The incidence and clinical outcomes of postextubation dysphagia in a regional critical care setting.

BACKGROUND: Postextubation dysphagia (PED) has been shown to occur in 41% of critically ill patients requiring endotracheal intubation. With one-third of patients with PED experiencing silent aspiration, it is reasonable to anticipate negative health outcomes are likely, although this has not yet been systematically explored in an Australian context. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine the impact of PED, in a regional Australian intensive care unit (ICU), on rates of pneumonia, the length of stay in the ICU and hospital, and healthcare expenditure. METHODS: This study was conducted as a retrospective cohort analysis, which used administrative healthcare data of patients who received endotracheal intubation for invasive mechanical ventilation. Patients with a tracheostomy or known pre-existing dysphagia were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 822 patient episodes were identified, of which 7% (n = 58) presented with PED. Half of all patients within the PED cohort (53%) were intubated for fewer than 48 h. Patients with PED had a longer median length of stay in the ICU (5 days versus 3 days, p < 0.001) and were more likely to develop pneumonia (odds ratio = 2.51, 95% confidence interval = 1.28, 4.95) than extubated patients without dysphagia. Median cost per hospital admission for patients with PED was double that for extubated patients without dysphagia (AUD $42,685 versus AUD $20,840, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights that even a short duration of intubation may carry a risk of PED. The presence of PED, regardless of duration of intubation, increased the rates of pneumonia, length of stay in the ICU and hospital, and healthcare expenditure.

Post-extubation dysphagia incidence in critically ill patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Post-extubation dysphagia has been associated with adverse health outcomes. To assist service planning and process development for early identification, an understanding of the number of patients affected is required. However, significant variation exists in the reported incidence which ranges from 3% to 62%. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to (i) conduct a meta-analysis on the incidence of dysphagia after endotracheal intubation in adult critically ill patients and (ii) describe the extent of heterogeneity within peer-reviewed articles and grey literature on the incidence of dysphagia after endotracheal intubation. DATA SOURCES: Databases CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, SpeechBITE, and Google Scholar were systematically searched for studies published before October 2019. REVIEW METHODS: Data extraction occurred in a double-blind manner for studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Risk of bias was determined using critical appraisal tools relevant to the individual study design. The overall quality of the synthesised results was described using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. Raw data were transformed using Freeman-Tukey arcsine square root methodology. A random-effects model was utilised owing to heterogeneity between studies. RESULTS: Of 3564 identified studies, 38 met the criteria for inclusion in the final review. A total of 5798 patient events were analysed, with 1957 dysphagic episodes identified. The combined weighted incidence of post-extubation dysphagia was 41% (95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.50). Of the patients with dysphagia, 36% aspirated silently (n = 155, 95% confidence interval, 0.22-0.50). Subgroup meta-regression analysis was unable to explain the heterogeneity across studies when accounting for the method of participant recruitment, method of dysphagia assessment, median duration of intubation, timing of dysphagia assessment, or patient population. CONCLUSION: Dysphagia after endotracheal intubation is common and occurs in 41% of critically ill adults. Given the prevalence of dysphagia and high rates of silent aspiration in this population, further prospective research should focus on systematic and sensitive early identification methods.

Evidence Supporting Clinical Use of Proportional Assist Ventilation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND: While proportional assist ventilation (PAV), generates pressure in proportion to effort without a preselected target, proportional assist ventilation plus (PAV+) measures compliance and resistance, calculates work of breathing, and adjusts support to a preset assistance level. OBJECTIVE: To summarize randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing invasive or noninvasive PAV or PAV+ in critically ill patients. Data Sources: We searched multiple databases to April 2017 without language restrictions and conference proceedings from 5 meetings to identify randomized parallel-group and crossover RCTs that compared invasive or noninvasive PAV or PAV+ to another mode in critically ill adults or children and reported at least 1 clinically important outcome. RESULTS: We identified 14 RCTs (11 parallel group and 3 crossover) assessing PAV (n = 7) and PAV+ (n = 7) involving 931 adult patients. We found no effect of noninvasive PAV (vs noninvasive pressure support [PS]) on intubation (risk ratio 0.92 [0.59 to 1.43], I2 = 0%) or invasive PAV (vs invasive PS) on percentage rapid eye movement sleep (mean difference [MD] -2.93% [-14.20 to ±8.34], I2 = 43%). Compared to invasive PS, invasive PAV+ showed a nonsignificant increase in weaning time (MD +0.54 [-0.67 to +1.75] hours, I2 = 0%), but no effect on hospital mortality, reintubation, or tracheostomy. CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence does not support the use of invasive or noninvasive PAV or invasive PAV+ in critically ill adults. Amid low to moderate heterogeneity, we identified 3 promising areas for future research including assessing the role of noninvasive PAV as an initial support strategy in patients with acute respiratory failure, invasive PAV on sleep quality during invasive ventilation, and possibly invasive PAV+ for weaning.

Neuro-leptospirosis - A batty diagnostic enigma.

Leptospirosis is an important, worldwide zoonotic, with a high incidence in warm-climate and tropical countries. Leptospirosis has a broad spectrum of manifestations, from a non-specific febrile illness to severe disease with multi-organ involvement. Transmission typically occurs following exposure to urine from infected animals, in particular domesticated animals such as rodents and cattle. Leptospira species have been identified in bats, however bat-human transmission is uncertain, and bat-associated leptospirosis in humans is seldom reported. We report a unique case of severe neuro-leptospirosis resulting from bat exposure with an unusual manifestation of a non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage, and the diagnostic challenges it presented.

First Reported Australian case of Fatal Streptococcal Group B Pneumonia (serotype 21) Necrotising fasciitis complicated by Toxic Shock Like Syndrome - A Case report and review.

Introduction: NF is a life-threatening infection and progressive disease resulting in widespread fulminant tissue destruction. It is rarely caused by Group B Streptococcus pneumonia. Early management with surgical removal of devitalized tissue and urgent antibiotic administration are key therapies. Aim: The aim of this report is to highlight the importance of atypical microorganisms seen in NF. Method: A case presentation and cohort summary of reported NF cases secondary to SPN from the year 2011 to 2020. Results: We report the case of a 67-year-old male, not on immune-suppressive medications, admitted to our intensive care unit with septic shock and multiorgan failure secondary to left leg NF following a 3-week history of cactus prick with an SPN bacteraemia and LRINEC score of 5 on admission. He required multiple surgical debridements and was commenced on appropriate antibiotics. Despite continuous vasopressor supportive therapy, high flux CRRT, and IVIG, our patient died after an 8-day inpatient stay. A 10-year review showed only 5 reported GBSPn NF cases with an associated mortality rate of 40%. Conclusion: A high clinical suspicion of SPN infections in NF is required to avoid high mortality with early diagnosis and targeted anti-microbial therapy. Severity scores may not align with clinical severity.

The prevalence of post-extubation dysphagia in critically ill adults: an Australian data linkage study.

Objective: To define the prevalence of dysphagia after endotracheal intubation in critically ill adult patients. Design: A retrospective observational data linkage cohort study using the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Adult Patient Database and a mandatory government statewide health care administration database. Setting: Private and public intensive care units (ICUs) within Victoria, Australia. Participants: Adult patients who required endotracheal intubation for the purpose of mechanical ventilation within a Victorian ICU between July 2013 and June 2018. Main outcome measures: Presence of dysphagia, aspiration pneumonia, ICU length of stay, hospital length of stay, and cost per episode of care. Results: Endotracheal intubation in the ICU was required for 71 124 patient episodes across the study period. Dysphagia was coded in 7.3% (n = 5203) of those episodes. Patients with dysphagia required longer ICU (median, 154 [interquartile range (IQR), 78-259] v 53 [IQR, 27-107] hours; P < 0.001) and hospital admissions (median, 20 [IQR, 13-30] v 8 [IQR, 5-15] days; P < 0.001), were more likely to develop aspiration pneumonia (17.2% v 5.6%; odds ratio, 3.0; 95% CI, 2.8-3.2; P < 0.001), and the median health care expenditure increased by 93% per episode of care ($73 586 v $38 108; P < 0.001) compared with patients without dysphagia. Conclusions: Post-extubation dysphagia is associated with adverse patient and health care outcomes. Consideration should be given to strategies that support early identification of patients with dysphagia in the ICU to determine if these adverse outcomes can be reduced.

Risk Factors for Postextubation Dysphagia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To identify, describe, and where possible meaningfully synthesize the reported risk factors for postextubation dysphagia (PED) in critically ill patients. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic search of peer-reviewed and grey literature was conducted in common scientific databases to identify previously evaluated risk factors of PED. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment used a double-blind approach. Random effects models were used for the meta-analyses. Meta-analyses were conducted where sufficient study numbers allowed after accounting for statistical and clinical heterogeneity. RESULTS: Twenty-five studies were included, which investigated a total of 150 potential risk factors. Of these, 63 risk factors were previously identified by at least one study each as significantly increasing the risk of PED. After accounting for clinical and statistical heterogeneity, only two risk factors were suitable for meta-analysis, gender, and duration of intubation. In separate meta-analyses, neither gender (RR 1.00 [0.71, 1.43], I2  = 0%) nor duration of intubation (RR 1.54 [-0.40, 3.49], I2  = 0%) were significant predictors of PED. CONCLUSIONS: A large number of risk factors for PED have been reported in the literature. However, significant variability in swallowing assessment methods, patient populations, timing of assessment, and duration of intubation prevented meaningful meta-analyses for the majority of these risk factors. Where meta-analysis was possible, gender and duration of intubation were not identified as risk factors for PED. We discuss future directions in clinical and research contexts. Laryngoscope, 132:364-374, 2022.

First reported case of Human Parechovirus encephalitis in an adult patient complicated by Refractory Status Epilepticus.

Human Parechovirus (HPeV) infections are common amongst children, particularly neonates. However, data in adult cases are lacking. We report a unique case of HPeV meningoencephalitis in an adult complicated by Refractory Status Epilepticus (RSE).

"Likely overassistance" during invasive pressure support ventilation in patients in the intensive care unit: a multicentre prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of "likely overassistance" (categorised by respiratory rate [RR] ≤ 17 breaths/min or rapid shallow breathing index [RSBI] ≤ 37 breaths/min/L) during invasive pressure support ventilation (PSV), and the additional prevalence of fixed ventilator settings. DESIGN: Multicentre prospective observational study of invasive PSV practice in six general Victorian intensive care units with blinding of staff members to data collection. PATIENTS: At each hospital, investigators collected data between 11 am and 2 pm on all invasive PSV-treated patients on 60 sequential days, excluding weekends and public holidays, between 22 February and 30 August 2017. Each patient was included for maximum of 3 days. MAIN RESULTS: We studied 231 patients, with a total of 379 observations episodes over the study period. There were 131 patients (56.7%) with at least one episode of RR ≤ 17 breaths/min; 146 patients (63.2%) with at least one episode of RSBI ≤ 37 breaths/min/L, and 85 patients (36.8%) with at least one episode of combined RR ≤ 17 breaths/min and RSBI ≤ 37 breaths/min/L. Moreover, the total number of observations with "likely overassistance" (RR ≤ 17 or RSBI ≤ 37 breaths/min/L) was 178 (47%) and 204 (53.8%), respectively; while for both combined criteria, it was 154 (40.6%). We also found that 10 cmH2O pressure support was delivered on 210 of the observations (55.4%) and adjusted in less than 25% of observations. Finally, less than half (179 observations) of all PSV-delivered tidal volumes (VT) were at the recommended value of 6-8 mL/kg predicted body weight (PBW) and more than 20% (79 observations) were at ≥ 10 mL/kg PBW. CONCLUSION: In a cohort of Victorian hospitals in Australia, during invasive PSV, "likely overassistance" was common, and the pressure support level was delivered in a standardised and unadjusted manner at 10 cmH2O, resulting in the frequent delivery of potentially injurious VT.

Hospital case volume and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury treated with dialysis.

PURPOSE: To determine whether patients with severe acute kidney injury who receive dialysis (AKI-D) experience better outcomes at centres that care for more patients with AKI-D. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Linked administrative datasets where used to perform a retrospective cohort study of all critically ill patients in Ontario, Canada, who had a first episode of AKI-D between 2002 and 2011. Centre volume for a given year, was designated by calculating the mean number of patients treated with acute dialysis at that centre during that year and the one preceding it. Patients treated at that centre were then assigned to a centre volume quartile for that year. RESULTS: We identified 19,658 critically ill patients with AKI-D treated at 54 Ontario hospitals. Mortality and dialysis dependence at 90-days were 46% and 31%, respectively. Centre volume was not associated with mortality at 90 days (with quartile 1 as the reference, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.16 (95% CI, 0.87 - 1.54) in quartile 2, aOR 1.17 (95% CI, 0.91 - 1.50) in quartile 3, and aOR 1.06 (95% CI, 0.81 - 1.41) in quartile 4). CONCLUSIONS: There are no Centre volume survival associations in the management of AKI-D despite high mortality and dependence rate.

Melatonin and melatonin agonists to prevent and treat delirium in critical illness: a systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: Delirium is a syndrome characterized by acute fluctuations and alterations in attention and arousal. Critically ill patients are at particularly high risk, and those that develop delirium are more likely to experience poor clinical outcomes such as prolonged duration of ICU and hospital length of stay, and increased mortality. Melatonin and melatonin agonists (MMA) have the potential to decrease the incidence and severity of delirium through their hypnotic and sedative-sparing effects, thus improving health-related outcomes. The objective of this review is to synthesize the available evidence pertaining to the efficacy and safety of MMA for the prevention and treatment of ICU delirium. METHODS: We will search Ovid MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and CINAHL to identify studies evaluating MMA in critically ill populations. We will also search http://apps.who.int/trialsearch for ongoing and unpublished studies and PROSPERO for registered reviews. We will not impose restrictions on language, date, or journal of publication. Authors will independently screen for eligible studies using pre-defined criteria; data extraction from eligible studies will be performed in duplicate. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Scale and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale will be used to assess the risk of bias and quality of randomized and non-randomized studies, respectively. Our primary outcome of interest is delirium incidence, and secondary outcomes include duration of delirium, number of delirium- and coma-free days, use of physical and chemical (e.g., antipsychotics or benzodiazepines) restraints, duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU and hospital length of stay, mortality, long-term neurocognitive outcomes, hospital discharge disposition, and adverse events. We will use Review Manager (RevMan) to pool effect estimates from included studies. We will present results as relative risks with 95% confidence intervals for dichotomous outcomes and as mean differences, or standardized mean differences, for continuous outcomes. DISCUSSION: Current guidelines make no pharmacological recommendations for either the prevention or treatment of ICU delirium. This systematic review will synthesize the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of MMA for this purpose, thus potentially informing clinical decision-making and improving patient outcomes. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42015024713.