Reducing reintubation and postextubation respiratory failure: improving high-flow oxygen support performance.

post-print107 K

Oxigenoterapia acondicionada de alto flujo en la prevención del fracaso de la extubación

After recovery from the pathological process that has motivated the application of mechanical ventilation (MV), its removal as early as possible is always a fundamental objective. Current extubation criteria are not optimal, as 13-15% of patients need to be reintubated and this translates into mortality rates of 25-50%. Since other therapeutic alternatives to reintubation have not shown effectiveness in post-extubation respiratory failure, it is necessary to employ preventive measures. Work on preventing extubation failure has focused on specific causes of extubation failure [Ex. laryngeal edema and hypercapnia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)] or in high-risk populations in which the benefit of the preventive role of non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) has been demonstrated. Technological advances have allowed the development of high flow conditioned oxygen therapy (OAF); an oxygen support modality that offers air conditioning up to physiological situations (37ºC and 100% relative humidity), with a flow greater than 30 L / min and an inspired fraction of oxygen (FiO2) of up to 100%.Tras la recuperación del proceso patológico que ha motivado la aplicación de la ventilación mecánica (VM), siempre es un objetivo fundamental su retirada lo más precozmente. Los criterios de extubación actuales no son óptimos, ya que un 13-15% de los pacientes necesitan ser reintubados y esto se traduce en tasas de mortalidad del 25-50%. Puesto que otras alternativas terapéuticas a la reintubación no han demostrado efectividad en el fracaso respiratorio post-extubación, es necesario emplear medidas preventivas. Los trabajos sobre prevención del fracaso de la extubación se han centrado en causas específicas del fracaso de la extubación [Ej. edema laríngeo e hipercapnia en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC)] o en poblaciones de alto riesgo en las que se ha demostrado el beneficio del papel preventivo de la ventilación mecánica no invasiva (VNI). Los avances tecnológicos han permitido el desarrollo de la oxígenoterapia acondicionada de alto flujo (OAF); una modalidad de soporte de oxígeno que ofrece aire acondicionado hasta situaciones fisiológicas (37ºC y humedad relativa del 100%), con un flujo superior a 30 L/min y una fracción inspirada de oxígeno (FiO2) de hasta 100%

Oxigenoterapia acondicionada de alto flujo en la prevención del fracaso de la extubación

Tras la recuperación del proceso patológico que ha motivado la aplicación de la ventilación mecánica (VM), siempre es un objetivo fundamental su retirada lo más precozmente. Los criterios de extubación actuales no son óptimos, ya que un 13-15% de los pacientes necesitan ser reintubados y esto se traduce en tasas de mortalidad del 25-50%. Puesto que otras alternativas terapéuticas a la reintubación no han demostrado efectividad en el fracaso respiratorio post-extubación, es necesario emplear medidas preventivas. Los trabajos sobre prevención del fracaso de la extubación se han centrado en causas específicas del fracaso de la extubación [Ej. edema laríngeo e hipercapnia en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC)] o en poblaciones de alto riesgo en las que se ha demostrado el beneficio del papel preventivo de la ventilación mecánica no invasiva (VNI). Los avances tecnológicos han permitido el desarrollo de la oxígenoterapia acondicionada de alto flujo (OAF); una modalidad de soporte de oxígeno que ofrece aire acondicionado hasta situaciones fisiológicas (37ºC y humedad relativa del 100%), con un flujo superior a 30 L/min y una fracción inspirada de oxígeno (FiO2) de hasta 100%

Benefit with preventive noninvasive ventilation in subgroups of patients at high-risk for reintubation: a post hoc analysis.

Background: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) was shown to be non-inferior to noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for preventing reintubation in a general population of high-risk patients. However, some subgroups of high-risk patients might benefit more from NIV. We aimed to determine whether the presence of many risk factors or overweight (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2) patients could have different response to any preventive therapy, NIV or HFNC in terms of reduced reintubation rate. Methods: Not pre-specified post hoc analysis of a multicentre, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial comparing NFNC and NIV to prevent reintubation in patients at risk for reintubation. The original study included patients with at least 1 risk factor for reintubation. Results: Among 604 included in the original study, 148 had a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. When adjusting for potential covariates, patients with ≥ 4 risk factors (208 patients) presented a higher risk for reintubation (OR 3.4 [95%CI 2.16–5.35]). Patients with ≥ 4 risk factors presented lower reintubation rates when treated with preventive NIV (23.9% vs 45.7%; P = 0.001). The multivariate analysis of overweight patients, adjusted for covariates, did not present a higher risk for reintubation (OR 1.37 [95%CI 0.82–2.29]). However, those overweight patients presented an increased risk for reintubation when treated with preventive HFNC (OR 2.47 [95%CI 1.18–5.15]). Conclusions: Patients with ≥ 4 risk factors for reintubation may benefit more from preventive NIV. Based on this result, HFNC may not be the optimal preventive therapy in overweight patients. Specific trials are needed to confirm these results.post-print916 K

Effect of postextubation noninvasive ventilation with active humidification vs high‑flow nasal cannula on reintubation in patients at very high risk for extubation failure: a randomized trial.

Purpose High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy was noninferior to noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for preventing reintubation in a heterogeneous population at high-risk for extubation failure. However, outcomes might differ in certain subgroups of patients. Thus, we aimed to determine whether NIV with active humidification is superior to HFNC in preventing reintubation in patients with ≥ 4 risk factors (very high risk for extubation failure). Methods Randomized controlled trial in two intensive care units in Spain (June 2020‒June 2021). Patients ready for planned extubation with ≥ 4 of the following risk factors for reintubation were included: age > 65 years, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score > 12 on extubation day, body mass index > 30, inadequate secretions management, difficult or prolonged weaning, ≥ 2 comorbidities, acute heart failure indicating mechanical ventilation, moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, airway patency problems, prolonged mechanical ventilation, or hypercapnia on finishing the spontaneous breathing trial. Patients were randomized to undergo NIV with active humidification or HFNC for 48 h after extubation. The primary outcome was reintubation rate within 7 days after extubation. Secondary outcomes included postextubation respiratory failure, respiratory infection, sepsis, multiorgan failure, length of stay, mortality, adverse events, and time to reintubation. Results Of 182 patients (mean age, 60 [standard deviation (SD), 15] years; 117 [64%] men), 92 received NIV and 90 HFNC. Reintubation was required in 21 (23.3%) patients receiving NIV vs 35 (38.8%) of those receiving HFNC (difference −15.5%; 95% confidence interval (CI) −28.3 to −1%). Hospital length of stay was lower in those patients treated with NIV (20 [12‒36.7] days vs 26.5 [15‒45] days, difference 6.5 [95%CI 0.5–21.1]). No additional differences in the other secondary outcomes were observed. Conclusions Among adult critically ill patients at very high-risk for extubation failure, NIV with active humidification was superior to HFNC for preventing reintubation.post-print1227 K

Early Tracheostomy for Managing ICU Capacity During the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Propensity-Matched Cohort Study

10 p.Background: During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, shortages of ventilators and ICU beds overwhelmed health care systems. Whether early tracheostomy reduces the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay is controversial. Research question: Can failure-free day outcomes focused on ICU resources help to decide the optimal timing of tracheostomy in overburdened health care systems during viral epidemics? Study design and methods: This retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who had undergone tracheostomy in 15 Spanish ICUs during the surge, when ICU occupancy modified clinician criteria to perform tracheostomy in Patients with COVID-19. We compared ventilator-free days at 28 and 60 days and ICU- and hospital bed-free days at 28 and 60 days in propensity score-matched cohorts who underwent tracheostomy at different timings (≤ 7 days, 8-10 days, and 11-14 days after intubation). Results: Of 1,939 patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia, 682 (35.2%) underwent tracheostomy, 382 (56%) within 14 days. Earlier tracheostomy was associated with more ventilator-free days at 28 days (≤ 7 days vs > 7 days [116 patients included in the analysis]: median, 9 days [interquartile range (IQR), 0-15 days] vs 3 days [IQR, 0-7 days]; difference between groups, 4.5 days; 95% CI, 2.3-6.7 days; 8-10 days vs > 10 days [222 patients analyzed]: 6 days [IQR, 0-10 days] vs 0 days [IQR, 0-6 days]; difference, 3.1 days; 95% CI, 1.7-4.5 days; 11-14 days vs > 14 days [318 patients analyzed]: 4 days [IQR, 0-9 days] vs 0 days [IQR, 0-2 days]; difference, 3 days; 95% CI, 2.1-3.9 days). Except hospital bed-free days at 28 days, all other end points were better with early tracheostomy. Interpretation: Optimal timing of tracheostomy may improve patient outcomes and may alleviate ICU capacity strain during the COVID-19 pandemic without increasing mortality. Tracheostomy within the first work on a ventilator in particular may improve ICU availability

Papel de la terapia con cánula nasal de alto flujo en la prevención de la reintubación en pacientes de bajo riesgos

La oxigenoterapia acondicionada de alto flujo demostró reducir la insuficiencia respiratoria post-extubación y la tasa de reintubación a las 72 horas en pacientes ventilados con bajo riesgo de reintubación. El principal beneficio de estos resultados se observó en el fracaso de la extubación por causa respiratoria

Ecology of Armillaria species on silver fir (Abies alba) in the Spanish Pyrenees

• We describe the distribution and the ecology of three Armillaria species observed in silver fir (Abies alba) forests of the Pyrenees. • We surveyed the presence and abundance of Armillaria above and belowground in 29 stands. Isolates were identified by the PCR-RFLP pattern of the IGS-1 region of their ribosomal DNA. We measured several ecological and management parameters of each stand in order to describe Armillaria infected sites. • Armillaria cepistipes was the most abundant of three species observed. Armillaria gallica was dominant in soils with a higher pH and at lower elevations. Armillaria ostoyae seemed to be more frequent in stands where A. alba recently increased its dominance relative to other forest tree species. Thinning activities correlated with an increased abundance of Armillaria belowground. In 83% of the stands the same Armillaria species was observed above and belowground. • It seems that in a conifer forest, A. cepistipes can be more frequent than A. ostoyae, a virulent conifer pathogen. Since logging is related to a higher abundance of Armillaria in the soil, the particular Armillaria species present in a given stand could be considered an additional site factor when making management decisions.Écologie des espèces d'Armillaria du sapin blanc (Abies alba) dans les Pyrénées espagnoles. • Nous décrivons la distribution et l'écologie de trois espèces d'Armillaria sur le sapin blanc (Abies alba) dans les forêts pyrénéennes • Nous avons recherché la présence d'Armillaire au dessus du sol et dans le sol dans 29 peuplements. Les isolats ont été identifiés par RFLP-PCR de la région IGS-1 de leur ADN ribosomal. Plusieurs paramètres écologiques et de gestion ont été mesurés dans chacun des peuplements, pour caractériser les sites infestés. • Armillaria cepistipes était la plus abondante des trois espèces observées. Armillaria gallica dominait dans les sols de basse altitude et à pH élevé. Armillaria ostoyae a semblé plus fréquent dans les peuplements où la dominance relative d'A. alba avait récemment augmenté par rapport aux autres espèces forestières. L'activité d'éclaircies était corrélée à l'augmentation d'Armillaire dans le sol. La même espèce d'Armillaria a été observée au dessus du sol et dans le sol, dans 83 % des peuplements. • Il apparaît que, en forêt de conifères, A. cepistipes peut être plus fréquent qu' A. ostoyae, pathogène virulent des conifères. Puisque les coupes forestières sont reliées à une plus grande abondance d'Armillaire dans le sol, la présence d'une espèce particulière d'Armillaria dans un peuplement donné pourrait être un paramètre stationnel supplémentaire à considérer lors de décisions de gestion