Aerosol drug therapy in critically ill patients (Aero-in-ICU study): A multicentre prospective observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, a significant understanding of delivering optimal aerosol therapy and the availability of various drugs and devices have led to an increase in its use in clinical practice. There are only a few studies available regarding their use in critically ill patients from a few parts of the world. We aimed to study the practice pattern of aerosol therapy in critically ill patients from Indian intensive care units (ICUs). METHODS: After ethical approval, this multi-centric prospective observational study was performed over a study period of four weeks. Newly admitted adult patients considered who had an artificial airway and/or ventilation (including non-invasive). Patients were followed up for the next 14 days or until ICU discharge/death (whichever came first) for details of each aerosol therapy, including ongoing respiratory support, drug type, and aerosol-generating device. RESULTS: From the nine participating centers across India, 218 patients were enrolled. Of 218 enrolled patients, 72.48% received 4884 aerosols with 30.91 ± 27.15 (95%CI: 26.6-35.1) aerosols per patient over 1108 patient days. Approximately 62.7% during IMV, 30.2% during NIV, 2.3% in spontaneously breathing patients with an artificial airway during weaning, and 4.7% were given without an artificial airway after weaning or decannulation. In 59%, a single drug was used, and bronchodilators were the most frequent. The jet nebulizer was the most common, followed by the ultrasonic and vibrating mesh aerosol generator. The ventilator setting was changed in only 6.6% of the aerosol sessions with IMV and none with NIV. CONCLUSION: Aerosol therapy is frequently used with a wide variation in practices; bronchodilators are the most commonly used drugs, and jet nebulizers are the most widely used.

Current Utility of Transgastric Percutaneous Drainage for the Management of Pancreatitis-Related Retrogastric Walled-Off Necrotic Collections: A Prospective Observational Study.

Introduction Pancreatic fluid collection (PFC) is one of the most frequent complications associated with acute pancreatitis. The route of drainage is guided by the size and site of collection. The present study aims to assess the clinical and technical success of transgastric percutaneous drainage (PCD) for managing retrogastric walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN). Materials and methods A total of 44 patients with acute pancreatitis diagnosed with WOPN who underwent transgastric PCD with ultrasound or CT guidance as part of standard clinical management were included in the study. Patients were observed for improvement in clinical parameters, and treatment outcomes were noted in terms of technical success, clinical success, adverse events, need for additional procedures, hospital stay, and duration of placement of all drains. Data for the internalization of transgastric PCD was also observed in the study. Results Technical success during the drain placement was observed in 93% (n=41) of patients.Internalization of the transgastric drain was attempted in 12 patients and successful in 11 (91%). The median duration of hospital stay from the time of placement of the first PCD until discharge and the median duration of all PCDs placed were higher in patients where the transgastric drain was not internalized as compared to patients where the transgastric drain was internalized. Conclusion In WOPN, transgastric drain placement and successful internalization in any form help in the early resolution of peripancreatic and abdominal collections. It also reduces the time to percutaneous catheter removal, which in turn reduces the morbidity and decreases the need for additional interventions or surgery.

Collaborative Research in Critical Care Medicine: A Way Forward to High-impact Publications from India.

How to cite this article: Ravisankar NP, Singh R, Gurjar M. Collaborative Research in Critical Care Medicine: A Way Forward to High-impact Publications from India. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(12):869-870.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia due to Aeromonas hydrophila: A rare case report.

Introduction: Aeromonas hydrophila is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause various infections, including pneumonia, in immunocompromised individuals. This case report presents a rare occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by Aeromonas hydrophila in an apparently non-immunocompromised patient. Case presentation: The patient exhibited signs and symptoms of VAP and was successfully treated with intravenous ciprofloxacin. The discussion highlights the characteristics of Aeromonas species, its virulence factors, risk factors for infection, and antibiotic profile. Conclusion: It emphasizes the need for awareness and suspicion of Aeromonas as a potential cause of VAP in ICU settings, as well as the importance of early detection and appropriate treatment for improved outcomes.

Red Blood Cell Transfusion in the Intensive Care Unit.

Importance: Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is common among patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Despite multiple randomized clinical trials of hemoglobin (Hb) thresholds for transfusion, little is known about how these thresholds are incorporated into current practice. Objective: To evaluate and describe ICU RBC transfusion practices worldwide. Design, Setting, and Participants: International, prospective, cohort study that involved 3643 adult patients from 233 ICUs in 30 countries on 6 continents from March 2019 to October 2022 with data collection in prespecified weeks. Exposure: ICU stay. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the occurrence of RBC transfusion during ICU stay. Additional outcomes included the indication(s) for RBC transfusion (consisting of clinical reasons and physiological triggers), the stated Hb threshold and actual measured Hb values before and after an RBC transfusion, and the number of units transfused. Results: Among 3908 potentially eligible patients, 3643 were included across 233 ICUs (median of 11 patients per ICU [IQR, 5-20]) in 30 countries on 6 continents. Among the participants, the mean (SD) age was 61 (16) years, 62% were male (2267/3643), and the median Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score was 3.2 (IQR, 1.5-6.0). A total of 894 patients (25%) received 1 or more RBC transfusions during their ICU stay, with a median total of 2 units per patient (IQR, 1-4). The proportion of patients who received a transfusion ranged from 0% to 100% across centers, from 0% to 80% across countries, and from 19% to 45% across continents. Among the patients who received a transfusion, a total of 1727 RBC transfusions were administered, wherein the most common clinical indications were low Hb value (n = 1412 [81.8%]; mean [SD] lowest Hb before transfusion, 7.4 [1.2] g/dL), active bleeding (n = 479; 27.7%), and hemodynamic instability (n = 406 [23.5%]). Among the events with a stated physiological trigger, the most frequently stated triggers were hypotension (n = 728 [42.2%]), tachycardia (n = 474 [27.4%]), and increased lactate levels (n = 308 [17.8%]). The median lowest Hb level on days with an RBC transfusion ranged from 5.2 g/dL to 13.1 g/dL across centers, from 5.3 g/dL to 9.1 g/dL across countries, and from 7.2 g/dL to 8.7 g/dL across continents. Approximately 84% of ICUs administered transfusions to patients at a median Hb level greater than 7 g/dL. Conclusions and Relevance: RBC transfusion was common in patients admitted to ICUs worldwide between 2019 and 2022, with high variability across centers in transfusion practices.

Quadriparesis with different diagnoses after COVID-19 vaccination: Case series and literature review.

Following vaccination with adenoviral vector-based ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, serious neurological adverse events have been reported. Here we report two cases who presented with quadriparesis following the adenoviral vector-based ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. A 55-year-old male patient presented with quadriparesis after 8 days of the second dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination. Imaging showed features of stroke with right basilar artery thrombosis; he was started on anticoagulation following which the patient's neurological status improved and he was discharged during the 7th week of hospital stay. A 19-year-old male patient presented with quadriparesis after 16 days of the first dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination. Cerebral spinal fluid and nerve conduction study was suggestive of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). Two doses of intravenous immunoglobulin were given, following which the patient's neurological status improved and he was discharged in the 11th week of his hospital stay. Awareness of neurological adverse effects and emphasis on the underlying mechanism of vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) and molecular mimicry in patients presenting with quadriparesis following ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination is important.

Who Cares About Me? The Need of the Hour is to Improve Awareness and Quality of End-of-life Care Practices in Indian Intensive Care Units.

How to cite this article: Singh U, Maurya I, Gurjar M. Who Cares About Me? The Need of the Hour is to Improve Awareness and Quality of End-of-life Care Practices in Indian Intensive Care Units. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(8):523-525.

Sheehan's Syndrome unmasked by dengue fever: A case report and review of literature.

Sheehan's syndrome is a pituitary disease resulting from severe postpartum hemorrhage and can present with varying degrees of pituitary insufficiency. Although its incidence is decreasing in developed countries, it continues to be one of the most common causes of hypopituitarism in underdeveloped and developing countries. Here, we report a case of Sheehan's syndrome which was diagnosed following an episode of severe dengue infection, in a 38-year-old female.

QTc Interval of Healthcare Workers from India: Baseline and Effect of Hydroxychloroquine Prophylaxis during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The aim of this study was to access the incidence of prolonged QTc interval and changes, if any, among Indian healthcare workers (HCWs) taking hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) prophylaxis while managing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. Methods: At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) policy, HCWs were advised to take HCQ as prophylaxis after getting an electrocardiogram (ECG) while being posted to look after COVID-19 patients. A follow-up ECG was repeated for those who took HCQ. The normal upper limit for QTc interval of 460 milliseconds (ms) for females and 450 ms for males was considered. Results: A baseline ECG was analyzed for 250 HCWs with a median age of 35 (30-43) years. The median QTc was 410 (395-421) ms with the prevalence of prolonged QTc of 1.8% in females and 0% in males. A follow-up ECG after HCQ intake for 43 HCWs was further analyzed. They had a median age of 35 (31-39) years and took an average dose of HCQ of 2372 ± 839 mg. Pre- and post-HCQ chemoprophylaxis QTc interval (ms) was as follows: 408 (386-419) and 405 (387-417), with P = 0.434, respectively. Conclusion: Among Indian HCWs, the prevalence of prolonged QTc is 1.8% and 0% in females and males, respectively. HCQ intake as chemoprophylaxis for COVID-19 did not affect their QTc interval.

Efficacy of Yoga Nidra on Depression, Anxiety, and Insomnia in Frontline COVID-19 Healthcare Workers: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge of mental health disturbances and the subsequent use of various mind-body therapies. Although evidence supports the benefits of yoga for mental health in a variety of disease states, information on its effects among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 epidemic is scarce. Therefore, this study evaluated and compared the efficacy of relaxation to music and yoga nidra on the mental health of frontline healthcare workers during the pandemic. This open-label randomized trial was conducted at a Level III COVID-19 care center. In the Relaxation-to-Music Group, participants received deep relaxation music, whereas those in the Yoga Nidra Group performed yoga nidra practices; both interventions were delivered through a YouTube platform and were to be done daily for 30 minutes during the healthcare workers' 2-week duty periods. The primary outcomes were measured using scores of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)-7 scale, and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) at the end of the duty period. A total of 79 healthcare workers were randomly divided into two groups: (1) Relaxation-to-Music (n = 40) and (2) Yoga Nidra (n = 39). Demographics; clinical characteristics; and PHQ-9, GAD-7, and ISI scores of the two groups were comparable at baseline. In the Yoga Nidra Group, PHQ-9 scores decreased significantly (5.17 ± 4.25 to 3.03 ± 2.40, p = 0.002) compared to the Relaxation-to-Music Group (5.68 ± 4.73 to 4.34 ± 2.90, p = 0.064). Similarly, GAD-7 scores decreased significantly in the Yoga Nidra Group (4.93 ± 3.27 to 2.33 ± 2.56, p < 0.001) compared to the Relaxation-to-Music Group (4.84 ± 3.94 to 4.03 ± 3.56, p = 0.123). ISI scores also decreased significantly in the Yoga Nidra Group (6.10 ± 3.53 to 3.03 ± 2.88, p < 0.001) compared to the Relaxation-to-Music Group (6.09 ± 5.37 to 5.93 ± 5.95, p = 0.828). In this study, yoga nidra practice was more helpful than relaxation to music in reducing depression, anxiety, and insomnia among frontline COVID-19 healthcare workers during their duty periods.

Towards Achieving Nutrition Goal in Critically Ill Patients: Need a Simple Yet Effective Bedside Tool.

How to cite this article: Wali S, Gutte SH, Gurjar M. Towards Achieving Nutrition Goal in Critically Ill Patients: Need a Simple Yet Effective Bedside Tool. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(6):379-380.

Association of Noninvasive Respiratory Support with Extubation Outcomes in Brain-injured Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation: A Secondary Analysis of the ENIO Prospective Observational Study.

Rationale: Noninvasive respiratory support using a high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) or noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) can decrease the risk of reintubation in patients being liberated from mechanical ventilation, but effects in patients with acute brain injury (ABI) are unknown. Objectives: To evaluate the association between postextubation noninvasive respiratory support and reintubation in patients with ABI being liberated from mechanical ventilation. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of a prospective, observational study of mechanically ventilated patients with ABI (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT03400904). The primary endpoint was reintubation during ICU admission. We used mixed-effects logistic regression models with patient-level covariates and random intercepts for hospital and country to evaluate the association between prophylactic (i.e., planned) HFNC or NIPPV and reintubation. Measurements and Main Results: 1,115 patients were included from 62 hospitals and 19 countries, of whom 267 received HFNC or NIPPV following extubation (23.9%). Compared with conventional oxygen therapy, neither prophylactic HFNC nor NIPPV was associated with decreased odds of reintubation (respectively, odds ratios of 0.97 [95% confidence interval, 0.54-1.73] and 0.63 [0.30-1.32]). Findings remained consistent in sensitivity analyses accounting for alternate adjustment procedures, missing data, shorter time frames of the primary endpoint, and competing risks precluding reintubation. In a Bayesian analysis using skeptical and data-driven priors, the probabilities of reduced reintubation ranged from 17% to 34% for HFNC and from 46% to 74% for NIPPV. Conclusions: In a large cohort of brain-injured patients undergoing liberation from mechanical ventilation, prophylactic use of HFNC and NIPPV were not associated with reintubation. Prospective trials are needed to confirm treatment effects in this population. Primary study registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03400904).

Cytomegalovirus reactivation with high viral load in a patient of coronavirus disease 2019 acute respiratory distress syndrome: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Cytomegalovirus establishes life-long latency after primary infection in childhood. Cytomegalovirus reactivation has been well reported in immune-compromised patients; however, in the last few years it has been observed that cytomegalovirus reactivation also occurs in critically ill patients without exogenous immunosuppression, which increases length of intensive care unit stay and mortality rate. CASE REPORT: A 63-year-old Indian male, without any known comorbidity, developed severe coronavirus disease 2019 and was admitted to the intensive care unit. He received remdesivir, tocilizumab, steroids, anticoagulants, and empiric antibiotics over the next 3 weeks. However, his clinical condition did not improve much, and during the 9th week of illness his condition started deteriorating and routine bacterial cultures, fungal cultures, and cytomegalovirus real-time polymerase chain reaction on blood were negative. His clinical condition worsened rapidly, which led to the need for invasive mechanical ventilation. Tracheal aspirate bacterial and fungal culture showed no growth, but cytomegalovirus real-time polymerase chain reaction showed 21,86,000 copies/mL in tracheal aspirates. After 4 weeks of ganciclovir treatment, the patient improved clinically and was discharged. Currently he is doing well and able to do his routine activity without the need of oxygen. CONCLUSION: Timely management with ganciclovir is associated with favorable outcome in cytomegalovirus infection. Thus, it can be suggested that treatment should be initiated with ganciclovir if a patient with coronavirus disease 2019 has high cytomegalovirus load in tracheal aspirates, along with unexplained and prolonged clinical and/or radiological features.

Clinical features, etiologies, and outcomes in adult patients with meningoencephalitis requiring intensive care (EURECA): an international prospective multicenter cohort study.

PURPOSE: We aimed to characterize the outcomes of patients with severe meningoencephalitis requiring intensive care. METHODS: We conducted a prospective multicenter international cohort study (2017-2020) in 68 centers across 7 countries. Eligible patients were adults admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with meningoencephalitis, defined by an acute onset of encephalopathy (Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score [Formula: see text] 13), a cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis [Formula: see text] 5 cells/mm3, and at least two of the following criteria: fever, seizures, focal neurological deficit, abnormal neuroimaging, and/or electroencephalogram. The primary endpoint was poor functional outcome at 3 months, defined by a score of three to six on the modified Rankin scale. Multivariable analyses stratified on centers investigated ICU admission variables associated with the primary endpoint. RESULTS: Among 599 patients enrolled, 589 (98.3%) completed the 3-month follow-up and were included. Overall, 591 etiologies were identified in those patients which were categorized into five groups: acute bacterial meningitis (n = 247, 41.9%); infectious encephalitis of viral, subacute bacterial, or fungal/parasitic origin (n = 140, 23.7%); autoimmune encephalitis (n = 38, 6.4%); neoplastic/toxic encephalitis (n = 11, 1.9%); and encephalitis of unknown origin (n = 155, 26.2%). Overall, 298 patients (50.5%, 95% CI 46.6-54.6%) had a poor functional outcome, including 152 deaths (25.8%). Variables independently associated with a poor functional outcome were age > 60 years (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.22-2.51), immunodepression (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.27-3.08), time between hospital and ICU admission > 1 day (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.44-2.99), a motor component on the GCS [Formula: see text] 3 (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.49-3.45), hemiparesis/hemiplegia (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.47-4.18), respiratory failure (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.05-2.94), and cardiovascular failure (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.07-2.75). In contrast, administration of a third-generation cephalosporin (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.37-0.78) and acyclovir (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.38-0.80) on ICU admission were protective. CONCLUSION: Meningoencephalitis is a severe neurologic syndrome associated with high mortality and disability rates at 3 months. Actionable factors for which improvement could be made include time from hospital to ICU admission, early antimicrobial therapy, and detection of respiratory and cardiovascular complications at admission.

Arterial cannulation in adult critical care patients: A comparative study between ultrasound guidance and palpation technique.

OBJECTIVE: To compare first attempt success rate for ultrasound-guided (USG) versus direct palpation (DP) for radial, femoral, and dorsalis pedis artery cannulations in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients. DESIGN: Prospective randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Mixed adult ICU of a University Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients (≥18 years) admitted to the ICU requiring invasive arterial pressure monitoring were included. Exclusion criteria were patients with a pre-existing arterial line and cannulated with other than a 20-gauge cannula for radial and dorsalis pedis artery. INTERVENTION: Comparison of arterial cannulation by USG versus palpation technique in radial, femoral and dorsalis pedis arteries. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Primary outcome was first attempt success rate, secondary outcomes were assessing time for cannulations, number of attempts, overall success rate, complications, and comparison of two techniques on patients requiring vasopressor. RESULTS: 201 patients were enrolled in study, with 99 randomized to DP group and 102 to USG group. Arteries (radial, dorsalis pedis, femoral) cannulated in both groups were comparable (P = .193). Arterial line was placed on first attempt in 85 (83.3%) in USG group versus 55 (55.6%) in DP group (P = .02). Cannulation time in USG group was significantly shorter compared to DP group. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, USG arterial cannulation, compared to palpatory technique, had a higher success rate at first attempt and a shorter cannulation time. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY OF INDIA NUMBER: CTRI/2020/01/022989.

Epidemiology and outcomes of hospital-acquired bloodstream infections in intensive care unit patients: the EUROBACT-2 international cohort study.

PURPOSE: In the critically ill, hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (HA-BSI) are associated with significant mortality. Granular data are required for optimizing management, and developing guidelines and clinical trials. METHODS: We carried out a prospective international cohort study of adult patients (≥ 18 years of age) with HA-BSI treated in intensive care units (ICUs) between June 2019 and February 2021. RESULTS: 2600 patients from 333 ICUs in 52 countries were included. 78% HA-BSI were ICU-acquired. Median Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was 8 [IQR 5; 11] at HA-BSI diagnosis. Most frequent sources of infection included pneumonia (26.7%) and intravascular catheters (26.4%). Most frequent pathogens were Gram-negative bacteria (59.0%), predominantly Klebsiella spp. (27.9%), Acinetobacter spp. (20.3%), Escherichia coli (15.8%), and Pseudomonas spp. (14.3%). Carbapenem resistance was present in 37.8%, 84.6%, 7.4%, and 33.2%, respectively. Difficult-to-treat resistance (DTR) was present in 23.5% and pan-drug resistance in 1.5%. Antimicrobial therapy was deemed adequate within 24 h for 51.5%. Antimicrobial resistance was associated with longer delays to adequate antimicrobial therapy. Source control was needed in 52.5% but not achieved in 18.2%. Mortality was 37.1%, and only 16.1% had been discharged alive from hospital by day-28. CONCLUSIONS: HA-BSI was frequently caused by Gram-negative, carbapenem-resistant and DTR pathogens. Antimicrobial resistance led to delays in adequate antimicrobial therapy. Mortality was high, and at day-28 only a minority of the patients were discharged alive from the hospital. Prevention of antimicrobial resistance and focusing on adequate antimicrobial therapy and source control are important to optimize patient management and outcomes.

Association of hyperglycaemia at-admission & diabetes mellitus with 28 day mortality in patients admitted with moderate-severe SARS-CoV-2 infection: A retrospective study.

Background & objectives: The association between hyperglycaemia at admission, diabetes mellitus (DM) status and mortality in hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 infected patients is not clear. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between DM, at-admission hyperglycaemia and 28 day mortality in patients admitted with moderate-severe SARS-CoV-2 infection requiring intensive care. Methods: All consecutive moderate-to-severe patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs) over six months were enrolled in this single-centre, retrospective study. The predicators for 28 day mortality were analysed from the independent variables including DM status and hyperglycaemia at-admission. Results: Four hundred and fifty two patients with SARS-CoV-2 were admitted to the ICU, with a mean age of 58.5±13.4 yr, 78.5 per cent being male, HbA1c of 7.2 per cent (6.3-8.8) and 63.7 per cent having DM. Overall, 28 day mortality was 48.9 per cent. In univariate analysis, mortality in diabetes patients was comparable with non-diabetes (47.9 vs. 50.6%, P=0.58), while it was significantly higher in hyperglycaemic group (60.4 vs. 35.8%, P<0.001). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, after adjusting for age, sex and comorbidities, hyperglycaemia at-admission was an independent risk factor of mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.06-1.99), P<0.05]. Interpretation & conclusions: This study showed that the presence of hyperglycaemia at-admission in critically ill SARS-CoV-2 patients was an independent predictor of 28 day mortality. However, the findings may be susceptible to unmeasured confounding, and more research from prospective studies is required.