Analysis of the Effect of Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation in Emergency Treatment of Severe Bronchial Asthma with Respiratory Failure

Objective:This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation(NIPPV)in patients with severe bronchial asthma combined with respiratory failure.Methods:90 patients with severe bronchial asthma combined with respiratory failure between September 2022 and December 2023 were selected for the study and randomly divided into the experimental group(NIPPV-assisted treatment)and the control group.The differences between the two groups were compared in terms of total effective rate of treatment,days of clinical symptom disappearance,days of hospitalization,lung function indexes,incidence of adverse reactions,and quality of life.Results:Patients in the experimental group had a significantly higher total effective rate of treatment(97.78%)than the control group(75.56%).In terms of pulmonary function indexes,patients in the experimental group showed significant improvement after treatment,especially the increase in forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity,while these improvements were not as obvious in the control group.In addition,the incidence of adverse reactions was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group,suggesting that the application of NIPPV is relatively safe.Quality of life assessment also showed that patients in the experimental group had significantly better quality of life than the control group after treatment.Conclusion:This study demonstrated the effectiveness of NIPPV as an adjunctive treatment for severe bronchial asthma combined with respiratory failure.NIPPV can improve lung function,reduce the incidence of adverse effects,increase the overall effectiveness of the treatment,and contribute to the improvement of patients'quality of life.Therefore,NIPPV should be regarded as an effective and safe treatment in clinical management,especially in patients with severe bronchial asthma combined with respiratory failure,where its application has potential clinical significance.

Bedside ultrasonography of optic nerve sheath diameter for detection of raised intracranial pressure in nontraumatic neurocritically ill patients

BACKGROUND Delay in treatment of raised intracranial pressure(ICP)leads to poor clinical outcomes.Optic nerve sheath diameter(ONSD)by ultrasonography(US-ONSD)has shown good accuracy in traumatic brain injury and neurosurgical patients to diagnose raised ICP.However,there is a dearth of data in neuro-medical intensive care unit(ICU)where the spectrum of disease is different.AIM To validate the diagnostic accuracy of ONSD in non-traumatic neuro-critically ill patients.METHODS We prospectively enrolled 114 patients who had clinically suspected raised ICP due to non-traumatic causes admitted in neuro-medical ICU.US-ONSD was performed according to ALARA principles.A cut-off more than 5.7 mm was taken as significantly raised.Raised ONSD was corelated with raised ICP on radiological imaging.Clinical history,general and systemic examination findings,SOFA and APACHE 2 score and patient outcomes were recorded.RESULTS There was significant association between raised ONSD and raised ICP on imaging(P<0.001).The sensitivity,specificity,positive and negative predictive value at this cut-off was 77.55%,89.06%,84.44% and 83.82% respectively.The positive and negative likelihood ratio was 7.09 and 0.25.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves was 0.844.Using Youden’s index the best cut off value for ONSD was 5.75 mm.Raised ONSD was associated with lower age(P=0.007),poorer Glasgow Coma Scale(P=0.009)and greater need for surgical intervention(P=0.006)whereas no statistically significant association was found between raised ONSD and SOFA score,APACHE II score or ICU mortality.Our limitations were that it was a single centre study and we did not perform serial measurements or ONSD pre-and post-treatment or procedures for raised ICP.CONCLUSION ONSD can be used as a screening a test to detect raised ICP in a medical ICU and as a trigger to initiate further management of raised ICP.ONSD can be beneficial in ruling out a diagnosis in a low-prevalence population and rule in a diagnosis in a high-prevalence population.

Epidural Blood Patches Performed with Miethke Sensor Reservoir for Continuous Intracranial Pressure Monitoring

An epidural blood patch (EBP) is a procedure performed by injecting autologous blood into a patient’s epidural space, usually at the site of a suspected CSF leak. It is typically performed in patients with characteristic postural headaches due to low intracranial pressure. We report a case of a young female with an implanted Miethke Sensor Reservoir, which was used for continuous intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring during a two-level epidural blood patch. ICP increased only with thoracic injection, suggesting thoracic EBP may have greater efficacy than lumbar EBP in treating SIH and PDPH when the site of CSF leak is unknown.

Effects of Continuous Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Monitoring on Intraoperative Hemodynamics and Postoperative Myocardial Injury in Craniotomy:Comparison Between Groups Based on Self-Control and Propensity Score Matching

Objective:To explore the effect of continuous non-invasive blood pressure monitoring on intraoperative hemodynamics and postoperative myocardial injury in craniotomy.Methods:120 cases of elective craniotomy were divided into the self-control group(continuous non-invasive blood pressure monitoring and intermittent cuff non-invasive blood pressure monitoring,CNAP group)and propensity score matching group(only intermittent cuff non-invasive blood pressure measurement in previous craniotomy,PSM group);Goal-directed hemodynamic management in CNAP group included heart rate(HR),blood pressure(BP),stroke volume(SV),stroke variability(SVV),and systemic vascular resistance index(SVRI).The main index is to compare the troponin level within 72 hours after operation between the CNAP group and the PSM group;The secondary indicators are the comparison of the hemodynamic conditions between the CNAP group and the PSM at 10 specific time points.Results:The incidence of postoperative myocardial injury in the CNAP group was significantly lower than that in the PSM group(12%vs.30%,P=0.01);in the CNAP group hypotensive episodes(6 vs.3,P=0.01),positive balance of fluid therapy(700 vs.500 mL,P<0.001),more use of vasoactive drugs(29 vs.18,P=0.04),more stable hemodynamics medical status(P=0.03)were recorded.Conclusion:The hemodynamic management strategy based on continuous non-invasive blood pressure monitoring can reduce the incidence of myocardial injury after elective craniotomy and maintain a more stable hemodynamic state.

《A management algorithm for patients with intracranial pressure monitoring:the Seattle International Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Consensus Conference(SIBICC)》解读

2019年国际专家团基于Delphi方法的反复调查和现场讨论,完成了"A management algorithm for patients with intracranial pressure monitoring:the Seattle International Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Consensus Conference(SIBICC)"(简称"共识"),旨在引导对仅行颅内压监测的颅脑创伤患者实施合理的分级管理。本文对"共识"所涉及的"三阶梯颅内压管理流程"、各级治疗措施的应用原则,以及镇静治疗和颅内压监测停撤的判断流程进行解读,以期将国际颅脑创伤神经重症研究进展介绍给读者。

Effects of pulmonary surfactant combined with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome

BACKGROUND Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(NRDS)is one of the most common diseases in neonatal intensive care units,with an incidence rate of about 7%among infants.Additionally,it is a leading cause of neonatal death in hospitals in China.The main mechanism of the disease is hypoxemia and hypercapnia caused by lack of surfactant AIM To explore the effect of pulmonary surfactant(PS)combined with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation on keratin-14(KRT-14)and endothelin-1(ET-1)levels in peripheral blood and the effectiveness in treating NRDS.METHODS Altogether 137 neonates with respiratory distress syndrome treated in our hospital from April 2019 to July 2021 were included.Of these,64 control cases were treated with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation and 73 observation cases were treated with PS combined with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation.The expression of KRT-14 and ET-1 in the two groups was compared.The deaths,complications,and PaO_(2),PaCO_(2),and PaO_(2)/FiO_(2)blood gas indexes in the two groups were compared.Receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)analysis was used to determine the diagnostic value of KRT-14 and ET-1 in the treatment of NRDS.RESULTS The observation group had a significantly higher effectiveness rate than the control group.There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of neonatal mortality and adverse reactions,such as bronchial dysplasia,cyanosis,and shortness of breath.After treatment,the levels of PaO_(2)and PaO_(2)/FiO_(2)in both groups were significantly higher than before treatment,while the level of PaCO_(2)was significantly lower.After treatment,the observation group had significantly higher levels of PaO_(2)and PaO_(2)/FiO_(2)than the control group,while PaCO_(2)was notably lower in the observation group.After treatment,the KRT-14 and ET-1 levels in both groups were significantly decreased compared with the pre-treatment levels.The observation group had a reduction of KRT-14 and ET-1 levels than the control group.ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of KRT-14 was 0.791,and the AUC of ET-1 was 0.816.CONCLUSION Combining PS with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation significantly improved the effectiveness of NRDS therapy.KRT-14 and ET-1 levels may have potential as therapeutic and diagnostic indicators.

Advances in the Research Application of Ultrasound Non-Invasive Stress-Strain Loop Technology in Cardiovascular Diseases

The ultrasound pressure-strain loop (PSL) technique is a non-invasive method of examining myocardial work, which takes into account the effect of cardiac afterload on deformation and combines the overall longitudinal strain force of the left ventricle with the changes in the left ventricular pressure, allowing earlier detection of possible subclinical cardiac damage in patients, and a more accurate and non-invasive assessment of the patient’s myocardial work performance. In this article, we will discuss the progress of PSL applications in cardiovascular diseases.

Intracranial pressure monitoring:Gold standard and recent innovations

Intracranial pressure monitoring (ICP) is based on the doctrine proposed by Monroe and Kellie centuries ago. With the advancement of technology and science, various invasive and non-invasive modalities of monitoring ICP continue to be developed. An ideal monitor to track ICP should be easy to use, accurate, reliable, reproducible, inexpensive and should not be associated with infection or haemorrhagic complications. Although the transducers connected to the extra ventricular drainage continue to be Gold Standard, its association with the likelihood of infection and haemorrhage have led to the search for alternate noninvasive methods of monitoring ICP. While Camino transducers, Strain gauge micro transducer based ICP monitoring devices and the Spiegelberg ICP monitor are the emerging technology in invasive ICP monitoring, optic nerve sheath diameter measurement, venous opthalmodynamometry, tympanic membrane displacement, tissue resonance analysis, tonometry, acoustoelasticity, distortionproduct oto-acoustic emissions, trans cranial doppler, electro encephalogram, near infra-red spectroscopy, pupillometry, anterior fontanelle pressure monitoring, skull elasticity, jugular bulb monitoring, visual evoked response and radiological based assessment of ICP are the non-invasive methods which are assessed against the gold standard.

Prognostic value of intracranial pressure monitoring for the management of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage following minimally invasive surgery

BACKGROUND:The incidence of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage(HICH)has been increasing during the recent years in low-and middle-income countries.With high mortality and morbidity rates,it brings huge burden to the families.It lacks evidence regarding the application of intracranial pressure(ICP)monitoring in HICH.In the current study,the authors aimed to evaluate whether ICP monitoring could make any difference on the prognosis of HICH patients after minimally invasive surgery.METHODS:A retrospective review of 116 HICH patients admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine,between 2014 and 2016,was performed.The effects of ICP monitoring on 6-month mortality and favorable outcomes were evaluated by univariate and logistic regression analysis.RESULTS:ICP monitors were inserted into 50 patients.Patients with ICP monitoring had a significantly better outcome(P<0.05).The average in-hospital duration in patients with ICP monitoring was shorter than that in the patients without ICP monitoring(16.68 days vs.20.47 days,P<0.05).Mortality rates between ICP monitoring and no ICP monitoring did not differ significantly(16.0%vs.15.1%,P=0.901).On univariate analysis,age,Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)on admission and presence of ICP monitor were independent predictors of 6-month favorable outcomes.CONCLUSION:ICP monitoring is associated with a better 6-month functional outcome compared with no ICP monitoring.Future study is still needed to confirm our results and elucidate which subgroup of HICH patients will benefit most from the minimally invasive surgical intervention and ICP monitoring.

Amendment on the strain measurement of thin-walled human skull shell as intracranial pressure changes

The human skull, composed of tabula extema, tabula intema, and a porous diploe sandwiched in between, is deformed with changing intracranial pressure （ICP）. Because the human skull＇s thickness is only 6 mm, it is simplified as a thin-walled shell. The objective of this article is to analyze the strain of the thin-wailed shell by the stress-strain calculation of a human skull with changing ICP. Under the same loading conditions, using finite element analysis （FEA）, the strains of the human skull were calculated and the results were compared with the measurements of the simulative experiment in vitro. It is demonstrated that the strain of the thin-walled shell is totally measured by pasting the one-way strain foils on the exterior surface of the shell with suitable amendment for data. The amendment scope of the measured strain values of the thin-walled shell is from 13.04% to 22.22%.

Changes of Nitric Oxide and Its Relationship with Clinical Features,Intracranial Pressure and Outcome in Acute Head Injury

To investigate the content and dynamics of nitric oxide (NO) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with acute head injury and to clarify the relationship of NO with clinical features and intracranial pressure (ICP) as well as outcomes, 38 adults with acute head injury were studied. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) obtained at admission and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) 3 months after injury was assessed. ICP was surveyed via intraventricular catheter and lumbar puncture and CSF samples were obtained simultaneously. NO was determined with Griess reagents. Results showed that NO peak content in the head injury group was significantly higher than that of the control group. During dynamic research, no peak content of mildly injured cases and severely injured ones appeared in different time windows respectively. The peak value of NO was distinctly higher in the severe group than in the mild group. NO peak value of the raised ICP group was remarkably higher than that of the normal ICP group. The peak value of NO was considerately higher in the poor outcome group than in the good outcome group. When the content of NO was over 6. 5 μmol/L, the rate of poor outcome was increased. There existed a correlation between NO and GCS, ICP and GOS. It is concluded that the content of NO was increased in patients with acute head injury and the changes of NO had different time windows in severely injured patients and mildly injured ones. The more sever the injury, the higher the NO content; and the more serious the secondary brain injury and brain edema, the worse the outcomes. When NO is combined with GCS, GOS and ICP, it increases the accuracy of judgement to the degree of head injury and outcome.

Outcomes of high-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients treated with coiling and ventricular intracranial pressure monitoring

BACKGROUND High-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a devastating disease with a low favorable outcome.Elevated intracranial pressure is a substantial feature of high-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage that can result to secondary brain injury.Early control of intracranial pressure including decompressive craniectomy and external ventricular drainage had been reported to be associated with improved outcomes.But in recent years,little is known whether external ventricular drainage and intracranial pressure monitoring after coiling could improve outcomes in high-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.AIM To investigate the outcomes of high-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with coiling and ventricular intracranial pressure monitoring.METHODS A retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of high-grade patients treated between Jan 2016 and Jun 2017 was performed.In our center,followed by continuous intracranial pressure monitoring,the use of ventricular pressure probe for endovascular coiling and invasive intracranial pressure monitoring in the acute phase is considered to be the first choice for the treatment of high-grade patients.We retrospectively analyzed patient characteristics,radiological features,intracranial pressure monitoring parameters,complications,mortality and outcome.RESULTS A total of 36 patients were included,and 32(88.89%)survived.The overall mortality rate was 11.11%.No patient suffered from aneurysm re-rupture.The intracranial pressure in 33 patients(91.67%)was maintained within the normal range by ventricular drainage during the treatment.A favorable outcome was achieved in 18 patients(50%)with 6 mo follow-up.Delayed cerebral ischemia and Glasgow coma scale were considered as significant predictors of outcome(2.066 and-0.296,respectively,P<0.05).CONCLUSION Ventricular intracranial pressure monitoring may effectively maintain the intracranial pressure within the normal range.Despite the small number of cases in the current work,high-grade patients may benefit from a combination therapy of early coiling and subsequent ventricular intracranial pressure monitoring.

Closed cranial window rodent model for investigating hemodynamic response to elevated intracranial pressure

Background:Elevated intracranial pressure(ICP)occurs in several physiological and pathological conditions,yet long-term sequellae are not common,which implies that blood flow is preserved above ischemic thresholds.Methods:This pilot study sought to confirm this hypothesis using a closed cranial window model in a rat in which ICP was elevated to 120 mmHg for 12 min,and superficial cortical perfusion was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry and laser speckle flowmetry.Results:Following a transient increase,cortical blood flow decreased to between 25%and 75%of baseline.These levels correspond to disrupted metabolism and decreased protein synthesis but did not exceed thresholds for electrical signaling or membrane integrity.This may partially explain how some episodes of elevated ICP remain benign.Conclusion:The closed cranial window model provides a platform for prospective study of physiologic responses to artificially elevated ICP during neurosurgery to promote hemostasis.

Effect of lung lavage via fiber bronchoscope combined with non-invasive positive pressure ventilation on the blood gas results and systemic state of patients with COPD complicated by severe pneumonia

Objective: To discuss the effect of lung lavage via fiber bronchoscope combined with non-invasive positive pressure ventilation on the blood gas results and systemic state of patients with COPD complicated by severe pneumonia. Methods: A total of 68 patients with COPD complicated by severe pneumonia who were treated in the hospital between November 2015 and April 2017 were collected, retrospectively analyzed and then divided into the group A (n=35) who received noninvasive positive pressure ventilation and the group B (n=33) who received lung lavage via fiber bronchoscope combined with non-invasive positive pressure ventilation. The differences in arterial blood gas and serum index levels were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results: Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in arterial blood gas index levels as well as serum contents of inflammatory mediators, stress hormones and myocardial enzyme spectrum indexes between the two groups. After treatment, arterial blood gas indexes PH and PaO2 levels of group B were higher than those of group A;serum inflammatory mediators HMGB1, PCT and hs-CRP contents were lower than those of group A;serum stress hormones Cor, AngⅠ and AngⅡcontents were lower than those of group A;serum myocardial enzyme spectrum indexesα-HBDH and cTn-Ⅰ contents were lower than those of group A. Conclusion: Lung lavage via fiber bronchoscope combined with non-invasive positive pressure ventilation can effectively optimize the arterial blood gas levels, reduce systemic inflammatory stress state and protect the myocardial function of patients with COPD complicated by severe pneumonia.

Increased intracranial pressure and macular thickening:is there a link?

Dear Editor,I am Dr. Hamid Sajjadi, director of Neuro-Ophthalmology at San Jose Eye and Laser Medical Center in California USA and director of Department of Ophthalmology, Acacia Medical Center, Dubai, UAE. I write to present three cases of macular thickening (MT) and micro-papilledema associated with increased intracranial pressure (IICP).

Intracranial Pressure and the Role of the Vagus Nerve: A Hypothesis

There is reason to believe that the vagus nerve carries sensory afferent messages from the intracranial cavity as it does from the other body cavities. Considering the arachnoid granulations as a secretory apparatus instead of an organ transporting cerebrospinal fluid, a simple model can be built. Assuming that the arachnoid granulations produce nitric oxide in accordance with changes in the intracranial pressure, the jugular foramen with the vagus nerve lying just subendothelially is where this message would be received. Other chemical substances from the granulations or other intracranial tissues could of course also act as messengers. This would mean that the brain stem could adjust to changes in intracranial pressure with small changes in cerebral venous resistance. The general idea is that intracranial pressure is a passive function of the intracranial pressure-volume relationship. But the hypothesis suggests that the vagus nerve constantly mediates changes in intracranial pressure to the brain stem that can rapidly adjust cerebral venous resistance. This control is totally intracranial and easily overridden by considerable changes in absorption of spinal fluid or intracranial calamities. This article looks for clues in support of the idea that the vagus nerve mediates intracranial pressure changes to the brain stem.

Research Progresses in Effects of Analgesics and Sedatives on Intracranial Pressure of Neurointensive Care Patients

At present, there are some concerns and problems to treat neurointensive care patients by using analgesics and sedatives. Conditions of neurointensive care patients change quickly. For neurointensive care patients who cannot have auxiliary examination timely, clinicians judge intracranial conditions mainly through relevant monitoring devices and consciousness and pupil changes of patients. The use of analgesics and sedatives is limited due to worry about influences on consciousness evaluation and judgment and different degrees of inhibition on cardiovascular system and respiratory system. Common sedatives (e.g. benzodiazepines) and common analgesics (e.g. morphine, fentanyl and sufentanil) both may inhibit respiration. The specification often provides taboos for the use of drugs by patients with increase intracranial pressure (ICP) and craniocerebral injuries. Through literature review, the author analyzed influences of analgesics and sedatives on ICP of neurointensive care patients comprehensively.

Forearm Loss Caused by Automated Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Cuff Malfunction: A Hearsay Report

Failure of an automated blood pressure cuff to deflate when a patient is under general anesthesia can lead to catastrophic consequences if unnoticed for more than three hours [1]. We present this as a hearsay case in which an automated blood pressure cuff of the Spacelabs Ultraview Clinical Workstation monitor (model No. 90385) applied pressure for about five hours resulting in limb thrombosis. In order to analyze this catastrophe, simulation scenarios were tested to elucidate the possible errors and malfunctions that may have led to this injury. We present the analysis of the advantages and validity of the hearsay case report. We also include our proposed criteria that should be required when a hearsay case is considered for publication.

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.

Clinical significance of large decompressive craniectomy to control intractable increased intracranial pressure in patients with traumatic brain injury

Objective To investigate the role of decompressive craniectomy (DC) to decrease intractable intracranial hypertension(ICH) due to diffuse brain swelling and / or cerebral edema after severe traumatic brain injury and the time window of DC to affect on prognosis. Methods The clinical record of 132 patients who underwent DC for posttraumatic intractable ICH in our hospital from July 2003 to