The occurrence of pressure injuries and related risk factors in patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for respiratory failure: A retrospective single centre study

Complications associated with prone positioning in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients: A multicentre, retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Prone positioning is commonly applied to improve gas exchange in mechanically ventilated patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Whilst prone positioning is effective, specific complications may arise. We aimed to assess the prevalence of specific complications related to prone positioning in patients mechanically ventilated for COVID-19-related ARDS.

DESIGN

Multicentre, retrospective observational study.

METHODS

Multi-centre observational study of mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19-related ARDS admitted to intensive care units in Melbourne, Australia, from August to November 2021. Data on baseline characteristics, prone positioning, complications, and patient outcomes were collected.

RESULTS

We assessed 553 prone episodes in 220 patients across seven sites (mean ± standard deviation age: 54 ± 13 years, 61% male). Overall, 58% (127/220) of patients experienced at least one prone-positioning-related complication. Pressure injury was the most prevalent (n = 92/220, 42%) complication reported. Factors associated with increased risk of pressure injury were male sex (adjusted odds ratio = 1.15, 95% confidence interval: [1.02-1.31]) and the total number of prone episodes (adjusted odds ratio = 1.11, 95% confidence interval: [1.07-1.15]). Device dislodgement was the next most common complication, occurring in 28 of 220 (13%) patients. There were no nerve or retinal injuries reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Pressure injuries and line dislodgement were the most prevalent complications associated with prone positioning of patients mechanically ventilated for COVID-19. The risk of pressure injuries was associated with male sex and the number of prone positioning episodes.

The epidemiology of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Objective

To describe the epidemiology and clinical features of pressure injury (PI) development in adult patients supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Design

Retrospective, observational, cohort study from January 2018 to May 2023.

Setting

A single-centre high-volume ECMO specialist intensive care unit (ICU).

Participants

All adults (aged 18 y or more) admitted to ICU for more than 24 h.

Main Outcome Measures

Any PI developing more than 24 h after ICU admission.

Results

Five-hundred ICU patients were supported with ECMO during the study period. Excluding those <18 years of age and with an ICU length of stay of <24 h, 466 patients were included in the analysis. One-hundred-thirty-five (29.0%) patients acquired at least one PI during their ICU stay, with PI occurring in 80 patients (17.2%) whilst supported on ECMO. The PI incidence rate was 1.7 per 100 ECMO patient-days (confidence interval: 1.3-2.0). Patients with a PI were mechanically ventilated for longer, received more renal replacement therapy, manifested more delirium, and stayed longer in the ICU and hospital. Conversely, crude ICU and in-hospital mortality was lower in the PI group. A longer ECMO run time and a higher proportion of veno-venous ECMO was also noted in those with a PI. Factors independently associated with the acquisition of a PI were male gender, oral dietary intake, renal replacement therapy, and prolonged mechanical ventilation. The majority of the PIs acquired during ECMO were stage-two and were most commonly located on the neck and head (n = 25/96 PIs, 26.0%) and sacral region (n = 31/96 PIs, 32.3%). Only three PIs were in relation to the ECMO cannula, circuit, or dressing.

Conclusion

A significant proportion of patients develop PIs while receiving ECMO. Vigilance on the prevention of medical device related PI is required. Gender, renal replacement therapy, oral diet, and length of mechanical ventilation were independent predictors for PI development in this population.