Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome associated with COVID-19: An Emulated Target Trial Analysis.

RATIONALE: Whether COVID patients may benefit from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) compared with conventional invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effect of ECMO on 90-Day mortality vs IMV only Methods: Among 4,244 critically ill adult patients with COVID-19 included in a multicenter cohort study, we emulated a target trial comparing the treatment strategies of initiating ECMO vs. no ECMO within 7 days of IMV in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (PaO2/FiO2 <80 or PaCO2 ≥60 mmHg). We controlled for confounding using a multivariable Cox model based on predefined variables. MAIN RESULTS: 1,235 patients met the full eligibility criteria for the emulated trial, among whom 164 patients initiated ECMO. The ECMO strategy had a higher survival probability at Day-7 from the onset of eligibility criteria (87% vs 83%, risk difference: 4%, 95% CI 0;9%) which decreased during follow-up (survival at Day-90: 63% vs 65%, risk difference: -2%, 95% CI -10;5%). However, ECMO was associated with higher survival when performed in high-volume ECMO centers or in regions where a specific ECMO network organization was set up to handle high demand, and when initiated within the first 4 days of MV and in profoundly hypoxemic patients. CONCLUSIONS: In an emulated trial based on a nationwide COVID-19 cohort, we found differential survival over time of an ECMO compared with a no-ECMO strategy. However, ECMO was consistently associated with better outcomes when performed in high-volume centers and in regions with ECMO capacities specifically organized to handle high demand. This article is open access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives License 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Fiberoptic endoscopic validation of a clinical screening test of swallowing function in critically ill patients performed within 24 h after extubation

International audienceBACKGROUND: A bedside screening tool of swallowing dysfunction (SD) (BSSD) after extubation would be useful to identify patients who are at risk of SD. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of our BSSD in comparison with fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in critically ill patients after extubation. METHODS: We conducted a 1-year prospective monocentric study to evaluate the accuracy of our BSSD to diagnose SD following endotracheal intubation in comparison with FEES (gold standard). Patients intubated for longer than 48 h were included. Both tests were assessed within 24 h after extubation. Primary endpoint was the accuracy of the BSSD. Secondary endpoint was to assess risk factors of SD. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients were included in the study. Thirty-three patients (42%) presented with a SD. The BSSD showed a sensitivity of 88% (95% CI 0.72-0.97) and a specificity of 91% (95% CI 0.79-0.98), a positive predictive value of 88% (95% CI 0.72-0.97) and a negative predictive value of 91% (95% CI 0.79-0.97). The AUC reached 0.83 (95% CI 0.74-0.92). CONCLUSION: Our study describes an accurate clinical screening tool to detect SD after extubation in critically ill patients. Screening-positive cases should be confirmed by instrumental tests, ideally using FEES

Monitoring Transcutaneously Measured Partial Pressure of CO(2) During Intubation in Critically Ill Subjects

International audienceBACKGROUND: The risk for severe hypoxemia during endotracheal intubation is a major concern in the ICU, but little attention has been paid to CO(2) variability. The objective of this study was to assess transcutaneously measured partial pressure of CO(2) (P(tcCO(2)) ) throughout intubation in subjects in the ICU who received standard oxygen therapy, high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy, or noninvasive ventilation for preoxygenation. We hypothesized that the 3 methods differ in terms of ventilation and CO(2) removal. METHODS: In this single-center, prospective, observational study, we recorded P(tcCO(2)) from preoxygenation to 3 h after the initiation of mechanical ventilation among subjects requiring endotracheal intubation. Subjects were sorted into 3 groups according to the preoxygenation method. We then assessed the link between P(tcCO(2)) variability and the development of postintubation hypotension. RESULTS: A total of 202 subjects were included in the study. The P(tcCO(2)) values recorded at endotracheal intubation, at the initiation of mechanical ventilation, and after 30 min and 1 h of mechanical ventilation were significantly higher than those recorded during preoxygenation (P &lt; .05). P(tcCO(2)) variability differed significantly according to the preoxygenation method (P &lt; .001, linear mixed model). A decrease in P(tcCO(2)) by &gt; 5 mm Hg within 30 min after the start of mechanical ventilation was independently associated with postintubation hypotension (odds ratio = 2.14 [95% CI 1.03-4.44], P = .039) after adjustments for age, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, COPD, cardiac comorbidity, the use of propofol for anesthetic induction, and minute ventilation at the start of mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: P(tcCO(2)) variability during intubation is significant and differs with the method of preoxygenation. A decrease in P(tcCO(2)) after the beginning of mechanical ventilation was associated with postintubation hypotension. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT0388430.)

Clinical and microbiological features of drowning-associated pneumonia: a retrospective multicentre cohort study

International audienceObjective: Pneumonia is the most frequent infectious complication in patients who have experienced drowning that requires intensive care unit (ICU) admission. We aimed to describe clinical, microbiological, and therapeutic data as well as predictors and impacts of such pneumonia on patients' outcomes.Methods: We conducted a retrospective, multicentre study (2013-2020) of 270 consecutive patients admitted for drowning to 14 ICUs in Western France. Their baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared according to the occurrence of drowning-associated pneumonia (DAP), defined as pneumonia diagnosed within 48 hours of ICU admission. A Cox regression model was used to compare survival on day 28, and logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for DAP. Microbiological characteristics and empirical antibacterial treatment were also analysed.Results: Among the 270 patients admitted to the ICU for drowning, 101 (37.4%) and 33 (12.2%) experienced pneumonia and microbiologically proven DAP, respectively. The occurrence of pneumonia was associated with higher severity scores at ICU admission (median Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, 34 [interquartile range {IQR}, 25-55] vs. 45 [IQR, 28-67]; p 0.006) and longer ICU length of stay (2 days [IQR, 1-3] vs. 4 days [IQR, 2-7]; p < 0.001). The 28-day mortality rate was higher among these patients (29/101 [28.7%] vs. 26/169 [15.4%]; p 0.013). Microbiologically proven DAP remained associated with higher 28-day mortality after adjustments for cardiac arrest and water salinity (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.86 [95% CI, 1.06-3.28]; p 0.03). A microbiological analysis of respiratory samples showed a high proportion of gram-negative bacilli (23/56; 41.1%), with a high prevalence of amoxicillin-clavulanate resistance (12/33; 36.4%).Conclusions: Pneumonia is a common complication in patients admitted in the ICU for drowning and is associated with increased mortality

Aspergillose pulmonaire invasive chez les patients sous ventilation mécanique: incidence et devenir (APICOVID)

International audienceBackground - Recent studies identified coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a risk factor for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) but produced conflicting data on IPA incidence and impact on patient outcomes. We aimed to determine the incidence and outcomes of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) in mechanically ventilated patients. Methods - We performed a multicenter retrospective observational cohort study in consecutive adults admitted to 15 French intensive care units (ICUs) in 2020 for COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation. CAPA was diagnosed and graded according to 2020 ECMM/ISHAM consensus criteria. The primary objective was to determine the incidence of proven/probable CAPA, and the secondary objectives were to identify risk factors for proven/probable CAPA and to assess associations between proven/probable CAPA and patient outcomes. Results - The 708 included patients (522 [73.7%] men) had a mean age of 65.2 ± 10.8 years, a median mechanical ventilation duration of 15.0 [8.0-27.0] days, and a day-90 mortality rate of 28.5%. Underlying immunosuppression was present in 113 (16.0%) patients. Corticosteroids were used in 348 (63.1%) patients. Criteria for probable CAPA were met by 18 (2.5%) patients; no patient had histologically proven CAPA. Older age was the only factor significantly associated with probable CAPA (hazard ratio [HR], 1.04; 95% CI 1.00-1.09; P = 0.04). Probable CAPA was associated with significantly higher day-90 mortality (HR, 2.07; 95% CI 1.32-3.25; P = 0.001) but not with longer mechanical ventilation or ICU length of stay. Conclusion - Probable CAPA is a rare but serious complication of severe COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation and is associated with higher day-90 mortality

Thyroid Storm in the ICU

International audienceObjectives: Thyroid storm represents a rare but life-threatening endocrine emergency. Only rare data are available on its management and the outcome of the most severe forms requiring ICU admission. We aimed to describe the clinical manifestations, management and in-ICU and 6-month survival rates of patients with those most severe thyroid storm forms requiring ICU admission.Design: Retrospective, multicenter, national study over an 18-year period (2000–2017).Setting: Thirty-one French ICUs.Patients: The local medical records of patients from each participating ICU were screened using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision. Inclusion criteria were “definite thyroid storm,” as defined by the Japanese Thyroid Association criteria, and at least one thyroid storm-related organ failure.Measurements and Main Results: Ninety-two patients were included in the study. Amiodarone-associated thyrotoxicosis and Graves’ disease represented the main thyroid storm etiologies (30 [33%] and 24 [26%] patients, respectively), while hyperthyroidism was unknown in 29 patients (32%) before ICU admission. Amiodarone use (24 patients [26%]) and antithyroid-drug discontinuation (13 patients [14%]) were the main thyroid storm-triggering factors. No triggering factor was identified for 30 patients (33%). Thirty-five patients (38%) developed cardiogenic shock within the first 48 hours after ICU admission. In-ICU and 6-month postadmission mortality rates were 17% and 22%, respectively. ICU nonsurvivors more frequently required vasopressors, extracorporeal membrane of oxygenation, renal replacement therapy, mechanical ventilation, and/or therapeutic plasmapheresis. Multivariable analyses retained Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score without cardiovascular component (odds ratio, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.03–1.46; p = 0.025) and cardiogenic shock within 48 hours post-ICU admission (odds ratio, 9.43; 1.77–50.12; p = 0.008) as being independently associated with in-ICU mortality.Conclusions: Thyroid storm requiring ICU admission causes high in-ICU mortality. Multiple organ failure and early cardiogenic shock seem to markedly impact the prognosis, suggesting a prompt identification and an aggressive management

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Associated with COVID-19: An Emulated Target Trial Analysis

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Characteristics and prognosis of bloodstream infection in patients with COVID-19 admitted in the ICU: an ancillary study of the COVID-ICU study

International audienceBackground Patients infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV 2) and requiring intensive care unit (ICU) have a high incidence of hospital-acquired infections; however, data regarding hospital acquired bloodstream infections (BSI) are scarce. We aimed to investigate risk factors and outcome of BSI in critically ill coronavirus infectious disease-19 (COVID-19) patients. Patients and methods We performed an ancillary analysis of a multicenter prospective international cohort study (COVID-ICU study) that included 4010 COVID-19 ICU patients. For the present analysis, only those with data regarding primary outcome (death within 90 days from admission) or BSI status were included. Risk factors for BSI were analyzed using Fine and Gray competing risk model. Then, for outcome comparison, 537 BSI-patients were matched with 537 controls using propensity score matching. Results Among 4010 included patients, 780 (19.5%) acquired a total of 1066 BSI (10.3 BSI per 1000 patients days at risk) of whom 92% were acquired in the ICU. Higher SAPS II, male gender, longer time from hospital to ICU admission and antiviral drug before admission were independently associated with an increased risk of BSI, and interestingly, this risk decreased over time. BSI was independently associated with a shorter time to death in the overall population (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.28, 95% CI 1.05–1.56) and, in the propensity score matched data set, patients with BSI had a higher mortality rate (39% vs 33% p = 0.036). BSI accounted for 3.6% of the death of the overall population. Conclusion COVID-19 ICU patients have a high risk of BSI, especially early after ICU admission, risk that increases with severity but not with corticosteroids use. BSI is associated with an increased mortality rate

Correction to: Characteristics and prognosis of bloodstream infection in patients with COVID‑19 admitted in the ICU: an ancillary study of the COVID‑ICU study

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Characteristics, management, and prognosis of elderly patients with COVID-19 admitted in the ICU during the first wave: insights from the COVID-ICU study

International audienceBackground: The COVID-19 pandemic is a heavy burden in terms of health care resources. Future decision-making policies require consistent data on the management and prognosis of the older patients (&gt; 70 years old) with COVID-19 admitted in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: Characteristics, management, and prognosis of critically ill old patients (&gt; 70 years) were extracted from the international prospective COVID-ICU database. A propensity score weighted-comparison evaluated the impact of intubation upon admission on Day-90 mortality. Results: The analysis included 1199 (28% of the COVID-ICU cohort) patients (median [interquartile] age 74 [72–78] years). Fifty-three percent, 31%, and 16% were 70–74, 75–79, and over 80 years old, respectively. The most frequent comorbidities were chronic hypertension (62%), diabetes (30%), and chronic respiratory disease (25%). Median Clinical Frailty Scale was 3 (2–3). Upon admission, the PaO2/FiO2 ratio was 154 (105–222). 740 (62%) patients were intubated on Day-1 and eventually 938 (78%) during their ICU stay. Overall Day-90 mortality was 46% and reached 67% among the 193 patients over 80 years old. Mortality was higher in older patients, diabetics, and those with a lower PaO2/FiO2 ratio upon admission, cardiovascular dysfunction, and a shorter time between first symptoms and ICU admission. In propensity analysis, early intubation at ICU admission was associated with a significantly higher Day-90 mortality (42% vs 28%; hazard ratio 1.68; 95% CI 1.24–2.27; p &lt; 0·001). Conclusion: Patients over 70 years old represented more than a quarter of the COVID-19 population admitted in the participating ICUs during the first wave. Day-90 mortality was 46%, with dismal outcomes reported for patients older than 80 years or those intubated upon ICU admission