High-flow nasal cannula implementation has not reduced intubation rates for bronchiolitis in Canada

Background and ObjectiveBronchiolitis is the most common reason for admission to hospital in the first year of life, with increasing hospitalization rates in Canada. Respiratory support with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is being routinely used in paediatric centres, though the evidence of efficacy is continuing to be evaluated. We examined the impact of HFNC on intubation rates, hospital and paediatric critical care unit (PCCU) length of stay (LOS), and PCCU admission rates in paediatric tertiary centres in Canada.MethodsWe conducted a multicentre, interrupted time series analysis to examine intubation rates pre- to postimplementation of HFNC for bronchiolitis. Data were obtained from the Canadian Institute for Health Information database. Paediatric tertiary centres that introduced HFNC between 2009 and 2014 were included, and data were collected from April 2005 to March 2017.ResultsA total of 17,643 patients met inclusion criteria. There was no significant change in intubation rates after the introduction of HFNC. There was a significant increase in PCCU admission, with a decrease in the PCCU LOS following the introduction of HFNC. There was no significant change in average hospital LOS after HFNC was introduced.ConclusionsThis study adds to the evolving evidence showing that overall disease course is not modified by the use of HFNC. The initiation of HFNC in Canadian paediatric centres resulted in no significant change in intubation rates or average LOS in hospital, but had an increase in PCCU admissions. Careful monitoring of new technologies on their clinical impact as well as health care resource utilization is warranted.     

高流量鼻导管氧疗与早产儿呼吸支持

高流量鼻导管氧疗(high flow nasal cannulae,HFNC)是一种经充分湿化、加温,流量大于1～2 L/min,通过鼻塞外联吸氧管输送高流量混合氧气的无创性呼吸支持模式。在新生儿的应用中,HFNC 产生的扩张压与氧流量呈正相关,与新生儿体型呈负相关,同时沿导管泄露氧气也会对其造成影响。HFNC在提高新生儿潮气量、呼吸功等方面与经鼻持续气道正压通气(nasal continuous positive airway pressure, nCPAP)可能有相似效果,但仅限于流量低于2 L/min 的情况下。HFNC 可替代 CPAP /nCPAP 等各类无创通气方法,但在早产儿中推广普及则缺乏更强有力的证据支持。     

Factors associated with treatment failure of high-flow nasal cannula among children with bronchiolitis: a single-centre retrospective study

ObjectivesBronchiolitis is the most common viral lower respiratory tract infection in children under age 2 for which high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is increasingly used. Understanding factors associated with HFNC failure is important to identify patients at risk for respiratory deterioration. The objective of this study was to evaluate patient characteristics associated with HFNC failure in bronchiolitis.MethodsA retrospective review of patients aged 0 to 24 months, with bronchiolitis who received HFNC within a single tertiary paediatric intensive care unit, between January 2014 and December 2018 was conducted. HFNC treatment failure was defined as escalation to non-invasive positive pressure or invasive mechanical ventilation. Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify demographic, clinical, and biochemical parameters associated with HFNC failure.ResultsTwo hundred eight patients met inclusion criteria, of which 61 (29.33%) failed HFNC. Risk factors for HFNC failure included younger age (odds ratio [OR] 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03, 1.23; P=0.011) and a Modified Tal score greater than 5 at 4 hours of HFNC therapy (OR 2.81; 95% CI 1.04, 7.64; P=0.042). Duration of HFNC in hours was protective (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.92, 0.96; P<0.001), such that deterioration is less likely once patients have remained stable on HFNC for a prolonged time.ConclusionThis is the first study exploring predictors of HFNC failure among Canadian children with bronchiolitis. Patient age, HFNC duration, and Modified Tal score were associated with HFNC failure. These factors should be considered when initiating HFNC for bronchiolitis to identify patients at risk for deterioration.     

Association between multiple respiratory viral infections and pediatric intensive care unit admission among infants with bronchiolitis

BackgroundIt is unclear whether multiple respiratory viral infections are associated with more severe bronchiolitis requiring pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission. We aimed to identify the association between multiple respiratory viral infections and PICU admission among infants with bronchiolitis.MethodsWe performed a 1:1 case-control study enrolling previously healthy full-term infants (≤12 months) with bronchiolitis admitted to the PICU as cases and those to the general pediatric ward as controls from 2015 to 2017. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for detection of the respiratory viruses. We summarized the characteristics of infants admitted to the PICU and the general pediatric unit. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to fit the association between multiple respiratory viral infections (≥2 strains) and PICU admission.ResultsA total of 135 infants admitted to the PICU were compared with 135 randomly selected control infants admitted to the general pediatric unit. The PICU patients were younger (median: 2.2 months, interquartile range: 1.3–4.2) than the general ward patients (median: 3.2 months, interquartile range: 1.6–6.4). Respiratory syncytial virus (74.1%), rhinovirus (28.9%), and coronavirus (5.9%) were the most common viruses for bronchiolitis requiring PICU admission. Patients with bronchiolitis admitted to the PICU tended to have multiple viral infections compared with patients on the general ward (23.0% vs. 10.4%, P < 0.001). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, bronchiolitis with multiple viral infections was associated with higher odds of PICU admission (adjusted odds ratio: 2.56, 95% confidence interval: 1.17–5.57, P = 0.02).ConclusionInfants with multiviral bronchiolitis have higher odds of PICU admission compared with those with a single or nondetectable viral infection.     

Current practices and policies regarding the use of high-flow nasal cannula on general pediatric inpatient wards in Canada

ObjectivesHigh-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy has become a common treatment for respiratory conditions in children. To our knowledge, no study has described practice patterns for HFNC on pediatric inpatient wards in Canada. The aim of this study was to survey current practices and policies regarding the use of HFNC on the ward in children’s hospitals in Canada.MethodsWe conducted a web-based survey of Pediatric Hospital Medicine section chiefs in major tertiary care hospitals in Canada. The primary outcome was the proportion of hospitals that use HFNC on the general pediatric ward. Secondary outcomes included indications for HFNC, initial and maximum flow rates, maximum FiO₂, method of nutrition delivery while on HFNC, level of nursing and respiratory therapist care required, criteria for pediatric intensive care unit transfer, and subjective successes and challenges of implementing a ward-based HFNC policy.ResultsThe section chief survey response rate was 100% (15/15). Eight centres (53%) allowed the use of HFNC outside of an intensive care setting. Six centres initiated HFNC on the ward, while two centres only accepted patients after HFNC had been initiated in an intensive care setting. Other practices and policies varied considerably from centre to centre.ConclusionOur study reveals that approximately half of tertiary children’s hospitals in Canada currently use HFNC on the ward and utilize a range of practices and policies. Other centres are considering implementation. Further research is needed to inform best practices for HFNC therapy, support stewardship of health care resources, and promote safe patient care.     

First-line treatment using high-flow nasal cannula for children with severe bronchiolitis: Applicability and risk factors for failure

Background

Viral bronchiolitis is the leading cause of hospitalization in children during the first 12 months of life. There is evidence to support the use of noninvasive ventilation in bronchiolitis. A recent respiratory management of bronchiolitis is the use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the use of HFNC as the first-line treatment for children with severe bronchiolitis and the secondary objective was to identify factors for HFNC therapy failure.

Real-life study of the role of high-flow nasal cannula for bronchiolitis in children younger than 3 months hospitalised in general pediatric departments

We aimed to describe the real-life role of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) for bronchiolitis in infants under 3 months of age admitted to three general pediatric departments during the 2017–2018 epidemic period. We retrospectively assessed the clinical severity (Wang score) for every 24-h period of treatment (H0–H24 and H24–H48) according to the initiated medical care (HFNC, oxygen via nasal cannula, or supportive treatments only), the child's discomfort (EDIN score), and transfer to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). A total of 138 infants were included: 47 ± 53 days old, 4661 ± 851.9 g, 70 boys (50.7%), 58 with hypoxemia (42%), Wang score of 6.67 ± 2.58, 110 (79.7%) staying for 48 consecutive hours in the same ward. During the H0–H24 period, only patients treated with HFNC had a statistically significant decrease in the severity score (n = 21/110; ?2 points, P = 0.002) and an improvement in the discomfort score (n = 15/63; ?3.8 points, P < 0.0001). There was no difference between groups during the H24–H48 period. The rate of admission to the PICU was 2.9% for patients treated for at least 24 h with HFNC (n = 34/138, 44% with oxygen) versus 16.3% for the others (P = 0.033). Early use of HFNC improves both clinical status and discomfort in infants younger than 3 months admitted for moderately severe bronchiolitis, whatever their oxygen status.     

High-flow nasal cannula in children with asthma exacerbation: A review of current evidence

Asthma is the commonest obstructive airway disease and the leading cause of morbidity in children. In the pediatric population, acute exacerbations of asthma are a frequent cause of presentations and hospital admissions. An acute asthma exacerbation is potentially life-threatening; it is predominantly treated using conventional oxygen therapy with bronchodilators and systemic corticosteroids. The treatment of those who do not respond to conventional therapy is escalated to noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) before invasive ventilation. Although NIPPV has demonstrated benefits and safety, it still has limitations such as treatment intolerance caused mainly by discomfort and complications. High-flow oxygen therapy administered through a nasal cannula (HFNC) provides respiratory support with adequate airway humidity and has demonstrated safety and benefits in clinical practice. In the present review, we discuss HFNC and variations in HFNC use, focusing on its feasibility and current evidence of using it on children with asthma exacerbations.     

The use of mechanical ventilation protocols in Canadian neonatal intensive care units

OBJECTIVES:To identify the proportion of Canadian neonatal intensive care units with existing mechanical ventilation protocols and to determine the characteristics and respiratory care practices of units that have adopted such protocols.METHODS:A structured survey including 36 questions about mechanical ventilation protocols and respiratory care practices was mailed to the medical directors of all tertiary care neonatal units in Canada and circulated between December 2012 and March 2013.RESULTS:Twenty-four of 32 units responded to the survey (75%). Of the respondents, 91% were medical directors and 71% worked in university hospitals. Nine units (38%) had at least one type of mechanical ventilation protocol, most commonly for the acute and weaning phases. Units with pre-existing protocols were more commonly university-affiliated and had higher ratios of ventilated patients to physicians or respiratory therapists, although this did not reach statistical significance. The presence of a mechanical ventilation protocol was highly correlated with the coexistence of a protocol for noninvasive ventilation (P<0.001, OR 4.5 [95% CI 1.3 to 15.3]). There were overall wide variations in ventilation practices across units. However, units with mechanical ventilation protocols were significantly more likely to extubate neonates from the assist control mode (P=0.039, OR 8.25 [95% CI 1.2 to 59]).CONCLUSION:Despite the lack of compelling evidence to support their use in neonates, a considerable number of Canadian neonatal intensive care units have adopted mechanical ventilation protocols. More research is needed to better understand their role in reducing unnecessary variations in practice and improving short- and long-term outcomes.     

High-flow nasal cannula oxygen for bronchiolitis in a pediatric ward: a pilot study

High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a widely used ventilatory support in children with bronchiolitis in the intensive care setting. No data is available on HFNC use in the general pediatric ward. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of HFNC oxygen therapy in infants hospitalized in a pediatric ward for moderate–severe bronchiolitis and to assess the changes in ventilatory parameters before and after starting HFNC support. This prospective observational pilot study was carried out during the bronchiolitis season 2011–2012 in a pediatric tertiary care academic center in Italy. Interruptions of HFNC therapy and possible side effects or escalation to other forms of respiratory support were recorded. Oxygen saturation (SpO₂), end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO₂), and respiratory rate (RR), measured for a baseline period of 1 h before and at specific time intervals in 48 h after the start of HFNC were recorded. Twenty-seven infants were included (median age 1.3 months; absolute range 0.3–8.5). No adverse events, no premature HFNC therapy termination, and no escalation to other forms of respiratory support were recorded. Median SpO₂ significantly increased by 1–2 points after changing from standard oxygen to HFNC (p <0.001). Median ETCO₂ and RR rapidly decreased by 6–8 mmHg and 13–20 breaths per minute, respectively, in the first 3 h of HFNC therapy (p <0.001) and remained steady thereafter. Conclusions: Use of HFNC for oxygen administration is feasible for infants with moderate–severe bronchiolitis in a general pediatric ward. In these children, HFNC therapy improves oxygen saturation levels and seems to be associated with a decrease in both ETCO₂ and RR.     

Use of high-flow nasal cannula in infants with viral bronchiolitis outside pediatric intensive care units

European Journal of Pediatrics - High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is frequently used in infants with acute viral bronchiolitis outside pediatric intensive care units (PICU). A structured...     

Incidence and predisposing factors for severe disease in previously healthy term infants experiencing their first episode of bronchiolitis

Aim: To determine the incidence and predisposing factors for severe bronchiolitis in previously healthy term infants <12 months of age experiencing their first episode of bronchiolitis. Methods: Epidemiological, clinical and virological data were prospectively collected. Severity was assessed by the need for ventilatory support. Results: Of the 310 infants enrolled, 16 (5.1%) presented with severe bronchiolitis requiring ventilatory support (11 since admission). Compared with infants with less severe bronchiolitis, infants with severe disease presented with lower birth weight, gestational age, postnatal weight and postnatal age, and were more likely to be born by cesarian section. C‐reactive protein positive results (>0.8 mg/dL) and pulmonary consolidation on chest X‐ray were more common among infants with severe disease. Severity was independently associated with younger age on admission <30 days, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection and lymphocyte counts <3200/μL. No significant differences were found between epidemiologic variables. Conclusions: Severe bronchiolitis is uncommon in previously healthy term infants <12 months of age and when present develops soon after disease onset. Severity is predicted by young age and RSV carriage, whereas epidemiologic variables seem less likely to intervene.     

Sedation analgesia in pediatric intensive care

Provision of optimum comfort control to a critically ill child, in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) requires a great degree of skill and planning and should be a prime concern for all practising paediatricians. Failure to provide adequate sedation and analgesia to control the stress response has been seen to be associated with increased complications and mortality. Sedation/analgesia in PICU is required both for, short term procedure and as an adjunct to pediatric intensive care. One has to identify the requirement whether sedation, analgesia or both. The ideal approach should be a sedative/hypnotic for sedation, an anxiolytic for anxiety, and an analgesic for pain. Threfore, it is essential, to provide the right drug for the problem at the right time in the right dosage. The drugs commonly used for sedation analgesia in PICU and their side effects have been described here.     

No resuscitation orders and withdrawal of therapy in French paediatric intensive care units

Objective: To determine the incidence of different modes of death in French paediatric intensive care units and to compare patients' characteristics, including a severity of illness score (Paediatric Risk of Mortality: PRISM score) and prior health status (Paediatric Overall Performance Category scale), according to the mode of death. Design: A 4-month prospective cohort study. Setting: Nine French multidisciplinary paediatric intensive care units. Patients: All patients who died in PICUs, except premature babies. Main results: Among 712 admissions, 13% patients died. Brain death was declared in 20%, failure of cardiopulmonary resuscitation occurred in 26%, do-not-resuscitate status was identified in 27%, and withdrawal of supportive therapy was noted in 27%. The PRISM score and the baseline Paediatric Overall Performance Category were not different between the four groups. Brain-dead patients were older than those in whom a do-not-resuscitate order and withdrawal of therapy were made (median age 81 vs 7 and 4 months). Conclusions: Decisions to limit or to withdraw supportive care were made for a majority of patients dying in French paediatric intensive care units. Chronic health evaluation and severity of illness index are not sufficient to describe dead-patient populations.     

Surveillance of infection in neonatal intensive care units

Monitoring infection rates is increasingly regarded as an important contributor to safe and high quality health care, especially in intensive care settings. Early-onset neonatal sepsis rates are an important indicator of ante- and intra-partum care, especially as medicalisation of obstetric practice increases. However, surveillance of late-onset neonatal sepsis is required to monitor the quality of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)-related care. Infection surveillance on NICUs presents a number of unique challenges, including defining infections, the preponderance of coagulase-negative staphylococci as both pathogens and commensals, and allowing for the influence of important risk factors. Ideally an infection surveillance programme should permit benchmarking of infection rates, and multi-centre programmes have been reported to decrease the incidence of healthcare-associated infections on NICUs. However, further research is required to identify the most clinically- and cost-effective means of surveying NICU-acquired infections before a national programme can be implemented. Until then, considerable value can be obtained from local infection surveillance.     

中国25家儿科重症监护病房主要配置及住院状况调查分析

目的 调查中国儿科重症监护病房（PICU）的基本配置及住院患儿状况。方法 应用问卷调查中国25家PICU的基本配置，应用儿童危重病例评分和美国PICU出入院指南，对2004年1月1日至2005年6月30日各PICU 29 d至14周岁住院患儿均进行为期12个月的危重病例筛选。结果 中国25家PICU平均床位数（11.4±8.0）张，呼吸机数（6.1±3.7）台，44.0%（11/25）的PICU能进行中心静脉压监测。收治病例12 018例，危重病例60.5％（7 269/12 018）。危重病例中内科疾病占769%（5 590/7 269），外科疾病占16.8%（1 233/7 269），其他科室疾病占6.3%（456/ 7 269）；平均住院日6.3 d；肺炎41.4%（3 013/7 269），脓毒症95%（688/7 269），外伤5.5%（397/7 269），呼吸衰竭27.6%（2 009/7 269）； 行机械通气26.9 %（1 957/7 269），行机械通气>24 h 17.9%（1 300/7 269），ARDS 1.44%（105/7 269）。研究期间，危重病例中病死率为6.7%（485/7 269，95% CI:6.1%～7.3%），PICU中病死率为40%（485/12 018，95% CI:3.7%～4.4%）。主要疾病病死率为1.3%～61.0%，不同PICU间收治患儿及病死率均存在差异。结论 中国PICU配置仍处于初级水平，收治患儿标准及危重患儿病死率可能存在差异。