ABSTRACT
Acute respiratory failure is a life threatening condition encountered by Acute Physicians; additional non-invasive support can be provided within the medical high dependency unit (MHDU). Acute Physicians should strive to be experts in the investigation, management and support of patients with acute severe respiratory failure. This article outlines key management principles in these areas and explores common pitfalls.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: For patients supported with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, the occurrence of intracranial hemorrhage is associated with a high mortality. It is unclear whether intracranial hemorrhage is a consequence of the extracorporeal intervention or of the underlying severe respiratory pathology. In a cohort of patients transferred to a regional severe respiratory failure center that routinely employs admission brain imaging, we sought 1) the prevalence of intracranial hemorrhage; 2) survival and neurologic outcomes; and 3) factors associated with intracranial hemorrhage. DESIGN: A single-center, retrospective, observational cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary referral severe respiratory failure center, university teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Patients admitted between December 2011 and February 2016. INTERVENTION: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Three hundred forty-two patients were identified: 250 managed with extracorporeal support and 92 managed using conventional ventilation. The prevalence of intracranial hemorrhage was 16.4% in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients and 7.6% in conventionally managed patients (p = 0.04). Multivariate analysis revealed factors independently associated with intracranial hemorrhage to be duration of ventilation (d) (odds ratio, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.03-1.23]; p = 0.011) and admission fibrinogen (g/L) (odds ratio, 0.73 [0.57-0.91]; p = 0.009); extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was not an independent risk factor (odds ratio, 3.29 [0.96-15.99]; p = 0.088). In patients who received veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, there was no significant difference in 6-month survival between patients with and without intracranial hemorrhage (68.3% vs 76.0%; p = 0.350). Good neurologic function was observed in 92%. CONCLUSIONS: We report a higher prevalence of intracranial hemorrhage than has previously been described with high level of neurologically intact survival. Duration of mechanical ventilation and admission fibrinogen, but not exposure to extracorporeal support, are independently associated with intracranial hemorrhage.
Subject(s)
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation , Intracranial Hemorrhages/epidemiology , Respiratory Insufficiency/epidemiology , Adult , Cohort Studies , Female , Fibrinogen/analysis , Humans , Intensive Care Units , London/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Respiration, Artificial , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Severity of Illness Index , Time FactorsABSTRACT
The last 25 years have witnessed significant change in the approach to the deteriorating patient. This article reviews and discusses the merits and drawbacks of the various systems used across the world.
Subject(s)
Critical Illness/therapy , Early Diagnosis , Early Medical Intervention , Hospital Rapid Response Team , Disease Progression , Evidence-Based Medicine , Failure to Rescue, Health Care , Heart Arrest , Heart Rate , Humans , Respiratory RateABSTRACT
A 75-year-old man previously underwent pneumonectomy for lung cancer. He subsequently had colorectal adenocarcinoma, and resection of metastases from his remaining lung was performed. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used for perioperative respiratory support to facilitate intraoperative deflation of the remaining lung and optimization of the surgical field. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was continued postoperatively, allowing immediate extubation, thus avoiding strain on suture lines. Advantages, and potential risks, of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for thoracic surgery are discussed.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/surgery , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation/methods , Lung Neoplasms/surgery , Perioperative Care/methods , Pneumonectomy/methods , Adenocarcinoma/diagnosis , Adenocarcinoma/secondary , Aged , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/diagnosis , Lung Neoplasms/secondary , Male , Reoperation , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is an increasingly used form of advanced respiratory support, but its effects on the physiology of the right heart are incompletely understood. We seek to illustrate the impact of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation return blood flow upon the right atrium by considering the physiologic effects during interatrial shunting. PATIENTS: Two veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients in whom an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation induced right-to-left interatrial shunt appears to have created a barrier to liberation from extracorporeal support. CONCLUSIONS: Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation return flow generates a high-pressure jet that has potential to exert focal pressure upon the intra-atrial septum. In patients with potential for interatrial flow, this may lead to a right-to-left shunt, which becomes physiologically apparent only when sweep gas flow is ceased.
Subject(s)
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation , Heart Septal Defects , Heart/physiopathology , Respiratory Insufficiency/therapy , Adult , Echocardiography , Female , Heart/diagnostic imaging , Heart Septal Defects/diagnostic imaging , Heart Septal Defects/physiopathology , Humans , Male , Respiratory Insufficiency/physiopathology , Ventricular PressureABSTRACT
Misdiagnosis of the cause of illness in critically ill patients is common, and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We reflect upon a misdiagnosis that occurred in the intensive care unit of a metropolitan teaching hospital, and highlight the susceptibility of medical decision making to error. We examine recent advances in cognitive theory and how these apply to diagnosis. We discuss the vulnerability of such processes and - with particular reference to our case - why even knowledgeable and diligent clinicians are prone to misdiagnose. Finally, we review potential solutions, both educational and systemic, that may guard against the inevitable failings of the human mind, especially in a busy modern intensive care setting.