High-flow nasal cannula failure: can clinical outcomes determine early interruption?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the evolution of clinical outcomes in children with bronchiolitis who used a high-flow nasal cannula, and to determine after long of non-clinical improvement the therapy should be discontinued, and treatment should be escalated to other forms of ventilatory support. METHODS: An observational retrospective study of infants with bronchiolitis who used a high-flow nasal cannula. Patients were divided into two study groups according to success or failure of high-flow nasal cannula therapy, namely the Success Group and the Failure Group. The main demographics and clinical variables were assessed 30 minutes and 6 hours after initiating therapy until removal of the high-flow nasal cannula. RESULTS: A total of 83 children were studied and 18 children (21.7%) failed therapy. Among subjects with successful therapy, a significant decrease in respiratory rate (p<0.001), and a significant increase in peripheral oxygen saturation (p<0.001) were observed within 30 minutes. The Success Group was significantly different from the Failure Group after 6 hours, for both respiratory rate (p<0.01) and peripheral oxygen saturation (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The absence of clinical sign improvement within 30 minutes and for up to a maximum of 6 hours can be considered as failure of the high-flow nasal cannula therapy. If this time elapses with no improvements, escalating to another type of ventilatory support should be considered.

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia as a Cause of Repeating Atelectasis in the Neonatal Period.

BACKGROUND Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a disease characterized by motor ciliary dysfunction, which leads to the accumulation of secretions in the lower airways and, consequently, to atelectasis and repeated infections. During the neonatal period, diagnosis can be difficult because the symptoms are frequently associated with other respiratory diseases common in neonates. The laterality defects should warn the clinician of the need for further investigation using clinical criteria, but the confirmation depends on a genetic test. CASE REPORT The objective of this report is to present a case of PCD manifesting in the neonatal period that was diagnosed due to respiratory failure associated with recurrent atelectasis and situs inversus totalis. CONCLUSIONS This disease is not well known by neonatologists, but early diagnosis decreases morbidity and improves patient quality of life.

Polyethylene glycol addition does not improve exogenous surfactant function in an experimental model of meconium aspiration syndrome.

Meconium (MEC) is a potent inactivator of pulmonary surfactant. The authors studied the effects of polyethylene glycol addition to the exogenous surfactant over the lung mechanics and volumes. Human meconium was administrated to newborn rabbits. Animals were ventilated for 20 minutes and dynamic compliance, ventilatory pressure, and tidal volume were recorded. Animals were randomized into 3 study groups: MEC group (without surfactant therapy); S100 group (100 mg/kg surfactant); and PEG group (100 mg/kg porcine surfactant plus 5% PEG). After ventilation, a pulmonary pressure-volume curve was built. Histological analysis was carried out to calculate the mean alveolar size (Lm) and the distortion index (DI). Both groups treated with surfactant showed higher values of dynamic pulmonary compliance and lower ventilatory pressure, compared with the MEC group (P < .05). S100 group had a larger maximum lung volume, V(30), compared with the MEC group (P < .05). Lm and DI values were smaller in the groups treated with surfactant than in the MEC group (P < .05). No differences were observed between the S100 and PEG groups. Animals treated with surfactant showed significant improvement in pulmonary function as compared to nontreated animals. PEG added to exogenous surfactant did not improve lung mechanics or volumes.

Spontaneous breathing test in the prediction of extubation failure in the pediatric population.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the spontaneous breathing test can predict the extubation failure in pediatric population. METHODS: A prospective and observational study that evaluated data of inpatients at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit between May 2011 and August 2013, receiving mechanical ventilation for at least 24 hours followed by extubation. The patients were classified in two groups: Test Group, with patients extubated after spontaneous breathing test, and Control Group, with patients extubated without spontaneous breathing test. RESULTS: A total of 95 children were enrolled in the study, 71 in the Test Group and 24 in the Control Group. A direct comparison was made between the two groups regarding sex, age, mechanical ventilation time, indication to start mechanical ventilation and respiratory parameters before extubation in the Control Group, and before the spontaneous breathing test in the Test Group. There was no difference between the parameters evaluated. According to the analysis of probability of extubation failure between the two groups, the likelihood of extubation failure in the Control Group was 1,412 higher than in the Test Group, nevertheless, this range did not reach significance (p=0.706). This model was considered well-adjusted according to the Hosmer-Lemeshow test (p=0.758). CONCLUSION: The spontaneous breathing test was not able to predict the extubation failure in pediatric population. OBJETIVO: Avaliar se o teste de respiração espontânea pode ser utilizado para predizer falha da extubação na população pediátrica. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo, observacional, no qual foram avaliados todos os pacientes internados no Centro de Terapia Intensiva Pediátrica, no período de maio de 2011 a agosto de 2013, que utilizaram ventilação mecânica por mais de 24 horas e que foram extubados. Os pacientes foram classificados em dois grupos: Grupo Teste, que incluiu os pacientes extubados depois do teste de respiração espontânea; e Grupo Controle, pacientes foram sem teste de respiração espontânea. RESULTADOS: Dos 95 pacientes incluídos no estudo, 71 crianças eram do Grupo Teste e 24 eram do Grupo Controle. Os grupos foram comparados em relação a: sexo, idade, tempo de ventilação mecânica, indicação para início da ventilação mecânica e parâmetros ventilatórios pré-extubação, no Grupo Controle, e pré-realização do teste, no Grupo Teste. Não foram observadas diferenças entre os parâmetros analisados. Em relação à análise da probabilidade de falha da extubação entre os dois grupos de estudo, a chance de falha do Grupo Controle foi 1.412 maior do que a das crianças do Grupo Teste, porém este acréscimo não foi significativo (p=0,706). O modelo foi considerado bem ajustado de acordo com o teste de Hosmer-Lemeshow (p=0,758). CONCLUSÃO: O teste de respiração espontânea para a população pediátrica não foi capaz de prever a falha da extubação.

Manual Ventilation and Sustained Lung Inflation in an Experimental Model: Influence of Equipment Type and Operator's Training.

AIM: To compare the influence of devices for manual ventilation and individual experience on the applied respiratory mechanics and sustained lung inflation. METHODS: A total of 114 instructors and non-instructors from the Neonatal Resuscitation Program of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics participated in this study. Participants ventilated an intubated manikin. To evaluate respiratory mechanics and sustained lung inflation parameters, a direct comparison was made between the self-inflating bag and the T-shaped resuscitator (T-piece), followed by an analysis of the effectiveness of the equipment according to the participants' education and training. RESULTS: A difference between equipment types was observed for the tidal volume, with a median (interquartile range) of 28.5 mL (12.6) for the self-inflating bag and 20.1 mL (8.4) for the T-piece in the instructor group and 31.6 mL (14) for the self-inflating bag and 22.3 mL (8.8) for the T-piece in the non-instructor group. Higher inspiratory time values were observed with the T-piece in both groups of professionals, with no significant difference between them. The operator's ability to maintain the target pressure over the 10 seconds of sustained lung inflation was evaluated using the area under the pressure-time curve and was 1.7-fold higher with the use of the T-piece. Inspiratory pressure and mean airway pressure applied during sustained lung inflation were greater with the self-inflating bag, as evaluated between the beginning and the end of the procedure. CONCLUSION: The T-piece resulted in lower tidal volume and higher inspiratory time values, irrespective of the operator's experience, and increased the ease of performing the sustained lung inflation maneuver, as demonstrated by the maintenance of target pressure for the desired period and a higher mean airway pressure than that obtained using the self-inflating bag.

High-flow nasal cannula failure: can clinical outcomes determine early interruption? / Falha da cânula nasal de alto fluxo: os desfechos clínicos podem determinar a interrupção precoce?

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the evolution of clinical outcomes in children with bronchiolitis who used a high-flow nasal cannula, and to determine after long of non-clinical improvement the therapy should be discontinued, and treatment should be escalated to other forms of ventilatory support. Methods: An observational retrospective study of infants with bronchiolitis who used a high-flow nasal cannula. Patients were divided into two study groups according to success or failure of high-flow nasal cannula therapy, namely the Success Group and the Failure Group. The main demographics and clinical variables were assessed 30 minutes and 6 hours after initiating therapy until removal of the high-flow nasal cannula. Results: A total of 83 children were studied and 18 children (21.7%) failed therapy. Among subjects with successful therapy, a significant decrease in respiratory rate (p<0.001), and a significant increase in peripheral oxygen saturation (p<0.001) were observed within 30 minutes. The Success Group was significantly different from the Failure Group after 6 hours, for both respiratory rate (p<0.01) and peripheral oxygen saturation (p<0.01). Conclusion: The absence of clinical sign improvement within 30 minutes and for up to a maximum of 6 hours can be considered as failure of the high-flow nasal cannula therapy. If this time elapses with no improvements, escalating to another type of ventilatory support should be considered.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a evolução de desfechos clínicos em crianças com bronquiolite que utilizaram cânula nasal de alto fluxo, e determinar com quanto tempo de não melhora clínica a terapia deve ser interrompida para escalonamento do tratamento para outras formas de suporte ventilatório. Métodos: Estudo observacional retrospectivo, de lactentes com bronquiolite que utilizaram cânula nasal de alto fluxo. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos de estudo, de acordo com o sucesso ou não da terapêutica com cânula nasal de alto fluxo, nomeados Grupo Sucesso e Grupo Falha. Foram analisadas as principais características demográficas e variáveis clínicas, tendo sido avaliadas 30 minutos e 6 horas após o início do tratamento até a retirada da cânula nasal de alto fluxo. Resultados: Foram estudados 83 crianças; destas, 18 crianças (21,7%) falharam. Entre os pacientes que tiveram sucesso na terapia, observou-se diminuição significativa da frequência respiratória (p<0,001), e também aumento significativo da saturação de oxigênio (p<0,001) já nos primeiros 30 minutos. O Grupo Sucesso foi significativamente diferente do Grupo Falha a partir de 6 horas, tanto para frequência respiratória (p<0,01), quanto para saturação de oxigênio (p<0,01). Conclusão: Na ausência de melhora dos sinais clínicos, a falha da terapia com cânula nasal de alto fluxo já pode ser considerada a partir de 30 minutos e, no máximo, em até 6 horas após o início da terapia. Após esse período sem melhora, o escalonamento para outro tipo de suporte ventilatório deve ser avaliado.

A multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial of a new porcine surfactant in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of a new porcine-derived pulmonary surfactant developed by Instituto Butantan with those of animal-derived surfactants commercially available in Brazil, regarding neonatal mortality and the major complications of prematurity in preterm newborns with birth weight up to 1500g and diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome. METHODS: Neonates diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome were randomized to receive either Butantan surfactant (Butantan group) or one of the following surfactants: Survanta® or Curosurf®. Newborns receiving Survanta® or Curosurf® comprised the control group. The main outcome measures were mortality rates at 72 hours and at 28 days of life; the typical complications of prematurity as evaluated on the 28th day of life were defined as secundary outcomes. RESULTS: No differences were observed between the Butantan (n=154) and control (n=173) groups in relation to birth weight, gestational age, sex, and prenatal use of corticosteroids, or in mortality rates both at 72 hours (14.19% versus 14.12%; p=0.98) and at 28 days (39.86% versus 33.33%; p=0.24) of life. Higher 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores were observed among control group newborns. No differences were observed as regards the secondary outcomes, except for greater need for supplemental oxygen and a higher incidence of interstitial pulmonary emphysema in the Butantan group. CONCLUSION: The mortality rates at 72 hours and 28 days of life and the incidence of major complications of prematurity were comparable to those found with the animal-derived surfactants commercially available in Brazil, showing the efficacy and safety of the new surfactant in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome in newborns.

Influence of assessment site in measuring transcutaneous bilirubin.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of the site of measurement of transcutaneous bilirubin (forehead or sternum) in reproducibility of results as compared to plasma bilirubin. METHODS: A cohort study including 58 term newborns with no hemolytic disease. Transcutaneous measurements were performed on the forehead (halfway between the headline and the glabella, from the left toward the right side, making consecutive determinations, one-centimeter apart) and the sternum (five measurements, from the suprasternal notch to the xiphoid process with consecutive determinations, one-centimeter apart) using Bilicheck® (SpectRx Inc, Norcross, Georgia, USA). The correlation and agreement between both methods and plasma bilirubin were calculated. RESULTS: There was a strong linear correlation between both determinations of serum bilirubin at the forehead and sternum (r=0.704; p<0.01 and r=0.653; p<0.01, respectively). There was correspondence of the mean values of transcutaneous bilirubin measured on the sternum (9.9 ± 2.2mg/dL) compared to plasma levels (10.2 ± 1.7 mg/dL), but both differ from the values measured on the forehead (8.6 ± 2 .0mg/dL), p<0.05. CONCLUSION: In newborn term infants with no hemolytic disease, measuring of transcutaneous bilirubin on the sternum had higher accuracy as compared to serum bilirubin measurement on the forehead.