Research Progress on the Prevention of Premature Infant Lung Injury and Neonatal Respiratory Support

In the past 40 years,advances in neonatal intensive care unit(NICU)technology have enabled premature infants with lower birth weight and younger gestational age to survive.But with it comes an increase in the incidence of long-term respiratory dysfunction,mainly in the form of bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD).Preventing lung injury is crucial for preventing BPD and improving the long-term prognosis of premature infants.Therefore,how to avoid ventilator-associated lung injury has become a focus of clinical and scientific research in premature infants in recent years.This article will elaborate on the susceptibility and pathophysiology of premature infant lung injury,ventilation strategies for preventing lung injury,and new advances in neonatal respiratory support.

Respiratory Support in Severely or CriticallyⅢICU Patients With COVID-19 in Wuhan,China

Summary:This case series aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of severely or critically ill patients with COVID-19 and compare the clinical characteristics of patients who received invasive respiratory support with those of patients who received noninvasive respiratory support.We included all confirmed severe or critical illness cases of COVID-19 admitted to the Intensive Care Unit(ICU)of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University,a COVID-19-designated hospital,from January 8 to March 12,2020.Cases were analyzed for cpidemiological,demographic,clinical,APACHE II,SOFA,radiological features and laboratory data.Outcomes of all patients were followed up as of March 12,2020.This newly emerging virus had caused 55 confirmed severe or critical illness cases in ICU of a COVID-19-designated hospital.Most of the infected patients were men;more than half had underlying diseases,including hypertension,coronary artery disease and diabetes.The median age was 63 years old.Common symptoms at onset of ilness were fever,fatigue and dry cough.Five(9.1%)hospitalized patients were presumed to have been infected in the hospital,and 4(7.3%)health care workers were infected in their work.Of the 55 confirmed severe or critical ilncss cases,10(18.2%)patients died during the follow-up period as of March 12 with the median follow-up period of 28 days(interquartile range 1635).Nine patients received VV-ECMO for severe respiratory failure and 4(44.4%)patients died.Moreover,28 patients received invasive respiratory support and 14(50.0%)patients died.In this single-center study,55 severely or critically ill ICU patients were confirmed to have COVID-19 in Wuhan and the overall mortality was 29.1%。Totally 28(50.9%)of severely or critically ill ICU patients received invasive respiratory support and 14(50.0%)died during the follow-up period.

The Relation between Role of Serum Cortisol Level and Response to Various Respiratory Support Strategies among Preterm Infants

Introduction: Preterm infants are liable to various health problems including respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). There is variation in response to respiratory support. In preterm infants, cortisol hormone is secreted by the adrenocortical gland in response to stress. Objectives: To compare the serum cortisol levels in blood among preterm infants who needed different respiratory support strategies e.g. headbox, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), intubation surfactant extubation (INSURE) and mechanical ventilation (MV) and to correlate the cortisol levels to the severity of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Material and Methods: Observational prospective study that assessed the serum cortisol levels in preterm infants with RDS after initial respiratory support aged 28 - 34 gestational weeks that were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Al Zahraa hospital of Al-Azhar University and Al-Estekama hospital between February 2019 and November 2019. Infants were classified into three groups, Group 1: 29 infants with severe RDS who needed a mechanical ventilator. Ten of them needed surfactant therapy. Group 2: 33 infants with moderate RDS who needed CPAP. Three of them needed surfactant therapy. Group 3: 28 infants with symptoms of mild RDS who needed headbox. None of them needed surfactant therapy. Blood samples were collected on the first day of life and were processed using the colorimetric ELISA method. Demographic and medical information was collected. Results: A total of 90 preterm infants were included. The serum cortisol reference was 4.3 - 22.4 mg/dl. Group 1 showed significantly higher serum cortisol levels compared to group 2 and group 3 (39.22 ± 9.91 mg/dl vs 28.96 ± 6.48 mg/dl vs 25.88 ± 5.42 mg/dl) respectively, (P-value = 0.001). Infants in group 2 who needed surfactant therapy had higher serum cortisol levels than those who did not need surfactant therapy (32.30 ± 5.92 mg/dl vs 28.33 ± 6.27 mg/dl). The serum cortisol levels were observed having a negative correlation with gestational age and birth weight. No significant differences were observed in terms of gender or type of delivery. Conclusion: Cortisol levels had a positive correlation with the severity of RDS who needed various respiratory support strategies.

Simplified lung ultrasound method to predict the respiratory support needs of neonates whose mothers had pregnancy complications: a diagnostic accuracy study

Objective:Some pregnancy complications are associated with respiratory problems in infants.Early identification and implementation of respiratory support are needed for these infants.This study aimed to(1)use lung ultrasound(LU)for predicting the respiratory support requirements of infants and(2)simplify the examination method to facilitate its clinical application.Methods:Neonates underwent LU examinations within 1 hour of birth.The infants were divided into a pregnancy complication(PC)group and a control group according to their mothers'clinical data.The primary outcome measure was the need for respiratory support.Predictive models were established based on the differences in LU patterns between the two groups.The predictive value of the models was compared with that of the LU score(LUS)system,which has been widely used in other studies.Simplified models were established by analyzing the predictive effects of LU patterns in different parts of the lungs.Predictive reliability was tested using the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.Results:PC and control groups had 29 and 117 neonates,respectively;a total of 22 neonates required respiratory support.The PC and control groups showed differences in respiratory support requirements,A-lines,and coalesced B-lines.The percentages of A-lines and coalesced B-lines were associated with respiratory support requirements.The optimal cutoff values for the percentages of the A-lines and coalesced B-lines were 55.7%and 24.5%,respectively.Similar effects were obtained by calculating the percentage of coalesced B-lines in four areas(R3,R4,L3,and L4).These methods were judged as more visual and convenient than LUS assessment.conclusion:The percentages of A-line and coalesced B-lines on LU images can be used to predict the respiratory support needs of neonates whose mothers had pregnancy complications.Only four areas(R3,R4,L3,and L4)had similar predictive values.

Respiratory support for severe acute respiratory syndrome: integration of efficacy and safety

Severe acute respiratory syndrome （SARS） is an acute respiratory illness caused by infection with the SARS virus. The most obvious clinical characteristic of SARS is rapidly progressive pneumonia, and about 20% patients need intensive care due to acute lung injury （ALI） and acute respiratory distress syndrome （ARDS）.1-3 In the absence of effective drugs for SARS, supportive care, especially respiratory support techniques （RSTs）, is of primary importance. On the other hand, offering RSTs to SARS patients may carry a high-risk of infection to healthcare workers because of the high infectivity of SARS. Therefore, the strategy of RSTs for SARS should be the integration of efficacy and safety. In this issue of the Chinese Medical Journal, an article from Hong Kong has retrospectively compared both the safety and efficacy of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation （NIPPV） with that of invasive mechanical ventilation （IMV） in the treatment of respiratory failure in SARS.

Assessment of respiratory support decision and the outcome of invasive mechanical ventilation in severe COVID-19 with ARDS

Background:The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is an ongoing pandemic.Invasive mechanical ventilation(IMV)is essential for the management of COVID-19 with acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).We aimed to assess the impact of compliance with a respiratory decision support system on the outcomes of patients with COVID-19-associated ARDS who required IMV.Methods:In this retrospective,single-center,case series study,patients with COVID-19-associated ARDS who required IMV at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University,China,from January 8th,2020,to March 24th,2020,with the final follow-up date of April 20th,2020,were included.Demographic,clinical,laboratory,imaging,and management information were collected and analyzed.Compliance with the respiratory support decision system was documented,and its relationship with 28-day mortality was evaluated.Results:The study included 46 COVID-19-associated ARDS patients who required IMV.The median age of the 46 patients was 68.5 years,and 31 were men.The partial pressure of arterial oxygen(PaO_(2))/fraction of inspired oxygen(FiO_(2))ratio at intensive care unit(ICU)admission was 104 mmHg.The median total length of IMV was 12.0(interquartile range[IQR]:6.0–27.3)days,and the median respiratory support decision score was 11.0(IQR:7.8–16.0).To 28 days after ICU admission,18(39.1%)patients died.Survivors had a significantly higher respiratory support decision score than non-survivors(15.0[10.3–17.0]vs.8.5(6.0–10.3),P=0.001).Using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve to assess the discrimination of respiratory support decision score to 28-day mortality,the area under the curve(AUC)was 0.796(95%confidence interval[CI]:0.657–0.934,P=0.001)and the cut-offwas 11.5(sensitivity=0.679,specificity=0.889).Patients with a higher score(>11.5)were more likely to survive at 28 days after ICU admission(log-rank test,P<0.001).Conclusions:For severe COVID-19-associated ARDS with IMV,following the respiratory support decision and assessing completion would improve the progress of ventilation.With a decision score of>11.5,the mortality at 28 days after ICU admission showed an obvious decrease.

Pulmonary rehabilitation protocols in urgent lung transplantation patients

BACKGROUND:Prolonged invasive respiratory support and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)in patients requiring urgent lung transplantation(ULTx)present signifi cant challenges to clinical practice due to severe underlying diseases and complex conditions.The aim of the study was to report the clinical outcomes of patients who received ULTx and followed the perioperative rehabilitation protocol implemented in a lung transplant center.METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted in ULTx patients who required preoperative invasive mechanical ventilation(IMV)and ECMO between January 2018 and January 2023.Data were retrieved from electronic medical records at our lung transplant center.RESULTS:Fourteen patients(mean age 57.43±10.97 years;12 males,2 females)underwent ULTx with bridging ECMO and IMV.The mean body mass index was 23.94±3.33 kg/m²,and the mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation(APACHE)II score was 21.50±3.96.The Nutritional Risk Screening 2002(NRS 2002)scores were≥3.ULTx was performed after an 8.5-day waiting period(interquartile interval[IQR]5.0-26.5 d).Following the surgeries,the average lengths of ECMO and IMV were 1.0(IQR 1.0-2.0)d and 5.0(IQR 3.0-7.3)d,respectively.The total length of hospital stay was 60.1±30.8 d,with an average intensive care unit stay of 38.3±22.9 d and post-operative hospitalization stay of 45.8±26.1 d.Two patients died within 30 d after ULTx,with a 30-day survival rate of 85.71%.CONCLUSION:Patients receiving ULTx showed an acceptable short-term survival rate,validating the practicality and safety of the treatment protocols implemented in our center.

Use of a modified tracheal tube in a child with traumatic bronchial rupture:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Trauma is one of the leading causes of death in the pediatric population.Bronchial rupture is rare,but there are potentially severe complications.Establishing and maintaining a patent airway is the key issue in patients with bronchial rupture.Here we describe an innovative method for maintaining a patent airway.CASE SUMMARY A 3-year-old boy fell from the seventh floor.Oxygenation worsened rapidly with pulse oxygen saturation decreasing below 60%,as his heart rate dropped.Persistent pneumothorax was observed with insertion of the chest tube.Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed,which confirmed the diagnosis of bronchial rupture.A modified tracheal tube was inserted under the guidance of a fiberoptic bronchoscope.Pulse oxygen saturation improved from 60%to 90%.Twelve days after admission,right upper lobectomy was performed using bronchial stump suture by video-assisted thoracic surgery without complications.A follow-up chest radiograph showed good recovery.The child was discharged from hospital three months after admission.CONCLUSION A modified tracheal tube could be selected to ensure a patent airway and adequate ventilation in patients with bronchial rupture.

Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) in the Pregnant Patient: A Case Series

Rationale: Acute respiratory failure is an uncommon complication of pregnancy. However, it is the most frequent organ dysfunction associated with obstetric admissions to an intensive care unit. The obstetric population is a different group due to its physiology and the presence of the fetus that lacks evidence in the literature within the subject of ventilatory support. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) is often avoided due to the lack of knowledge on the safety and efficacy of this modality. Currently, there are no guidelines for the management of respiratory failure in pregnancy. Objectives: To provide evidence in support of the use of NIPPV as a safe and reasonable modality for pregnant patients with respiratory failure. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 29 pregnant patients of the Obstetric Critical Care Unit of a tertiary hospital in Panamá City who received NIPPV from 2013 to 2015. Failure to response was defined as the lack of increase in the paO2/FiO2 ratio or clinical deterioration 6 hours after initiating NIPPV. Demographics, indication for NIPPV, duration of treatment, as well as maternal and fetal outcomes were collected. Measurements and Main Results: Mean age was 28.4 ± 6 years, mean body mass index 27.4 ± 3.3, and mean gestational age at admission was 305/7 ± 5 weeks. Twenty-four patients (82.8%) met the criteria for acute lung injury (ALI) and an additional two (6.9%) for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The mean duration of ventilation was 50.6 ± 17.27 hours. Statistically significant differences were noted between the paO2/FiO2 ratios in failure and successful patients within 2 hours of NIPPV therapy (P = 0.007) and paO2/FiO2 ratio within 6 hours of NIPPV therapy (P = 0.03). Success was defined when the patient was administered NIPPV, resulting in an improvement (increase in pa/FiO2 ratio) of her ventilatory parameters. Three patients (10.3%) failed to respond to NIPPV and needed to be converted to invasive mechanical ventilation. Patients who required intubation had a longer duration of ICU stay (P = 0.006) and overall hospital stay (P = 0.03). None of patients presented aspiration during NIPPV therapy. Conclusion: The current series is the largest report of pregnant patients requiring ventilatory support who received NIPPV as first line of therapy. This report shows the usefulness of this ventilation modality, avoiding intubation with its risks, of a significant number of patients, especially ventilator-associated pneumonia.

What we learned in the past year in managing our COVID-19 patients in intensive care units?

Coronavirus disease 2019 is a pandemic,was first recognized at Wuhan province,China in December 2019.The disease spread quickly across the globe,spreading stealthily from human to human through both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals.A multisystem disease which appears to primarily spread via bio aerosols,it has exhibited a wide clinical spectrum involving multiple organ systems with the respiratory system pathology being the prime cause of morbidity and mortality.Initially unleashing a huge destructive trail at Wuhan China,Lombardy Italy and New York City,it has now spread to all parts of the globe and has actively thrived and mutated into new forms.Health care systems and Governments responded initially with panic,with containment measures giving way to mitigation strategies.The global medical and scientific community has come together and responded to this huge challenge.Professional medical societies quickly laid out“expert”guidelines which were conservative in their approach.Many drugs were re formulated and tested quickly with the help of national and international collaborative groups,helping carve out effective treatment strategies and help build a good scientific foundation for evidencebased medicine.Out of the darkness of chaos,we now have an orderly approach to manage this disease both from a public health preventive and therapeutic standpoint.With preventive measures such as masking and social distancing to the development of highly effective and potent vaccines,the public health success of such measures has been tempered by behavioral responses and resource mobilization.From a therapy standpoint,we now have drugs that were promising but now proven ineffective,and those that are effective when given early during viral pathogenesis or later when immune dysregulation has established,and the goal is to help reign in the destructive cascade.It has been a fascinating journey for mankind and our work here recapitulates the evolution of various aspects of critical care and other inpatient practices which continue to evolve.

Efficacy and safety of awake prone positioning in the treatment of non-intubated spontaneously breathing patients with COVID-19-related acute respiratory failure:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic,prone positioning has been widely applied for non-intubated,spontaneously breathing patients.However,the efficacy and safety of prone positioning in non-intubated patients with COVID-19-related acute hypoxemic respiratory failure remain unclear.We aimed to systematically analyze the outcomes associated with awake prone positioning(APP).Methods We conducted a systematic literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE,Cochrane Library,Embase,and Web of Science from January 1,2020,to June 3,2022.This study included adult patients with acute respiratory failure caused by COVID-19.The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses(PRISMA)guidelines were followed,and the study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool.The primary outcome was the reported cumulative intubation risk across randomized controlled trials(RCTs),and the effect estimates were calculated as risk ratios(RRs;95%confidence interval[CI]).Results A total of 495 studies were identified,of which 10 fulfilled the selection criteria,and 2294 patients were included.In comparison to supine positioning,APP significantly reduced the need for intubation in the overall population(RR=0.84,95%CI:0.74–0.95).The two groups showed no significant differences in the incidence of adverse events(RR=1.16,95%CI:0.48–2.76).The meta-analysis revealed no difference in mortality between the groups(RR=0.93,95%CI:0.77–1.11).Conclusions APP was safe and reduced the need for intubation in patients with respiratory failure associated with COVID-19.However,it did not significantly reduce mortality in comparison to usual care without prone positioning.

Perioperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in pediatric congenital heart disease:Chinese expert consensus

Background Congenital heart disease(CHD)is one of the main supportive diseases of extracorporeal membrane oxygena-tion in children.The management of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)for pediatric CHD faces more severe challenges due to the complex anatomical structure of the heart,special pathophysiology,perioperative complications and various concomitant malformations.The survival rate of ECMO for CHD was significantly lower than other classifica-tions of diseases according to the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization database.This expert consensus aims to improve the survival rate and reduce the morbidity of this patient population by standardizing the clinical strategy.Methods The editing group of this consensus gathered 11 well-known experts in pediatric cardiac surgery and ECMO field in China to develop clinical recommendations formulated on the basis of existing evidences and expert opinions.Results The primary concern of ECMO management in the perioperative period of CHD are patient selection,cannulation strategy,pump flow/ventilator parameters/vasoactive drug dosage setting,anticoagulation management,residual lesion screening,fluid and wound management and weaning or transition strategy.Prevention and treatment of complications of bleeding,thromboembolism and brain injury are emphatically discussed here.Special conditions of ECMO management related to the cardiovascular anatomy,haemodynamics and the surgical procedures of common complex CHD should be considered.Conclusions The consensus could provide a reference for patient selection,management and risk identification of periop-erative ECMO in children with CHD.