Burnout in Cardiac Anesthesiologists: Results From a National Survey in Italy.

OBJECTIVE: There is increasing burnout incidence among medical disciplines, and physicians working in emergency settings seem at higher risk. Cardiac anesthesiology is a stressful anesthesiology subspecialty dealing with high-risk patients. The authors hypothesized a high risk of burnout in cardiac anesthesiologists. DESIGN: National survey conducted on burnout. SETTING: Italian cardiac centers. PARTICIPANTS: Cardiac anesthesiologists. INTERVENTIONS: The authors administered via email an anonymous questionnaire divided into 3 parts. The first 2 parts evaluated workload and private life. The third part consisted of the Maslach Burnout Inventory test with its 3 constituents: high emotional exhaustion, high depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The authors measured the prevalence and risk of burnout through the Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaire and analyzed factors influencing burnout. Among 670 contacts from 71 centers, 382 cardiac anesthesiologists completed the survey (57%). The authors found the following mean Maslach Burnout Inventory values: 14.5 ± 9.7 (emotional exhaustion), 9.1 ± 7.1 (depersonalization), and 33.7 ± 8.9 (personal accomplishment). A rate of 34%, 54%, and 66% of respondents scored in "high" or "moderate-high" risk of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment, respectively). The authors found that, if offered to change subspecialty, 76% of respondents would prefer to remain in cardiac anesthesiology. This preference and parenthood were the only 2 investigated factors with a protective effect against all components of burnout. Significantly lower burnout scores were found in more experienced anesthesiologists. CONCLUSION: A relatively high incidence of burnout was found in cardiac anesthesiologists, especially regarding high depersonalization and low personal accomplishment. Nonetheless, most of the respondents would choose to remain in cardiac anesthesiology.

Evaluation of the Nautilus Smart Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients With Hemostatic Alteration: A Case Series.

The intricate management of hemostatic disorders in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) assisted patients poses challenges, particularly when procoagulant administration is necessary. We hereby report the performance of the Nautilus* Smart ECMO Module in three patients with hemostatic disorders. We collected data from ECMO procedures with Nautilus* Smart ECMO Module and analyzed the performance: the operating pressures and resistance of the device in addition to the coagulation status of the patients. During the three procedures, partial pressure oxygen post-oxygenator (paO2) stayed above 100 mm Hg and partial pressure carbon dioxide post-oxygenator (paCO2) did not exceed 45 mm Hg. Membrane FiO2 (fractional inspired O2) did not exceed 75% and air flow remained within a 1:1 ratio with blood flow in veno-arterial ECMO (V-A) and within 1:2 in veno-venous ECMO (V-V). There was no evidence of excessive operating pressure for the device, with a pressure drop consistently below 28 mm Hg and a maximum peak resistance of 7 Δmm Hg/L/min. The Nautilus* Smart ECMO Module showed good performance in patients with hemostatic disorders despite the implications associated with procoagulant administration.

Cerebral Perfusion and Neuromonitoring during Complex Aortic Arch Surgery: A Narrative Review.

Complex ascending and aortic arch surgery requires the implementation of different cerebral protection strategies to avoid or limit the probability of intraoperative brain damage during circulatory arrest. The etiology of the damage is multifactorial, involving cerebral embolism, hypoperfusion, hypoxia and inflammatory response. These protective strategies include the use of deep or moderate hypothermia to reduce the cerebral oxygen consumption, allowing the toleration of a variable period of absence of cerebral blood flow, and the use of different cerebral perfusion techniques, both anterograde and retrograde, on top of hypothermia, to avoid any period of intraoperative brain ischemia. In this narrative review, the pathophysiology of cerebral damage during aortic surgery is described. The different options for brain protection, including hypothermia, anterograde or retrograde cerebral perfusion, are also analyzed, with a critical review of the advantages and limitations under a technical point of view. Finally, the current systems of intraoperative brain monitoring are also discussed.

Extracorporeal CO 2 Removal During Renal Replacement Therapy to Allow Lung-Protective Ventilation in Patients With COVID-19-Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

The aim of this retrospective multicenter observational study is to test the feasibility and safety of a combined extracorporeal CO 2 removal (ECCO 2 R) plus renal replacement therapy (RRT) system to use an ultraprotective ventilator setting while maintaining (1) an effective support of renal function and (2) values of pH within the physiologic limits in a cohort of coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Among COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit of 9 participating hospitals, 27 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring invasive mechanical ventilation undergoing ECCO 2 R-plus-RRT treatment were included in the analysis. The treatment allowed to reduce V T from 6.0 ± 0.6 mL/kg at baseline to 4.8 ± 0.8, 4.6 ± 1.0, and 4.3 ± 0.3 mL/kg, driving pressure (ΔP) from 19.8 ± 2.5 cm H 2 O to 14.8 ± 3.6, 14.38 ± 4.1 and 10.2 ± 1.6 cm H 2 O after 24 hours, 48 hours, and at discontinuation of ECCO 2 R-plus-RRT (T3), respectively ( p < 0.001). PaCO 2 and pH remained stable. Plasma creatinine decreased over the study period from 3.30 ± 1.27 to 1.90 ± 1.30 and 1.27 ± 0.90 mg/dL after 24 and 48 hours of treatment, respectively ( p < 0.01). No patient-related events associated with the extracorporeal system were reported. These data show that in patients with COVID-19-induced ARDS and AKI, ECCO 2 R-plus-RRT is effective in allowing ultraprotective ventilator settings while maintaining an effective support of renal function and values of pH within physiologic limits.

Comprehensive evaluation of Impella RP® in right ventricular failure.

Right ventricular failure has a high morbidity and mortality in patients suffering from advanced heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, acute myocardial infarction after cardiac surgery and in left ventricular assist device patients. The Impella RP® catheter is a mechanical circulatory device, positioned from a venous femoral percutaneous access and passing through the tricuspid and pulmonary valves, reaches the pulmonary artery. Impella RP (Abiomed Inc., MA, USA) acts as a direct right ventricle bypass and it provides a flow up to 4.4 liters per minute, unloading the right ventricle. The main contraindications are: thrombi in the vena cava, right atrium and ventricle and pulmonary artery; mechanical tricuspid or pulmonary prostheses. In this review, the principles of operations, clinical applications and results of Impella RP are summarized and evaluated.

Right ventricular failure is a severe medical condition characterized by a sudden or a progressive reduction of the function of the right heart. This condition, if left untretated, leads to low blood pressure, reduced oxygen supply to other organs as brain, liver and kidneys, and eventually death. The right ventricular failure can be the consequence of a heart attack or a progressive disease of the heart, such as chronic heart failure, inflammatory diseases or inherited conditions. When medical therapy fails, the function of the right ventricle (RV) can be temporarily replaced by a mechanical device. Impella RP^® is a mechanical device, inserted into the heart without the need of a surgical operation, that bypasses the RV and ensures an adequate blood flow. Impella RP, while replaces the right ventricular function, allows time for the right ventricular recovery. When and if the RV recovers, Impella RP can be removed. As all the medical devices, Impella RP can be associated to adverse effects, mainly bleeding and damage of cardiac structures.

Excessive Sedation as a Risk Factor for Delirium: A Comparison between Two Cohorts of ARDS Critically Ill Patients with and without COVID-19.

Excessive sedation is associated with poor outcome in critically ill acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients. Whether this prognostic effect varies among ARDS patients with and without COVID-19 has yet to be determined. We compared the prognostic value of excessive sedation­in terms of delirium, length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU-LOS) and ICU mortality­between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 critically ill ARDS patients. This was a second analysis of prospectively collected data in four European academic centers pertaining to 101 adult critically ill ARDS patients with and without COVID-19 disease. Depth of sedation (DOS) and delirium were monitored through processed electroencephalogram (EEG) and the Confusion Assessment Method for ICU (CAM-ICU). Our main exposure was excessive sedation and how it relates to the presence of delirium, ICU-LOS and ICU mortality. The criterion for excessive sedation was met in 73 (72.3%) patients; of these, 15 (82.2%) and 58 (69.1%) were in non-COVID-19 and COVID-19 ARDS groups, respectively. The criteria of delirium were met in 44 patients (60.3%). Moreover, excessive sedation was present in 38 (86.4%) patients with delirium (p < 0.001). ICU death was ascertained in 41 out of 101 (41.0%) patients; of these, 37 (90.2%) had excessive sedation (p < 0.001). The distribution of ICU-LOS among excessive-sedated and non-sedated patients was 22 (16−27) vs. 14 (10.5−19.5) days (p < 0.001), respectively. In a multivariable framework, excessive sedation was independently associated with the development of delirium (p = 0.001), increased ICU mortality (p = 0.009) and longer ICU-LOS (p = 0.000), but only in COVID-19 ARDS patients. Independent of age and gender, excessive sedation might represent a risk factor for delirium in COVID-19 ARDS patients. Similarly, excessive sedation shows to be an independent predictor of ICU-LOS and ICU mortality. The use of continuous EEG-based depth of sedation (DOS) monitoring and delirium assessment in critically ill COVID-19 patients is warranted.

Epidemiological and Clinical Characterization of Superinfections in Critically Ill Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients.

To describe the epidemiology of superinfections (occurring > 48 hr after hospital admission) and their impact on the ICU and 28-day mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 with acute respiratory distress syndrome, requiring mechanical ventilation. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected observational data. SETTING: University-affiliated adult ICU. PATIENTS: Ninety-two coronavirus disease 2019 patients admitted to the ICU from February 21, 2020, to May 6, 2020. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The prevalence of superinfection at ICU admission was 21.7%, and 53 patients (57.6%) had at least one superinfection during ICU stay, with a total of 75 (82%) ventilator-associated pneumonia and 57 (62%) systemic infections. The most common pathogens responsible for ventilator-associated pneumonia were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 26, 34.7%) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (n = 14, 18.7%). Bloodstream infection occurred in 16 cases, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 8, 14.0%), Enterococcus species (n = 6, 10.5%), and Streptococcus species (n = 2, 3.5%). Fungal infections occurred in 41 cases, including 36 probable (30 by Candida albicans, six by C. nonalbicans) and five proven invasive candidiasis (three C. albicans, two C. nonalbicans). Presence of bacterial infections (odds ratio, 10.53; 95% CI, 2.31-63.42; p = 0.005), age (odds ratio, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.07-1.31; p = 0.001), and the highest Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (odds ratio, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.06-1.63; p = 0.032) were independently associated with ICU or 28-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of superinfections in coronavirus disease 2019 patients requiring mechanical ventilation was high in this series, and bacterial superinfections were independently associated with ICU or 28-day mortality (whichever comes first).

A prolonged and successful heparin-free extracorporeal membrane oxygenation run in isolated thoracic trauma: A case report.

A 21-year-old patient has been treated in emergency with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after severe thoracic trauma causing severe air leak and haemothorax. The extracorporeal assistance was managed without heparin for 10 days till the full recovery of the lung, and no side-effect was recorded.

Clinical presentation and initial management critically ill patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in Brescia, Italy.

PURPOSE: An ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 that started in Hubei, China has resulted in massive strain on the healthcare infrastructure in Lombardy, Italy. The management of these patients is still evolving. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a single-center observational cohort study of critically ill patients infected with COVID-19. Bedside clinicians abstracted daily patient data on history, treatment, and short-term course. We describe management and a proposed severity scale for treatment used in this hospital. RESULTS: 44 patients were enrolled; with incomplete information on 11. Of the 33 studied patients, 91% were male, median age 64; 88% were overweight or obese. 45% were hypertensive, 12% had been taking an ACE-inhibitor. Noninvasive ventilation was performed on 39% of patients for part or all or their ICU stay with no provider infection. Most patients received antibiotics for pneumonia. Patients also received lopinivir/ritonavir (82%), hydroxychloroquine (79%), and tocilizumab (12%) according to this treatment algorithm. Nine of 10 patients survived their ICU course and were transferred to the floor, with one dying in the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: ICU patients with COVID-19 frequently have hypertension. Many could be managed with noninvasive ventilation, despite the risk of aerosolization. The use of a severity scale augmented clinician management.

Risk Factors Associated With Mortality Among Patients With COVID-19 in Intensive Care Units in Lombardy, Italy.

Importance: Many patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are critically ill and require care in the intensive care unit (ICU). Objective: To evaluate the independent risk factors associated with mortality of patients with COVID-19 requiring treatment in ICUs in the Lombardy region of Italy. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective, observational cohort study included 3988 consecutive critically ill patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 referred for ICU admission to the coordinating center (Fondazione IRCCS [Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico] Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy) of the COVID-19 Lombardy ICU Network from February 20 to April 22, 2020. Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay of nasopharyngeal swabs. Follow-up was completed on May 30, 2020. Exposures: Baseline characteristics, comorbidities, long-term medications, and ventilatory support at ICU admission. Main Outcomes and Measures: Time to death in days from ICU admission to hospital discharge. The independent risk factors associated with mortality were evaluated with a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: Of the 3988 patients included in this cohort study, the median age was 63 (interquartile range [IQR] 56-69) years; 3188 (79.9%; 95% CI, 78.7%-81.1%) were men, and 1998 of 3300 (60.5%; 95% CI, 58.9%-62.2%) had at least 1 comorbidity. At ICU admission, 2929 patients (87.3%; 95% CI, 86.1%-88.4%) required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). The median follow-up was 44 (95% CI, 40-47; IQR, 11-69; range, 0-100) days; median time from symptoms onset to ICU admission was 10 (95% CI, 9-10; IQR, 6-14) days; median length of ICU stay was 12 (95% CI, 12-13; IQR, 6-21) days; and median length of IMV was 10 (95% CI, 10-11; IQR, 6-17) days. Cumulative observation time was 164 305 patient-days. Hospital and ICU mortality rates were 12 (95% CI, 11-12) and 27 (95% CI, 26-29) per 1000 patients-days, respectively. In the subgroup of the first 1715 patients, as of May 30, 2020, 865 (50.4%) had been discharged from the ICU, 836 (48.7%) had died in the ICU, and 14 (0.8%) were still in the ICU; overall, 915 patients (53.4%) died in the hospital. Independent risk factors associated with mortality included older age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.75; 95% CI, 1.60-1.92), male sex (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.31-1.88), high fraction of inspired oxygen (Fio2) (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.10-1.19), high positive end-expiratory pressure (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06) or low Pao2:Fio2 ratio (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.74-0.87) on ICU admission, and history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.28-2.19), hypercholesterolemia (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.02-1.52), and type 2 diabetes (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.01-1.39). No medication was independently associated with mortality (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.97-1.42; angiotensin receptor blockers HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.85-1.29). Conclusions and Relevance: In this retrospective cohort study of critically ill patients admitted to ICUs in Lombardy, Italy, with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, most patients required IMV. The mortality rate and absolute mortality were high.

Tocilizumab for the treatment of severe COVID-19 pneumonia with hyperinflammatory syndrome and acute respiratory failure: A single center study of 100 patients in Brescia, Italy.

A hyperinflammatory syndrome (HIS) may cause a life-threatening acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. A prospective series of 100 consecutive patients admitted to the Spedali Civili University Hospital in Brescia (Italy) between March 9th and March 20th with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia and ARDS requiring ventilatory support was analyzed to determine whether intravenous administration of tocilizumab (TCZ), a monoclonal antibody that targets the interleukin 6 (IL-6) receptor, was associated with improved outcome. Tocilizumab was administered at a dosage of 8 mg/kg by two consecutive intravenous infusions 12 h apart. A third infusion was optional based on clinical response. The outcome measure was an improvement in acute respiratory failure assessed by means of the Brescia COVID Respiratory Severity Score (BCRSS 0 to 8, with higher scores indicating higher severity) at 24-72 h and 10 days after tocilizumab administration. Out of 100 treated patients (88 M, 12 F; median age: 62 years), 43 received TCZ in the intensive care unit (ICU), while 57 in the general ward as no ICU beds were available. Of these 57 patients, 37 (65%) improved and suspended noninvasive ventilation (NIV) (median BCRSS: 1 [IQR 0-2]), 7 (12%) patients remained stable in NIV, and 13 (23%) patients worsened (10 died, 3 were admitted to ICU). Of the 43 patients treated in the ICU, 32 (74%) improved (17 of them were taken off the ventilator and were discharged to the ward), 1 (2%) remained stable (BCRSS: 5) and 10 (24%) died (all of them had BCRSS≥7 before TCZ). Overall at 10 days, the respiratory condition was improved or stabilized in 77 (77%) patients, of whom 61 showed a significant clearing of diffuse bilateral opacities on chest x-ray and 15 were discharged from the hospital. Respiratory condition worsened in 23 (23%) patients, of whom 20 (20%) died. All the patients presented with lymphopenia and high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, ferritin and IL-6 indicating a HIS. During the 10-day follow-up, three cases of severe adverse events were recorded: two patients developed septic shock and died, one had gastrointestinal perforation requiring urgent surgery and was alive at day 10. In conclusion, our series showed that COVID-19 pneumonia with ARDS was characterized by HIS. The response to TCZ was rapid, sustained, and associated with significant clinical improvement.

Experienced Use of Dexmedetomidine in the Intensive Care Unit: A Report of a Structured Consensus.

OBJECTIVE: Management of pain, agitation and delirium (PAD) remains to be a true challenge in critically ill patients. The pharmacological proprieties of dexmedetomidine (DEX) make it an ideal candidate drug for light and cooperative sedation, but many practical questions remain unanswered. This structured consensus from 17 intensivists well experienced on PAD management and DEX use provides indications for the appropriate use of DEX in clinical practice. METHODS: A modified RAND/UCLA appropriateness method was used. In four predefined patient populations, the clinical scenarios do not properly cope by the current recommended pharmacological strategies (except DEX), and the possible advantages of DEX use were identified and voted for agreement, after reviewing literature data. RESULTS: Three scenarios in medical patients, five scenarios in patients with acute respiratory failure undergoing non-invasive ventilation, three scenarios in patients with cardiac surgery in the early postoperative period and three scenarios in patients with overt delirium were identified as challenging with the current PAD strategies. In these scenarios, the use of DEX was voted as potentially useful by most of the panellists owing to its specific pharmacological characteristics, such as conservation of cognitive function, lack of effects on the respiratory drive, low induction of delirium and analgesia effects. CONCLUSION: DEX might be considered as a first-line sedative in different scenarios even though conclusive data on its benefits are still lacking.

Complete rightward cardiac luxation caused due to left tension pneumothorax.

We present a 4-year-old patient with severe rightward cardiac dislocation due to left tension pneumothorax after surgical closure of a perimembranous ventricular septal defect. The chest roentgenograms showed the "dextrocardia-like" appearance of the cardiac silhouette. Given the persistent severe cardiac dislocation despite resolution of the pneumothorax, and considering the patient's ongoing hemodynamic instability, we decided to reopen the chest to return the heart to its natural position. The procedure was uneventful, and the patient was discharged at home on postoperative day 5.