The role of ROX index-based intubation in COVID-19 pneumonia: a cross-sectional comparison and retrospective survival analysis.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with acute respiratory failure who experience delayed initiation of invasive mechanical ventilation have poor outcomes. The lack of objective measures to define the timing of intubation is an area of concern. We investigated the effect of timing of intubation based on respiratory rate-oxygenation (ROX) index on the outcomes of COVID-19 pneumonia. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study performed in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Kerala, India. Patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who were intubated were grouped into early intubation (within 12 hours of ROX index <4.88) or delayed intubation (12 hours or more hours after ROX <4.88). RESULTS: A total of 58 patients was included in the study after exclusions. Among them, 20 patients were intubated early, and 38 patients were intubated 12 hours after ROX index <4.88. The mean age of the study population was 57±14 years, and 55.0% of the patients were male; diabetes mellitus (48.3%) and hypertension (50.0%) were the most common comorbidities. The early intubation group had 88.2% successful extubation, while only 11.8% of the delayed group had successful extubation (P<0.001). Survival was also significantly more frequent in the early intubation group. CONCLUSIONS: Early intubation within 12 hours of ROX index <4.88 was associated with improved extubation and survival in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Post extubation swallowing in critical patients with and without COVID-19 during the pandemic / Deglución post extubación de pacientes críticos con y sin diagnóstico de COVID-19 durante la pandemia

Estudios previos han caracterizado la disfagia en pacientes críticos hospitalizados que requieren intubación y ventilación mecánica invasiva. A raíz de la pandemia COVID-19 es necesario conocer las características deglutorias de pacientes diagnosticados con la enfermedad para su manejo. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar las características deglutorias de pacientes críticos extubados con y sin diagnóstico de COVID-19. Se llevó a cabo un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo con una muestra a conveniencia de 43 sujetos mayores de 15 años, ingresados al Hospital San Juan de Dios (Santiago, Chile) entre el 01 de junio y el 31 de agosto de 2020, intubados con o sin diagnóstico de COVID-19. Del total de sujetos, 22 padecieron de COVID-19 quienes estuvieron significativamente más días intubados que aquellos sin la patología (p=0,002). Inmediatamente posterior a la extubación orotraqueal, más del 90% de la muestra presentó disfagia. No hubo diferencia significativa en el nivel FILS ni asociación significativa en el grado de severidad de la disfagia entre sujetos con y sin COVID-19. Tampoco hubo diferencia significativa en el nivel FILS entre los grupos a los 10 días post-extubación. El nivel FILS a los 10 días aumentó significativamente en aquellos sujetos con COVID-19 (p=0,016) y sin COVID-19 (p=0,004). En la muestra, el nivel FILS y grado de severidad de la disfagia de los pacientes con y sin COVID-19 no mostraron diferencias estadísticas, siendo alto el porcentaje de disfagia en ambos grupos, lo que se podría asociar a la intubación orotraqueal y al tubo orotraqueal. Es necesaria la incorporación del fonoaudiólogo dentro de los equipos de Unidades de Pacientes Críticos para el manejo de los pacientes con COVID-19 y disfagia. Además, se recomienda continuar con más estudios en el área.

Previous research have described the deglutition disorders in critical hospitalised patients who required intubation and mechanical ventilation. In the pandemic context, it is mandatory to study both level and grade of dysphagia in patients suffering from COVID-19. The aim of this study is to analyse the deglutition features of extubated critical patients with and without COVID-19. A retrospective cohort study was performed, considering a convenience sample of 43 patients from 15 years old hospitalised at 'Hospital San Juan de Dios' between June 1st and August 31th 2020, who were intubated, with and without the diagnosis of COVID-19. 22of out 43 patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 who were intubated for significantly more days in comparison with those without COVID-19 (p=.002). After the intratracheal extubation, 90% of the sample was diagnosed with dysphagia. There was no significant difference in the FILS score nor significant association in dysphagia severity between patients with and without COVID-19. After 10 days post extubation, there was no significant difference in the FILS score between both groups. The FILS score increased significantly in the COVID-19 (p=.016) and non-COVID-19 (p=.004) patients after 10 days post extubation. Post extubation, there are no statistical differences in the FILS score and dysphagia severity in critical ill patients with and without COVID-19, with a high percentage of dysphagia in both groups which could be associated with intratracheal intubation and endotracheal tubes. The incorporation of speech and language therapists in Critical Care Units is mandatory. Furthermore, it is recommended to perform extra research in the area.

Prevention of COVID-19 aerosol exposure during orotracheal intubation / Prevenção da exposição ao aerossol COVID-19 durante a intubação orotraqueal / Prevención de la exposición a aerosoles de COVID-19 durante la intubación orotraqueal

Background and objectives: during orotracheal intubation (OTI), it occurs the exposure to COVID-19 aerosols and consequent contamination of the professionals involved, observing the need to apply preventive measures. The objective is to know, in the scientific literature, which are the main preventive measures for health professionals to aerosols generated during OTI of patients suspected or confirmed for COVID-19. Contents: this is an integrative review, with search in the LILACS, SciELO, BDENF, MEDLINE, PubMed and Cochrane Wiley databases. Primary articles, with full text in Portuguese, Spanish and English, which contemplated the research objective, were selected. Of the 335 articles found, 22 were selected according to the inclusion criteria. In 18 (82%) of articles, they highlighted the use of barrier methods when performing the intubation procedure, such as acrylic box and plastic tarpaulin. In other studies (3; 14%), it was observed the need to include qualified intubation teams in hospital institutions to reduce the contamination of professionals, in addition to the application of checklists that guide the procedure. A single article brought the use of an orthopedic protective cover adapted to protect the intubator. Conclusion: the measures are defended to reduce exposure to aerosols and allow the safety of health professionals. The use of an intubation box must be used with caution, weighing the risks and benefits against the possibility of aerosolization during its use in orotracheal intubation.(AU)

Justificativa e objetivos: durante a intubação orotraqueal (IOT), ocorre a exposição a aerossóis de COVID-19 e consequente contaminação dos profissionais envolvidos, observando a necessidade de aplicação de medidas preventivas. O objetivo é conhecer, na literatura científica, quais são as principais medidas preventivas dos profissionais de saúde aos aerossóis gerados durante a IOT de pacientes suspeitos ou confirmados para COVID-19. Conteúdo: trata-se de uma revisão integrativa, com busca nas bases de dados LILACS, SciELO, BDENF, MEDLINE, PubMed e Cochrane Wiley. Foram selecionados artigos primários, com texto completo em português, espanhol e inglês, que contemplassem o objetivo da pesquisa. Dos 335 artigos encontrados, 22 foram selecionados de acordo com os critérios de inclusão. Em 18 (82%) dos artigos, destacaram o uso de métodos de barreira na realização do procedimento de intubação, como caixa de acrílico e lona plástica. Em outros estudos (3; 14%), observou-se a necessidade de incluir equipes de intubação qualificadas nas instituições hospitalares para reduzir a contaminação dos profissionais, além da aplicação de checklists que orientam o procedimento. Um único artigo trouxe o uso de uma capa protetora ortopédica adaptada para proteger o intubador. Conclusão: defendem-se as medidas para reduzir a exposição aos aerossóis e permitir a segurança dos profissionais de saúde. O uso da caixa de intubação deve ser feito com cautela, ponderando os riscos e benefícios em relação à possibilidade de aerossolização durante seu uso na intubação orotraqueal.(AU)

Justificación y objetivos: durante la intubación orotraqueal (OTI), ocurre la exposición a los aerosoles de COVID-19 y la consecuente contaminación de los profesionales involucrados, observándose la necesidad de aplicar medidas preventivas. El objetivo es conocer, en la literatura científica, cuáles son las principales medidas preventivas de los profesionales de la salud ante los aerosoles generados durante las IOT de pacientes sospechosos o confirmados de COVID-19. Contenido: se trata de una revisión integradora, con búsqueda en las bases de datos LILACS, SciELO, BDENF, MEDLINE, PubMed y Cochrane Wiley. Fueron seleccionados artículos primarios, con texto completo en portugués, español e inglés, que contemplaran el objetivo de la investigación. De los 335 artículos encontrados, 22 fueron seleccionados según los criterios de inclusión. En 18 (82%) de los artículos, destacaron el uso de métodos de barrera al realizar el procedimiento de intubación, como caja de acrílico y lona plástica. En otros estudios (3; 14%), se observó la necesidad de incluir equipos de intubación calificados en las instituciones hospitalarias para reducir la contaminación de los profesionales, además de la aplicación de listas de verificación que orientan el procedimiento. Un solo artículo trajo el uso de una cubierta protectora ortopédica adaptada para proteger al intubador. Conclusión: se defienden las medidas para reducir la exposición a los aerosoles y permitir la seguridad de los profesionales de la salud. El uso de una caja de intubación debe hacerse con precaución, sopesando los riesgos y beneficios frente a la posibilidad de aerosolización durante su uso en la intubación orotraqueal.(AU)

Video laryngoscope versus USB borescope-aided endotracheal intubation in adults with anticipated difficult airway: a prospective randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Video laryngoscopes are approved equipment for difficult airway intubations. The borescope, which was introduced during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era, is placed over a direct laryngoscope blade to provide an economical video laryngoscope. In the current study, we investigated the use of an endotracheal tube mounted over a USB borescope versus a video laryngoscope in patients with suspected difficult airways. METHODS: After obtaining informed consent, 120 adult patients with suspected difficult airways undergoing elective surgery were included in this study. Patients were randomized into the USB borescope and video laryngoscope groups. The primary outcome was time to successful intubation. The secondary outcomes included hemodynamic changes, anesthetist's satisfaction, and the incidence of complications. RESULTS: Intubation time was comparable between the two groups (video laryngoscope: 30.63 s and borescope: 28.35 s; P = 0.166). However, the view was clearer (P = 0.026) and the incidence of fogging was lower (P = 0.015) with the video laryngoscope compared to the borescope. Conversely, anesthetist's satisfaction frequency was higher with the borescope than with the video laryngoscope (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The video laryngoscope provided a better view and less fogging with an intubation time that was comparable to that of the borescope; however, the higher cost of the video laryngoscope limits its availability. Therefore, the borescope is a low-cost, readily available device that can be used for intubating patients with potentially difficult airways.

[Diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 in intensive care units]. / Diagnostik und Therapie von COVID-19 auf der Intensivstation.

Treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is particularly challenging due to the rapid scientific advances and the often significant hypoxemia. Use of high-flow oxygen, noninvasive mask ventilation, and the technique of awake proning can sometimes avoid the need for intubation. Mechanical ventilation follows the principles of ventilation for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS; lung protective ventilation) and is generally supplemented by consequent positioning therapy (with at least 16 h in prone position in multiple cycles). Antiviral therapy options such as remdesivir usually come too late for patients with COVID-19 in the ICU, the only exception being the administration of monoclonal antibodies for patients without seroconversion. The value of immunomodulatory therapy such as dexamethasone is undisputed. Interleukin­6 antagonists, on the other hand, are rather problematic for ICU patients, and for Janus kinase inhibitors, data and experience are still insufficient in this context.

Clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients after sequential oxygen therapy in Tertiary Medical College

Background: Acute respiratory failure is the main manifestation in patients with severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19), being hospitalized in an intensive care unit, and may even require invasive mechanical ventilation, which is associated with high mortality. The use of high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) for severe hypoxemic respiratory failure cases was limited in hospital setups. Its benefit to patients, compliance, complications, as well as comparison with non-invasive ventilation (NIV) mask were not studied. Patients and Methods: We included consecutive patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory failure who were categorized into three groups depending on admission oxygen saturation and respiratory rate for non-rebreather bag-mask (NRBM), HFNO, and NIV. All patients were observed for 2 weeks and defined parameters were noted. The mean and standard deviation were compared between the groups by using the ANOVA test;P-value 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The comparison of mean escalation of oxygen requirement on the 5th day showed a significant result (94.27 ± 1.7 vs. 92.16 ± 4.05 vs. 90.73 ± 2.49, respectively, P = 0.001). Similar findings were also found on the 10th day and 15th day of treatment. The NIV group showed a significant lack of compliance to oxygen therapy (P 0.001) and also a significant incidence of complications (P 0.001). Conclusion: NIV showed a significant amount of escalation in oxygen requirement, reduced therapy compliance, and associated complications in comparison to the NRBM and HFNO in COVID-19 settings. © 2022 Bali Journal of Anesthesiology.

A New and Rare Presentation of Unilateral Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Palsy in a COVID-19 Patient With No Recent History of Endotracheal Intubation.

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection has classical symptoms of high fevers, diarrhea, cough, and dyspnea; however, there are cases recording more unconventional features. In this case report, we will discuss recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy as a new and unusual presentation of COVID-19. The patient was a 58-year-old African American male with a history of hypertension, type-2 diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea presenting with dyspnea, fatigue, and nausea. The patient was initially admitted to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) for acute hypoxic respiratory failure and completed intravenous Remdesivir for COVID-19. He never got intubated during the ICU stay and his condition improved on the 34th day of admission. However, two weeks later the patient suddenly developed hoarseness of voice. A bedside laryngoscopy revealed a left-sided vocal cord paralysis but patent airway. The computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck did not show any abnormalities, including any impinging masses or structures. The patient did not have any recent intubations to suggest the paralysis was due to traumatic injury, thus favoring that his neurologic injury was likely a post-viral symptom. One possible pathophysiology would be the invasion of nerve fibers (peripheral or cranial nerves) by the virus using the same mechanism as seen in alveolar cells and finally destroying them. Another hypothesis would be the inflammatory response of the host immune system affecting the peripheral and cranial nerves. Therefore, the potential association between neuro-invasiveness of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy resulting in the vocal cord paralysis should be considered and more studies need to be conducted for better understanding.