Prospective analysis of a surgical algorithm to achieve ventilator weaning in cervical tetraplegia.

Objectives: Chronic ventilator dependency in cervical tetraplegia is associated with substantial morbidity. When non-invasive weaning methods have failed the primary surgical treatment is diaphragm pacing. Phrenic nerve integrity and diaphragm motor units are requirements for effective pacing but may need to be restored for successful weaning. A surgical algorithm that includes: 1. Diaphragm pacing, 2. Phrenic nerve reconstruction, and 3. Diaphragm muscle replacement, may provide the capability of reducing or reversing ventilator dependency in virtually all cervical tetraplegics.Design: Prospective case series.Setting: A university-based hospital from 2015 to 2019.Participants: Ten patients with ventilator-dependent cervical tetraplegia.Interventions: I. Pacemaker alone, II. Pacemaker + phrenic nerve reconstruction, or III. Pacemaker + diaphragm muscle replacement.Outcome measures: Time from surgery to observed reduction in ventilator requirements (↓VR), ventilatory needs as of most recent follow-up [no change (NC), partial weaning (PW, 1-12 h/day), or complete weaning (CW, >12 h/day)], and complications.Results: Both patients in Group I achieved CW at 6-month follow-up. Two patients in Group II achieved CW, and in another two patients PW was achieved, at 1.5-2-year follow-up. The remaining two patients are NC at 6 and 8-month follow-up, respectively. In group III, both patients achieved PW at 2-year follow-up. Complications included mucous plugging (n = 1) and pacemaker malfunction requiring revision (n = 3).Conclusion: Although more investigation is necessary, phrenic nerve reconstruction or diaphragm muscle replacement performed (when indicated) with pacemaker implantation may allow virtually all ventilator-dependent cervical tetraplegics to partially or completely wean.

Diaphragm Pacing in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury: A European Experience.

BACKGROUND: Patients with high spinal cord injury (SCI) are unable to breathe on their own and require mechanical ventilation (MV). The long-term use of MV is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In patients with intact phrenic nerve function, patients can be partially or completely removed from MV by directly stimulating the diaphragm motor points with a diaphragm pacing system (DPS). OBJECTIVES: We describe our multicenter European experience using DPS in SCI patients who required MV. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who were evaluated for the implantation of DPS. Patients evaluated for DPS who met the prospectively defined criteria of being at least 1 year of age, and having cervical injury resulting in a complete or partial dependency on MV were included. Patients who received DPS implants were followed for up to 1 year for device usage and safety. RESULTS: Across 3 centers, 47 patients with high SCI were evaluated for DPS, and 34 were implanted. Twenty-one patients had 12 months of follow-up data with a median DPS use of 15 h/day (interquartile range 4, 24). Eight patients (38.1%) achieved complete MV weaning using DPS 24 h/day. Two DPS-related complications were surgical device revision and a wire eruption. No other major complications were associated with DPS use. CONCLUSIONS: Diaphragm pacing represents an attractive alternative stand-alone treatment or adjunctive therapy compared to MV in patients with high SCI. After a period of acclimation, the patients were able to reduce the daily use of MV, and many could be completely removed from MV.

Inspiratory muscle training for recovered COVID-19 patients after weaning from mechanical ventilation: A pilot control clinical study.

BACKGROUND: To the best of our knowledge, no studies have evaluated the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on recovered COVID-19 patients after weaning from mechanical ventilation. Therefore, this study assessed the efficacy of IMT on recovered COVID-19 patients following mechanical ventilation. METHODS: Forty-two recovered COVID-19 patients (33 men and 9 women) weaned from mechanical ventilation with a mean age of 48.05 ±â€Š8.85 years were enrolled in this pilot control clinical study. Twenty-one patients were equipped to 2-week IMT (IMT group) and 21 matched peers were recruited as a control (control group). Forced vital capacity (FVC%), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1%), dyspnea severity index (DSI), quality of life (QOL), and six-minute walk test (6-MWT) were assessed initially before starting the study intervention and immediately after intervention. RESULTS: Significant interaction effects were observed in the IMT when compared to control group, FVC% (F = 5.31, P = .041, ηP2 = 0.13), FEV1% (F = 4.91, P = .043, ηP2 = 0.12), DSI (F = 4.56, P = .032, ηP2 = 0.15), QOL (F = 6.14, P = .021, ηP2 = 0.17), and 6-MWT (F = 9.34, P = .028, ηP2 = 0.16). Within-group analysis showed a significant improvement in the IMT group (FVC%, P = .047, FEV1%, P = .039, DSI, P = .001, QOL, P < .001, and 6-MWT, P < .001), whereas the control group displayed nonsignificant changes (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: A 2-week IMT improves pulmonary functions, dyspnea, functional performance, and QOL in recovered intensive care unit (ICU) COVID-19 patients after consecutive weaning from mechanical ventilation. IMT program should be encouraged in the COVID-19 management protocol, specifically with ICU patients.

Acupuncture for COVID-19 patient after ventilator weaning: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has spread globally since its outbreak in late 2019. It mainly attacks people's respiratory system. Many patients with severe COVID-19 require a ventilator to support breathing, and their lung function is often impaired to varying degrees after ventilator weaning. Acupuncture has been reported to improve respiratory function, but there is no evidence that it can improve respiratory function in ventilator users with COVID-19 after they are removed from the machine. The protocol of the systematic review and meta-analysis will clarify safety and effectiveness of acupuncture on respiratory rehabilitation after weaning from the ventilator during the treatment of COVID-19. METHODS: We will search PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, Wanfang Database, Clinical Trials and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. Relevant English language and Chinese language literature will be included. A combination of subject words and free text words will be applied in the searches. The complete process will include study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, and meta-analyses. We will use subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis to explore the sources of heterogeneity if there is heterogeneity. We will use funnel charts to assess the risk of bias. Endnote X9.3 will be used to manage data screening. The statistical analysis will be completed by RevMan5.2 or Stata/SE 15.1 software. RESULTS: This study will assess safety and effectiveness of acupuncture for rehabilitation on respiratory function after weaning from the ventilator during the treatment of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: The conclusion of this study will give evidence to prove safety and effectiveness of acupuncture for rehabilitation on respiratory after weaning from the ventilator during the treatment of COVID-19. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42020206889.

Adjuvant Therapy: YiqiDitanTongfu Decoction With External Diaphragm Pacer for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients With Difficulty Weaning From Mechanical Ventilation.

CONTEXT: Global morbidity from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is high worldwide. Diaphragm pacing (DP) can maintain the natural, negative pressure breathing of COPD patients with diaphragmatic muscle dysfunction. The YiqiDitanTongfu (YDTF) decoction has been used clinically with COPD patients to help them to wean from mechanical ventilation, with their ventilation functions being improved and the success rate of weaning being largely increased. OBJECTIVE: The study intended to investigate the combined therapeutic effects of external DP and the YDTF decoction for COPD patients who have had difficulty weaning from mechanical ventilation. DESIGN: This study was a retrospective cohort study. SETTING: The study occurred at the Hebei General Hospital and Hebei Province Chest Hospital (Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China). PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 90 patients with COPD + type 1 respiratory failure, 101 patients with COPD + Type 2 respiratory failure, and 96 patients with COPD at the compensated stage. INTERVENTION: The participants were randomly divided into 3 groups: (1) traditional treatment (control group), (2) traditional treatment plus treatment with a diaphragm pacemaker (DP group), and (3) traditional treatment plus treatment with a DP and a YDTF decoction (DP + YDTF group). All treatments occurred for 12 d. OUTCOME MEASURES: Relevant outcomes were measured and compared at baseline and postintervention, including the rapid shallow breathing index, tidal volume, maximum inspiratory pressure, degree of diaphragmatic muscle activity, maximum expiratory pressure, the successful rates of weaning from mechanical ventilation, the potential of hydrogen, the partial pressure of oxygen, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and oxygen saturation. RESULTS: The patients treated with the DP plus the YDTF decoction were more successful in weaning from mechanical ventilation than those treated with DP. Of the patients with COPD + type 1 respiratory failure, 86.67% succeeded vs 70.00% of the DP patients. Of patients with COPD + type 2 respiratory failure, 87.88% succeeded vs 79.41% of the DP patients. CONCLUSION: The DP plus the YDTF concoction acted as a successful treatment for heart failure caused by CPOD in comparison with the DP or YDTF alone, providing evidence that the DP + YDTF concoction can serve as a competitive method for helping COPD patients to wean from mechanical ventilation.

The ABCDEF Bundle for the Respiratory Therapist.

The clinical approach to the critically ill patient has changed dramatically over the last several decades from one of deep sedation to that of mobilizing patients on mechanical ventilation and limiting sedation. The ABCDEF bundle is a multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach to the holistic management of critically ill patients that aims to optimize patient recovery, minimize iatrogenesis, and engage and empower the patient and family during their hospitalization. To achieve this goal, the bundle includes assessments for pain, delirium, and readiness to stop sedation and to start spontaneous breathing trials. It also encourages early mobilization of the patient, avoidance of restraints, and engagement with the family in bedside rounds to improve communication. Performance of this bundle reduces mortality, ventilator days, intensive care readmissions, delirium, coma, restraint use, and discharge to facilities in a dose-dependent manner. The respiratory therapist, as a key member of the critical care team, is essential to the implementation, performance, and success of the ABCDEF bundle. This review aims to describe each component of the ABCDEF bundle, provide evidence for both the impact of individual interventions as well as the entire bundle, and detail the importance of this multidisciplinary approach to the care of the critically ill patient.

Temporary transvenous diaphragm pacing vs. standard of care for weaning from mechanical ventilation: study protocol for a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical ventilation (MV) is a life-saving technology that restores or assists breathing. Like any treatment, MV has side effects. In some patients it can cause diaphragmatic atrophy, injury, and dysfunction (ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction, VIDD). Accumulating evidence suggests that VIDD makes weaning from MV difficult, which involves increased morbidity and mortality. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This paper describes the protocol of a randomized, controlled, open-label, multicenter trial that is designed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of a novel therapy, temporary transvenous diaphragm pacing (TTVDP), to improve weaning from MV in up to 88 mechanically ventilated adult patients who have failed at least two spontaneous breathing trials over at least 7 days. Patients will be randomized (1:1) to TTVDP (treatment) or standard of care (control) groups. The primary efficacy endpoint is time to successful extubation with no reintubation within 48 h. Secondary endpoints include maximal inspiratory pressure and ultrasound-measured changes in diaphragm thickness and diaphragm thickening fraction over time. In addition, observational data will be collected and analyzed, including 30-day mortality and time to discharge from the intensive care unit and from the hospital. The hypothesis to be tested postulates that more TTVDP patients than control patients will be successfully weaned from MV within the 30 days following randomization. DISCUSSION: This study is the first large-scale clinical trial of a novel technology (TTVDP) aimed at accelerating difficult weaning from MV. The technology tested provides the first therapy directed specifically at VIDD, an important cause of delayed weaning from MV. Its results will help delineate the place of this therapeutic approach in clinical practice and help design future studies aimed at defining the indications and benefits of TTVDP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03096639 . Registered on 30 March 2017.

Can inspiratory muscle training improve weaning outcomes in difficult to wean patients? A protocol for a randomised controlled trial (IMweanT study).

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory muscle dysfunction has been associated with failure to wean from mechanical ventilation. It has therefore been hypothesised that these patients might benefit from inspiratory muscle training (IMT). Evidence, however, is thus far limited to data from small, single-centre studies with heterogeneity in inclusion criteria, training modalities and outcomes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a novel IMT method on weaning outcomes in selected patients with weaning difficulties. METHODS: This study is designed as a double-blind, parallel-group, randomised controlled superiority trial with 1:1 allocation ratio. Patients with weaning difficulties will be randomly allocated into either an IMT group (intervention) or a sham-IMT group (control). Ninetypatients (45 in each group) will be needed to detect a 28% difference in the proportion of weaning success between groups (estimated difference in primary outcome based on previous studies) with a risk for type I error (α) of 5% and statistical power (1-ß) of 80%. Patients will perform four sets of 6-10 breaths daily against an external load using a tapered flow resistive loading device (POWERbreathe KH2, HaB International, UK). Training intensity in the intervention group will be adjusted to the highest tolerable load. The control group will train against a low resistance that will not be modified during the training period. Training will becontinued until patients are successfully weaned or for a maximum duration of 28 days. Pulmonary and respiratory muscle function, weaning duration, duration of mechanical ventilation, ventilator-free days and length of stay in the intensive care unit will be evaluated as secondary outcomes. Χ2 tests and analysis of covariance with adjustments for baseline values of respective outcomesas covariates will be used to compare results after the intervention period between groups. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval was obtained from the local ethical committee (Ethische Commissie Onderzoek UZ/KU Leuven protocol ID: S60516). Results from this randomised controlled trial will be presented at scientific meetings as abstracts for poster or oral presentations and published in peerreviewed journals. TRIAL STATUS: Enrolment into the study have started in August 2017. Data collection and data analysis are expected to be completed in September 2021. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03240263.

Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment for Improving the Respiratory Status in Patients Receiving Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation in Intensive Care Units: A Retrospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients in critical care settings often require prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) therapy and, occasionally, they cannot be weaned from MV. The authors evaluated the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for improving the respiratory status and promoting successful weaning from prolonged MV in patients at intensive care units (ICUs). DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Gifu University Hospital, Gifu, Japan. SUBJECTS: The authors included 16 tracheostomized patients receiving MV for >21 days at the ICU of Gifu University Hospital, who underwent acupuncture therapy for improving their respiratory status. INTERVENTION: Acupuncture treatment was conducted in four sessions per week. OUTCOME MEASURES: The data of tidal volume (VT), respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry (SpO2), dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn), rapid shallow breath index (RSBI; RR/VT) values before and immediately after acupuncture were extracted from the medical records. RESULTS: The median number of days on MV before acupuncture initiation was 31 days. VT and Cdyn were significantly increased immediately after acupuncture (all p < 0.001), whereas RR, HR, and RSBI were significantly decreased (all p < 0.05). Eleven patients were successfully weaned from MV after acupuncture initiation. In the weaning success group, VT and Cdyn were significantly increased (all p < 0.01), whereas RR, HR, and RSBI were significantly decreased (all p < 0.05) after acupuncture. Conversely, in the weaning failure group, these values were not changed significantly. The increase in Cdyn after acupuncture was larger in the weaning success group than in the weaning failure group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture treatment might have beneficial effects on the respiratory status of ICU patients receiving MV and may help in weaning from prolonged MV. Further large prospective cohort studies are warranted.

Feasibility of diaphragm pacing in patients after bilateral lung transplantation.

Recent animal studies and intraoperative studies in humans suggested that phrenic nerve stimulation could attenuate ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction. The purpose of the present study is to examine the safety and feasibility of diaphragm pacing during the weaning process after bilateral lung transplantation. Four patients, suffering from chronic pulmonary disease, were included, and diaphragm pacing was evaluated after lung transplantation. Implantation of electrodes at the end of the lung transplant procedure was possible in three of the four patients. In all implanted patients, stimulation of the diaphragm could trigger the ventilator. Implanted electrodes were completely removed by percutaneous retraction after up to 7 days of pacing. Adverse events related to pacing included occurrence of pain. Diaphragm pacing with temporary electrodes, inserted during surgery, is feasible and is able to trigger the ventilator in patients after bilateral lung transplantation. The use of intradiaphragmatic electrodes creates the additional opportunity to monitor the evolution of diaphragm electromyography during the postoperative weaning process.

Predictive Associations of Music, Anxiety, and Sedative Exposure on Mechanical Ventilation Weaning Trials.

BACKGROUND: Weaning from mechanical ventilation requires increased respiratory effort, which can heighten anxiety and later prolong the need for mechanical ventilation. OBJECTIVES: To examine the predictive associations of music intervention, anxiety, sedative exposure, and patients' characteristics on time to initiation and duration of weaning trials of patients receiving mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A descriptive, correlational design was used for a secondary analysis of data from a randomized trial. Music listening was defined as self-initiated, patient-directed music via headphones. Anxiety was measured daily with a visual analog scale. Sedative exposure was operationalized as a daily sedation intensity score and a sedative dose frequency. Analyses consisted of descriptive statistics, graphing, survival analysis, Cox proportional hazards regression, and linear regression. RESULTS: Of 307 patients, 52% were women and 86% were white. Mean age was 59.3 (SD, 14.4) years, mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III score was 62.9 (SD, 21.6), mean duration of ventilatory support was 8 (range, 1-52) days, and mean stay in the intensive care unit was 18 (range, 2-71) days. Music listening, anxiety levels, and sedative exposure did not influence time to initial weaning trial or duration of trials. Clinical factors of illness severity, days of weaning trials, and tracheostomy placement influenced weaning patterns in this sample. CONCLUSIONS: Prospective studies of music intervention and other psychophysiological factors during weaning from mechanical ventilation are needed to better understand factors that promote successful weaning.

Music therapy, a review of the potential therapeutic benefits for the critically ill.

Intensive care units are a stressful milieu for patients, particularly when under mechanical ventilation which they refer to as inhumane and anxiety producing. Anxiety can impose harmful effects on the course of recovery and overall well-being of the patient. Resulting adverse effects may prolong weaning and recovery time. Music listening, widely used for stress release in all areas of medicine, tends to be a reliable and efficacious treatment for those critically ill patients. It can abate the stress response, decrease anxiety during mechanical ventilation, and induce an overall relaxation response without the use of medication. This relaxation response can lower cardiac workload and oxygen consumption resulting in more effective ventilation. Music may also improve sleep quality and reduce patient's pain with a subsequent decrease in sedative exposure leading to an accelerated ventilator weaning process and a speedier recovery.

Inspiratory muscle training to enhance recovery from mechanical ventilation: a randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: In patients who have been mechanically ventilated, inspiratory muscles remain weak and fatigable following ventilatory weaning, which may contribute to dyspnoea and limited functional recovery. Inspiratory muscle training may improve inspiratory muscle strength and endurance following weaning, potentially improving dyspnoea and quality of life in this patient group. METHODS: We conducted a randomised trial with assessor-blinding and intention-to-treat analysis. Following 48 hours of successful weaning, 70 participants (mechanically ventilated ≥7 days) were randomised to receive inspiratory muscle training once daily 5 days/week for 2 weeks in addition to usual care, or usual care (control). Primary endpoints were inspiratory muscle strength and fatigue resistance index (FRI) 2 weeks following enrolment. Secondary endpoints included dyspnoea, physical function and quality of life, post-intensive care length of stay and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: 34 participants were randomly allocated to the training group and 36 to control. The training group demonstrated greater improvements in inspiratory strength (training: 17%, control: 6%, mean difference: 11%, p=0.02). There were no statistically significant differences in FRI (0.03 vs 0.02, p=0.81), physical function (0.25 vs 0.25, p=0.97) or dyspnoea (-0.5 vs 0.2, p=0.22). Improvement in quality of life was greater in the training group (14% vs 2%, mean difference 12%, p=0.03). In-hospital mortality was higher in the training group (4 vs 0, 12% vs 0%, p=0.051). CONCLUSIONS: Inspiratory muscle training following successful weaning increases inspiratory muscle strength and quality of life, but we cannot confidently rule out an associated increased risk of in-hospital mortality. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12610001089022, results.

Efectividad de aplicación de reiki para disminuir el fracaso en el destete ventilatorio. Ensayo clinic / Effectiveness of implementing the reiki method to reduce the weaning failure. A clinical trial

Introducción: El ingreso en cuidados intensivos (UCI) supone para el paciente un momento difícil y estresante, con la aplicación de diferentes técnicas, como la intubación y la retirada del soporte ventilatorio o 'destete' puede fracasar debido a la ansiedad. Objetivos: Determinar si el reiki es útil para disminuir el fracaso en el destete; así como para disminuir el número de días de ventilación mecánica (VM), días de estancia en la UCI, cantidad de sedantes, aminas y antipsicóticos. Método: Ensayo clínico aleatorizado. Ámbito: UCI de un hospital universitario de nivel iii. Población: pacientes de UCI conectados a VM más de 48 h, con el consentimiento firmado. Excluimos a pacientes en situación terminal o potencial donante de órganos. Muestra: 256 pacientes, divididos en 2 grupos: grupo intervención (GI) y placebo (GP). La intervención consiste en la aplicación de reiki y el grupo placebo simulaba la técnica. Analizamos las frecuencias absolutas y relativas, el nivel de significación de p < 0,05, IC del 95%. Resultados: El porcentaje de fracasos en el destete ha sido de un 9% en el GI y un 9,5% en el GP (p = 0,42). Los días de VM 8,85 GI y 9,66 GP (p = 0,53). La media de sedantes: 1.078 mg GI y 1.491 mg GP. La media de mg de haloperidol fue menor en el GI (5,30 mg vs. 16,.81 mg GP); p = 0,03; IC del 95%, -21,9, -1,13. Conclusiones: El reiki disminuye la agitación de los pacientes. Objetivamos una disminución de días de ventilación mecánica, días de estancia, menor dosis de fármacos sedantes y una discreta disminución del fracaso en el GI. No encontramos significación estadística en la variable principal

Introduction: Admission to intensive care unit (ICU) is a difficult and stressful time for the patient, with the application of different techniques, such as intubation and ventilation support withdrawal or 'weaning', which may fail due to anxiety. Objectives: To determine whether Reiki is useful in reducing weaning failure, as well as reducing the number of days of mechanical ventilation (MV), length of stay in ICU, amount of sedatives, amines, and antipsychotics. Method: Randomized clinical trial. Scope: ICU of a Level III University Hospital. Population: ICU patients connected to Mechanical Ventilation for more than 48 hours, with a signed informed consent. Patients in a terminal condition or potential organ donors were excluded. Sample: 256 patients divided into two groups: intervention group (GI) and placebo (GP). The intervention involves the application of Reiki, and a simulated technique within the placebo group. An analysis was made of the absolute and relative frequencies, with a significance level of P<.05, 95% CI Results: The percentage of failures at weaning was 9% in GI and 9.5% in GP (P=.42). The mean number of days on MV was 8.85 days for GI and 9.66 for the GP (P=.53). The mean dose of sedatives: GI 1078 mg and 1491 mg GP. The dose of Haloperidol was lower in the GI (5.30 mg vs 16.81 mg GP) (P=.03, 95% CI; -21.9 to -1.13). Conclusions: Reiki reduces the agitation of patients. A decrease was objectively observed in the number of days of Mechanical Ventilation, length of stay, lower doses of sedatives, and a slight decrease in the weaning failure in the GI. No statistically significant difference was found in the main variable

The effect of foot reflexology on physiologic parameters and mechanical ventilation weaning time in patients undergoing open-heart surgery: A clinical trial study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of foot reflexology on physiological parameters and mechanical ventilation weaning time in patients undergoing open-heart surgery. This was a double blind three-group randomized controlled trial. Totally, 96 patients were recruited and randomly allocated to the experimental, placebo, and the control groups. Study groups respectively received foot reflexology, simple surface touching, and the routine care of the study setting. Physiological parameters (pulse rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, mean arterial pressure, percutaneous oxygen saturation) and weaning time were measured. The study groups did not differ significantly in terms of physiological parameters (P value > 0.05). However, the length of weaning time in the experimental group was significantly shorter than the placebo and the control groups (P value < 0.05). The study findings demonstrated the efficiency of foot reflexology in shortening the length of weaning time.

[Investigation of adjuvant treatment for difficult weaning from mechanical ventilation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of drug intervention for difficult weaning from mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A prospective single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted. 120 patients with difficult weaning from mechanical ventilation encountered in Department of Critical Care Medicine of Peking University Third Hospital from January 2008 to December 2013 were included, and the patients were divided into treatment group and control group according to random number table, with 60 cases in each group. Patients received furosemide therapy in the treatment group 3 days before weaning up to 48 hours after weaning in order to control negative liquid balance. Enema was given the day before weaning to reduce abdominal pressure. On the weaning day, all of the patients received nitroglycerin and beta blocker or cedilanid to prevent or control elevation of blood pressure and heart rate in the process of weaning. All patients in treatment group received anisodamine in small dosage 2 hours before extubation. The patients in control group received conventional treatment without drug intervention. Baseline indexes of two groups were compared, including the heart rate, respiration rate (RR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), blood gas, hemoglobin (HG), albumin (ALB) and creatinine (Cr). The main reasons of difficulty in weaning, sedative and analgesic drug selection, presence of abdominal discomfort before weaning, interval between sputum suction before extubation, liquid balance at the beginning of the investigation and at time of weaning, 24 hours and 48 hours after weaning, failures of spontaneous breathing test (SBT), length of mechanical ventilation,length of ICU stay, and total length of mechanical ventilation and total length of ICU stay during hospitalization. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the heart rate, RR, MAP, SpO2, blood gas, HG, ALB, Cr at the beginning of the investigation between the two groups. The main reasons for difficult weaning in both groups of patients were respiratory dysfunction, cardiac insufficiency, and central nervous system dysfunction. The use of propofol combined dexmedetomidine in the treatment group was more frequent than the control group [16.7% (10/60)vs. 1.7% (1/60), χ² = 8.107, P=0.004], and there was no statistically significant difference in the use of other combinations of sedative drugs between the two groups. Abdominal discomfort before weaning was milder in treatment group as compared with control group [10.0% (6/60) vs. 25.0% (15/60), χ² = 4.675, P=0.031]. The interval between sputum suction before extubation in the treatment group was significantly longer than that of the control group [hours: 1 (1, 2) vs. 1 (1, 1), Z=-2.209, P= 0.027]. SBT failure was less frequent in treatment group compared with control group [times: 0 (0, 1) vs. 1 (1, 2), Z=-6.561, P=0.000]. Liquid balance was better in the treatment group than the control group at time of weaning, 24 hours and 48 hours after weaning [at time of weaning: -567.71(-755.95,-226.41) vs. 1 256.76 (472.48, 1 796.63), Z=-9.038, P=0.000; 24 hours after weaning: -5.03 (-530.28, 245.09) vs. 342.28 (125.36, 613.25), Z=-4.711, P=0.000; 48 hours after weaning: 115.50 (-450.26,485.00) vs. 330.00 (16.25,575.25), Z=-1.932, P=0.053]. Compared with control group, length of mechanical ventilation [days: 1.0 (1.0, 2.0) vs. 2.0 (2.0, 3.0), Z=-6.545, P=0.000], ICU stay time [days: 3.0 (3.0, 4.0) vs. 4.0 (4.0, 5.0), Z=-6.545, P=0.000], and total length of mechanical ventilation [days: 8.0 (6.0,12.0) vs. 11.0 (8.0, 15.0), Z=-4.091, P=0.000] and total length of ICU stay during hospitalization [days: 12.5 (9.2, 19.0) vs. 17.0 (12.0, 29.5), Z=-2.722, P=0.000] were all significantly shorter in the treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant drugs therapy is helpful in patients weaning from the mechanical ventilation, and can shorten length of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay time. Propofol, combined dexmedetomidine, is helpful for weaning.

Triiodothyronine activates lactate oxidation without impairing fatty acid oxidation and improves weaning from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides a rescue for children with severe cardiac failure. It has previously been shown that triiodothyronine (T3) improves cardiac function by modulating pyruvate oxidation during weaning. This study focused on fatty acid (FA) metabolism modulated by T3 for weaning from ECMO after cardiac injury. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nineteen immature piglets (9.1-15.3 kg) were separated into 3 groups with ECMO (6.5 h) and wean: normal circulation (Group-C); transient coronary occlusion (10 min) for ischemia-reperfusion (IR) followed by ECMO (Group-IR); and IR with T3 supplementation (Group-IR-T3). 13-Carbon ((13)C)-labeled lactate, medium-chain and long-chain FAs, was infused as oxidative substrates. Substrate fractional contribution (FC) to the citric acid cycle was analyzed by(13)C-nuclear magnetic resonance. ECMO depressed circulating T3 levels to 40% of the baseline at 4 h and were restored in Group-IR-T3. Group-IR decreased cardiac power, which was not fully restorable and 2 pigs were lost because of weaning failure. Group-IR also depressed FC-lactate, while the excellent contractile function and energy efficiency in Group-IR-T3 occurred along with a marked FC-lactate increase and [adenosine triphosphate]/[adenosine diphosphate] without either decreasing FC-FAs or elevating myocardial oxygen consumption over Group-C or -IR. CONCLUSIONS: T3 releases inhibition of lactate oxidation following IR injury without impairing FA oxidation. These findings indicate that T3 depression during ECMO is maladaptive, and that restoring levels improves metabolic flux and enhances contractile function during weaning.

Multicenter review of diaphragm pacing in spinal cord injury: successful not only in weaning from ventilators but also in bridging to independent respiration.

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-dependent spinal cord-injured (SCI) patients require significant resources related to ventilator dependence. Diaphragm pacing (DP) has been shown to successfully replace mechanical ventilators for chronic ventilator-dependent tetraplegics. Early use of DP following SCI has not been described. Here, we report our multicenter review experience with the use of DP in the initial hospitalization after SCI. METHODS: Under institutional review board approval for humanitarian use device, we retrospectively reviewed our multicenter nonrandomized interventional protocol of laparoscopic diaphragm motor point mapping with electrode implantation and subsequent diaphragm conditioning and ventilator weaning. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients with an average age of 31 years (range, 17-65 years) with only two females were identified. Mechanism of injury included motor vehicle collision (7), diving (6), gunshot wounds (4), falls (4), athletic injuries (3), bicycle collision (2), heavy object falling on spine (2), and motorcycle collision (1). Elapsed time from injury to surgery was 40 days (range, 3-112 days). Seven (24%) of the 29 patients who were evaluated for the DP placement had nonstimulatable diaphragms from either phrenic nerve damage or infarction of the involved phrenic motor neurons and were not implanted. Of the stimulatable patients undergoing DP, 72% (16 of 22) were completely free of ventilator support in an average of 10.2 days. For the remaining six DP patients, two had delayed weans of 180 days, three had partial weans using DP at times during the day, and one patient successfully implanted went to a long-term acute care hospital and subsequently had life-prolonging measures withdrawn. Eight patients (36%) had complete recovery of respiration, and DP wires were removed. CONCLUSION: Early laparoscopic diaphragm mapping and DP implantation can successfully wean traumatic cervical SCI patients from ventilator support. Early laparoscopic mapping is also diagnostic in that a nonstimulatable diaphragm is a convincing evidence of an inability to wean from ventilator support, and long-term ventilator management can be immediately instituted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level V.