Effect of Noninvasive Ventilation After Unplanned Extubation.

BACKGROUND: Our study set out to test the effect of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) performed after unplanned extubation. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in a university-affiliated mixed ICU of 12 beds during a 5-y period (January 2013 to December 2017). Unplanned extubation was defined as the occurrence of an unplanned removal of the endotracheal tube, whether deliberate or accidental. NIV after an unplanned extubation was not protocolized and was decided by the physician in charge on an individual basis. RESULTS: A total of 121 subjects (median [25th-75th percentile] age, 62.1 [43.3-73.6] y; median [25th-75th percentile] Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, 45 [36-54]) experienced 131 unplanned extubation episodes. Re-intubation was deemed necessary in 35 subjects (28.9%). NIV was used in 24 subjects (19.8%) (prophylactic NIV, n = 10; rescue NIV, n = 14). The re-intubation rates were 25.8%, 10%, and 64.3% in the no NIV, prophylactic, and rescue NIV subgroups, respectively. The median (25th-75th percentile) time to re-intubation was longer for subjects on NIV (9.1 [3.5-49.2] vs 0.46 [0.25-1] h, P = .001). The median (25th-75th percentile) ICU length of stay and duration of mechanical ventilation were longer in the subjects who underwent NIV (14.5 [7-24.5] vs 6 [3-14] d, respectively, P = .004; and 9 [3-22] vs 3 [1-7.3] d, respectively, P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: NIV after unplanned extubation had uncertain efficacy, especially when provided as rescue management of postextubation respiratory failure.

Constipation in critical care patients: both timing and duration matter.

OBJECTIVE: Most of the studies have defined constipation as a period without stool after ICU admission. We aimed to test the impact of both duration and timing of infrequent defecation in critical care patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective, bi-center, observational study. Patients were divided into three subgroups: 'not constipated', '3-5 days', and 'at least 6 days' (longest period without stool passage, respectively, shorter than 3 days, 3-5 days, and ≥6 days). Furthermore, 'early' constipated patients were defined as those for whom the longest time to stool passage occurred just after ICU admission, whereas for 'late' constipated patients the longest period without stool occurred later during ICU stay. RESULTS: A total of 182 patients were included: the mean age was 67.2 years (54.4-78.9 years), 80 were women, and simplified acute physiology score II was 42 (34-52). In all, 42 (23.1%), 82 (45.1%), and 58 (31.8%) belonged to the nonconstipated, 3-5 days, or greater than or equal to 6 days subgroup of patients, respectively. Time spent under mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay was longer in the greater than or equal to 6 days subgroups as compared with both other subgroups. ICU stay was longer in the 3-5 days subgroup as compared with the not constipated patients. Furthermore, the late patients of the greater than or equal to 6 days subgroups exhibited worse survival as compared with all other patients. CONCLUSION: Both timing and duration of infrequent defecation seem to have an impact on critical care patient's outcome, and should therefore be included in the diagnostic criteria.

Blood glucose level and outcome after cardiac arrest: insights from a large registry in the hypothermia era.

INTRODUCTION: The influence of blood glucose (BG) level during the post-resuscitation period after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is still debated. To evaluate the relationship between blood glucose level and outcome, we included the median glycemia and its maximal amplitude over the first 48 h following ICU admission in an analysis of outcome predictors. METHODS: We conducted a database study in a cardiac arrest center in Paris, France. Between 2006 and 2010, we included 381 patients who were all resuscitated from an OHCA. A moderate glycemic control was applied in all patients. The median glycemia and the largest change over the first 48 h were included in a multivariate analysis that was performed to determine parameters associated with a favorable outcome. RESULTS: Of the 381 patients, 136 (36 %) had a favorable outcome (CPC 1-2). Median BG level was 7.6 mmol/L (6.3-9.8) in patients with a favorable outcome compared to 9.0 mmol/L (IQR 7.1-10.6) for patients with an unfavorable outcome (p < 0.01). Median BG level variation was 7.1 (4.2-11) and 9.6 (5.9-13.6) mmol/L in patients with and without a favorable outcome, respectively (p < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, an increased median BG level over the first 48 h was found to be an independent predictor of poor issue [OR = 0.43; 95 % CI (0.24-0.78), p = 0.006]. Finally a progressive increase in median BG level was associated with a progressive increase in the proportion of patients with a poor outcome. CONCLUSION: We observed a relationship between high blood glucose level and outcome after cardiac arrest. These results suggest the need to test a strategy combining both control of glycemia and minimization of glycemic variations for its ability to improve post-resuscitation care.

Contribution of the anatomy laboratory to the practical training of residents in regional anesthesia.

INTRODUCTION: Dissection workshop has never been assessed in the initial training of resident medical students in anesthesia. This work aimed at assessing the impact of this educational tool on the rates of success of the main blocks the resident in anesthesia achieved during their training. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The primary outcome measure studied in this work was the self-assessment by the resident of the rate of success of every block before and after the complementary training in regional anesthesia included dissection workshop, determined by a questionnaire sent by post at least 6 months after the teaching. Besides, the seminar was estimated at once by a questionnaire evaluating the quality as well as the interest of the education on a scale ranging from 0 to 10. RESULTS: Forty-two anesthesia residents went through the training. Thirty-four (77%) handed back the questionnaire assessing the global interest an average of 8.9 (1.4). Theoretical training received an average score of 7.7 (1.4) and dissection workshop in anatomy laboratory, a score of 7.8 (1.6). The quality of teaching methods used was marked nine (0.8). Twenty-seven residents (61.36%) mailed the questionnaire. The rate of success concerning each block in their clinical practice before and after the training is not different, only concerning the humeral canal block. CONCLUSION: Although the educational quality of the training was acknowledged as responding to the expectancies of the anesthesia residents, the dissection workshop do not meet with the expected requirements of rates improval of the different blocks part from the humeral canal one's, within this medical sample in initial training.