The critical illness polyneuropathy in septic patients with prolonged weaning from mechanical ventilation: is the diaphragm also affected? A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Critical illness myopathy and/or neuropathy (CRIMYNE) is a common alteration seen in the ICU. The currently available bedside methods of measuring respiratory and peripheral muscle function in critically ill patients are somewhat inadequate. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of diaphragmatic and peripheral CRIMYNE in septic patients with prolonged weaning from mechanical ventilation (MV). METHODS: Cohort prospective study with an entry period of 6 months. In 2 Brazilian medical-surgical ICUs, septic patients ≥ 18 years of age, dependent on MV ≥ 14 days, requiring prolonged weaning from MV, awake (Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale ≥ -2), and with no previous history of polyneuropathy or myopathy were included. Electrophysiological studies of the limbs and also of the respiratory system by phrenic nerve conduction and needle electromyography of the diaphragm were performed in all subjects. RESULTS: Twelve subjects were enrolled during 6 months of study. The electrophysiological signs of peripheral CRIMYNE occurred in 9 subjects, 7 of whom died in the ICU. Three subjects developed critical illness polyneuropathy, 4 critical illness myopathy, and 2 both. Only one subject who developed peripheral CRIMYNE did not present diaphragmatic involvement, whereas no subject developed diaphragm involvement alone. Thus, electrophysiological signs of diaphragmatic CRIMYNE occurred in 8 of the 9 subjects with peripheral CRIMYNE. Upon clinical examination, 8 subjects were not able to moves their limbs against gravity, and these findings were related to the presence of peripheral and diaphragmatic dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Our pilot findings suggested that CRIMYNE is common in septic patients with prolonged weaning from MV (MV ≥ 14 d). The inability to move limbs against gravity is frequently associated with peripheral and diaphragmatic CRIMYNE, and the findings of CRIMYNE in peripheral electrophysiological tests are associated with diaphragmatic involvement.

Use of a homemade introducer guide (bougie) for intubation in emergency situation in patients who present with difficult airway: a case series.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The incidence of difficult airway reaches 10% of emergency intubations. Although few studies address the use of handmade introducer guides in emergency and intensive care environment, there are descriptions of handmade guides available on the Internet. We describe a case series on the use of a handmade introducer guide (bougie) for emergency intubation in patients with difficult airway. CASE REPORT: The handmade introducer guide was used in five consecutive patients with difficult airways, and clinical instability and in the absence of another immediate method to obtain an airway. This technique provided successful intubation and there were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the handmade introducer guide can be a useful option for the management of difficult airways.

[Use of a homemade introducer guide (bougie) for intubation in emergency situation in patients who present with difficult airway: a case series]. / Emprego de guia introdutor (bougie) artesanal para intubação em situação de emergência em pacientes que se apresentam com via aérea de difícil intubação: série de casos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The incidence of difficult airway reaches 10% of emergency intubations. Although few studies address the use of handmade introducer guides in emergency and intensive care environment, there are descriptions of handmade guides available on the Internet. We describe a case series on the use of a handmade introducer guide (bougie) for emergency intubation in patients with difficult airway. CASE REPORT: The handmade introducer guide was used in five consecutive patients with difficult airways, and clinical instability and in the absence of another immediate method to obtain an airway. This technique provided successful intubation and there were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the handmade introducer guide can be a useful option for the management of difficult airways.

Use of a homemade introducer guide (bougie) for intubation in emergency situation in patients who present with difficult airway: a case series / Emprego de guia introdutor (bougie) artesanal para intubação em situação de emergência em pacientes que se apresentam com via aérea de difícil intubação: série de casos

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The incidence of difficult airway reaches 10% of emergency intubations. Although few studies address the use of handmade introducer guides in emergency and intensive care environment, there are descriptions of handmade guides available on the Internet. We describe a case series on the use of a handmade introducer guide (bougie) for emergency intubation in patients with difficult airway. CASE REPORT: The handmade introducer guide was used in five consecutive patients with difficult airways, and clinical instability and in the absence of another immediate method to obtain an airway. This technique provided successful intubation and there were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the handmade introducer guide can be a useful option for the management of difficult airways.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A incidência de via aérea difícil chega a 10% das intubações de emergência. Ainda que poucos estudos abordem o emprego de guia introdutor artesanal no ambiente de emergência e terapia intensiva, há descrições de guias produzidas de forma artesanal disponíveis na internet. Nosso objetivo é descrever uma série de casos sobre o uso de um guia introdutor (Bougie) artesanal para intubação de emergência em pacientes com Via Aérea Difícil. RELATO DE CASO: O guia introdutor artesanal foi utilizado em cinco pacientes consecutivos com via aérea difícil, instabilidade clínica e falta de outro método imediato para a obtenção de uma via aérea. Essa técnica proporcionou sucesso na intubação e não houve complicações. CONCLUSÕES: A utilização do guia introdutor artesanal pode ser uma opção útil para o manejo de via aérea difícil.