Use of Radiology, D-Dimer, and Mean Platelet Volume Combination as a Prognostic Marker in Hospitalized Coronavirus Disease-19 Patients.

INTRODUCTION: The search for biomarkers that could help in predicting disease prognosis in the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is still high on the agenda. OBJECTIVE: To find out the efficacy of D-dimer and mean platelet volume (MPV) combination as a prognostic marker in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with bilateral infiltration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study design: Retrospective observational cohort. Patients who were presented to our hospital between March 16, 2020 and June 07, 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. The primary outcome of the study was specified as the need for intensive care, while the secondary outcomes were duration of treatment and hospitalization. Receiver operator curve (ROC) analyzes were carried out to assess the efficacy of D-dimer and MPV parameters as prognostic markers. RESULTS: Between the mentioned dates, 575 of 1,564 patients were found to be compatible with COVID-19, and the number of patients who were included in the study was 306. The number of patients who developed the need for intensive care was 40 (13.1%). For serum D-dimer levels in assessing the need for intensive care, the area under the curve (AUC) was found to be 0.707 (95% CI: 0.620-0.794). The AUC for MPV was 0.694 (95% CI: 0.585-0.803), when D-dimer was ≥1.0 mg/L. When patients with a D-dimer level of ≥1.0 mg/L were divided into two groups considering the MPV cut-off value as 8.1, the rate of intensive care transport was found to be significantly higher in patients with an MPV of ≥8.1 fL compared to those with an MPV of <8.1 fL (32.6 vs. 16.0%, p = 0.043). For the prognostic efficacy of the combination of D-dimer ≥ 1.0 mg/L and MPV ≥ 8.1 fL in determining the need for intensive care, following values were determined: sensitivity: 57.7%, specificity: 70.8%, positive predictive value (PPV): 32.0%, negative predictive value (NPV): 84.0%, and accuracy: 63.0%. When D-dimer was ≥1.0, the median duration of treatment in MPV <8.1 and ≥8.1 groups was 5.0 [interquartile range (IQR): 5.0-10.0] days for both groups (p = 0.64). The median length of hospital stay (LOS) was 7.0 (IQR: 5.0-10.5) days in the MPV <8.1 group, while it was 8.5 (IQR: 5.0-16.3) days in the MPV ≥ 8.1 group (p = 0.17). CONCLUSION: In COVID-19 patients with a serum D-dimer level of at least 1.0 mg/L and radiological bilateral infiltration at hospitalization, if the MPV value is ≥8.1, we could predict the need for intensive care with moderate efficacy and a relatively high negative predictive value. However, no correlation could be found between this combined marker and the duration of treatment and the LOS.

Risk factors of unfavorable outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients treated with noninvasive ventilation for acute hypercapnic respiratory failure.

BACKGROUND-AIM: Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) failure rate is reported to be 5%-60% of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Despite all precautions and well-known reasons, the risk factors of NIV failure are unclear for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with acute respiratory failure (ARF). The aim of this study was to examine risk factors for NIV failure in COPD patients with ARF, other than well defined. METHODS: The retrospective cohort study was done in ICU of a chest disease hospital. All consecutive COPD patients with hypercapnic ARF were enrolled in study. Demographics, comorbidities, arterial blood gases, reasons of ARF and length of ICU stay were recorded. NIV success was defined as discharge from ICU and NIV failure was defined as need for intubation or died during NIV. Patients were grouped into; NIV failure and success. The groups were compared and NIV failure risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: About 265 NIV success and 142 NIV failure patients were enrolled into the study. Logistic regression test showed the risk factors for NIV failure; higher APACHE-II (≥ 29) (OR:11.71, CI95%4.39-31.18, P < 0.001), culture positivity (OR:7.59, CI95%3.21-17.92, P < 0.001), sepsis (OR:6.53 CI95%3.59-11.85, P < 0.001) and pneumonia (OR:3.71 CI95%0.60-2.02, P < 0.043) significantly. COPD patients using home-based NIV had less risk for NIV failure (OR: 0.49 CI95%0.28-0.87, P < 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: APACHE II ≥ 29 score, culture positivity, sepsis and pneumonia are the risk factors for NIV failure in COPD patients with ARF. COPD patients previously on home-based NIV showed half times less risk for NIV failure.

Current Statement of Intensive Care Units in Turkey: Data obtained from 67 Centers.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to obtain information about the characteristics of the ICUs in our country via a point prevalence study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was planned by the Respiratory Failure and Intensive Care Assembly of Turkish Thoracic Society. A questionnaire was prepared and invitations were sent from the association's communication channels to reach the whole country. Data were collected through all participating intensivists between the October 26, 2016 at 08:00 and October 27, 2016 at 08:00. RESULTS: Data were collected from the 67 centers. Overall, 76.1% of the ICUs were managed with a closed system. In total, 35.8% (n=24) of ICUs were levels of care (LOC) 2 and 64.2% (n=43) were LOC 3. The median total numbers of ICU beds, LOC 2, and LOC 3 beds were 12 (8-23), 14 (10-25), and 12 (8-20), respectively. The median number of ventilators was 12 (7-21) and that of ventilators with non-invasive ventilation mode was 11 (6-20). The median numbers of patients per physician during day and night were 3.9 (2.3-8) and 13 (9-23), respectively. The median number of patients per nurse was 2.5 (2-3.1); 88.1% of the nurses were certified by national certification corporation. CONCLUSION: In terms of the number of staff, there is a need for specialist physicians, especially during the night and nurses in our country. It was thought that the number of ICU-certified nurses was comparatively sufficient, yet the target was supposed to be 100% for this rate.

Case fatality rate related to nosocomial and ventilator-associated pneumonia in an ICU: a single-centre retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial pneumonia (NP) and ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) have been associated with financially significant economic burden and increased case fatality rate in adult intensive care units (ICUs). This study was designed to evaluate case fatality rate among patients with NP and VAP in a respiratory ICU. METHODS: In 2008-2013, VAP and NP in the ICUs were included in this retrospective single-centre cohort study. Data on demographics, co-morbidities, severity of illness, mechanical ventilation, empirical treatment, length of hospital stay and laboratory findings were recorded in each group, as were case fatality rate during ICU admission and after discharge including short-term (28-day) and long-term (a year) case fatality rate. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients with VAP (n = 64, median (IQR) age: 70 (61-75) years, 67.2% were men) or NP (n = 44, median (IQR) age: 68 (62-74) years, 68.2% were men) were found. Appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy was identified only in 45.2 and 42.9% of patients with VAP and NP, respectively. Overall case fatality rate in VAP and NP (81.3 vs 84.1), ICU case fatality rate (42.2 vs 45.5%), short-term case fatality rate (15.6 vs 27.3%) and long-term case fatality rate (23.4 vs 11.4%) were similar between VAP and NP groups along with occurrence 50% of case fatality rate cases in the first 2 months and 90% within the first year of discharge. Multivariate analysis showed that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (HR: 3.15, 95% CI: 1.06-9.38; p = 0.039) and presence of septic shock (HR: 3.83, 95% CI: 1.26-11.60; p = 0.018) were independently associated with lower survival. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our findings in a retrospective cohort of respiratory ICU patients with VAP or NP revealed high ICU, short- and long-term case fatality rates within 1 year of diagnosis, regardless of the diagnosis of NP after 48 h of initial admission or after induction of ventilator support. COPD and presence of septic shock are associated with high fatality rate and our findings speculate that as increasing compliance with infection control programs and close monitoring especially in 2 months of discharge might reduce high-case fatality rate in patients with VAP and NP.

Comparison of exercise capacity in COPD and other etiologies of chronic respiratory failure requiring non-invasive mechanical ventilation at home: retrospective analysis of 1-year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to compare the change in 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) in 1 year as an indicator of exercise capacity among patients undergoing home non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) due to chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHRF) caused by different etiologies. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary pulmonary disease hospital in patients who had completed 1-year follow-up under home NIMV because of CHRF with different etiologies (ie, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], obesity hypoventilation syndrome [OHS], kyphoscoliosis [KS], and diffuse parenchymal lung disease [DPLD]), between January 2011 and January 2012. The results of arterial blood gas (ABG) analyses and spirometry, and 6MWD measurements with 12-month interval were recorded from the patient files, in addition to demographics, comorbidities, and body mass indices. The groups were compared in terms of 6MWD via analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis (independent variables: analysis age, sex, baseline 6MWD, baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and baseline partial carbon dioxide pressure, in reference to COPD group). RESULTS: A total of 105 patients with a mean age (± standard deviation) of 61±12 years of whom 37 had COPD, 34 had OHS, 20 had KS, and 14 had DPLD were included in statistical analysis. There were no significant differences between groups in the baseline and delta values of ABG and spirometry findings. Both univariate ANOVA and MLR showed that the OHS group had the lowest baseline 6MWD and the highest decrease in 1 year (linear regression coefficient -24.48; 95% CI -48.74 to -0.21, P=0.048); while the KS group had the best baseline values and the biggest improvement under home NIMV (linear regression coefficient 26.94; 95% CI -3.79 to 57.66, P=0.085). CONCLUSION: The 6MWD measurements revealed improvement in exercise capacity test in CHRF patients receiving home NIMV treatment on long-term depends on etiological diagnoses.

Full-Time ICU Staff in the Intensive Care Unit: Does It Improve the Outcome?

OBJECTIVES: Patients with various severities are cared for in the intensive care unit (ICU) by an experienced ICU physician. We aimed to assess whether there is any difference in intubated ICU patient management when undertaken by a 24-hour intensivist versus a periodic experienced specialist in the ICU. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study was done in a tertiary teaching hospital ICU. Patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) were classified into: group 1, managed by an experienced ICU pulmonary specialist during night shifts in 2006-2007, and group 2, managed by an intensivist around the clock in 2011. Patients were excluded if they were <18 years old, tracheostomized, or transferred from another ICU. Patient demographics and ICU data (IMV duration, sedation doses and duration, weekend extubation, ICU severity score [APACHE II], length of ICU stay, and mortality) were recorded, and groups were compared. RESULTS: In group 1, 131 of 215 IMV patients were included in the study, and in group 2, 294 of 374 patients were included. The sedation infusion rate, duration of IMV, self-extubation rate, and lenght of stay (LOS) of ICU were significantly increased in group 1 compared with group 2 (72.5% vs. 40.8%, p<0.0001; 152 vs. 68 hours, p<0.001; 24.4% vs. 13.9%, p<0.006; 13 vs. 8 days, p<0.0001, respectively). The weekend extubation rate and APACHE II scores were significantly lower in group 1 compared with group 2 (7.1% vs. 25.3%, p<0.0001; 22 vs. 25, p<0.017, respectively). Mortality rates were similar in the two groups (35.9% vs. 37.4%, p=0.76). CONCLUSION: A 24-hour intensivist appears to be better for decreasing IMV duration and LOS in the ICU. These results may be useful to address decreasing morbidity and, as a result, cost of ICU stays by 24-hour intensivist coverage, especially for patients with IMV.

Does Total Parenteral Nutrition Increase the Mortality of Patients with Severe Sepsis in the ICU?

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the independent association between total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and nosocomial infection and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in patients with severe pulmonary sepsis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study was designed as a retrospective observational cohort study. We enrolled all patients with severe sepsis due to pulmonary infections who stayed more than 24 h in the respiratory ICU between January 2009 and December 2010. We recorded demographic characteristics, ICU severity scores, Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and first day Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score in the ICU, TPN because of intolerance to enteral feeding, ICU data, and mortality. To evaluate the risk factors for mortality, we performed adjusted logistic regression test for TPN, nosocomial infection, and SOFA in the model. RESULTS: Five hundred and fifty patients (males=375, females=175) with severe sepsis were involved in the study during the study period. The median and interquartile range (IQR) of age, APACHE II, and SOFA score at the time of admission to the ICU were 65 years (53-73), 20 (16-25), and 4 (3-6), respectively. Mortality rate was 18% (n=99). Adjusted odds ratio (OR), confidence intervals (CI) 95%, and p values of TPN, nosocomial infection, and first day SOFA score for mortality were as follows: OR:3.8, CI:2.3-6.1, p<0.001; OR:2.4, CI: 1.4-3.9, p<0.001; and OR: 1.3, CI:1.2-1.4, p<0.001, respectively. CONCLUSION: Nosocomial infection and the need for TPN because of intolerance of enteral nutrition (EN) is associated with a higher mortality rate in patients with severe sepsis in the ICU. Rational use of antibiotics and application of hospital acquired infection control program will further reduce mortality.

The safety of beta-blocker use in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with respiratory failure in the intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: The safety of beta-blockers as a heart rate-limiting drug (HRLD) in patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) due to chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) has not been properly assessed in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. This study aims to compare the use of beta-blocker drugs relative to non-beta-blocker ones in COPD patients with ARF due to heart rate-limiting with respect to length of ICU stay and mortality. METHODS: We performed a retrospective (January 2011-December 2012) case-control study in a level III ICU in a teaching hospital. It was carried out in a closed ICU by the same intensivists. All COPD patients with ARF who were treated with beta-blockers (case group) and non-beta-blocker HRLDs (control group) were included. Their demographics, reason for HRLD, cause of ARF, comorbidities, ICU data including acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II) score, type of ventilation, heart rate, and lengths of ICU and hospital stays were collected. The mortality rates in the ICU, the hospital, and over 30 days were also recorded. RESULTS: We enrolled 188 patients (46 female, n = 74 and n = 114 for the case and control groups, respectively). Reasons for HRLD (case and control group, respectively) were atrial fibrillation (AF, 23% and 50%), and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT, 41.9% and 54.4%). Patients' characteristics, APACHE II score, heart rate, duration and type of ventilation, and median length of ICU-hospital stay were similar between the groups. The mortality outcomes in the ICU, hospital, and 30 days after discharge in the case and control groups were 17.6% versus 15.8% (p > 0.75); 18.9% versus 19.3% (p > 0.95) and 20% versus 11% (p > 0.47), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that beta-blocker use for heart rate control in COPD patients with ARF is associated with similar ICU stay length and mortality compared with COPD patients treated with other HRLDs.

Why do patients with interstitial lung diseases fail in the ICU? a 2-center cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Admitting patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) to the ICU is controversial, due to their associated high mortality when they require invasive mechanical ventilation. We aimed to determine the risk factors for mortality in ILD patients requiring ICU support due to acute respiratory failure. METHODS: An observational cohort study was performed in 2 chest diseases teaching hospitals. We included all ILD patients with acute respiratory failure admitted between 2008 and 2010. Subject demographics, noninvasive ventilation (NIV) and invasive ventilation use, and mortality were obtained from medical records. Subjects receiving NIV were divided based on their continuous or non-continuous demand for NIV. NIV failure was defined as intubation for invasive ventilation, or death during NIV. Cox regression analysis was used to determine the hazard ratio for NIV failure. RESULTS: We enrolled 120 subjects: 71 male, median age 66 years. The types of ILD were idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (n = 96), collagen vascular disease (n = 10), silicosis (n = 9), drug induced (n = 3), and eosinophilic pneumonia (n = 2). The median (IQR) Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score was 24 (19-31), and 75 (62.5%) subjects received NIV on ICU admission, 47 (62.7%) of whom needed continuous NIV. The NIV failure rate was 49.3% (n = 37). The mortality rates of continuous NIV, non-continuous NIV, invasive ventilation, and total ICU were 61.7% (29/47), 10.7% (3/28), 89.7% (61/68), 60% (72/120), respectively. APACHE II > 20 and continuous NIV demand indicated significant risk for NIV failure: hazard ratio 2.77 (95% CI 1.19-6.45), P < .02, and 5.12, (1.44-18.19), P < .01, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Because of higher mortality, physicians should consider invasive ventilation cautiously in the ICU management of ILD patients with acute respiratory failure. NIV may be an option in less severely ill patients with APACHE II score < 20.

The 6-minute walk test in chronic respiratory failure: does observed or predicted walk distance better reflect patient functional status?

BACKGROUND: Acquiring 6-min walk test (6MWT) data from patients undergoing noninvasive mechanical ventilation due to chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure is limited. We aimed to assess whether the actual 6-min walk distance (6MWD) or the percent predicted 6MWD is a better reflection of the respiratory function of patients using home noninvasive ventilation (NIV) due to chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational study. The 6MWT was performed in subjects using home NIV. Diagnoses were grouped as COPD, obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS), kyphoscoliosis, and parenchymal lung disease. Sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) were used to calculate ideal 6MWD. Male: 1,140 m - (5.61 × BMI) - (6.94 × age), and subtract 153 m for the lower limit of normal. Female: 1,017 m - (6.24 × BMI) - (5.83 × age), and subtract 139 m for the lower limit of normal. The 6MWD and percent-of-predicted 6MWD were compared relative to arterial blood gas, spirometry values, and diagnosis. RESULTS: The 6MWT was performed in 144 subjects, median (IQR) age 62 y (55-71 y). The male/female ratio, median (IQR) 6MWD, and percent-of-predicted 6MWD values were: COPD 32/6, 316 m (226-390 m), and 59.4% (42.5-68.9%); OHS 24/28, 303 m (240-362 m), and 73.0% (63.0-82.0%); kyphoscoliosis 16/7, 420 m (318-462 m), and 70.5% (56.0-75.2%); and parenchymal lung disease 19/12, 333 m (273-372 m), and 67.1% (46.7-74.7%). The correlation of percent-of-predicted 6MWD with spirometry and arterial blood gas values were better than with the actual 6MWD. CONCLUSIONS: The percent-of-predicted 6MWD was better correlated with respiratory function than actual 6MWD for subjects using home NIV due to chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure with COPD, OHS, kyphoscoliosis, and parenchymal lung disease.

C-reactive protein as a predictor of mortality in patients affected with severe sepsis in intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Severe sepsis is a primary cause of morbidity and mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU). Numerous biomarkers have been assessed to predict outcome and CRP is widely used. However, the relevance for mortality risk of the CRP level and the day when it is measured have not been well studied. We aimed to assess whether initial and/or third dayCRP values are as good predictors of mortality in ICU patients with severe sepsis as other well-known complex predictors of mortality, i.e., SOFA scores. METHODS: An observational cohort study was performed in a 20-bed respiratory ICU in a chest disease center. Patients with severe sepsis due to respiratory disease were enrolled in the study. SOFA scores, CRP values on admission and on the third day of hospital stay, and mortality rate were recorded. ROC curves for SOFA scores and CRP values were calculated. RESULTS: The study included 314 ICU patients with sepsis admitted between January 2009 and March 2010. The mortality rate was 14.2% (n = 45). The area under the curve (AUC) for CRP values and SOFA scores on admission and on the 3rd day in ICU were calculated as 0.57 (CI: 0.48-0.66); 0.72 (CI: 0.63-0.80); 0.72 (CI: 0.64-0.81); and 0.76 (CI: 0.67-0.86), respectively. Sepsis due to nosocomial infection, a CRP value > 100 mg/L and higher SOFA scores on 3rd day, were found to be risk factors for mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 3.76, confidence interval [CI]: 1.68-8.40, p < 0.001, OR: 2.70, CI: 1.41-2.01, p < 0.013, and OR: 1.68, CI: 1.41-2.01, p < 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of sepsis related mortality appears to be increased when the 3rd day CRP value is greater than 100 mg/dL. Thus, CRP appears to be as valuable a predictor of mortality as the SOFA score.

Six minute walking distance in kyphoscoliosis patients with chronic respiratory failure.

AIM: To evaluate kyphoscoliosis patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHRF) using the six minute walk test (6MWT) distance (6MWD) and cardio-pulmonary function tests. METHOD: This prospective cross-sectional study was carried out in a tertiary training and research hospital in Turkey. Kyphoscoliosis patients with CHRF on home mechanical ventilation (HMV) followed in a respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) out-patient clinic were enrolled. Patients' demographics were recorded as well as transthoracic echocardiography (ECHO), 6MWD, spirometry, arterial blood gas (ABG) values and high resolution chest computed tomography. 6MWT results were compared with other parameters. RESULTS: Thirty four patients with kyphoscoliosis and chronic respiratory insufficiency admitted to our outpatient clinic were included in the study but 25 (17 M) patients underwent 6MWT (8 patients walked with oxygen supplement due to PaO2 < 60 mm Hg). The mean 6MWD was 274.4 ± 76.2 (median 270) m and median 6MWD predicted rate was 43.7% (inter quartile ratio, IQR, 37.6% to 47.7%). Median HMV use was 3 years (IQR 2-4). 6MWD predicted rate, body mass index (BMI), HMV duration were similar in male and female patients. 6MWD correlated well with age, BMI, dyspnea score for baseline 6MWT (r: - 0.59, p < 0.002, r: - 0.58, p < 0.003, r: - 0.55, p < 0.005 respectively) but modestly with forced expiratory volume in one second, pulse rate for baseline 6MWT, pulse saturation rate, fatigue and dyspnea score at end of 6MWT (r: - 0.44, p < 0.048; r: 0.44, p < 0.027; r: - 0.43, p < 0.031; r: - 0.42, p < 0.036; r: - 0.42, p < 0.034 respectively). 6MWD predicted rate was only correlated with dyspnea score at baseline (r: - 0.46, p < 0.022). The systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (PAPs) in 6 (24%) cases was more than 40 mmHg, in whom mean PaO2/FiO2 was 301.4 ± 55.4 compared to 280.9 ± 50.2 in those with normal PAPs (p > 0.40). CONCLUSION: The 6MWT is an easy way to evaluate physical performance limitation in kyphoscoliosis patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure using home mechanical ventilation. Nearly 275 m was the mean distance walked in the 6MWT, but rather than distance in meters, the 6MWD predicted rate according to gender and body mass index equation might be a better way for deciding about physical performance of these patients. Dyspnea score at baseline before the 6MWT may be the most important point that affects 6MWD in this patient population.