Validation of standard operating procedure for oral hygienization of intubated and tracheostomized patients / Validação de um procedimento operacional padrão para higienização oral de pacientes intubados e traqueostomizados

INTRODUÇÃO: In Intensive Care Units, oral hygiene is a care action directly related to the safety and well-being of the patient, being one of the main ways of preventing Pneumonia Associated with Mechanical Ventilation. Although relevant, the recommendations and standardization on oral hygiene among critically ill patients are diffuse. OBJECTIVE: To construct and validate a standard operating procedure (SOP) for oral hygiene performed by the nursing team for intubated and tracheostomized patients in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). METHODS: Methodological study developed in five stages: technical-scientific support; construction of SOP; recruitment and selection of experts; validation and presentation of the final version. The SOP was subjected to validation by judges with academic and/or clinical expertise (n=13) from all regions of Brazil, who assessed the validity criteria for each SOP item: Scope, Clarity, Coherence, Criticism, Objectivity, Scientific writing; Relevance, Sequence, and Uniqueness. The Content Validity Indices (CVI) of each validity criterion, SOP item, and the general CVI were calculated. RESULTS: The experts were nurses (38.5%), dentists (38.5%), doctors (15.4%) and physiotherapists (7.7%). None of the SOP items had a CVI lower than 0.80. The general CVI was 0.95 and the experts' suggestions were mostly accepted (78.6%). The final version is available as an infographic, which illustrates the stages of the oral hygiene process of the intubated and tracheostomized patient. CONCLUSION: The constructed SOP has a satisfactory face and content validity, making a final total of 43 items to be used for oral hygiene of intubated and tracheostomy patients.

INTRODUÇÃO: Em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva, a higienização bucal é ação de cuidado diretamente relacionada à segurança do paciente e qualidade do cuidado, sendo uma das principais formas de prevenção da Pneumonia Associada à Ventilação Mecânica. Apesar disso, as recomendações e a padronização sobre a higienização bucal entre pacientes críticos são difusas. OBJETIVO: Construir e validar um procedimento operacional padrão (POP) para higiene bucal realizada pela enfermagem a pacientes intubados e traqueostomizados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI). MÉTODOS: Estudo metodológico desenvolvido em cinco etapas: subsídio técnico-científico; construção do POP; recrutamento e seleção de experts; validação de face e conteúdo do POP e apresentação da versão final. O POP foi submetido à validação por juízes com expertise acadêmica e/ou clínica (n=13) de todas as regiões do Brasil, os quais apreciaram os critérios de validade: Abrangência, Clareza, Coerência, Criticidade, Objetividade, Redação científica; Relevância, Sequência e Unicidade. Foram calculados os Índices de Validade de Conteúdo (IVC) de cada critério, item do POP e o IVC geral. RESULTADOS: Os experts eram enfermeiros(as) (38,5%), cirurgiãs-dentistas (38,5%), médicos(as) (15,4%) e fisioterapeuta (7,7%). Nenhum item do POP obteve IVC inferior a 0,80. O IVC geral foi de 0,95 e sugestões dos experts foram majoritariamente acatadas (78,6%). A versão final, disponível como infográfico, contempla ilustrativamente as etapas do processo de higienização bucal do paciente intubado e traqueostomizado. CONCLUSÃO: O POP alcançou validade de face e conteúdo satisfatória. A versão validada possui 43 itens processuais para higiene bucal de pacientes intubados e traqueoestomizados.

Study of the effect of added bronchoscopic suction to routine treatment of ventilator associated pneumonia patients in surgical ICU.

OBJECTIVE: Comparing BAL and antibiotic therapy with antibiotic therapy itself for treating VAP patients in ICU. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, the first group was treated using antibiotics and closed-suction was performed daily, using 50 cc of sterile normal saline. The second group was treated with antibiotics and daily closed-suction with 50 cc of sterile normal saline, plus bronchoscopic suction every other day. Patients of both groups were followed and investigated one, 3, 7, and 10 days after initial diagnosis. RESULTS: Mean blood leukocyte count and body temperature was measured in groups one (no bronchoscopy) and two (with bronchoscopy) in first, 3rd, 7th, and 10th days which was higher in the second group. Mean treatment status was also measured using APACHE II index. There was also a statistically significant difference in 3rd day (p-value < 0.05). There was also no difference in final culture result or mortality rate between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study like lower body temperature, higher leukocyte count reduction, and lower APACHE II scores in the second group, treated with bronchoscopic suction, adding bronchoscopy seems to be more useful than normal method.

Neumonía asociada a la ventilación mecánica en niños y adolescentes / Pneumonia associated with the mechanical ventilation in children and adolescents

Introducción: La neumonía asociada a la ventilación mecánica es una infección, que se relaciona con los cuidados sanitarios. Objetivo: Caracterizar clínica y epidemiológicamente a niños y adolescentes con neumonía asociada a la ventilación mecánica, según variables seleccionadas. Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal de 36 pacientes con neumonía asociada a la ventilación mecánica, ingresados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos del Hospital Infantil Norte Dr. Juan de la Cruz Martínez Maceira de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero del 2017 hasta diciembre del 2018. Resultados: Se halló un predominio de los pacientes menores de 5 años de edad (80,6 %), del sexo masculino (66,7 %), la ventilación mecánica prolongada (69,4 %) y las neumonías asociadas a la ventilación de aparición tardía relacionadas con la mortalidad. Los microorganismos más frecuentes resultaron ser los gramnegativos. La combinación de cefalosporinas y vancomicina fue la más utilizada. Conclusiones: La evolución de los pacientes dependió del tiempo de inicio, el microorganismo predominante y el tratamiento antimicrobiano empleado.

Introduction: The pneumonia associated with the mechanical ventilation is an infection that is related to the sanitary cares. Objective: To characterize clinical and epidemiologically children and adolescents with pneumonia associated with the mechanical ventilation, according to selected variables. Method: A descriptive and cross-sectional study of 36 patients with pneumonia associated with mechanical ventilation admitted in the Intensive Cares Unit of Dr. Juan de la Cruz Martínez Maceira Northern Children Hospital; was carried out in Santiago de Cuba, from January, 2017 to December, 2018. Results: There was a prevalence of the patients under 5 years (80.6 %), the male sex (66.7 %), the long lasting mechanical ventilation (69.4 %) and pneumonias associated with the ventilation of late appearance related to mortality. The most frequent microorganisms were the Gram negative. The combination of cephalosporins and vancomycin were the most used. Conclusions: The clinical course of the patients depended on the time of beginning, the predominant microorganism and the antimicrobial treatment used.

Association of Early vs Late Tracheostomy Placement With Pneumonia and Ventilator Days in Critically Ill Patients: A Meta-analysis.

Importance: The timing of tracheostomy placement in adult patients undergoing critical care remains unestablished. Previous meta-analyses have reported mixed findings regarding early vs late tracheostomy placement for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), ventilator days, mortality, and length of intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization. Objective: To compare the association of early (≤7 days) vs late tracheotomy with VAP and ventilator days in critically ill adults. Data Sources: A search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, references of relevant articles, previous meta-analyses, and gray literature from inception to March 31, 2020, was performed. Study Selection: Randomized clinical trials comparing early and late tracheotomy with any of our primary outcomes, VAP or ventilator days, were included. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Two independent reviewers conducted all stages of the review. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guideline was followed. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) or the mean difference (MD) with 95% CIs were calculated using a random-effects model. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes included VAP and duration of mechanical ventilation. Intensive care unit days and mortality (within the first 30 days of hospitalization) constituted secondary outcomes. Results: Seventeen unique trials with a cumulative 3145 patients (mean [SD] age range, 32.9 [12.7] to 67.9 [17.6] years) were included in this review. Individuals undergoing early tracheotomy had a decrease in the occurrence of VAP (OR, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.35-0.99]; 1894 patients) and experienced more ventilator-free days (MD, 1.74 [95% CI, 0.48-3.00] days; 1243 patients). Early tracheotomy also resulted in fewer ICU days (MD, -6.25 [95% CI, -11.22 to -1.28] days; 2042 patients). Mortality was reported for 2445 patients and was comparable between groups (OR, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.38-1.15]). Conclusions and Relevance: Compared with late tracheotomy, early intervention was associated with lower VAP rates and shorter durations of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay, but not with reduced short-term, all-cause mortality. These findings have substantial clinical implications and may result in practice changes regarding the timing of tracheotomy in severely ill adults requiring mechanical ventilation.

Epidemiology and clinical outcome of ventilator-associated events at a tertiary care hospital from North India.

The aim of our study was to determine the incidence, microbiological profile, risk factors and outcomes of patients diagnosed with ventilator-associated events in our tertiary care hospital. In this prospective study, intensive care patients put on mechanical ventilation for >48 h were enrolled and monitored daily for ventilator-associated event according to Disease Centre Control guidelines. A ventilator-associated event developed in 33/250 (13.2%); its incidence was 3.5/100 mechanical ventilation days. The device utilisation rate was 0.86, 36.4% of patients had early and 63.6% late-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia whose most common causative pathogen was Acinetobacter sp. (63.6%). Various factors were significantly associated with a ventilator-associated event: male gender, COPD, smoking, >2 underlying diseases, chronic kidney disease and elevated acute physiological and chronic health evaluation II scores. Therefore, stringent implementation of infection control measures is necessary to control ventilator-associated pneumonia in critical care units.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia and bloodstream infections in intensive care unit cancer patients: a retrospective 12-year study on 3388 prospectively monitored patients.

PURPOSE: Some publications suggest high rates of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and of nosocomial pneumonia portending a poor prognosis in ICU cancer patients. A better understanding of the epidemiology of HAIs in these patients is needed. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all the patients hospitalized for ≥ 48 h during a 12-year period in the 12-bed ICU of the Gustave Roussy hospital, monitored prospectively for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and bloodstream infection (BSI) and for use of medical devices. RESULTS: During 3388 first stays in the ICU, 198 cases of VAP and 103 primary, 213 secondary, and 77 catheter-related BSIs were recorded. The VAP rate was 24.5/1000 ventilator days (95% confidence interval [CI] 21.2-28.0); the catheter-related BSI rate was 2.3/1000 catheter days (95% CI 1.8-2.8). The cumulative incidence during the first 25 days of exposure was 58.8% (95% CI 49.1-66.6%) for VAP, 8.9% (95% CI, 6.2-11.5%) for primary, 15.1% (95% CI 11.6-18.5%) for secondary and 5.0% (95% CI 3.2-6.8%) for catheter-related BSIs. VAP or BSIs were not associated with a higher risk of ICU mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to report HAI rates in a large cohort of critically ill cancer patients. Although both the incidence of VAP and the rate of BSI are higher than in general ICU populations, this does not impact patient outcomes. The occurrence of device-associated infections is essentially due to severe medical conditions in patients and to the characteristics of malignancy.

Short- and long-term respiratory outcomes in neonates with ventilator-associated pneumonia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common nosocomial infection in critical care settings and might have important long-term consequences in neonates. Our aim is to clarify the short- and long-term respiratory outcomes of neonates affected by VAP. METHODS: Prospective, population-based, cohort study with 12 months follow-up based on clinical examinations and diary-based respiratory morbidity score, conducted in an academic tertiary referral neonatal unit with dedicated follow-up program. RESULTS: A total of 199 inborn neonates consecutively ventilated for at least 48 hours were eligible for the study. One hundred fifty-one were finally enrolled and classified as "exposed" or "unexposed" to VAP, if they fulfilled (or not) VAP criteria once during their stay. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) incidence was significantly higher in exposed (75%) than in unexposed babies (26.8%; relative risk [RR]: 2.8 [1.9-4.0]; Adj RR: 3.5 [1.002-12.7]; P = .049; number needed to harm = 2.07), although the composite BPD/mortality did not differ. Exposed patients showed longer intensive care unit stay (87 [43-116] vs 14 [8-52] days; St.ß = 0.24; P < .0001) and duration of ventilation (15 [10-25] vs 5 [4-8] days; St.ß = 0.29; P < .0001) than unexposed neonates. Exposed patients also showed less ventilator-free days (11 [5-17.7] vs 22 [14-24] days; St.ß = -0.15; P = .05) compared to unexposed. Respiratory infections, use of drugs, rehospitalization for respiratory reasons, home oxygen therapy, their composite outcome, and diary-based clinical respiratory morbidity score were similar between the cohorts. CONCLUSION: Neonatal VAP seems associated to higher incidence of BPD, longer ventilation, and intensive care stay but it does not affect long-term respiratory morbidity.

The etiology of neonatal pneumonia, complicated by bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants with a "ventilator-associated" pneumonia (VAP) ranges between 7 to 50%. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the features of the etiological structure of neonatal pneumonia complicated by BPD, and to determine the sensitivity of pathogens to antibiotics. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 194 preterm infants with VAP, birth weight from 780 to 2820 g and gestational age from 27 to 37 weeks was conducted. A microbiological study of washings from the respiratory tract was conducted by standard qualitative and quantitative methods. RESULTS: Respiratory tract infections caused by E. coli (with hemolytic properties), Enterococcus spp. (with hemolytic properties), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, various types of mycoplasmas, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida krusei were found 4- 13 times more frequent in preterm infants with BPD than in preterm infants without BPD and more mature infants with or without this complication. BPD developed 7- 11 times more frequent in preterm infants with prolonged VAP and change in pathogens than in preterm infants with VAP without change of agent. BPD developed 5- 7 times more frequent in preterm infants with the association of pathogens than in preterm infants with a monoinfection. Massive colonization of respiratory tract pathogens by 1- 3 days of life (lg4 colony forming units in 1 ml and above) was an unfavorable prognostic factor for the development of VAP, complicated by BPD. CONCLUSION: The reduction in the frequency of BPD is might be possible with timeous and adequate antibacterial therapy of VAP.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Mechanical Ventilation Combined with Fiberoptic Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Patients with Severe Pulmonary Infection.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of mechanical ventilation combined with fiberoptic bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with severe pulmonary infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS We randomly divided 81 patients with severe pulmonary infection into a control group (n=40) and an observation group (n=41). Both groups were treated using mechanical ventilation, and observation group additionally received assistive fiberoptic bronchoalveolar lavage. RESULTS The cure rate and effectiveness rate in the observation group were higher than in the control group (P<0.05, χ²=3.2), and the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05, χ²=9.4). The partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and oxygen saturation (SaO2) were higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05, t=3.862, t=33.595), whereas the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and respiratory rate were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05, t=3.307, t=5.043). The levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the 2 groups were lower after treatment than before treatment (all P<0.05), and the levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Hospital stay, infection control window appearance time, invasive mechanical ventilation time, and total mechanical ventilation time in the observation group were shorter than those in the control group (P<0.05, t=13.990, t=8.643, t=9.717, t=8.980). CONCLUSIONS Mechanical ventilation combined with fiberoptic bronchoalveolar lavage can effectively improve the curative effects and the blood gas and inflammation indicators in patients.

Guía de práctica clínica para el manejo de la neumonía intrahospitalaria y neumonía asociada a ventilador mecánico / Clinical practice guideline for the management of hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia

Brindar recomendaciones basadas en evidencia para el manejo de la neumonía Intrahospitalaria y neumonía asociada a ventilador mecánico.

Cost Drivers of a Hospital-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia and Ventilator-Associated Bacterial Pneumonia Phase 3 Clinical Trial.

Background: Studies indicate that the prevalence of multidrug-resistant infections, including hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP), has been rising. There are many challenges associated with these disease conditions and the ability to develop new treatments. Additionally, HABP/VABP clinical trials are very costly to conduct given their complex protocol designs and the difficulty in recruiting and retaining patients. Methods: With input from clinicians, representatives from industry, and the US Food and Drug Administration, we conducted a study to (1) evaluate the drivers of HABP/VABP phase 3 direct and indirect clinical trial costs; (2) to identify opportunities to lower these costs; and (3) to compare (1) and (2) to endocrine and oncology clinical trials. Benchmark data were gathered from proprietary and commercial databases and used to create a model that calculates the fully loaded (direct and indirect) cost of typical phase 3 HABP/VABP endocrine and oncology clinical trials. Results: Results indicate that the cost per patient for a 200-site, 1000-patient phase 3 HABP/VABP study is $89600 per patient. The cost of screen failures and screen failure rates are the main cost drivers. Conclusions: Results indicate that biopharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies should consider strategies to improve screening and recruitment to decrease HABP/VABP clinical trial costs.

Decreasing incidence and mortality among hospitalized patients suffering a ventilator-associated pneumonia: Analysis of the Spanish national hospital discharge database from 2010 to 2014.

The aim of this study was to describe trends in the incidence and outcomes of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) among hospitalized patients in Spain (2010-2014).This is a retrospective study using the Spanish national hospital discharge database from year 2010 to 2014. We selected all hospital admissions that had an ICD-9-CM code: 997.31 for VAP in any diagnosis position. We analyzed incidence, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, procedures, pathogen isolations, and hospital outcomes.We identified 9336 admissions with patients suffering a VAP. Incidence rates of VAP decreased significantly over time (from 41.7 cases/100,000 inhabitants in 2010 to 40.55 in 2014). The mean Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was 1.08 ±â€Š0.98 and it did not change significantly during the study period. The most frequent causative agent was Pseudomonas and there were not significant differences in the isolation of this microorganism over time. Time trend analyses showed a significant decrease in in-hospital mortality (IHM), from 35.74% in 2010 to 32.81% in 2014. Factor associated with higher IHM included male sex, older age, higher CCI, vein or artery occlusion, pulmonary disease, cancer, undergone surgery, emergency room admission, and readmission.This study shows that the incidence of VAP among hospitalized patients has decreased in Spain from 2010 to 2014. The IHM has also decreased over the study period. Further investigations are needed to improve the prevention and control of VAP.

Staff education aimed at reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Mechanical ventilation is a life-saving invasive procedure performed in intensive care units (ICUs) where critical patients are given advanced support. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of personnel training on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The study, performed prospectively in the ICU, was planned in two periods. In both periods, patient characteristics were recorded on patient data forms. In the second period, ICU physicians and assistant health personnel were given regular theoretical and practical training. Twenty-two cases of VAP developed in the pre-training period, an incidence of 31.2. Nineteen cases of VAP developed in the post-training period, an incidence of 21.0 (P<0.001). Training reduced development of VAP by 31.7 %. Crude VAP mortality was 69 % in the first period and 26 % in the second (P<0.001). Statistically significant risk factors for VAP in both periods were prolonged hospitalization, increased number of days on mechanical ventilation, and enteral nutrition; risk factors determined in the first period were re-intubation, central venous catheter use and heart failure and, in the second period, erythrocyte transfusion >5 units (P<0.05). Prior to training, compliance with hand washing (before and after procedure), appropriate aseptic endotracheal aspiration and adequate oral hygiene in particular were very low. An improvement was observed after training (P<0.001). The training of personnel who will apply infection control procedures for the prevention of healthcare-associated infections is highly important. Hand hygiene and other infection control measures must be emphasized in training programmes, and standard procedures in patient interventions must be revised.

The effect of reintubation on ventilator-associated pneumonia and mortality among mechanically ventilated patients with intubation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This meta-analysis summarized the risks that reintubation impose on ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and mortality. BACKGROUND: Extubation failure increases the probability of poor clinical outcomes pertaining to mechanical ventilation. METHODS: Literature published during a 15-year period was retrieved from PubMed, Web of Knowledge databases, the Embase (Excerpa Medica database), and the Cochrane Library. Data involving reintubation, VAP, and mortality were extracted for a meta-analysis. RESULTS: Forty-one studies involving 29,923 patients were enrolled for the analysis. The summary odds ratio (OR) between VAP and reintubation was 7.57 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.63-15.81). The merged ORs for mortality in hospital and intensive care unit were 3.33 (95% CI = 2.02-5.49) and 7.50 (95% CI = 4.60-12.21), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Reintubation can represent a threat to survival and increase the risk of VAP. The risk of mortality after reintubation differs between planned and unplanned extubation. Extubation failure is associated with a higher risk of VAP in the cardiac surgery population than in the general population.

[THE UTILITY OF BRONCHOSCOPY IN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT PATIENTS WITH VENTILATOR ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA].

BACKGROUND: Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAPI is a common complication leading to lengthier hospitalizations and higher mortality. Prompt adequate initial antibiotic coverage is the crucial issue affecting survival. Currently, there is no gold standard diagnostic test. No conclusive data regarding the benefit of bronchoscopy exists in the literature reviewed. AIM: This study aims to evaluate the change of prognosis for patients who developed VAP, following a positive culture from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study. SETTING: General intensive care unit in a tertiary university healthcare center. PARTICIPANTS: All patients who were admitted to Surgical ICU and developed VAP and who then underwent diagnostic bronchoscopy with BAL between the period 01/02/2007 - 31/02/2011. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: A total of 66 patients who were admitted to the ICU, developed VAP and underwent bronchoscopy while ventilated; 30 patients were excluded. The positive BAL culture group was compared to the negative BAL culture group; there was no difference between demographic and clinical characteristics, mortality rates (for 30 days) or therapy change between the two groups. No complications were reported regarding the bronchoscopy procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that performing y a diagnostic bronchoscopy with BAL does not improve the prognosis of patients with VAP. Furthermore, expanded prospective studies will be needed to conclude regarding its benefit in diagnosis and subsequent rectifying of therapy.

[THE DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC BRONCHOSCOPY IN CARDIAC PATIENTS UNDERGOING MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN THE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD].

The review presents an analysis of domestic and foreign literature on the use of bronchoscopy in patients with obstructive respiratory failure in the ICU. Separately considered the issue of additional research when performing bronchoscopy and create an algorithmfor the application of diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy in cardiac surgical patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.

Prehospital airway technique does not influence incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between the prehospital airway device used and later development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is unknown. We sought to determine if the prehospital airway device choice is associated with an increased risk of VAP in risk-adjusted critically injured patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of all trauma patients requiring definitive airway placement before intensive care unit admission at a Level I trauma center from 2008 to 2012. Prehospital airway management strategies were classified as extraglottic device placement, endotracheal intubation, bag-valve mask ventilation (BVM), or lack of a prehospital airway with subsequent intubation at the trauma center. Patients were excluded if they were hospital transfers, were dead on arrival, died in the emergency department, or did not require at least 48 hours of mechanical ventilation. The primary end point was the development of VAP as determined by institutional guidelines for diagnosis. Logistic regression was used to determine risk factors for VAP. RESULTS: A total of 317 patients met inclusion criteria. The median age was 37 years (interquartile range, 25-51 years), 75% were male, 78% sustained a blunt injury, and the median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 29 (interquartile range, 21-34). Ninety-seven patients (30.6%) developed VAP. Prehospital airway strategies were as follows: 17 (5.4%) had extraglottic device placement, 28 (8.8%) had BVM, 84 (26.5%) had endotracheal intubation, and 188 (59.3%) had no prehospital airway placement and were intubated after arrival. The type of prehospital airway was not statistically significant in terms of VAP development (range, 26.1-42.9%; p = 0.15). The only statistically significant predictor of VAP was length of mechanical ventilation (univariate: odds ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.18; p ≤ 0.01; multivariate: odds ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.20; p ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the prehospital airway device used was not associated with the development of VAP. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level IV; epidemiologic study, level III.

[Experience of using endotoxin selective adsorption in patients with severe sepsis after open-heart surgery].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of selective lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-adsorption therapy using polymyxin B immobilised fibre cartridges in adult patients complicated with severe sepsis after cardiac surgery. METHODS: 105 patients received extracorporeal LPS-adsorption procedures using Toraymyxin columns--PMX (Toray, Japan) in addition to the standard treatment according to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guideline study group. For control group we selected 40 patients, comparable by PMX group in age, body weight, severity of illness, and the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, received only standard therapy. All patients received significant doses of vasoactive drugs for hemodynamic support, mechanical ventilation and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Mean APACHE II and SOFA scores were comparable for both groups. Inclusion criteria were: clinical signs of severe sepsis, endotoxin activity assay (EAA) > or = 0.6, elevated blood plasma procalcitonin (PCT) > 2 ng ml(-1). The inclusion criteria were clinical signs of severe sepsis, endotoxin activity assay (EAA) > or = 0.6, and blood plasma procalcitonin (PCT) > 2 ng ml(-1). RESULTS: Extracorporeal treatment was administered within 24 h of a severe sepsis diagnosis. Each patient in PMX group received 2 LPS-adsorption procedures and each session of hemoperfusion lasted for 120 minutes. After the LPS-adsorption course, we noted any indices of haemodynamic improvements, including an increase in mean arterial pressure on 22% (p < 0.001), mean oxygenation index (on 24.5%, p < 0.001), normalisation of leukocytosis and a decrease in mean body temperature. After the procedures of LPS-adsorption we found the statistically significant decreasing of LPS concentrations according to LAL-test and EAA. In the control group, there were no significant changes in any of the studied parameters except body temperature. Moreover, the 28-day mortality was 42% in the study group and 65% in the control group (p = 0.032). The endotoxin adsorption procedures were not associated with any adverse reactions, and specifically no extracorporeal circuit thrombosis cases were noted. CONCLUSION: Selective LPS-adsorption is a safe and effective additional treatment method for severe sepsis patients.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia after cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common and serious nosocomial infection that threatens patients who have undergone cardiac surgery. This article summarizes its clinical characteristics and provides theoretical evidence for prevention and treatment. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Knowledge databases and by manual search. Data involving the prevalence, etiology, risk factors, or clinical outcomes were extracted for systematic review and meta-analysis. RESULTS: Eleven studies on VAP after cardiac surgery were included. When the results were merged the VAP rate was 21.27/1000 ventilator-days. The prevalence reached 6.37% of all patients and 35.2% of patients who were on mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours. Among the isolated pathogens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa had the highest detection rate, with an average of 23.19%, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (20.15%), Haemophilus influenzae (19.53%), Acinetobacter baumannii (10.68%), Escherichia coli (10.18%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (9.52%), and Candida albicans (7.20%). Risk factors were also analyzed. We found that New York Heart Association cardiac function class IV, pulmonary hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral vascular disease, renal disease, emergency surgery, intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic crossclamp time, mechanical ventilation time, reintervention, and reintubation were closely related to the occurrence of VAP; there was no association with gender and diabetes mellitus. Once patients had VAP, mortality and length of stay in the intensive care unit were significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: VAP in patients after cardiac surgery is common and has a poor prognosis. It is mainly caused by gram-negative bacteria, and could be affected by a series of factors.

Influence of bronchoscopy on the diagnosis of and outcomes from ventilator-associated pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common healthcare-associated infection affecting as many as 27% of mechanically ventilated patients. Ventilator-associated pneumonia is an important source of morbidity and mortality in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU). The optimal diagnostic method for VAP has remained controversial and the role of therapeutic bronchoscopy in the clearance of pulmonary secretions with VAP, in essence source control, remains unknown. Our unit utilizes bronchoscopy inconsistently for these purposes and we chose to evaluate its effectiveness in our patient population with the hypothesis that bronchoscopic diagnosis and therapy results in lower mortality rates and faster clinical resolution. METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively all patients treated for VAP in a single SICU between September 2003 and December 2011. Patients were divided into groups based upon diagnostic method and receipt of therapeutic bronchoscopy, and were analyzed for differences in time to clinical resolution and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 360 patients were included in the study, including 493 episodes of VAP. The diagnostic bronchoscopy group had statistically higher APACHE II scores (p=0.02) and fewer days in hospital prior to diagnosis (p=0.02) when compared with the non-invasive diagnosis group. Diagnostic bronchoscopy was associated with shorter length of stay and shorter duration of antibiotics whereas receipt of a therapeutic bronchoscopy was associated with the opposite effects by multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: Our hypothesis was disproved and our findings are similar to those found in recent publications. This study supports no definitive conclusions, but further consideration of the role of bronchoscopy is urged in both the diagnosis and treatment of VAP. In our population, bronchoscopy for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes in VAP was not associated with better outcomes. However, differences in baseline characteristics suggest a randomized trial may be needed to answer more completely this question.