Predictors for expired CO2 in neonatal bag-mask ventilation at birth: observational study

Background: Expired carbon dioxide (ECO2) indicates degree of lung aeration immediately after birth. Favourable ventilation techniques may be associated with higher ECO2 and a faster increase. Clinical condition will however also affect measured values. The aim of this study was to explore the relative impact of ventilation factors and clinical factors on ECO2 during bag-mask ventilation of near-term newborns. Methods: Observational study performed in a Tanzanian rural hospital. Side-stream measures of ECO2, ventilation data, heart rate and clinical information were recorded in 434 bag-mask ventilated newborns with initial heart rate \u3c120 beats per minute. We studied ECO2 by clinical factors (birth weight, Apgar scores and initial heart rate) and ventilation factors (expired tidal volume, ventilation frequency, mask leak and inflation pressure) in random intercept models and Cox regression for time to ECO2 \u3e2%. Results: ECO2 rose non-linearly with increasing expired tidal volume up to \u3e10 mL/kg, and sufficient tidal volume was critical for the time to reach ECO2 \u3e2%. Ventilation frequency around 30/min was associated with the highest ECO2. Higher birth weight, Apgar scores and initial heart rate were weak, but significant predictors for higher ECO2. Ventilation factors explained 31% of the variation in ECO2 compared with 11% for clinical factors. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that higher tidal volumes than currently recommended and a low ventilation frequency around 30/min are associated with improved lung aeration during newborn resuscitation. Low ECO2 may be used to identify unfavourable ventilation technique. Clinical factors are also associated with persistently low ECO2 and must be accounted for in the interpretation

Increased perinatal survival and improved ventilation skills over a five-year period: An observational study.

Background and aimThe Helping Babies Breathe program gave major reductions in perinatal mortality in Tanzania from 2009 to 2012. We aimed to study whether this effect was sustained, and whether resuscitation skills changed with continued frequent training.MethodsWe analysed prospective data covering all births (n = 19,571) at Haydom Lutheran Hospital in Tanzania from July 2013 -June 2018. Resuscitation training was continued during this period. All deliveries were monitored by an observer recording the timing of events and resuscitation interventions. Heart rate was recorded by dry-electrode ECG and bag-mask-ventilation by sensors attached to the resuscitator device. We analyzed changes over time in outcomes, use of resuscitation interventions and performance of resuscitation using binary regression models with the log-link function to obtain adjusted relative risks.ResultsWith introduction of user fees for deliveries since 2014, the number of deliveries decreased by 30% from start to the end of the five-year period. An increase in low heart rate at birth and need for bag-mask-ventilation indicate a gradual selection of more vulnerable newborns delivered in the hospital over time. Despite this selection, newborn deaths ConclusionThe reduction in 24-hour newborn mortality after introduction of Helping Babies Breathe was maintained, and a further decrease over the five-year period was evident when analyses were adjusted for vulnerability of the newborns. Perinatal survival and performance of ventilation were significantly improved

Increased perinatal survival and improved ventilation skills over a five-year period: An observational study

Background and aimThe Helping Babies Breathe program gave major reductions in perinatal mortality in Tanzania from 2009 to 2012. We aimed to study whether this effect was sustained, and whether resuscitation skills changed with continued frequent training.MethodsWe analysed prospective data covering all births (n = 19,571) at Haydom Lutheran Hospital in Tanzania from July 2013 -June 2018. Resuscitation training was continued during this period. All deliveries were monitored by an observer recording the timing of events and resuscitation interventions. Heart rate was recorded by dry-electrode ECG and bag-mask-ventilation by sensors attached to the resuscitator device. We analyzed changes over time in outcomes, use of resuscitation interventions and performance of resuscitation using binary regression models with the log-link function to obtain adjusted relative risks.ResultsWith introduction of user fees for deliveries since 2014, the number of deliveries decreased by 30% from start to the end of the five-year period. An increase in low heart rate at birth and need for bag-mask-ventilation indicate a gradual selection of more vulnerable newborns delivered in the hospital over time. Despite this selection, newborn deaths ConclusionThe reduction in 24-hour newborn mortality after introduction of Helping Babies Breathe was maintained, and a further decrease over the five-year period was evident when analyses were adjusted for vulnerability of the newborns. Perinatal survival and performance of ventilation were significantly improved

Born not breathing: A randomised trial comparing two self-inflating bag-masks during newborn resuscitation in Tanzania

Aims Effective ventilation is crucial to save non-breathing newborns. We compared standard equipment for newborn resuscitation to a new Upright bag, in an area with high neonatal mortality. Methods Newborns requiring resuscitation at Haydom Lutheran Hospital, Tanzania, were ventilated with 230 ml standard or 320 ml Upright bag-mask by weekly non-blinded block randomisation. A Laerdal Newborn Resuscitation Monitor collected ventilation data through a flow sensor between mask and bag and heart rate with electrocardiography electrodes. Primary outcome was expiratory tidal volume per birth weight. Results Of 6110 babies born, 136 randomised to standard bag-mask and 192 to Upright, both groups had similar birth weight, gestational age, Apgar scores, gender, and mode of delivery. Compared to standard bag-mask, Upright gave higher median expiratory tidal volume (8.6 ml/kg (IQR: 3.5–13.8) vs. 10.0 ml/kg (IQR: 4.3–16.8) difference ratio 1.29, 95%CI 1.05, 1.58, p = 0.014)), increased mean airway and peak inspiratory pressures, and higher early expired CO2 (median at 20 s 4.2% vs. 3.2%, p = 0.0099). Clinical outcome 30 min post-delivery was normal in 44% with standard versus 57% with Upright (p = 0.016), but similar at 24 h. Conclusion and relevance Upright provided higher expired tidal volume, MAP, PIP and early ECO2 than the standard bag. Clinical outcome differed at 30 min, but not at 24 h. Larger volume of Upright than standard bag can be an important factor. The results are relevant for low- and high-income settings as ventilatory and heart rate parameters during resuscitation of newborns are rarely reported. Trial registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01869582

Positive End-Expiratory Pressure in Newborn Resuscitation Around Term: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: International guidelines for resuscitation recommend using positive end-expiatory pressure (PEEP) during ventilation of preterm newborns. Reliable PEEP-valves for self-inflating bags have been lacking, and effects of PEEP during resuscitation of term newborns are insufficiently studied. The objective was to determine if adding a new PEEP valve to the bag-mask during resuscitation of term and near-term newborns could improve heart rate response. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was performed at Haydom Lutheran Hospital in Tanzania (September 2016 to June 2018). Helping Babies Breathe–trained midwives performed newborn resuscitation using self-inflating bags with or without a new, integrated PEEP valve. All live-born newborns who received bag-mask ventilation at birth were eligible. Heart rate response measured by ECG was the primary outcome, and clinical outcome and ventilation data were recorded. RESULTS: Among 417 included newborns (median birth weight 3200 g), 206 were ventilated without and 211 with PEEP. We found no difference in heart rate response. Median (interquartile range) measured PEEP in the PEEP group was 4.7 (2.0–5.6) millibar. The PEEP group received lower tidal volumes (4.9 [1.9–8.2] vs 6.3 [3.9–10.5] mL/kg; P = .02) and had borderline lower expired CO2 (2.9 [1.5–4.3] vs 3.3 [1.9–5.0] %; P = .05). Twenty four-hour mortality was 9% in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence for improved heart rate response during bag-mask ventilation with PEEP compared with no PEEP. The PEEP valve delivered a median PEEP within the intended range. The findings do not support routine use of PEEP during resuscitation of newborns around term

Komplikasjoner og dødelighet blant pasienter innlagt med covid-19

BAKGRUNN Sykdomsforløp, komplikasjoner og sykehusdødelighet blant pasienter med covid-19 innlagt ved norske sykehus er lite beskrevet. Formålet med denne studien var å kartlegge pasienter med covid-19 innlagt ved et lokalsykehus. MATERIALE OG METODE Dataene er hentet fra en prospektiv observasjonell kvalitetsstudie av alle pasienter innlagt med covid-19 på Bærum sykehus siden starten av koronavirusutbruddet. RESULTATER I alt 73 pasienter med covid-19 innlagt i perioden 9.3.2020–7.5.2020 ble inkludert. Gjennomsnittsalderen var 67,9 år, og 43 pasienter (59 %) var menn. Gjennomsnittlig antall liggedøgn på sykehus var 10,1. I alt hadde 19 pasienter (26 %) et svært alvorlig forløp, og 14 (19 %) døde under sykehusoppholdet. Gjennomsnittsalderen blant pasientene som døde, var 79,5 år. Totalt 49 pasienter (67 %) hadde hypoksemi og behov for oksygenbehandling i gjennomsnittlig 10,1 dager. Av disse fikk 9 pasienter invasiv respirasjonsstøtte i median 18 dager. Symptomer på delirium forekom hos 26 pasienter (36 %) og var den hyppigste ikke-respiratoriske komplikasjonen. FORTOLKNING De fleste pasientene innlagt på sykehus med covid-19 hadde behov for langvarig oksygenbehandling, og det var høy forekomst av alvorlige komplikasjoner

Tre bølger med covid-19 på et norsk lokalsykehus

BAKGRUNN Formålet med artikkelen er å oppsummere sykdomsforløp og behandling for pasienter med covid-19 innlagt på Bærum sykehus siden starten av pandemien. MATERIALE OG METODE Vi presenterer data fra en prospektiv observasjonsstudie med mål om å systematisere kunnskap om pasienter innlagt på grunn av covid-19. Alle pasienter innlagt på Bærum sykehus til og med 28.6.2021 ble inkludert. Resultatene presenteres for tre bølger av sykehusinnleggelser: 9.3.–23.6.2020, 21.9.2020–28.2.2021 og 1.3.–28.6.2021. RESULTATER I alt 300 pasienter, fordelt på hhv. 77, 101 og 122 i de tre bølgene, var innlagt på grunn av covid-19. Antallet som døde under sykehusoppholdet i de tre bølgene, var hhv. 14 (18 %), 11 (11 %) og 5 (4 %). Gjennomsnittsalderen for innlagte var 67,6 år i første bølge og 53,3 år i tredje bølge. Totalt 204 pasienter (68 %) fikk oksygenbehandling eller ventilasjonsstøtte, og 31 av disse (10 % av alle pasientene) fikk invasiv ventilasjonsstøtte. Ikke-invasiv ventilasjonsstøtte ble brukt som høyeste nivå av behandling hos hhv. 4 (8 %), 9 (13 %) og 17 (20 %) pasienter med respirasjonssvikt i de tre bølgene. I andre og tredje bølge fikk 125 av 152 pasienter med respirasjonssvikt (82 %) behandling med deksametason. FORTOLKNING Forskjeller i pasientkarakteristika og endringer i behandling, som i bruk av deksametason og ikke-invasiv ventilasjonsstøtte, kan ha bidratt til at dødeligheten tilsynelatende sank fra første til tredje bølge. Forhold som ikke er registrert i studien, slik som vaksinasjonsstatus, kan også ha påvirket dødeligheten

Efficacy and safety of baricitinib in hospitalized adults with severe or critical COVID-19 (Bari-SolidAct): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial

International audienceAbstract Background Baricitinib has shown efficacy in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, but no placebo-controlled trials have focused specifically on severe/critical COVID, including vaccinated participants. Methods Bari-SolidAct is a phase-3, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, enrolling participants from June 3, 2021 to March 7, 2022, stopped prematurely for external evidence. Patients with severe/critical COVID-19 were randomised to Baricitinib 4 mg once daily or placebo, added to standard of care. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality within 60 days. Participants were remotely followed to day 90 for safety and patient related outcome measures. Results Two hundred ninety-nine patients were screened, 284 randomised, and 275 received study drug or placebo and were included in the modified intent-to-treat analyses (139 receiving baricitinib and 136 placebo). Median age was 60 (IQR 49–69) years, 77% were male and 35% had received at least one dose of SARS-CoV2 vaccine. There were 21 deaths at day 60 in each group, 15.1% in the baricitinib group and 15.4% in the placebo group (adjusted absolute difference and 95% CI − 0.1% [− 8·3 to 8·0]). In sensitivity analysis censoring observations after drug discontinuation or rescue therapy (tocilizumab/increased steroid dose), proportions of death were 5.8% versus 8.8% (− 3.2% [− 9.0 to 2.7]), respectively. There were 148 serious adverse events in 46 participants (33.1%) receiving baricitinib and 155 in 51 participants (37.5%) receiving placebo. In subgroup analyses, there was a potential interaction between vaccination status and treatment allocation on 60-day mortality. In a subsequent post hoc analysis there was a significant interaction between vaccination status and treatment allocation on the occurrence of serious adverse events, with more respiratory complications and severe infections in vaccinated participants treated with baricitinib. Vaccinated participants were on average 11 years older, with more comorbidities. Conclusion This clinical trial was prematurely stopped for external evidence and therefore underpowered to conclude on a potential survival benefit of baricitinib in severe/critical COVID-19. We observed a possible safety signal in vaccinated participants, who were older with more comorbidities. Although based on a post-hoc analysis, these findings warrant further investigation in other trials and real-world studies. Trial registration Bari-SolidAct is registered at NCT04891133 (registered May 18, 2021) and EUClinicalTrials.eu ( 2022-500385-99-00 )