Diagnostic performance of a clinical ultrasound-based algorithm for acute heart failure in patients presenting to the emergency department with dyspnea

OBJECTIVES

To study the diagnostic performance of an ultrasound-based algorithm that includes the deceleration time (DT) of early mitral filling to establish a diagnosis of acute heart failure (AHF) in patients who come to an emergency department because of dyspnea.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Prospective analysis in a convenience sample of patients who came to a hospital emergency department with acute dyspnea. The algorithm included ultrasound findings and 4 echocardiographic findings as follows: mitral annular plane systolic excursion, Doppler mitral flow velocity, tissue Doppler imaging measure of the lateral annulus, and the DT of early mitral filling. The definitive diagnosis was made by 2 physicians blinded to each other's diagnosis and the ultrasound findings.

RESULTS

A total of 166 adult patients with a mean (SD) age of 76 (13) years were included; 79 (48%) were women. AHF was the definitive diagnosis in 62 patients (37%). Diagnostic agreement was good between the 2 physicians (κ = 0.71). The algorithm classified all the patients, and there were no undetermined diagnoses. Diagnostic performance indicators for the ultrasound-based algorithm integrating early DT findings were as follows: area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.91 (95% CI, 0.86-0.96); sensitivity, 87% (95% CI, 76%-94%); specificity, 95% (95% CI, 89%-98%); positive likelihood ratio, 18.1 (95% CI, 7.7-42.8); and negative likelihood ratio, 0.14 (95% CI, 0.07-0.26).

CONCLUSION

The ultrasound-based algorithm integrating the DT of early mitral filling performs well for diagnosing AHF in emergency patients with dyspnea. The inclusion of early DT allows all patients to be diagnosed.

Consistency of data reporting in fluid responsiveness studies in the critically ill setting: the CODEFIRE consensus from the Cardiovascular Dynamic section of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine

PURPOSE

To provide consensus recommendations regarding hemodynamic data reporting in studies investigating fluid responsiveness and fluid challenge (FC) use in the intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODS

The Executive Committee of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) commissioned and supervised the project. A panel of 18 international experts and a methodologist identified main domains and items from a systematic literature, plus 2 ancillary domains. A three-step Delphi process based on an iterative approach was used to obtain the final consensus. In the Delphi 1 and 2, the items were selected with strong (≥ 80% of votes) or week agreement (70-80% of votes), while the Delphi 3 generated recommended (≥ 90% of votes) or suggested (80-90% of votes) items (RI and SI, respectively).

RESULTS

We identified 5 main domains initially including 117 items and the consensus finally resulted in 52 recommendations or suggestions: 18 RIs and 2 SIs statements were obtained for the domain "ICU admission", 11 RIs and 1 SI for the domain "mechanical ventilation", 5 RIs for the domain "reason for giving a FC", 8 RIs for the domain pre- and post-FC "hemodynamic data", and 7 RIs for the domain "pre-FC infused drugs". We had no consensus on the use of echocardiography, strong agreement regarding the volume (4 ml/kg) and the reference variable (cardiac output), while weak on administration rate (within 10 min) of FC in this setting.

CONCLUSION

This consensus found 5 main domains and provided 52 recommendations for data reporting in studies investigating fluid responsiveness in ICU patients.

Low Percentage of Perforin-Expressing NK Cells during Severe SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Consumption Rather than Primary Deficiency

Genetic defects in the ability to deliver effective perforin have been reported in patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. We tested the hypothesis that a primary perforin deficiency might also be causal in severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. We recruited 54 volunteers confirmed as being SARS-CoV-2-infected by RT-PCR and admitted to intensive care units or non-intensive care units and age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Compared with healthy controls, the percentage of perforin-expressing CD3-CD56+ NK cells quantified by flow cytometry was low in COVID-19 patients (69.9 ± 17.7 versus 78.6 ± 14.6%, p = 0.026). There was no correlation between the proportions of perforin-positive NK cells and T8 lymphocytes. Moreover, the frequency of NK cells producing perforin was neither linked to disease severity nor predictive of death. Although IL-6 is known to downregulate perforin production in NK cells, we did not find any link between perforin expression and IL-6 plasma level. However, we unveiled a negative correlation between the degranulation marker CD107a and perforin expression in NK cells (r = -0.488, p = 10-4). PRF1 gene expression and the frequency of NK cells harboring perforin were normal in patients 1 y after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. A primary perforin defect does not seem to be a driver of COVID-19 because NK perforin expression is 1) linked neither to T8 perforin expression nor to disease severity, 2) inversely correlated with NK degranulation, and 3) normalized at distance from acute infection. Thus, the cause of low frequency of perforin-positive NK cells appears, rather, to be consumption.

Impact of adjuvant radiochemotherapy on free flap volume in head and neck reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Limited data exist regarding the effect of adjuvant radiochemotherapy on free flap volume in head and neck reconstruction. However, an adequate free flap volume is an important predictor of functional and patient-reported outcomes in head and neck reconstruction.

METHODS

A systematic review of Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 6710 abstracts were screened, and 36 full-text papers were reviewed. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were used to extract data for this analysis.

RESULTS

A meta-analysis of 14 two-arm studies comparing the impact of adjuvant radiotherapy versus no adjuvant radiotherapy was performed. The main analysis revealed that 6 months postoperatively, irradiated flaps showed a significant reduction of volume (average, 9.4%) compared to nonirradiated flaps. The average interpolated pooled flap volumes 6 months postoperatively were 76.4% in irradiated flaps and 81.8% in nonirradiated flaps. After a median postoperative follow-up of 12 months, the total flap volume was 62.6% for irradiated flaps and 76% for nonirradiated flaps. Four studies reported that chemotherapy had no significant impact on free flap volume.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to nonirradiated flaps, irradiated flaps were significantly reduced in volume (range, 5% to 15.5%). Clinicians should take this into account when planning the surgical reconstruction of head and neck defects. Conducting large-scale prospective studies with standardized protocols and well-defined follow-up measurements could contribute to defining the ideal, personalized free flap volume for optimal function and patient-reported outcomes.

Towards a qualitative theory of the interruption of eating behavior change

The poor maintenance of eating behavior change is one of the main obstacles to minimizing weight regain after weight loss during diets for non-surgical care of obese or overweight patients. We start with a known informal explanation of interruption in eating behavior change during severe restriction and formalize it as a causal network involving psychological variables, which we extend with energetic variables governed by principles of thermodynamics. The three core phenomena of dietary behavior change, i.e., non-initiation, initiation followed by discontinuation and initiation followed by non-discontinuation, are expressed in terms of the value of the key variable representing mood or psychological energy, the fluctuation of which is the result of three causal relationships. Based on our experimental knowledge of the time evolution profile of the three causal input variables, we then proceed to a qualitative analysis of the resulting theory, i.e., we consider an over-approximation of it which, after discretization, can be expressed in the form of a finite integer-based model. Using Answer Set Programming, we show that our formal model faithfully reproduces the three phenomena and, under a certain assumption, is minimal. We generalize this result by providing all the minimal models reproducing these phenomena when the possible causal relationships exerted on mood are extended to all the other variables (not just those assumed in the informal explanation), with arbitrary causality signs. Finally, by a direct analytical resolution of an under-approximation of our theory, obtained by assuming linear causalities, as a system of linear ODEs, we find exactly the same minimal models, proving that they are also equal to the actual minimal models of our theory since these are framed below and above by the models of the under-approximation and the over-approximation. We determine which parameters need to be person-specific and which can be considered invariant, i.e., we explain inter-individual variability. Our approach could pave the way for universally accepted theories in the field of behavior change and, more broadly, in other areas of psychology.

The proteome of bacterial membrane vesicles in Escherichia coli-a time course comparison study in two different media

Introduction

Bacteria inhabit the in- and outside of the human body, such as skin, gut or the oral cavity where they play an innoxious, beneficial or even pathogenic role. It is well known that bacteria can secrete membrane vesicles (MVs) like eukaryotic cells with extracellular vesicles (EVs). Several studies indicate that bacterial membrane vesicles (bMVs) play a crucial role in microbiome-host interactions. However, the composition of such bMVs and their functionality under different culture conditions are still largely unknown.

Methods

To gain a better insight into bMVs, we investigated the composition and functionality of E. coli (DSM 105380) bMVs from the culture media Lysogeny broth (LB) and RPMI 1640 throughout the different phases of growth (lag-, log- and stationary-phase). bMVs from three time points (8 h, 54 h, and 168 h) and two media (LB and RPMI 1640) were isolated by ultracentrifugation and analyzed using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), cryogenic electron microscopy (Cryo-EM), conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and mass spectrometry-based proteomics (LC-MS/MS). Furthermore, we examined pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-8 in the human monocyte cell line THP-1 upon bMV treatment.

Results

Particle numbers increased with inoculation periods. The bMV morphologies in Cryo-EM/TEM were similar at each time point and condition. Using proteomics, we identified 140 proteins, such as the common bMV markers OmpA and GroEL, present in bMVs isolated from both media and at all time points. Additionally, we were able to detect growth-condition-specific proteins. Treatment of THP-1 cells with bMVs of all six groups lead to significantly high IL-1β and IL-8 expressions.

Conclusion

Our study showed that the choice of medium and the duration of culturing significantly influence both E. coli bMV numbers and protein composition. Our TEM/Cryo-EM results demonstrated the presence of intact E. coli bMVs. Common E. coli proteins, including OmpA, GroEL, and ribosome proteins, can consistently be identified across all six tested growth conditions. Furthermore, our functional assays imply that bMVs isolated from the six groups retain their function and result in comparable cytokine induction.

Early temporary mechanical circulatory support for cardiogenic shock: Real-life data from a regional cardiac assistance network

BACKGROUND

Temporary mechanical circulatory support as well as multidisciplinary team approach in a regional care organization might improve survival of cardiogenic shock. No study has evaluated the relative effect of each temporary mechanical circulatory support on mortality in the context of a regional network.

METHODS

Prospective observational data were retrieved from patients consecutively admitted with cardiogenic shock to the intensive care units in 3 centers organized into a regional cardiac assistance network. Temporary mechanical circulatory support indication was decided by a heart team, based on the initial shock severity or if shock was refractory to medical treatment within 24 hours of admission. A propensity score for circulatory support use was used as an adjustment co-variable to emulate a target trial. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

Two hundred and forty-six patients were included in the study (median age: 59.5 years, 71.9% male): 121 received early mechanical assistance. The main etiologies were acute myocardial infraction (46.8%) and decompensated heart failure (27.2%). Patients who received early mechanical assistance had more severe conditions than other patients. Their crude in-hospital mortality was 38% and 22.4% in other patients but adjusted in-hospital mortality was not different (hazard ratio 0.91, 95% CI:0.65-1.26). Patients with mechanical assistance had a higher rate of complications than others with longer Intensive Care Unit and hospital stays.

CONCLUSIONS

In the conditions of a cardiac assistance regional network, in-hospital mortality was not improved by early mechanical assistance implantation. A high incidence of complications of temporary mechanical circulatory support may have jeopardized its potential benefit.

T4 apoptosis in the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection predicts long COVID

Background

As about 10% of patients with COVID-19 present sequelae, it is important to better understand the physiopathology of so-called long COVID.

Method

To this aim, we recruited 29 patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection and, by Luminex®, quantified 19 soluble factors in their plasma and in the supernatant of their peripheral blood mononuclear cells, including inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines, and endothelium activation markers. We also measured their T4, T8 and NK differentiation, activation, exhaustion and senescence, T cell apoptosis, and monocyte subpopulations by flow cytometry. We compared these markers between participants who developed long COVID or not one year later.

Results

None of these markers was predictive for sequelae, except programmed T4 cell death. T4 lymphocytes from participants who later presented long COVID were more apoptotic in culture than those of sequelae-free participants at Month 12 (36.9 ± 14.7 vs. 24.2 ± 9.0%, p = 0.016).

Conclusions

Our observation raises the hypothesis that T4 cell death during the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection might pave the way for long COVID. Mechanistically, T4 lymphopenia might favor phenomena that could cause sequelae, including SARS-CoV-2 persistence, reactivation of other viruses, autoimmunity and immune dysregulation. In this scenario, inhibiting T cell apoptosis, for instance, by caspase inhibitors, could prevent long COVID.

Practical considerations for individualizing drug dosing in critically ill adults receiving renal replacement therapy

Critically ill patients with sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) often present with or develop renal dysfunction requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) in addition to antimicrobial therapy. While early and appropriate antimicrobials for sepsis have been associated with an increased probability of survival, adequate dosing is also required in these patients. Adequate dosing of antimicrobials refers to dosing strategies that achieve serum drug levels at the site of infection that are able to provide a microbiological and/or clinical response while avoiding toxicity from excessive antibiotic exposure. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is the recommended strategy to achieve this goal, however, TDM is not routinely available in all ICUs and for all antimicrobials. In the absence of TDM, clinicians are therefore required to make dosing decisions based on the clinical condition of the patient, the causative organism, the characteristics of RRT, and an understanding of the physicochemical properties of the antimicrobial. Pharmacokinetics (PK) of antimicrobials can be highly variable between critically ill patients and also within the same patient over the course of their ICU stay. The initiation of RRT, which can be in the form of intermittent hemodialysis, continuous, or prolonged intermittent therapy, further complicates the predictability of drug disposition. This variability highlights the need for individualized dosing. This review highlights the practical considerations for the clinician for antimicrobial dosing in critically ill patients receiving RRT.

Intensive Care Unit activity in France from the national database between 2013 and 2019: More critically ill patients, shorter stay and lower mortality rate

BACKGROUND

Knowledge of the occurrence and outcome of admissions to Intensive Care Units (ICU) over time is important to inform healthcare services planning. This observational study aims at describing the activity of French ICUs between 2013 and 2019.

METHODS

Patient admission characteristics, organ dysfunction scores, therapies, ICU and hospital lengths of stay and case fatality were collected from the French National Hospital Database (population-based cohort). Logistic regression models were developed to investigate the association between age, sex, SAPS II, organ failure, and year of care on in-ICU case fatality.

FINDINGS

Among 1,594,801 ICU admissions, the yearly ICU admission increased from 3.3 to 3.5 per year per 1000 inhabitants (bed occupancy rate between 83.4 and 84.3%). The mean admission SAPS II was 42 ± 22, with a gradual annual increase. The median lengths of stay in ICU and in hospital were 3 (interquartile range (IQR) = [1-7]) and 11 days (IQR = [6-21]), respectively, with a progressive decrease over time. The in-ICU and hospital mortality case fatalities decreased from 18.0% to 17.1% and from 21.1% to 19.9% between 2013 and 2019, respectively. Male sex, age, SAPS II score, and the occurrence of any organ failure were associated with a higher case fatality rate. After adjustment on age, sex, SAPS II and organ failure, in-ICU case fatality decreased in 2019 as compared to 2013 (adjusted Odds Ratio = 0.87 [95% confidence interval, 0.85-0.89]).

INTERPRETATION

During the study, an increasing incidence of ICU admission was associated with higher severity of illness but lower in-ICU case fatality.

Echocardiographic hemodynamic assessment in decompensated cirrhosis: comparison between Intensivists and Gastroenterologists

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Ascites is a frequent complication of cirrhosis. In intensive care units, initial hemodynamic assessment is frequently performed by echocardiography. This study evaluated the feasibility and usefulness of early hemodynamic assessment in the gastroenterology ward.

METHODS

This observational cohort study prospectively included all patients admitted to a teaching hospital's gastroenterology unit for decompensated cirrhosis. A gastroenterologist with minimal training and an intensivist both performed an echocardiography exam. The primary outcome was inter-rater agreement and reliability for three echocardiography parameters: visual LVEF (Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction), subaortic VTI (velocity time integral) and E wave velocity. Secondary outcomes were agreement for presence of pleural effusion, description of 3 hemodynamics profiles (hypovolemic, hyperkinetic and intermediate), and 28-day mortality.

RESULTS

From March 2018 to March 2020, 53 patients were included. The median age was 62 years and 81% were men. Patients presented mostly advanced liver disease, with 43% Child-Pugh C and median MELD score of 15.2. The limits of agreement between intensivists and gastroenterologists for subaortic VTI were - 6.6 to 7.2 cm, and ranged from - 0.6 to 0.37 m.s-1 for E wave velocity. Clinically significant differences between intensivists and gastroenterologists were found in 22% for subaortic VTI and 24.5% for E wave velocity. Reliability was good for subaortic VTI (ICC: 0.79, 95% CI [0.58; 0.9;]) and moderate for E wave velocity (0.53, 95% CI [0.19; 0.74]). The three hemodynamics profiles had different prognosis, with a 28-day mortality for Hypovolemic, Intermediate and Hyperkinetic group of 31, 18, and 4%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Reliability of hemodynamic assessment by gastroenterologists was good, while agreement was unsatisfactory, advocating for further training. Transthoracic echocardiography can differentiate hypovolemia from hyperkinetic states. The role of transthoracic echocardiography in managing decompensated cirrhosis requires further study.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

NCT03650660.

Papillary and reticular fibroblasts generate distinct microenvironments that differentially impact angiogenesis

Papillary and reticular dermis show distinct extracellular matrix (ECM) and vascularization corresponding to their specific functions. These characteristics are associated with gene expression patterns of fibroblasts freshly isolated from their native microenvironment. In order to assess the relevance of these fibroblast subpopulations in a tissue engineering context, we investigated their contribution to matrix production and vascularization using cell sheet culture conditions. We first performed RNA-seq differential expression analysis to determine whether several rounds of cell amplification and high-density culture affected their gene expression profile. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that expression of angiogenesis-related and matrisome gene signatures were maintained, resulting in papillary and reticular ECMs that differ in composition and structure. The impact of secreted or ECM-associated factors was then assessed using two independent 3D angiogenesis assays: -1/ a fibrin hydrogel-based assay allowing investigation of diffusible secreted factors, -2/ a scaffold-free cell-sheet based assay for investigation of fibroblast-produced microenvironment. These analyses revealed that papillary fibroblasts secrete highly angiogenic factors and produce a microenvironment characterised by ECM remodelling capacity and dense and branched microvascular network, whereas reticular fibroblasts produced more structural core components of the ECM associated with less branched and larger vessels. These features mimick the characteristics of both the ECM and the vasculature of dermis subcompartments. In addition to showing that skin fibroblast populations differentially regulate angiogenesis via both secreted and ECM factors, our work emphasizes the importance of papillary and reticular fibroblasts for engineering and modelling dermis microenvironment and vascularization. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Recent advances have brought to the forefront the central role of microenvironment and vascularization in tissue engineering for regenerative medicine and microtissue modelling. We have investigated the role of papillary and reticular fibroblast subpopulations using scaffold-free cell sheet culture. This approach provides differentiated cells conditions allowing the production of their own microenvironment. Analysis of gene expression profiles and characterisation of the matrix produced revealed strong and specific angiogenic properties that we functionally characterized using 3D angiogenesis models targeting the respective role of either secreted or matrix-bound factors. This study demonstrates the importance of cell-generated extracellular matrix and questions the importance of cell source and the relevance of hydrogels for developing physio-pathologically relevant tissue engineered substitutes.

Axillary vein catheterization using ultrasound guidance: A prospective randomized cross-over controlled simulation comparing standard ultrasound and new needle-pilot device

BACKGROUND

Real-time ultrasound (US) guidance facilitates central venous catheterization in intensive care unit (ICU). New magnetic needle-pilot devices could improve efficiency and safety of central venous catheterization. This simulation trial was aimed at comparing venipuncture with a new needle-pilot device to conventional US technique.

METHODS

In a prospective, randomized, simulation trial, 51 ICU physicians and residents cannulated the right axillary vein of a human torso mannequin with standard US guidance and with a needle-pilot system, in a randomized order. The primary outcome was the time from skin puncture to successful venous cannulation. The secondary outcomes were the number of skin punctures, the number of posterior wall puncture of the axillary vein, the number of arterial punctures, the number of needle redirections, the failure rate, and the operator comfort.

RESULTS

Time to successful cannulation was shorter with needle-pilot US-guided technique (22 s (interquartile range (IQR) = 16-42) vs 25 s (IQR = 19-128); median of difference (MOD) = -9 s (95%-confidence interval (CI) -5, -22), p < 0.001). The rates of skin punctures, posterior wall puncture of axillary vein, and needle redirections were also lower (p < 0.01). Comfort was higher in needle-pilot US-guided group on a 11-points numeric scale (8 (IQR = 8-9) vs 6 (IQR = 6-8), p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In a simulation model, US-guided axillary vein catheterization with a needle-pilot device was associated with a shorter time of successful cannulation and a decrease in numbers of skin punctures and complications. The results plea for investigating clinical performance of this new device.

Repetitive mRNA vaccination is required to improve the quality of broad-spectrum anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the absence of CXCL13

Since the initial spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, several viral variants have emerged and represent a major challenge for immune control, particularly in the context of vaccination. We evaluated the quantity, quality, and persistence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA in individuals who received two or three doses of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, compared with previously infected vaccinated individuals. We show that three doses of mRNA vaccine were required to match the humoral responses of preinfected vaccinees. Given the importance of antibody-dependent cell-mediated immunity against viral infections, we also measured the capacity of IgG to recognize spike variants expressed on the cell surface and found that cross-reactivity was also strongly improved by repeated vaccination. Last, we report low levels of CXCL13, a surrogate marker of germinal center activation and formation, in vaccinees both after two and three doses compared with preinfected individuals, providing a potential explanation for the short duration and low quality of Ig induced.

Proportionate universalism intervention is effective for tackling nutritional social gradient in adolescents: the PRALIMAP-INÈS mixed randomised trial

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of proportionate universalism intervention to reduce the slope of the nutritional social gradient in adolescents.

STUDY DESIGN

A mixed (experimental and quasi-experimental) multicentre trial.

METHODS

Data from 985 adolescents of the PRALIMAP-INÈS trial (North-eastern France, 2012-2015) were analysed. For this, adolescents were split into five social classes according to the Family Affluence Scale: Highly Less Advantaged (H.L.Ad; n = 33), Less Advantaged (L.Ad; n = 155), Intermediate (Int; n = 404), Advantaged (Ad; n = 324) and Highly Advantaged (H.Ad; n = 69). The overweight care management was a standard care for all and a strengthened one adapted to the social class of adolescents. The main outcome was the 1-year change of the body mass index z-score (BMIz) slope. Other nutritional outcomes were BMI, ΔBMI_p95 (BMI minus 95th percentile of the WHO reference), %BMI_p95 (percent of 95th percentile of the WHO reference), leisure-time sport, consumption of fruits and vegetables and consumption of sugary foods and drinks.

RESULTS

The inclusion data confirmed a weight social gradient expressed by a significant BMIz linear regression coefficient (β = -0.09 [-0.14 to -0.04], P < 0.0001). The higher the social class, the lower the BMIz. The 1-year BMIz linear regression coefficient was -0.07 [-0.12 to -0.02], corresponding to a significant weight social gradient reduction of 23.3% (β = 0.021 [0.001 to 0.041]; P = 0.04). Consistent results were found for other nutritional outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

PRALIMAP-INÈS shows that proportionate universalism intervention is effective to reduce the adolescents' nutritional social gradient and suggests that equitable health programmes and policies are a realistic goal.

How to improve the efficiency and the safety of real-time ultrasound-guided central venous catheterization in 2023: a narrative review

Central venous catheterization (CVC) is a frequent procedure, practiced by intensivists, anesthesiologists and advanced practice nurses in intensive care units and operative rooms. To reduce CVC-associated morbidity, it is essential to strive for best practices, based on the latest evidence. This narrative review aims to synthesize current knowledge on evidence-based best practices for CVC that improve the use and feasibility of real-time ultrasound-guided insertion procedures. Optimization of the vein puncture technique and the development of new technologies are discussed to reinforce the use of the subclavian vein catheterization as first choice. The search for alternative site of insertions, without increasing infectious and thrombotic risks, deserves further research.

Early non-invasive ventilation and high-flow nasal oxygen therapy for preventing endotracheal intubation in hypoxemic blunt chest trauma patients: the OptiTHO randomized trial

BACKGROUND

The benefit-risk ratio of prophylactic non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNC-O₂) during the early stage of blunt chest trauma remains controversial because of limited data. The main objective of this study was to compare the rate of endotracheal intubation between two NIV strategies in high-risk blunt chest trauma patients.

METHODS

The OptiTHO trial was a randomized, open-label, multicenter trial over a two-year period. Every adult patients admitted in intensive care unit within 48 h after a high-risk blunt chest trauma (Thoracic Trauma Severity Score ≥ 8), an estimated PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio < 300 and no evidence of acute respiratory failure were eligible for study enrollment (Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03943914). The primary objective was to compare the rate of endotracheal intubation for delayed respiratory failure between two NIV strategies: i) a prompt association of HFNC-O₂ and "early" NIV in every patient for at least 48 h with vs. ii) the standard of care associating COT and "late" NIV, indicated in patients with respiratory deterioration and/or PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio ≤ 200 mmHg. Secondary outcomes were the occurrence of chest trauma-related complications (pulmonary infection, delayed hemothorax or moderate-to-severe ARDS).

RESULTS

Study enrollment was stopped for futility after a 2-year study period and randomization of 141 patients. Overall, 11 patients (7.8%) required endotracheal intubation for delayed respiratory failure. The rate of endotracheal intubation was not significantly lower in patients treated with the experimental strategy (7% [5/71]) when compared to the control group (8.6% [6/70]), with an adjusted OR = 0.72 (95%IC: 0.20-2.43), p = 0.60. The occurrence of pulmonary infection, delayed hemothorax or delayed ARDS was not significantly lower in patients treated by the experimental strategy (adjusted OR = 1.99 [95%IC: 0.73-5.89], p = 0.18, 0.85 [95%IC: 0.33-2.20], p = 0.74 and 2.14 [95%IC: 0.36-20.77], p = 0.41, respectively).

CONCLUSION

A prompt association of HFNC-O₂ with preventive NIV did not reduce the rate of endotracheal intubation or secondary respiratory complications when compared to COT and late NIV in high-risk blunt chest trauma patients with non-severe hypoxemia and no sign of acute respiratory failure.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03943914, Registered 7 May 2019.

Implantation of engineered human microvasculature to study human infectious diseases in mouse models

Animal models for studying human pathogens are crucially lacking. We describe the implantation in mice of engineered human mature microvasculature consisting of endothelial and perivascular cells embedded in collagen hydrogel that allows investigation of pathogen interactions with the endothelium, including in vivo functional studies. Using Neisseria meningitidis as a paradigm of human-restricted infection, we demonstrated the strength and opportunities associated with the use of this approach.

Principles and Validations of an Artificial Intelligence-Based Recommender System Suggesting Acceptable Food Changes

BACKGROUND

Along with the popularity of smartphones, artificial intelligence-based personalized suggestions can be seen as promising ways to change eating habits toward more desirable diets.

OBJECTIVES

Two issues raised by such technologies were addressed in this study. The first hypothesis tested is a recommender system based on automatically learning simple association rules between dishes of the same meal that would make it possible to identify plausible substitutions for the consumer. The second hypothesis tested is that for an identical set of dietary-swaps suggestions, the more the user is-or thinks to be-involved in the process of identifying the suggestion, the higher is their probability of accepting the suggestion.

METHODS

Three studies are presented in this article, first, we present the principles of an algorithm to mine plausible substitutions from a large food consumption database. Second, we evaluate the plausibility of these automatically mined suggestions through the results of online tests conducted for a group of 255 adult participants. Afterward, we investigated the persuasiveness of 3 suggestion methods of such recommendations in a population of 27 healthy adult volunteers through a custom designed smartphone application.

RESULTS

The results firstly indicated that a method based on automatic learning of substitution rules between foods performed relatively well identifying plausible swaps suggestions. Regarding the form that should be used to suggest, we found that when users are involved in selecting the most appropriate recommendation for them, the resulting suggestions were more accepted (OR = 3.168; P < 0.0004).

CONCLUSIONS

This work indicates that food recommendation algorithms can gain efficiency by taking into account the consumption context and user engagement in the recommendation process. Further research is warranted to identify nutritionally relevant suggestions.

In-hospital and 6-month outcomes in patients with COVID-19 supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (EuroECMO-COVID): a multicentre, prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been widely used in patients with COVID-19, but uncertainty remains about the determinants of in-hospital mortality and data on post-discharge outcomes are scarce. The aims of this study were to investigate the variables associated with in-hospital outcomes in patients who received ECMO during the first wave of COVID-19 and to describe the status of patients 6 months after ECMO initiation.

METHODS

EuroECMO-COVID is a prospective, multicentre, observational study developed by the European Extracorporeal Life Support Organization. This study was based on data from patients aged 16 years or older who received ECMO support for refractory COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic-from March 1 to Sept 13, 2020-at 133 centres in 21 countries. In-hospital mortality and mortality 6 months after ECMO initiation were the primary outcomes. Mixed-Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate associations between patient and management-related variables (eg, patient demographics, comorbidities, pre-ECMO status, and ECMO characteristics and complications) and in-hospital deaths. Survival status at 6 months was established through patient contact or institutional charts review. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04366921, and is ongoing.

FINDINGS

Between March 1 and Sept 13, 2020, 1215 patients (942 [78%] men and 267 [22%] women; median age 53 years [IQR 46-60]) were included in the study. Median ECMO duration was 15 days (IQR 8-27). 602 (50%) of 1215 patients died in hospital, and 852 (74%) patients had at least one complication. Multiorgan failure was the leading cause of death (192 [36%] of 528 patients who died with available data). In mixed-Cox analyses, age of 60 years or older, use of inotropes and vasopressors before ECMO initiation, chronic renal failure, and time from intubation to ECMO initiation of 4 days or more were associated with higher in-hospital mortality. 613 patients did not die in hospital, and 547 (95%) of 577 patients for whom data were available were alive at 6 months. 102 (24%) of 431 patients had returned to full-time work at 6 months, and 57 (13%) of 428 patients had returned to part-time work. At 6 months, respiratory rehabilitation was required in 88 (17%) of 522 patients with available data, and the most common residual symptoms included dyspnoea (185 [35%] of 523 patients) and cardiac (52 [10%] of 514 patients) or neurocognitive (66 [13%] of 512 patients) symptoms.

INTERPRETATION

Patient's age, timing of cannulation (<4 days vs ≥4 days from intubation), and use of inotropes and vasopressors are essential factors to consider when analysing the outcomes of patients receiving ECMO for COVID-19. Despite post-discharge survival being favourable, persisting long-term symptoms suggest that dedicated post-ECMO follow-up programmes are required.

FUNDING

None.

Effect of non-invasive ventilation after extubation in critically ill patients with obesity in France: a multicentre, unblinded, pragmatic randomised clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and oxygen therapy (high-flow nasal oxygen [HFNO] or standard oxygen) following extubation have never been compared in critically ill patients with obesity. We aimed to compare NIV (alternating with HFNO or standard oxygen) and oxygen therapy (HFNO or standard oxygen) following extubation of critically ill patients with obesity.

METHODS

In this multicentre, parallel group, pragmatic randomised controlled trial, conducted in 39 intensive care units in France, critically ill patients with obesity undergoing extubation were randomly assigned (1:1) to either the NIV group or the oxygen therapy group. Two randomisations were performed: first, randomisation to either NIV or oxygen therapy, and second, randomisation to either HFNO or standard oxygen (also 1:1), which was nested within the first randomisation. Blinding of the randomisation was not possible, but the statistician was masked to group assignment. The primary outcome was treatment failure within 3 days after extubation, a composite of reintubation for mechanical ventilation, switch to the other study treatment, or premature discontinuation of study treatment. The primary outcome was analysed by intention to treat. Effect of medical and surgical status was assessed. The reintubation within 3 days was analysed by intention to treat and after a post-hoc crossover analysis. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT04014920.

FINDINGS

From Oct 2, 2019, to July 17, 2021, of the 1650 screened patients, 981 were enrolled. Treatment failure occurred in 66 (13·5%) of 490 patients in the NIV group and in 130 (26·5%) of 491 patients in the oxygen-therapy group (relative risk 0·43; 95% CI 0·31-0·60, p<0·0001). Medical or surgical status did not modify the effect of NIV group on the treatment-failure rate. Reintubation within 3 days after extubation was similar in the non-invasive ventilation group and in the oxygen therapy group in the intention-to-treat analysis (48 (10%) of 490 patients and 59 (12%) of 491 patients, p=0·26) and lower in the NIV group than in the oxygen-therapy group in the post-hoc cross-over (51 (9%) of 560 patients and 56 (13%) of 421 patients, p=0·037) analysis. No severe adverse events were reported.

INTERPRETATION

Among critically ill adults with obesity undergoing extubation, the use of NIV was effective to reduce treatment-failure within 3 days. Our results are relevant to clinical practice, supporting the use of NIV after extubation of critically ill patients with obesity. However, most of the difference in the primary outcome was due to patients in the oxygen therapy group switching to NIV, and more evidence is needed to conclude that an NIV strategy leads to improved patient-centred outcomes.

FUNDING

French Ministry of Health.

High success rates of ultrasound-guided distal internal jugular vein and axillary vein approaches for central venous catheterization: A randomized controlled open-label pilot trial

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound (US)-guided axillary vein (AV) catheterization has been considered as the preferred site of insertion to minimize catheter-related infections. Given its difficulty of realization, internal jugular vein (IJV) access remains, thus, the first choice of catheter insertion site. This descriptive study was aimed to assess the success and complication rates of in-plane short axis approach of IJV in the lower neck and the AV approach under US-guidance.

METHODS

In a prospective randomized controlled open-label pilot trial, all patients requiring central venous catheterization (CVC) in intensive care unit or operating room were randomly assigned to low IJV or AV groups. The primary objective was to estimate the overall success rate of both approaches. The secondary objectives were immediate complication rates, procedure durations, success rate after the first puncture, late complication rates (i.e., thrombosis, catheter colonization, and catheter-related infections), and nurse satisfaction regarding insertion site dressings.

RESULTS

One hundred and seventy-three out of two hundred and ten included patients were fully analyzed (90 and 83 in the IJV and AV approach groups, respectively). Overall success rates for IJV and AV sites were 96% (95% confidence interval (CI) [90-99]) and 89% (95% CI [81-94]) respectively. First puncture success rates were 90% and 80% respectively. The median overall procedure duration from US pre-procedural screening to guidewire insertion was 8 and 10 min in IJV and AV groups. Overall immediate complications rates for IJV and AV sites were 11.6% and 14.6%, respectively. Incidence of catheter colonization were 7.9% and 6.8% and catheter-related infection rate were 2.6% and 0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In this pilot study, US-guided low IJV and AV approaches are safe and efficient techniques for CVC insertion associated with high success and low complications rates. Duration for guidewire insertion seemed to be shorter in the short axis in-plane IJV approach. It provides the basis for a future randomized trial comparing these two approaches.

Isolation and analysis of tumor‑derived extracellular vesicles from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma plasma by galectin‑based glycan recognition particles

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have recently come into the spotlight as potential cancer biomarkers. Isolation of pure EVs is complex, so wider use requires reliable and time-efficient isolation methods. In the present study, galectin-based magnetic glycan recognition particles, EXÖBead^® were investigated for their practicality as a novel EV isolation technique, exemplified here for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Analysis of the isolation method showed a high concentration of pure EVs with detection of specific EV markers such as CD9, CD63, CD81 and TSG101. No apolipoprotein A1 was shown in the isolates, indicating low contamination of this isolation technique compared with size exclusion chromatography. In addition, common leukocyte antigen (CD45), three HNSCC [epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), pan-cytokeratin and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)] and PanEV markers (premixed CD9, CD63 and CD81 anti-bodies) were measured by bead-based flow cytometry (BFC). BFC revealed that CD45^Neg PanEV⁺, EpCAM⁺ PanEV⁺ and PD-L1⁺ PanEV⁺ were significantly higher in tumor patients compared with healthy control plasma. CD45^Neg PanEV⁺ and CD45⁺ PanEV⁺ carrying two or three HNSCC biomarkers were also significantly higher in tumor patients compared with healthy controls (BFC). Comparison of the functional immunosuppression effect of eluted tumor patient plasma EVs from EXÖBead^® and commercial polyethylene glycol isolation showed a significant tumor-dependent increase in concentration of EVs. A peripheral blood mononuclear cell activation assay also showed that the T-cell functionality of tumor patient plasma EVs isolated with EXÖBead^® was preserved in vitro. In conclusion, isolation using galectin-based magnetic glycan recognition particles is a novel method for isolating plasma EVs with low lipoprotein contamination. Bead-based flow cytometry provided an easy way to understand EV subpopulations. EXÖBead^® therefore showed great potential as a new isolation tool with high throughput capacity that could potentially be used in a clinical setting.

Low perforin expression in CD8+ T lymphocytes during the acute phase of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection predicts long COVID

T cell cytotoxicity plays a major role in antiviral immunity. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity may determine acute disease severity, but also the potential persistence of symptoms (long COVID). We therefore measured the expression of perforin, a cytotoxic mediator, in T cells of patients recently hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection. We recruited 54 volunteers confirmed as being SARS-CoV-2-infected by RT-PCR and admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs) or non-ICU, and 29 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). Amounts of intracellular perforin and granzyme-B, as well as cell surface expression of the degranulation marker CD107A were determined by flow cytometry. The levels of 15 cytokines in plasma were measured by Luminex. The frequency of perforin-positive T4 cells and T8 cells was higher in patients than in HCs (9.9 ± 10.1% versus 4.6 ± 6.4%, p = 0.006 and 46.7 ± 20.6% vs 33.3 ± 18.8%, p = 0.004, respectively). Perforin expression was neither correlated with clinical and biological markers of disease severity nor predictive of death. By contrast, the percentage of perforin-positive T8 cells in the acute phase of the disease predicted the onset of long COVID one year later. A low T8 cytotoxicity in the first days of SARS-CoV-2 infection might favor virus replication and persistence, autoimmunity, and/or reactivation of other viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus or cytomegalovirus, paving the way for long COVID. Under this hypothesis, boosting T cell cytotoxicity during the acute phase of the infection could prevent delayed sequelae.

A Pilot Study Assessing a Closed-Loop System for Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy in Abdominal Surgery Patients

Background: This prospective multicentre pilot study of patients scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery aimed to validate the fluid challenge (FC) proposed by the closed-loop (CL) system via anaesthesiologist assessment. Methods: This was a phase II trial consisting of two inclusion stages (SIMON method). Each FC (250 mL saline solution for 10 min) proposed by the CL was systematically validated by the anaesthesiologist who could either confirm or refuse the FC or give FC without the CL system. A ≥ 95% agreement between the CL and the anaesthesiologist was considered acceptable. Results: The study was interrupted after interim analysis of the first 19 patients (10 men, median age = 61 years, median body mass index = 26 kg/m2). The anaesthesiologists accepted 165/205 (80%) of fluid boluses proposed by the CL. Median cardiac index (CI) was 2.9 (interquartile: IQ (2.7; 3.4) L/min/m2) and the median coefficient of variation (CV) for CI was 13% (10; 17). Fifteen out of nineteen patients (79%) had a mean CI > 2.5 L/min/m2 or spent > 85% surgery time with pulse pressure variation < 13%. No adverse events related to the CL were reported. Conclusion: In this study of patients scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery, the agreement between CL and anaesthesiologist for giving fluid challenge was 80%, suggesting that CL cannot replace the physician but could help in decision making.

P06-12 Construction and validation of a physical activity and sedentary behavior temperaments questionnaire among French adults

Background

Temperament refers to innate differences between individuals, is partly genetically determined, relatively stable across lifespan and expressed through behaviors such as physical activity and sedentary behavior. These two behaviors are known as major determinants of health. Therefore, measuring physical activity and sedentary behaviors temperaments appears to be of interest but no existing questionnaires allow for it among French adults. This study aimed to create and validate a questionnaire to measure physical activity and sedentary behavior temperaments among French adults.

Methods

The questionnaire was created by the Delphi method. Based on an existing questionnaire on eating temperament, 31 experts in physical activity, health psychology and public health were asked to formulate equivalent items to measure physical activity and sedentary behavior temperaments. The test of the psychometric qualities of the questionnaire and its validation will be carried out on three samples of north-eastern French adults: one of 500 to explore internal validity, one of 100 for external validity, and one of 60 for test-retest reliability (4-week interval). Internal validity will be investigated by exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and external validity and test-retest reliability with correlation analyses.

Results

The Delphi method results in a questionnaire of 40 items on physical activity and sedentary behavior temperaments. The test of the psychometric qualities of the questionnaire and its validation are in progress and will be carried out for the congress.

Conclusions

The validation of this questionnaire and its use in practice would help to guide changes in the management of physical activity and sedentary behavior as part of health promotion approach.

P09-07 Physical activity and sedentary behaviour patterns among French adults during the COVID-19 health crisis

Background

The COVID-19 health crisis and the various restrictions (lockdowns) implemented may have impacted individuals' behaviours (e.g. physical activity [PA] and sedentary behaviour [SB]) and psychological health (e.g., self-esteem or adjustment strategies to cope with stressful events). The objective of this study was to identify PA and SB patterns and to investigate their associations with socioeconomic and psychological characteristics among French adults during the COVID-19 health crisis.

Methods

Cross-sectional data of French adults were collected during the COVID19 health crisis (between March 2020 and February 2021). PA and SB were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Brief Cope questionnaire were used to measure self-esteem and coping strategies, respectively. PA and SB cross-sectional patterns were identified using latent class analysis. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to investigate associations between identified patterns and adults' socioeconomic factors, self-esteem, and coping strategies.

Results

Among the 241 included adults (mean age ± standard deviation: 29.6 ± 13.1 years), three cross-sectional PA and SB patterns were identified:

Compared to the sedentary walker pattern, the walker with intense PA one was overrepresented by socially less advantaged adults, using more planning and less religion as coping strategies to stressful events, and those in the varied PA practitioner pattern used more denial as coping strategy.

Conclusions

More than half of adults were in the least healthy pattern (sedentary walker). These results suggest using PA and SB as levers to cope with stressful life events.

Low quantity and quality of anti-spike humoral response is linked to CD4 T-cell apoptosis in COVID-19 patients

In addition to an inflammatory reaction, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected patients present lymphopenia, which we recently reported as being related to abnormal programmed cell death. As an efficient humoral response requires CD4 T-cell help, we hypothesized that the propensity of CD4 T cells to die may impact the quantity and quality of the humoral response in acutely infected individuals. In addition to specific immunoglobulins (Ig)A, IgM, and IgG against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N), membrane (M), and spike (S1) proteins, we assessed the quality of IgG response by measuring the avidity index. Because the S protein represents the main target for neutralization and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity responses, we also analyzed anti-S-specific IgG using S-transfected cells (S-Flow). Our results demonstrated that most COVID-19 patients have a predominant IgA anti-N humoral response during the early phase of infection. This specific humoral response preceded the anti-S1 in time and magnitude. The avidity index of anti-S1 IgG was low in acutely infected individuals compared to convalescent patients. We showed that the percentage of apoptotic CD4 T cells is inversely correlated with the levels of specific IgG antibodies. These lower levels were also correlated positively with plasma levels of CXCL10, a marker of disease severity, and soluble Fas ligand that contributes to T-cell death. Finally, we found lower S-Flow responses in patients with higher CD4 T-cell apoptosis. Altogether, these results demonstrate that individuals with high levels of CD4 T-cell apoptosis and CXCL10 have a poor ability to build an efficient anti-S response. Consequently, preventing CD4 T-cell death might be a strategy for improving humoral response during the acute phase, thereby reducing COVID-19 pathogenicity.

Angiotensin II induces reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, and T cell apoptosis in severe COVID-19

Background

Lymphopenia is predictive of survival in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Objective

The aim of this study was to understand the cause of the lymphocyte count drop in severe forms of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Methods

Monocytic production of reactive oxygen species (ROSs) and T-cell apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry, DNA damage in PBMCs was measured by immunofluorescence, and angiotensin II (AngII) was measured by ELISA in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 at admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) (n = 29) or not admitted to an ICU (n = 29) and in age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

Results

We showed that the monocytes of certain patients with COVID-19 spontaneously released ROSs able to induce DNA damage and apoptosis in neighboring cells. Of note, high ROS production was predictive of death in ICU patients. Accordingly, in most patients, we observed the presence of DNA damage in up to 50% of their PBMCs and T-cell apoptosis. Moreover, the intensity of this DNA damage was linked to lymphopenia. SARS-CoV-2 is known to induce the internalization of its receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, which is a protease capable of catabolizing AngII. Accordingly, in certain patients with COVID-19 we observed high plasma levels of AngII. When looking for the stimulus responsible for their monocytic ROS production, we revealed that AngII triggers ROS production by monocytes via angiotensin receptor I. ROSs released by AngII-activated monocytes induced DNA damage and apoptosis in neighboring lymphocytes.

Conclusion

We conclude that T-cell apoptosis provoked via DNA damage due to the release of monocytic ROSs could play a major role in COVID-19 pathogenesis.

Guidelines for the management of patients with severe acute pancreatitis, 2021

OBJECTIVE

To provide guidelines for the management of the intensive care patient with severe acute pancreatitis.

DESIGN

A consensus committee of 22 experts was convened. A formal conflict-of-interest (COI) policy was developed at the beginning of the process and enforced throughout. The entire guideline construction process was conducted independently of any industrial funding (i.e. pharmaceutical, medical devices). The authors were required to follow the rules of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE®) system to guide assessment of quality of evidence. The potential drawbacks of making strong recommendations in the presence of low-quality evidence were emphasised.

METHODS

The most recent SFAR and SNFGE guidelines on the management of the patient with severe pancreatitis were published in 2001. The literature now is sufficient for an update. The committee studied 14 questions within 3 fields. Each question was formulated in a PICO (Patients Intervention Comparison Outcome) format and the relevant evidence profiles were produced. The literature review and recommendations were made according to the GRADE® methodology.

RESULTS

The experts' synthesis work and their application of the GRADE® method resulted in 24 recommendations. Among the formalised recommendations, 8 have high levels of evidence (GRADE 1+/-) and 12 have moderate levels of evidence (GRADE 2+/-). For 4 recommendations, the GRADE method could not be applied, resulting in expert opinions. Four questions did not find any response in the literature. After one round of scoring, strong agreement was reached for all the recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

There was strong agreement among experts for 24 recommendations to improve practices for the management of intensive care patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Guidelines for the choice of intravenous fluids for vascular filling in critically ill patients, 2021

PURPOSE

To provide recommendations for the appropriate choice of fluid therapy for resuscitation of critically ill patients.

DESIGN

A consensus committee of 24 experts from the French Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (Société française d'anesthésie et de réanimation, SFAR) and the French Society of Emergency Medicine (Société française de médecine d'urgence, SFMU) was convened. A formal conflict-of-interest policy was developed at the onset of the process and enforced throughout. The entire guideline elaboration process was conducted independently of any industry funding. The authors were advised to follow the principles of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to guide their assessment of quality of evidence. The potential drawbacks of making strong recommendations in the presence of low-quality evidence were emphasised. Some recommendations were left ungraded.

METHODS

Four fields were defined: patients with sepsis or septic shock, patients with haemorrhagic shock, patients with acute brain failure, and patients during the peripartum period. For each field, the panel focused on two questions: (1) Does the use of colloids, as compared to crystalloids, reduce morbidity and mortality, and (2) Does the use of some specific crystalloids effectively reduce morbidity and mortality. Population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes (PICO) questions were reviewed and updated as needed, and evidence profiles were generated. The analysis of the literature and the recommendations were then conducted according to the GRADE methodology.

RESULTS

The SFAR/SFMU guideline panel provided nine statements on the appropriate choice of fluid therapy for resuscitation of critically ill patients. After two rounds of rating and various amendments, strong agreement was reached for 100% of the recommendations. Out of these recommendations, two have a high level of evidence (Grade 1 +/-), six have a moderate level of evidence (Grade 2 +/-), and one is based on expert opinion. Finally, no recommendation was formulated for two questions.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial agreement among experts has been obtained to provide a sizable number of recommendations aimed at optimising the choice of fluid therapy for resuscitation of critically ill patients.

Can blood loss be assessed by echocardiography? An experimental study on a controlled hemorrhagic shock model in piglets

BACKGROUND

Assessment of the volemic loss is a major challenge during the management of hemorrhagic shock. Echocardiography is an increasingly used noninvasive tool for hemodynamic assessment. In mechanically ventilated patients, some studies suggest that respiratory variations of mean subaortic time-velocity integral (∆VTI) would be predictive of fluid filling response. An experimental model of controlled hemorrhagic shock provides a precise approach to study correlation between blood volume and cardiac ultrasonographic parameters.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective was to analyze the ∆VTI changes during hemorrhage in an anesthetized-piglet model of controlled hemorrhagic shock. The secondary objective was to evaluate ∆VTI during the resuscitation process after hemorrhage and other echocardiographic parameters changes during the whole protocol.

METHODS

Twenty-four anesthetized and ventilated piglets were bled until mean arterial pressure reached 40 mm Hg. Controlled hemorrhage was maintained for 30 minutes before randomizing the piglets to two resuscitation groups: fluid filling group resuscitated with saline solution and noradrenaline group resuscitated with saline solution and noradrenaline. Echocardiography and hemodynamic measures, including pulsed pressure variations (PPV), were performed at different stages of the protocol.

RESULTS

The correlation coefficient between ΔVTI and PPV with the volume of bleeding during the hemorrhagic phase were respectively 0.24 (95% confidence interval, 0.08-0.39; p < 0.01) and 0.57 (95% CI, 0.44-0.67; p < 0.01). Two parameters had a moderate correlation coefficient with hemorrhage volume (over 0.5): mean subaortic time-velocity index (VTI) and mitral annulus diastolic tissular velocity (E').

CONCLUSION

In this hemorrhagic shock model, ΔVTI had a low correlation with the volume of bleeding, but VTI and E' had a correlation with blood volume comparable to that of PPV.

Angiopoietin-like 4-Induced 3D Capillary Morphogenesis Correlates to Stabilization of Endothelial Adherens Junctions and Restriction of VEGF-Induced Sprouting

Angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) is a target of hypoxia that accumulates in the endothelial extracellular matrix. While ANGPTL4 is known to regulate angiogenesis and vascular permeability, its context-dependent role related to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been suggested in capillary morphogenesis. We here thus develop in vitro 3D models coupled to imaging and morphometric analysis of capillaries to decipher ANGPTL4 functions either alone or in the presence of VEGF. ANGPTL4 induces the formation of barely branched and thin endothelial capillaries that display linear adherens junctions. However, ANGPTL4 counteracts VEGF-induced formation of abundant ramified capillaries presenting cell–cell junctions characterized by VE-cadherin containing reticular plaques and serrated structures. We further deciphered the early angiogenesis steps regulated by ANGPTL4. During the initial activation of endothelial cells, ANGPTL4 alone induces cell shape changes but limits the VEGF-induced cell elongation and unjamming. In the growing sprout, ANGPTL4 maintains cohesive VE-cadherin pattern and sustains moderate 3D cell migration but restricts VEGF-induced endothelium remodeling and cell migration. This effect is mediated by differential short- and long-term regulation of P-Y1175-VEGFR2 and ERK1-2 signaling by ANGPTL4. Our in vitro 3D models thus provide the first evidence that ANGPTL4 induces a specific capillary morphogenesis but also overcomes VEGF effect.

Effects of Fluid Therapy on Mesenteric Microcirculation Using New Probe-Based Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy (Cellvizio®) in a Porcine Model of Endotoxic Shock

BACKGROUND

Microcirculatory alterations have been observed at the early phase of sepsis, although macrocirculation seems preserved. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of crystalloid fluid therapy on mesenteric microcirculation, assessed by using the confocal laser endomicroscope Cellvizio®, in an endotoxic porcine model.

METHODS

It is a prospective endotoxic shock (lipopolysaccharide infusion) experimental trial. Piglets were divided into 3 groups: 6 in the sham group (no LPS injection, no fluid), 9 in the control group (LPS infusion, no fluid), and 6 in the crystalloids group (LPS infusion and fluid resuscitation with crystalloids). Fluid resuscitation consisted in a fluid bolus of 20 mL/kg 0.9% saline over 30 min followed by a 10 mL/kg/h fluid rate over 4 h. Mesenteric microcirculation was assessed using a confocal laser endomicroscope (Cellvizio®). Blood flow within capillaries was visually assessed according to the point of care microcirculation (POEM) score.

RESULTS

At baseline, the 3 groups were similar regarding hemodynamic, biological, and microcirculatory parameters. At T360, the POEM score significantly decreased in the control and crystalloids groups, whereas it remained unchanged in the sham group (respectively, 1.62 ± 1.06, 1.2 ± 0.45, and 5.0 ± 0, p = 0.011). There was no significant difference in cardiac output at T360 between the sham and crystalloids groups (3.1 ± 0.8 vs. 2.3 ± 0.6, p = 0.132) or between the control and crystalloids groups (2.0 ± 0.6 vs. 2.3 ± 0.6, p = 0.90).

CONCLUSION

There was no significant improvement of microcirculatory alterations after crystalloids resuscitation despite improvement in macrocirculatory parameters in early experimental sepsis.

A Loading Micafungin Dose in Critically Ill Patients Undergoing Continuous Venovenous Hemofiltration or Continuous Venovenous Hemodiafiltration: A Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis

BACKGROUND

In this study, the authors aimed to compare the pharmacokinetics (PK) of micafungin in critically ill patients receiving continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH, 30 mL·kg-1·h-1) with those of patients receiving equidoses of hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF, 15 mL·kg-1·h-1 + 15 mL·kg-1·h-1) and determine the optimal dosing regimen using the developed model.

METHODS

Patients with septic shock undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy and receiving a conventional dose of 100 mg micafungin once daily were eligible for inclusion. Total micafungin plasma concentrations from 8 CVVH sessions and 8 CVVHDF sessions were subjected to a population PK analysis using Pmetrics. Validation of the model performance was reinforced by external validation. Monte Carlo simulations were performed considering the total ratio of free drug area under the curve (AUC) over 24 hours to the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (AUC0-24/MIC) in plasma.

RESULTS

The median total body weight (min-max) was 94.8 (66-138) kg. Micafungin concentrations were best described by a 2-compartmental PK model. No covariates, including continuous renal replacement therapy modality (CVVH or CVVHDF), were retained in the final model. The mean parameter estimates (SD) were 0.96 (0.32) L/h for clearance and 14.8 (5.3) L for the central compartment volume. External validation confirmed the performance of the developed PK model. Dosing simulations did not support the use of standard 100 mg daily dosing, except for Candida albicans on the second day of therapy. A loading dose of 150 mg followed by 100 mg daily reached the probability of target attainment for all C. albicans and C. glabrata, but not for C. krusei and C. parapsilosis.

CONCLUSIONS

No difference was observed in micafungin PK between equidoses of CVVH and CVVHDF. A loading dose of 150 mg is required to achieve the PK/PD target for less susceptible Candida species from the first day of therapy.

Micafungin Population PK Analysis in Healthy and Septic Pigs: Can the Septic Porcine Model Predict the Micafungin PK in Septic Patients?

OBJECTIVES

To describe micafungin pharmacokinetic (PK) alterations of sepsis induced in piglets and to determine whether the porcine septic model is able to predict the PK of micafungin in septic patients at the plasma and peritoneal sites.

METHODS

From healthy (n = 8) and septic piglet group (n = 16), total micafungin concentrations were subject to a population PK analysis using Monolix®. Data from 16 septic humans patients from others studies was used to compare micafungin PK between septic piglets and septic patients.

RESULTS

Sepsis induced in piglets slightly alters the total clearance and the volume of distribution, while inter-compartment clearance is increased (from 3.88 to 5.74 L/h) as well as the penetration into peritoneal cavity (from 61 to 90%). In septic human patients, PK parameters are similar except for the Vd, which is corrected by an allometric factor based on the body weight of each species. Micafungin penetration into peritoneal cavity of humans is lower than in septic piglets (40 versus 90%).

CONCLUSIONS

The sepsis induced in the porcine model alters the PK of micafungin comparable to that in humans. In addition, micafungin PK is similar between these two species at the plasma level taking into account the allometric relationship of the body weight of these species on the central volume of distribution. The porcine septic plasma model would be able to predict the micafungin PK in the septic patients. However, further studies on peritoneal penetration are necessary to characterize this inter-species difference.

Point-of-care chest ultrasound to diagnose acute heart failure in emergency department patients with acute dyspnea: diagnostic performance of an ultrasound-based algorithm

OBJECTIVES

Cardiopulmonary ultrasound imaging can be useful for diagnosing acute heart failure (AHF). We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of an algorithm based on point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in patients coming to the emergency department with acute dyspnea.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Prospective analysis of a convenience sample of patients with acute dyspnea in 2 hospital emergency departments. The POCUS algorithm included lung ultrasound findings and 3 echocardiographic measurements taken from an apical view of 4 chambers: mitral annular plane systolic excursion, Doppler mitral flow velocity, and tissue Doppler imaging of the lateral mitral annulus. The definitive diagnosis was made by 2 physicians blinded to the POCUS findings.

RESULTS

A total of 103 adult patients with a mean (SD) age of 73 (12) years were included; about half (51 patients) were women. Forty-two patients (41%) were finally diagnosed with AHF. Interindividual agreement on the physicians' diagnoses was good (k = 0.82). The POCUS algorithm assigned an AHF diagnosis to 76 patients (74%); 56 of them (85%) were in sinus rhythm. The diagnostic performance indicators for the algorithm were as follows: area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.94 (95% CI, 0.88-1.00); sensitivity 96% (95% CI, 78%-100%); specificity, 93% (95% CI, 8%-98%); positive predictive value, 85% (95% CI, 67%-100%); negative predictive value, 98% (95% CI, 88%-100%).

CONCLUSION

The POCUS-based algorithm for diagnosing AHF performed well in patients coming to the emergency department with acute dyspnea.

A Randomized Trial Comparing Polymer Versus Suture-Based Vascular Closure Devices for Arterial Closure Following Lower-Limb Arterial Endovascular Revascularization

PURPOSES

The primary objective of this study (STEP trial) was to compare the efficacy of the polymer-based FemoSeal® vascular closure device (VCD) and the suture-based ProGlide® VCD in achieving hemostasis at the femoral access site after lower-limb arterial endovascular revascularization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

STEP was a multicenter randomized clinical trial including patients undergoing lower-limb arterial endovascular revascularization. The primary endpoint was technical success 5 h after the VCD intervention, defined as achievement of hemostasis without the need for a follow-up intervention at the access site and without a 2-g/dL drop in hemoglobin.

RESULTS

Between December 2017 and April 2019, 113 patients were assigned to the FemoSeal® group (FS) and 117 to the ProGlide® group (PG). VCD interventions were technically successful for 90 FS patients (80%) and 58 PG patients (50%) (odds ratio, 3.98; 95% CI, 2.22 to 7.14; p < 0.0001). This difference in success rates between FS and PG is partly explained by more frequent recourse to manual compression (FS: n = 19; PG: n = 45) and an additional VCD (FS: n = 0; PG: n = 23) in the latter group. After 5 h, 87% of FS patients and 69% of PG patients resumed ambulation (odds ratio: 3.07; 95% CI: 1.93 to 6.15; p = 0.0016).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients undergoing lower-limb arterial endovascular revascularization, FemoSeal® was superior to ProGlide® in terms of technical success.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Step trial was registered on http://ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03192033).

French multicentre observational study on SARS-CoV-2 infections intensive care initial management: the FRENCH CORONA study

AIM

Describing acute respiratory distress syndrome patterns, therapeutics management, and outcomes of ICU COVID-19 patients and indentifying risk factors of 28-day mortality.

METHODS

Prospective multicentre, cohort study conducted in 29 French ICUs. Baseline characteristics, comorbidities, adjunctive therapies, ventilatory support at ICU admission and survival data were collected.

RESULTS

From March to July 2020, 966 patients were enrolled with a median age of 66 (interquartile range 58-73) years and a median SAPS II of 37 (29-48). During the first 24 h of ICU admission, COVID-19 patients received one of the following respiratory supports: mechanical ventilation for 559 (58%), standard oxygen therapy for 228 (24%) and high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) for 179 (19%) patients. Overall, 721 (75%) patients were mechanically ventilated during their ICU stay. Prone positioning and neuromuscular blocking agents were used in 494 (51%) and 460 (48%) patients, respectively. Bacterial co-infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia were diagnosed in 79 (3%) and 411 (43%) patients, respectively. The overall 28-day mortality was 18%. Age, pre-existing comorbidities, severity of respiratory failure and the absence of antiviral therapy on admission were identified as independent predictors of 28-day outcome.

CONCLUSION

Severity of hypoxaemia on admission, older age (> 70 years), cardiovascular and renal comorbidities were associated with worse outcome in COVID-19 patients. Antiviral treatment on admission was identified as a protective factor for 28-day mortality. Ascertaining the outcomes of critically ill COVID-19 patients is crucial to optimise hospital and ICU resources and provide the appropriate intensity level of care.

Can Thoracic Ultrasound on Admission Predict the Outcome of Critically Ill Patients with SARS-CoV-2? A French Multi-Centric Ancillary Retrospective Study

Introduction

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreaks have led to massive admissions to intensive care units (ICUs). An ultrasound examination of the thorax is widely performed on admission in these patients. The primary objective of our study was to assess the performance of the lung ultrasound score (LUS) on ICU admission to predict the 28-day mortality rate in patients with SARS-CoV-2. The secondary objective was to asses the performance of thoracic ultrasound and biological markers of cardiac injury to predict mortality.

Methods

This multicentre, retrospective, observational study was conducted in six ICUs of four university hospitals in France from 15 March to 3 May 2020. Patients admitted to ICUs because of SARS-CoV-2-related acute respiratory failure and those who received an LUS examination at admission were included. The area under the receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve was determined for the LUS score to predict the 28-day mortality rate. The same analysis was performed for the Simplified Acute Physiology Score, left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiac output, brain natriuretic peptide and ultra-sensitive troponin levels at admission.

Results

In 57 patients, the 28-day mortality rate was 21%. The area under the ROC curve of the LUS score value on ICU admission was 0.68 [95% CI 0.54–0.82; p = 0.05]. In non-intubated patients on ICU admission (n = 40), the area under the ROC curves was 0.84 [95% CI 0.70–0.97; p = 0.005]. The best cut-off of 22 corresponded to 85% specificity and 83% sensitivity.

Conclusions

LUS scores on ICU admission for SARS-CoV-2 did not efficiently predict the 28-day mortality rate. Performance was better for non-intubated patients at admission. Performance of biological cardiac markers may be equivalent to the LUS score.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12325-021-01702-0.