Role of ventilation in RSV disease: CPAP, ventilation, HFO, ECMO

Severe respiratory syncytial virus disease

The burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease is widely recognized. Main risk factors for severe disease, such as extreme ages, chronic cardiopulmonary conditions, and immunosuppression, typically coincide with poorer outcomes. While the majority of RSV hospitalizations involve healthy children, a higher proportion of hospitalized adults with underlying conditions need intensive care. Presently, treatment primarily consists of supportive measures. RSV-induced wheezing should be distinguished from respiratory tract thickening, without response to bronchodilators. Obstructive RSV disease frequently overlaps with viral pneumonia. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation and high-flow oxygen therapy represented significant advancements in the management of severe RSV disease in children and may also hold considerable importance in specific phenotypes of RSV disease in adults. Most severe infections manifest with refractory hypoxemia necessitating more advanced ventilatory support and/or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy. Although bacterial co-infection rates are low, they have been associated with worse outcomes. Antibiotic prescription rates are high. Accurately diagnosing bacterial co-infections remains a challenge. Current evidence and antibiotic stewardship policies advise against indiscriminate antibiotic usage, even in severe cases. The role of currently developing antiviral therapies in severe RSV disease will be elucidated in the coming years, contingent upon the success of new vaccines and immune passive strategies involving nirsevimab.

Epidemiology, Outcomes, and Trend Analysis of Hospitalized Infants With Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Bronchiolitis From 1997 to 2019

Background  Most children with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection have a self-limiting course that can be managed with supportive care, and hospitalization is uncommon. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the epidemiology, outcomes, associated comorbidities, and temporal trends in the prevalence of infants one to 24 months of age who required hospitalization for RSV infection in the United States of America from 1997 to 2019. Methods In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we utilized the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) to investigate the prevalence and outcomes of RSV bronchiolitis within a large cohort of discharged patients from 1997 to 2019. We included children one to 24 months of age admitted with a diagnosis of RSV bronchiolitis. Neonates were excluded from the analysis. A chi-square for linear trend was used to analyze trends in the prevalence of RSV bronchiolitis hospitalization, the presence of complex chronic conditions (CCC), congenital heart disease (CHD), the use of non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV and IMV), and hospital mortality. Results There were a total of 566,786 infants aged one to 24 months hospitalized with RSV infection out of a total of 9,309,597 discharges during the eight-year cohort, with a hospital prevalence of 60.9 per 1000 discharges and a hospital mortality rate of 0.09% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.08%-0.1%). There was no trend in hospitalization rates of RSV infections per 100,000 U.S. population during the study period, with a decrease in hospital mortality trend. Children with RSV bronchiolitis were more likely to have government insurance and reside in zip codes with the lowest income quartile. There was a significant seasonal and regional variation in RSV-related hospitalizations. The presence of CCC was identified in 2.4% of the RSV group compared to 5.1% of non-RSV discharges (odds ratio (OR): 0.46, 95% CI: 0.45-0.47; p<0.001). The prevalence of RSV among all discharges has significantly increased over the study period, rising from 51.6 cases per 1000 discharges in 1997 to 180.1 cases per 1000 discharges in 2019 (p<0.001). The prevalence of CCC and CHD among RSV patients has also shown an upward trend, with CCC cases increasing from 1,411 in 1997 to 2,795 in 2019 and CHD cases rising from 1,795 to 3,622 during the same period. The use of invasive mechanical ventilation, non-invasive ventilation, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has consistently increased over time. Additionally, complications such as the need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation have demonstrated a similar increasing trend, although they have remained overall low. However, population-based hospitalization rates showed no significant trend. Conclusions The hospitalization rates at a population level in the United States for RSV infection in children aged one to 24 months remained steady from 1997 to 2019, while hospital mortality rates showed a declining trend. There is an increased proportion of comorbid conditions and increased resource utilization in children with RSV. These findings are important for monitoring the effectiveness of preventive strategies for severe RSV infections.

Inhaled nitric oxide therapy for severe hypoxemia in hyperinflated mechanically ventilated bronchiolitis patient

Management of hospitalized bronchiolitis patients comprises supportive care including non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation. Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) therapy has been used in bronchiolitis patients to manage pulmonary hypertension, acute respiratory distress syndrome, bronchoconstriction or inflammation. We report the role of iNO in management of severe hypoxemia in a 7-month-old mechanically ventilated bronchiolitis patient on 100% oxygen and high ventilator settings who had hyperinflation on chest x-ray, and diffuse bronchospasm on clinical assessment. We believe iNO improved hypoxemia in our patient by optimizing the ventilation/perfusion mismatch, decreasing dead space ventilation and relieving elevated pulmonary vascular resistance associated with alveolar overdistention.

Inhaled nitric oxide therapy for severe hypoxemia in hyperinflated mechanically ventilated bronchiolitis patient.

Neurally Adjusted Ventilator Assist in Infants With Acute Respiratory Failure: A Literature Scoping Review

OBJECTIVES

To map the evidence for neurally adjusted ventilatory assist strategies, outcome measures, and sedation practices in infants less than 12 months with acute respiratory failure using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidance.

DATA SOURCES

CINAHL, MEDLINE, COCHRANE, JBI, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Google scholar, BNI, AMED. Trial registers included the following: ClinicalTrials.gov, European Union clinical trials register, International Standardized Randomized Controlled Trial Number register. Also included were Ethos, Grey literature, Google, dissertation abstracts, EMBASE conference proceedings.

STUDY SELECTION

Abstracts were screened followed by review of full text. Articles incorporating a heterogeneous population of both infants and older children were assessed, and where possible, data for infants were extracted. Fifteen articles were included. Ten articles were primary research: randomized controlled trial (n = 3), cohort studies (n = 4), retrospective data analysis (n = 2), case series (n = 1). Other articles are expert opinion (n = 2), neurally adjusted ventilatory assist updates (n = 1), and a literature review (n = 2). Three studies included exclusively infants. We also included 12 studies reporting jointly on infants and children.

DATA EXTRACTION

A standardized data extraction tool was used.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Key findings were that evidence related to neurally adjusted ventilatory assist ventilation strategies in infants and related to specific primary conditions is limited. The setting of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist level is not consistent, and how to optimize this mode of ventilation was not documented. Outcome measures varied considerably, most studies focused on improvements in respiratory and physiological variables. Sedation use is variable with regard to medication type and dose. There is an indication that less sedation is required in patients receiving neurally adjusted ventilatory assist, but no conclusive evidence to support this.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights a lack of standardized strategies for neurally adjusted ventilatory assist ventilation and sedation practices among infants with acute respiratory failure. Studies were limited by small sample sizes and a lack of focus on specific patient groups. Robust studies are needed to provide evidence-based clinical recommendations for the use of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist in infants with acute respiratory failure.

Cost-effectiveness of palivizumab in infants with congenital heart disease: a Swedish perspective

Background

Infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality during a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. The aim of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of palivizumab as RSV-prophylaxis among infants with CHD, including the effect of delayed heart surgery and asthma.

Methods

A simulation model with data from the literature and health care authorities including costs and utilities was developed to estimate costs and health effects over a lifetime for a cohort of CHD infants receiving palivizumab compared to no RSV-prophylaxis.

Results

The prophylaxis treatment incurred a cost of 3664 EUR per treated infant. However, due to cost-savings from primarily avoiding hospitalizations (5145 EUR/treated infant) and avoiding heart complications due to delayed heart surgery (2082 EUR/treated infant), the RSV-prophylaxis treatment resulted in a total cost-saving of 3833 EUR per treated infant. At the same time, the prophylaxis-treated cohort accumulated more life-years and higher quality of life than the non-prophylaxis cohort.

Conclusion

This study confirms that RSV-prophylaxis in severe CHD infants less than one year of age is cost beneficial. Avoiding delayed heart surgeries is an important benefit of prophylaxis and should be taken into consideration.

Bronchiolitis in children: The Saudi initiative of bronchiolitis diagnosis, management, and prevention (SIBRO)

Bronchiolitis is the leading cause of admissions in children less than two years of age. It has been recognized as highly debated for many decades. Despite the abundance of literature and the well-recognized importance of palivizumab in the high risk groups, and despite the existence of numerous, high-quality, recent guidelines on bronchiolitis, the number of admissions continues to increase. Only supportive therapy and few therapeutic interventions are evidence based and proved to be effective. Since Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the major cause of bronchiolitis, we will focus on this virus mostly in high risk groups like the premature babies and children with chronic lung disease and cardiac abnormalities. Further, the prevention of RSV with palivizumab in the high risk groups is effective and well known since 1998; we will discuss the updated criteria for allocating infants to this treatment, as this medication is expensive and should be utilized in the best condition. Usually, diagnosis of bronchiolitis is not challenging, however there has been historically no universally accepted and validated scoring system to assess the severity of the condition. Severe RSV, especially in high risk children, is unique because it can cause serious respiratory sequelae. Currently there is no effective curative treatment for bronchiolitis. The utility of different therapeutic interventions is worth a discussion.

Respiratory mechanics in infants with severe bronchiolitis on controlled mechanical ventilation

Background

Analysis of respiratory mechanics during mechanical ventilation (MV) is able to estimate resistive, elastic and inertial components of the working pressure of the respiratory system. Our aim was to discriminate the components of the working pressure of the respiratory system in infants on MV with severe bronchiolitis admitted to two PICU’s.

Methods

Infants younger than 1 year old with acute respiratory failure caused by severe bronchiolitis underwent neuromuscular blockade, tracheal intubation and volume controlled MV. Shortly after intubation studies of pulmonary mechanics were performed using inspiratory and expiratory breath hold. The maximum inspiratory and expiratory flow (QI and QE) as well as peak inspiratory (PIP), plateau (PPL) and total expiratory pressures (tPEEP) were measured. Inspiratory and expiratory resistances (RawI and RawE) and Time Constants (K_TI and K_TE) were calculated.

Results

We included 16 patients, of median age 2.5 (1–5.8) months. Bronchiolitis due to respiratory syncytial virus was the main etiology (93.8%) and 31.3% had comorbidities. Measured respiratory pressures were PIP 29 (26–31), PPL 24 (20–26), tPEEP 9 [8–11] cmH2O. Elastic component of the working pressure was significantly higher than resistive and both higher than threshold (tPEEP – PEEP) (P < 0.01). QI was significantly lower than QE [5 (4.27–6.75) v/s 16.5 (12–23.8) L/min. RawI and RawE were 38.8 (32–53) and 40.5 (22–55) cmH2O/L/s; K_TI and K_TE [0.18 (0.12–0.30) v/s 0.18 (0.13–0.22) s], and K_TI:K_TE ratio was 1:1.04 (1:0.59–1.42).

Conclusions

Analysis of respiratory mechanics of infants with severe bronchiolitis receiving MV shows that the elastic component of the working pressure of the respiratory system is the most important. The elastic and resistive components in conjunction with flow profile are characteristic of restrictive diseases. A better understanding of lung mechanics in this group of patients may lead to change the traditional ventilatory approach to severe bronchiolitis.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12890-017-0475-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Characteristics and progression of children with acute viral bronchiolitis subjected to mechanical ventilation

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the characteristics of children with acute viral bronchiolitis subjected to mechanical ventilation for three consecutive years and to correlate their progression with mechanical ventilation parameters and fluid balance.

METHODS

Longitudinal study of a series of infants (< one year old) subjected to mechanical ventilation for acute viral bronchitis from January 2012 to September 2014 in the pediatric intensive care unit. The children's clinical records were reviewed, and their anthropometric data, mechanical ventilation parameters, fluid balance, clinical progression, and major complications were recorded.

RESULTS

Sixty-six infants (3.0 ± 2.0 months old and with an average weight of 4.7 ± 1.4kg) were included, of whom 62% were boys; a virus was identified in 86%. The average duration of mechanical ventilation was 6.5 ± 2.9 days, and the average length of stay in the pediatric intensive care unit was 9.1 ± 3.5 days; the mortality rate was 1.5% (1/66). The peak inspiratory pressure remained at 30cmH2O during the first four days of mechanical ventilation and then decreased before extubation (25 cmH2O; p < 0.05). Pneumothorax occurred in 10% of the sample and extubation failure in 9%, which was due to upper airway obstruction in half of the cases. The cumulative fluid balance on mechanical ventilation day four was 402 ± 254mL, which corresponds to an increase of 9.0 ± 5.9% in body weight. Thirty-seven patients (56%) exhibited a weight gain of 10% or more, which was not significantly associated with the ventilation parameters on mechanical ventilation day four, extubation failure, duration of mechanical ventilation or length of stay in the pediatric intensive care unit.

CONCLUSION

The rate of mechanical ventilation for acute viral bronchiolitis remains constant, being associated with low mortality, few adverse effects, and positive cumulative fluid balance during the first days. Better fluid control might reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation.

Variability of intensive care management for children with bronchiolitis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the extent of variability in testing and treatment of children with bronchiolitis requiring intensive care.

METHODS

This prospective, multicenter observational study included 16 academic children's hospitals across the United States during the 2007 to 2010 fall and winter seasons. The study included children<2 years old hospitalized with bronchiolitis who required admission to the ICU and/or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) within 24 hours of admission. Among the 2207 enrolled patients with bronchiolitis, 342 children met inclusion criteria. Clinical data and nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected.

RESULTS

Respiratory distress severity scores and intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated. The study patients' median age was 2.6 months, and 59% were male. Across the 16 sites, the median respiratory distress severity score was 5.1 (interquartile range: 4.5-5.4; P<.001). The median value of the percentages for all sites using CPAP was 15% (range: 3%-100%), intubation was 26% (range: 0%-100%), and high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) was 24% (range: 0%-94%). Adjusting for site-specific random effects (as well as children's demographic characteristics and severity of bronchiolitis), the intraclass correlation coefficient for CPAP and/or intubation was 21% (95% confidence interval: 8-44); for HFNC, it was 44.7% (95% confidence interval: 24-67).

CONCLUSIONS

In this multicenter study of children requiring intensive care for bronchiolitis, we identified substantial institutional variability in testing and treatment, including use of CPAP, intubation, and HFNC. These differences were not explained by between-site differences in patient characteristics, including severity of illness. Further research is needed to identify best practices for intensive care interventions for this major cause of pediatric hospitalization.

Recent advances in the management of acute bronchiolitis

Acute bronchiolitis is characterized by acute wheezing in infants or children and is associated with signs or symptoms of respiratory infection; it is rarely symptomatic in adults and the most common etiologic agent is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Usually it does not require investigation, treatment is merely supportive and a conservative approach seems adequate in the majority of children, especially for the youngest ones (<3 months); however, clinical scoring systems have been proposed and admission in hospital should be arranged in case of severe disease or a very young age or important comorbidities. Apnea is a very important aspect of the management of young infants with bronchiolitis. This review focuses on the clinical, radiographic, and pathologic characteristics, as well as the recent advances in management of acute bronchiolitis.

Non invasive nasal high frequency ventilation in the course of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis

High frequency oscillatory ventilation through nasal prongs (nHFOV) has been utilised in an 11-day-old infant suffering from a severe form of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis with severe hypoxia (A-aDO2 374 mm Hg) and deep hypercapnic acidosis (pH 6.97, pCO2 148 mm Hg). Mean airway pressure (Paw) was set at 12 cmH2 O, amplitude (ΔP) at 38 cmH2 O (level set according to the perception of vibration of the chest wall), frequency (FR) at 10 Hz, inspiratory time (Ti) 33%, FiO2 0.95. pCO2 dropped to 90 mm Hg in 6 h and to 60 mm Hg in the following 12 h. FiO2 was progressively tapered to 0.75 in 3 h. The patient was weaned from nHFOV after 65 h. We speculate that nHFOV may be useful in the treatment of bronchiolitis-induced hypercapnia avoiding intubation.

Continuous positive airway pressure for bronchiolitis in a general paediatric ward; a feasibility study

Background

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is commonly used to relieve respiratory distress in infants with bronchiolitis, but has mostly been studied in an intensive care setting. Our prime aim was to evaluate the feasibility of CPAP for infants with bronchiolitis in a general paediatric ward, and secondary to assess capillary PCO₂ (cPCO₂) levels before and during treatment.

Methods

From May 1^st 2008 to April 30^th 2012, infants with bronchiolitis at Stavanger University Hospital were treated with CPAP in a general paediatric ward, but could be referred to an intensive care unit (ICU) when needed, according to in-house guidelines. Levels of cPCO₂ were prospectively registered before the start of CPAP and at approximately 4, 12, 24 and 48 hours of treatment as long as CPAP was given. We had a continuous updating program for the nurses and physicians caring for the infants with CPAP. The study was population based.

Results

672 infants (3.4%) were hospitalized with bronchiolitis. CPAP was initiated in 53 infants (0.3%; 7.9% of infants with bronchiolitis), and was well tolerated in all but three infants. 46 infants were included in the study, the majority of these (n = 33) were treated in the general ward only. These infants had lower cPCO₂ before treatment (8.0; 7.7, 8.6)(median; quartiles) than those treated at the ICU (n = 13) (9.3;8.5, 9.9) (p < 0.001). The level of cPCO₂ was significantly reduced after 4 h in both groups; 1.1 kPa (paediatric ward) (p < 0.001) and 1.3 kPa (ICU) (p = 0.002). Two infants on the ICU did not respond to CPAP (increasing cPCO₂ and severe apnoe) and were given mechanical ventilation, otherwise no side effects were observed in either group treated with CPAP.

Conclusion

Treatment with CPAP for infants with bronchiolitis may be feasible in a general paediatric ward, providing sufficient staffing and training, and the possibility of referral to an ICU when needed.

Initiation of ECMO for ventilator-dependent respiratory failure in an infant with Pompe's

We present a 7-month-old male with Pompe's disease with respiratory failure requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation that received enzyme replacement therapy. There are no published cases of the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a patient with Pompe's disease, or the use of enzyme replacement therapy in the setting of acute respiratory failure.

Acute bronchiolitis in infants, a review

Acute viral bronchiolitis is one of the most common medical emergency situations in infancy, and physicians caring for acutely ill children will regularly be faced with this condition. In this article we present a summary of the epidemiology, pathophysiology and diagnosis, and focus on guidelines for the treatment of bronchiolitis in infants. The cornerstones of the management of viral bronchiolitis are the administration of oxygen and appropriate fluid therapy, and overall a “minimal handling approach” is recommended. Inhaled adrenaline is commonly used in some countries, but the evidences are sparse. Recently, inhalation with hypertonic saline has been suggested as an optional treatment. When medical treatment fails to stabilize the infants, non-invasive and invasive ventilation may be necessary to prevent and support respiratory failure. It is important that relevant treatment algorithms exist, applicable to all levels of the treatment chain and reflecting local considerations and circumstances.

Infants with severe respiratory syncytial virus needed less ventilator time with nasal continuous airways pressure then invasive mechanical ventilation

AIM

Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) has been proposed as an early first-line support for infants with severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. We hypothesised that infants <6 months with severe RSV would require shorter ventilator support on NCPAP than invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV).

METHODS

Retrospective cohort analysis of infants admitted to two paediatric intensive care units, one primarily using NCPAP and one exclusively using IMV, between January 2008 and February 2010.

RESULTS

We studied 133 (NCPAP n = 89, IMV n = 46) consecutively admitted infants. On admission, disease severity [i.e. Paediatric RISk of Mortality (PRISM) II score (NCPAP 5.1 ± 2.8 vs. IMV 12.2 ± 6.0, p < 0.001) and SpO2 /Fi O2 ratio (NCPAP 309 ± 81 vs. IMV 135 ± 98, p < 0.001)] was higher in the IMV group. NCPAP remained independently associated with shorter ventilatory support (hazard ratio 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-4.7, p = 0.022) after adjusting for PRISM II score, PCO2 , SpO2 /Fi O2 ratio, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and occurrence of clinically suspected secondary bacterial pneumonia.

CONCLUSION

Nasal continuous positive airway pressure was independently associated with a shorter duration of ventilatory support. Differences in baseline disease severity mandate a randomised trial before the routine use of NCPAP can be recommended.

Respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in children

Respiratory syncytial virus is a highly infectious virus that commonly causes bronchiolitis and leads to high morbidity and a low, but important, incidence of mortality. Supportive therapy is the foundation of management. Hydration/nutrition and respiratory support are important evidence-based interventions. For children with severe disease, continuous positive airway pressure or mechanical ventilation may be necessary. Ribavirin may be used for treatment of patients with severe disease. Palivizumab provides important ongoing immunoprophylaxis during epidemic months for high-risk infants. Caregiver education and incorporating an explanation of all therapies and anticipatory guidance, including strategies for reducing the risk of infection, are vital.

Improved clinical and economic outcomes in severe bronchiolitis with pre-emptive nCPAP ventilatory strategy

PURPOSE

Severe bronchiolitis is the leading cause of admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) has become the primary respiratory support, replacing invasive mechanical ventilation (MV). Our objective was to evaluate the economic and clinical consequences following implementation of this respiratory strategy in our unit.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort analysis of 525 infants with bronchiolitis requiring respiratory support and successively treated during two distinct periods with invasive MV between 1996 and 2000, P1 (n = 193) and nCPAP between 2006 and 2010, P2 (n = 332). Costs were estimated using the hospital cost billing reports.

RESULTS

Patients' baseline characteristics were similar between the two periods. P2 is associated with a significant decrease in the length of ventilation (LOV) (4.1 ± 3.5 versus 6.9 ± 4.6 days, p < 0.001), PICU length of stay (LOS) (6.2 ± 4.6 versus 9.7 ± 5.5 days, p < 0.001) and hospital LOS. nCPAP was independently associated with a shorter duration of ventilatory support than MV (hazard ratio 1.8, 95% CI 1.5-2.2, p < 0.001). nCPAP was also associated with a significant decrease in ventilation-associated complications, and less invasive management. The mean cost of acute viral bronchiolitis-related PICU hospitalizations was significantly decreased, from 17,451 to 11,205 € (p < 0.001). Implementation of nCPAP led to a reduction of the total annual cost of acute viral bronchiolitis hospitalizations of 715,000 €.

CONCLUSION

nCPAP in severe bronchiolitis is associated with a significant improvement in patient management as shown by the reduction in invasive care, LOV, PICU LOS, hospital LOS, and economic burden.

Value of Chest Radiographic Pattern in RSV Disease of the Newborn: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infection is the most common viral respiratory infection in infants. Several authors have sought to determine which risk factors are the best predictors for severe RSV disease. Our aim was to evaluate if a specific chest radiographic pattern in RSV disease can predict the disease severity. We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study in term and preterm neonates with confirmed lower respiratory tract RSV infection, admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) from 2000 to 2010. To determine which factors independently predicted the outcomes, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. A total of 259 term and preterm neonates were enrolled. Patients with a consolidation pattern on the chest radiograph at admission (n = 101) had greater need for invasive mechanical ventilation (OR: 2.5; P = .015), respiratory support (OR: 2.3; P = .005), supplemental oxygen (OR: 3.0; P = .008), and prolonged stay in the NICU (>7 days) (OR: 1.8; P = .025). Newborns with a consolidation pattern on admission chest radiograph had a more severe disease course, with greater risk of invasive mechanical ventilation, respiratory support, supplemental oxygen, and prolonged hospitalization.

Bronchiolite e asma

La letteratura internazionale ha recentemente riconosciuto la mancanza di confini netti fra bronchiolite (BR), wheezing (WH), o respiro sibilante, e asma.

Use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in acute viral bronchiolitis: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), used either alone or associated with heliox (CPAP-He), has become a popular therapeutic option for bronchiolitis. This systematic review assesses the impact of CPAP on endotracheal intubation, carbon dioxide pressure (PCO(2) ) and respiratory distress in patients with bronchiolitis.

METHODS

Systematic search including studies that used CPAP or CPAP-He in infants with bronchiolitis admitted to a PICU. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and the GRADE system.

RESULTS

Five CPAP (one crossover randomized controlled trial [RCT] and four before-after studies) and three CPAP-He (one quasi-RCT and two before-after) studies were included. CPAP was reported to reduce PCO(2) (-6.9 to -11.7 mmHg, respectively, P < 0.015), respiratory rate (-12 to -16 breaths/min after 2 hr, P < 0.01) and the modified Wood clinical asthma score (mWCAS, -2.2 points after 1 hr, P < 0.01). CPAP-He studies observed decreases in PCO(2) (-9.7 mmHg, P < 0.05), mWCAS (-2.12 points, P < 0.001), and respiratory rate (-8 to -13.7 breaths/min, P < 0.05) after 1 hr of treatment. Endotracheal intubation rates ranged from 0-12.5% (CPAP-He) to 17-27% (CPAP). After applying the GRADE system, the quality of evidence for a beneficial effect of CPAP and CPAP-He was classified as low.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence supporting the use of CPAP to reduce PCO(2) and respiratory distress in bronchiolitis is of low methodological quality, and there is no conclusive evidence that CPAP reduces the need for intubation. No definitive conclusions could be drawn about the CPAP-He effect. Further research using higher quality methodology is needed to clarify the beneficial role of these interventions.