Postoperative lymphopaenia as a risk factor for postoperative infections in cancer surgery: A prospective multicentre cohort study (the EVALYMPH study).

BACKGROUND: Stress due to surgical trauma decreases postoperative lymphocyte counts (LCs), potentially favouring the occurrence of postoperative infections (PIs). OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine whether postoperative lymphopaenia following thoracic or gastrointestinal cancer surgery is an independent risk factor for PIs and to identify modifiable factors related to anaesthesia and surgical procedures that might affect its occurrence. STUDY DESIGN: The EVALYMPH study was a prospective, multicentre cohort study with a 30-day patient follow-up. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for PIs and for postoperative lymphopaenia. SETTING: Patients were included from January 2016 to September 2017 in 25 French centres. PATIENTS: Adult patients admitted for thoracic or gastrointestinal cancer surgery were eligible for inclusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: PIs within 30 days after surgery were defined as urinary tract infections, pneumonia, surgical site infections and other infections (bloodstream infections or pleurisy). RESULTS: Of 1207 patients included, 273 (22.6%) developed at least one infection within 30 days after surgery, with a median [IQR] time to onset of 8 [5 to 11] days. An increased risk of PI was significantly associated with an ASA score of IV: hazard ratio (HR) 4.27 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.87 to 9.72), surgery > 200 min (HR 1.58 (1.15 to 2.17) and lymphopaenia on postoperative day 1 (POD1) (HR 1.56 (1.08 to 2.25). This risk was associated with changes in postoperative LC over time (P = 0.001) but not with preoperative LC (P = 0.536).POD1 lymphopenia was related to patient characteristics and duration of surgery but not to potentially modifiable other surgical or anaesthetics factors. CONCLUSIONS: POD1 lymphopaenia was associated with PIs in patients undergoing thoracic or gastrointestinal cancer surgery. To individualise care, patient characteristics and surgery duration should be taken into account. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02799251.

Continuation vs Discontinuation of Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibitors Before Major Noncardiac Surgery: The Stop-or-Not Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Before surgery, the best strategy for managing patients who are taking renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASIs) (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers) is unknown. The lack of evidence leads to conflicting guidelines. Objective: To evaluate whether a continuation strategy vs a discontinuation strategy of RASIs before major noncardiac surgery results in decreased complications at 28 days after surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized clinical trial that included patients who were being treated with a RASI for at least 3 months and were scheduled to undergo a major noncardiac surgery between January 2018 and April 2023 at 40 hospitals in France. Intervention: Patients were randomized to continue use of RASIs (n = 1107) until the day of surgery or to discontinue use of RASIs 48 hours prior to surgery (ie, they would take the last dose 3 days before surgery) (n = 1115). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality and major postoperative complications within 28 days after surgery. The key secondary outcomes were episodes of hypotension during surgery, acute kidney injury, postoperative organ failure, and length of stay in the hospital and intensive care unit during the 28 days after surgery. Results: Of the 2222 patients (mean age, 67 years [SD, 10 years]; 65% were male), 46% were being treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors at baseline and 54% were being treated with angiotensin receptor blockers. The rate of all-cause mortality and major postoperative complications was 22% (245 of 1115 patients) in the RASI discontinuation group and 22% (247 of 1107 patients) in the RASI continuation group (risk ratio, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.87-1.19]; P = .85). Episodes of hypotension during surgery occurred in 41% of the patients in the RASI discontinuation group and in 54% of the patients in the RASI continuation group (risk ratio, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.19-1.44]). There were no other differences in the trial outcomes. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients who underwent major noncardiac surgery, a continuation strategy of RASIs before surgery was not associated with a higher rate of postoperative complications than a discontinuation strategy. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03374449.

Ventilation strategy during urological and gynaecological robotic-assisted surgery: a narrative review.

Robotic-assisted surgery has improved the precision and accuracy of surgical movements with subsequent improved outcomes. However, it requires steep Trendelenburg positioning combined with pneumoperitoneum that negatively affects respiratory mechanics and increases the risk of postoperative respiratory complications. This narrative review summarises the state of the art in ventilatory management of these patients in terms of levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), tidal volume, recruitment manoeuvres, and ventilation modes during both urological and gynaecological robotic-assisted surgery. A review of the literature was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE; after completing abstract and full-text review, 31 articles were included. Although different levels of PEEP were often evaluated within a protective ventilation strategy, including higher levels of PEEP, lower tidal volume, and recruitment manoeuvres vs a conventional ventilation strategy, we conclude that the best PEEP in terms of lung mechanics, gas exchange, and ventilation distribution has not been defined, but moderate PEEP levels (4-8 cm H2O) could be associated with better outcomes than lower or highest levels. Recruitment manoeuvres improved intraoperative arterial oxygenation, end-expiratory lung volume and the distribution of ventilation to dependent (dorsal) lung regions. Pressure-controlled compared with volume-controlled ventilation showed lower peak airway pressures with both higher compliance and higher carbon dioxide clearance. We propose directions to optimise ventilatory management during robotic surgery in light of the current evidence.

Pre-operative distraction using electric ride-on cars for children undergoing elective ambulatory surgery: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Pre-operative anxiety occurs in 18 to 60% of children undergoing surgery and results in poor outcomes. Nonpharmacological methods of distraction are effective in alleviating peri-operative anxiety. In our institution, ride-on electric cars (ride-on e-cars) are routinely used by children undergoing ambulatory surgery as a mean of nonpharmacological distraction. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of pre-operative distraction with ride-on e-cars on children's pre-operative anxiety when undergoing elective ambulatory surgery. DESIGN: This was a prospective, randomised, controlled, open-label study. SETTING: The study was carried out from September 2019 to September 2021 in the ambulatory paediatric surgery unit of our teaching hospital, in Marseille, France. PATIENTS: Children aged 2 to 10 years and weighing less than 35 kg undergoing elective ambulatory surgery were eligible. One hundred and fifteen children were included, 56 in the control group and 59 in the intervention group. INTERVENTION: Children in the control group were transported from the operating room (OR) waiting area to the OR using a trolley, while children in the intervention group used the ride-on e-cars, without pharmacological premedication or parental presence. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was pre-operative anxiety at the end of the transport (prior going into the OR assessed by the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Score Short Form (mYPAS-SF). Secondary outcomes were the anxiety levels in children over time, as well as postoperative pain and agitation assessed with the Face Legs Activity Cry Consolability (FLACC) and Paediatric Anaesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) scales, respectively. RESULTS: The mYPAS-SF anxiety scores did not differ between the control group and the intervention group (39 ±â€Š19 vs. 37 ±â€Š21, P  = 0.574). The secondary outcomes were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our randomised controlled trial showed that the use of ride-on e-cars did not alter pre-operative anxiety as compared with standard transport in children undergoing elective ambulatory surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03961581.

Bedside POCUS during ward emergencies is associated with improved diagnosis and outcome: an observational, prospective, controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Rapid response teams are intended to improve early diagnosis and intervention in ward patients who develop acute respiratory or circulatory failure. A management protocol including the use of a handheld ultrasound device for immediate point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) examination at the bedside may improve team performance. The main objective of the study was to assess the impact of implementing such a POCUS-guided management on the proportion of adequate immediate diagnoses in two groups. Secondary endpoints included time to treatment and patient outcomes. METHODS: A prospective, observational, controlled study was conducted in a single university hospital. Two teams alternated every other day for managing in-hospital ward patients developing acute respiratory and/or circulatory failures. Only one of the team used an ultrasound device (POCUS group). RESULTS: We included 165 patients (POCUS group 83, control group 82). Proportion of adequate immediate diagnoses was 94% in the POCUS group and 80% in the control group (p = 0.009). Time to first treatment/intervention was shorter in the POCUS group (15 [10-25] min vs. 34 [15-40] min, p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality rates were 17% in the POCUS group and 35% in the control group (p = 0.007), but this difference was not confirmed in the propensity score sample (29% vs. 34%, p = 0.53). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that protocolized use of a handheld POCUS device at the bedside in the ward may improve the proportion of adequate diagnosis, the time to initial treatment and perhaps also survival of ward patients developing acute respiratory or circulatory failure. Clinical Trial Registration NCT02967809. Registered 18 November 2016, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02967809 .

Effect of Individualized vs Standard Blood Pressure Management Strategies on Postoperative Organ Dysfunction Among High-Risk Patients Undergoing Major Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Perioperative hypotension is associated with an increase in postoperative morbidity and mortality, but the appropriate management strategy remains uncertain. Objective: To evaluate whether an individualized blood pressure management strategy tailored to individual patient physiology could reduce postoperative organ dysfunction. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Intraoperative Norepinephrine to Control Arterial Pressure (INPRESS) study was a multicenter, randomized, parallel-group clinical trial conducted in 9 French university and nonuniversity hospitals. Adult patients (n = 298) at increased risk of postoperative complications with a preoperative acute kidney injury risk index of class III or higher (indicating moderate to high risk of postoperative kidney injury) undergoing major surgery lasting 2 hours or longer under general anesthesia were enrolled from December 4, 2012, through August 28, 2016 (last follow-up, September 28, 2016). Interventions: Individualized management strategy aimed at achieving a systolic blood pressure (SBP) within 10% of the reference value (ie, patient's resting SBP) or standard management strategy of treating SBP less than 80 mm Hg or lower than 40% from the reference value during and for 4 hours following surgery. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was a composite of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and dysfunction of at least 1 organ system of the renal, respiratory, cardiovascular, coagulation, and neurologic systems by day 7 after surgery. Secondary outcomes included the individual components of the primary outcome, durations of ICU and hospital stay, adverse events, and all-cause mortality at 30 days after surgery. Results: Among 298 patients who were randomized, 292 patients completed the trial (mean [SD] age, 70 [7] years; 44 [15.1%] women) and were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis. The primary outcome event occurred in 56 of 147 patients (38.1%) assigned to the individualized treatment strategy vs 75 of 145 patients (51.7%) assigned to the standard treatment strategy (relative risk, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.94; P = .02; absolute risk difference, -14%, 95% CI, -25% to -2%). Sixty-eight patients (46.3%) in the individualized treatment group and 92 (63.4%) in the standard treatment group had postoperative organ dysfunction by day 30 (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.84; P = .001). There were no significant between-group differences in severe adverse events or 30-day mortality. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients predominantly undergoing abdominal surgery who were at increased postoperative risk, management targeting an individualized systolic blood pressure, compared with standard management, reduced the risk of postoperative organ dysfunction. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01536470.

Outcome Comparison in Children Undergoing Extracorporeal Life Support Initiated at a Local Hospital by a Mobile Cardiorespiratory Assistance Unit or at a Referral Center.

PURPOSE: To compare characteristics and outcome in children undergoing extracorporeal life support initiated in an extracorporeal life support center or at the patient's bedside in a local hospital, by means of a mobile cardiorespiratory assistance unit. METHODS: A retrospective study in a single PICU during 6 years. Extracorporeal life support was started either in our center (control group) or in the local hospital (mobile cardiorespiratory assistance unit group). The data collected were demographics, markers of patient's preextracorporeal life support condition, and outcome. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-six children underwent extracorporeal life support, 105 in the control group and 21 in the mobile cardiorespiratory assistance unit group. There was no difference between groups in terms of age, weight, or Pediatric Risk of Mortality II score. There was a significant difference in organ failure etiology between groups, with more respiratory cases in the mobile cardiorespiratory assistance unit group (76.2%) and more cardiac surgery cases in the control group (60%; p < 0.001). The duration of extracorporeal life support was longer in the mobile cardiorespiratory assistance unit group than in the control group (10 [1-36] vs 5 [0-33] d; p = 0.003). PICU length of stay and mortality (60% vs 47.6%; p = 0.294) were not significantly different between the two groups. To allow comparison of a more homogenous population, a subgroup analysis was performed including only respiratory failure patients from the two groups (R-control group [n = 22] and R-mobile cardiorespiratory assistance unit group [n = 16]). PICU length of stay was 17 (3-64) days in the R-control group and 23 (1-45) days in the R-mobile cardiorespiratory assistance unit group (p = 0.564), and PICU mortality rate was 54.5% in the R-control group and 43.8% in the R-mobile cardiorespiratory assistance unit group (p = 0.511). There was no difference between the R-groups for age, weight, Pediatric Risk of Mortality II score, and markers of kidney or liver dysfunction, and lactate blood levels. CONCLUSION: Extracorporeal life support can be safely initiated at children's bedside in the local hospital and then transported to the specialized referral center. Our results support the validity of an interregional organization of mobile cardiorespiratory assistance unit teams.

Empirical antifungal therapy for health care-associated intra-abdominal infection: a retrospective, multicentre and comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend using antifungals for selected patients with health care-associated intra-abdominal infection (HC-IAI), but this recommendation is based on a weak evidence. This study aimed to assess the association between early empirical use of antifungals and outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU) adult patients requiring re-intervention after abdominal surgery. METHODS: A retrospective, multicentre cohort study with overlap propensity score weighting was conducted in three ICUs located in three medical institutions in France. Patients treated with early empirical antifungals for HC-IAI after abdominal surgery were compared with controls who did not receive such antifungals. The primary endpoint was the death rate at 90 days, and the secondary endpoints were the death rate at 1 year and composite criteria evaluated at 30 days following the HC-IAI diagnosis, including the need for re-intervention, inappropriate antimicrobial therapy and death, whichever occurred first. RESULTS: At 90 days, the death rate was significantly decreased in the patients treated with empirical antifungals compared with the control group (11.4% and 20.7%, respectively, p = 0.02). No differences were reported for the secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION: The use of early empirical antifungal therapy was associated with a decreased death rate at 90 days, with no effect on the death rate at 1 year, the death rate at 30 days, the rate of re-intervention, the need for drainage, and empirical antibiotic and antifungal therapy failure at 30 days.

Interactions between Gender and Sepsis-Implications for the Future.

Sex and gender dimorphisms are found in a large variety of diseases, including sepsis and septic shock which are more prevalent in men than in women. Animal models show that the host response to pathogens differs in females and males. This difference is partially explained by sex polarization of the intracellular pathways responding to pathogen-cell receptor interactions. Sex hormones seem to be responsible for this polarization, although other factors, such as chromosomal effects, have yet to be investigated. In brief, females are less susceptible to sepsis and seem to recover more effectively than males. Clinical observations produce more nuanced findings, but men consistently have a higher incidence of sepsis, and some reports also claim higher mortality rates. However, variables other than hormonal differences complicate the interaction between sex and sepsis, including comorbidities as well as social and cultural differences between men and women. Conflicting data have also been reported regarding sepsis-attributable mortality rates among pregnant women, compared with non-pregnant females. We believe that unraveling sex differences in the host response to sepsis and its treatment could be the first step in personalized, phenotype-based management of patients with sepsis and septic shock.

OCOSO2: study protocol for a single-blinded, multicentre, randomised controlled trial assessing a central venous oxygen saturation-based goal-directed therapy to reduce postoperative complications in high-risk patients after elective major surgery.

BACKGROUND: Fluid loading-based goal-directed therapy is a cornerstone of anaesthesia management in major surgery. Its widespread application has contributed to a significant improvement in perioperative morbidity and mortality. In theory, only hypovolemic patients should receive fluid therapy. However, to achieve such a diagnosis, a surrogate marker of cardiac output adequacy must be used. Current methods of fluid loading-based goal-directed therapy do not assess cardiac output adequacy. Nowadays, new devices make it possible to continuously monitor central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) and therefore, to assess the adequacy of perioperative cardiac output during surgery. In major surgery, ScvO2-based goal-directed therapy can be used to enhance fluid therapy and improve patient outcomes. METHODS: We designed a prospective, randomised, single-blinded, multicentre controlled superiority study with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Patients to be included will be high-risk major surgery patients (> 50 years old, ASA score > 2, major intra-abdominal or intra-thoracic surgery > 90 min). Patients in the control group will undergo standard fluid loading-based goal-directed therapy, as recommended by the guidelines. Patients in the intervention group will have ScvO2-based goal-directed therapy and receive fluid loading only if fluid responsiveness and cardiac output inadequacy are present. The primary outcome will be the Comprehensive Complication Index on day five postoperatively. DISCUSSION: This study is the first to address the issue of cardiac output adequacy in goal-directed therapy. Our hypothesis is that cardiac output optimisation during major surgery achieved by continuous monitoring of the ScvO2 to guide fluid therapy will result in a reduction of postoperative complications as compared with current goal-directed fluid therapy practices. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT03828565. Registered on February 4, 2019.

Patient Blood Management in Transurethral Resection Surgery: Overview and Strategy Analysis from a French Tertiary Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Since Patient blood management (PBM) suggests a bundle of measures aiming to reduce perioperative blood transfusion because preoperative anemia and blood transfusion are associated with poor postoperative outcomes. There is a lack of data on the effect of PBM in patients undergoing transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) or bladder tumor (TURBT). We aimed to assess the bleeding risk in TURP and TURBT procedures and the effect of preoperative anemia on postoperative morbimortality. METHODS: A single-center retrospective observational cohort study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Marseille, France. All patients undergoing TURP or TURBT were included in 2020 and divided into two groups: preoperative anemia (n = 19) and no preoperative anemia (n = 59). We recorded demographic characteristics, preoperative hemoglobin concentration, iron deficiency markers, preoperative initiation of a treatment for anemia, perioperative bleeding, and postoperative outcomes up to 30 days including blood transfusion, hospital readmission, reintervention, infection, and mortality. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. No patient had iron deficiency markers and no prescription of iron was initiated before surgery. No major bleeding was reported during surgery. Postoperative anemia was found in 21 patients, including 16 (76%) in the preoperative anemia group and 5 (24%) in the non-preoperative anemia group. One patient of each group received a blood transfusion after surgery. No significant differences in 30-day outcomes were reported. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that TURP and TURBT are not associated with a high-risk of postoperative bleeding. In such procedures, adherence PBM strategies do not seem beneficial. Since recent guidelines recommend restricting preoperative testing, our results may help to improve preoperative risk stratification.

Association of preoperative COVID-19 and postoperative respiratory morbidity during the Omicron epidemic wave: the DROMIS-22 multicentre prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Preoperative COVID-19 has been associated with excess postoperative morbi-mortality. Consequently, guidelines were developed that recommended the postponement of surgery for at least 7 weeks after the infection. We hypothesised that vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 and the large predominance of the Omicron variant attenuated the effect of a preoperative COVID-19 on the occurrence of postoperative respiratory morbidity. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study in 41 French centres between 15 March and 30 May 2022 (ClinicalTrials NCT05336110), aimed at comparing the postoperative respiratory morbidity between patients with and without preoperative COVID-19 within 8 weeks prior to surgery. The primary outcome was a composite outcome combining the occurrence of pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, unexpected mechanical ventilation, and pulmonary embolism within the first 30 postoperative days. Secondary outcomes were 30-day mortality, hospital length-of-stay, readmissions, and non-respiratory infections. The sample size was determined to have 90% power to identify a doubling of the primary outcome rate. Adjusted analyses were performed using propensity score modelling and inverse probability weighting. Findings: Of the 4928 patients assessed for the primary outcome, of whom 92.4% were vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2, 705 had preoperative COVID-19. The primary outcome was reported in 140 (2.8%) patients. An 8-week preoperative COVID-19 was not associated with increased postoperative respiratory morbidity (odds ratio 1.08 [95% CI 0.48-2.13]; p = 0.83). None of the secondary outcomes differed between the two groups. Sensitivity analyses concerning the timing between COVID-19 and surgery, and the clinical presentations of preoperative COVID-19 did not show any association with the primary outcome, except for COVID-19 patients with ongoing symptoms the day of surgery (OR 4.29 [1.02-15.8]; p = 0.04). Interpretation: In our Omicron-predominant, highly immunised population undergoing general surgery, a preoperative COVID-19 was not associated with increased postoperative respiratory morbidity. Funding: The study was fully funded by the French Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (SFAR).

Critically ill metastatic cancer patients returning home after unplanned ICU stay: an observational, multicentre retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Data about critically ill metastatic cancer patients functional outcome after unplanned admission to the ICU are scarce. The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with 90-day return home and 1-year survival in this population. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study included all consecutive metastatic cancer patients admitted to the ICU for unplanned reason between 2017 and 2020. RESULTS: Among 253 included metastatic cancer patients, mainly with lung cancer, 94 patients (37.2%) could return home on day 90. One-year survival rate was 28.5%. Performance status 0 or 1 (OR, 2.18; 95% CI 1.21-3.93; P = 0.010), no malnutrition (OR, 2.90; 95% CI 1.61-5.24; P < 0.001), female gender (OR, 2.39; 95% CI 1.33-4.29; P = 0.004), recent chemotherapy (OR, 2.62; 95% CI 1.40-4.90; P = 0.003), SOFA score ≤ 5 on admission (OR, 2.62; 95% CI 1.41-4.90; P = 0.002) were significantly predictive for 90-day return home. Malnutrition (HR, 1.66; 95% CI 1.18-2.22; P = 0.003), acute respiratory failure (ARF) as reason for admission (HR, 1.40; 95% CI 1.10-1.95; P = 0.043), SAPS II on admission (HR, 1.03; 95% CI 1.02-1.05; P < 0.001) and decisions to forgo life-sustaining therapies (DFLST) (HR, 2.80; 95% CI 2.04-3.84; P < 0.001) were independently associated with 1-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS: More than one out of three metastatic cancer patients could return home within 3 months after an unplanned admission to the ICU. Previous performance and nutritional status, ongoing specific treatment and low severity of the acute illness were found to be predictive for return home. Such encouraging findings should help change the dismal perception of critically ill metastatic cancer patients.

Multiple trauma in pregnant women: injury assessment, fetal radiation exposure and mortality. A multicentre observational study.

BACKGROUND: Fetal radiation exposure in pregnant women with trauma is a concern. The purpose of this study was to evaluate fetal radiation exposure with regard to the type of injury assessment performed. METHODS: It is a multicentre observational study. The cohort study included all pregnant women suspected of severe traumatic injury in the participating centres of a national trauma research network. The primary outcome was the cumulative radiation dose (mGy) received by the fetus with respect to the type of injury assessment initiated by the physician in charge of the pregnant patient. Secondary outcomes were maternal and fetal morbi-mortality, the incidence of haemorrhagic shock and the physicians' imaging assessment with consideration of their medical specialty. RESULTS: Fifty-four pregnant women were admitted for potential major trauma between September 2011 and December 2019 in the 21 participating centres. The median gestational age was 22 weeks [12-30]. 78% of women (n = 42) underwent WBCT. The remaining patients underwent radiographs, ultrasound or selective CT scans based on clinical examination. The median fetal radiation doses were 38 mGy [23-63] and 0 mGy [0-1]. Maternal mortality (6%) was lower than fetal mortality (17%). Two women (out of 3 maternal deaths) and 7 fetuses (out of 9 fetal deaths) died within the first 24 h following trauma. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate WBCT for initial injury assessment in pregnant women with trauma was associated with a fetal radiation dose below the 100 mGy threshold. Among the selected population with either a stable status with a moderate and nonthreatening injury pattern or isolated penetrating trauma, a selective strategy seemed safe in experienced centres.

Effectiveness of Surgeon-Performed Paravertebral Block Analgesia for Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: In minimally invasive thoracic surgery, paravertebral block (PVB) using ultrasound (US)-guided technique is an efficient postoperative analgesia. However, it is an operator-dependent process depending on experience and local resources. Because pain-control failure is highly detrimental, surgeons may consider other locoregional analgesic options. Objective: To demonstrate the noninferiority of PVB performed by surgeons under video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), hereafter referred to as PVB-VATS, as the experimental group compared with PVB performed by anesthesiologists using US-guided technique (PVB-US) as the control group. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this single-center, noninferiority, patient-blinded, randomized clinical trial conducted from September 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021, patients older than 18 years who were undergoing a scheduled minimally invasive thoracic surgery with lung resection including video-assisted or robotic approaches were included. Exclusion criteria included scheduled open surgery, any antalgic World Health Organization level greater than 2 before surgery, or a medical history of homolateral thoracic surgery. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to an intervention group after general anesthesia. They received single-injection PVB before the first incision was made in the control group (PVB-US) or after 1 incision was made under thoracoscopic vision in the experimental group (PVB-VATS). Interventions: PVB-VATS or PVB-US. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was mean 48-hour post-PVB opioid consumption considering a noninferiority range of less than 7.5 mg of opioid consumption between groups. Secondary outcomes included time of anesthesia, surgery, and operating room occupancy; 48-hour pain visual analog scale score at rest and while coughing; and 30-day postoperative complications. Results: A total of 196 patients were randomly assigned to intervention groups: 98 in the PVB-VATS group (mean [SD] age, 64.6 [9.5] years; 53 female [54.1%]) and 98 in the PVB-US group (mean [SD] age, 65.8 [11.5] years; 62 male [63.3%]). The mean (SD) of 48-hour opioid consumption in the PVB-VATS group (33.9 [19.8] mg; 95% CI, 30.0-37.9 mg) was noninferior to that measured in the PVB-US group (28.5 [18.2] mg; 95% CI, 24.8-32.2 mg; difference: -5.4 mg; 95% CI, -∞ to -0.93; noninferiority Welsh test, P ≤ .001). Pain score at rest and while coughing after surgery, overall time, and postoperative complications did not differ between groups. Conclusions and Relevance: PVB placed by a surgeon during thoracoscopy was noninferior to PVB placed by an anesthesiologist using ultrasonography before incision in terms of opioid consumption during the first 48 hours. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04579276.

Effects of a Chair Positioning Session on Awake Non-Intubated COVID-19 Pneumonia Patients: A Multicenter, Observational, and Pilot Study Using Lung Ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: LUS is a validated tool for the management of COVID-19 pneumonia. Chair positioning (CP) may have beneficial effects on oxygenation and lung aeration, and may be an easier alternative to PP. This study assessed the effects of a CP session on oxygenation and lung aeration (LA) changes in non-intubated COVID-19 patients. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted in an ICU. We analyzed data from LUS exams and SpO2:FiO2 performed before/after a CP session in non-intubated COVID-19 patients. Patients were divided into groups of responders or non-responders in terms of oxygenation or LA. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were included in the study; fourteen (44%) were oxygenation non-responders and eighteen (56%) were oxygenation responders, while thirteen (40.6%) and nineteen (59.4%) patients were classified as LA non-responders and responders, respectively. Changes in oxygenation and LA before/after a CP session were not correlated (r = -0.19, p = 0.3, 95% CI: -0.5-0.17). The reaeration scores did not differ between oxygenation responders and non-responders (1 (-0.75-3.75) vs. 4 (-1-6), p = 0.41). The LUS score was significantly correlated with SpO2:FiO2 before a CP session (r = 0.37, p = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.03-0.64) but not after (r = 0.17, p = 0.35, 95% CI: -0.19-0.50). CONCLUSION: A CP session was associated with improved oxygenation and LA in more than half of the non-intubated COVID-19 patients.

Ultra-early initiation of postoperative rehabilitation in the post-anaesthesia care unit after major thoracic surgery: case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Physiotherapy is a major cornerstone of enhanced rehabilitation after surgery (ERAS) and reduces the development of atelectasis after thoracic surgery. By initiating physiotherapy in the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU), the aim was to evaluate whether the ultra-early initiation of rehabilitation (in the first hour following tracheal extubation) would improve the outcomes of patients undergoing elective thoracic surgery. METHODS: A case-control study with a before-and-after design was conducted. From a historical control group, patients were paired at a 3:1 ratio with an intervention group. This group consisted of patients treated with the ultra-early rehabilitation programme after elective thoracic surgery (clear fluids, physiotherapy, and ambulation). The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative atelectasis and/or pneumonia during the hospital stay. RESULTS: After pairing, 675 patients were allocated to the historical control group and 225 patients to the intervention group. A significant decrease in the incidence of postoperative atelectasis and/or pneumonia was found in the latter (11.4 versus 6.7 per cent respectively; P = 0.042) and remained significant on multivariate analysis (OR 0.53, 95 per cent c.i. 0.26 to 0.98; P = 0.045). A subgroup analysis of the intervention group showed that early ambulation during the PACU stay was associated with a further significant decrease in the incidence of postoperative atelectasis and/or pneumonia (2.2 versus 9.5 per cent; P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Ultra-early rehabilitation in the PACU was associated with a decrease in the incidence of postoperative atelectasis and/or pneumonia after major elective thoracic surgery.

Management of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in intensive care unit: An observational retrospective study comparing two bundles.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of two therapeutic bundles of management in SARS-CoV2 ICU patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our retrospective, observational study was performed in a university ICU from March to June 2020 (first wave) and from September 2020 to January 2021 (second wave). In first wave, patients received bundle 1 including early invasive ventilation, hydroxychloroquine, cefotaxime and azithromycin. In second wave, bundle 2 included non-invasive oxygenation support and dexamethasone. The main outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included ICU and hospital length of stay, ICU supportive therapies, viral clearance and antimicrobial resistance emergence. RESULTS: 129 patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia were admitted to our ICU. Thirty-five were treated according to bundle 1 and 76 to bundle 2. In-hospital mortality was similar in the two groups (23%, p = 1). The hospital (p = 0.003) and ICU (p = 0.01) length of stay and ventilator-free days at 28 days (p = 0.03) were significantly reduced in bundle 2. Increasing age, vasopressor use and PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 125 were associated with in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of our study, changes in therapeutic bundles for SARS-Cov-2 ICU patients might have no effect on in-hospital mortality but were associated with less exposure to mechanical ventilation and reduced hospital length of stay.

Left ventricular longitudinal strain variations assessed by speckle-tracking echocardiography after a passive leg raising maneuver in patients with acute circulatory failure to predict fluid responsiveness: A prospective, observational study.

BACKGROUND: An association was reported between the left ventricular longitudinal strain (LV-LS) and preload. LV-LS reflects the left cardiac function curve as it is the ratio of shortening over diastolic dimension. The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of LV-LS variations after a passive leg raising (PLR) maneuver to predict fluid responsiveness in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with acute circulatory failure (ACF). METHODS: Patients with ACF were prospectively included. Preload-dependency was defined as a velocity time integral (VTI) variation greater than 10% between baseline (T0) and PLR (T1), distinguishing the preload-dependent (PLD+) group and the preload-independent (PLD-) group. A 7-cycles, 4-chamber echocardiography loop was registered at T0 and T1, and strain analysis was performed off-line by a blind clinician. A general linear model for repeated measures was used to compare the LV-LS variation (T0 to T1) between the two groups. RESULTS: From June 2018 to August 2019, 60 patients (PLD+ = 33, PLD- = 27) were consecutively enrolled. The VTI variations after PLR were +21% (±8) in the PLD+ group and -1% (±7) in the PLD- group (p<0.01). Mean baseline LV-LS was -11.3% (±4.2) in the PLD+ group and -13.0% (±4.2) in the PLD- group (p = 0.12). LV-LS increased in the whole population after PLR +16.0% (±4.0) (p = 0.04). The LV-LS variations after PLR were +19.0% (±31) (p = 0.05) in the PLD+ group and +11.0% (±38) (p = 0.25) in the PLD- group, with no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.08). The area under the curve for the LV-LS variations between T0 and T1 was 0.63 [0.48-0.77]. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that LV-LS is load-dependent; however, the variations in LV-LS after PLR is not a discriminating criterion to predict fluid responsiveness of ICU patients with ACF in this cohort.

Long-term mortality and quality of life after trauma: an ancillary study from the prospective multicenter trial FROG-ICU.

INTRODUCTION: The long-term outcomes of intensive care unit (ICU) patients are known to be worse than those of the general population, but they are poorly known in severe trauma patients. We conducted an ancillary examination of the FROG-ICU study to identify risk factors and biomarkers associated with the poorer long-term outcomes and mortality in trauma ICU patients. METHODS: Mortality, quality of life (QoL) and stress level scores were obtained 1 year after discharge from ICU. Blood samples were collected at ICU admission and discharge for measurement of inflammatory and cardiovascular biomarkers. RESULTS: ICU trauma patients had a significantly lower 1-year mortality than non-trauma patients (7% vs. 23%, p < 0.001), but had worse stress levels scores (19 vs. 13, p = 0.041). No difference was found regarding physical and mental QoL scores (33 vs. 31, p = 0.19 and 30 vs. 28, p = 0.42). Patients with better QoL scores had lower tracheotomy rates (11% vs. 30%, p = 0.01). Worse stress level scores are associated with poor QoL scores and vice versa. Some study biomarkers were significantly higher in those ICU trauma patients who had worse QoL scores at 1 year after discharge. DISCUSSION: Our study suggests that quality of life 1 year after an ICU stay is poor and is similar in both trauma and non-trauma patients, but ICU trauma patients are at greater risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder-related symptoms. Tracheotomy and high levels of inflammatory biomarkers could be associated with impaired quality of life.