Use of high flow nasal cannula in patients with acute respiratory failure in general wards under intensivists supervision: a single center observational study.

BACKGROUND: Few data exist on high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) use in patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) admitted to general wards. RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively evaluate feasibility and safety of HFNC in general wards under the intensivist-supervision and after specific training. METHODS: Patients with ARF (dyspnea, respiratory rate-RR > 25/min, 150 < PaO2/FiO2 < 300 mmHg during oxygen therapy) admitted to nine wards of an academic hospital were included. Gas-exchange, RR, and comfort were assessed before HFNC and after 2 and 24 h of application. RESULTS: 150 patients (81 male, age 74 [60-80] years, SOFA 4 [2-4]), 123 with de-novo ARF underwent HFNC with flow 60 L/min [50-60], FiO2 50% [36-50] and temperature 34 °C [31-37]. HFNC was applied a total of 1399 days, with a median duration of 7 [3-11] days. No major adverse events or deaths were reported. HFNC did not affect gas exchange but reduced RR (25-22/min at 2-24 h, p < 0.001), and improved Dyspnea Borg Scale (3-1, p < 0.001) and comfort (3-4, p < 0.001) after 24 h. HFNC failed in 20 patients (19.2%): 3 (2.9%) for intolerance, 14 (13.4%) escalated to NIV/CPAP in the ward, 3 (2.9%) transferred to ICU. Among these, one continued HFNC, while the other 2 were intubated and they both died. Predictors of HFNC failure were higher Charlson's Comorbidity Index (OR 1.29 [1.07-1.55]; p = 0.004), higher APACHE II Score (OR 1.59 [1.09-4.17]; p = 0.003), and cardiac failure as cause of ARF (OR 5.26 [1.36-20.46]; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: In patients with mild-moderate ARF admitted to general wards, the use of HFNC after an initial training and daily supervision by intensivists was feasible and seemed safe. HFNC was effective in improving comfort, dyspnea, and respiratory rate without effects on gas exchanges. Trial registration This is a single-centre, noninterventional, retrospective analysis of clinical data.

Liver Bleeding Due to HELLP Syndrome Treated With Embolization and Liver Transplantation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Background: Liver bleeding secondary to haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome is uncommon, but a life-threatening peripartum condition that needs a prompt multidisciplinary approach. Case Presentation: In this study, we presented a case of 28-year-old pregnant woman, who was presented to the obstetrics department with signs of preeclampsia and foetal growth restriction. An emergency caesarean section was performed, and the patient developed a HELLP syndrome complicated by spontaneous liver rupture. After radiological and surgical procedures, liver failure became evident and liver transplantation was successfully performed. The patient and her daughter are now alive. Conclusions: Despite the rarity of this disease, liver complications due to HELLP syndrome must be properly diagnosed and treated given the gravity of the possible evolution in young women. After diagnosis, the patients must be treated in specialised centres with gynaecological, liver surgery, and transplant skills.