Factors associated with acute mesenteric ischemia among critically ill ventilated patients with shock: a post hoc analysis of the NUTRIREA2 trial.

PURPOSE: Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a rare, but life-threatening condition occurring among critically ill patients. Several factors have been associated with AMI, but the causal link is debated, most studies being retrospective. Among these factors, enteral nutrition (EN) could be associated with AMI, in particular among patients with shock. We aimed to study the factors independently associated with AMI in a post hoc analysis of the NUTRIREA-2 trial including 2410 critically ill ventilated patients with shock, randomly assigned to receive EN or parenteral nutrition (PN). METHODS: Post hoc analysis of the NUTRIREA-2 trial was conducted. Ventilated adults with shock were randomly assigned to receive EN or PN. AMI was assessed by computed tomography, endoscopy, or laparotomy. Factors associated with AMI were studied by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: 2410 patients from 44 French intensive care units (ICUs) were included in the study: 1202 patients in the enteral group and 1208 patients in the parenteral group. The median age was 67 [58-76] years, with 67% men, a SAPS II score of 59 [46-74], and a medical cause for ICU admission in 92.7%. AMI was diagnosed among 24 (1%) patients, mainly by computed tomography (79%) or endoscopy (38%). The mechanism of AMI was non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (n = 12), occlusive (n = 4), and indeterminate (n = 8). The median duration between inclusion in the trial and AMI diagnosis was 4 [1-11] days. Patients with AMI were older, had a higher SAPS II score at ICU admission, had higher plasma lactate, creatinine, and ASAT concentrations and lower hemoglobin concentration, had more frequently EN, dobutamine, and CVVHDF at inclusion, developed more frequently bacteremia during ICU stay, and had higher 28-day and 90-day mortality rates compared with patients without AMI. By multivariate analysis, AMI was independently associated with EN, dobutamine use, SAPS II score ≥ 62 and hemoglobin concentration ≤ 10.9 g/dL. CONCLUSION: Among critically ill ventilated patients with shock, EN, dobutamine use, SAPS II score ≥ 62 and hemoglobin ≤ 10.9 g/dL were independently associated with AMI. Among critically ill ventilated patients requiring vasopressors, EN should be delayed or introduced cautiously in case of low cardiac output requiring dobutamine and/or in case of multiple organ failure with high SAPS II score.

Automated vs. conventional ventilation in the ICU: a randomized controlled crossover trial comparing blood oxygen saturation during daily nursing procedures (I-NURSING).

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia is common during daily nursing procedures (DNPs) routinely performed on mechanically ventilated patients. The impact of automated ventilation on the incidence and severity of blood oxygen desaturation during DNPs remains unknown. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled crossover trial was carried out in a French intensive care unit to compare blood oxygen pulse saturation (SpO2) during DNPs performed on patients mechanically ventilated in automated and conventional ventilation modes (AV and CV, respectively). All patients with FiO2 ≤ 60% and without prone positioning or neuromuscular blocking agents were included. Patients underwent two DNPs on the same day using AV (INTELLiVENT-ASV®) and CV (volume control, biphasic positive airway pressure, or pressure support ventilation) in a randomized order. The primary outcome was the percentage of time spent with SpO2 in the acceptable range of 90-95% during the DNP. RESULTS: Of the 265 included patients, 93% had been admitted for a medical pathology, the majority for acute respiratory failure (52%). There was no difference between the two periods in terms of DNP duration, sedation requirements, or ventilation parameters, but patients had more spontaneous breaths and lower peak airway pressures during the AV period (p <  0.001). The percentage of time spent with SpO2 in the acceptable range during DNPs was longer in the AV period than in the CV period (48 ± 37 vs. 43 ± 37, percentage of DNP period; p = 0.03). After adjustment, AV was associated with a higher number of DNPs carried out with SpO2 in the acceptable range (odds ratio, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.28 to 2.6; p = 0.001) and a lower incidence of blood oxygen desaturation ≤ 85% (adjusted odds ratio, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.85; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: AV appears to reduce the incidence and severity of blood oxygen desaturation during daily nursing procedures (DNPs) in comparison to CV. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered in clinical-trial.gov ( NCT03176329 ) in June 2017.

Duration of prone position sessions: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Prone position (PP) is highly recommended in moderate-to-severe ARDS. However, the optimal duration of PP sessions remains unclear. We searched to evaluate the time required to obtain the maximum physiological effect, and to search for parameters related to patient survival in PP. METHODS AND RESULTS: It was a prospective, monocentric, physiological study. We included in the study all prone-positioned patients in our ICU between June 2016 and January 2018. Pulmonary mechanics, data from volumetric capnography and arterial blood gas were recorded before prone positioning, 2 h after proning, before return to a supine position (SP) and 2 h after return to SP. Dynamic parameters were recorded before proning and every 30 min during the session until 24 h. 103 patients (ARDS 95%) were included performing 231 PP sessions with a mean length of 21.5 ± 5 h per session. They presented a significant increase in pH, static compliance and PaO2/FiO2 with a significant decrease in PaCO2, Pplat, phase 3 slope of the volumetric capnography, PetCO2, VD/VT-phy and ΔP. The beneficial physiological effects continued after 16 h of PP and at least up to 24 h in some patients. The evolution of the respiratory parameters during the first session and also during the pooled sessions did not find any predictor of response to PP, whether before, during or 2 h after the return in SP. CONCLUSIONS: PP sessions should be prolonged at least 24 h and be extended in the event that the PaO2/FiO2 ratio at 24 h remains below 150, especially since no criteria can predict which patient will benefit or not from it. Trial registration The trial has been registered on 28 June 2016 in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02816190) (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02816190?term=propocap&rank=1).

Effect of an ICU Diary on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Among Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Keeping a diary for patients while they are in the intensive care unit (ICU) might reduce their posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Objectives: To assess the effect of an ICU diary on the psychological consequences of an ICU hospitalization. Design, Setting, and Participants: Assessor-blinded, multicenter, randomized clinical trial in 35 French ICUs from October 2015 to January 2017, with follow-up until July 2017. Among 2631 approached patients, 709 adult patients (with 1 family member each) who received mechanical ventilation within 48 hours after ICU admission for at least 2 days were eligible, 657 were randomized, and 339 were assessed 3 months after ICU discharge. Interventions: Patients in the intervention group (n = 355) had an ICU diary filled in by clinicians and family members. Patients in the control group (n = 354) had usual ICU care without an ICU diary. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was significant PTSD symptoms, defined as an Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) score greater than 22 (range, 0-88; a higher score indicates more severe symptoms), measured in patients 3 months after ICU discharge. Secondary outcomes, also measured at 3 months and compared between groups, included significant PTSD symptoms in family members; significant anxiety and depression symptoms in patients and family members, based on a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score greater than 8 for each subscale (range, 0-42; higher scores indicate more severe symptoms; minimal clinically important difference, 2.5); and patient memories of the ICU stay, reported with the ICU memory tool. Results: Among 657 patients who were randomized (median [interquartile range] age, 62 [51-70] years; 126 women [37.2%]), 339 (51.6%) completed the trial. At 3 months, significant PTSD symptoms were reported by 49 of 164 patients (29.9%) in the intervention group vs 60 of 175 (34.3%) in the control group (risk difference, -4% [95% CI, -15% to 6%]; P = .39). The median (interquartile range) IES-R score was 12 (5-25) in the intervention group vs 13 (6-27) in the control group (difference, -1.47 [95% CI, -1.93 to 4.87]; P = .38). There were no significant differences in any of the 6 prespecified comparative secondary outcomes. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients who received mechanical ventilation in the ICU, the use of an ICU diary filled in by clinicians and family members did not significantly reduce the number of patients who reported significant PTSD symptoms at 3 months. These findings do not support the use of ICU diaries for preventing PTSD symptoms. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02519725.

The ICU-Diary study: prospective, multicenter comparative study of the impact of an ICU diary on the wellbeing of patients and families in French ICUs.

BACKGROUND: Post-intensive care syndrome includes the multiple consequences of an intensive care unit (ICU) stay for patients and families. It has become a new challenge for intensivists. Prevention programs have been disappointing, except for ICU diaries, which report the patient's story in the ICU. However, the effectiveness of ICU diaries for patients and families is still controversial, as the interpretation of the results of previous studies was open to criticism hampering an expanded use of the diary. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the post-traumatic stress syndrome in patients. The secondary objectives are to evaluate the post-traumatic stress syndrome in families, anxiety and depression symptoms in patients and families, and the recollected memories of patients. Endpoints will be evaluated 3 months after ICU discharge or death. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter, randomized, assessor-blind comparative study of the effect of an ICU diary on patients and families. We will compare two groups: one group with an ICU diary written by staff and family and given to the patient at ICU discharge or to the family in case of death, and a control group without any ICU diary. Each of the 35 participating centers will include 20 patients having at least one family member who will likely visit the patient during their ICU stay. Patients must be ventilated within 48 h after ICU admission and not have any previous chronic neurologic or acute condition responsible for cognitive impairments that would hamper their participation in a phone interview. Three months after ICU discharge or death of the patient, a psychologist will contact the patient and family by phone. Post-traumatic stress syndrome will be evaluated using the Impact of Events Scale-Revised questionnaire, anxiety and depression symptoms using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire, both in patients and families, and memory recollection using the ICU Memory Tool Questionnaire in patients. The content of a randomized sample of diaries of each center will be analyzed using a grid. An interview of the patients in the intervention arm will be conducted 6 months after ICU discharge to analyze in depth how they use the diary. DISCUSSION: This study will provide new insights on the impact of ICU diaries on post-traumatic stress disorders in patients and families after an ICU stay. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov, ID: NCT02519725 . Registered on 13 July 2015.

The optic nerve sheath diameter as a useful tool for early prediction of outcome after cardiac arrest: A prospective pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measurement could detect increased intracranial pressure, and might predict outcome in post-cardiac arrest (CA) patients. We assessed the ability of bedside ONSD ultrasonographic measurement performed within day 1 after CA occurrence to predict in-hospital survival in patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH). METHODS: In two French ICUs, a prospective study included all consecutive patients with CA without traumatic or neurological etiology, successfully resuscitated and TH-treated. ONSD measurements were performed on day 1, 2, and 3 (ONSD1, 2, 3 respectively) after return of spontaneous circulation. All records were registered according to Utstein style. RESULTS: ONSD1, 2, 3 were assessed in 36, 21, and 14 patients respectively. 19/36 patients (53%) were discharged alive from hospital, including 14/36 (39%) with favorable neurological outcome (Cerebral Performance Category [CPC] score 1-2). Survivors and non-survivors were similar regarding age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, location and etiology of CA, simplified acute physiology score II, occurrence of post-CA shock, and clinical parameters collected during ONSD measurements. Median ONSD1 was significantly larger in non-survivors versus survivors (7.2mm [interquartile: 6.8-7.4] versus 6.5mm [interquartile: 6.0-6.8]; p=0.008). After adjustment on predictive factors, ONSD1 was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (OR 6.3; 95%CI [1.05-40] per mm of ONSD1 above 5.5mm; p=0.03), and CPC score (OR for 1 point increase in CPC score: 3.2; 95%CI [1.2-9.4] per mm of ONSD1 above 5.5mm; p=0.03). ONSD1 was significantly correlated with brain edema assessed by the cerebrum gray matter attenuation to white matter attenuation ratio, measured by the brain computed tomography scan performed on admission in 20 patients (Spearman rho=-0.5, p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: ONSD seems a promising tool to early assess outcome in post-CA patients treated with TH.