Echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular performance in COVID-19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome: the importance of systo-diastolic interaction.

BACKGROUND: The cardiac manifestations of COVID-19 have been described in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) admitted to intensive care unit (ICU). The presence and impact of right ventricular (RV) diastolic function and performance has not been studied in this population yet. We describe the prevalence of RV diastolic dysfunction, assessed by the pulmonary valve pre-ejection A wave (PV A wave), and the RV systo-diastolic interaction, using the RV total isovolumic time (t-IVT), in COVID-19 ARDS. RESULTS: Prospective observational study enrolling patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 ARDS admitted to ICU who underwent a transthoracic echocardiogram within 24 h of ICU admission and at least a second one during the ICU stay. Respiratory, hemodynamic and biochemistry parameters were collected. 163 patients (age 61.0 ± 9.3 years, 72% males) were enrolled. 36 patients (22.1%) had RV dysfunction, 45 (27.1%) LV systolic dysfunction. 73 patients (44.7%) had PV A wave. The RV t-IVT correlated with TAPSE at ICU admission (p < 0.002; r - 0.61), presence of PV A wave (p < 0.001; r 0.78), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) (p < 0.001; r 0.42), PEEP (p < 0.001; r 0.68), dynamic driving pressure (DDP) (p < 0.001; r 0.58), and PaO2/FiO2 ratio (p < 0.01; r - 0.35). The presence of PV A wave was associated with higher PIP (p < 0.001; r 0.45), higher PEEP (p < 0.001; r 0.56), higher DDP (p < 0.01, r 0.51), and lower PaO2/FiO2 ratio (p < 0.001; r - 0.49). CONCLUSIONS: RV t-IVT and the presence of PV A wave are non-invasive means to describe a significant RV diastolic dysfunction and may be consider descriptive signs of RV performance in COVID-19 ARDS.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Delta variants in patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission for COVID-19, Northern Italy, December 2021 to January 2022.

This multicenter observational study included 171 COVID-19 adult patients hospitalized in the ICUs of nine hospitals in Lombardy (Northern Italy) from December, 1st 2021, to February, 9th 2022. During the study period, the Delta/Omicron variant ratio of cases decreased with a delay of two weeks in ICU patients compared to that in the community; a higher proportion of COVID-19 unvaccinated patients was infected by Delta than by Omicron whereas a higher rate of COVID-19 boosted patients was Omicron-infected. A higher number of comorbidities and a higher comorbidity score in ICU critically COVID-19 inpatients was positively associated with the Omicron infection as well in vaccinated individuals. Although people infected by Omicron have a lower risk of severe disease than those infected by Delta variant, the outcome, including the risk of ICU admission and the need for mechanical ventilation due to infection by Omicron versus Delta, remains uncertain. The continuous monitoring of the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants remains a milestone to counteract this pandemic.

Analyzing central-line associated bloodstream infection prevention bundles in 22 countries: The results of ID-IRI survey.

BACKGROUND: Because central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are a significant complication of central venous access, it is critical to prevent CLABSIs through the use of central line bundles. The purpose of this study was to take a snapshot of central venous access bundles in various countries. METHODS: The participants in intensive care units (ICUs) completed a questionnaire that included information about the health center, infection control procedures, and central line maintenance. The countries were divided into 2 groups: those with a low or low-middle income and those with an upper-middle or high income. RESULTS: Forty-three participants from 22 countries (46 hospitals, 85 ICUs) responded to the survey. Eight (17.4%) hospitals had no surveillance system for CLABSI. Approximately 7.1 % (n = 6) ICUs had no CLABSI bundle. Twenty ICUs (23.5%) had no dedicated checklist. The percentage of using ultrasonography during catheter insertion, transparent semi-permeable dressings, needleless connectors and single-use sterile pre-filled ready to use 0.9% NaCl were significantly higher in countries with higher and middle-higher income (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that there are significant differences in the central line bundles between low/low-middle income countries and upper-middle/high-income countries. Additional measures should be taken to address inequity in the management of vascular access in resource-limited countries.

A catheter-related bloodstream infection caused by Chryseobacterium indologenes successfully treated with antibiotic-lock rescue therapy.

We report the case of a catheter-related bloodstream infection caused by Chryseobacterium indologenes, an uncommon and multi-resistant pathogen, in a pediatric patient with a long-term vascular access device placed for chemotherapy treatment. The infection was successfully treated with ciprofloxacin antibiotic-lock therapy. This is the first report on successful salvage of a long-term device colonized by multi-resistant Chryseobacterium indologenes.

A brief clinical case of monitoring of oxygenator performance and patient-machine interdependency during prolonged veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Monitoring veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vvECMO) during 76 days of continuous support in a 42-years old patient with end-stage pulmonary disease, listed for double-lung transplantation. Applying a new monitor (Landing®, Eurosets, Medolla, Italy) and describing how measured and calculated parameters can be used to understand the variable interdependency between artificial membrane lung (ML) and patient native lung (NL). During vvECMO, in order to understand how the respiratory function is shared between ML and NL, ideally we should obtain data about oxygen transfer and CO2 removal, both by ML and NL. Measurements for NL can be made on the mechanical ventilator. Measurements for ML are typically made from gas analysis on blood samples drawn from the ECMO system before and after the oxygenator, and therefore are non-continuous. Differently, the Landing monitor provides a continuous measurement of the oxygen transfer from the ML, combined with hemoglobin level, saturation of drained blood and saturation of reinfused blood. Moreover, the Landing monitor provides hemodynamics data about circulation through the ECMO system, with blood flow, pre-oxygenator pressure and post-oxygenator pressure. Of note, measurements include the drain negative pressure, whose monitoring may be particularly useful to prevent hemolysis. Real-time monitoring of vvECMO provides data helpful to understand the complex picture of a patient with severely damaged lungs on one side and an artificial lung on the other side. Data from vvECMO monitoring may help to adapt the settings of both mechanical ventilator and vvECMO. Data about oxygen transfer by the oxygenator are important to evaluate the performance of the device and may help to avoid unnecessary replacements, thus reducing risks and costs.

A case of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for severe respiratory failure in a superobese patient.

After risk assessment, veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been achieved in a superobese adult patient as a bridge to recovery of respiratory failure, despite the weight-related difficulties. Early v-v ECMO implantation could be considered to support and to conduct weaning both from sedation and from invasive mechanical ventilation, with the goal to perform physiokinesitherapy during awake ECMO.

Autologous immuno magnetically selected CD133+ stem cells in the treatment of no-option critical limb ischemia: clinical and contrast enhanced ultrasound assessed results in eight patients.

OBJECTIVES: Demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of highly purified CD133+ autologous stem cells in critical limb ischemia (CLI). DESIGN: Prospective single-center not randomized. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01595776 METHODS: Eight patients with a history of stable CLI were enrolled in a period of 2 years. After bone marrow stimulation and single leukapheresis collection, CD133+ immunomagnetic cell selection was performed. CD133+ cells in buffer phosphate suspension was administered intramuscularly. Muscular and arterial contrast enhanced ultra sound (CEUS), lesion evolution and pain management were assessed preoperatively and 3, 6 and 12 months after the implant. RESULTS: No patient had early or late complications related to the procedure. Two patients (25 %) didn't get any relief from the treatment and underwent major amputation. Six patients (75 %) had a complete healing of the wounds, rest pain cessation and walking recovery. An increase in CEUS values was shown in all eight patients at 6 months and in the six clinical healed patients at 12 months and had statistical relevance. CONCLUSIONS: Highly purified autologous CD133+ cells can stimulate neo-angiogenesis, as based on clinical and CEUS data.

The use of indomethacin in the treatment of plateau waves: effects on cerebral perfusion and oxygenation.

OBJECT: Plateau waves are sudden and steep increases in intracranial pressure (ICP) that can develop in patients with cerebral injuries, reduced pressure-volume compensatory reserve, and preserved autoregulation. They are caused by cerebral vasodilation in response to a reduction in cerebral perfusion and are associated with increased cerebral blood volume and reduced cerebral blood flow. The authors evaluated the hypothesis that administration of indomethacin, a potent cerebral arteriolar vasoconstrictor, could interrupt the vicious cycle that occurs during plateau waves, extinguishing these waves and, ultimately, restoring cerebral perfusion and oxygenation. METHODS: Plateau waves developed in nine patients, seven with severe traumatic brain injury and two with intraparenchymal hemorrhage. One to four episodes of plateau waves per patient were treated with indomethacin (15-20 mg), which was delivered by an intravenous bolus injection. Each patient's mean arterial blood flow (MABP), ICP, cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and cerebral tissue PO2 were continuously monitored and the data obtained were stored in a personal computer. Each patient's jugular venous O2 saturation (SjvO2) and venoarterial difference in PCO2 were evaluated by intermittent blood sampling. During five episodes of plateau waves, middle cerebral artery flow velocities were evaluated by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Indomethacin extinguished all plateau waves. On average, the ICP decreased from an initial value of 58.9 +/- 11.6 mm Hg to 21.2 +/- 8.6 and 25.8 +/- 13.7 mm Hg after 5 and 10 minutes, respectively (p < 0.01). The MABP did not change significantly. As a consequence the CPP increased by 98 and 81% after 5 and 10 minutes, respectively (p < 0.01). Five and 10 minutes after indomethacin was administered, SjvO2 increased from an initial value of 50 +/- 10.5% to 62 +/- 7.6 and 59.9 +/- 9.3%, respectively (p < 0.01); the cerebral tissue PO2 increased from an initial value of 13.4 +/- 10.6 mm Hg to 23.6 +/- 9.58 and 21.9 +/- 9.2 mm Hg, respectively (p < 0.05); and the venous-arterial PCO2 decreased significantly. The mean and diastolic flow velocities increased significantly, whereas the pulsatility index decreased from 1.39 +/- 0.56 to 1.09 +/- 0.4 at 5 minutes and 1.06 +/- 0.36 at 10 minutes (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings confirm that plateau waves are caused by vasodilation and show that indomethacin, by constricting the cerebral arteries, is effective in extinguishing plateau waves, ultimately restoring cerebral perfusion and oxygenation.

Cerebral perfusion pressure and cerebral tissue oxygen tension in a patient during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE: To report on the effects of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instituted immediately after a cardiac arrest on cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and cerebral tissue oxygen tension (PbrO(2)). DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: ICU of a university hospital. PATIENT: A head-injured 17-year-old man submitted to multimodal neurological monitoring underwent sudden cardiac arrest and successful CPR. INTERVENTIONS: External chest compression, 100% oxygen ventilation, volume expansion and standard ACLS protocols. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Heart rate, ECG, mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), ETCO(2), PaO(2), intracranial pressure (ICP), CPP and PbrO(2) were continuously monitored during CPR and data recorded at 15-s intervals by a dedicated personal computer. At the onset of the cardiac arrest, PbrO(2) decreased to zero. The institution of CPR resulted in a progressive increase of MABP, CPP and PbrO(2). Assuming, on the basis of previous experimental and clinical reports, 8 mmHg PbrO(2) as a possible ischaemic/hypoxic threshold value, during the first 6.5 min of CPR, PbrO(2) values were below this threshold (range 0-7 mmHg) and CPP values were <25 mmHg for 81.5% of the time. In the following 5.5 min, more efficient CPR generated CPP values >25 mmHg for 77.3% of the time. These values were associated with a PbrO(2) >8 mmHg (range 8-28 mmHg) at all times. CONCLUSIONS: In the clinical setting of a witnessed cardiac arrest, immediate institution of CPR can be effective in generating PbrO(2) values above a supposed ischaemic/hypoxic threshold when CPP is >25 mmHg. PbrO(2) monitoring by the Licox system is sensitive and reliable, even at low values, and can be suitable for evaluating cerebral oxygenation during experimental CPR.