Epidemiology and Outcomes of Critical Illness and Novel Predictors of Mortality in an Ethiopian Medical Intensive Care Unit.

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear most of the global burden of critical illness. Managing this burden requires improved understanding of epidemiology and outcomes in LMIC intensive care units (ICUs), including LMIC-specific mortality prediction scores. This study was a retrospective observational study at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, examining all consecutive medical ICU admissions from June 2014 to April 2015. The primary outcome was ICU mortality; secondary outcomes were prolonged ICU stay and prolonged mechanical ventilation. ICU mortality prediction models were created using multivariable logistic regression and compared with the Mortality Probability Model-II (MPM-II). Associations with secondary outcomes were examined with multivariable logistic regression. There were 198 admissions during the study period; mortality was 35%. Age, shock on admission, mechanical ventilation, human immunodeficiency virus, and Glasgow Coma Scale ≤8 were associated with ICU mortality. The receiver operating characteristic curve for this 5-factor model had an AUC of 0.8205 versus 0.7468 for MPM-II, favoring the simplified new model. Mechanical ventilation and lack of shock were associated with prolonged ICU stays. Mortality in an LMIC medical ICU was high. This study examines an LMIC medical ICU population, showing a simplified prediction model may predict mortality as well as complex models.

Fibrotic-Like Pulmonary Radiographic Patterns Are Not Associated With Adverse Outcomes in COVID-19 Chronic Critical Illness.

OBJECTIVES: Pulmonary fibrosis is a feared complication of COVID-19. To characterize the risks and outcomes associated with fibrotic-like radiographic abnormalities in patients with COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and chronic critical illness. DESIGN: Single-center prospective cohort study. SETTING: We examined chest CT scans performed between ICU discharge and 30 days after hospital discharge using established methods to quantify nonfibrotic and fibrotic-like patterns. PATIENTS: Adults hospitalized with COVID-19-related ARDS and chronic critical illness (> 21 d of mechanical ventilation, tracheostomy, and survival to ICU discharge) between March 2020 and May 2020. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We tested associations of fibrotic-like patterns with clinical characteristics and biomarkers, and with time to mechanical ventilator liberation and 6-month survival, controlling for demographics, comorbidities, and COVID-19 therapies. A total of 141 of 616 adults (23%) with COVID-19-related ARDS developed chronic critical illness, and 64 of 141 (46%) had a chest CT a median (interquartile range) 66 days (42-82 d) after intubation. Fifty-five percent had fibrotic-like patterns characterized by reticulations and/or traction bronchiectasis. In adjusted analyses, interleukin-6 level on the day of intubation was associated with fibrotic-like patterns (odds ratio, 4.40 per quartile change; 95% CI, 1.90-10.1 per quartile change). Other inflammatory biomarkers, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, age, tidal volume, driving pressure, and ventilator days were not. Fibrotic-like patterns were not associated with longer time to mechanical ventilator liberation or worse 6-month survival. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of adults with COVID-19-associated chronic critical illness have fibrotic-like patterns that are associated with higher interleukin-6 levels at intubation. Fibrotic-like patterns are not associated with longer time to liberation from mechanical ventilation or worse 6-month survival.

SEQUELAE OF PATIENTS TREATED FOR PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN CHEST CLINIC, TIKUR ANBESSA SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL (TASH), ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is one of the most common infectious diseases worldwide, and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Despite availability of effective treatment, a significant number of patients suffer from permanent lung damage, which predisposes patients to numerous pulmonary complications. OBJECTIVE: To assess chronic sequelae of patients treated for PTB in a chest clinic at Tikur Anbessa Hospital. METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of patients registered in a clinical database at the chest clinic of Tikur Anbessa specialized Hospital between January and December 2013. Patients with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis treatment were identified and included in the analysis. RESULTS: Among all patients having follow-up at the chest clinic of TASH during the study period, 134 (18.5%) presented with chronic pulmonary complications of TB. Seventy two patients (54%) were male, and the mean and median ages were 40 and 37 years, respectively. Of the study population, 83 (61.9%) patients had clinically significant parenchymal scarring and fibrosis, 40 (29.9%) had bronchiectasis, 5(3.7%) had Aspergilloma, 4(3%) had granuloma/calcification, one patient (0.7%) had pleural thickening, and one patient (0.7%) underwent pneumonectomy during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Fibrosis and bronchiectasis were the most common pulmonary complications of tuberculosis among patients encountered at the TASH chest clinic during the study period. This demonstrates the impact of pulmonary tuberculosis is beyond management of active disease.

Respiratory extracorporeal membrane oxygenation : From rescue therapy to standard tool for treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome?

BACKGROUND: The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has increased substantially. With modern trials supporting its efficacy, ECMO has become an important tool in the management of severe ARDS. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this paper are to discuss ECMO physiology and configurations used for patients with ARDS, review evidence supporting the use of ECMO for ARDS, and discuss aspects of management during ECMO. CONCLUSION: Current evidence supports the use of ECMO, combined with an ultra-lung-protective approach to mechanical ventilation, in patients with ARDS who have refractory hypoxemia or hypercapnia with severe respiratory acidosis. Furthermore, data suggest that center volume and experience are important factors in the care of patients receiving ECMO. The use of extracorporeal technologies in expanded patient populations and the optimal management of patients during ECMO remain areas of investigation. This article is freely available.

The Use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for COVID-19: Lessons Learned.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has seen an increase in global cases of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), with a concomitant increased demand for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Outcomes of patients with severe ARDS due to COVID-19 infection receiving ECMO support are evolving. The need for surge capacity, practical and ethical limitations on implementing ECMO, and the prolonged duration of ECMO support in patients with COVID-19-related ARDS has revealed limitations in organization and resource utilization. Coordination of efforts at multiple levels, from research to implementation, resulted in numerous innovations in the delivery of ECMO.

In COVID-19 Patients Who Suffer In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Outcomes May Be Impacted by Arrest Etiology and Local Pandemic Conditions.

OBJECTIVES: The utility and risks to providers of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation after in-hospital cardiac arrest in COVID-19 patients have been questioned. Additionally, there are discrepancies in reported COVID-19 in-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates. We describe outcomes after cardiopulmonary resuscitation for in-hospital cardiac arrest in two COVID-19 patient cohorts. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, NY. PATIENTS: Those admitted with COVID-19 between March 1, 2020, and May 31, 2020, as well as between March 1, 2021, and May 31, 2021, who received resuscitation after in-hospital cardiac arrest. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Among 103 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 who were resuscitated after in-hospital cardiac arrest in spring 2020, most self-identified as Hispanic/Latino or African American, 35 (34.0%) had return of spontaneous circulation for at least 20 minutes, and 15 (14.6%) survived to 30 days post-arrest. Compared with nonsurvivors, 30-day survivors experienced in-hospital cardiac arrest later (day 22 vs day 7; p = 0.008) and were more likely to have had an acute respiratory event preceding in-hospital cardiac arrest (93.3% vs 27.3%; p < 0.001). Among 30-day survivors, 11 (73.3%) survived to hospital discharge, at which point 8 (72.7%) had Cerebral Performance Category scores of 1 or 2. Among 26 COVID-19 patients resuscitated after in-hospital cardiac arrest in spring 2021, 15 (57.7%) had return of spontaneous circulation for at least 20 minutes, 3 (11.5%) survived to 30 days post in-hospital cardiac arrest, and 2 (7.7%) survived to hospital discharge, both with Cerebral Performance Category scores of 2 or less. Those who survived to 30 days post in-hospital cardiac arrest were younger (46.3 vs 67.8; p = 0.03), but otherwise there were no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID-19 who received cardiopulmonary resuscitation after in-hospital cardiac arrest had low survival rates. Our findings additionally show return of spontaneous circulation rates in these patients may be impacted by hospital strain and that patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest preceded by acute respiratory events might be more likely to survive to 30 days, suggesting Advanced Cardiac Life Support efforts may be more successful in this subpopulation.

Early Mobilization during Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Cardiopulmonary Failure in Adults: Factors Associated with Intensity of Treatment.

Rationale: Early mobilization of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)-supported patients is increasingly common, but it remains unknown whether there are factors predictive of achieving higher intensity mobilization among those able to participate in physical therapy. Additionally, data regarding the safety and feasibility of early mobilization with femoral cannulation, particularly ambulation, are sparse. Objectives: To determine whether there are factors associated with achieving out-of-bed versus in-bed physical therapy in ECMO-supported patients participating in physical therapy, and whether mobilization with femoral cannulation is safe and feasible. Methods: This large, single-center, retrospective study evaluated adult patients who performed active physical therapy while receiving ECMO. Mixed effects modeling was used to identify predictors of out-of-bed versus in-bed activity. Rates of mobilization with femoral cannulation and adverse events were also reported. Results: Between April 2009 and January 2020, 511 patients were supported with ECMO in a single medical intensive care unit, of whom 177 (35%) underwent active physical therapy and were included in the analysis, including 124 of 141 (88%) bridge to lung transplantation and 53 of 370 (14%) bridge to recovery. These 177 patients accounted for 2,706 active physical therapy sessions, with 138 patients (78%) achieving out-of-bed activity. In total, 108 (61%) patients ambulated (1,284 sessions), 34 of whom had femoral cannulae (250 sessions). Bridge-to-transplant (odds ratio [OR], 17.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.12-72.1), venovenous ECMO (OR, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.29-6.22), later cannulation year (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.37-1.98) and higher Charlson comorbidity index (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.07-2.19) were associated with increased odds of achieving out-of-bed versus in-bed physical therapy, whereas invasive mechanical ventilation (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.05-0.25) and femoral cannulation (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.04-0.92) were associated with decreased odds of performing out-of-bed activities. Adverse events occurred in 2% of sessions. Conclusions: Several patient- and ECMO-related factors were associated with achieving higher intensity of early mobilization in patients participating in rehabilitation. Physical therapy with femoral cannulation was safe and feasible, and complications related to mobilization were uncommon.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Coronavirus Disease 2019: Crisis Standards of Care.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has placed extraordinary strain on global healthcare systems. Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for patients with severe respiratory or cardiac failure attributed to COVID-19 has been debated due to uncertain survival benefit and the resources required to safely deliver ECMO support. We retrospectively investigated adult patients supported with ECMO for COVID-19 at our institution during the first 80 days following New York City's declaration of a state of emergency. The primary objective was to evaluate survival outcomes in patients supported with ECMO for COVID-19 and describe the programmatic adaptations made in response to pandemic-related crisis conditions. Twenty-two patients with COVID-19 were placed on ECMO during the study period. Median age was 52 years and 18 (81.8%) were male. Twenty-one patients (95.4%) had severe ARDS and seven (31.8%) had cardiac failure. Fifteen patients (68.1%) were managed with venovenous ECMO while 7 (31.8%) required arterial support. Twelve patients (54.5%) were transported on ECMO from external institutions. Twelve patients were discharged alive from the hospital (54.5%). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used successfully in patients with respiratory and cardiac failure due to COVID-19. The continued use of ECMO, including ECMO transport, during crisis conditions was possible even at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rapid implementation of a mobile prone team during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with high rates of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Prone positioning improves mortality in moderate-to-severe ARDS. Strategies to increase prone positioning under crisis conditions are needed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We describe the development of a mobile prone team during the height of the crisis in New York City and describe characteristics and outcomes of mechanically ventilated patients who received prone positioning between April 2, 2020 and April 30, 2020. RESULTS: Ninety patients underwent prone positioning for moderate-to-severe ARDS. Sixty-six patients (73.3%) were men, with a median age of 64 years (IQR 53-71), and the median PaO2:FiO2 ratio was 107 (IQR 85-140) prior to prone positioning. Patients required an average of 3 ± 2.2 prone sessions and the median time of each prone session was 19 h (IQR 17.5-20.75). By the end of the study period, proning was discontinued in sixty-seven (65.1%) cases due to clinical improvement, twenty (19.4%) cases due to lack of clinical improvement, six (5.8%) cases for clinical worsening, and ten (9.7%) cases due to a contraindication. CONCLUSION: The rapid development of a mobile prone team safely provided prone positioning to a large number of COVID-19 patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for ARDS: Optimization of Lung Protective Ventilation.

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the management of ARDS has grown considerably in the past decade, largely as a consequence of improvements in extracorporeal technology and management techniques. Recently published data has helped clarify the use of ECMO in ARDS, and its role in optimizing lung-protective ventilation and minimizing ventilator-induced lung injury has the potential to have a substantial impact on ARDS management and outcomes. In the future, novel extracorporeal management strategies may lead to a new paradigm in our approach to patients with ARDS.

Extracorporeal techniques in acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was first introduced for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in the 1970s. However, enthusiasm was tempered due to the high mortality seen at that time. The use of ECMO has grown considerably in recent years due to technological advances and the evidence suggesting potential benefit. While the efficacy of ECMO has yet to be rigorously demonstrated with high-quality evidence, it has the potential not only to have a substantial impact on outcomes, including mortality, but also to change the paradigm of ARDS management.

Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection.

Treatment of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection is an important component of TB control programs in both high- and low-prevalence countries. Clinical trials of treatment of latent TB conducted over several decades have demonstrated that preventive treatment can reduce the risk of developing active TB up to 90%. Although 9 months of daily, self-administered isoniazid has been the most widely used and recommended regimen for the treatment of latent infection, other regimens such as 3 months of daily isoniazid and rifampin, or 4 months of daily rifampin alone have also been recommended and used. Most recently, a 12-dose regimen of once-weekly isoniazid and rifapentine has been shown to be noninferior to 9 months of daily isoniazid in a large and well conducted clinical trial. Adoption of such a regimen on a large scale could have significant implications for TB elimination efforts.