ABSTRACT
Malaria is a worldwide health concern, but a great majority of cases occur in tropical countries like India. With almost 95% of Indian population living in malaria endemic regions, India contributes to most of the global malaria cases and deaths, outside of African countries. Despite significant advances towards malaria control and eradication, mortality associated with severe malaria remains particularly high. Changing epidemiology, vulnerable patient population, overlapping symptomatology, and limited availability of parenteral preparations of artemisinin derivatives pose significant challenges in management of severe malaria. Further, the dearth of large-scale randomized trials from the developing countries makes it difficult to establish evidence-based guidelines pertaining to their situation. Thus, this position paper aims to provide guidance to critical care physicians across the country on managing patients with severe malaria in intensive care units (ICUs). How to cite this article: Hegde A, Chhallani AK, Gupta B, Kadapatti K, Karnad D, Maheshwarappa HM, et al. ISCCM Position Statement on the Management of Severe Malaria in Intensive Care Unit. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(S2):S59-S66.
ABSTRACT
Gender disparity in Critical Care Medicine (CCM) persists globally, with women being underrepresented. Female Intensivists remain a minority, facing challenges in academic and leadership positions at the workplace and within academic societies. The Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM) recognized the need for addressing issues related to gender parity and constituted its first Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee in 2023. Through a Delphi process involving 38 Panelists including 53% women, consensus and stability were achieved for 18 statements (95%). From these 18 consensus statements, 15 position statements were drafted to address gender balance issues in CCM. These statements advocate for equal opportunities in recruitment, workplace inclusivity, prevention of harassment, and improved female representation in leadership roles, nominated positions, and conferences. While the consensus reflects a significant step toward gender equity, further efforts are required to implement, advocate, and evaluate the impact of these measures. The ISCCM position statements offer valuable guidance for promoting gender balance within society and the CCM community. How to cite this article: Sathe P, Shukla U, Kapadia FN, Ray S, Chanchalani G, Nasa P, et al. ISCCM Position Statement for Improving Gender Balance in Critical Care Medicine. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(S2):S288-S296.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine whether high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) or noninvasive ventilator (NIV) can avoid invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ADRS), and the outcome predictors of these modalities. Design: Multicenter retrospective study conducted in 12 ICUs in Pune, India. Patients: Patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who had PaO2/FiO2 ratio <150 and were treated with HFNO and/or NIV. Intervention: HFNO and/or NIV. Measurements: The primary outcome was to assess the need of IMV. Secondary outcomes were death at Day 28 and mortality rates in different treatment groups. Main results: Among 1,201 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 35.9% (431/1,201) were treated successfully with HFNO and/or NIV and did not require IMV. About 59.5% (714/1,201) patients needed IMV for the failure of HFNO and/or NIV. About 48.3, 61.6, and 63.6% of patients who were treated with HFNO, NIV, or both, respectively, needed IMV. The need of IMV was significantly lower in the HFNO group (p <0.001). The 28-day mortality was 44.9, 59.9, and 59.6% in the patients treated with HFNO, NIV, or both, respectively (p <0.001). On multivariate regression analysis, presence of any comorbidity, SpO2 <90%, and presence of nonrespiratory organ dysfunction were independent and significant determinants of mortality (p <0.05). Conclusions: During COVID-19 pandemic surge, HFNO and/or NIV could successfully avoid IMV in 35.5% individuals with PO2/FiO2 ratio <150. Those who needed IMV due to failure of HFNO or NIV had high (87.5%) mortality. How to cite this article: Jog S, Zirpe K, Dixit S, Godavarthy P, Shahane M, Kadapatti K, et al. Noninvasive Respiratory Assist Devices in the Management of COVID-19-related Hypoxic Respiratory Failure: Pune ISCCM COVID-19 ARDS Study Consortium (PICASo). Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(7):791-797.