POStoperative INTELLiVENT-adaptive support VEntilation in cardiac surgery patients (POSITiVE) II-study protocol of a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: One single-center randomized clinical trial showed that INTELLiVENT-adaptive support ventilation (ASV) is superior to conventional ventilation with respect to the quality of ventilation in post-cardiac surgery patients. Other studies showed that this automated ventilation mode reduces the number of manual interventions at the ventilator in various types of critically ill patients. In this multicenter study in patients post-cardiac surgery, we test the hypothesis that INTELLiVENT-ASV is superior to conventional ventilation with respect to the quality of ventilation. METHODS: "POStoperative INTELLiVENT-adaptive support VEntilation in cardiac surgery patients II (POSITiVE II)" is an international, multicenter, two-group randomized clinical superiority trial. In total, 328 cardiac surgery patients will be randomized. Investigators screen patients aged > 18 years of age, scheduled for elective cardiac surgery, and expected to receive postoperative ventilation in the ICU for longer than 2 h. Patients either receive automated ventilation by means of INTELLiVENT-ASV or ventilation that is not automated by means of a conventional ventilation mode. The primary endpoint is quality of ventilation, defined as the proportion of postoperative ventilation time characterized by exposure to predefined optimal, acceptable, and critical (injurious) ventilatory parameters in the first two postoperative hours. One major secondary endpoint is ICU team staff workload, captured by the ventilator software collecting manual settings on alarms. Patient-centered endpoints include duration of postoperative ventilation and length of stay in ICU. DISCUSSION: POSITiVE II is the first international, multicenter, randomized clinical trial designed to confirm that POStoperative INTELLiVENT-ASV is superior to non-automated conventional ventilation and secondary to determine if this closed-loop ventilation mode reduces ICU team staff workload. The results of POSITiVE II will support intensive care teams in their choices regarding the use of automated ventilation in postoperative care of uncomplicated cardiac surgery patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT06178510 . Registered on December 4, 2023.

Hemolysis Index Correlations with Plasma-Free Hemoglobin and Plasma Lactate Dehydrogenase in Critically Ill Patients under Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation or Mechanical Circulatory Support-A Single-Center Study.

Monitoring for thrombosis and hemolysis is crucial for patients under extracorporeal or mechanical circulatory support, but it can be costly. We investigated correlations between hemolysis index (HI) and plasma-free hemoglobin (PFH) levels on one hand, and between the HI and plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels on the other, in critically ill patients with and without extracorporeal or mechanical circulatory support. Additionally, we calculated the cost reductions if monitoring through HI were to replace monitoring through PFH or plasma LDH. In a single-center study, HI was compared with PFH and plasma LDH levels in blood samples taken for routine purposes in critically ill patients with and without extracorporeal or mechanical circulatory support. A cost analysis, restricted to direct costs associated with each measurement, was made for an average 10-bed ICU. This study included 147 patients: 56 patients with extracorporeal or mechanical circulatory support (450 measurements) and 91 patients without extracorporeal or mechanical circulatory support (562 measurements). The HI correlated well with PFH levels (r = 0.96; p < 0.01) and poorly with plasma LDH levels (r = 0.07; p < 0.01) in patients with extracorporeal or mechanical circulatory support. Similarly, HI correlated well with PFH levels (r = 0.97; p < 0.01) and poorly with plasma LDH levels (r = -0.04; p = 0.39) in patients without extracorporeal or mechanical circulatory support. ROC analyses demonstrated a strong performance of HI, with the curve indicating excellent discrimination in the whole cohort (area under the ROC of 0.969) as well as in patients under ECMO or mechanical circulatory support (area under the ROC of 0.988). Although the negative predictive value of HI for predicting PFH levels > 10 mg/dL was high, its positive predictive value was found to be poor at various cutoffs. A simple cost analysis showed substantial cost reduction if HI were to replace PFH or plasma LDH for hemolysis monitoring. In conclusion, in this cohort of critically ill patients with and without extracorporeal or mechanical circulatory support, HI correlated well with PFH levels, but poorly with plasma LDH levels. Given the high correlation and substantial cost reductions, a strategy utilizing HI may be preferable for monitoring for hemolysis compared to monitoring strategies based on PFH or plasma LDH. The PPV of HI, however, is unacceptably low to be used as a diagnostic test.

Effects of lung inflammation and injury on pulmonary tissue penetration of meropenem and vancomycin in a model of unilateral lung injury.

OBJECTIVE: The timing and dosing of antimicrobial therapy are key in the treatment of pneumonia in critically ill patients. It is uncertain whether the presence of lung inflammation and injury affects tissue penetration of intravenously administered antimicrobial drugs. The effects of lung inflammation and injury on tissue penetration of two antimicrobial drugs commonly used for pneumonia were determined in an established model of unilateral lung injury. METHODS: Unilateral lung injury was induced in the left lung of 13 healthy pigs through cyclic rinsing; the right healthy lung served as control. Infusions of meropenem and vancomycin were administered and concentrations of these drugs in lung tissue, blood, and epithelial lining fluid (ELF) were compared over a period of 6 h. RESULTS: Median vancomycin lung tissue concentrations and penetration ratio were higher in inflamed and injured lungs compared with uninflamed and uninjured lungs (AUC0-6h: P = 0.003 and AUCdialysate/AUCplasma ratio: P = 0.003), resulting in higher AUC0-24/MIC. Median meropenem lung tissue concentrations and penetration ratio in inflamed and injured lungs did not differ from that in uninflamed and uninjured lungs (AUC0-6: P = 0.094 and AUCdialysate/AUCplasma ratio: P = 0.173). The penetration ratio for both vancomycin and meropenem into ELF was similar in injured and uninjured lungs. CONCLUSION: Vancomycin penetration into lung tissue is enhanced by acute inflammation and injury, a phenomenon barely evident with meropenem. Therefore, inflammation in lung tissue influences the penetration into interstitial lung tissue, depending on the chosen antimicrobial drug. Measurement of ELF levels alone might not identify the impact of inflammation and injury.

Effects of closed loop ventilation on ventilator settings, patient outcomes and ICU staff workloads - a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Lung protective ventilation is considered standard of care in the intensive care unit. However, modifying the ventilator settings can be challenging and is time consuming. Closed loop modes of ventilation are increasingly attractive for use in critically ill patients. With closed loop ventilation, settings that are typically managed by the ICU professionals are under control of the ventilator's algorithms. OBJECTIVES: To describe the effectiveness, safety, efficacy and workload with currently available closed loop ventilation modes. DESIGN: Systematic review of randomised clinical trials. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive systematic search in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central register of Controlled Trials search was performed in January 2023. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Randomised clinical trials that compared closed loop ventilation with conventional ventilation modes and reported on effectiveness, safety, efficacy or workload. RESULTS: The search identified 51 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Closed loop ventilation, when compared with conventional ventilation, demonstrates enhanced management of crucial ventilator variables and parameters essential for lung protection across diverse patient cohorts. Adverse events were seldom reported. Several studies indicate potential improvements in patient outcomes with closed loop ventilation; however, it is worth noting that these studies might have been underpowered to conclusively demonstrate such benefits. Closed loop ventilation resulted in a reduction of various aspects associated with the workload of ICU professionals but there have been no studies that studied workload in sufficient detail. CONCLUSIONS: Closed loop ventilation modes are at least as effective in choosing correct ventilator settings as ventilation performed by ICU professionals and have the potential to reduce the workload related to ventilation. Nevertheless, there is a lack of sufficient research to comprehensively assess the overall impact of these modes on patient outcomes, and on the workload of ICU staff.

Different ventilation intensities among various categories of patients ventilated for reasons other than ARDS--A pooled analysis of 4 observational studies.

PURPOSE: We investigated driving pressure (ΔP) and mechanical power (MP) and associations with clinical outcomes in critically ill patients ventilated for reasons other than ARDS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Individual patient data analysis of a pooled database that included patients from four observational studies of ventilation. ΔP and MP were compared among invasively ventilated non-ARDS patients with sepsis, with pneumonia, and not having sepsis or pneumonia. The primary endpoint was ΔP; secondary endpoints included MP, ICU mortality and length of stay, and duration of ventilation. RESULTS: This analysis included 372 (11%) sepsis patients, 944 (28%) pneumonia patients, and 2040 (61%) patients ventilated for any other reason. On day 1, median ΔP was higher in sepsis (14 [11-18] cmH2O) and pneumonia patients (14 [11-18]cmH2O), as compared to patients not having sepsis or pneumonia (13 [10-16] cmH2O) (P < 0.001). Median MP was also higher in sepsis and pneumonia patients. ΔP, as opposed to MP, was associated with ICU mortality in sepsis and pneumonia patients. CONCLUSIONS: The intensity of ventilation differed between patients with sepsis or pneumonia and patients receiving ventilation for any other reason; ΔP was associated with higher mortality in sepsis and pneumonia patients. REGISTRATION: This post hoc analysis was not registered; the individual studies that were merged into the used database were registered at clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01268410 (ERICC), NCT02010073 (LUNG SAFE), NCT01868321 (PRoVENT), and NCT03188770 (PRoVENT-iMiC).

Antimicrobial Drug Penetration Is Enhanced by Lung Tissue Inflammation and Injury.

Rationale: Pneumonia is a frequent and feared complication in intubated critically ill patients. Tissue concentrations of antimicrobial drugs need to be sufficiently high to treat the infection and also prevent development of bacterial resistance. It is uncertain whether pulmonary inflammation and injury affect antimicrobial drug penetration into lung tissue.Objectives: To determine and compare tissue and BAL fluid concentrations of ceftaroline fosamil and linezolid in a model of unilateral acute lung injury in pigs and to evaluate whether dose adjustment is necessary to reach sufficient antimicrobial concentrations in injured lung tissue.Methods: After induction of unilateral acute lung injury, ceftaroline fosamil and linezolid were administered intravenously. Drug concentrations were measured in lung tissue through microdialysis and in blood and BAL fluid samples during the following 8 hours. The primary endpoint was the tissue concentration area under the concentration curve in the first 8 hours (AUC0-8 h) of the two antimicrobial drugs.Measurements and Main Results: In 10 pigs, antimicrobial drug concentrations were higher in inflamed and injured lung tissue compared with those in uninflamed and uninjured lung tissue (median ceftaroline fosamil AUC0-8 h [and interquartile range] = 26.7 mg ⋅ h ⋅ L-1 [19.7-39.0] vs. 16.0 mg ⋅ h ⋅ L-1 [13.6-19.9], P = 0.02; median linezolid AUC0-8 h 76.0 mg ⋅ h ⋅ L-1 [68.1-96.0] vs. 54.6 mg ⋅ h ⋅ L-1 [42.7-60.9], P = 0.01), resulting in a longer time above the minimal inhibitory concentration and in higher peak concentrations and dialysate/plasma ratios. Penetration into BAL fluid was excellent for both antimicrobials, but without left-to-right differences (ceftaroline fosamil, P = 0.78; linezolid, P = 1.00).Conclusions: Tissue penetration of two commonly used antimicrobial drugs for pneumonia is enhanced by early lung tissue inflammation and injury, resulting in longer times above the minimal inhibitory concentration. Thus, lung tissue inflammation ameliorates antimicrobial drug penetration during the acute phase.

Identifying High-Risk Patients for Severe Pulmonary Complications after Cardiosurgical Procedures as a Target Group for Further Assessment of Lung-Protective Strategies.

OBJECTIVES: It remains unclear whether intraoperative lung-protective strategies can reduce the rate of respiratory complications after cardiac surgery, partly because low-risk patients have been studied in the past. The authors established a screening model to easily identify a high-risk group for severe pulmonary complications (ie, pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome) that may be the ideal target population for the assessment of the potential benefits of such measures. DESIGN: Retrospective observational trial. SETTING: Departments of cardiac surgery and cardiac anesthesia of a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass and subsequent treatment at a dedicated cardiosurgical intensive care unit between January 2019 and March 2021. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 2,572 patients undergoing surgery, 84 (3.3%) developed pneumonia/acute respiratory distress syndrome that significantly affected the outcome (ie, longer ventilatory support [66% vs 11%], higher reintubation rate [39% vs 3%]), prolonged length of intensive care unit [33 ± 36 vs 4 ± 10 days] and hospital stay [10 ± 15 vs 6 ± 7 days], and higher in-hospital [43% vs 9%] as well as 30-day [7% vs 3%] mortality). The screening model for severe pulmonary complications included left ventricular ejection fraction <52%, EuroSCORE II (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II) >5.9, cardiopulmonary bypass time >123 minutes, left ventricular assist device or aortic repair surgery, and bronchodilatory therapy. A cutoff for the predicted risk of 2.5% showed optimal sensitivity and specificity, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.82. CONCLUSIONS: The authors suggest that future research on intraoperative lung-protective measures focuses on this high-risk population, primarily aiming to mitigate severe forms of postoperative pulmonary dysfunction associated with poor outcomes and increased resource consumption.

Anesthetic practice during cardiac implantable electronic device implant procedures: A retrospective, single-center study.

Objectives: Data on anesthetic proceedings during cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implant procedures are scarce and it remains unclear whether anesthetic care is still required in selected patients. Methods: In this retrospective, single center study we assessed the prevalence of intraoperative anesthetic management comprising anesthetic standby, sedation or general anesthesia as well as anesthetic and procedural complications. We analyzed pre-existing and perioperative risk factors related to procedure-related adverse outcome such as perioperative cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and 30-day mortality in a uni- and multivariable analysis. Results: In total, PM and ICD insertion were performed in up to 85% and 58% under anesthetic standby, with an increasing tendency over time.Overall, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was required in 59 patients. Acute heart failure (AHF) was the only independent pre-existing risk factor for CPR and for 30-day mortality. Sedation and general anesthesia had a significantly increased odds ratio for CPR compared to anesthetic standby. The risk for CPR significantly decreased during the study period. Conclusions: Over the years anesthetic practice during CIED implant procedures shifted from mixed anesthetic proceedings to mainly standby duties. The prevalence of complications and emergency measures is low, however not uncommon. Accordingly, the presence of an anesthesiologist should be further guaranteed when sedatives were titrated and in AHF patients. However, in patients receiving local anesthetic infiltration only, it seems safe to perform CIED implant procedures without anesthetic standby.

The Effect of Prone Positioning After Lung Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Prone positioning has become a standard therapy in acute respiratory distress syndrome to improve oxygenation and decrease mortality. However, little is known about prone positioning in lung transplant recipients. This large, singe-center analysis investigated whether prone positioning improves gas exchange after lung transplantation. METHODS: Clinical data of 583 patients were analyzed. Prone position was considered in case of impaired gas exchange Pao2/fraction of oxygen in inhaled air (<250), signs of edema after lung transplantation, and/or evidence of reperfusion injury. Patients with hemodynamic instability or active bleeding were not proned. Impact of prone positioning (n = 165) on gas exchange, early outcome and survival were determined and compared with patients in supine positioning (n = 418). RESULTS: Patients in prone position were younger, more likely to have interstitial lung disease, and had a higher lung allocation score. Patients were proned for a median of 19 hours (interquartile range,15-26) hours). They had significantly lower Pao2/fraction of oxygen in inhaled air (227 ± 96 vs 303 ± 127 mm Hg, P = .004), and lower lung compliance (24.8 ± 9.1 mL/mbar vs 29.8 ± 9.7 mL/mbar, P < .001) immediately after lung transplantation. Both values significantly improved after prone positioning for 24 hours (Pao2/fraction of oxygen ratio: 331 ± 91 mm Hg; lung compliance: 31.7 ± 20.2 mL/mbar). Survival at 90 days was similar between the 2 groups (93% vs 96%, P = .105). CONCLUSIONS: Prone positioning led to a significant improvement in lung compliance and oxygenation after lung transplantation. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the benefit of prone positioning in lung transplantation.

Oxygen Consumption Predicts Long-Term Outcome of Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

Reduced oxygen consumption (VO2), either due to insufficient oxygen delivery (DO2), microcirculatory hypoperfusion and/or mitochondrial dysfunction, has an impact on the adverse short- and long-term survival of patients after cardiac surgery. However, it is still unclear whether VO2 remains an efficient predictive marker in a population in which cardiac output (CO) and consequently DO2 is determined by a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). We enrolled 93 consecutive patients who received an LVAD with a pulmonary artery catheter in place to monitor CO and venous oxygen saturation. VO2 and DO2 of in-hospital survivors and non-survivors were calculated over the first 4 days. Furthermore, we plotted receiver-operating curves (ROC) and performed a cox-regression analysis. VO2 predicted in-hospital, 1- and 6-year survival with the highest area under the curve of 0.77 (95%CI: 0.6-0.9; p = 0.0004). A cut-off value of 210 mL/min VO2 stratified patients regarding mortality with a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 81%. Reduced VO2 was an independent predictor for in-hospital, 1- and 6-year mortality with a hazard ratio of 5.1 (p = 0.006), 3.2 (p = 0.003) and 1.9 (p = 0.0021). In non-survivors, VO2 was significantly lower within the first 3 days (p = 0.010, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p = 0.015); DO2 was reduced on days 2 and 3 (p = 0.007 and p = 0.003). In LVAD patients, impaired VO2 impacts short- and long-term outcomes. Perioperative and intensive care medicine must, therefore, shift their focus from solely guaranteeing sufficient oxygen supply to restoring microcirculatory perfusion and mitochondrial functioning.

Unilateral acute lung injury in pig: a promising animal model.

BACKGROUND: Acute lung injury (ALI) occurs in 23% unilateral. Models of unilateral ALI were developed and used previously without clearly demonstrating the strictly unilateral nature and severity of lung injury by the key parameters characterizing ALI as defined by the American Thoracic Society (ATS). Thus, the use of unilateral ALI remained rare despite the innovative approach. Therefore, we developed a unilateral model of ALI and focused on the crucial parameters characterizing ALI. This model can serve for direct comparisons between the injured and intact lungs within single animals, thus, reducing the number of animals required for valid experimental conclusions. METHODS: We established the model in nine pigs, followed by an evaluation of key parameters in six pigs (main study). Pigs were ventilated using an adapted left double-lumen tube for lung separation and two ventilators. ALI was induced in the left lung with cyclic rinsing (NaCl 0.9% + Triton® X-100), after which pigs were ventilated for different time spans to test for the timing of ALI onset. Ventilatory and metabolic parameters were evaluated, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed for measurements of inflammatory mediators. Finally, histopathological specimens were collected and examined in respect of characteristics defining the lung injury score (LIS) as suggested by the ATS. RESULTS: After adjustments of the model (n = 9) we were able to induce strictly left unilateral ALI in all six pigs of the evaluation study. The median lung injury score was 0.72 (IQR 0.62-0.79) in the left lung vs 0.14 (IQR 0.14-0.16; p < 0.05) in the right lung, confirming unilateral ALI. A significant and sustained drop in pulmonary compliance (Cdyn) of the left lung occurred immediately, whereas Cdyn of the right lung remained unchanged (p < 0.05). BAL fluid concentrations of interleukin-6 and -8 were increased in both lungs. CONCLUSIONS: We established a model of unilateral ALI in pigs, confirmed by histopathology, and typical changes in respiratory mechanics and an inflammatory response. This thoroughly evaluated model could serve as a basis for future studies and for comparing pathophysiological and pharmacological changes in the uninjured and injured lung within the same animal.

Follistatin-like 1 and Biomarkers of Neutrophil Activation Are Associated with Poor Short-Term Outcome after Lung Transplantation on VA-ECMO.

The investigation of biomarkers associated with undesired outcome following lung transplantation (LuTX) is essential for a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, an earlier identification of susceptible recipients and the development of targeted therapeutic options. We therefore determined the longitudinal perioperative course of putative cytokines related to neutrophil activation (chemokine CC motif ligand 4 (CCL-4), interleukin (IL)-23 and Lipocalin 2 (LCN2)) and a cytokine that has been implicated in graft-versus-host disease (Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1)) in 42 consecutive patients undergoing LuTX. We plotted receiver-operating curves (ROC) to assess the predictive power of the measured cytokines for short-term outcomes namely primary graft dysfunction (PGD), early complications requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and a high postoperative sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA). All cytokines increased immediately after surgery. ROC analyses determined significant associations between CCL4 and a high SOFA score (area under the curve (AUC) 0.74 (95%CI:0.5−0.9; p < 0.05), between LCN2 and postoperative ECMO support (AUC 0.73 (95%CI:0.5−0.9; p < 0.05), and between FSTL1 and PGD (AUC 0.70 (95%CI:0.5−0.9; p < 0.05). The serum concentrations of the neutrophil-derived cytokines LCN2 and CCL4 as well as FSTL1 were all related to poor outcome after LuTX. The specific predictive power, however, still has to be assessed in larger trials. The potential role of FSTL1 as a biomarker in the development of PGD could be of great interest particularly since this protein appears to play a crucial role in allograft tolerance.

The Impact of Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus after Cardiac Surgery on Outcome.

Neurological complications after heart surgery are associated with tremendous morbidity and mortality. Nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE), which can only be verified by EEG, may cause secondary brain damage. Its frequency and its impact on outcomes after cardiac surgery is still unclear. We collected the neurological files and clinical data of all our patients after heart surgery who, in the course of their ICU stay, had been seen by a neurologist who ordered an EEG. Within 18 months, 1457 patients had cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass. EEG was requested for 89 patients. Seizures were detected in 39 patients and NCSE was detected in 11 patients. Open heart surgery was performed in all 11 NSCE patients, of whom eight showed concomitant brain insults. None had a history of epilepsy. Despite the inhibition of seizure activity with antiseizure medication, clinical improvement was only noted in seven NCSE patients, three of whom were in cerebral performance category 2 and four in category 3 at hospital discharge. The four patients without neurological benefit subsequently died in the ICU. The occurrence of NCSE after open cardiac surgery is significant and frequently associated with brain injury. It seems prudent to perform EEG studies early to interrupt seizure activity and mitigate secondary cerebral injury.

Absent Metabolic Transition from the Early to the Late Period in Non-Survivors Post Cardiac Surgery.

After major surgery, longitudinal changes in resting energy expenditure (REE) as well as imbalances in oxygen delivery (DO2) and distribution and processing (VO2) may occur due to dynamic metabolic requirements, an impaired macro- and microcirculatory flow and mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the longitudinal pattern of these parameters in critically ill patients who die during hospitalization remains unknown. Therefore, we analyzed in 566 patients who received a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) their REE, DO2, VO2 and oxygen extraction ratio (O2ER) continuously in survivors and non-survivors over the first 7 days post cardiac surgery, calculated the percent increase in the measured compared with the calculated REE and investigated the impact of a reduced REE on 30-day, 1-year and 6-year mortality in a uni- and multivariate model. Only in survivors was there a statistically significant transition from a negative to a positive energy balance from day 0 until day 1 (Day 0: −3% (−18, 14) to day 1: 5% (−9, 21); p < 0.001). Furthermore, non-survivors had significantly decreased DO2 during the first 4 days and reduced O2ER from day 2 until day 6. Additionally, a lower REE was significantly associated with a worse survival at 30 days, 1 year and 6 years (p = 0.009, p < 0.0001 and p = 0.012, respectively). Non-survivors seemed to be unable to metabolically adapt from the early (previously called the 'ebb') phase to the later 'flow' phase. DO2 reduction was more pronounced during the first three days whereas O2ER was markedly lower during the following four days, suggesting a switch from a predominantly limited oxygen supply to prolonged mitochondrial dysfunction. The association between a reduced REE and mortality further emphasizes the importance of REE monitoring.

Gamma-glutamyltransferase is a strong predictor of secondary sclerosing cholangitis after lung transplantation for COVID-19 ARDS.

BACKGROUND: Lung transplantation (LTx) can be considered for selected patients suffering from COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Secondary sclerosing cholangitis in critically ill (SSC-CIP) patients has been described as a late complication in COVID-19 ARDS survivors, however, rates of SSC-CIP after LTx and factors predicting this detrimental sequela are unknown. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included all LTx performed for post-COVID ARDS at 8 European LTx centers between May 2020 and January 2022. Clinical risk factors for SSC-CIP were analyzed over time. Prediction of SSC-CIP was assessed by ROC-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were included in the analysis. Fifteen patients (37.5%) developed SSC-CIP. GGT at the time of listing was significantly higher in patients who developed SSC-CIP (median 661 (IQR 324-871) vs 186 (109-346); p = 0.001). Moreover, higher peak values for GGT (585 vs 128.4; p < 0.001) and ALP (325 vs 160.2; p = 0.015) were found in the 'SSC' group during the waiting period. Both, GGT at the time of listing and peak GGT during the waiting time, could predict SSC-CIP with an AUC of 0.797 (95% CI: 0.647-0.947) and 0.851 (95% CI: 0.707-0.995). Survival of 'SSC' patients was severely impaired compared to 'no SSC' patients (1-year: 46.7% vs 90.2%, log-rank p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: SSC-CIP is a severe late complication after LTx for COVID-19 ARDS leading to significant morbidity and mortality. GGT appears to be a sensitive parameter able to predict SSC-CIP even at the time of listing.

A Dual-Lumen Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Cannulation Technique Using a Mobile X-Ray Device.

PURPOSE: Dual-lumen extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulation is considered technically challenging and harbors the risk of potential life-threatening complications during cannulation. Dual-lumen cannula insertion is performed under either ultrasound or fluoroscopy guidance. Both techniques have significant disadvantages, such as examiner dependence or the necessity for transportation of the patient from the intensive care unit to the operating room. DESCRIPTION: Digital, mobile x-ray devices provide a novel, examiner-independent imaging modality for bedside dual-lumen ECMO cannulation. EVALUATION: From November 2019 to November 2021, 23 dual-lumen cannulations were performed in 20 patients at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna. Twelve of 23 (52.2%) were inserted in the intensive care unit using a mobile x-ray device. The remaining patients (47.8%) were cannulated in the operating room with conventional fluoroscopy guidance. In none of the procedures did cardiovascular injuries occur. Insertion site bleeding was the most common ECMO-related complication (n = 2). CONCLUSIONS: Dual-lumen cannulation using sequential x-rays can be performed safely. Especially for infectious patients or patients who require an awake ECMO, this technique overcomes disadvantages of established imaging modalities.

Clinical relevance of lung transplantation for COVID-19 ARDS: a nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: Although the number of lung transplantations (LTx) performed worldwide for COVID-19 induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is still low, there is general agreement that this treatment can save a subgroup of most severly ill patients with irreversible lung damage. However, the true proportion of patients eligible for LTx, the overall outcome and the impact of LTx to the pandemic are unknown. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using a nationwide registry of hospitalised patients with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-Cov-2) infection admitted between January 1, 2020 and May 30, 2021 in Austria. Patients referred to one of the two Austrian LTx centers were analyzed and grouped into patients accepted and rejected for LTx. Detailed outcome analysis was performed for all patients who received a LTx for post-COVID-19 ARDS and compared to patients who underwent LTx for other indications. RESULTS: Between January 1, 2020 and May 30, 2021, 39.485 patients were hospitalised for COVID-19 in Austria. 2323 required mechanical ventilation, 183 received extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. 106 patients with severe COVID-19 ARDS were referred for LTx. Of these, 19 (18%) underwent LTx. 30-day mortality after LTx was 0% for COVID-19 ARDS transplant recipients. With a median follow-up of 134 (47-450) days, 14/19 patients are alive. CONCLUSIONS: Early referral of ECMO patients to a LTx center is pivotal in order to select patients eligible for LTx. Transplantation offers excellent midterm outcomes and should be incorporated in the treatment algorithm of post-COVID-19 ARDS.

Psoas Muscle Area Predicts Mortality after Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Several risk scores and classifications are available to predict peri- and post-operative mortality of patients with end stage heart failure receiving Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) therapy. Sarcopenia has been suggested as a sensitive predictor for post-operative mortality. We evaluated whether the psoas muscle area can predict mortality in patients undergoing LVAD implantation. The indexed psoas mean area (PMAi) was obtained by measuring the psoas muscle area at the superior endplate of the third lumbar vertebra correlated to body surface area of 106 adult patients undergoing LVAD implantation (Medtronic HVAD n = 41, Abbott HeartMate II n = 4, Abbott HeartMate 3 n = 61; mean age 65, IQR 12, 90.6% male; INTERMACS Level 1 24.5%; ischemic CMP 64.2%). Patients were divided in two groups: high/moderate and low muscle mass. The primary endpoint was 30-day mortality, assessed using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. Baseline characteristics did not differ between patients with high or moderate and low PMAi. Estimated survival calculated a significant higher 30-day mortality in patients with low PMAi (p = 0.04). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis indicated low PMAi, history of previous cardiac surgery and levels of bilirubin as independent predictors of mortality in the first 30 days. In conclusion, indexed psoas muscle area predicts mortality after LVAD implantation and can be used as an additional tool for risk stratification.