A prospective international observational prevalence study on prone positioning of ARDS patients: the APRONET (ARDS Prone Position Network) study.

INTRODUCTION: While prone positioning (PP) has been shown to improve patient survival in moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients, the rate of application of PP in clinical practice still appears low. AIM: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of use of PP in ARDS patients (primary endpoint), the physiological effects of PP, and the reasons for not using it (secondary endpoints). METHODS: The APRONET study was a prospective international 1-day prevalence study performed four times in April, July, and October 2016 and January 2017. On each study day, investigators in each ICU had to screen every patient. For patients with ARDS, use of PP, gas exchange, ventilator settings and plateau pressure (Pplat) were recorded before and at the end of the PP session. Complications of PP and reasons for not using PP were also documented. Values are presented as median (1st-3rd quartiles). RESULTS: Over the study period, 6723 patients were screened in 141 ICUs from 20 countries (77% of the ICUs were European), of whom 735 had ARDS and were analyzed. Overall 101 ARDS patients had at least one session of PP (13.7%), with no differences among the 4 study days. The rate of PP use was 5.9% (11/187), 10.3% (41/399) and 32.9% (49/149) in mild, moderate and severe ARDS, respectively (P = 0.0001). The duration of the first PP session was 18 (16-23) hours. Measured with the patient in the supine position before and at the end of the first PP session, PaO2/FIO2 increased from 101 (76-136) to 171 (118-220) mmHg (P = 0.0001) driving pressure decreased from 14 [11-17] to 13 [10-16] cmH2O (P = 0.001), and Pplat decreased from 26 [23-29] to 25 [23-28] cmH2O (P = 0.04). The most prevalent reason for not using PP (64.3%) was that hypoxemia was not considered sufficiently severe. Complications were reported in 12 patients (11.9%) in whom PP was used (pressure sores in five, hypoxemia in two, endotracheal tube-related in two ocular in two, and a transient increase in intracranial pressure in one). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this prospective international prevalence study found that PP was used in 32.9% of patients with severe ARDS, and was associated with low complication rates, significant increase in oxygenation and a significant decrease in driving pressure.

Papel de la procalcitonina plasmática en el diagnóstico de laneumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica: revisión sistemática y metaanálisis / Role of plasma procalcitonin in the diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia: Systematic review and metaanalysis

OBJETIVO: Determinar el papel de los niveles plasmáticos de procalcitonina (PCT) en el diagnóstico de neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica. Diseño Revisión sistemática y metaanálisis de los trabajos originales que evalúan el papel de PCT en el diagnóstico de neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica. La búsqueda de trabajos se llevó a cabo en Medline, Embase, Colaboración Cochrane y MEDION y tras revisión de las referencias de los artículos obtenidos. Se extrajeron datos que permitieron el cálculo de la sensibilidad, la especificidad, las razones de verosimilitud y la odds ratio diagnóstica. Intervención: Metarregresión para determinar si la exposición a tratamiento antibiótico previo, el tiempo de desarrollo de neumonía y el tipo de paciente crítico tienen impacto en el rendimiento diagnóstico de la procalcitonina. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 7 estudios (373 pacientes, 434 episodios). No encontramos sesgos de publicación ni efecto umbral. Las cifras elevadas de PCT plasmática se asocian a un mayor riesgo de padecer neumonía (OR 8,39; IC 95% 5,4-12,6). Los datos agrupados de sensibilidad, especificidad, razón de verosimilitud positiva y negativa y odds ratio diagnóstica encontrados son, respectivamente, 76% (69-82), 79% (74-84), 4,35 (2,48-7,62), 0,26 (0,15-0,46) y 17,9 (10,1-31,7). El rendimiento diagnóstico se ve modificado por la exposición previa a antibióticos (rORD0,11, 0,02-0,069), no así por el tipo de paciente crítico o el tiempo de desarrollo de neumonía. CONCLUSIONES: Nuestros resultados muestran que la PCT aporta información adicional respecto al riesgo de sufrir neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica. Su inclusión en los algoritmos diagnósticos podría mejorar la capacidad de los mismos

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of plasma procalcitonin (PCT) levels in diagnosing ventilator associated pneumonia. DESIGN: A systematic review of publications prospectively assessing the diagnostic role of PCT in ventilator-associated pneumonia was carried out. The search was performed using Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Collaboration and MEDION, with reviewing of the references of retrieved articles. We extracted data that allowed the calculation of sensitivity, specificity, like lihoodratios and diagnostic odds ratio. Intervention Metaregression was performed to determine whether exposure to previous antibiotic treatment, the time to occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia and the type of patients had an impact upon the diagnostic performance of procalcitonin. RESULTS: Seven studies were considered (373 patients, 434 episodes). We found no publication bias or threshold effect. High plasma PCT levels were associated to an increased risk of suffering ventilator-associated pneumonia (OR: 8.39; 95% CI: 5.4-12.6). The pooled data on sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio found were 76% (69-82), 79% (74-84), 4.35 (2.48-7.62), 0.26 (0.15-0.46) and 17.9 (10.1-31.7), respectively. Diagnostic yield was modified by prior exposure to antibiotics (rDOR 0.11, 0.02-0.069),but not by the type of critically ill patient or the time to occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that PCT provides additional information on the risk of VAP. Inclusion of PCT in diagnostic algorithms could improve their effectiveness

Profilaxis de la enfermedad tromboembólica venosa en el paciente crítico: aproximación a la práctica clínica en la Comunidad de Madrid / Prevention of venous thromboembolic disease in the critical patient: An assessment of clinical practice in the Community of Madrid

OBJETIVO: Analizar la utilización de medidas de profilaxis de enfermedad tromboembólicavenosa en el paciente crítico. DISEÑO: Estudio epidemiológico, transversal (corte de prevalencia) y multicéntrico realizado mediante encuesta electrónica. Comparación de resultados con índices de calidad de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Intensiva, guías del American College of Chest Physicians y registros internacionales. Ámbito: Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) de la Comunidad de Madrid. PACIENTES: Todos los pacientes ingresados en UCI el día de la realización de la encuesta. Variables de interés: Aspectos generales de profilaxis de enfermedad tromboembólica venosa y utilización de protocolos. Análisis descriptivo expresado como media o mediana para variables cuantitativas y porcentajes para variables cualitativas. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 234 pacientes de 18 UCI. El 18% (42/234) no recibía ninguna profilaxis; un 55% de ellos no tenía contraindicación para profilaxis farmacológica. De los 192 pacientes con profilaxis, en el 84% fue farmacológica, en el 14% mecánica y en el 2% combinada. Lasheparinas de bajo peso molecular fueron los únicos fármacos usados (enoxaparina en 17 de 18UCI). En pacientes con profilaxis mecánica (31/192) las medias de compresión graduada fueron las más utilizadas (58%). El 20% de los pacientes (46/234) presentaba contraindicación paraprofilaxis farmacológica, con trombocitopenia como causa más frecuente (28%). La mitad de las UCI no utilizaba un protocolo específico de profilaxis. CONCLUSIONES: La profilaxis farmacológica con heparinas de bajo peso molecular fue la medida preventiva de enfermedad tromboembólica venosa más utilizada. Considerando los pacientes con contraindicación para profilaxis farmacológica, los sistemas mecánicos de profilaxis fueron poco utilizados. El uso de profilaxis combinada fue anecdótico. Hubo ausencia de protocolos específicos de profilaxis en muchas de nuestras UCI

OBJECTIVE: To analyze measures referred to venous thromboembolic prophylaxis in critically ill patients. DESIGN: An epidemiological, cross-sectional (prevalence cut), multicenter study was performe dusing an electronic survey. Comparison of results with quality indexes of the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine, the American College of Chest Physician guidelines and international studies. SETTING: Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in the Community of Madrid (Spain).PATIENTS: All patients admitted to the ICU on the day of the survey. Variables of interest: General aspects of venous thromboembolic prophylaxis and protocols used (risk stratification and ultrasound screening). A descriptive analysis was performed, continuous data being expressed as the mean or median, and categorical data as percentages. RESULTS: A total of 234 patients in 18 ICUs were included. Eighteen percent (42/234) received no prophylaxis, and 55% had no contraindication to pharmacological prophylaxis. Of the192 patients receiving prophylaxis, 84% received pharmacological prophylaxis, 14% mechanical prophylaxis and 2% combined prophylaxis. Low molecular weight heparin was the only pharmacological prophylaxis used, with a majority use of enoxaparin (17 of 18 ICUs). In patients with mechanical prophylaxis (31/192), antiembolic stockings were the most commonly used option (58%). Pharmacological prophylaxis contraindications were reported in 20% of the patients (46/234), the most frequent cause being thrombocytopenia (28% of the cases). Fifty percent of the ICUs used no specific venous thromboembolic prophylaxis protocol. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacological prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin was the most frequently used venous thromboembolic prophylactic measure. In patients with contraindications to pharmacological prophylaxis, mechanical measures were little used. The use of combined prophylaxis was anecdotal. Many of our ICUs lack specific prophylaxis protocols

[Role of plasma procalcitonin in the diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia: systematic review and metaanalysis]. / Papel de la procalcitonina plasmática en el diagnóstico de la neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica: revisión sistemática y metaanálisis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of plasma procalcitonin (PCT) levels in diagnosing ventilator-associated pneumonia. DESIGN: A systematic review of publications prospectively assessing the diagnostic role of PCT in ventilator-associated pneumonia was carried out. The search was performed using Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Collaboration and MEDION, with reviewing of the references of retrieved articles. We extracted data that allowed the calculation of sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios and diagnostic odds ratio. Intervention Metaregression was performed to determine whether exposure to previous antibiotic treatment, the time to occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia and the type of patients had an impact upon the diagnostic performance of procalcitonin. RESULTS: Seven studies were considered (373 patients, 434 episodes). We found no publication bias or threshold effect. High plasma PCT levels were associated to an increased risk of suffering ventilator-associated pneumonia (OR: 8.39; 95% CI: 5.4-12.6). The pooled data on sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio found were 76% (69-82), 79% (74-84), 4.35 (2.48-7.62), 0.26 (0.15-0.46) and 17.9 (10.1-31.7), respectively. Diagnostic yield was modified by prior exposure to antibiotics (rDOR 0.11, 0.02-0.069), but not by the type of critically ill patient or the time to occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that PCT provides additional information on the risk of VAP. Inclusion of PCT in diagnostic algorithms could improve their effectiveness.

[Prevention of venous thromboembolic disease in the critical patient: an assessment of clinical practice in the Community of Madrid]. / Profilaxis de la enfermedad tromboembólica venosa en el paciente crítico: aproximación a la práctica clínica en la Comunidad de Madrid.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze measures referred to venous thromboembolic prophylaxis in critically ill patients. DESIGN: An epidemiological, cross-sectional (prevalence cut), multicenter study was performed using an electronic survey. Comparison of results with quality indexes of the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine, the American College of Chest Physician guidelines and international studies. SETTING: Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in the Community of Madrid (Spain). PATIENTS: All patients admitted to the ICU on the day of the survey. VARIABLES OF INTEREST: General aspects of venous thromboembolic prophylaxis and protocols used (risk stratification and ultrasound screening). A descriptive analysis was performed, continuous data being expressed as the mean or median, and categorical data as percentages. RESULTS: A total of 234 patients in 18 ICUs were included. Eighteen percent (42/234) received no prophylaxis, and 55% had no contraindication to pharmacological prophylaxis. Of the 192 patients receiving prophylaxis, 84% received pharmacological prophylaxis, 14% mechanical prophylaxis and 2% combined prophylaxis. Low molecular weight heparin was the only pharmacological prophylaxis used, with a majority use of enoxaparin (17 of 18 ICUs). In patients with mechanical prophylaxis (31/192), antiembolic stockings were the most commonly used option (58%). Pharmacological prophylaxis contraindications were reported in 20% of the patients (46/234), the most frequent cause being thrombocytopenia (28% of the cases). Fifty percent of the ICUs used no specific venous thromboembolic prophylaxis protocol. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacological prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin was the most frequently used venous thromboembolic prophylactic measure. In patients with contraindications to pharmacological prophylaxis, mechanical measures were little used. The use of combined prophylaxis was anecdotal. Many of our ICUs lack specific prophylaxis protocols.

Papel de la procalcitonina plasmática en el diagnóstico de la neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica: revisión sistemática y meta análisis / Role of plasma procalcitonin in the diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objetivo. Determinar el papel de los niveles plasmáticos de procalcitonina (PCT) en el diagnóstico de neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica. Diseño Revisión sistemática y metaanálisis de los trabajos originales que evalúan el papel de PCT en el diagnóstico de neumonía asociadaa ventilación mecánica. La búsqueda detrabajos se llevó a cabo en Medline, Embase, Colaboración Cochrane y MEDION y tras revisiónde las referencias de los artículos obtenidos. Se extrajeron datos que permitieron el cálculo dela sensibilidad, la especificidad, las razones deverosimilitud y la odds ratio diagnóstica...