Cancer-Related Characteristics Associated With Invasive Mechanical Ventilation or In-Hospital Mortality in Patients With COVID-19 Admitted to ICU: A Cohort Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Coexistence of cancer and COVID-19 is associated with worse outcomes. However, the studies on cancer-related characteristics associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes have shown controversial results. The objective of the study was to evaluate cancer-related characteristics associated with invasive mechanical ventilation use or in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19 admitted to intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: We designed a cohort multicenter study including adults with active cancer admitted to ICU due to COVID-19. Seven cancer-related characteristics (cancer status, type of cancer, metastasis occurrence, recent chemotherapy, recent immunotherapy, lung tumor, and performance status) were introduced in a multilevel logistic regression model as first-level variables and hospital was introduced as second-level variable (random effect). Confounders were identified using directed acyclic graphs. RESULTS: We included 274 patients. Required to undergo invasive mechanical ventilation were 176 patients (64.2%) and none of the cancer-related characteristics were associated with mechanical ventilation use. Approximately 155 patients died in hospital (56.6%) and poor performance status, measured with the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score was associated with increased in-hospital mortality, with odds ratio = 3.54 (1.60-7.88, 95% CI) for ECOG =2 and odds ratio = 3.40 (1.60-7.22, 95% CI) for ECOG = 3 to 4. Cancer status, cancer type, metastatic tumor, lung cancer, and recent chemotherapy or immunotherapy were not associated with in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with active cancer and COVID-19 admitted to ICU, poor performance status was associated with in-hospital mortality but not with mechanical ventilation use. Cancer status, cancer type, metastatic tumor, lung cancer, and recent chemotherapy or immunotherapy were not associated with invasive mechanical ventilation use or in-hospital mortality.

Mortality and Life-Sustaining Therapy Decisions in Patients With Cancer and Acute Respiratory Failure Due to COVID-19 or Other Causes: An Observational Study.

It is unknown if patients with cancer and acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19 have different clinical or cancer-related characteristics, decisions to forgo life-sustaining therapies (LST), and mortality compared to patients with cancer and acute respiratory failure due to other causes. In a cohort study, we tested the hypothesis that COVID-19 was associated with increased in-hospital mortality and decreased decisions to forgo LST in patients with cancer and acute respiratory failure. We employed two multivariate logistic regression models. Propensity score matching was employed as sensitivity analysis. We compared 382 patients without COVID-19 with 65 with COVID-19. Patients with COVID-19 had better performance status, less metastatic tumors, and progressive cancer. In-hospital mortality of patients with COVID-19 was lower compared with patients without COVID-19 (46.2 vs. 74.6%; p < 0.01). However, the cause of acute respiratory failure (COVID-19 or other causes) was not associated with increased in-hospital mortality [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.27 (0.55-2.93; 95% confidence interval, CI)] in the adjusted model. The percentage of patients with a decision to forgo LST was lower in patients with COVID-19 (15.4 vs. 36.1%; p = 0.01). However, COVID-19 was not associated with decisions to forgo LST [adjusted OR 1.21 (0.44-3.28; 95% CI)] in the adjusted model. The sensitivity analysis confirmed the primary analysis. In conclusion, COVID-19 was not associated with increased in-hospital mortality or decreased decisions to forgo LST in patients with cancer and acute respiratory failure. These patients had better performance status, less progressive cancer, less metastatic tumors, and less organ dysfunctions upon intensive care unit (ICU) admission than patients with acute respiratory failure due to other causes.

Controle da pressão do cuff na unidade terapia intensiva: efeitos do treinamento / Cuff pressure control in intensive care unit: training effects

OBJETIVOS: A pressão do cuff é transmitida de forma direta na parede da traquéia e isto pode ocasionar lesões. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a eficácia de um treinamento com a equipe de enfermagem no controle da pressão do cuff. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um levantamento retrospectivo das mensurações da pressão de cuff de janeiro de 2007 a junho de 2008, verificando-se o percentual de inadequação. Posteriormente, foi elaborado um programa de treinamento da equipe de enfermagem durante o mês de Junho 2008 em todos os três turnos de trabalho. Após o encerramento dessa fase de treinamento, o percentual de adequação na pressão de cuff foi verificado prospectivamente durante os meses de Julho a Dezembro. Foi comparado o percentual de inadequação da pressão do cuff entre os turnos de trabalho (matutino, vespertino e noturno) e entre os períodos pré-treinamento e pós-treinamento pelo teste qualitativo de qui-quadrado, considerando-se como significativa diferença acima de 5 por cento (p<0,05). RESULTADOS: No período pré-treinamento as medidas inadequadas das pressões do cuff (acima de 30cmH2O) nos períodos matutino, vespertino e noturno foram respectivamente 9,2; 11,9 e 13,7 por cento. Após o treinamento foi verificada inadequação de 7,6; 4,1 e 5,2 por cento, nos mesmos períodos, observando-se diminuição significativa no tocante aos períodos vespertino e noturno pré e pós (p<0,001). CONCLUSÃO: O treinamento realizado com a equipe de enfermagem demonstrou-se efetivo na conscientização dos malefícios da pressão do cuff inadequada, acarretando na utilização de níveis de pressão mais seguros nos pacientes.

OBJECTIVES: Direct cuff pressure to the tracheal wall can cause damage. This paper aimed to verify the effectiveness of nursing team training on cuff pressure control. METHODS: A retrospective survey was initially made on the records of cuff pressure measurements from January 2007 to June 2008 and the inadequacy percent was verified. Next, a nursing team training program was provided involving all nursing shift teams during June 2008, and after the training the appropriate cuff pressures proportion was prospectively recorded between June and December 2008. The proportion of inappropriate cuff pressure was compared between the work shifts (morning, afternoon and evening-night) and between pre- and post-training, using the qualitative Chi-square test. The 5 percent limit (p<0.05) was considered for significant differences. RESULTS: For the pre-training period, inappropriate cuff pressure measures (over 30cmH2O) during morning, afternoon and evening-night shifts were 9.2 percent, 11.9 percent and 13.7 percent, respectively. For the post-training phase, 7.6 percent, 4.1 percent and 5.2 percent inappropriate cuff-pressures were identified for the morning, afternoon and evening-night shifts, respectively, with a significant reduction for the afternoon and evening-night shifts, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Nursing team training was effective for inadequate cuff pressure harms awareness improvement, and resulted in safer pressure levels.

Cuff pressure control in intensive care unit: training effects. / Controle da pressão do cuff na unidade terapia intensiva: efeitos do treinamento.

OBJECTIVES: Direct cuff pressure to the tracheal wall can cause damage. This paper aimed to verify the effectiveness of nursing team training on cuff pressure control. METHODS: A retrospective survey was initially made on the records of cuff pressure measurements from January 2007 to June 2008 and the inadequacy percent was verified. Next, a nursing team training program was provided involving all nursing shift teams during June 2008, and after the training the appropriate cuff pressures proportion was prospectively recorded between June and December 2008. The proportion of inappropriate cuff pressure was compared between the work shifts (morning, afternoon and evening-night) and between pre- and post-training, using the qualitative Chi-square test. The 5% limit (p<0.05) was considered for significant differences. RESULTS: For the pre-training period, inappropriate cuff pressure measures (over 30cmH2O) during morning, afternoon and evening-night shifts were 9.2%, 11.9% and 13.7%, respectively. For the post-training phase, 7.6%, 4.1% and 5.2% inappropriate cuff-pressures were identified for the morning, afternoon and evening-night shifts, respectively, with a significant reduction for the afternoon and evening-night shifts, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Nursing team training was effective for inadequate cuff pressure harms awareness improvement, and resulted in safer pressure levels.

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis due to bacterial tonsillitis.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe and potentially fatal soft tissue infection, but involvement of the head and neck is rare. We report on 4 cases of cervical necrotizing fasciitis arising from tonsillitis. One patient was diabetic and one had received steroids before disease development. One patient developed acute respiratory failure and died of septic shock. Three patients recovered, helped by early recognition, aggressive surgical intervention, appropriate broad-spectrum antibiotics, and supportive therapy. The common bacteria found in all abscess samples were Streptococcus sp., but mixed flora with anaerobic organisms was seen in all but 1 case. Tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess must be suspected as a cause of cervical necrotizing fasciitis and a successful result can be achieved with immediate aggressive treatment.

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis due to bacterial tonsillitis

A fasceite necrotizante cervical é uma infecção grave de partes moles do pescoço. Trata-se de entidade rara, porém quando presente tem como principal origem um foco infeccioso odontogênico. São descritos 4 casos de fasceite necrotizante cervical a partir de tonsilites e abscesso peritonsilar, os quais, foram admitidos e tratados na unidade de terapia intensiva. Um dos pacientes era portador de Diabetes Melittus não insulino- dependente e outro paciente havia recebido corticoterapia antes do desenvolvimento da infecção. Em um dos casos ocorreu mediastinite, insuficiência respiratória e o paciente evolui para o óbito em decorrência de choque séptico. Durante o tratamento, 3 pacientes evoluíram satisfatoriamente devido ao diagnostico precoce, tratamento cirúrgico agressivo e utilização de antibiótico terapia de largo espectro. A bactéria mais comumente encontrada foi o Streptococcus sp, mas flora mista com germes anaeróbios foi encontrada em 3 dos casos descritos. CONCLUSÕES: Deve-se suspeitar de tonsilite e abscesso peritonsilar como causa de fasceite necrotizante cervical para que tratamento agressivo e precoce seja realizado.