Re-inspiration of CO2 from ventilator circuit: effects of circuit flushing and aspiration of dead space up to high respiratory rate

Abstract Introduction: Dead space negatively influences carbon dioxide (CO2) elimination, particularly at high respiratory rates (RR) used at low tidal volume ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Aspiration of dead space (ASPIDS), a known method for dead space reduction, comprises two mechanisms activated during late expiration: aspiration of gas from the tip of the tracheal tube and gas injection through the inspiratory line - circuit flushing. The objective was to study the efficiency of circuit flushing alone and of ASPIDS at wide combinations of RR and tidal volume (VT) in anaesthetized pigs. The hypothesis was tested that circuit flushing and ASPIDS are particularly efficient at high RR. Methods: In Part 1 of the study, RR and VT were, with a computer-controlled ventilator, modified for one breath at a time without changing minute ventilation. Proximal dead space in a y-piece and ventilator tubing (VDaw,prox) was measured. In part two, changes in CO2 partial pressure (PaCO2) during prolonged periods of circuit flushing and ASPIDS were studied at RR 20, 40 and 60 minutes-1. Results: In Part 1, VDaw,prox was 7.6 ± 0.5% of VT at RR 10 minutes 1 and 16 ± 2.5% at RR 60 minutes 1. In Part 2, circuit flushing reduced PaCO2 by 20% at RR 40 minutes 1 and by 26% at RR 60 minutes 1. ASPIDS reduced PaCO2 by 33% at RR 40 minutes 1 and by 41% at RR 60 minutes 1. Conclusions: At high RR, re-breathing of CO2 from the y-piece and tubing becomes important. Circuit flushing and ASPIDS, which significantly reduce tubing dead space and PaCO2, merit further clinical studies

Dopamine use in intensive care: are we ready to turn it down?

Dopamine is still frequently used as a first line vasopressor agent in hypotensive patients, when physicians are afraid of noradrenaline and believe that dopamine, with its β and α, inotrope and vasopressor effects, may be helpful. Evidence exists that it does not offer protection from renal failure, even if at low doses (0, 3-5 mcg/Kg/min) it may exert its effects on D1 and D2 receptors resulting in natriuresis and renal vasodilation, augmentation in renal blood flow, and diuresis. The effects of dopamine on gastrointestinal system and splanchnic perfusion in critical care patients are even more controversial, since they seem to be at least partially dependent on the initial fractional splanchnic blood flow. Dopamine may exert deleterious effects on respiratory function, by impairing the ventilatory drive response to hypoxemia and hypercapnia and reducing arterial oxygen saturation through a regional ventilation/perfusion mismatching. Dopamine seems to affect the cellular mediated mechanism of the immune function directly by its action on receptors located on immune system cells and indirectly altering the hormonal response regulating immune response. In this paper, the use of low dose dopamine is discussed in the intensive care perspective

Clinical nutrition issues in 2022: What is missing to trust supplemental parenteral nutrition (SPN) in ICU patients?

Clinical nutrition; Intensive care unit; Nutrition careNutrició clínica; Unitat de cures intensives; Cura de la nutricióNutrición Clínica; Unidad de cuidados intensivos; Cuidado de la nutriciónA multidisciplinary group of international physicians involved in the medical nutrition therapy (MNT) of adult critically ill patients met to discuss the value, role, and open questions regarding supplemental parenteral nutrition (SPN) along with oral or enteral nutrition (EN), particularly in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. This manuscript summarizes the discussions and results to highlight the importance of SPN as part of a comprehensive approach to MNT in critically ill adults and for researchers to generate new evidence based on well-powered randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The experts agreed on several key points: SPN has shown clinical benefits, resulting in this strategy being included in American and European guidelines. Nevertheless, its use is heterogeneous across European countries, due to the persistence of uncertainties, such as the optimal timing and the risk of overfeeding in absence of indirect calorimetry (IC), which results in divergent opinions and barriers to SPN implementation. Education is also insufficient. The experts agreed on actions needed to increase evidence quality on SPN use in specific patients at a given time point during acute critical illness or recovery.The organization of the Virtual Meeting that motivated this publication was funded by Baxter Healthcare SA. The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. MPC receives funding from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) (Grant No. 1832817N) and Onderzoeksraad, KU Leuven (Grant No. C24/17/070) and from the Private Charity Organization “Help Brandwonden Kids

Clinical nutrition issues in 2022: What is missing to trust supplemental parenteral nutrition (SPN) in ICU patients?

A multidisciplinary group of international physicians involved in the medical nutrition therapy (MNT) of adult critically ill patients met to discuss the value, role, and open questions regarding supplemental parenteral nutrition (SPN) along with oral or enteral nutrition (EN), particularly in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. This manuscript summarizes the discussions and results to highlight the importance of SPN as part of a comprehensive approach to MNT in critically ill adults and for researchers to generate new evidence based on well-powered randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The experts agreed on several key points: SPN has shown clinical benefts, resulting in this strategy being included in American and European guidelines. Nevertheless, its use is heterogeneous across European countries, due to the persistence of uncertainties, such as the optimal timing and the risk of overfeeding in absence of indirect calorimetry (IC), which results in divergent opinions and barriers to SPN implementation. Education is also insufcient. The experts agreed on actions needed to increase evidence quality on SPN use in specifc patients at a given time point during acute critical illness or recovery.MPC receives funding from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) (Grant No. 1832817N) and Onderzoeksraad, KU Leuven (Grant No. C24/17/070) and from the Private Charity Organization “Help Brandwonden Kids.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effect of Immuno-Nutrition on Malnutrition, Inflammatory Response and Clinical Course of Semi-Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: A Pilot Perspective Study

Background: The SARS-COV 2 pandemic has hit on our lives since early 2020. During different contagion waves, both malnutrition and overweight significantly correlated with patient mortality. Immune-nutrition (IN) has shown promising results in the clinical course of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and in both the rate of extubation and mortality of patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Thus, we wanted to assess the effects of IN on a clinical course of patients admitted to a semi-intensive COVID-19 Unit during the fourth wave of contagion that occurred at the end of 2021. Methods: we prospectively enrolled patients admitted to the semi-intensive COVID-19 Unit of San Benedetto General hospital. All patients had a biochemical, anthropometric, high-resolution tomography chest scan (HRCT) and complete nutritional assessments at the time of admission, after oral administration of immune-nutrition (IN) formula, and at 15 days interval follow-up. Results: we enrolled 34 consecutive patients (age 70.3 +/- 5.4 years, 6 F, BMI 27.0 +/- 0.5 kg/m(2)). Main comorbidities were diabetes (20%, type 2 90 %), hyperuricemia (15%), hypertension (38%), chronic ischemic heart disease (8 %), COPD (8%), anxiety syndrome (5%), and depression (5%). 58% of patients were affected as moderately-to-severely overweight; mini nutritional assessment (MNA) score (4.8 +/- 0.7) and phase angle (PA) values (3.8 +/- 0.5) suggestive of malnutrition were present in 15% of patients, mainly with a history of cancer. After 15 days upon admission, we recorded 3 deaths (mean age 75.7 +/- 5.1 years, BMI 26.3 +/- 0.7 kg/m(2)) and 4 patients were admitted to the ICU. Following IN formula administration, inflammatory markers significantly decreased (p < 0.05) while BMI and PA did not worsen. These latter findings were not observed in a historical control group that did not receive IN. Only one patient needed protein-rich formula administration. Conclusions: in this overweight COVID-19 population immune-nutrition prevented malnutrition development with a significant decrease of inflammatory markers

Prognostic differences between VAP caused by Acinetobacter baumannii and VAP caused by other microorganisms

Nosocomial infection, in particular pneumonia, is an important risk factor for hospital mortality and morbidity. Acinetobacter baumannii is a common multi-resistant microorganism responsible of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP). Currently Colistin is a rescue therapy for this pathogen. The purpose of this study is to compare the outcome of VAP caused by Acinetobacter baumannii and VAP by other microorganisms in critical patients. Comorbidity, prognostic scores, mortality and eradication frequency did not turn out significantly different between the two study groups. Colistin safety was tested

Effect of Whey Proteins on Malnutrition and Extubating Time of Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients

none13Abstract: The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to a severe pandemic, starting from early 2020. Intensive care (ICU) management of the COVID-19 disease is difficult with high morbidity and mortality. Early nutritional support, especially with whey protein, seems to be crucial in this medical case. Thus, we aimed to assess the effects of an adequate nutritional protocol rich in whey protein on nutritional and inflammatory status, extubating time, and mortality of critically ill COVID-19 patients (CICP). Methods: A prospective single-center exploratory observational study was undertaken on 32 consecutive CICP admitted to the ICU of Santa Maria Hospital, Terni, Italy, and treated with whey protein-enriched formula. Patients’ demographics, nutritional status, indexes of inflammation, daily pre-albumin serum levels, duration of mechanical ventilation, and mortality were recorded. Results: Thirty-two patients were enrolled. Ninety-five percent of them showed a gradual reduction in C-reactive protein (CRP) values and increase in pre-albumin levels after the whey protein-enriched formula. Prealbumin levels were not correlated with a better nutritional status but with a shorter extubating time and better survival. Conclusions: An adequate administration of whey protein during COVID-19 patients’ ICU stays can provide fast achievement of protein targets, reducing the duration of mechanical ventilation, and improving inflammatory status and ICU survival. Further prospective and large-scale, controlled studies are needed to confirm these results.openScarcella, Marialaura; Scarpellini, Emidio; Ascani, Alessandra; Commissari, Rita; Scorcella, Claudia; Zanetti, Michela; Parisi, Amilcare; Monti, Riccardo; Milic, Natasa; Donati, Abele; Luzza, Francesco; De Robertis, Edoardo; Abenavoli, LudovicoScarcella, Marialaura; Scarpellini, Emidio; Ascani, Alessandra; Commissari, Rita; Scorcella, Claudia; Zanetti, Michela; Parisi, Amilcare; Monti, Riccardo; Milic, Natasa; Donati, Abele; Luzza, Francesco; De Robertis, Edoardo; Abenavoli, Ludovic