The use of diaphragm and lung ultrasound in acute respiratory physiotherapy practice and the impact on clinical decision-making: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Diaphragm and lung ultrasound (DLUS) is emerging as an important point-of-care respiratory assessment tool and is being used in clinical care by trained respiratory physiotherapists, both in Australia and internationally. However, the impact of DLUS on physiotherapists' clinical decision-making remains largely unknown. This systematic review aims to review the evidence for implementing DLUS in acute respiratory physiotherapy management. REVIEW METHOD USED: We conducted a systematic review. DATA SOURCES: We searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and Scopus from inception to 18th April 2023 for all original clinical studies reporting on the physiotherapy clinical decision-making, following a DLUS examination and/or where DLUS was used to evaluate the effect of respiratory physiotherapy, in adults over 18 years of age. REVIEW METHODS: Two authors independently performed study selection and data extraction. Individual study risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and certainty in outcomes was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations framework. RESULTS: A total of seven observational studies (n = 299) were included, all of which were in the intensive care setting. DLUS changed physiotherapy diagnosis, management, and treatment in 63.9% (50-64%), 16.8% (15-50%), and 48.4% (25-50%) of patients, respectively. There was a significant improvement in the lung ultrasound score post respiratory physiotherapy treatment (mean difference -2.31, 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) -4.42 to -0.21; very low certainty) compared to before respiratory physiotherapy treatment. Moderate risk of bias was present in six studies, and there was variance in the DLUS methodology across included studies. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this review suggest DLUS influences physiotherapy clinical decision-making and can be used to evaluate the effects of acute respiratory physiotherapy treatment. However, the available data is limited, and further high-quality studies are needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; CRD42023418312.

Benefits and risks of ventilator hyperinflation in mechanically ventilated intensive care patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Patients requiring mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU) have diminished respiratory defences and are at high risk of respiratory compromise, leading to an increased risk of pulmonary infection and prolonged ventilation. Ventilator hyperinflation (VHI) is an airway clearance technique used by physiotherapists and is suggested to improve respiratory mechanics. The objective of this study was to review the evidence for the benefits and risks of VHI in intubated and mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU. REVIEW METHOD USED: We conducted a systematic review. DATA SOURCES: We searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and Scopus from inception to 31st May 2022 for all randomised control trials evaluating VHI in intubated and mechanically ventilated adults in the ICU. REVIEW METHODS: Two authors independently performed study selection and data extraction. Individual study risk of bias was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale, and certainty in outcomes was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations framework. RESULTS: We included 10 studies enrolling 394 patients. Compared to standard care, VHI had significant effects on sputum clearance (Standardise mean difference: 0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.12 to 0.61; very low certainty), static pulmonary compliance (mean difference [MD]: 4.77, 95% CI: 2.40 to 7.14; low certainty), dynamic pulmonary compliance (MD: 1.59, 95% CI: 0.82 to 2.36; low certainty) and oxygenation (MD: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.55; low certainty). No significant adverse events or immediate side effects relating to VHI were reported. There is a paucity of data available on the effects of VHI on clinical outcomes including mechanical ventilation duration, ICU length of stay, and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest VHI has potential short-term respiratory benefits including increased secretion clearance, pulmonary compliance, and oxygenation, with no immediate adverse effects in intubated and mechanically ventilated ICU patients. However, there remains limited data on the longer term influence of VHI on clinical outcomes, and further research to inform clinical practice is needed. REGISTRATION: This study is registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42022341421).