Awake prone positioning and oxygen therapy in patients with COVID-19: the APRONOX study.

BACKGROUND: The awake prone positioning strategy for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome is a safe, simple and cost-effective technique used to improve hypoxaemia. We aimed to evaluate intubation and mortality risk in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who underwent awake prone positioning during hospitalisation. METHODS: In this retrospective, multicentre observational study conducted between 1 May 2020 and 12 June 2020 in 27 hospitals in Mexico and Ecuador, nonintubated patients with COVID-19 managed with awake prone or awake supine positioning were included to evaluate intubation and mortality risk through logistic regression models; multivariable and centre adjustment, propensity score analyses, and E-values were calculated to limit confounding. RESULTS: 827 nonintubated patients with COVID-19 in the awake prone (n=505) and awake supine (n=322) groups were included for analysis. Fewer patients in the awake prone group required endotracheal intubation (23.6% versus 40.4%) or died (19.8% versus 37.3%). Awake prone positioning was a protective factor for intubation even after multivariable adjustment (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.24-0.52; p<0.0001, E=2.12), which prevailed after propensity score analysis (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.27-0.62; p<0.0001, E=1.86) and mortality (adjusted OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.26-0.55; p<0.0001, E=2.03). The main variables associated with intubation among awake prone patients were increasing age, lower baseline peripheral arterial oxygen saturation/inspiratory oxygen fraction ratio (P aO2 /F IO2 ) and management with a nonrebreather mask. CONCLUSIONS: Awake prone positioning in hospitalised nonintubated patients with COVID-19 is associated with a lower risk of intubation and mortality.

Reliability of point-of-care ultrasound to evaluate fluid tolerance performed by critical care residents.

BACKGROUND: Patients with hypotension usually receive intravenous fluids, but only 50% will respond to fluid administration. We aimed to assess the intra and interobserver agreement to evaluate fluid tolerance through diverse ultrasonographic methods. METHODS: We prospectively included critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation. One trained intensivist and two intensive care residents obtained the left ventricular outflow tract velocity-time integral (VTI) variability, inferior vena cava (IVC) distensibility index, internal jugular vein (IJV) distensibility index, and each component of the venous excess ultrasound (VExUS) system. We obtained the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Gwet's first-order agreement coefficient (AC1), as appropriate. RESULTS: We included 32 patients. In-training observers were unable to assess the VTI-variability in two patients. The interobserver agreement was moderate to evaluate the IJV-distensibility index (AC1 0.54, CI 95% 0.29-0.80), fair to evaluate VTI-variability (AC1 0.39, CI 95% 0.12-0.66), and absent to evaluate the IVC-distensibility index (AC1 0.19, CI 95% - 0.07 to 0.44). To classify patients according to their VExUS grade, the intraobserver agreement was good, and the interobserver agreement was moderate (AC1 0.52, CI 95% 0.34-0.69). CONCLUSIONS: Point-of-care ultrasound is frequently used to support decision-making in fluid management. However, we observed that the VTI variability and IVC-distensibility index might require further training of the ultrasound operators to be clinically useful. Our findings suggest that the IJV-distensibility index and the VExUS system have acceptable reproducibility among in-training observers.

Simplified acute physiology score II and Mannheim peritonitis index are associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with abdominal sepsis admitted to ICU.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the association and interaction of laboratory parameters, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPSII), Modified Shock Index (MSI), and Mannheim Peritonitis Index (MPI) with in-hospital mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a single-center case-control study. Adult patients with abdominal sepsis were included from May 2015 to May 2020. Baseline characteristics, laboratory parameters, SAPSII, MSI, and MPI scores at admission were collected. A principal component (PC) analysis was applied to evaluate variable interactions. In-hospital mortality risk was determined through logistic regression models. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-seven patients were identified, 60 of which were included for analyses. Non-survivors (48.4%) had a higher frequency of hypertension, lactate and MPI, and lower BE and alactic BE levels. Eight PCs were obtained, PC1 being a linear combination of pH, AG, cAG, alactic BE, bicarbonate, and BE. MPI (OR = 9.87, 95% CI: 3.07-36.61, p = 0.0002), SAPSII (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01-1.14, p = 0.01), and PC1 (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.12-4.76, p = 0.04) were significantly associated with mortality in univariate analysis, while MPI (OR = 10.1, 95% CI: 3.03-40.06, p = 0.0003) and SAPSII (OR = 1.07, CI95%: 1.01-1.14, p = 0.02) remained significant after adjusting for age and sex. CONCLUSION: MPI and SAPSII were associated with mortality, although the interaction of laboratory parameters was not.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la asociación e interacción de los parámetros de laboratorio, SAPSII, MSI y MPI con la mortalidad intrahospitalaria. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Nosotros realizamos un estudio de casos y controles de pacientes adultos con sepsis abdominal desde mayo 2015 a mayo 2020. Recolectamos las características basales, parámetros de laboratorio, SAPSII, MSI y MPI al ingreso. Se aplicó un Análisis de Componentes Principales. El riesgo de mortalidad intrahospitalaria se determinó mediante modelos de regresión logística. RESULTADOS: Identificamos 127 pacientes, 60 de los cuales se incluyeron. Los no supervivientes (48,4%) tuvieron mayor frecuencia de HAS, lactato y MPI, y menores niveles de EB y EB aláctico. Se obtuvieron ocho Componentes Principales (PC), siendo PC1 una combinación lineal de pH, AG, cAG, EB aláctico, bicarbonato y EB. MPI (OR = 9.87, IC95%: 3.07-36.61, p = 0.0002), SAPSII (OR = 1.07, IC95%: 1.01-1.14, p = 0.01) y PC1 (OR = 2.13, IC95%: 1.12-4.76, p = 0.04) se asociaron significativamente con la mortalidad en el análisis univariado, mientras que MPI (OR = 10.1, IC95%: 3.03-40.06, p = 0.0003) y SAPSII (OR = 1.07, IC 95%: 1.01-1.14, p = 0.02) permanecieron significativos después del ajuste por edad y sexo. CONCLUSIONES: MPI y SAPSII se asociaron con mortalidad, aunque la interacción de los parámetros de laboratorio no lo hizo.

Outcomes of patients with COVID-19 in the intensive care unit in Mexico: A multicenter observational study.

BACKGROUND: As of June 15, 2020, a cumulative total of 7,823,289 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported across 216 countries and territories worldwide. However, there is little information on the clinical characteristics and outcomes of critically ill patients with severe COVID-19 who were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) in Latin America. The present study evaluated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of critically ill patients with severe COVID-19 who were admitted to ICUs in Mexico. METHODS: This was a multicenter observational study that included 164 critically ill patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who were admitted to 10 ICUs in Mexico, from April 1 to April 30, 2020. Demographic data, comorbid conditions, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes were collected and analyzed. The date of final follow-up was June 4, 2020. RESULTS: A total of 164 patients with severe COVID-19 were included in this study. The mean age of patients was 57.3 years (SD 13.7), 114 (69.5%) were men, and 6.0% were healthcare workers. Comorbid conditions were common in patients with critical COVID-19: 38.4% of patients had hypertension and 32.3% had diabetes. Compared to survivors, nonsurvivors were older and more likely to have diabetes, hypertension or other conditions. Patients presented to the hospital a median of 7 days (IQR 4.5-9) after symptom onset. The most common presenting symptoms were shortness of breath, fever, dry cough, and myalgias. One hundred percent of patients received invasive mechanical ventilation for a median time of 11 days (IQR 6-14). A total of 139 of 164 patients (89.4%) received vasopressors, and 24 patients (14.6%) received renal replacement therapy during hospitalization. Eighty-five (51.8%) patients died at or before 30 days, with a median survival of 25 days. Age (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.08; p<0.001) and C-reactive protein levels upon ICU admission (1.008; 95% CI, 1.003-1.012; p<0.001) were associated with a higher risk of in-hospital death. ICU length of stay was associated with reduced in-hospital mortality risk (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.84-0.94; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This observational study of critically ill patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who were admitted to the ICU in Mexico demonstrated that age and C-reactive protein level upon ICU admission were associated with in-hospital mortality, and the overall hospital mortality rate was high. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04336345.

Ultrasonido Point-Of-Care (POCUS) durante la reanimación cardiopulmonar para el diagnóstico de causas reversibles de arresto cardiaco / Point-Of-Care ultrasound (POCUS) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation for the diagnosis of reversible causes of cardiac arrest / Ultrassonografia Point-of-Care (POCUS) durante a reanimação cardiopulmonar para o diagnóstico de causas reversíveis de parada cardíaca

Resumen: La ultrasonografía enfocada al paciente crítico o «ultrasonido Point-Of-Care¼ (POCUS) es una herramienta utilizada en la cabecera del paciente en distintas áreas de la medicina crítica y servicios de emergencias debido a su practicidad y a que provee gran información de forma rápida y no invasiva para realizar diagnósticos y abordajes terapéuticos. El arresto cardiaco (AC) es una situación crítica que requiere una adecuada reanimación cardiopulmonar (RCP) y en la que es crucial la identificación de la etiología para realizar una intervención rápida y lograr la resolución de la misma, particularmente en el escenario de una actividad eléctrica sin pulso (AESP) en la que la ecografía cobra vital importancia. La implementación de protocolos de reanimación cardiopulmonar apoyados de un abordaje ultrasonográfico es factible y de gran utilidad para la identificación etiológica del AC y la resolución de causas específicas.

Abstract: Ultrasound focused on the critical patient or «Point-Of-Care ultrasound¼ (POCUS) is a tool used at the patient's bedside in different areas of critical medicine and emergency services due to its practicality as it provides great information quickly and non-invasive for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Cardiac arrest (CA) is a critical situation that requires adequate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and in which the identification of the etiology is crucial to carry out a rapid intervention and achieve its resolution, particularly in the setting of a pulseless electrical activity (AESP) in which ultrasound is of vital importance. The implementation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation protocols supported by an ultrasound approach is feasible and of great utility for the etiological identification of CA and the resolution of specific causes.

Resumo: A ultrassonografia focada em pacientes críticos ou «Point-Of-Care ultra-som¼ (POCUS) é uma ferramenta utilizada à beira do leito do paciente em diferentes áreas da medicina crítica e serviços de emergência devido à sua praticidade e ao fato de fornecer uma grande quantidade de informações rapidamente e não invasivo para abordagens diagnósticas e terapêuticas. A parada cardíaca (PC) é uma situação crítica que requer uma adequada ressuscitação cardiopulmonar (RCP) e na qual a identificação da etiologia é crucial para a rápida intervenção e resolução, particularmente no cenário de uma atividade elétrica sem pulso (AESP) em qual o ultra-som é de vital importância. A implementação de protocolos de ressuscitação cardiopulmonar apoiados por uma abordagem ultrassonográfica é viável e muito útil para a identificação etiológica do RAC e resolução de causas específicas.

Aplicaciones e implicaciones de la pausa al final de la inspiración en ventilación mecánica / Applications and implications of end-inspiratory pause in mechanical ventilation / Aplicações e implicações da pausa ao final da inspiração na ventilação mecânica

Resumen: El uso de la pausa al final de la inspiración (PFI) en ventilación mecánica data de hace más de 50 años y con mayor impulso en la década de los 70, se le atribuye una mejoría en la presión parcial de oxígeno arterial (PaO2) al incrementar la presión media de la vía aérea (Pma), mayor aclaramiento de la presión parcial de dióxido de carbono arterial (PaCO2) y permite la monitorización de la presión meseta (Pmeseta) en la mecánica ventilatoria; sin embargo, los estudios clínicos sobre su uso son escasos y controversiales. En este artículo se abordan los mecanismos fisiológicos, fisiopatológicos y la evidencia sobre el uso de la PFI en ventilación mecánica (VM).

Abstract: The use of the end inspiratory pause (EIP) in mechanical ventilation has been going on for more than 50 years and with greater momentum in the 1970s, an improvement in the partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) is attributed to the increase mean airway pressure, greater clearance of partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide and allows monitoring of plateau pressure in ventilatory mechanics; However, the Clinical studies on its use are few and controversial. This article addresses the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms and the evidence on the use of EIP in mechanical ventilation.

Resumo: A utilização da pausa ao final da inspiração (PFI) na ventilação mecânica remonta a mais de 50 anos e com maior impulso na década de 70, atribui-se uma melhora na pressão parcial de oxigênio arterial (PaO2) pelo aumento da pressão média das vias aéreas (Pma), uma maior depuração da pressão parcial de dióxido de carbono arterial (PaCO2) e permite a monitorização da pressão de platô (Pplateau) na mecânica ventilatória, porém estudos Os dados clínicos sobre seu uso são escassos e controversos. Este artigo aborda os mecanismos fisiológicos e fisiopatológicos e as evidências sobre o uso do PFI na ventilação mecânica (VM).

Intubación de pacientes con SARS-CoV-2: una guía «primera línea¼ para minimizar la generación de aerosoles durante el procedimiento / Intubation of patients with SARS-CoV-2: a «front line¼ guide to minimize generation of aerosols during the procedure / Intubação de pacientes com SARS-CoV-2: um guia de «primeira linha¼ para minimizar a geração de aerossol durante o procedimento

Resumen: La enfermad por el virus de SARS-CoV-2 o COVID-19 tiene un alto índice de contagio y transmisibilidad que sobrepasa los sistemas de salud en el mundo. En México se cuentan 1,771,740 casos positivos, 150,273 defunciones y 204,070 contagios, de esas defunciones 2,687 corresponden al personal de salud. La intubación orotraqueal representa uno de los eventos con mayor riesgo de contagio, es por ello que es imperativo el uso de equipo de protección personal así como de distintas acciones a tomar durante la intubación orotraqueal por parte del equipo.

Abstract: The disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 virus has a high rate of contagion and transmissibility, surpassing the health systems in the world. In Mexico there are 1'771,740 positive cases, 150,273 deaths, 204,070 infections, and 2,687 of these deaths represent health personnel. Orotracheal intubation represents one of the events with the highest risk of contagion, which is why the use of personal protective equipment is imperative, as well as different attitudes to be taken during orotracheal intubation by the team.

Resumo: A doença causada pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2 ou COVID-19 apresenta alto índice de contágio e transmissibilidade, superando os sistemas de saúde em todo o mundo. No México, há 1.771,740 casos positivos, 150,273 mortes, 204,070 infecções e 2,687 dessas mortes representam pessoal de saúde. A intubação orotraqueal representa um dos eventos de maior risco de contágio, por isso o uso de equipamentos de proteção individual é imprescindível, assim como as diferentes atitudes a serem tomadas durante a intubação orotraqueal pela equipe.