Data on multimodal approach for early poor outcome (Cerebral Performance Categories 3-5) prediction after cardiac arrest.

The data presented in this article are related to our research article entitled 'Neurophysiological and neuroradiological multimodal approach for early poor outcome prediction after cardiac arrest' (Scarpino et al., 2018) [1]. We reported two additional analyses, including results gathered from somatosensory evoked potentials(SEPs), brain computed tomography(CT) and electroencephalography(EEG) performed on 183 subjects within the first 24 h after cardiac arrest(CA). In the first analysis, we considered the Cerebral Performance Categories(CPC) 3, 4 and 5a,b (severe disability, unresponsive wakefulness state, neurological death and non-neurological death, respectively) as poor outcomes. In the second analysis, patients that died from non-neurological causes (CPC 5b) were excluded from the analysis. Concerning the first analysis, bilateral absent/absent-pathologic(AA/AP) cortical SEPs predicted poor outcome with a sensitivity of 49.3%. A Grey Matter/White Matter(GM/WM) ratio <1.21 predicted poor outcome with a sensitivity of 41.7%. Isoelectric/burst-suppression EEG patterns predicted poor outcome with a sensitivity of 33.5%. If at least one of these poor prognostic patterns was present, the sensitivity for an ominous outcome increased to 60.9%. Concerning the second analysis, AA/AP cortical SEPs predicted poor outcome with a sensitivity of 52.5%. GM/WM ratio <1.21 predicted poor outcome with a sensitivity of 50.4%. Isoelectric/burst-suppression EEG patterns predicted poor outcome with a sensitivity of 39.8%.

Neurophysiological and neuroradiological multimodal approach for early poor outcome prediction after cardiac arrest.

INTRODUCTION: Prognosticating outcome after cardiac arrest(CA) requires a multimodal approach. However, evidence regarding combinations of methods is limited. We evaluated whether the combination of electroencephalography(EEG), somatosensory evoked potentials(SEPs) and brain computed tomography(CT) could predict poor outcome. METHODS: We screened our database regarding patients successfully resuscitated after CA, for whom EEG, SEPs and brain CT were available within 24 h. EEG patterns were classified according to American Clinical Neurophysiological Society terminology; SEPs were graded accounting for the cortical responses of each hemisphere; and the grey matter/white matter(GM/WM) ratio was evaluated by brain CT. EEG patterns, SEP findings and GM/WM ratio (with a specificity of 100%) were, individually and in combination, related to poor outcome (death/unresponsive wakefulness state) at 6-month follow-up, using the cerebral performance categories(CPC). RESULTS: EEG, SEPs and brain CT were available in 183/273(67%) patients. Bilateral absent/absent-pathologic(AA/AP) cortical SEPs predicted a poor outcome with a sensitivity of 58.5%. A GM/WM ratio <1.21 predicted a poor outcome with a sensitivity of 50.4%. Isoelectric/burst-suppression EEG patterns predicted a poor outcome with a sensitivity of 43%. If at least one of these poor prognostic patterns was present, sensitivity for an ominous outcome increased to 71.5%. If, in the same subject, two poor prognostic patterns were simultaneously present, sensitivity was 48%. If all three poor prognostic patterns were present, sensitivity decreased by up to 23%. CONCLUSION: In this population, in which life-sustaining treatments were never suspended, the combination of EEG, SEPs and brain CT improved the sensitivity, maintaining the specificity of poor outcome prediction.

Lactate and Echocardiography Before Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support.

BACKGROUND: Lactate has been recognised as a prognostic factor in several critical conditions. Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is a well-established therapy in patients with Acute Respiratory Disease Syndrome (ARDS) unresponsive to conventional therapy and echocardiography pre ECMO initiation has been recently reported to help in risk stratifying these patients. METHODS: We assessed whether the detection of hyperlactataemia could be associated with the presence of left ventricle (LV) or right ventricle (RV) dysfunction in 121 consecutive patients with refractory ARDS. RESULTS: The mortality rate was 42.9% (52/121). Higher dosages of norepinephrine and dobutamine were administered to non survivors (p=0.023 and p=0.047, respectively) who showed significantly higher levels of lactate (p=0.002). At echocardiography, non survivors showed higher values of systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) (p=0.05) and a higher incidence of RV dysfunction (as indicated by lower Tricuspid Annular Plane Excursion (TAPSE)) and RV dilatation (p=0.001). At multivariate logistic regression analysis, the following variables were independent predictors of death: body mass index (BMI) (OR: 0.914, 95%CI 0.857-0.975, p=0.006), RV dilatation (OR: 0.239, 95%CI 0.101-0.561, p=0.001) and lactate (OR: 1.292, 95%CI 1.015-1.645, p=0.038). Lactate values were directly correlated with the simplified acute physiology score (SAPS) II (r=0.38, p<0.001), while they showed an indirect correlation with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (r=-0.24, p=0.009) and TAPSE (r=-0.21, p=0.024). CONCLUSIONS: In refractory ARDS, hyperlactataemia before VVV-ECMO identified a subset of patients at higher risk of death, being an independent predictor of in-Intensive Care Unit (ICU) mortality. Lactate values are mainly related to disease severity (as indicated by SAPS II) and haemodynamic impairment (as inferred by LVEF) and RV failure, as (indicated by TAPSE).

Right ventricular dysfunction and Pre Implantation Vasopressors in Refractory ARDS Supported by VV-ECMO.

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been shown to be frequently associated with haemodynamic instability requiring the use of vasopressors. To date, there is still some uncertainty in the use of veno-venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VV-ECMO) in haemodynamically unstable ARDS patients. METHODS: We therefore assessed whether patients receiving pre ECMO vasopressors had a worse prognosis and, furthermore, we reviewed the factors associated with the use of pre ECMO vasopressors in 92 consecutive patients with refractory ARDS treated with VV-ECMO. All patients were submitted to an echocardiogram before implantation. RESULTS: In our series, 55 patients (59.7%) were given a vasopressor. Septic shock is the main cause of vasopressor requirement (45.5%). When compared with patients without vasopressors, the subgroup under vasopressors showed a significantly higher sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score (p=0.040), a lower pH (p=0.013), lower pO2 values (p=0.030) and higher lactate levels (p=0.024). A higher incidence of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and of biventricular dysfunction were observed in patients under vasopressors (p=0.018 and p=0.036, respectively). The intensive care unit (ICU) mortality rate was 43.4% (40/92) with no difference between the two subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: In refractory ARDS requiring VV-ECMO, infusion of vasopressors is needed in a high proportion of patients, who did not exhibit a worse prognosis when compared to haemodynamically stable patients. Pre ECMO echocardiography helps in characterising these patients since they showed a higher incidence of RV (and biventricular) dysfunction. According to our data, in ARDS patients refractory to conventional treatment, haemodynamic instability should not be considered a contraindication to VV-ECMO support.

The 8-Year Experience of the Florence Referral ECMO Center and Retrieval Team for Acute Respiratory Failure.

OBJECTIVE: Many extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) centers for respiratory failure and ECMO mobile teams were instituted during the H1N1 pandemic. Data on transportation are scarce and heterogeneous. The authors therefore described the experience of their referral ECMO center for severe respiratory failure from 2009 to 2016 and gave a comprehensive report of transfers performed by their mobile ECMO team. DESIGN: Observational retrospective study. SETTING: An intensive care unit (ECMO referral center) in a teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and sixty consecutive patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome refractory to conventional treatment requiring veno-venous (VV)-ECMO. INTERVENTION: VV-ECMO implantation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In this series, the transferred patients on ECMO averaged 57%, with annual percentages ranging from 28% to 90% over the years. No adverse event was observed during transportation. A progressive increase in simplified acute physiology score (SAPS) values and in the use of norepinephrine were detectable (p = 0.048 and p = 0.037, respectively) as well as in neuromuscular blockers use (p = 0.004). Dual-lumen cannule were more frequently used in recent years (p < 0.001). The overall mortality rate was 40% (64/160), with no differences over the years or between transferred and local patients. Body mass index and pre-ECMO neuromuscular blockers and SAPS were independent predictors for early mortality (when adjusted for age). CONCLUSIONS: The workload of the authors' referral center and mobile team did not change, documenting that severe respiratory failure requiring VV-ECMO support is still a clinical need. No difference in mortality rate was detectable during this period or between transferred and local patients who were managed by the same team.

Serial Lactate Measurements as a Prognostic Tool in Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support.

BACKGROUND: Serial lactate measurements over time or lactate clearance has been reported to be clinically reliable for risk stratification in different pathologic conditions ranging from sepsis to trauma, but no data are so far available on the behavior of lactate during venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) support in refractory adult acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: We assessed lactate values during VV-ECMO support and the prognostic role of lactate clearance at 6, 24, and 72 hours after ECMO start in 126 consecutive patients with refractory ARDS treated with VV-ECMO. RESULTS: Survivors showed a progressive, significant decrease in lactate values throughout the study period, whereas nonsurvivors exhibited a progressive increase. Lactate values (measured before ECMO initiation, as well as 6 and 24 hours after) were independently associated with intensive care unit (ICU) death. A significantly higher lactate clearance was observed for survivors at 72 hours after ECMO start than for nonsurvivors. At logistic regression analysis, lactate clearance at 72 hours after ECMO start was an independent predictor of ICU death (odds ratio 0.988, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.995 to 0.982, p = 0.001) (together with age, body mass index, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment). At receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, lactate clearance at 72 hours after ECMO start cutoff value of -16% had a sensitivity of 68% and a specificity of 63% (area under the curve = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.57 to 0.77, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Lactate (measured before ECMO initiation, as well as 6 and 24 hours after) is a prognostic factor in patients with refractory ARDS treated with VV-ECMO, and lactate clearance at 72 hours after ECMO initiation helps in the risk stratification of these patients, being independently associated with death.

Body mass index and echocardiography in refractory ARDS treated with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

The aims of the present investigation, performed in 118 consecutive patients with refractory ARDS treated with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO), were as follows: (a) to assess ICU mortality in overweight, obese and morbid obese patients in respect to normal weight; (b) to evaluate echocardiographic findings according to BMI subgroups. Echocardiography was performed before VV-ECMO implantation. Forty-five patients (38.1%) showed normal BMI, 37 patients (31.4%) were overweight and the remaining were obese (21.2%), or morbid obese (9.3%). Morbid obese showed the lowest ICU mortality rate (p = 0.003). No differences were detectable among BMI subgroups in echocardiographic findings apart from the fact that obese patients showed the lowest incidence of LV dysfunction (p = 0.015). At stepwise regression analysis the following variables were independent predictor of ICU mortality (when adjusted for age): RV dilatation (OR 4.361, 95 % CI 1.809-10.512, p < 0.001), BMI (OR 0.884, 95% CI 0.821-0.951, p < 0.001). In other terms, the presence of RV dilatation is an independent predictor of ICU mortality. In refractory ARDS treated with VV-ECMO, BMI > 30 kg/m2 is common (accounting for one-third of the entire population) but it is not associated with a worse outcome, so that it cannot be considered per se a contraindication to ECMO implantation. The incidence of RV dilatation and failure, which are known to negatively affect prognosis in ARDS patients, were comparable among BMI subgroups.

Serial measurements of troponin and echocardiography in patients with moderate-to-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical significance of serial troponin I levels (measured in the first 72 hours from admission) in 42 consecutive patients with moderate-to-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Echocardiography and electrocardiogram testings were serially performed in the time window. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Troponin I was measured every 12 hours in the first 72 hours from intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Echocardiography and electrocardiogram testings were serially performed in the same time window to clinically interpret Tn I levels. RESULTS: Patients with admission positive Tn I (38.1%) showed higher values of systolic pulmonary hypertension (P = .013) associated with significantly lower values of tricuspid annular plane excursion (P = .011). Twenty-five patients (25/42, 59.5%) exhibited positive peak Tn I and at second echocardiographic assessment exhibited significant lower tricuspid annular plane excursion values (P = .005). At stepwise regression analysis the following variables were an independent predictor for in-ICU mortality: Pco2 (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.011-1.161, P = .023), systolic pulmonary arterial hypertension (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.701-0.977, P = .002), log peak Tn I (OR 3.56, 95% CI 1.045-12.132, P = .042). CONCLUSIONS: In moderate-to-severe ARDS, serial troponin I assessment together with echocardiography evaluation helped to identify a subgroup at higher risk for in-ICU death. Moreover, troponin release can be related to right ventricular dysfunction, thus highlighting the clinical role of echocardiography in ARDS patients.

Diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia: a pilot, exploratory analysis of a new score based on procalcitonin and chest echography.

BACKGROUND: To facilitate the clinical diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the ICU, the Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS) has been proposed but has shown a low diagnostic performance in subsequent studies. We propose a new score based on procalcitonin level and chest echography with the aim of improving VAP diagnosis: the Chest Echography and Procalcitonin Pulmonary Infection Score (CEPPIS). METHODS: This retrospective pilot study recruited patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Emergency Department, Careggi University Hospital (Florence, Italy), from January 2009 to December 2011. Patients were retrospectively divided into a microbiologically confirmed VAP group or a control group based on diagnosis of VAP and positive tracheal aspirate culture. RESULTS: A total of 221 patients were included, with 113 in the microbiologically confirmed VAP group and 108 in the control group. A CEPPIS > 5 retrospectively fixed was significantly better in predicting VAP (OR, 23.78; sensitivity, 80.5%; specificity, 85.2%) than a CPIS > 6 (OR, 3.309; sensitivity, 39.8%; specificity, 83.3%). The receiver operating characteristic area under the curve analysis also showed a significantly higher diagnostic value for CEPPIS > 5 than CPIS > 6 (0.829 vs 0.616, respectively; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot, exploratory analysis, CEPPIS is effective in predicting VAP. Prospective validation is needed to confirm the potential value of this score to facilitate VAP diagnosis.

H3N2 Virus as Causative Agent of ARDS Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support.

Pandemic influenza virus A(H1N1) 2009 was associated with a higher risk of viral pneumonia in comparison with seasonal influenza viruses. The influenza season 2011-2012 was characterized by the prevalent circulation of influenza A(H3N2) viruses. Whereas most H3N2 patients experienced mild, self-limited influenza-like illness, some patients were at increased risk for influenza complications because of age or underlying medical conditions. Cases presented were patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of ECMO referral center (Careggi Teaching Hospital, Florence, Italy). Despite extracorporeal membrane oxygenation treatment (ECMO), one patient with H3N2-induced ARDS did not survive. Our experience suggests that viral aetiology is becoming more important and hospitals should be able to perform a fast differential diagnosis between bacterial and viral aetiology.