1, −11.7; −2.2, P <.05) and not statistically significant in the IMV group (APC = −0,8, −6, 1; 4.8). The mean stay did not change substantially.

Conclusions

The introduction of NIV has reduced the group of patients not receiving assisted ventilation. No improvement in results was found in terms of mortality or length of stay.     

Desarrollo de indicadores para evaluar los programas de prevención del cáncer colorrectal en la población de riesgo alto. La experiencia de la Clínica de Alto Riesgo

Background/objective

In 2006, the High-Risk Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Clinic was set up in Barcelona, a new healthcare model aimed at individuals and/or patients with an increased risk of developing CRC. The aim of this study was to develop a set of indicators to evaluate CRC prevention programs in the high-risk population and to implement them in the CRC to confirm their feasibility and validity in identifying areas for improvement.

Methods

A literature search was performed and consensus techniques were applied with experts linked to the prevention programs in the distinct autonomous regions in Spain to propose a conceptual model for the evaluation and indicators. Users’ opinions were introduced through focus groups for the proposed set of indicators. All experts participating in the consensus meetings and Delphi study evaluated the importance of each indicator (from 1 to 10) and their degree of agreement (agree strongly, agree with modifications, or eliminate this indicator). Expert consensus was considered to have been reached when 80% strongly agreed or agreed with the inclusion of the indicator. In the implementation phase, we included users (with advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma, polyposis syndrome, CRC or a familial history of CRC) attending the program. Information was obtained from computerized medical histories and clinical documentation. In addition, health professionals linked to the program were surveyed. To calculate each indicator, its formula was computed and the indicator was then compared with a standard previously agreed on by the experts in the first phase.

Results

Expert consensus was reached in 30 indicators. In the implementation phase, 21 feasible indicators that showed the greatest simplicity and validity in identifying areas for improvement were calculated. Of these, two measured aspects related to accessibility, seven measured patient-centered care, five measured continuity of care, one measured patient safety and four evaluated clinical effectiveness. Overall, eight of the 17 indicators achieved the previously agreed standard of quality of care.

Conclusions

The robustness and importance of the proposed set of indicators is supported by the wide participation of experts from distinct specialties and the adequate agreement reached. The present study serves to identify areas for improvement in the program. Periodic measurement of these indicators will allow the changes produced in this program and their utility to be evaluated and will aid assessment of other CRC prevention programs in the high-risk population.     

Respuesta inflamatoria de la exacerbación asmática de instauración rápida

The association between onset of asthma exacerbation and the inflammatory response has not been sufficiently studied.     

Hipertensión arterial pulmonar en pacientes con infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana: situación actual

The increase in survival that has been achieved with the new treatments in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy, has enabled clinicians and researchers to analyze issues that emerge in the long term in patients with HIV infection. Although the majority of cardiovascular complications have been widely described, the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension is still poorly understood, and is one of the more complex and feared complications as it worsens the prognosis and quality of life of these patients     

Efecto de la fluticasona inhalada sobre la inflamación pulmonar administrada durante y después de la sensibilización de cobayas

Objective

The effect of an inhaled corticosteroid, fluticasone propionate (FP) lung inflammation of sensitized guinea pig was examined.

Material and methods

Four groups of guinea pigs (n=8) were sensitized (S) with ovalbumin (OA). Control group was given similar solutions without OA. One S group was treated with inhaled 250 μg inhaled FP twice/day during, other group after sensitization for 18 days and two groups were treated with placebo, one during, and the other after sensitization. One day after the last treatment, tracheal responses of all animal groups to methacholine and OA were examined. Total and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts of lung lavage and lung pathology were also examined.

Results

Tracheal responsiveness to both methacholine and OA and WBC of both placebo groups were significantly higher than those of control group (P<0.001 for all cases). The lungs of placebo groups showed variable pathological changes (non significant to P<0.001) compared to control group. Tracheal responsiveness in two treated groups with FP to both methacholine and OA were significantly decreased compared to placebo groups (P<0.01 to P<0.001). Treatment with FP leads to improvement in total (P<0.001) and differential WBC counts (non significant to P<0.001) as well as mucosal detachment (P<0.001), but not other pathological changes.

Conclusions

These results showed a protective effect of FP on tracheal responsiveness and lung inflammation. In addition, this study showed that treatment with inhaled fluticasone propionate, during sensitization (development of inflammation and pathological changes) was more effective than after sensitization (establishment of inflammation and pathological changes).     

Manejo de la hipertensión resistente en una unidad multidisciplinaria de denervación renal: protocolo y resultados

Introduction and objectives

Resistant hypertension is a clinical problem because of its difficult management and increased morbidity and mortality. Catheter-based renal denervation has been demonstrated to improve control in these patients. The results of establishing a multidisciplinary unit for the implementation of renal denervation in the management of resistant hypertension are described.

Methods

A team of nephrologists and cardiologists created a protocol for patient selection, intervention, and follow-up. One hundred and ninety-seven patients with poorly controlled essential hypertension, despite taking 3 or more drugs, were included. The ablation technique previously described was supported by a navigator based on rotational angiography. Blood pressure at baseline and after follow-up was compared using the Wilcoxon test for paired samples.

Results

One hundred and eight patients (55%) with pseudo-resistant hypertension were excluded. The other 89 were given antialdosteronic drugs, to which 60 patients (30%) responded. The remaining 29 patients (15%) were candidates for denervation. Eleven patients, with blood pressure 164/99 mmHg and taking 4.4 antihypertensive drugs, were ablated. After 72 days of follow-up, systolic and diastolic blood pressure fell by 25 mmHg (P=.02) and 10 mmHg (P=.06), respectively. In 10 patients (91%) at least 1 drug was discontinued.

Conclusions

Renal denervation performed by a multidisciplinary team led to an improvement in blood pressure similar to previous studies, with a greater reduction of antihypertensive drugs.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en.     

Pronóstico tras una agudización grave de la EPOC tratada con ventilación mecánica no invasiva

Introduction

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who survived an acute exacerbation with acute respiratory failure that required non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) are a group with a poor medium-term prognosis.

Objective

To identify re-admission and mortality rates within one year from discharge and to analyse factors associated with both events in a consecutive series of COPD patients treated with NIMV.

Methods

A cohort of 93 COPD patients who survived an acute exacerbation and who required NIMV was followed up after discharge. Re-admissions due to respiratory causes and survival were measured and the outcomes were analysed against possible factors associated to such events using multivariate Cox proportional risk regression analysis.

Results

Over the year following discharge, 61 patients (66%) had to be re-admitted into hospital due to respiratory complications. Upon multivariate analysis, a low FEV₁ value in stable phase and a high average length of stay were associated independently with a high risk of hospital readmission. The probability of survival at 1 year was 0.695. Age, PaCO₂ prior to initiation of NIMV and the number of hospitalisation days in the previous year were associated independently with a high mortality risk.

Conclusions

This group of COPD patients has a high mortality rate and need for re-hospitalisation in the ensuing year following discharge. The variables relating to the severity of the baseline disease and the actual exacerbation have been shown to be associated with these events, and could be applied to this subgroup of patients in specific follow-up programs.     

Efectividad de la vacunación antigripal para evitar el ingreso hospitalario por agudización de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica

Introduction

The main objective was to determine the effectiveness of influenza vaccination in preventing hospitalization due to exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). One secondary objective was to estimate the prevalence of vaccination, and to describe the factors that were associated with being vaccinated.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted that included 1,323 patients diagnosed with COPD in the Health Centre of the Pla d’Urgell (Lleida, Spain). They were classified into two cohorts: cohort 1, patients vaccinated against seasonal influenza (campaign 2011/12), and cohort 2, non-vaccinated. The number of patients in both cohorts requiring hospital admission for exacerbation of the disease between the 12/01/2011 and the 03/15/2012 was quantified. Information about the variables of interest was recorded for each patient. A univariate and multivariate analysis was performed. The effectiveness of vaccination was calculated with the formula: E = (1 – OR) × 100. The ORs and their 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were determined by multivariate logistic regression models.

Results

Just over half (55.3%) of the patients had been vaccinated. Vaccinated patients were older and had more associated comorbidity. At the same time, they were less hospitalized (3.0% versus 8.9%; P = .001). The crude and adjusted effectiveness of influenza vaccination in this population subgroup was 68.4% (95%CI: 47.5-81.0) and 90.8 (95%CI: 96.8-88.2), respectively.

Conclusion

Influenza vaccination is effective in preventing hospitalization due to acute exacerbations in COPD patients. However, immunization coverage is not as high as desired. Designing programs to increase the rate of vaccination in this population would reduce the number of hospital admissions for COPD exacerbation.     

Influencia de la positividad del anti-HBc en el donante en la selección del donante pulmonar

Introduction

The risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission through donor organs with HBsAg(−) and anti-HBc(+) serology has not been extensively studied in lung transplantation. The objectives of this study are to ascertain the influence of the anti-HBc(+) on the acceptance of the lung for transplantation, to comment on the published literature and to suggest an algorithm for action.

Methods

A survey conducted in the 7 Spanish lung transplantation teams. The updated search of the literature was performed using medical databases from 1994 to February 2012.

Results

All of the teams vaccinate the lung recipients against HBV, although none quantify the anti-HBs titers. When given an anti-HBc(+) donor, 3 teams change their strategy: one does not accept the offer, one selects the receptor from among patients in emergency status and another adds pharmacological prophylaxis. Only 3 publications refer to the serologic evolution of the receptors. At the moment there have been no reported cases of hepatitis B or HBsAg positivity post-transplant, but 4 out of the 50 anti-HBc(−) receptors changed to anti-HBc(+) in the follow-up.

Conclusions

The presence of anti-HBc in the donor influences the decision to accept a lung donor, although there is little information on its repercussions. To date, there has been no reported case of transmission of HBV, but post-transplant anti-HBc seroconversions have been described, which suggests contact with viral particles. Although rare, an anti-HBc(+) donor can harbor a hidden HBV infection. The risk of infection can be reduced with adequate anti-HBs titers or with appropriate pharmacological measures.     

Evaluación económica de la elastografía de transición (FibroScan) en el diagnóstico de fibrosis hepática en pacientes con hepatitis C coinfectados con VIH

Introduction

The assessment of liver fibrosis is crucial for taking therapeutic decisions in patients infected with HIV/AIDS coinfected with HCV, because it allows the prognosis of the disease and the prioritization of hepatitis C treatment in these patients.

Methods

A discrete events model simulation (DEMS) and a Markov model have been developed to represent the evolution of liver fibrosis to cirrhosis in patients coinfected with HIV/HVC. The model evaluated two alternatives for the diagnosis and monitoring of these patients, transient elastography performed annually and liver biopsy performed every seven years. The models have been developed under Health Care System perspective and only considered direct medical costs (disease treatment and health state costs). One-way sensitivity analyses were carried out to assess the impact of parameters with higher uncertainty. A discount rate of 3% was applied.

Results

Base case analysis shows that the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with transient elastography is a dominant strategy compared with to liver biopsy, resulting in greater life expectancy at lower cost. The sensitivity analysis performed confirmed the robustness of these results.

Conclusion

Transient elastography has proved to be a dominant strategy compared to liver biopsy in the diagnosis and monitoring of liver fibrosis in patients coinfected with HIV/HCV in Spain.