Tracheostomy timing and outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome: A retrospective observational study.

Background: Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonitis may progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring endotracheal intubation and prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV). There are limited data on the optimum time of tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients progressing to ARDS. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of all patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who progressed to ARDS requiring MV and undergone tracheostomy. We aimed to conduct a study to observe the impact of tracheostomy on the mortality of these patients and the impact of timing of tracheostomy on outcomes in these patients. Results: Of the total 162 patients, 128 (79%) were male and 34 (21%) were female. Early group (≤14 days) comprised 37 patients, while 125 patients were included in late group (>14 days). A total of 91 (56%) patients died at the end of this period. Among the patients who died, 21were included in the early group, while the late group comprised the remaining 70 patients. On comparing the patients who died, the duration of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) was significantly different in the two groups (median [Q1-Q3]: 12 [11-13] vs. 23 [19-28] days, P < 0.001). The number of days to death also differed significantly between the two groups (median [Q1-Q3]: 28 [21-38] vs. 24 [14-30] days, P = 0.009). Conclusion: Early tracheostomy is associated with significantly shorter length of ICU stay in COVID-19 patients that have progressed to ARDS. However, the timing of tracheostomy had no influence on the overall mortality rate in these patients.

Metabolic management of accidental intoxication.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Unintentional intoxication comprises a major chunk of all intoxications. Most patients are in the pediatric age group with another set of patients being the elderly. Substances found to cause accidental intoxication vary from country to country and even within different regions of a country. Frequent reviews of current literature are needed to be abreast of trends. RECENT FINDINGS: Prescription drugs and household chemicals are major culprits when it comes to accidental intoxication. Acetaminophen, digoxin and metformin are some of the prominent prescription drugs frequently associated with unintentional intoxications. Increasingly alcohol based hand sanitizers are becoming an important etiology of these events, following their increased usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pattern recognition to identify class of intoxicant and supportive care including prevention of further absorption and increased excretion are cornerstones of therapy. Antidote when available should be used promptly. SUMMARY: Knowledge about current epidemiology of accidental intoxications, toxidrome pattern recognition and appropriate antidote usage beside adequate and timely supportive care help in successful management of the unfortunate victim of accidental intoxication.

Percutaneous Tracheostomy in Patients at High Risk of Bleeding Complications: A Retrospective Single-center Experience.

AIMS: To study the bleeding complications in patients undergoing percutaneous tracheostomy and who are at high risk of these complications (due to thrombocytopenia, use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents, and difficult anatomy). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was undertaken, which included all patients undergoing percutaneous tracheostomy in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) of Rashid Hospital, Dubai, over a period of 15 months. Percutaneous tracheostomy was performed by senior medical intensivists using the single-tapered dilator technique under fiber optic bronchoscopic guidance. All patients underwent ultrasonographic evaluation of the neck to look for difficult anatomy and to determine the size of tracheostomy tube, etc. Patients were divided into two groups, those who were deemed to be at high risk of bleeding complications were compared with patients without any risk factors for bleeding complications. Other complications such as pneumothorax and tracheal leak were also looked for and were documented, if present. The data were summarized using descriptive statistics and the Fischer's exact test of significance was used for frequency distribution cross tables, at 5% level of significance (p value cutoff <0.05). RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-nine patients underwent percutaneous tracheostomy during the period of study. The age-group of patients ranged from 21 years to 104 years and males were predominant (65.41%). Of the 87 (54.71%) patients with one or more risk factors for bleeding, 53 (60.92%) patients had at least one risk factor for bleeding complications, while 34 (39.08%) had more than one risk factors. Bleeding was seen in total of two patients out of which one patient was in the group at risk of bleeding complications. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous tracheostomy is a relatively safe procedure with very low rate of complications when performed with due precautions. Even in patients deemed to be at high risk of complications, the rate of complications is very low. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Sasane SP, Telang MM, Alrais ZF, Alrahma AHNS, Khatib KI. Percutaneous Tracheostomy in Patients at High Risk of Bleeding Complications: A Retrospective Single-center Experience. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(2):90-94.