Effectiveness of Continuous Endotracheal Cuff Pressure Control for the Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Respiratory Infections: An Open-Label Randomized, Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: An endotracheal tube cuff pressure between 20 and 30 cmH2O is recommended to prevent ventilator-associated respiratory infection (VARI). We aimed to evaluate whether continuous cuff pressure control (CPC) was associated with reduced VARI incidence compared with intermittent CPC. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter open-label randomized controlled trial in intensive care unit (ICU) patients within 24 hours of intubation in Vietnam. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive either continuous CPC using an automated electronic device or intermittent CPC using a manually hand-held manometer. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of VARI, evaluated by an independent reviewer blinded to the CPC allocation. RESULTS: We randomized 600 patients; 597 received the intervention or control and were included in the intention to treat analysis. Compared with intermittent CPC, continuous CPC did not reduce the proportion of patients with at least one episode of VARI (74/296 [25%] vs 69/301 [23%]; odds ratio [OR] 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] .77-1.67]. There were no significant differences between continuous and intermittent CPC concerning the proportion of microbiologically confirmed VARI (OR 1.40; 95% CI .94-2.10), the proportion of intubated days without antimicrobials (relative proportion [RP] 0.99; 95% CI .87-1.12), rate of ICU discharge (cause-specific hazard ratio [HR] 0.95; 95% CI .78-1.16), cost of ICU stay (difference in transformed mean [DTM] 0.02; 95% CI -.05 to .08], cost of ICU antimicrobials (DTM 0.02; 95% CI -.25 to .28), cost of hospital stay (DTM 0.02; 95% CI -.04 to .08), and ICU mortality risk (OR 0.96; 95% CI .67-1.38). CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining CPC through an automated electronic device did not reduce VARI incidence. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02966392.

Adherence to dual antiplatelet therapy after coronary stenting: A study conducted at two Vietnamese hospitals.

Introduction: Adherence to dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is critical after drug-eluting stent(DES) placement. We aimed to assess patient's knowledge, rates of DAPT adherence, trends in DAPT use over time, and patient-level factors associated with nonadherence in the patient with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: ACS patients who received one or more DES between May and September 2018from two hospitals in Vietnam and used DAPT after stent placement were eligible for a direct interview to assess patient's knowledge on disease and DAPT. Telephone interviews were conducted one, three, and six months following discharge. Nonadherence was defined as premature discontinuation of DAPT. Factors related to nonadherent patients were analyzed using the chi-square test. Results: Of the 200 patients identified, 154 (77%) participated. Of the ten questions related to knowledge, the mean score of correct answers was 8.2 ± 2.3, and 71.7% had good knowledge.Adherence to DAPT was high at one month (94.2%) but declined by three months (44.2%) and then by six months (46.8%). Aspirin adherence was 99.3%-100% throughout. Three factors associated with nonadherence of DAPT following DES placement by six months included: rural location, linactive occupation, and inadequate knowledge on disease and DAPT (p <0.05). Conclusion: DAPT adherence is high at one month but is suboptimal at three and six months.Factors associated with the nonadherence of DAPT will be helpful in the planning of patient education strategies.