Prone during pandemic: development and implementation of a quality-based protocol for proning severe COVID-19 hypoxic lung failure patients in situationally or historically low resource hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Intermittent Prone Positioning (IPP) for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) decreases mortality. We present a program for IPP using expedient materials for settings of significant limitations in both overwhelmed established ICUs and particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) treating ARDS due to COVID-19 caused by SARS CoV-2. METHODS: The proning program evolved based on the principles of High Reliability Organizations (HROs) and Crew Resource Management (CRM). Patients with severe ARDS [PaO2:FiO2 ratio (PFr) ≤ 150 on FiO2 ≥ 0.6 and PEEP ≥ 5 cm H2O] received IPP. Patients were placed prone 16 h each day. When PFr was ≥ 200 for > 8 h supine IPP ceased. IPP used available materials without requiring additional work from the bedside team. Changes in PFr, PaCO2, and the SaO2:FiO2 ratio (SaFr) positionally were evaluated using t-statistics and ANOVA with Bonferroni correction (p < 0.017). RESULTS: Between 14APR2020 and 09MAY2020, at the peak of deaths in New York, there were 202 IPPs in 29 patients. Patients were 58.5 ± 1.7 years of age (37, 73), 76% male and had a body mass index (BMI) of 27.8 ± 0.8 (21, 38). Pressor agents were used in 76% and 17% received dialysis. The PFr prior to IPP was 107.5 ± 5.6 and 1 h after IPP was 155.7 ± 11.2 (p < 0.001 compared to pre-prone). PFr after the patients were placed supine was 131.5 ± 9.1 (p = 0.02). Pre-prone PaCO2 was 60.0 ± 2.5 and the 1-h post-prone PaCO2 was 67.2 ± 3.1 (p = 0.02). Supine PaCO2 after IPP was 60.4 ± 3.4 (p = 0.90). The SaFr prior to IPP was 121.3 ± 4.2 and the SaFr 1 h after positioning was 131.5 ± 5.1 (p = 0.03). The post-IPP supine SaFr was 139.7 ± 5.9 (p < 0.001). With ANOVA and Bonferroni correction there were statistically significant changes in PFr (p < 0.001) and SaFr (p < 0.001) and no significant changes in PaCO2 over the four time points measured. Using regression coefficients, the SaFrs predicted by PFrs of 150 and 200 at baseline are 133.2 and 147.3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: An IPP program for patients with COVID-19 ARDS can be instituted rapidly, safely, and effectively during an overwhelming mass casualty scenario. This approach may be equally applicable in both traditionally austere environments in LMICs and in otherwise capable centers facing situational resource limitations.

Associations between ventilator settings during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for refractory hypoxemia and outcome in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: a pooled individual patient data analysis : Mechanical ventilation during ECMO.

PURPOSE: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a rescue therapy for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between ventilatory settings during ECMO for refractory hypoxemia and outcome in ARDS patients. METHODS: In this individual patient data meta-analysis of observational studies in adult ARDS patients receiving ECMO for refractory hypoxemia, a time-dependent frailty model was used to determine which ventilator settings in the first 3 days of ECMO had an independent association with in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Nine studies including 545 patients were included. Initiation of ECMO was accompanied by significant decreases in tidal volume size, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), plateau pressure, and driving pressure (plateau pressure - PEEP) levels, and respiratory rate and minute ventilation, and resulted in higher PaO2/FiO2, higher arterial pH and lower PaCO2 levels. Higher age, male gender and lower body mass index were independently associated with mortality. Driving pressure was the only ventilatory parameter during ECMO that showed an independent association with in-hospital mortality [adjusted HR, 1.06 (95 % CI, 1.03-1.10)]. CONCLUSION: In this series of ARDS patients receiving ECMO for refractory hypoxemia, driving pressure during ECMO was the only ventilator setting that showed an independent association with in-hospital mortality.

Use of HFPV for adults with ARDS: the protocolized use of high-frequency percussive ventilation for adults with acute respiratory failure treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Historically, patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for acute respiratory distress syndrome have received ventilatory "lung rest" with conventional or high-frequency oscillating ventilators. We present a series of adults treated with high-frequency percussive ventilation (HFPV) to enhance recovery and recruitment during ECMO. Adult respiratory patients, treated between January 2009 and December 2012 were cared for with a combination of standard ECMO practices and a protocol of recruitment strategies, including HFPV. Data are reported as mean ± standard error of the mean, percentage, or median. Comparisons are made by χ for categorical variables and by t-test and Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables. Significance is noted at the 95% confidence level (p < 0.05). There were 39 HFPV patients. They were 39.9 ± 2.2 years of age and had 3.0 ± 0.37 days of mechanical ventilation before the initiation of ECMO. Their pre-ECMO PaO2 to FiO2 ratio (PF ratio) was 52.3 ± 3.0 and their pCO2 was 50.22 ± 2.4. HFPV patients required a mean of 143.1 ± 17.6 hours and a median of 106 hours (range 45.75-350.25) of ECMO support and had a 62% survival to discharge. The post-ECMO PF ratio in the HFPV cohort was 301.8 ± 16.7. A protocolized practice of active recruitment that includes HFPV is associated with reduced duration of ECMO support in adults with respiratory failure.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can provide cardiopulmonary support during bronchoscopic clearance of airways after sand aspiration.

BACKGROUND: Sand aspiration occurs in situations of cave-in burial and near-drowning. Sand in the tracheobronchial airways adheres to the mucosa and can cause tracheal and bronchial obstruction, which can be life-threatening even with intensive management. In previous case reports of airway obstruction caused by sand aspiration, fiber optic or rigid bronchoscopy has been effective in removing loose sand, but removal of sand particles lodged in smaller airways has proven challenging and time-consuming. CASE REPORT: In this case report of sand aspiration with acute pulmonary failure, the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for respiratory support allowed more effective removal of sand particles by rigid bronchoscopy and lavage with less patient compromise. CONCLUSION: Our case of sand aspiration is unique in that the patient presents with complex medical problems (mixed respiratory and metabolic acidosis), hypothermia, hypoxemia, and neoplastic conditions. The fact that she survived the sand aspiration and a long inter-hospital transport time (90 min) with inadequate ventilation and oxygenation without apparent ill effects suggests that the measures we took to resuscitate her and extract the sand from her airways were reasonable and appropriate.

Pandemic flu and the sudden demand for ECMO resources: a mature trauma program can provide surge capacity in acute critical care crises.

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe H1N1 pneumonia created a sudden demand for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) capacity. In a single referral center, the established procedures, protocols, and staff of the Level I trauma service were adapted to help manage this nontrauma critical care crisis. METHODS: When airway pressure release ventilation and high-frequency oscillator ventilation failed, we used standard ECMO circuits and the VDR-4 critical care ventilator. We cannulated patients percutaneously in the intensive care unit and transported them on ECMO. Trauma service resources included a mobile surgical transport team, direct to OR resuscitations, massive transfusion protocols, trauma performance improvement processes, trauma resuscitation nurses, in-house attending doctors, and experienced staff familiar with protocol-driven care. RESULTS: During an 84-day period, 15 patients with severe H1N1 pneumonia were treated with ECMO. All patients were referred; 10 were transported on ECMO. Patients were aged 34.4 ± 4.1 years (6-58 years); 47% were male, and they had been ventilated 3.5 ± 0.8 days. Pre-ECMO PaO2/FIO2 ratios were 62.3 ± 6.1; ECMO duration was 9.4 ± 1.3 days for survivors; and post-ECMO PaO2/FIO2 ratio was 295.0 ± 35.1. Recovery occurred in 67% and 60% survived to discharge. No patient died of lung failure. Surviving patients were discharged at their neurologic baseline. CONCLUSION: H1N1 created a severe public health challenge for referral centers with ECMO capability. The resources of our trauma service were adapted to this nontrauma critical care crisis without disruption of other hospital services. These H1N1 patients treated with ECMO had a 67% recovery rate and a 60% survival rate. All survivors were discharged to home. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/epidemiologic study, level V.

Adult refractory hypoxemic acute respiratory distress syndrome treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: the role of a regional referral center.

BACKGROUND: The investigators present a series of adults with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who were treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) at a regional referral center. METHODS: Patients with refractory hypoxic ARDS received ECMO until they recovered lung function or demonstrated futility. ECMO was initiated at the referring facility if necessary, and aggressive critical care was maintained throughout. RESULTS: ARDS due to multiple etiologies was managed with ECMO in 36 adults. The pre-ECMO ratio of partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen was 48.3 ± 2.2. Regional facilities referred 89% of these patients, and 69% required ECMO for transport. The mean duration of ECMO was 7.1 ± .9 days for survivors, and the mean post-ECMO ratio of partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen was 281.2 ± 11. ECMO was successfully weaned in 67% of patients, and 60% survived to discharge. CONCLUSIONS: ECMO provides support that prevents ventilator-induced lung injury while the lungs heal. The investigators present a series of 36 adults with refractory hypoxemic ARDS (ratio of partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen <50) from 17 different facilities who, treated with ECMO at a single referral center, had a 60% survival rate.

Reducing time on for extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation for adults with H1N1 pneumonia with the use of the Volume Diffusive Respirator.

BACKGROUND: The investigators compared a series of adult survivors of severe H1N1 pneumonia treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) with members of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry for patients with H1N1 with regard to ventilator management while on ECMO. METHODS: Adults who survived ECMO were compared regarding time on ECMO for those treated with the Volume Diffusive Respirator (VDR) or with conventional "lung rest." The VDR delivered 500 percussions/min, with tidal pressures of 24/12 cm H2O and a fraction of inspired oxygen of .4 at 15 beats/min. RESULTS: There were no differences between the study patients (n = 7) and the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization cohort (n = 150) regarding age, pre-ECMO ventilator days, pre-ECMO ratio of partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen, or survival after lung recovery. Patients treated with VDR required ECMO support for a shorter duration (mean, 193.29 ± 35.71 vs 296.63 ± 18.17 hours; P = .029). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the VDR enhanced pulmonary recovery from severe H1N1 pneumonia in adults. Shorter times on ECMO may improve the risk/benefit and cost/benefit ratios associated with ECMO care.

Management of post traumatic respiratory failure.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe and common complication of major trauma. The most important early management principle is to identify the inciting event and remove the ongoing insult aggressively. It is important to immediately resuscitate the patients and prepare them for a complex and difficult hospitalization. Avoiding secondary insults is the cornerstone of supportive care, and this is based primarily on aggressive immune surveillance, full nutrition, and unrelenting oxygen delivery. The use of aggressive immune surveillance, nutritional support, and fluid management is critical to support ventilator management for oxygenation and ventilation. In general, although essential, the ventilator has great potential for harm in patients who are compromised seriously with ARDS. Physicians must establish reasonable therapeutic goals based on oxygen delivery rather than arbitrary normal values of blood gas measurement. The impact of the ventilator should be limited with regard to aspiratory pressure, tidal volume, inspired oxygen, and levels of expiratory end expiratory pressure. Use of pulmonary toilet, including therapeutic bronchoscopy; patient positioning, including intermittent prone positioning, and recruitment maneuvers are useful therapeutic complements for maintaining functional residual capacity and decreasing shunt. Overall, ARDS represents a clear indication that the patient is failing to meet the demands of their stress and without prompt attention likely will die. It is a challenge and an opportunity to identify the underlying situation and to manage the patient while not causing additional harm as the patient's intrinsic resources can bring about the healing necessary to recover from the situation of extremis.

A protocolized approach to pulmonary failure and the role of intermittent prone positioning.

INTRODUCTION: We present a series of adult patients treated under a protocol for severe lung failure (acute respiratory distress syndrome [ARDS]) that uses positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) optimization and intermittent prone positioning (IPP) to reduce shunt, improve oxygen (O(2)) delivery, and reduce FiO(2). METHODS: Trauma, emergency vascular, and general surgical patients with PaO(2)/FiO)(2) (PF) ratio < 200 were entered into a protocol designed to maintain mixed venous saturation (SVO(2)) > 70% with FiO(2) < 0.50. Therapy involved a sequential algorithmic approach that included pulmonary artery oximetry, "best-PEEP" determination, optimization of cardiac function, limitation of VO(2), transfusion to hematocrit of 35%, frequent bronchoscopy, rational diuresis and, if the FiO(2) was > 0.50, a trial of IPP with every-6-hour rotations. Unstable spine fractures and pelvic external fixators were the only contraindications to IPP. We collected data prospectively and from the charts and trauma registry. RESULTS: Forty adults were treated by protocol, 29 were injured and 11 had vascular or general surgical primary problems. The patients were 46.3 +/- 3.1 years old (the trauma patients were 42.9 +/- 3.2, and the vascular/general patients were 62 +/- 7.5 years old). Average Injury Severity Score was 25.9 +/- 3.7 and the Murray lung injury score was 2.65 +/- 0.9. IPP was used in all patients including those with recent tracheostomy, open abdomens, laparotomy, thoracotomy, leg external fixators, central nervous system injury, continuous venovenous hemofiltration and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulae, vasopressor therapy, recent chest wall open reduction and internal fixation, and facial fractures. With the initiation of IPP therapy, the PF ratio increased from 132.1 +/- 8.5 to 231.6 +/- 14.2 (p < 0.001), the FiO(2) was decreased from 65.9 +/- 4.0% to 47.0 +/- 1.1% (p < 0.001), and the SVO(2) increased from 75.3 +/- 1.8% to 78.6 +/- 1.6% (p = 0.023). PEEP and static compliance were unchanged. The duration of IPP was 85.6 +/- 14.9 hours (median, 55 hours; range, 12 to 490 hours). Within 48 hours, all patients were on FiO(2) < or = 50. Mortality was 20% (14% for trauma) and none died of ARDS. The only complications of IPP were one case of partial-thickness skin loss from a malpositioned nasogastric tube and a case of transient lingual edema. CONCLUSION: IPP was independently responsible for an increase in PF ratio and SVO(2). We effectively and safely used IPP in our patients with ARDS, including many with issues generally considered to be contraindications. IPP and best-PEEP therapy enabled us to wean all of our patients' Fio2 to < or = 0.50 within 48 hours of ARDS onset.