Utility of the One-time HACOR Score as a Predictor of Weaning Failure from Mechanical Ventilation: A Prospective Observational Study.

Aim: To determine the utility of the HACOR score in predicting weaning failure in resource-limited settings. Objectives: The primary objective was to determine a cut-off value of the HACOR score, sensitivity, and specificity to predict failed weaning. The secondary objective was to determine which out of five components of the score was significantly different between the successful weaning and the failed weaning groups. Introduction: Most weaning indices are either inaccurate or are dependent on complex ventilatory parameters, which are difficult to measure in resource-limited settings. This study aimed to determine the utility of the HACOR score consisting of heart rate, acidosis, consciousness level, oxygenation, and respiratory rate as a predictor of weaning in the intensive care unit. Materials and methods: It was a prospective observational study on 120 patients between 18 and 90 years. The HACOR score was evaluated at 30 minutes of spontaneous breathing trial (SBT). The total duration of SBT was 120 minutes. Results: Out of 120 patients, 83 (69.2%) had successful weaning, whereas 37 (30.8%) had weaning failure. The median and interquartile range (IQR) of the HACOR score in the successful weaning group was 2 (0-3) and 6 (5-8) in the failed weaning group (p-value <0.001). There was a significant difference in each of the five components of the HACOR score between the successful and failed weaning groups (p <0.05). HACOR score ≥5 predicted failed weaning, sensitivity 83.8%, specificity 96.4%, area under the curve (AUC) 0.950, and 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.907-0.993], p <0.001. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that HACOR score ≥5 is an independent predictor of weaning failure [p <0.001, 95% CI (1.9-4.2), adjusted odds ratio 2.82]. Conclusion: A HACOR score ≥5 is an excellent predictor of weaning failure. This score may be useful as a weaning strategy in the intensive care unit. How to cite this article: Chaudhuri S, Gupta N, Adhikari SD, Todur P, Maddani SS, Rao S. Utility of the One-time HACOR Score as a Predictor of Weaning Failure from Mechanical Ventilation: A Prospective Observational Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(8):900-905. Ethical approval: Prior to the commencement of the study, Institutional Ethics Committee permission was obtained (IEC: 197/2021) and Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI) registration was done before recruitment (CTRI/2021/07/035139). We obtained written informed consent from the legally authorized representative prior to recruiting patients for the study.

Fulminant lymphocytic myocarditis: Prediction of successful weaning from Impella support for cardiogenic shock.

We present a series of four patients with biopsy-proven fulminant lymphocytic myocarditis with cardiogenic shock and discuss whether it is possible to predict recovery of left ventricular function and successful weaning at the time of initial placement of mechanical circulatory support. Impella CP (Abiomed, Danvers, MA, USA) was placed in these patients on admission. Patients 1 and 2 made complete recovery. Patient 3 proceeded to bi-ventricular assist device and is currently waiting for transplantation. Patient 4 proceeded to Impella 5 but died from multiple organ failure. Although the Impella provides excellent hemodynamic support, outcomes of the patients with fulminant myocarditis with Impella support may depend upon the severity of myocarditis and myocardial failure. In addition to the previously reported predictors such as the level of elevated biomarkers, the severity of ventricular wall edema, and the development of rhythm disturbances, the absence of right ventricular dysfunction seems important to predict successful weaning from Impella support. .

Five years follow up of patient receiving prolonged mechanical ventilation: Data for a single center in Taiwan.

Background: The National Association for Medical Direction of Respiratory Care recommended tracking 1-year survival rates (the most relevant outcome) in patients treated with prolonged mechanical ventilation. However, patients treated with prolonged mechanical ventilation had higher mortality rates within the first 2 years after weaning. More knowledge regarding long-term mortality would help patients, families, and clinicians choose appropriate interventions and make end-of-life decisions. In this investigation, we attempted to determine the rates of long-term mortality for all patients treated with prolonged mechanical ventilation over a period of 10 years. Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to enhance the overall survival outcomes for patients receiving prolonged mechanical ventilation by identifying the factors affecting the 5-year mortality rates for these patients. Design: Retrospective observational study. Materials and methods: In this retrospective study, we explored the influential factors related to the overall survival outcomes of all patients treated with prolonged mechanical ventilation. We enrolled every individual admitted to the weaning unit between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2016. The length of survival for each patient was estimated from admission to the weaning unit until death or December 31, 2021, whichever came first. We analyzed the data to investigate the survival time, mortality rates, and survival curves in these patients. Results: Long-term follow-up information was gathered for 296 patients who received prolonged mechanical ventilation. There was better mean survival times in patients treated with prolonged mechanical ventilation with the following characteristics (in order): no comorbidities, tracheostomies, and intracranial hemorrhage. Successful weaning, receipt of tracheostomy, an age less than 75 years, and no comorbidities were associated with better long-term overall survival outcomes. Conclusion: Prolonged mechanical ventilation patients had abysmal overall survival outcomes. Even though prolonged mechanical ventilation patients' long-term survival outcomes are tragic, medical professionals should never give up on the dream of enhancing long-term outcomes.

Early decrease of ventilatory ratio after prone position ventilation may predict successful weaning in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Previous studies usually identified patients who benefit the most from prone positioning by oxygenation improvement. However, inconsistent results have been reported. Physiologically, pulmonary dead space fraction may be more appropriate in evaluating the prone response. As an easily calculated bedside index, ventilatory ratio (VR) correlates well with pulmonary dead space fraction. Hence, we investigated whether the change in VR after prone positioning is associated with weaning outcomes at day 28 and to identify patients who will benefit the most from prone positioning. Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort study was performed in a group of mechanically ventilated, non-COVID ARDS patients who received prone positioning in the ICU at Zhongda hospital, Southeast University. The primary outcome was the rate of successful weaning patients at day 28. Arterial blood gas results and corresponding ventilatory parameters on five different time points around the first prone positioning were collected, retrospectively. VR responders were identified by Youden's index. Competing-risk regression models were used to identify the association between the VR change and liberation from mechanical ventilation at day 28. Results: One hundred and three ARDS patients receiving prone positioning were included, of whom 53 (51%) successfully weaned from the ventilator at day 28. VR responders were defined as patients showing a decrease in VR of greater than or equal to 0.037 from the baseline to within 4 h after prone. VR responders have significant longer ventilator-free days, higher successful weaning rates and lower mortality compared with non-responders at day 28. And a significant between-group difference exists in the respiratory mechanics improvement after prone (P < 0.05). A linear relationship was also found between VR change and compliance of the respiratory system (Crs) change after prone (r = 0.32, P = 0.025). In the multivariable competing-risk analysis, VR change (sHR 0.57; 95% CI, 0.35-0.92) was independently associated with liberation from mechanical ventilation at day 28. Conclusion: Ventilatory ratio decreased more significantly within 4 h after prone positioning in patients with successful weaning at day 28. VR change was independently associated with liberation from mechanical ventilation at day 28.

Development of an Interactive AI System for the Optimal Timing Prediction of Successful Weaning from Mechanical Ventilation for Patients in Respiratory Care Centers.

Successful weaning from prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) is an important issue in respiratory care centers (RCCs). Delayed or premature extubation increases both the risk of adverse outcomes and healthcare costs. However, the accurate evaluation of the timing of successful weaning from MV is very challenging in RCCs. This study aims to utilize artificial intelligence algorithms to build predictive models for the successful timing of the weaning of patients from MV in RCCs and to implement a dashboard with the best model in RCC settings. A total of 670 intubated patients in the RCC in Chi Mei Medical Center were included in the study. Twenty-six feature variables were selected to build the predictive models with artificial intelligence (AI)/machine-learning (ML) algorithms. An interactive dashboard with the best model was developed and deployed. A preliminary impact analysis was then conducted. Our results showed that all seven predictive models had a high area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), which ranged from 0.792 to 0.868. The preliminary impact analysis revealed that the mean number of ventilator days required for the successful weaning of the patients was reduced by 0.5 after AI intervention. The development of an AI prediction dashboard is a promising method to assist in the prediction of the optimal timing of weaning from MV in RCC settings. However, a systematic prospective study of AI intervention is still needed.

Update on Weaning from Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) provides temporary cardiac and respiratory support and has emerged as an established salvage intervention for patients with hemodynamic compromise or shock. It is thereby used as a bridge to recovery, bridge to permanent ventricular assist devices, bridge to transplantation, or bridge to decision. However, weaning from VA-ECMO differs between centers, and information about standardized weaning protocols are rare. Given the high mortality of patients undergoing VA-ECMO treatment, it is all the more important to answer the many questions still remaining unresolved in this field Standardized algorithms are recommended to optimize the weaning process and determine whether the VA-ECMO can be safely removed. Successful weaning as a multifactorial process requires sufficient recovery of myocardial and end-organ function. The patient should be considered hemodynamically stable, although left ventricular function often remains impaired during and after weaning. Echocardiographic and invasive hemodynamic monitoring seem to be indispensable when evaluating biventricular recovery and in determining whether the VA-ECMO can be weaned successfully or not, whereas cardiac biomarkers may not be useful in stratifying those who will recover. This review summarizes the strategies of weaning of VA-ECMO and discusses predictors of successful and poor weaning outcome.

Effect of High-Dose Vitamin D on Duration of Mechanical Ventilation in ICU Patients.

The relationship of vitamin D3 with the duration of mechanical ventilation and mortality is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of using high-dose vitamin D on the duration of mechanical ventilation among the patients admitted to the intensive care unit. The current double-blinded clinical trial was performed on 44 mechanically ventilated, adult patients. Using permuted block randomization, the patients were recruited in intervention and placebo arms. In the placebo group, four patients were excluded due to death before 72 h. The vitamin D level was measured in both groups on entrance and 7th day of the study. The intervention and placebo groups received intramuscular injection of 300000 IU vitamin D and identical placebo, respectively. SOFA and CPIS score were evaluated daily for 7 days and on 14th and 28th days of the study. Also duration of mechanical ventilation and mortality rate were recorded. Fourteen males and 8 females were recruited in the intervention group, as well as 13 males and 5 females in the control group. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics of the patients including gender and age. The mean duration of the mechanical ventilation was 17.63 ± 14 days in the intervention group versus 27.72 ± 22.48 days in the control group (p = 0.06). Mortality rate in control and intervention groups was 61.1% versus 36.3% (p = 0.00), respectively. Administration of high-dose vitamin D could reduce mortality in mechanically ventilated patients. Despite decrease of 10 days in duration of mechanical ventilation, the difference was not statistically significant. Larger studies are recommended.