Ultrasonography to Access Diaphragm Dysfunction and Predict the Success of Mechanical Ventilation Weaning in Critical Care: A Narrative Review.

INTRODUCTION: Weaning failure is common in mechanically ventilated patients, and whether ultrasound (US) can predict weaning outcome remains controversial. This review aims to evaluate the diaphragmatic function measured by US as a predictor of weaning outcome. METHODS: PubMed was searched to identify original articles about the use of diaphragmatic US in ICU patients. A total of 61 citations were retrieved initially; available data of 26 studies were included in this review. RESULTS: To assess diaphragmatic dysfunction in adults, six studies evaluated excursion, five evaluated thickening fraction, and both in nine. Despite heterogeneity in the diagnostic accuracy of diaphragm US among the studies, the sonographic indices showed good diagnostic performance for predicting weaning outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Diaphragmatic US can be a useful and accurate tool to detect diaphragmatic dysfunction in critically ill patients and predict weaning outcome.

La pluripatologia en una Unidad de Insuficiencia Cardíaca: la perspectiva de un internista / Pluripathology in a Heart Failure Unit - a internist’ perspective

Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de pluripatología en una Unidad de Insuficiencia Cardíaca, definir las características de los pacientes pluripatológicos y su pronóstico vital según dos modelos: el índice PROFUND y el Seattle Heart Failure Model. Material y métodos: Se han analizado de forma consecutiva los pacientes observados en la consulta de insuficiencia cardíaca de un hospital de tercer nivel durante dos meses. Se han registrado comorbilidades, categorías de pluripatología y los índices de Charlson, Barthel, Seattle Heart Failure Model y PROFUND. Resultados: Se incluyeron 246 pacientes, de los que 118 (48%) fueron pluripatológicos, con índice de Charlson 7,9±3,8 y PROFUND 3,5±7,1.La categoría de pluripatología más prevalente fue la A, seguida de la B yC. Los pluripatológicos fueron mayores (77 vs. 73 años, p=0,001), más frágiles, con mayor limitación funcional (Barthel: 84,7 vs. 96,1, p<0,001),mayor prevalencia de factores de riesgo cardiovascular y enfermedades crónicas e ingresaron más (14,4 vs. 4,7, p=0,015). La etiología más frecuente fue la cardiopatía isquémica. Los pacientes pluripatológicos tenían clase funcional más avanzada NHYA III-IV (4,2 vs. 0,8, p<0,001), NT-proBNP más elevados (2985 pg/ml vs. 1780 pg/ml, p=0,013) y precisaron mayor dosis de diuréticos (60 vs 40, p<0,001). Se verificó una concordancia en la estimativa de mortalidad entre el PROFUND y el Seattle Heart Failure Model. Conclusiones: Este estudio demuestra la elevada frecuencia de pacientes pluripatológicos en una unidad de insuficiencia cardíaca, reflejando una mayor sobrecarga asistencial y necesidad de cuidados más complejos. Se trata de una población con gran fragilidad, dependencia funcional y comorbilidad, que obliga a plantear un abordaje multidisciplinar. (AU)

Objectives: to determine the frequency of pluripathology in a Heart Failure Unit, defining the characteristics of pluripathological patients and their vital prognosis according to two models: PROFUND score and Seattle Heart Failure Model. Methods: consecutive patients from a Heart Failure Unit of a third level hospital were analized during two months. Comorbidities, pluripathology categories and Charlson, Barthel, Seattle Heart Failure Model and PROFUND scores were registered. Results: 246 patients were included, of which 118 (48%) were pluripathological, with Charlson score 7.9 ± 3.8 and PROFUND 3.5 ± 7.1.The most prevalent category of pluripathology was A, followed by B and C. The pluripathological patients were older (77 vs. 73 years, p = 0.001),more fragile, with greater functional limitation (Barthel: 84.7 vs. 96, 1,p <0.001), higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and chronic diseases and admitted more (14.4 vs. 4.7, p = 0.015). The most frequent etiology was ischemic heart disease. The pluripathological patients hadmore advanced functional class NHYA III-IV (4.2 vs. 0.8, p <0.001), higherNT-proBNP (2985 pg/ml vs. 1780 pg/ml, p = 0.013) and required higherdose of diuretics (60 vs 40, p <0.001). A concordance in the mortality estimate between the PROFUND and the Seattle Heart Failure Model wasverified. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the high frequency of pluripathological patients in a heart failure unit, population with great fragility, due to functional dependence and the association of comorbidities, that requires a multidisciplinary approach. (AU)