Bedside risk stratification for mortality in patients with acute respiratory failure treated with noninvasive ventilation.

Our hypothesis was that patients managed with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) on the wards could be risk-stratified with initial pulse oximetry/fraction of inspired oxygen (SpO2/FiO2) ratios and tidal volumes (Vte). A prospective study of consecutive patients with acute respiratory failure requiring NIV on the wards was conducted. A multivariate logistic regression model and a negative binomial regression model were used. A total of 403 patients (55.8% women) had a mean age of 65.0 ± 14.9 years with a mean body mass index of 32.1 ± 11.1 kg/m2. The 28-day mortality was 14.1%, and the intubation rate was 16.1%. Pneumonia was associated with the highest 28-day mortality (22.5%) and rate of intubation (36.7%) when compared with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (4.4% and 7.3%) or congestive heart failure (22.2% and 13.4%). The SpO2/FiO2 groups were <214 (26.6%), 214 -357 (66.0%), and ≥357 (7.4%). Those in the SpO2/FiO2 < 214 group had a higher 28-day mortality rate (odds ratio [OR] = 8.19; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02 -65.7), intubation rate (OR = 3.7; 95% CI 1.1 -12.1), intensive care unit admission rate (OR = 2.9; 95% CI 1.2 -7.4), and length of stay (relative risk = 2.0; 95% CI 1.3 -3.0). A Vte/predicted body weight <7.7 mL/kg was associated with increased intubations (OR = 3.1; 95% CI 1.3 -7.4), intensive care unit admissions (OR = 2.5; 95% CI 1.3 -4.6), and 30-day readmissions (OR = 2.9; 95% CI 1.2 -6.8). In conclusion, in patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome who had acute respiratory failure managed with noninvasive ventilation on the wards, severe hypoxemia as assessed by a simple SpO2/FiO2 ≤ 214 was associated with poor outcomes.

Predictors of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on a Home Sleep Apnea Test After a Negative Attended Polysomnography.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: A home sleep apnea test (HSAT) is an acceptable alternative to polysomnography (PSG) for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with high pretest probability without certain comorbidities, such as severe pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, or neuromuscular weakness. Current guidelines recommend repeat in-laborataory PSG in those with an initial negative PSG and high clinical suspicion for OSA. This retrospective study evaluated predictors of OSA on HSAT in patients who had a negative PSG. METHODS: Electronic medical records were reviewed on 206 patients who underwent an in-laboratory PSG followed by HSAT at the Baylor Scott and White Sleep Institute. Of these patients, 141 were included in the study. Clinical patient characteristics, PSG data, and HSAT data were obtained. RESULTS: A total of 141 patients had a negative PSG and underwent a subsequent HSAT. Of these patients, 83.7% had a positive diagnosis on HSAT, as defined by respiratory event index greater than or equal to 5 events/h, using the 4% oxygen desaturation criteria, (64.5% mild, 17.7% moderate, 1.4% severe) and 16.3% had a negative HSAT. Older age and hypertension predicted the diagnosis of OSA made on HSAT in patients with an initial negative PSG. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study illustrates that there are patients for whom PSG gave a false-negative study. Patients who had negative PSG and positive HSAT are more likely to be older and have the diagnosis of hypertension. Sleep physicians may consider repeat testing with HSAT in patients with a negative PSG and clinical symptoms of OSA. COMMENTARY: A commentary on this article appears in this issue on page 1839.

Is Therapeutic Hypothermia for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome the Future?

INTRODUCTION: Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has a high mortality, and there is limited knowledge about management of severe ARDS refractory to standard therapy. Early evidence suggests that therapeutic hypothermia (TH) could be a viable treatment for acute respiratory failure. We present 2 cases where TH was successfully used to manage refractory ARDS on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and a review of the literature around TH and acute respiratory failure. RESULTS: We present 2 cases of ARDS secondary to H1N1 influenza and human metapneumovirus. Both patients were treated with the current evidence-based therapy for ARDS. Venovenous ECMO was used in both patients for refractory hypoxemia. Therapeutic hypothermia was applied for 24 hours with improved oxygenation. We did a review of the literature summarizing 38 patients in 10 publications where TH was successfully utilized in the treatment of acute respiratory failure. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic hypothermia may be a viable salvage therapy for ARDS refractory to the current evidence-based therapy but needs further evaluation.

Change in prescription habits after federal rescheduling of hydrocodone combination products.

Nationally, health care providers wrote 259 million prescriptions for narcotic analgesics in 2012, or roughly one bottle of narcotics per US adult (1). In an effort to combat this ever-growing problem, the Drug Enforcement Administration changed the schedule of hydrocodone combination products from schedule III to schedule II on October 6, 2014. Fourteen Baylor Scott & White pharmacies encompassing a 200-mile radius in Central Texas were queried for prescription information on hydrocodone/acetaminophen, morphine, codeine/acetaminophen, and tramadol before and after the rescheduling to evaluate trends in prescription drug usage. While the rescheduling of hydrocodone combination products resulted in a reduced number of prescriptions and the total quantity dispensed of both the hydrocodone/acetaminophen 5/325 mg (Norco 5/325) and 10/325 mg (Norco 10/325) formulations, this was offset by a dramatic increase in alternative narcotic analgesics such as tramadol, codeine/acetaminophen 30/300 mg (Tylenol #3), and codeine/acetaminophen 60/300 mg (Tylenol #4), which do not have schedule II requirements. Additionally, there was no significant reduction in total pain medication prescribed after converting all agents to morphine equivalents.

Inflammatory bowel disease of the lung: The role of infliximab?

Pulmonary extra-intestinal manifestations (EIM) of inflammatory bowel disease are well described with a variable incidence. We present a case of Crohn's disease with pulmonary EIM including chronic bronchitis with non-resolving bilateral cavitary pulmonary nodules and mediastinal lymphadenopathy successfully treated with infliximab. Additionally, we present a case summary from a literature review on pulmonary EIM successfully treated with infliximab. Current treatment recommendations include an inhaled and/or systemic corticosteroid regimen which is largely based on case reports and expert opinion. We offer infliximab as an adjunctive therapy or alternative to corticosteroids for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease related pulmonary EIM.