Respiratory mechanics behavior after heart surgery: an experimental study

Changes in ventilatorymechanics and their consequent pulmonary complications are common after surgical procedures, particularly in cardiac surgery (CS), and may be associated with both preoperative history and surgical circumstances. This study aims to compare ventilatory mechanics in the moments before and after cardiac surgery (CS), describing how pulmonary complications occurred. An experimental, uncontrolled study was conducted, of the before-and-after type, and with a descriptive and analytical character. It was carried out in a private hospital in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, and involved 30 adult patients subjected to CS. In addition to clinical and epidemiological variables, minute volume (VE), respiratory rate (RR), tidal volume (VT), forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were also recorded. Data were collected in the following moments: preoperative (PRE-OP) period, immediate postoperative (IPO) period, and 1stpostoperative day (1stPOD). The sample was aged 48.1 ± 11.8 years old and had a body mass index of 25.5 ± 4.9 kg m-2; 60% of the patients remained on mechanical ventilation for less than 24 hours (17.5 [8.7-22.9] hours). There was a significant reduction in VT, FVC, MIP and PEF when PRE-OP versus IPO, and PRE-OP versus 1stPOD were compared (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes between IPO and the 1stPOD. The highest incidence of pulmonary complications involved pleural effusion (50% of the patients). This study showed that patients subjected to CS present significant damage to ventilatory parameters after the surgery, especially in the IPO period and on the 1stPOD. It is possible that the extension of this ventilatory impairment has led to the onset of postoperative pulmonary complications.

Recrutamento alveolar com suspiro: impacto na mecânica respiratória e oxigenação de pacientes ventilados mecanicamente / Alveolar recruitment: impact on respiratory mechanics and oxygenation of mechanically ventilated patients

INTRODUÇÃO: O suspiro caracteriza-se pela realização de uma inspiração lenta e profunda, seguida de uma expiração lenta. Estudos sugerem que a adição de um suspiro por minuto em pacientes com síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo, ventilados em PSV, melhora a oxigenação e a mecânica pulmonar. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o impacto da manobra de recrutamento alveolar através de suspiro na mecânica pulmonar e oxigenação em pacientes ventilados mecanicamente, além de verificar o impacto hemodinâmico e a incidência de intercorrências associadas à utilização da técnica. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo experimental com 17 pacientes em ventilação mecânica, apresentando relação entre pressão parcial de oxigênio alveolar e fração inspirada de oxigênio (PaO2/FiO2) inferior a 300mmHg. Avaliou-se dados respiratórios, de mecânica pulmonar e hemodinâmicos. Os dados foram coletados durante três períodos: antes do suspiro, imediatamente após e 15 minutos depois da técnica. Dois suspiros por minuto foram administrados utilizando pressão em vias aéreas limitada em 40cmH2O, durante um tempo inspiratório de quatro segundos. RESULTADOS: Após o suspiro, observou-se aumento da PaO2, pressão resistiva, complacência estática e relação PaO2/FiO2, além de diminuição da pressão de platô e pressão parcial de gás carbônico alveolar (PaCO2). Após 15 minutos da retirada do suspiro observou-se que a PaO2, pressão resistiva, complacência estática e relação PaO2/ FiO2 mantiveram-se acima do valor basal, enquanto que a pressão de platô manteve-se abaixo. Não foi observada alteração significante nas variáveis hemodinâmicas. CONCLUSÃO: O suspiro em pacientes ventilados mecanicamente foi capaz de melhorar a oxigenação e a mecânica pulmonar sem comprometer a estabilidade hemodinâmica.

INTRODUCTION: The sigh is characterized by a slow and deep inhalation, followed by a slow exhalation. Studies suggest that the addition of one breath per minute in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, ventilated on PSV, improves oxygenation and pulmonary mechanics. OBJECTIVE: Analyze the impact of the alveolar recruitment maneuver through breath in pulmonary mechanics and oxygenation in mechanically ventilated patients, in addition to checking the hemodynamic impact and the incidence of complications associated with the use of the technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental study with 17 patients on mechanical ventilation, showing a relationship between partial pressure of alveolar oxygen and fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) below 300mmHg. Respiratory, pulmonary mechanics, and hemodynamic data were evaluated. Data were collected during three periods: before sigh, immediately after, and 15 minutes after the technique. Two sighs per minute were administered using airways pressure limited to 40 cmH2O, during an inspiratory time of four seconds. RESULTS: After the sigh, there was an increase in PaO2, resistive pressure, static compliance, and PaO2/FiO2 ratio, in addition to a decrease in plateau pressure and partial pressure of alveolar carbon dioxide (PaCO2). After 15 minutes of sigh removal, it was observed that PaO2, resistive pressure, static compliance, and PaO2/ FiO2 ratio remained above the baseline, while the plateau pressure remained below. There was no significant change in hemodynamic variables. CONCLUSION: The sigh in mechanically ventilated patients was able to improve oxygenation and pulmonary mechanics without compromising hemodynamic stability

Frequency of sarcopenia and associated factors among hospitalized elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is an important public health problem that affects mainly elders, and has negative consequences, such as disability and even death. Due to the lack of studies evaluating sarcopenia in elderly persons hospitalized in Brazil, the aim of the present study was to describe the frequency of sarcopenia and associated factors among elders in a hospital in the city of Salvador-Brazil. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 110 hospitalized elderly patients in a multi-specialty hospital in Salvador-BA, Brazil. Inclusion criteria: were elders aged ≥60 years between the first and fifth day of hospitalization; who were able to walk without external assistance; with medical permission to walk, and who did not take vasoactive and inotropic drugs. The diagnosis of sarcopenia was determined by combining the reduction in skeletal muscle mass with muscle weakness (women, <20 kg; men, <30 kg) and/or poor physical performance (gait speed ≤0.8 m/s). To obtain reduced skeletal muscle mass, the skeletal muscle mass index ≤6.37 kg/m(2) for women and ≤8.90 kg/m(2) for men was used. Cognitive function, Charlson index, admission profile (clinical and surgical), smoking, falls suffered in the last year and physical inactivity prior to admission were also evaluated. The frequency of sarcopenia was described in percentages with their respective confidence intervals and logistic regression was performed for multivariate analysis of factors associated with sarcopenia. RESULTS: Among the 110 patients included, the frequency of sarcopenia was 21.8%, with 10.0% being of the severe type. There was a predominance of clinical profile (59.1%), such as heart disease (20.0%), pneumonia (13.6%) and skin infections (9.1%), with a Charlson index of 5.4 ± 1.8. The factors associated with sarcopenia were age (OR = 1.14; 95% CI = 1.06 to 1.23), clinical profile on admission (OR = 5.15; 95% CI = 1.16-22.9) and smoking (OR = 7.8; 95% CI = 1.53-39.9). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of sarcopenia in elderly hospitalized patients was high (1 in 5 elderly) and anthropometric equation can be a viable and inexpensive alternative to screening and programming intervention in this population.

Retirada do leito após a descontinuação da ventilação mecânica: há repercussão na mortalidade e no tempo de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva? / Withdrawal of bed following mechanic ventilation discontinuation: are there reflexes on mortality and intensive care unit length of stay?

OBJETIVO: Descrever a freqüência de retirada do leito em pacientes submetidos à ventilação mecânica e sua repercussão na mortalidade e no tempo de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva. MÉTODOS: Estudo longitudinal, retrospectivo, realizado com os pacientes submetidos à ventilação mecânica. Avaliadas variáveis clínicas e epidemiológicas, condutas motoras relacionadas à retirada do leito, tempo de permanência e mortalidade. RESULTADOS: Foram estudados 91 pacientes com média de idade de 62,5± 18,8 anos, predomínio do gênero feminino (52 por cento) e tempo de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva de 07 dias (IC 95 por cento, 8-13 dias). Considerando a retirada ou não do leito, não foi observada diferença entre os grupos quanto ao tempo de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva. Observou-se que os pacientes que foram retirados do leito possuíam menor gravidade clínica. A taxa de mortalidade foi de 29,7 por cento, sendo que o grupo que não foi retirado do leito apresentou maior mortalidade real e prevista. CONCLUSÕES: Os pacientes retirados do leito após a descontinuação da ventilação mecânica apresentaram menor mortalidade. Sugere-se que, cada vez mais, seja estimulada a realização de mobilização precoce e da retirada do leito na unidade de terapia intensiva.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the withdrawal of the bed frequency in mechanic ventilation patients and its impact on mortality and length of stay in the intensive care unit. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study in mechanical ventilation patients. Clinical and epidemiological variables, withdrawal of bed related motor therapy, intensive care unit length of stay and mortality were evaluated. RESULTS: We studied 91 patients, mean age of 62.5± 18.8 years, predominantly female (52 percent) and mean intensive care unit length of stay of 07 days (95 percent CI, 8-13 days). Considering the withdrawal of the bed or not, no difference was observed between groups regarding length of stay in intensive care unit. Patients who were withdrawn of bed had a lower clinical severity. Their mortality rate was 29.7 percent. The not withdrawn of bed group had higher both actual and expected mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Patients withdrawn of bed following mechanical ventilation discontinuation showed lower mortality. It is suggested that early intensive care unit mobilization and withdrawal of bed should be stimulated.

Retirada do leito após a descontinuação da ventilação mecânica: há repercussão na mortalidade e no tempo de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva? / Withdrawal of bed following mechanic ventilation discontinuation: are there reflexes on mortality and intensive care unit length of stay?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the withdrawal of the bed frequency in mechanic ventilation patients and its impact on mortality and length of stay in the intensive care unit. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study in mechanical ventilation patients. Clinical and epidemiological variables, withdrawal of bed related motor therapy, intensive care unit length of stay and mortality were evaluated. RESULTS: We studied 91 patients, mean age of 62.5± 18.8 years, predominantly female (52%) and mean intensive care unit length of stay of 07 days (95% CI, 8-13 days). Considering the withdrawal of the bed or not, no difference was observed between groups regarding length of stay in intensive care unit. Patients who were withdrawn of bed had a lower clinical severity. Their mortality rate was 29.7%. The not withdrawn of bed group had higher both actual and expected mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Patients withdrawn of bed following mechanical ventilation discontinuation showed lower mortality. It is suggested that early intensive care unit mobilization and withdrawal of bed should be stimulated.