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Objectives: Analgosedation of patients with severe respiratory failure due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) proved to be challenging. Patients supported with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) seemed to require analgosedative drugs in high doses. This study reviews analgosedation practices in patients with COVID-19 associated severe respiratory failure supported with VV ECMO. Method(s): This is a retrospective, single-center registry study including all patients with COVID-19 associated severe respiratory failure that were supported with VV ECMO at our center. All sedative and analgetic drugs administered intravenously or via inhalation to patients for at least two hours were recorded and analyzed. Result(s): Between March 2020 and January 2022, 88 patients with COVID-19 associated severe respiratory failure were supported with VV ECMO at our center. Propofol and sufentanil were used most frequently for analgosedation in this cohort. Both drugs were co-administered following treatment standards established prior to the emergence of COVID-19 at our center. Sedative and analgetic drugs were switched to alternative regimens after a median time of 3 and 12.5 days. Alternative regimens included Isofluran, alpha-2- agonists (clonidine or dextomidine) or esketamine. Alpha-2- agonists were initiated at a median time of 2 days after starting VV ECMO support. Benzodiazepines were used primarily as last resort treatment option for sedation at our center. During the four waves of the pandemic experienced at our center, we experienced an increased average number of drugs needed for analgosedation. Conclusion(s): Analgosedation in critically ill COVID-19 patients supported with ECMO is challenging. It remains unclear, whether the standard analgosedation regimen with sufentanil and propofol established at our center prior to the COVID-19 pandemic is optimal for this patient cohort. Further studies are needed to determine optimal and long term safe analgosedation regimens in critically ill patients supported by VV ECMO. Furthermore, changes experienced during the course of the pandemic need to be scrutinized in comparison to other cohorts. (Table Presented).
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COVID-19-associated ARDS (C-ARDS) is mentioned to express higher analgosedation needs, in comparison to ARDS of other etiologies. The objective of this monocentric retrospective cohort study was to compare the analgosedation needs between C-ARDS and non-COVID-19 ARDS (non-C-ARDS) on veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO). Data were collected from the electronic medical records of all adult patients treated with C-ARDS in our Department of Intensive Care Medicine between March 2020 and April 2022. The control group included patients treated with non-C-ARDS between the years 2009 and 2020. A sedation sum score was created in order to describe the overall analgosedation needs. A total of 115 (31.5%) patients with C-ARDS and 250 (68.5%) with non-C-ARDS requiring VV-ECMO therapy were included in the study. The sedation sum score was significantly higher in the C-ARDS group (p < 0.001). COVID-19 was significantly associated with analgosedation in the univariable analysis. By contrast, the multivariable model did not show a significant association between COVID-19 and the sum score. The year of VV-ECMO support, BMI, SAPS II and prone positioning were significantly associated with sedation needs. The potential impact of COVID-19 remains unclear, and further studies are warranted in order to evaluate specific disease characteristics linked with analgesia and sedation.
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SESSION TITLE: Cardiovascular Critical Care Cases SESSION TYPE: Rapid Fire Case Reports PRESENTED ON: 10/19/2022 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm INTRODUCTION: The carotid sinus-arterial baroreflex is essential in maintaining blood pressure (BP) regulation. Afferent baroreflex failure (ABF) can present with labile changes in BP within seconds and can be secondary to neck surgery or radiation (RT). The prevalence and etiology of this condition remain unknown, and management of BP can be challenging. We present here the first case, to our knowledge, of ABF precipitated by thyroidectomy, in a patient (pt) with active COVID-19 pneumonia (PNA), causing difficult control of severely labile BP in a critical care unit. CASE PRESENTATION: A 74-year-old female with a history of COPD and a thyroid mass s/p an open left hemithyroidectomy & isthmusectomy, partial right thyroidectomy with drain placement who presented with dyspnea and hypoxia with COVID-19 PNA and superimposed bacterial PNA. She was immediately intubated and admitted to the ICU. Due to improved alertness and breathing, an extubation trial was done on day 2 but was unsuccessful due to a neck mass compressing the trachea, and during extubation, the pt began to develop stridor, desaturate, and was reintubated. CT head and neck showed a markedly enlarged thyroid with left tracheal deviation and the pt underwent complete thyroidectomy the following day. On the 4th day following surgery, the pt desaturated on PRVC and CXR showed new consolidation, and the PNA panel was positive for K. pneumoniae. The pt's BP began to fluctuate from the 80's/40's - 260's/190's. Titrating pressors were not effective in controlling her volatile BP. Clonidine was started to control hypertensive urgencies, but severe subsequent hypotensive episodes made it difficult to continue. A trial of Fentanyl drip did not add a benefit either. Adequate BP control was finally achieved through administering Clonidine only when SBP reached above 180mmHg and Midodrine when SBP reached below 80mmHg. DISCUSSION: Blood pressure changes can be sensed by carotid sinus stretch receptors. ABF can manifest secondary to carotid sinus nerve damage following neck surgery or radiation. The diagnosis of ABF remains ill-defined;with limited research available to guide definitive management. Critically ill patients with poor prognosis have demonstrated higher ACTH levels with a longer cortisol release, with elevated IL-8 and IL-6 concentrations, concluding potential destructive pituitary-adrenal axis response in the setting of inflammation. IL-6 in particular can manifest following hypoxic conditions. In certain cases of POTS and AD in COVID-19, there has been an improvement of symptoms with the use of B-blockers, fludrocortisone, midodrine, methyldopa, and clonidine. CONCLUSIONS: Additional research with a multidisciplinary approach is warranted to fully optimize the treatment of ABF in patients with neck surgery and or inflammatory conditions such as COVID-19. Reference #1: Biaggioni I, Shibao CA, Jordan J. Evaluation and Diagnosis of Afferent Baroreflex Failure. Hypertension. 2022 Jan;79(1):57-9. Reference #2: Dimopoulou I, Alevizopoulou P, Dafni U, Orfanos S, Livaditi O, Tzanela M, Kotanidou A, Souvatzoglou E, Kopterides P, Mavrou I, Thalassinos N. Pituitary-adrenal responses to human corticotropin-releasing hormone in critically ill patients. Intensive care medicine. 2007 Mar;33(3):454-9. Reference #3: Dani M, Dirksen A, Taraborrelli P, Torocastro M, Panagopoulos D, Sutton R, Lim PB. Autonomic dysfunction in 'long COVID': rationale, physiology and management strategies. Clinical Medicine. 2021 Jan;21(1):e63. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Wadah Akroush No relevant relationships by Shady Geris No relevant relationships by Brooke Kania No relevant relationships by Anas Mahmoud No relevant relationships by Rajapriya Manickam
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Introduction: Comparatively little is known about drug requirements in patients admitted to ICU with COVID-19 pneumonitis. We analysed drug usage for patients admitted during the first wave of the pandemic, comparing these with a retrospective cohort admitted with Influenza pneumonia. Methods: Forty-nine ventilated patients with COVID-19 pneumonitis were identified through ICNARC, ten were excluded as duration of stay < 7 days or not needing ventilation. Further three were excluded due to missing data and one due to ECMO escalation. Results: The median age was 61 years;length of stay 22 days and 68% survived ICU. Table 1 describes the use of Infusions and enteral medications. Discussion: Propofol was used in most (43% patient-hours in ICU/median duration = 234 hours). All patients received opiate infusions (mainly morphine or alfentanil in similar proportions) and 91% received muscle relaxants, for prolonged periods. Over half received Midazolam (median 106 hours) as an adjunct or substitute to Propofol as patients were difficult to sedate, required longer ventilation, paralysis and concerns with Propofol associated hypertriglyceridemia. Over two-third received alpha agonist infusions (median 68.5 hours) as adjunctive sedation or delirium management. Three quarters of patients received a furosemide infusion (median 90 hours), the evidence extrapolated from studies such as FACTT.1 Around three quarters received Human Albumin (median 100 grams over 3 days). Nearly a quarter received nebulized Prostacyclin for refractory hypoxia, often associated with saturation of HME filters and ventilatory difficulties.2 Over half of patients received Carbocisteine (median 13 days). Clonidine and Risperidone to manage delirium were used in a third (median 10.5 and 11 days respectively), as was Acetazolamide to restore pH and aid weaning. Over a third were prescribed enteral opiates and nearly a quarter received benzodiazepines to manage withdrawal symptoms. Just under a half of patients received Melatonin. Antibiotic usage was high with a median of 3 Antibiotics used (median duration 15 days/61% of patient days). Diagnosing superadded infection such as VAP was challenging3 and we did not routinely monitor serum Procalcitonin levels. We also compared prescribing habits with 12 influenza patients (11 survivors) identified using similar inclusion criteria and found patients with COVID-19 were older (61 versus 51 years ) with longer ICU stays (median 22 versus 20 days). They were also more likely to receive enteral Carbocisteine, Clonidine, Acetazolamide, Morphine and Diazepam. Conclusion: We were able to generate valuable data on prescribing in ventilated patients with COVID-19 pneumonitis during the first wave. Through this, we are able to use drug usage as a surrogate for issues such as delirium, drug withdrawal, antibiotic prescribing and nursing workload in general.
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Introduction: Patients in the intensive care (ICU) commonly receive analgesics and sedatives to facilitate mechanical ventilation. Recommendations suggest patients are kept as lightly sedated as feasible. Studies report an inconsistent association between deep sedation, prolonged ventilation and ICU stay.1 Opinions around patients 'wakefulness' include discomfort and the potential increased prevalence of psychological morbidity.2 Alpha-2-agonists (clonidine and dexmedetomidine) are agents used in ASD management and reported to produce lighter sedation. The aim of this project was to explore ICU pharmacist's perspective on ASD practice over UK. Objectives: • Explore ICU pharmacist's views on: ASD practices, sedation research priority, importance of A2B clinical trial and the impact of Covid19. • Determine the prevalence of clonidine and dexmedetomidine prescribing. Methods: An online survey was devised on SurveyMonkey. The survey was designed in 2 sections: -1. Respondents provided responses based on a 'point prevalence' of clonidine and dexmedetomidine prescriptions, on day of completion. 2. Their local ICU sedation practice, their views on priority of sedation research, the A2B study and whether they believed ASD was more challenging during the Covid19 pandemic. The online survey was distributed via the UK Clinical Pharmacy Association Critical Care Group (UKCPA CCG), the NIHR Critical Care National Speciality Group (NSG), the UK Critical Care Research Group and Twitter. The survey remained active for 12 weeks from 30.3.2021 with reminders sent for completion every fortnight. Results: There were 121 respondents, all but 1 were ICU pharmacists. There are approximately 243 ICU pharmacist posts in the UK, this represents a response rate of approximately 50%. 37 (30%) of respondent reported clonidine (but not dexmedetomidine) was prescribed in their ICU;7 (6%) described dexmedetomidine only;and 76 (63%) reported both. In describing ASD during Covid-19 pandemic, 107 (88%) respondents reported it had become more challenging. 83 (69%) of respondents stated that clonidine usage increased during the pandemic (27 (22%) no change). 46 (39%) stated that dexmedetomidine usage increased during the pandemic (50 (42%) no change). Among the respondents 98 (81%) 'strongly agreed', and 20 (17%) 'agreed' that research involving ASD is a priority. A2B is set to compare clinical and cost effectiveness of propofol, clonidine, and dexmedetomidine as primary sedative for ICU patients. 49 (40%) of respondents reported participating in A2B. 65 (54%) respondents felt that A2B was a 'very important', and 63 (52%) said it was an 'important' research question. Conclusion: This survey reported widespread use of alpha-2-agonists in ASD practice. Almost two-thirds of ICUs report using both agents. Clonidine use is the most prevalent. Given the paucity of high quality clinical effectiveness and safety data for this drug, clinical trials which assess clinical effectiveness, including ASD are a priority. Respondents endorsed that ASD research is a priority, with ASD management much more challenging during the Covid19 pandemic. Limitations include that the design was a brief online survey;although had a high pharmacist response it did not incorporate the views of other members of the ICU team.
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Introduction: A 19-year-old non-verbal male with history of CHARGE syndrome, severe autism, intellectual disability, coloboma with blindness OD and severely imparied vision OS, deafness, self-injurious and aggressive behavior, Tetralogy of Fallot status post repair, pulmonary valve replacement, hypertension, hypothyroidism, megacolon, gastrostomy tube dependence, eosinophilic esophagitis and chronic kidney disease with an irregular sleep cycle who has failed multiple medications for insomnia has shown treatment success with suvorexant. Report of Cases: This patient's sleep schedule ranges from 1.5 to 5 hour segments at various times of day or night including naps at school with occasional longer periods of sleep up to 10 hours and longer periods of wakefulness up to 22 hours who has been treated with the following medications: trazodone, clonidine, hydroxyzine, diphenhydramine, quetiapine, gabapentin, mirtazapine, eszopiclone, melatonin and ramelteon. His behavioral problems have been treated with olanzapine. He continued to be aggressive and difficult to direct. His parents reported exhaustion. Then, suvorexant 5mg was added at bedtime while the following sleep medications were continued: gabapentin total daily dose of 1500mg (300mg in morning and 3pm;900mg at bedtime, 300mg one hour later if still awake), ramelteon 8mg, mirtazapine 7.5mg and olanzapine 10mg at bedtime and bid prn aggressive behavior. He also takes the following daily medications: bisacodyl, polyethylene glycol, simethicone, hyoscyamine, cholecalciferol, aspirin, levothyroxine, hypoallergenic nutritional formula, starch and albuterol prn. With the addition of suvorexant 5mg, he had been able to get 9.5 hours of consolidated sleep at night with improvement in his behavior until he contracted Covid-19 and regressed. The suvorexant dose was increased to 10mg which again improved his insomnia and behavior. Conclusion: Various medications have either not worked at all or have worked suboptimally for insomnia in this medically complex patient who has an irregular Circadian rhythm disorder. Adding an orexin receptor antagonist as a novel mechanism to his regimen has shown promise. At this time, this patient has been stable for one month with suvorexant 10mg at bedtime after regression on the 5mg dose that coincided with a Covid-19 infection. We are proceeding with cautious optimism.
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BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in a dramatic rise of the demand for medical devices and drugs. In this context, an important shortage of programmable syringe pumps, used to administrate different drugs in intensive care units, was seen. The opportunity of administrating combinations of five intensive care units selected drugs (Sufentanil, Clonidine, Loxapine, Midazolam, and Ketamine) was considered. METHODS: The drug mixtures were studied in a pure form or diluted in NaCl 0.9% or G5%. Twenty-six possible combinations of the five drugs were produced in glass vials or polypropylene syringes and stored at 25 °C for 14 days. The LC method was implemented to study drugs combinations in the presence of the degradation products. The clearness and pH were also monitored. RESULTS: All the 26 possible combinations displayed adequate physicochemical stability at 25 °C: at least 3 days and 7 days, respectively, for the dilution in 0.9% NaCl or glucose 5%, and the pure drug products mixtures. CONCLUSIONS: The study provided sufficient stability results, covering the medication administration period of at least three days. The combination of more than two drugs offers the advantage of minimizing the individual doses and reduces unwanted side-effects. Hence, this study opens up the possibility of combining the five drugs in one single syringe, which is useful especially under the current circumstances associated with an important shortage of programmable syringe pumps and pharmaceuticals.
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Case Report Transverse myelitis is the segmental inflammation of the spinal cord with motor and sensory abnormalities at and below the level of the lesion. Often, the etiology is unknown but may be attributed to autoimmune conditions or viruses. Here we describe a rare case of transverse myelitis secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]/coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Case A 5-year-old male with a history of asthma presented for vomiting and altered mental status. The patient was noted to be altered, lethargic, and in respiratory distress. Intubation was performed. After family collateral was obtained, it was revealed that patient possibly ingested Sertraline and/or Risperidone at an unknown time prior to arrival. History also revealed that he had slurred speech, ataxia, and a fall with trauma to forehead 1 day prior to arrival. He tested positive for COVID-19 via PCR and chest x-ray revealed RLL consolidation. Dexamethasone was started. When sedation was weaned in hopes of extubation, patient was noted to be alert, but not moving extremities and had minimal gag and cough reflex. MRI of Brain and Spine were conducted and revealed findings suggestive of long segment transverse myelitis involving C2 to C3. LP was performed with unremarkable CSF studies and IV Solumedrol was started. In light of active COVID-19 infection, and worsening respiratory status, patient started on 5 days Remdesivir. Further, patient underwent ten sessions of plasmapheresis. Repeat MRI was consistent with previous. Physical and occupational therapy initiated at the onset of illness in hopes of achieving musculoskeletal improvement. Patient had some minimal musculoskeletal improvement, however, given his condition, decision was made for patient to undergo placement of gastrostomy and tracheostomy tubes. Patient was weaned off of sedatives and withdrawal was treated with a clonidine taper. Once stabilized, patient was transferred to neurological inpatient rehabilitation center. Discussion Neurological manifestations in children affected by SARS-CoV-2 are relatively common but are often non-specific. Worldwide data reports only 1% of children with COVID-19 present with severe symptoms of encephalopathy, seizures, and meningeal signs. Pathophysiology is multifactorial, including direct invasion of the CNS, vascular insufficiency, immune dysregulation and autoimmunity. Imaging is paramount in the diagnosis of transverse myelitis. Treatments are emerging and may include steroids, immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis, and monoclonal antibodies. Conclusion Much is unknown about COVID-19. Information is emerging and evolving daily. Cases of transverse myelitis in COVID-19 have been reported in few adult patients and minimal pediatric patients. Practitioners should keep transverse myelitis on their list of differentials for neurological complications of SARS-CoV-2 infections and initiate aggressive treatment with a multidisciplinary approach.
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a life-threating viral infection that is highly transmissible and be lethal. Although many patients with mild symptoms recover, an acute form of the infection is characterized by rapidly evolving respiratory failure, an acute inflammatory response, organ failure, and death. Herein, we describe the use of clonidine to modulate the acute inflammatory consequences of this infection in three cases. The patients were three men between 40-50 years from Kathmandu valley, during the peak of COVID-19 (September 2020- January 2021). All three patients presented with typical COVID-19 symptoms (daily fever, loss of smell and taste, excessive fatigue, cough) and had pneumonia with typical finding in CT Scan of chest. Patient 1was able to maintain adequate oxygenation despite having pneumonia, managed at home by regular self-monitoring of vitals and treatment with oral clonidine whereas patient 2 and 3 developed significant pneumonia and had difficult in maintaining oxygenation hence admitted in hospital and treated with clonidine and supplemental oxygen. All three patients recovered completely. In this limited report, we proposed several mechanisms by which clonidine may be useful in managing rapidly evolving SARS-CoV-2 infection based on the rationale that early clonidine administration can intervene in the catecholaminergic response that characterizes rapid clinical deterioration including presumptive cytokine storm that occurs in COVID-19 infection in vulnerable populations.
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The high number of patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus requiring care for ARDS puts sedation in the critical care unit (CCU) to the edge. Depth of sedation has evolved over the last 40 years (no-sedation, deep sedation, daily emergence, minimal sedation, etc.). Most guidelines now recommend determining the depth of sedation and minimizing the use of benzodiazepines and opioids. The broader use of alpha-2 adrenergic agonists ('alpha-2 agonists') led to sedation regimens beginning at admission to the CCU that contrast with hypnotics+opioids ("conventional" sedation), with major consequences for cognition, ventilation and circulatory performance. The same doses of alpha-2 agonists used for 'cooperative' sedation (ataraxia, analgognosia) elicit no respiratory depression but modify the autonomic nervous system (cardiac parasympathetic activation, attenuation of excessive cardiac and vasomotor sympathetic activity). Alpha-2 agonists should be selected only in patients who benefit from their effects ('personalized' indications, as opposed to a 'one size fits all' approach). Then, titration to effect is required, especially in the setting of systemic hypotension and/or hypovolemia. Since no general guidelines exist for the use of alpha-2 agonists for CCU sedation, our clinical experience is summarized for the benefit of physicians in clinical situations in which a recommendation might never exist (refractory delirium tremens; unstable, hypovolemic, hypotensive patients, etc.). Because the physiology of alpha-2 receptors and the pharmacology of alpha-2 agonists lead to personalized indications, some details are offered. Since interactions between conventional sedatives and alpha-2 agonists have received little attention, these interactions are addressed. Within the existing guidelines for CCU sedation, this article could facilitate the use of alpha-2 agonists as effective and safe sedation while awaiting large, multicentre trials and more evidence-based medicine.