High-flow nasal cannula therapy versus non-invasive ventilation in children with severe acute asthma exacerbation: An observational cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: The present study describes our experience with the high-flow humidified nasal cannula (HFNC) versus non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in children with severe acute asthma exacerbation (SA). METHODS: An observational study of a retrospective cohort of 42 children with SA admitted to a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for non-invasive respiratory support was made. The primary outcome measure was failure of initial respiratory support (need to escalate from HFNC to NIV or from NIV to invasive ventilation). Secondary outcome measures were the duration of respiratory support and PICU length of stay (LOS). RESULTS: Forty-two children met the inclusion criteria. Twenty (47.6%) received HFNC and 22 (52.3%) NIV as initial respiratory support. There were no treatment failures in the NIV group. However, 8 children (40%) in the HFNC group required escalation to NIV. The PICU LOS was similar in both the NIV and HFNC groups. However, on considering the HFNC failure subgroup, the median length of respiratory support was 3-fold longer (63h) and the PICU LOS was also longer compared with the rest of subjects exhibiting treatment success. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its obvious limitations, this observational study could suggest that HFNC in some subjects with SA may delay NIV support and potentially cause longer respiratory support, and longer PICU LOS.

The role of high flow oxygen therapy in acute respiratory failure.

Acute respiratory failure represents one of the most common causes of intensive care unit admission and oxygen therapy remains the first-line therapy in the management of these patients. In recent years, high-flow oxygen via nasal cannula has been described as a useful alternative to conventional oxygen therapy in patients with acute respiratory failure. High-flow oxygen via nasal cannula rapidly alleviates symptoms of acute respiratory failure and improves oxygenation by several mechanisms, including dead space washout, reduction in oxygen dilution and inspiratory nasopharyngeal resistance, a moderate positive airway pressure effect that may generate alveolar recruitment and an overall greater tolerance and comfort with the interface and the heated and humidified inspired gases. However, the experience in adults is still limited and there are no clinical guidelines to establish recommendations for their use. This article aims to review the existing evidence on the use of high-flow oxygen via nasal cannula in adults with acute respiratory failure and its possible applications, advantages and limitations.

[High flow nasal cannula in infants: Experience in a critical patient unit]. / Cánula nasal de alto flujo en lactantes: experiencia en una unidad de paciente crítico.

INTRODUCTION: The high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a method of respiratory support that is increasingly being used in paediatrics due to its results and safety. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of HFNC, as well as to evaluate the factors related to its failure and complications associated with its use in infants. PATIENTS AND METHOD: An analysis was performed on the demographic, clinical, blood gas, and radiological data, as well as the complications of patients connected to a HFNC in a critical care unit between June 2012 and September 2014. A comparison was made between the patients who failed and those who responded to HFNC. A failure was considered as the need for further respiratory support during the first 48hours of connection. The Kolmogorov Smirnov, Mann-Whitney U, chi squared and the Exact Fisher test were used, as well as correlations and a binary logistic regression model for P≤.05. RESULTS: The study included 109 patients, with a median age and weight: 1 month (0.2-20 months) and 3.7kg (2-10kg); 95 percentile: 3.7 months and 5.7kg, respectively. The most frequent diagnosis and radiological pattern was bronchiolitis (53.2%) and interstitial infiltration (56%). Around 70.6% responded. There was a significant difference between failure and response in the diagnosis (P=.013), radiography (P=018), connection context (P<.0001), pCO2 (median 40.7mmHg [15.4-67 mmHg] versus 47.3mmHg [28.6-71.3mmHg], P=.004) and hours on HFNC (median 60.75hrs [5-621.5 hrs] versus 10.5hrs [1-29 hrs], P<.0001). The OR of the PCO2 ≥ 55mmHg for failure was 2.97 (95% CI; 1.08-8.17; P=.035). No patient died and no complications were recorded. CONCLUSION: The percentage success observed was similar to that published. In this sample, the failure of HFNC was only associated with an initial pCO2 ≥ 55mmHg. On there being no complications reported as regards it use, it is considered safe, although a randomised, controlled, multicentre study is required to compare and contrast these results.

Effects of a low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy on psychological constructs related to pain and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Self-reported psychological variables related to pain have been posited as the major contributors to the quality of life of fibromyalgia (FM) women and should be considered when implementing therapeutic strategies among this population. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on psychological constructs related to pain (i.e., pain catastrophism, pain acceptance, pain inflexibility, mental defeat) and quality of life in women with FM. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial. Thirty-three women with FM were randomly allocated to a low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy group (HBOTG) (n=17), who received an 8-week intervention (5 sessions per week), and a control group (CG) (n=16). All women were assessed at baseline (T0) and upon completion of the study (T1) for self-perceived pain intensity, pain catastrophism, pain acceptance, pain inflexibility, mental defeat and quality of life. RESULTS: At T1, the HBOTG improved across all variables related to pain (i.e. self-perceived pain intensity, pain catastrophism, pain acceptance, pain flexibility, mental defeat) (p<0.05) and quality of life (p<0.05). In contrast, the CG showed no improvements in any variable. Furthermore, significant differences between the groups were found in quality of life (p<0.05) after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: HBOT is effective at improving the psychological constructs related to pain (i.e. pain catastrophism, pain acceptance, pain flexibility, mental defeat) and quality of life among women with FM. Clinical Trial Link Clinical Trials gov identifier (NCT03801109).

Impact of high-flow oxygen therapy via high velocity nasal insufflation on diaphragmatic thickening fraction in healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy [HFNC] on the diaphragm thickening fraction. DESIGN: Prospective, descriptive, cohort study SETTING: The study was conducted in the Physiology and Respiratory Care Laboratory, Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires. PARTICIPANTS: Thirteen healthy subjects >18 years old INTERVENTIONS: High-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Demographic data (age and gender), anthropometric data (weight, height, and body mass index), and clinical and respiratory variables (Diaphragm thickening fraction [DTf], esophageal pressure swing, respiratory rate [RR], esophageal pressure-time product per minute [PTPes/min]). RESULTS: Median DTf decreased significantly as flow increased (p < 0.05). The baseline DTf measurement was 21.4 %, 18.3 % with 20 L/m, and 16.4 % with 40 L/m. We also observed a significant decrease in RR as flow increased in HFNC (p < 0.05). In the 8 subjects with recordings, the PTPes/min was 81.3 (±30.8) cmH2O/sec/min and 64.4 (±25.3) cmH2O/sec/min at baseline and 40 L/m respectively (p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: The use of high-flow oxygen therapy through nasal cannula of HFNC in healthy subjects decreases the DTf and RR in association with increased flow. In addition, the use of 40 L/m flow may reduce the muscular work associated with respiration.

Intraoperative high flow oxygen therapy for tubeless anaesthesia in thoracoscopic surgery.

Tubeless anaesthesia has become widespread in videothoracoscopic surgery, even in major procedures such as lobectomies. There are several advantages in avoiding general anaesthesia and one-lung mechanical ventilation, such as faster recovery and shorter hospital stays. However, hypoxaemia and hypercapnia are the most reported causes of conversion to general anaesthesia. High Flow Oxygen Therapy (HFOT) generates flow-dependent positive end-expiratory pressure, improves oxygenation and also carbon dioxide washout by flow-dependent dead space flushing. For this reason, intraoperative HFOT may reduce the rate of conversion to general anaesthesia. We report our experience with intraoperative HFOT in a 71-year-old female with lung adenocarcinoma undergoing VATS upper left lobectomy.

Conservative versus liberal oxygen therapy in relation to all-cause mortality among patients in the intensive care unit: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the benefits and harmful effects of conservative versus liberal oxygen therapy in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out. SETTING: ICU. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients (aged 18 years or older) were randomized to either a lower oxygenation target strategy (conservative oxygen therapy) or a higher oxygenation target strategy (liberal oxygen therapy) in the ICU. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received different oxygenation target strategies. RESULTS: Ten studies involving 5429 adult patients admitted to the ICU were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled results showed no decreased all-cause mortality at 28 days (RR 0.90; 95%CI 0.75-1.09; p = 0.28), 90 days (RR 1.02; 95%CI 0.92-1.13; p = 0.71) or longest follow-up (RR 0.97; 95%CI 0.88-1.08; p = 0.63) among patients administered conservative oxygen therapy. Secondary outcomes were comparable between the two groups. The results of sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses were consistent with the main analyses. CONCLUSION: No beneficial or harmful effects of conservative oxygen therapy were found compared to liberal oxygen therapy in relation to all-cause mortality among adult patients in the ICU. Conservative oxygen therapy did not reduce all-cause mortality at 28 days, 90 days or longest follow-up. Other important clinical outcomes were also comparable between the two groups.

COVID-19-associated lung weakness (CALW): Systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess mortality and different clinical factors derived from the development of atraumatic pneumothorax (PNX) and/or pneumomediastinum (PNMD) in critically ill patients as a consequence of COVID-19-associated lung weakness (CALW). DESIGN: Systematic review with meta-analysis. SETTING: Intensive Care Unit (ICU). PARTICIPANTS: Original research evaluating patients, with or without the need for protective invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), with a diagnosis of COVID-19, who developed atraumatic PNX or PNMD on admission or during hospital stay. INTERVENTIONS: Data of interest were obtained from each article and analyzed and assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The risk of the variables of interest was assessed with data derived from studies including patients who developed atraumatic PNX or PNMD. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Mortality, mean ICU stay and mean PaO2/FiO2 at diagnosis. RESULTS: Information was collected from 12 longitudinal studies. Data from a total of 4901 patients were included in the meta-analysis. A total of 1629 patients had an episode of atraumatic PNX and 253 patients had an episode of atraumatic PNMD. Despite the finding of significantly strong associations, the great heterogeneity between studies implies that the interpretation of results should be made with caution. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality among COVID-19 patients was higher in those who developed atraumatic PNX and/or PNMD compared to those who did not. The mean PaO2/FiO2 index was lower in patients who developed atraumatic PNX and/or PNMD. We propose grouping these cases under the term COVID-19-associated lung weakness (CALW).

Effectiveness of high-flow oxygen therapy in a second-level hospital in bronchiolitis.

INTRODUCTION: To estimate the impact of the incorporation of high-flow nasal cannule (HFNC) in patients admitted with acute bronchiolitis in a hospital without pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cohort study with historical control of bronchiolitis in a second-level hospital, before (2009-2012) and after (2015-2020) the implementation of HFNC. The main outcome was the need for admission to the PICU. RESULTS: 301 patients were included. Respiratory syncytial viruses were identified in 64.7% of them and influenza viruses in 0.3%. No differences in age nor comorbility between periods were observed. The average stay was 3.67 days (standard deviation [SE] 2.10) in the first period and 4.00 days (SE 2.35) in the second. Three patients were transferred to UCIP (2.6%) before the availability of HFCN and 13 patients (9.4%) after, which supposed an important increase of the risk (relative risk 3.58; confidence interval [CI] 95%: 1.04-12.27), although not significant in adjusted analyses (Odds ratio 3.48; IC95% 0.95-12.72). A significant increase in readmission risk was also observed (from 5.3%-13.7%) and a shortening of the time to transfer. CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of HFNC was not associated with a lower risk of transfer to PICU nor a shorter length of oxygen therapy. In the absence of evidence, that supports the effectiveness and efficiency of the HFNC and establishes its indications, we must reassess its use.

Spanish COPD Guidelines (GesEPOC 2021): Non-pharmacological Treatment Update. / Actualización 2021 de la Guía Española de la EPOC (GesEPOC). Tratamiento no farmacológico.

In addition to recommendations for pharmacological treatment stratified for risk and phenotype, the new 2021 edition of the Spanish COPD Guidelines (GesEPOC 2021) proposes a personalized approach to treatable traits, defined as a characteristic (clinical, physiological, or biological) that can be identified by diagnostic tests or biomarkers, for which a specific treatment is available. Some treatable traits, such as malnutrition, sedentarism, emphysema or respiratory failure, can be treated with non-pharmacological therapies, and this was not covered in detail in the guidelines. This section of GesEPOC 2021 includes a narrative update with recommendations on dietary treatment, physical activity, respiratory rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, non-invasive ventilation, volume reduction, and lung transplantation. A PICO question with recommendations on the use of supplemental oxygen during exercise in COPD patients without severe hypoxemia is also included.

Analysis of predictors of response to high-flow oxygen nasal cannula therapy in a pediatric intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Bronchiolitis is one of the most frequent reasons for admission to pediatric intensive care units. Medical treatment is primarily supportive. The usefulness of high-flow oxygen (HFO) nasal cannula in these patients has been described. This study evaluated the clinical and analytical variables of patients admitted to our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for initiation or continuation of HFO for respiratory distress and to identify any variable that may be a predictor of success or failure of this technique. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study that included infants aged < 24 months admitted to our PICU due to bronchiolitis between January 2015 and March 2019 for HFO. RESULTS: We analyzed the characteristics between responders (n = 112) and non-responders (n = 37). No statistically significant differences were observed between groups regarding sex, age, weight, comorbidities, nasopharyngeal aspirate result, hours of evolution, and respiratory and heart rate. However, a pCO2 ≥ 75 mmHg (p = 0.043) and a SCORE of bronchiolitis severity (p = 0.032) were predictors of HFNC failure. CONCLUSIONS: The pCO2 level and SCORE of bronchiolitis severity are predictors of this respiratory support modality.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La bronquiolitis es uno de los motivos más frecuentes de ingreso en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos (UCIP); el tratamiento médico es básicamente de soporte. Se ha descrito la utilidad de la oxigenoterapia de alto flujo (OAF) en estos pacientes. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar algunas variables clínicas y analíticas de los pacientes que ingresan en nuestra UCIP para inicio o continuación de OAF ante cuadros de dificultad respiratoria e identificar cualquier variable que pueda ser factor predictor del éxito o fracaso de esta técnica. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo observacional, incluyendo lactantes menores de 24 meses ingresados en la UCIP entre enero de 2015 y marzo de 2019 para OAF ante cuadros de bronquiolitis. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron las características entre el grupo de respondedores (n = 112) y no respondedores (n = 37). No se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en cuanto al sexo, edad, peso, comorbilidades, resultado del aspirado naso-faríngeo, horas de evolución, frecuencia respiratoria, frecuencia cardiaca entre ambos grupos. Sin embargo, una pCO2 ≥75 mmHg (p = 0.043) y un SCORE de gravedad de la bronquiolitis mayor (p = 0.032) fueron factores predictores de fracaso de la OAF. CONCLUSIONES: El nivel de pCO2 y el SCORE de gravedad de la bronquiolitis son factores predictores de esta modalidad de soporte respiratorio.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure vs. High Flow Nasal Cannula in children with acute severe or moderate bronchiolitis. A systematic review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and effectiveness of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) vs. High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) to prevent therapeutic failure and the need of invasive ventilation in children with acute moderate-severe bronchiolitis. DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis. SETTING: Medline, Embase, Lilacs, Cochrane and gray literature (May 2020) was performed. PARTICIPANTS: Randomized clinical trials patients with moderate to severe bronchiolitis. MAIN VARIABLES: Therapeutic failure, need for invasive ventilation, adverse events, length of PCCU and of hospital stay. INTERVENTION: The quality of the studies was assessed with the Cochrane risk and bias tool. We conducted meta-analysis using fixed effect model and random effects model. RESULTS: Three RCTs were included. Showed less risk of therapeutic failure with CPAP compared with HFNC (RR=0.7; 95%CI 0.5-0.99) developed hours later in patients with CPAP (MD=3.16; 95%CI 1.55-4.77). We did not find differences in other outcomes, such as need of invasive ventilation (RR=0.60; 95%CI 0.25-1.43), apnea (RR=0.40; 95%CI 0.08-1.99), or number of days in the intensive care unit (MD=0.02; 95%CI -0.38 to 0.42), and length of hospitalization (MD=-1.00; 95%IC -2.66 to 0.66). Adverse events (skin lesions) were more common with CPAP (RR 2.47; 95%CI 1.17-5.22). CONCLUSIONS: In moderate/severe bronchiolitis CPAP demonstrated a lower risk of therapeutic failure and a longer time to failure. But more adverse events like nasal injury. There were no differences in other variables.

[Hyperbaric oxygen therapy efficacy in the treatment of hematuria due to radiation cystitis. Experience in a reference center.] / Eficacia de la oxigenoterapia hiperbárica en el tratamiento de la hematuria por cistitis rádica. Experiencia en un centro de referencia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the treatment of hemorrhagic radiation cystitis (HRC). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective study of patients diagnosed with hematuria secondary to HRC after pelvic radiation from January 2005 to January 2017 who were treated with HBOT. Demographic and clinical variables were collected. A descriptive univariate and multivariate statistical analysis using Cox regression was carried out. The treatment was considered effective when there was a total or partial remission of the hematuria based on the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) scoring schema. Partial remission was defined as the presence of hematuria grade 2 or less. RESULTS: A total of 67 patients with a mean age of 68,6 years (39-87) were included. 65,7% men and 34,3% women. The RT was administered in 64,2% of the cases by urological cause, prostate cancer. The av-erage dose of RT was 75,24 Gy (45-180). The mean from the RT to the HBOT treatment was 55,97 months (4-300) and from the beginning of the hematuria until the treatment was 11,3 months (1-48). Response was observed in 51 (76,1%) patients, total in 50,7% and partial in 25,4% of cases. Patients with a degree of hematuria less than 3, those who were administered more than 30 sessions and those who did not require transfusion or hospital admission, responded significantly bet-ter to treatment with HBOT (p<0.05) according to the univariate and multivariate analysis. No adverse effects related to treatment were reported, only one patient was excluded due to claustrophobia. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an effective and safe treatment for the management of hematuria due to radiological cystitis secondary to radiotherapy. A better response was observed in patients with a lower degree of hematuria and those who could be administered a greater number of sessions.

OBJETIVO: Evaluación la eficacia de la oxigenoterapia hiperbárica (OHB) en el tratamiento de la cistitis rádica hemorrágica (CRH) postradioterapia.MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Estudio retrospectivo que incluyó a los pacientes diagnosticados de hematuria secundaria a CRH postradioterapia pélvica desde enero de 2005 hasta enero del 2017 tratados con OHB. Se recogieron variables demográficas y clínicas. Se efec-tuó un análisis estadístico descriptivo, univariante y multivariante mediante regresión de Cox. El tratamiento se consideró eficaz cuando se produjo una remisión total o parcial de la hematuria en base a la escala del Grupo Oncológico de Radioterapia (RTOG). La respuesta parcial se definió como la presencia de hematuria grado 2 o menor tras el tratamiento. RESULTADOS: Se recogieron un total de 67 pacientes con una edad media de 68,6 años (39-87). Un 65,7% hombres y 34,3% mujeres. La RT fue administrada en el 64,2% de los casos por causa urológica, la más frecuente fue el cáncer de próstata. La dosis media de RT fue 75,24 Gy (45- 180). La media desde la RT hasta el tratamiento con OHB fue de 55,97 meses (4-300) y desde el inicio de la hematuria hasta el tratamiento de 11,3 meses (1-48). Se observó algún tipo de respuesta en 51 (76,1%) pacientes, siendo una respuesta total en el 50,7% y parcial en el 25,4% de los casos. Los pacientes con un grado de hematuria menor a 3, aquellos que recibieron más de 30 sesiones, y aquellos que no precisaron transfusión ni ingreso hospitalario, respondieron significativamente mejor al tratamiento (p<0,05), según el análisis univariante y multivariante. No fueron reportados efectos adversos relacionados con el tratamiento, solo un paciente fue excluido por claustrofobia. CONCLUSIONES: La terapia con OHB es una tratamiento efectivo y seguro para el manejo de la hematuria por CRH secundaria a radioterapia. Se observó una mejor respuesta en los pacientes con un menor grado de hematuria, en aquellos que recibieron mayor número de sesiones y que no precisaron transfusión ni ingreso hospitalario.

Cardiac arrest after a cerebral gas embolism. Case report. / Paro cardiaco tras embolia gaseosa cerebral. Caso clínico.

Cerebral arterial gas embolism is a serious and often iatrogenic fatal event associated with invasive procedures. It is a possible cause of a cardiac arrest and the diagnosis is challenging. We report a case of a cardiac arrest after a cerebral arterial gas embolism, in a 63-year-old male subjected to a Computed Tomography-guided Transthoracic Needle Aspiration Biopsy, which was successfully managed with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure vs. High Flow Nasal Cannula in children with acute severe or moderate bronchiolitis. A systematic review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and effectiveness of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) vs. High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) to prevent therapeutic failure and the need of invasive ventilation in children with acute moderate-severe bronchiolitis. DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis. SETTING: Medline, Embase, Lilacs, Cochrane and gray literature (May 2020) was performed. PARTICIPANTS: Randomized clinical trials patients with moderate to severe bronchiolitis. MAIN VARIABLES: Therapeutic failure, need for invasive ventilation, adverse events, length of PCCU and of hospital stay. INTERVENTION: The quality of the studies was assessed with the Cochrane risk and bias tool. We conducted meta-analysis using fixed effect model and random effects model. RESULTS: Three RCTs were included. Showed less risk of therapeutic failure with CPAP compared with HFNC (RR=0.7; 95%CI 0.5-0.99) developed hours later in patients with CPAP (MD=3.16; 95%CI 1.55-4.77). We did not find differences in other outcomes, such as need of invasive ventilation (RR=0.60; 95%CI 0.25-1.43), apnea (RR=0.40; 95%CI 0.08-1.99), or number of days in the intensive care unit (MD=0.02; 95%CI -0.38 to 0.42), and length of hospitalization (MD=-1.00; 95%IC -2.66 to 0.66). Adverse events (skin lesions) were more common with CPAP (RR 2.47; 95%CI 1.17-5.22). CONCLUSIONS: In moderate/severe bronchiolitis CPAP demonstrated a lower risk of therapeutic failure and a longer time to failure. But more adverse events like nasal injury. There were no differences in other variables.

Adherence to Long-Term Oxygen Therapy. Influence of Tobacco Use. / Cumplimiento de la oxigenoterapia crónica domiciliaria. Influencia del consumo de tabaco.

INTRODUCTION: Domiciliary oxygen therapy (DOT) is a treatment that requires a high level of cooperation from patients due to the time it takes every day. A high level of non-compliance has been determined among patients receiving DOT. The aim of our study was to assess the level of non-compliance and the influence of active tobacco consumption on compliance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients were monitored in the home using direct and indirect methods, to assess both compliance and tobacco consumption. RESULTS: The level of non-compliance detected by indirect methods was 22.6%, and 66.3% by direct methods. Tobacco consumption determined by indirect methods was 5.8%-8%, depending on the method used, and 16.2% when CO in exhaled air ≥10ppm was established as an indicator of tobacco use. The group of smokers complied with oxygen therapy for a significantly fewer number of hours per day (P<.001) than non-smokers. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high level of therapeutic non-compliance and a significant percentage of patients receiving DOT continue to smoke. Compliance must be monitored, and the correct use of DOT must be emphasized. Additional efforts should also be made to help smokers with DOT to stop smoking, since continued smoking impacts negatively on therapeutic non-compliance.

New Perspectives in Oxygen Therapy Titration: Is Automatic Titration the Future? / Nuevas perspectivas en la titulación de la oxigenoterapia: ¿es la titulación automática el futuro?

Oxygen therapy, like all technology-based treatments, is continuously evolving. There are no doubts as to its effectiveness in the treatment of acute and respiratory failure in different clinical scenarios. However, the dosing guidelines for oxygen therapy are not as strict as for other treatments. The use of higher than necessary flows over excessively long periods, derived from the clinician's perception of it as a 'life-saving treatment with few side effects', has led to a rather liberal use of this intervention, despite evidence that overuse and suboptimal adjustment can be harmful. The titration of oxygen therapy, which is traditionally performed manually, has been shown to be beneficial. Recently, new devices have been developed that automatically adjust oxygen flow rates to the needs of each patient, in order to maintain stable oxygen saturation levels. These closed-loop oxygen supply systems can potentially reduce medical error, improve morbidity and mortality, and reduce care costs. Familiarizing the medical community with these technological advances will improve awareness of the risks of the inappropriate use of oxygen therapy. The aim of this paper is to provide an update of recent developments in oxygen therapy titration.

[Usefulness of early lung ultrasound in acute mild-moderate acute bronchiolitis. A pilot study]. / Utilidad de la ecografía pulmonar precoz en bronquiolitis aguda leve-moderada: estudio piloto.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between the findings seen in early lung ultrasound with the clinical severity scales, and its association with the subsequent progression of the mild-moderate acute bronchiolitis (AB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: An observational prospective study conducted on infants with mild-moderate BA, using lung ultrasound in the first 24hours of hospital care. The lung involvement was graded (range 0-50 points) based on an ultrasound score (ScECO) and 2routinely used clinical scales: the modified Wood Downes Ferres (WDFM), and the Hospital Sant Joan de Deu (HSJD). The relationship between the ScECO and the subsequent clinical progression (admission to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), days in hospital, and days of oxygen therapy), was also determined. RESULTS: The study included a total of 59 patients, with a median age of 90 days (IQR: 30-270 days). The median ScECO score was 6 points (2-8) in the patients that did not require hospital admission, with 9 points (5-13.7) admitted to the ward, and 17 (14.5-18) in the patients who needed to be transferred from the ward to the PICU (P=.001). The ScECO had a moderate lineal association with the WDFM scale (rho=0.504, P<.001) and the HSJD (rho=0.518; P<.001). The ScECO was associated with admission to PICU [OR 2.5 (95% CI: 1.1-5.9); P=.035], longer hospital stay [1.2 days 95% CI: 0.55-1.86); P=.001] and duration of oxygen therapy [0.87 days (95% CI: 0.26-1.48); P=.006]. CONCLUSIONS: There is a moderate correlation between early lung ultrasound findings with the severity of the AB evaluated by the clinical scales, as well as some relationship with the clinical progression.

Oxigenoterapia hiperbárica como coadyuvante en el tratamiento del pie diabético / Hyperbaric oxygentherapy as an adjuvant in the treatment of diabetic foot

Las úlceras de pie diabético afectan alrededor del 20 % de los pacientes. Estas afectan la calidad de vida e incrementan el riesgo de mortalidad, como principales complicaciones. El tratamiento actual incluye la utilización de medicamentos y la desbridación quirúrgica del tejido ulcerado. Dentro de sus terapias coadyuvantes se destaca el uso de la oxigenoterapia hiperbárica que reduce el riesgo de sus complicaciones. Por esto se busca describir el uso de la oxigenoterapia hiperbárica como coadyuvante en el tratamiento de pie diabético. Por lo tanto, se realizó una revisión bibliográfica utilizando bases de datos: PubMed, Elsevier, SciELO, y en los idiomas español e inglés, publicados entre 2018 y 2023. La oxigenoterapia hiperbárica consiste en colocar al paciente en un entorno de mayor presión, con concentraciones de oxígeno cercanas al 100 %, resultando en efectos antiinflamatorios. El abordaje del pie diabético debe ser multidisciplinario con el fin de lograr una pronta recuperación, incluyendo abordaje farmacológico dando manejo al dolor neuropático y a la curación de las infecciones. La oxigenoterapia hiperbárica se ha considerado como tratamiento coadyuvante al aumentar el porcentaje de curación completa a un 33,3 %, facilitando la curación, aumentando y reduciendo el dolor percibido. Se concluye que efectivamente existen publicaciones que respaldan el uso de la oxigenoterapia hiperbárica adicional a la terapéutica convencional ya que mejora la tasa de curación y reduce el riesgo de amputaciones mayores

Diabetic foot ulcers affect about 20 % of patients. They affect the quality of life and increase the risk of mortality, as main complication. Treatment currently includes the use of drugs and surgical debridement of the ulcerated tissue. Among its coadjuvant therapies, the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy stands out as it reduces the risk of complications. This study seeks to describe the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjuvant in the treatment of diabetic foot. A literature review was conducted using databases: PubMed, Elsevier, SciELO, and in Spanish and English languages, published between 2018 and 2023. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy consists of placing the patient in a higher-pressure environment, with oxygen concentrations close to 100 %, resulting in anti-inflammatory effects. The approach to the diabetic foot should be multidisciplinary in order to achieve early recovery, including a pharmacological approach to manage neuropathic pain and cure infections. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been considered as a coadjuvant treatment by increasing the percentage of complete healing to 33.3 %, facilitating healing, increasing and reducing the perceived pain. It concluded that there are publications that support the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in addition to conventional therapy, because it improves the healing rate and reduces the risk of major amputations

[What is the optimal flow on starting high-flow oxygen therapy for bronchiolitis treatment in paediatric wards?] / ¿Cuál es el flujo inicial idóneo en la oxigenoterapia de alto flujo para el tratamiento de la bronquiolitis en las plantas de hospitalización?

INTRODUCTION: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a safe and effective treatment in bronchiolitis in paediatric wards. The optimal flow on starting HFNC is still unknown. The main aim of this study was to determine if there were differences in clinical outcome of patients according the initial flow. METHODS: A prospective, observational and analytical study was conducted between 2014 and 2016 on infants admitted with bronchiolitis and who required HFNC. Two cohorts were established according to the initial flow: cohort1: flow 15L/min (HFNC-15), and cohort2: flow 10L/min (HFNC-10). Treatment failure was defined as the presentation of apnoea or the absence of clinical improvement in the first 12-24hours. Multivariate probabilistic models were built to identify predictive variables of treatment failure. RESULTS: A total of 57 patients were included. The median age was 4months (IQR 2-13), and 54% received treatment with HFNC-10 and 46% with HFNC-15. In HFNC-15 cohort, respiratory rate (RR) decreased in the first hour, and in the HFNC-10 cohort in the first 6hours (P=.03). In HFNC-10 cohort, treatment failure rate was 71%, compared to 15% of HFNC-15 (P<.01). Admission to PICU was required in 35% of the HFNC-10 group vs 18% in HFNC-15 (P=.11). No adverse effects were found. CONCLUSIONS: The use of HFNC 15L/min in bronchiolitis treatment in paediatric wards is safe and effective, achieves a faster improvement of respiratory rate and has a lower treatment failure rate.