Nation-wide survey of oral care practice in Japanese intensive care units: A descriptive study

Oral care for critically ill patients helps provide comfort and prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia. However, a standardized protocol for oral care in intensive care units is currently unavailable. Thus, this study aimed to determine the overall oral care practices, including those for intubated patients, in Japanese intensive care units. We also discuss the differences in oral care methods between Japanese ICUs and ICUs in other countries. This study included all Japanese intensive care units meeting the authorities' standard set criteria, with a minimum of 0.5 nurses per patient at all times and admission of adult patients requiring mechanical ventilation. An online survey was used to collect data. Survey responses were obtained from one representative nurse per intensive care unit. Frequency analysis was performed, and the percentage of each response was calculated. A total of 609 hospitals and 717 intensive care units nationwide participated; among these, responses were collected from 247 intensive care units (34.4%). Of these, 215 (87.0%) and 32 (13.0%) reported standardized and non-standardized oral care, respectively. Subsequently, the data from 215 intensive care units that provided standardized oral care were analyzed in detail. The most common frequency of practicing oral care was three times a day (68.8%). Moreover, many intensive care units provided care at unequal intervals (79.5%), mainly in the morning, daytime, and evening. Regarding oral care methods, 96 (44.7%) respondents used only a toothbrush, while 116 (54.0%) used both a toothbrush and a non-brushing method. The findings of our study reveal current oral care practices in ICUs in Japan. In particular, most ICUs provide oral care three times a day at unequal intervals, and almost all use toothbrushes as a common tool for oral care. The results suggest that some oral care practices in Japanese ICUs differ from those in ICUs in other countries.

Enteral nutrition practice in the prone position in patients with coronavirus disease 2019: An international one-day point prevalence analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Enteral nutrition (EN) in the prone position for severe respiratory failure is considered possible with care. However, the extent to which it is feasible, especially its association with the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between the duration of prone position therapy and adequacy of EN delivery and explored factors associated with this relationship in an observational study of critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who were actively treated in the prone position.

METHODS

This study was a secondary analysis of a worldwide one-day prevalence study in the COVID-19 era. We investigated the care and nutritional therapy provided to critically ill patients with COVID-19 admitted to ICU, along with ICU-related information. We targeted patients who received only tube feeding and analyzed the relationship between the duration of prone position, length of ICU stays, and nutrition delivery via EN. In addition, a multivariate analysis was performed to examine factors affecting the achievement of EN delivery of 20 kcal/kg/day or more in patients who were placed in the prone position for at least 6 h.

RESULTS

A total of 399 patients who received only EN, excluding parenteral nutrition and oral intake, were included, of whom 58 % received EN energy delivery of ≥20 kcal/kg/day; this rate increased with the length of ICU stay, regardless of the duration of prone position. In a multivariate analysis of 121 patients who were in the prone position for at least 6 h, the presence of dedicated dietitians in the ICU (OR = 6.91, 95 % CI = 1.98 to 24.1, p < 0.01) was associated with a higher energy delivery. Conversely, the use of muscle relaxants (OR = 0.32, 95 % CI = 0.11 to 0.98, p = 0.04) and presence of nutrition protocols (OR = 0.24, 95 % CI = 0.07 to 0.77, p = 0.02) was associated with a lower energy delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with COVID-19 received adequate nutrition by EN even during prone position. Target EN delivery would be achieved with the introduction of prone position.

Nurses' Attitudes, Practices, and Barriers to Assessing Symptoms of Discomfort in Mechanically Ventilated Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction

Critically ill patients experience various stressful symptoms of discomfort, including dyspnea, pain, and sleep disruption. Notably, ventilated patients have difficulty self-reporting discomfort symptoms. Nurses need to assess discomfort symptoms to alleviate them, but limited research exists on discomfort symptom assessment and management in critically ill patients.

Objective

To identify the practices, attitudes, and barriers among nurses related to the assessment of discomfort symptoms in mechanically ventilated patients.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional, descriptive study design, a web-based survey was conducted between May and June 2022 with critical care nurses sampled through Japanese academic societies and social networking services. The survey contained questions relative to the above-stated objective. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed without sample size calculation because of the descriptive and exploratory nature of this study.

Results

There were 267 respondents to the questionnaire. The discomfort symptoms that nurses perceived as important to assess were pain (median 100 [interquartile range, IQR 90-100]), insomnia (99 [80-100]), and dyspnea (96.5 [75-100]). Most participants (89.8%) routinely assessed pain in mechanically ventilated patients using a scale; however, other discomfort symptoms were assessed by less than 40% (dyspnea [28.4%], fatigue [8.1%], thirst [13.1%], insomnia [37.3%], and anxiety [13.6%]). Two major barriers to assessing discomfort symptoms were lack of assessment culture within the intensive care unit and lack of knowledge of the relevant evaluation scales.

Conclusions

Nurses were aware of the importance of using scales to assess the discomfort symptoms experienced by mechanically ventilated patients. However, except for pain, most nurses did not routinely use scales to assess discomfort symptoms. Barriers to routine discomfort symptom assessment included the lack of an assessment culture and the lack of knowledge of the assessment scales. Clinicians should be educated regarding the existence of validated rating scales and develop additional rating scales utilizable for minor discomforts in mechanically ventilated patients.

Assessment of Dyspnea in Critically Ill Patients: A Comparative Analysis of Evaluation Scales

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the Respiratory Distress Observation Scale (RDOS), Intensive Care RDOS (IC-RDOS), and Mechanical Ventilation RDOS (MV-RDOS) as potential markers of dyspnea in ICU patients by describing their relationship with the Dyspnea Visual Analog Scale (D-VAS). Materials and methods A researcher and a trained nurse independently assessed ICU patients simultaneously. One researcher assessed the RDOS (IC/MV-RDOS) and the depth of sedation. An objective evaluation using the observational D-VAS was simultaneously performed by a trained nurse. Results The correlation coefficients for each scale were 0.338 for the D-VAS and RDOS, 0.239 for the IC-RDOS, and 0.237 for the MV-RDOS, indicating a low correlation. The prediction of self-reported dyspnea showed that each scale's area under the curve (AUC) as a predictor of D-VAS ≥4 was 0.79 (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.71-0.87) for RDOS, 0.77 (95% CI 0.68-0.84) for IC-RDOS, and 0.73 (95% CI 0.64-0.81) for MV-RDOS. Conclusions The objective rating scales RDOS, IC-RDOS, and MV-RDOS can predict subjective dyspnea to a certain extent; however, they have limitations in accurately discriminating dyspnea intensity.

Post-intensive care syndrome: Recent advances and future directions

Post-intensive care syndrome comprises physical, cognitive, and mental impairments in patients treated in an intensive care unit (ICU). It occurs either during the ICU stay or following ICU discharge and is related to the patients' long-term prognosis. The same concept also applies to pediatric patients, and it can greatly affect the mental status of family members. In the 10 years since post-intensive care syndrome was first proposed, research has greatly expanded. Here, we summarize the recent evidence on post-intensive care syndrome regarding its pathophysiology, epidemiology, assessment, risk factors, prevention, and treatments. We highlight new topics, future directions, and strategies to overcome post-intensive care syndrome among people treated in an ICU. Clinical and basic research are still needed to elucidate the mechanistic insights and to discover therapeutic targets and new interventions for post-intensive care syndrome.

Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Rehabilitation in Critically Ill Patients 2023 (J-ReCIP 2023)

Providing standardized, high-quality rehabilitation for critically ill patients is a crucial issue. In 2017, the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine (JSICM) promulgated the "Evidence-Based Expert Consensus for Early Rehabilitation in the Intensive Care Unit" to advocate for the early initiation of rehabilitations in Japanese intensive care settings. Building upon this seminal work, JSICM has recently conducted a rigorous systematic review utilizing the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. This endeavor resulted in the formulation of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs), designed to elucidate best practices in early ICU rehabilitation. The primary objective of this guideline is to augment clinical understanding and thereby facilitate evidence-based decision-making, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of patient outcomes in critical care settings. No previous CPGs in the world has focused specifically on rehabilitation of critically ill patients, using the GRADE approach. Multidisciplinary collaboration is extremely important in rehabilitation. Thus, the CPGs were developed by 73 members of a Guideline Development Group consisting of a working group, a systematic review group, and an academic guideline promotion group, with the Committee for the Clinical Practice Guidelines of Early Mobilization and Rehabilitation in Intensive Care of the JSICM at its core. Many members contributed to the development of the guideline, including physicians and healthcare professionals with multiple and diverse specialties, as well as a person who had been patients in ICU. Based on discussions among the group members, eight important clinical areas of focus for this CPG were identified. Fourteen important clinical questions (CQs) were then developed for each area. The public was invited to comment twice, and the answers to the CQs were presented in the form of 10 GRADE recommendations and commentary on the four background questions. In addition, information for each CQ has been created as a visual clinical flow to ensure that the positioning of each CQ can be easily understood. We hope that the CPGs will be a useful tool in the rehabilitation of critically ill patients for multiple professions.

Instruments to assess post-intensive care syndrome assessment: a scoping review and modified Delphi method study

BACKGROUND

The assessment of post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is challenging due to the numerous types of instruments. We herein attempted to identify and propose recommendations for instruments to assess PICS in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review to identify PICS follow-up studies at and after hospital discharge between 2014 and 2022. Assessment instruments used more than two times were included in the modified Delphi consensus process. A modified Delphi meeting was conducted three times by the PICS committee of the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine, and each score was rated as not important (score: 1-3), important, but not critical (4-6), and critical (7-9). We included instruments with ≥ 70% of respondents rating critical and ≤ 15% of respondents rating not important.

RESULTS

In total, 6972 records were identified in this scoping review, and 754 studies were included in the analysis. After data extraction, 107 PICS assessment instruments were identified. The modified Delphi meeting reached 20 PICS assessment instrument recommendations: (1) in the physical domain: the 6-min walk test, MRC score, and grip strength, (2) in cognition: MoCA, MMSE, and SMQ, (3) in mental health: HADS, IES-R, and PHQ-9, (4) in the activities of daily living: the Barthel Index, IADL, and FIM, (5) in quality of life: SF-36, SF-12, EQ-5D-5L, 3L, and VAS (6), in sleep and pain: PSQI and Brief Pain Inventory, respectively, and (7) in the PICS-family domain: SF-36, HADS, and IES-R.

CONCLUSION

Based on a scoping review and the modified Delphi method, 20 PICS assessment instruments are recommended to assess physical, cognitive, mental health, activities of daily living, quality of life, sleep, and pain in ICU survivors and their families.

Return-to-Work Prevalence Among COVID-19 Patients After Receiving Intensive Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Returning to work can be a serious issue for patients who have undergone intensive care. Previous studies have reported a relatively low return-to-work prevalence among such patients. Some patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) experience severe pneumonia and require intensive care, including mechanical ventilation. However, little is known about the return-to-work prevalence among such patients. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature describing the return-to-work prevalence among COVID-19 patients who received intensive care. The eligibility criteria were determined based on the medical condition, context, and population framework of each study, as follows: (1) full-text observational studies, (2) context: COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU, (3) condition: return-to-work prevalence after ICU discharge, and (4) population: critically ill patients who are 18 years and older. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. Review articles, case reports, letters to the editor, and comments without data involving return-to-work prevalence were excluded. We searched the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE, via PubMed), the Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL, via EBSCOhost), and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) databases from their inception till July 26, 2022, and updated the search on June 14, 2023. Specifically, we collected studies reporting data on the return-to-work prevalence among COVID-19 patients after receiving intensive care. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Prevalence Studies. Pre-developed standard forms were used for data collection, and pooled prevalence for return-to-work was calculated. Out of the 2221 available records, 42 full texts were reviewed, 20 of which were included in the qualitative synthesis. The number of return-to-work cases reported at 0-3 months, 4-6 months, and 7-12 months were three, 11, and nine, respectively. At 0-3 months, the pooled prevalence was 0.49 (three trials; n = 73; 95% CI: 0.15-0.84; I2 = 82%). At 4-6 months, the pooled prevalence was 0.57 (11 trials; n = 900; 95% CI: 0.40-0.73; I2 = 92%). Finally, at 7-12 months, the pooled prevalence was 0.64 (nine trials; n = 281; 95% CI: 0.50-0.77; I2 = 80%). However, the overall quality of the included studies was low. Based on the results, approximately one-third of COVID-19 patients did not return to work 12 months after receiving intensive care. Given the quality and limitations of the studies, a more detailed and extensive cohort study is required; also, concerned authorities should implement adequate measures in terms of providing integrated job support for this patient population.

Follow-up focused on psychological intervention initiated after intensive care unit in adult patients and informal caregivers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Psychological dysfunction is one of the considerable health-related outcomes among critically-ill patients and their informal caregivers. Follow-up of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors has been conducted in a variety of different ways, with different timing after discharge, targets of interest (physical, psychological, social) and measures used. Of diverse ICU follow-up, the effects of follow-ups which focused on psychological interventions are unknown. Our research question was whether follow-up with patients and their informal caregivers after ICU discharge improved mental health compared to usual care. We published a protocol for this systematic review and meta-analysis in https://www.protocols.io/ (https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.bvjwn4pe). We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycInfo from their inception to May 2022. We included randomized controlled trials for follow-ups after ICU discharge and focused on psychological intervention for critically ill adult patients and their informal caregivers. We synthesized primary outcomes, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and adverse events using the random-effects method. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to rate the certainty of evidence. From the 10,471 records, we identified 13 studies (n = 3, 366) focusing on patients and four (n = 538) focusing on informal caregivers. ICU follow-up for patients resulted in little to no difference in the prevalence of depression (RR 0.89, 95% CI [0.59-1.34]; low-certainty evidence) and PTSD (RR 0.84, 95% CI [0.55-1.30]; low-certainty evidence) among patients; however, it increased the prevalence of depression (RR 1.58 95% CI [1.01-2.46]; very low-certainty evidence), PTSD (RR 1.36, 95% CI [0.91-2.03]; very low-certainty evidence) among informal caregivers. The evidence for the effect of ICU follow-up on adverse events among patients was insufficient. Eligible studies for informal caregivers did not define any adverse event. The effect of follow-ups after ICU discharge that focused on psychological intervention should be uncertain.

Prevalence, Location, and Interference With Daily Life of Chronic Pain in Long-Term Survivors After Discharge From a Tertiary Emergency Center

Background This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, location, and characteristics of new-onset chronic pain by using a new definition in long-term survivors after discharge from a tertiary emergency center. Materials and methods We conducted a single-center ambidirectional cohort study from January to May 2022. A survey of patients was conducted by postal mail two to 2.5 years after their discharge from a tertiary emergency center. We used the Brief Pain Inventory to investigate chronic pain parameters, and the painDETECT questionnaire to investigate neuropathic pain. Patient information during hospitalization was collected retrospectively from medical records. Results The survey was sent to 78 patients, 63 (81%) of whom responded and were included in the analysis. Nine of the 63 patients (14%) had new-onset chronic pain. Of these, six (67%) had chronic pain of moderate or severe intensity which interfered with daily life. The most frequent location of chronic pain was the foot/ankle (n=4, 44%). Neuropathic pain was present in four (44%) patients with new-onset chronic pain. Conclusion New-onset chronic pain may occur for up to two to 2.5 years after discharge from a tertiary emergency center, and this may interfere with daily life. Therefore, a follow-up system for chronic pain is warranted.

Clinical practice competencies for standard critical care nursing: consensus statement based on a systematic review and Delphi survey

OBJECTIVES

A clear development process and scientifically validated clinical practice competencies in standard critical care nursing (SCCN) have not yet been developed in Japan. Thus, this study aimed to develop a consensus-based set of SCCN competencies to provide a framework for critical care nursing education, training and evaluation.

DESIGN

Multistep, modified Delphi study (a systematic review, focus group interviews, a three-round web-based Delphi survey and an external validation process).

PARTICIPANTS

A systematic review of 23 studies, focus group interviews by 12 experts, a Delphi survey by 239 critical care experts (physicians, nurses and physical therapists) and an external validation by 5 experts (physicians and nurses).

RESULTS

A systematic review identified 685 unique competencies. The focus group interviews resulted in the addition of 3 performance indicator items, a synthesis of 2 subdomains and 10 elements. Of the 239 participants, 218 (91.2%), 209 (98.9%) and 201 (96.2%) responded in rounds 1, 2 and 3 of the Delphi survey, respectively. After round 3, 57 items were below the consensus level and were removed in the final round. External validation process feedback was received from experts after two revisions to ensure that the final competencies were valid, applicable, useful and clear. The final set of competencies was classified into 6 domains, 26 subdomains, 99 elements and 525 performance indicators.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found a set of SCCN competencies after a multistep, modified Delphi study. The results of this study are robust, and the competency framework can be used in multiple areas to improve clinical practice, including the assessment, training and certification of standard critical care nurses.

Variation in communication and family visiting policies in intensive care within and between countries during the Covid-19 pandemic: The COVISIT international survey

BACKGROUND

During the COVID-19 pandemic, intensive care units (ICU) introduced restrictions to in-person family visiting to safeguard patients, healthcare personnel, and visitors.

METHODS

We conducted a web-based survey (March-July 2021) investigating ICU visiting practices before the pandemic, at peak COVID-19 ICU admissions, and at the time of survey response. We sought data on visiting policies and communication modes including use of virtual visiting (videoconferencing).

RESULTS

We obtained 667 valid responses representing ICUs in all continents. Before the pandemic, 20% (106/525) had unrestricted visiting hours; 6% (30/525) did not allow in-person visiting. At peak, 84% (558/667) did not allow in-person visiting for patients with COVID-19; 66% for patients without COVID-19. This proportion had decreased to 55% (369/667) at time of survey reporting. A government mandate to restrict hospital visiting was reported by 53% (354/646). Most ICUs (55%, 353/615) used regular telephone updates; 50% (306/667) used telephone for formal meetings and discussions regarding prognosis or end-of-life. Virtual visiting was available in 63% (418/667) at time of survey.

CONCLUSIONS

Highly restrictive visiting policies were introduced at the initial pandemic peaks, were subsequently liberalized, but without returning to pre-pandemic practices. Telephone became the primary communication mode in most ICUs, supplemented with virtual visits.

Development and initial validation of the Japanese healthy work environment assessment tool for critical care settings

AIM

This study aims to translate the Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool (HWE-AT) into Japanese and evaluate its validity and reliability.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The authors followed the guidelines for scale translation, adaptation, and validation in cross-cultural healthcare research. After translation and back-translation, a series of pilot studies were conducted to assess comprehensibility. Subsequently, an expert panel established the content validity. Content validity was calculated using the content validity index (CVI). Finally, we verified the construct validity and calculated the test-retest reliability.

RESULTS

The updated HWE-AT achieved sufficient comprehensibility after conducting the two pilot tests. Content validity was calculated using the scale-level CVI/average and all the items were 1.00. The content validity indices CFI and RMSEA were 0.918 and 0.082, respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficients for all dimensions ranged from 0.618 to 0.903, indicating acceptable test-retest reliability. Our findings suggest that the Japanese version of the HWE-AT has good validity and reliability.

Relationship between no-visitation policy and the development of delirium in patients admitted to the intensive care unit

Background

Due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) pandemic, many hospitals imposed a no-visitation policy for visiting patients in hospitals to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among visitors and patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between the no-visitation policy and delirium in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Methods

This was a single-center, before-after comparative study. Patients were admitted to a mixed medical-surgical ICU from September 6, 2019 to October 18, 2020. Because no-visitation policy was implemented on February 26, 2020, we compared patients admitted after this date (after phase) with the patients admitted before the no-visitation policy (before phase) was implemented. The primary outcome was the incidence of delirium during the ICU stay. Cox regression was used for the primary analysis and was calculated using hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Covariates were age, sex, APACHE II, dementia, emergency surgery, benzodiazepine, and mechanical ventilation use.

Results

Of the total 200 patients consecutively recruited, 100 were exposed to a no-visitation policy. The number of patients who developed delirium during ICU stay during the before phase and the after phase were 59 (59%) and 64 (64%), respectively (P = 0.127). The adjusted HR of no-visitation policy for the number of days until the first development of delirium during the ICU stay was 0.895 (0.613–1.306).

Conclusion

The no-visitation policy was not associated with the development of delirium in ICU patients.

Survey of Glasgow Coma Scale and PaO 2 / FIO 2 ratio assessment methods for the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score in Japanese intensive care units

Aim

Accurately calculating the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score is essential for medical resource allocation and decision‐making. This study surveyed Japanese intensive care units regarding their assessment of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and PaO₂/FIO₂ ratio, components of the SOFA score.

Methods

A cross‐sectional, web‐based survey was conducted among healthcare workers. The survey consisted of questions about the intensive care units where they work and questions for respondents. It was distributed to healthcare workers by e‐mail through the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine mailing list and social networking service.

Results

Among 414 responses, we obtained 211 valid responses and 175 survey results from unique intensive care units. When assessing GCS in patients under the influence of sedatives, 45.1% (95% confidence interval, 37.6–52.8) of intensive care units assessed GCS assuming that the sedatives had no influence. For the PaO₂/FIO₂ ratio in the SOFA score, calculation based on the Japanese Intensive Care Patient Database definition document and mechanical ventilator settings were the most common methods in patients with oxygen masks and on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, respectively. Approximately 60% of respondents indicated that it was difficult to assess GCS assuming that sedatives had no influence.

Conclusion

In patients under the influence of sedatives, approximately half of the intensive care units assessed assumed GCS. There was variation in the methods used to assess the PaO₂/FIO₂ ratio. Standardized assessment methods for GCS and the PaO₂/FIO₂ ratio are needed to obtain valid SOFA score.

Influence of Mutual Support on Burnout among Intensive Care Unit Healthcare Professionals

Introduction

Burnout among healthcare professionals in intensive care units (ICUs) is a serious issue that leads to early retirement and medication errors. Their gender, lower years of experience, and lower education have been reported as risk factors. Simultaneously, mutual support—commonly referred to as “back-up behavior,” in which staff members support each other—is critical for team performance. However, little is known about the influence of mutual support among ICU healthcare professionals on burnout. The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality refers to mutual support as the involvement of team members in: assisting one another, providing and receiving feedback, and exerting assertive and advocacy behaviors when patient safety is threatened.

Objective

This study aimed to verify the hypothesis that lower mutual support among ICU healthcare professionals is associated with increased probability of burnout.

Methods

A web-based survey was conducted from March 4 to 20, 2021. All ICU healthcare professionals in Japan were included. An invitation was sent via the mailing list of the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine and asked to mail to local communities and social network services. We measured burnout severity using the Maslach Burnout-Human Services Survey and mutual support using the TeamSTEPPS Teamwork Perceptions Questionnaire, as well as occupational background. The cutoff value for burnout was predefined and conducted logistic regression.

Results

We received 335 responses, all of which were analyzed. The majority of respondents were nurses (58.5%), followed by physicians (18.5%) and clinical engineers (10.1%). The burnout group scored significantly lower on mutual support than the non-burnout group. After adjusting for covariates in a logistic regression, low mutual support was an independent factor predicting a high probability of burnout.

Conclusions

This study suggests that it is important to focus on mutual support among ICU healthcare professionals to reduce the frequency of burnout.

Percutaneous coronary intervention on combined VA-ECMO and IMPELLA (ECPELLA) support may reduce myocardial damage in cardiogenic shock patients with STEMI who required mechanical circulatory support

Background

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is an effective therapeutic modality for patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) including STEMI. The VA-ECMO maintains end-organ perfusion, however, it significantly increases damaged left ventricular (LV) afterload. Combined treatment of VA-ECMO and a micro-axial Impella pump, ECPELLA, simultaneously provides systemic circulatory support and LV loading reduction (LV unloading). Studies in ischemic animal models displayed that LV unloading reduced myocardial size. However, it remains unknown whether LV unloading effect by ECPELLA during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can reduce myocardial damage in human STEMI patients with severe cardiogenic shock.

Purpose

This study was to assess whether PCI on ECPELLA support can reduce myocardial damage in STEMI patients with severe cardiogenic shock.

Methods

Sixteen consecutive patients with STEMI and lethal CS (SCAI stage E) were enrolled. All patients suffered from cardiac arrest. Fifteen patients (94%) underwent extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation using VA-ECMO. From October 2018 to November 2019, PCI was carried out on VA-ECMO support and the mechanical circulatory support (MCS) modality during PCI was switched to ECPELLA since December 2019. There were 8 patients who underwent PCI on ECPELLA support (ECPELLA-PCI) and 8 patients who underwent PCI on single VA-ECMO support (ECMO-PCI). All patients in ECMO-PCI group were escalated to ECPELLA after PCI. Therefore, the difference between groups was timing of LV unloading, i.e., pre-PCI or post-PCI condition. We assessed total MCS flow during PCI, and peak and time course changes in CK-MB levels from days 0 to 3.

Results

There were no significant differences in age, rate of male sex, body surface area, shockable rhythm, serum lactate levels, and door to MCS time. Patients in ECPELLA-PCI had significantly longer door to recanalization time (73min in ECPELLA vs. 49min in VA-ECMO, p&lt;0.05), and higher total MCS flow during PCI (3.1 L/min/sqM vs. 2.0 L/min/sqM, p&lt;0.05). Peak and the area under the curves (AUC) from day 0 to day 3 of CK-MB in ECPELLA-PCI were significantly lower than ECMO-PCI group (peak CK-MB 120 vs. 524 IU/L and CK-MB AUC 143 vs. 464 IU/L*Day, respectively, p&lt;0.05). While all patients received red blood cell (RBC) and plasma (PL) transfusions, ECPELLA-PCI required larger amount of RBC and PL transfusions (p&lt;0.05).

Conclusion

The ECPELLA-PCI appeared to reduce myocardial damage shown by peak and AUC of CK-MB levels. Lager amount of blood transfusion is a major drawback of this treatment modality. Further studies are necessary whether ECPELLA-PCI is an effective revascularization approach for myocardial damage reduction with favorable mid- and long-term outcome in patients with STEMI with severe cardiogenic shock.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Total MCS FLow and Ttoal MCS flow indexPeak CK-MB and CK-MB AUC

Post-Intensive Care Syndrome and Its New Challenges in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic: A Review of Recent Advances and Perspectives

Intensive care unit survivors experience prolonged physical impairments, cognitive impairments, and mental health problems, commonly referred to as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Previous studies reported the prevalence, assessment, and prevention of PICS, including the ABCDEF bundle approach. Although the management of PICS has been advanced, the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) posed an additional challenge to PICS. The prevalence of PICS after COVID-19 extensively varied with 28-87% of cases pertaining to physical impairments, 20-57% pertaining to cognitive impairments, and 6-60% pertaining to mental health problems after 1-6 months after discharge. Each component of the ABCDEF bundle is not sufficiently provided from 16% to 52% owing to the highly transmissible nature of the virus. However, new data are emerging about analgesia, sedation, delirium care, nursing care, early mobilization, nutrition, and family support. In this review, we summarize the recent data on PICS and its new challenge in PICS after COVID-19 infection.

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2020 (J-SSCG 2020)

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2020 (J-SSCG 2020), a Japanese-specific set of clinical practice guidelines for sepsis and septic shock created as revised from J-SSCG 2016 jointly by the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine, was first released in September 2020 and published in February 2021. An English-language version of these guidelines was created based on the contents of the original Japanese-language version. The purpose of this guideline is to assist medical staff in making appropriate decisions to improve the prognosis of patients undergoing treatment for sepsis and septic shock. We aimed to provide high-quality guidelines that are easy to use and understand for specialists, general clinicians, and multidisciplinary medical professionals. J-SSCG 2016 took up new subjects that were not present in SSCG 2016 (e.g., ICU-acquired weakness [ICU-AW], post-intensive care syndrome [PICS], and body temperature management). The J-SSCG 2020 covered a total of 22 areas with four additional new areas (patient- and family-centered care, sepsis treatment system, neuro-intensive treatment, and stress ulcers). A total of 118 important clinical issues (clinical questions, CQs) were extracted regardless of the presence or absence of evidence. These CQs also include those that have been given particular focus within Japan. This is a large-scale guideline covering multiple fields; thus, in addition to the 25 committee members, we had the participation and support of a total of 226 members who are professionals (physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, clinical engineers, and pharmacists) and medical workers with a history of sepsis or critical illness. The GRADE method was adopted for making recommendations, and the modified Delphi method was used to determine recommendations by voting from all committee members.As a result, 79 GRADE-based recommendations, 5 Good Practice Statements (GPS), 18 expert consensuses, 27 answers to background questions (BQs), and summaries of definitions and diagnosis of sepsis were created as responses to 118 CQs. We also incorporated visual information for each CQ according to the time course of treatment, and we will also distribute this as an app. The J-SSCG 2020 is expected to be widely used as a useful bedside guideline in the field of sepsis treatment both in Japan and overseas involving multiple disciplines.

Translation, reliability, and validity of Japanese version of the Respiratory Distress Observation Scale

Dyspnea is a common, distressing symptom of cardiopulmonary and neuromuscular diseases and is defined as “a subjective experience of breathing discomfort that consists of qualitatively distinct sensations that vary in intensity.” However, Japanese intensive care units (ICUs) do not routinely screen for dyspnea, as no validated Japanese version of the Respiratory Distress Observation Scale (RDOS) is available. Therefore, we aimed to translate the English version of this questionnaire into Japanese and assess its validity and reliability. To translate the RDOS, we conducted a prospective observational study in a 12-bed ICU of a universal hospital that included 42 healthcare professionals, 10 expert panels, and 128 ventilated patients. The English version was translated into Japanese, and several cross-sectional web-based questionnaires were administered to the healthcare professionals. After completing the translation process, a validity and reliability evaluation was performed in the ventilated patients. Inter-rater reliability was evaluated using Cohen’s weighted kappa coefficient. Criterion validity was ascertained based on the correlation between RDOS and the dyspnea visual analog scale. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the ability of the RDOS to identify patients with self-reported dyspnea. The average content validity index at the scale level was 0.95. Data from the 128 patients were collected and analyzed. Cohen’s weighted kappa coefficient and the correlation coefficient between the two scales were 0.76 and 0.443 (95% confidence intervals 0.70–0.82 and 0.23–0.62), respectively. For predicting self-reported dyspnea, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.81 (95% confidence interval 0.67–0.97). The optimal cutoff used was 1, with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.89 and 0.61, respectively. Our findings indicated that the Japanese version of the RDOS is acceptable for face validity, understandability, criterion validity, and inter-rater reliability in lightly sedated mechanically ventilated patients, indicating its clinical utility.

Workforce and Task Sharing of Nurses in the Japanese Intensive Care Unit-Cross-Sectional Postal Survey

This study aimed to estimate the number of nurses who independently care for patients with severe respiratory failure receiving mechanical ventilation (MV) or veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO). Additionally, the study analyzed the actual role of nurses in the treatment of patients with MV and VV-ECMO. We performed a cross-sectional study using postal questionnaire surveys. The study included 725 Japanese intensive care units (ICUs). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Among the 725 ICUs, we obtained 302 responses (41.7%) and analyzed 282 responses. The median number of nurses per bed was 3.25. The median proportion of nurses who independently cared for patients with MV was 60% (IQR: 42.3–77.3). The median proportion of nurses who independently cared for patients with VV-ECMO was 46.9 (35.7–63.3%) in the ICUs that had experience with VV-ECMO use. With regard to task-sharing, 33.8% of ICUs and nurses did not facilitate weaning from MV. Nurses always titrated sedative dosage in 44.5% of ICUs. Nurse staffing might be inadequate in all ICUs, especially for the management of patients with severe respiratory failure. The proportion of competent nurses to care for severe respiratory failure in ICUs should be considered when determining the workforce of nurses.

Survey on the actual number of nurses required for critical patients with COVID-19 in Japanese intensive care units: Preliminary report

Determining the number of nurses required for patients with coronavirus disease receiving mechanical ventilation and/or veno-veno extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is important to provide quality care. Therefore, we conducted this cross-sectional survey of 725 intensive care units in Japan. Data from 152 units with experience of managing patients with coronavirus disease who required tracheal intubation were analyzed. The median number of nurses required for a patient receiving mechanical ventilation or veno-veno extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was two. This number was more than that according to the Japanese standard determined by government. We conclude that more nursing staff is required for caring for patients critically ill with coronavirus disease in intensive care units.

Prevalence of and risk factors for post-intensive care syndrome: Multicenter study of patients living at home after treatment in 12 Japanese intensive care units, SMAP-HoPe study

Few studies have examined the epidemiology of post-intensive care syndrome in Japan. This study investigated the mental health and quality of life of patients living at home in Japan after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge. Additionally, we examined whether unplanned admission to the ICU was associated with more severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depressive symptoms. An ambidirectional cohort study was conducted at 12 ICUs in Japan. Patients who stayed in the ICU for > 3 nights and were living at home for 1 year afterward were included. One year after ICU discharge, we retrospectively screened patients and performed a mail survey on a monthly basis, including the Impact of Event Scale—Revised (IER-S), the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), and the EuroQOL—5 Dimension (EQ-5D-L) questionnaires. Patients’ characteristics, delirium and coma status, drugs used, and ICU and hospital length of stay were assessed from medical records. Descriptive statistics and multilevel linear regression modeling were used to examine our hypothesis. Among 7,030 discharged patients, 854 patients were surveyed by mail. Of these, 778 patients responded (response rate = 91.1%). The data from 754 patients were analyzed. The median IES-R score was 3 (interquartile range [IQR] = 1‒9), and the prevalence of suspected PTSD was 6.0%. The median HADS anxiety score was 4.00 (IQR = 1.17‒6.00), and the prevalence of anxiety was 16.6%. The median HADS depression score was 5 (IQR = 2‒8), and the prevalence of depression was 28.1%. EQ-5D-L scores were lower in our participants than in the sex- and age-matched Japanese population. Unplanned admission was an independent risk factor for more severe PTSD, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Approximately one-third of patients in the general ICU population experienced mental health issues one year after ICU discharge. Unplanned admission was an independent predictor for more severe PTSD symptoms.

Association between intensive care unit delirium and delusional memory after critical care in mechanically ventilated patients

AIM

To determine the relationship between the delirium of patients with mechanical ventilation during intensive care unit (ICU) stay and delusional memory after ICU discharge.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

METHODS

Delirium in adult patients who received mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hr was assessed twice daily using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU. Delusional memories were evaluated using the ICU Memory Tool 5-10 days after ICU discharge. The associations between the presence of delirium during the ICU stay and delusional memories were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of 60 enrolled patients, 62% had delirium during their ICU stay, and 68% experienced delusional memories 5-10 days after discharge. Delirium during ICU stay was an independent factor to experience delusional memories following discharge. Preventing delirium during ICU stay might reduce delusional memory. We recommend that patients with delirium during their ICU stay should be carefully followed up after discharge from the ICU.

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2020 (J-SSCG 2020)

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2020 (J-SSCG 2020), a Japanese-specific set of clinical practice guidelines for sepsis and septic shock created as revised from J-SSCG 2016 jointly by the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine, was first released in September 2020 and published in February 2021. An English-language version of these guidelines was created based on the contents of the original Japanese-language version. The purpose of this guideline is to assist medical staff in making appropriate decisions to improve the prognosis of patients undergoing treatment for sepsis and septic shock. We aimed to provide high-quality guidelines that are easy to use and understand for specialists, general clinicians, and multidisciplinary medical professionals. J-SSCG 2016 took up new subjects that were not present in SSCG 2016 (e.g., ICU-acquired weakness [ICU-AW], post-intensive care syndrome [PICS], and body temperature management). The J-SSCG 2020 covered a total of 22 areas with four additional new areas (patient- and family-centered care, sepsis treatment system, neuro-intensive treatment, and stress ulcers). A total of 118 important clinical issues (clinical questions, CQs) were extracted regardless of the presence or absence of evidence. These CQs also include those that have been given particular focus within Japan. This is a large-scale guideline covering multiple fields; thus, in addition to the 25 committee members, we had the participation and support of a total of 226 members who are professionals (physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, clinical engineers, and pharmacists) and medical workers with a history of sepsis or critical illness. The GRADE method was adopted for making recommendations, and the modified Delphi method was used to determine recommendations by voting from all committee members. As a result, 79 GRADE-based recommendations, 5 Good Practice Statements (GPS), 18 expert consensuses, 27 answers to background questions (BQs), and summaries of definitions and diagnosis of sepsis were created as responses to 118 CQs. We also incorporated visual information for each CQ according to the time course of treatment, and we will also distribute this as an app. The J-SSCG 2020 is expected to be widely used as a useful bedside guideline in the field of sepsis treatment both in Japan and overseas involving multiple disciplines.

Adverse Effects of Personal Protective Equipment Among Intensive Care Unit Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review

INTRODUCTION

To avoid exposure to SARS-COV-2, healthcare professionals use personal protective equipment (PPE) while treating COVID-19 patients. Prior studies have revealed the adverse effects (AEs) of PPE on healthcare workers (HCWs); however, no review has focused on the AEs of PPE on HCWs in intensive care units (ICUs). This review aimed to identify the AEs of PPE on HCWs working in ICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted. MEDLINE, CINAHL, the World Health Organization (WHO) global literature on COVID-19, and Igaku-chuo-zasshi (a Japanese medical database), Google Scholar, medRxiv, and Health Research Board (HRB) open research were searched from January 25-28, 2021. The extracted data included author(s) name, year of publication, country, language, article title, journal name, publication type, study methodology, population, outcome, and key findings.

RESULTS

The initial search identified 691 articles and abstracts. Twenty-five articles were included in the analysis. The analysis comprised four key topics: studies focusing on PPE-related headache, voice disorders, skin manifestations, and miscellaneous AEs of PPE. The majority of AEs for HCWs in ICUs were induced by prolonged use of masks.

CONCLUSION

The AEs of PPE among HCWs in ICUs included heat, headaches, skin injuries, chest discomfort, and dyspnea. Studies with a focus on specific diseases were on skin injuries. Moreover, many AEs were induced by prolonged use of masks.

Effects of social support on mental health for critical care nurses during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Japan: A web-based cross-sectional study

AIM

The aim of this study was to examine whether high social support has a protective effect on mental health for critical care nurses during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

METHODS

This cross-sectional anonymous web-based survey was conducted from November 5 to December 5, 2020, in Japan and included critical care nurses. The invitation was distributed via mailing lists.

RESULTS

Of the 334 responses that were obtained, 64.4% were from female respondents, and their mean age was 37.4. Of the total, 269 (80.5%) were taking care of COVID-19 patients at the time the study was conducted. Participants with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were found to be older (P < 0.05), and those with an education level of a 4-year college degree or higher had fewer PTSD symptoms (P < 0.05). Those experiencing anxiety and depressive symptoms had lower social support scores. Having a 4-year college degree and higher (odds ratio [OR] 0.622, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.39-0.99) was significantly associated with a lower probability of PTSD. Social support scores and the female sex were not associated with PTSD. Regarding anxiety symptoms, being female and having lower social support were independently associated with a higher probability. Regarding depression symptoms, lower social support was independently associated with a higher probability (OR 0.953, 95% CI 0.93-0.97).

CONCLUSION

It was found that social support was not associated with PTSD; however, it was associated with depression and anxiety symptoms for intensive care nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Translation, reliability and validity of Japanese version the TeamSTEPPS® teamwork perceptions questionnaire

Aim

This study aimed to translate the TeamSTEPPS® Teamwork Perceptions Questionnaire (T-TPQ) into Japanese and assess its validity and reliability.

Design

Translation of the T-TPQ and a cross-sectional survey.

Methods

Following a forward and back translation of the questionnaire, content validity was assessed by an expert panel using item-level content validity index. Construct validity was assessed by a confirmatory factor analysis. Further, intraclass correlation coefficient was estimated by test-retest methods.

Results

A total of 587 healthcare professionals responded to the translated T-TPQ. The item-level content validity index ranged between 0.8 and 1.0, indicating an acceptable content validity. The multiple fit indices showed an acceptable fitting model. Fifty-one healthcare professionals participated in the test-retest method. Intraclass correlation coefficients for all dimensions ranged from 0.838 to 0.957, indicating acceptable test-retest reliability. Our findings suggest that the Japanese version of the T-TPQ has acceptable validity and reliability.

Combined use of VA-ECMO and IMPELLA (ECPELLA) as a possible strategy to improve outcomes in patients who underwent E-CPR

Background

Extracorporeal Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (E-CPR) is an effective tool for patients with refractory cardiac arrest (CA). Since VA-ECMO provides strong afterload, IABP is often used to increase left ventricular load. Recently, in Japan, the effectiveness of VA-ECMO in combination with IMPELLA, a forward flow mechanical circulatory support device (ECPELLA) is gaining attention.

Purpose

We investigated usefulness of ECPELLA in patients with refractory CA.

Method

We reviewed 133 patients that had E-CPR from January 2012 through January 2020 {mean age: 67±15 years, male 65%, Out of hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) 35%, Acute coronary Syndrome (ACS) 54%}. We divided these patients into ECMO with IMPELLA (ECPELLA group), ECMO with IABP (IABP group) and ECMO alone (ECMO alone group). The primary endpoint is 30-day survival and good neurological prognosis defined as CPC (cerebral performance categories) 1 or 2.

Result

During the study period, of the 133 patients, there were 20 in the ECPELLA group, 78 in the IABP group, 35 in the ECMO alone group. There were no significant differences in age in all three groups. There were more males, shockable rhythm, OHCA and ACS in the ECPELLA and IABP groups compared to the ECMO alone group. But there was no significant difference between the ECPELLA and IABP groups. Compared with other groups, ECPELLA had the shortest time from cardiac arrest to ECMO placement. Regarding endpoints, the rate of 30-day survival and favorable neurological prognosis were higher in the ECPELLA group, followed by the IABP group and then the ECMO alone group. (ECPELLA: 55% vs. IABP: 23% vs. ECMO alone: 9%; P=0.0009, ECPELLA: 35% vs. IABP: 13% vs. ECMO alone: 9%; P=0.04) Next, Kaplan Meier analysis was performed to analyze 30-day all-cause mortality. The ECPELLA group had a significantly higher survival rate (P=0.01 by log-rank test). Multivariate cox proportional hazard analysis including the age, OHCA, shockable rhythm, ACS, Collapse-to-ECMO under 60 min revealed that the age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.28 (10 years increase), 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–1.53, P=0.004) and Collapse-to-ECMO under 60 min (HR, 0.37, 95% CI, 0.21–0.68, P=0.001) or ECPELLA (HR, 0.46, 95% CI, 0.20–0.694, P=0.03) were significantly associated with mortality.

Conclusion

ECPELLA used with E-CPR is an effective tool to improve mortality and neurologic status.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Impact of glucose tolerance status on the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor D and mortality in patients with suspected coronary artery disease: a subanalysis of the ANOX study

Background

Vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) is a secreted glycoprotein that can act as lymphangiogenic and angiogenic growth factors through binding to its specific receptors, VEGFR-3 and VEGFR-2. VEGF-D signaling via VEGFR-3 plays an important role in lipoprotein metabolisms which may contribute to coronary artery disease (CAD). We recently reported that serum levels of VEGF-D are independently associated with mortality in patients with suspected or known CAD. However, the impact of glucose tolerance status on the relationship between VEGF-D and mortality in patients with suspected CAD is unclear.

Methods

Serum VEGF-D levels were measured in 1,717 patients with suspected CAD undergoing elective coronary angiography, enrolled in the development of novel biomarkers related to angiogenesis or oxidative stress to predict CV events (ANOX) study, and followed up for 3 years. After excluding 67 patients with no HbA1c data, 1,650 patients were divided into 3 groups according to the glucose tolerance status: diabetes (DM, n=693), prediabetes (preDM, n=541) defined as an HbA1c of 5.7 to 6.4%, and normal glucose tolerance (NGT, n=416) defined as an HbA1c of 5.6% or less. The outcomes were total death, CV death, and major adverse CV events (MACE) defined as a composite of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke.

Results

During the follow-up, 80 DM, 45 preDM, and 30 NGT patients died from any cause, 24 DM, 13 preDM, and 12 NGT died from CV disease, and 54 DM, 30 preDM, and 19 NGT developed MACE. After adjustment for established risk factors, VEGF-D levels were significantly associated with total death (hazard ratio [HR] for 1-SD increase, 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–1.47), but not with CV death (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.93–1.52) or MACE (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.997–1.48) in DM; VEGF-D levels were not significantly associated with total death (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.70–1.34), CV death (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.92–2.11), or MACE (HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.74–1.50) in preDM; VEGF-D levels were not significantly associated with total death (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.98–1.84), CV death (HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 0.78–2.13), or MACE (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.66–1.46) in NGT. Even after incorporation of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, contemporary sensitive cardiac troponin I, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein into a model with established risk factors, the addition of VEGF-D levels further improved the prediction of total death (P=0.040 for continuous net reclassification improvement [NRI], P=0.007 for integrated discrimination improvement [IDI]), but not that of CV death or MACE in DM, while it did not significantly improved the prediction of total death, CV death, or MACE either in preDM or in NGT.

Conclusions

The VEGF-D level was independently associated with total death in DM, but not in preDM or in NGT. The relationship between VEGF-D and total mortality may depend on the presence of DM in patients with suspected CAD.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): The ANOX study is supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Clinical Research from the National Hospital Organization.

Effects of Manual Rib Cage Compressions on Mucus Clearance in Mechanically Ventilated Pigs

BACKGROUND

Manual rib cage compression is a chest physiotherapy technique routinely used in clinical practice. However, scientific evidence remains scarce on the effects of manual rib cage compression on airway clearance and oxygenation in mechanically ventilated patients.

METHODS

Anesthetized pigs were intubated via the trachea and mechanically ventilated. To create atelectasis, artificial mucus was infused into the airway. Each pig was randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: closed suctioning alone (control group, 7 pigs), or manual rib cage compression combined with closed suctioning (manual rib cage compression group, 8 pigs). Hard and brief rib cage compression synchronized with early expiratory phase was tested. Mucus clearance and oxygenation were assessed after the intervention. Sequential changes of hemodynamics were assessed after the intervention.

RESULTS

During hard manual rib cage compression, the mean ± SD peak expiratory flow increased to 44 ± 7 L/min compared with 31 ± 7 L/min without treatment (P < .001). Manual rib cage compression combined with endotracheal suctioning increased mucus clearance compared with closed suctioning alone (mucus amounts, 5.5 [3.4-9.4] g vs 0.7 [0.5-2.0] g; P = .004); however, it did not improve gas exchange and radiologic findings. There were no significant differences in hemodynamic variables between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicated that hard and brief manual rib cage compression combined with closed suctioning was safe and led to improvement of mucus clearance; however, no effectiveness was confirmed with regard to oxygenation and ventilation.

Personal protective equipment use by health-care workers in intensive care units during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: comparative analysis with the PPE-SAFE survey

Aim

We investigated personal protective equipment (PPE) use and supply shortage, training, and adverse events among health-care workers (HCWs) in the intensive care unit (ICU) during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Japan and compared the results with an international survey that used the same methodology.

Methods

This Web-based survey was carried out from 14 April to 6 May, 2020, in Japan and included HCWs directly involved in ICU management of COVID-19 patients. A survey invitation was emailed using the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine's mailing list.

Results

We analyzed 460 valid responses from among 976 responses. The N95/FFP2 mask (77%) was the most frequently used, although half of our respondents reported reuse of single-use N95/FFP2 masks. The median duration (1 h) of uninterrupted PPE use per shift was less than that in the international study. The most common PPE-related adverse event was experiencing intense heat (75%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that being a nurse was independently associated with experiencing intense heat.

Conclusion

Shortage of PPE and frequent mask reuse were prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Intense heat is the most significant symptom, especially for nurses, even with short-duration PPE use. Strategies to protect HCWs from dehydration and intense heatstroke are needed.

Influence of mutual support and a culture of blame among staff in acute care units on the frequency of physical restraint use in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation

Aim

Reducing the use of physical restraint in intensive care units is challenging, and little is known about the influence of culture on physical restraint use in this setting. The present study aims to verify the hypothesis that mutual support and a culture of blame among staff are associated with higher physical restraint use for mechanically ventilated patients.

Methods

We undertook a survey of nurses in intensive care units caring for mechanically ventilated patients in acute care units. The perceived frequency of physical restraint, mutual support, and culture of blame were measured. We predefined a high frequency physical restraint use group and compared the institutional characteristics, human resources, mutual support, and culture of blame between this group and the others (the control).

Results

Three hundred and thirty-three responses were analyzed. The mean number of beds per nurse was not significantly different between the groups; the mean and percentage of positive responses about mutual support and a culture of blame were significantly lower in the high frequency physical restraint use group. After adjusting variables in a multivariable regression analysis, a less positive response about the culture of blame was the only independent factor to predict high frequency physical restraint use.

Conclusion

The study suggests that changing the culture of blame, rather than increasing the number of nurses, is important for reducing physical restraint use.

Early versus delayed mobilization for in-hospital mortality and health-related quality of life among critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials aimed to investigate the efficacy of early mobilization among critically ill adult patients.

Methods

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and Igaku-Chuo-Zasshi (a Japanese bibliographic database) databases until April 2019 and included randomized control trials to compare early mobilization started within 1 week of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and earlier-than-usual care with the usual care or mobilization initiated later than the intervention. Two authors independently extracted the data of the included studies and assessed their quality. The primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, length of ICU/hospital stay, and health-related quality of life (QOL).

Results

Among 1085 titles/abstracts screened, 11 studies (including 1322 patients) were included in the meta-analysis, which was conducted using the random-effects model. The pooled relative risk for in-hospital mortality comparing early mobilization to usual care (control) was 1.12 (95% CI [confidence interval]: 0.80 to 1.58, I ² = 0%). The pooled mean differences for duration of ICU and hospital stay were -1.54 (95% CI: -3.33 to 0.25, I ² = 90%) and -2.86 (95% CI: -5.51 to -0.21, I ² = 85%), respectively. The pooled mean differences at 6 months post-discharge, as measured by the Short Form 36-Item Health Survey and Euro-QOL EQ-5D, were 4.65 (95% CI: -16.13 to 25.43, I ² = 86%) for physical functioning and 0.29 (95% CI: -11.19 to 11.78, I ² = 66%) for the visual analog scale.

Conclusions

Our study indicated no apparent differences between early mobilization and usual care in terms of in-hospital mortality and health-related QOL. Detailed larger studies are warranted to evaluate the impact of early mobilization on in-hospital mortality and health-related QOL in critically ill patients.

Trial registration

PROSPERO (identifier CRD42019139265).

P3639Vascular endothelial growth factor-C and mortality in patients with suspected but no history of coronary heart disease: a subanalysis of the ANOX study

Background

The lymphatic system has been suggested to play an important role in cholesterol metabolism and cardiovascular disease. Recently, we demonstrated that serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), a central player of lymphangiogenesis, are inversely and independently associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in patients with suspected or known coronary heart disease (CHD). However, the prognostic value of VEGF-C in patients with suspected but no history of CHD is still unclear.

Methods

Serum VEGF-C levels were measured in 1,717 patients with suspected but no history of CHD undergoing elective coronary angiography, enrolled in the development of novel biomarkers related to angiogenesis or oxidative stress to predict cardiovascular events (ANOX) study, and followed up for 3 years. The primary outcome was all-cause death. The secondary outcomes were cardiovascular death, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke.

Results

During the follow-up, 161 patients died from any cause, 50 died from cardiovascular disease, and 104 developed MACE. After adjustment for established risk factors, VEGF-C levels were significantly and inversely associated with all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR] for 1-SD increase, 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58–0.83) and cardiovascular death (HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.52–0.998), but not with MACE (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.74–1.13). Even after incorporation of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, contemporary sensitive cardiac troponin-I, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein into a model with established risk factors, the addition of VEGF-C levels further improved the prediction of all-cause death (continuous net reclassification improvement [NRI], 0.282; 95% CI, 0.121–0.443; P<0.001; integrated discrimination improvement [IDI], 0.009; 95% CI, 0.003–0.016; P=0.005), but not that of cardiovascular death (NRI, 0.178; 95% CI, r=−0.103–0.458; P=0.214; IDI, 0.004; 95% CI, r=−0.002–0.009; P=0.194) or MACE (NRI, 0.037; 95% CI, r=−0.162–0.235; P=0.717; IDI, 0.000; 95% CI, r=−0.0004–0.0005; P=0.872).

Conclusions

In patients with suspected but no history of CHD undergoing elective coronary angiography, a low VEGF-C value may predict all-cause mortality independent of established risk factors and cardiovascular biomarkers.

Acknowledgement/Funding

The ANOX study is supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Clinical Research from the National Hospital Organization

5195Growth differentiation factor-15 and mortality in suspected or known coronary heart disease patients with diabetes: a subanalysis of the ANOX study

Background

Diabetes is a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD), but further risk stratification in patients with diabetes is necessary to improve the prediction and prevention of cardiovascular events and deaths. Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a stress-responsive cytokine, which plays an important role in the regulation of the inflammatory response, growth and cell differentiation. Elevated GDF-15 was found in various diseases including diabetes and stable CHD, and was reported to predict mortality and cardiovascular events in general or established CHD population. However, the prognostic value of GDF-15 in suspected or known CHD patients with diabetes is unknown.

Methods

Serum GDF-15 levels were measured in 1,087 suspected or known CHD patients with diabetes undergoing elective coronary angiography, enrolled in the development of novel biomarkers related to angiogenesis or oxidative stress to predict cardiovascular events (ANOX) study, and followed up for 3 years. The primary outcome was all-cause death. The secondary outcomes were cardiovascular death, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke.

Results

During the follow-up, 147 patients died from any cause, 47 died from cardiovascular disease, and 94 developed MACE. After adjustment for established risk factors, GDF-15 levels were significantly associated with all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR] for 1-SD increase, 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.48–1.86), cardiovascular death (HR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.34–1.99), and MACE (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.20–1.65). Even after incorporation of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, contemporary sensitive cardiac troponin-I, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein into a model with established risk factors, the addition of GDF-15 levels further improved the prediction of all-cause death (continuous net reclassification improvement [NRI], 0.344; 95% CI, 0.172–0.517; P<0.001; integrated discrimination improvement [IDI], 0.049; 95% CI, 0.026–0.072; P<0.001), but not that of cardiovascular death (NRI, −0.013; 95% CI, −0.300–0.274; P=0.931; IDI, 0.023; 95% CI, 0.003–0.043; P=0.026) or MACE (NRI, 0.059; 95% CI, −0.151–0.268; P=0.583; IDI, 0.005; 95% CI, −0.004–0.015; P=0.244).

Conclusions

In suspected or known CHD patients with diabetes undergoing elective coronary angiography, elevated GDF-15 levels may predict all-cause mortality independent of established risk factors and cardiovascular biomarkers.

Acknowledgement/Funding

The ANOX study is supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Clinical Research from the National Hospital Organization.

Post-intensive care syndrome: its pathophysiology, prevention, and future directions

Expanding elderly populations are a major social challenge in advanced countries worldwide and have led to a rapid increase in the number of elderly patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Innovative advances in medical technology have enabled lifesaving of patients in ICUs, but there remain various problems to improve their long-term prognoses. Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) refers to physical, cognition, and mental impairments that occur during ICU stay, after ICU discharge or hospital discharge, as well as the long-term prognosis of ICU patients. Its concept also applies to pediatric patients (PICS-p) and the mental status of their family (PICS-F). Intensive care unit-acquired weakness, a syndrome characterized by acute symmetrical limb muscle weakness after ICU admission, belongs to physical impairments in three domains of PICS. Prevention of PICS requires performance of the ABCDEFGH bundle, which incorporates the prevention of delirium, early rehabilitation, family intervention, and follow-up from the time of ICU admission to the time of discharge. Diary, nutrition, nursing care, and environmental management for healing are also important in the prevention of PICS. This review outlines the pathophysiology, prevention, and future directions of PICS.

Physical restraints in intensive care units: a national questionnaire survey of physical restraint use for critically ill patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation in Japan

Aims

Physical restraints are often used for patients undergoing mechanical ventilation to protect important medical equipment. However, they have adverse physical and psychological effects and could pose ethical hazards. Physical restraint use varies by country, but so far there is little understanding of the frequency of physical restraint use among intensive care unit (ICU) patients in Japan. The present study aims to describe the frequency of physical restraint use among Japanese patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. Additionally, it attempts to verify the hypothesis that insufficient human resources have increased the frequency of physical restraints.

Methods

We undertook a cross-sectional online open anonymous survey of ICU nurses using a self-administered questionnaire to examine the use of physical restraints for patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation in Japan.

Results

We obtained 175 responses, of which 46 were excluded. Of the respondents, 43% reported that physical restraints were used for more than 75% of mechanically ventilated patients. Intensive care units with a higher frequency of physical restraint use had a significantly greater number of beds per nurse compared to those with a lower frequency; however, after adjusting for the number of beds in the ICU and hospital type in a logistic regression analysis, the number of beds per nurse was no longer significantly related to the use of physical restraints.

Conclusions

Physical restraints are commonly used among patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in Japan. A systematic approach to reducing physical restraint use among mechanically ventilated patients is needed.

Serum lipid and lipoprotein abnormalities in major clinical entities of renal disease

More than half of the patients with glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome and renovascular hypertension showed obviously abnormal profiles of serum lipoproteins (Lps). The abnormal profiles returned to normal or near-normal when the disease was ameliorated or corrected surgically. A unique Lp profile (broad midband pattern, BMP) was observed in approximately 89% of uremic patients on hemodialysis therapy. The results of the current investigations indicated that the BMP could probably be formed by the accumulation of catabolic remnants of VLDL.

Repeated open endotracheal suctioning causes gradual desaturation but does not exacerbate lung injury compared to closed endotracheal suctioning in a rabbit model of ARDS

Background

Although endotracheal suctioning induces alveolar derecruitment during mechanical ventilation, it is not clear whether repeated endotracheal suctioning exacerbates lung injuries. The present study aimed to determine whether repeated open endotracheal suctioning (OS) exacerbates lung injury compared to closed endotracheal suctioning (CS) during mechanical ventilation in an animal model of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods

Briefly, thirty six Japanese white rabbits were initially ventilated in pressure-controlled mode with a constant tidal volume (6 mL/kg). Then, lung injury was induced by repeated saline lavage. The rabbits were divided into four groups, namely: a) OS; b) CS; c) control with ARDS only; d) and healthy control (HC) without ARDS. Animals in all the groups were then ventilated with positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) at 10 cm H₂O. CS was performed using 6 French-closed suctioning catheters connected to endotracheal tube under the following conditions: a) a suctioning time and pressure of 10 sec and 140 mm Hg, respectively; and b) a suction depth of 2 cm (length of adapter) plus tracheal tube. OS was performed using the same conditions described for CS, except the ventilator was disconnected from the animals. Each endotracheal suctioning was performed at an interval of 30 min.

Results

PaO2/FIO2 (P/F) ratio for CS, control and HC groups remained at >400 for 6 hours, whereas that of the OS group progressively declined to 300 (p < 0.05), with each suctioning. However, no difference was observed either in lung injury score (histology) or in the expression pattern of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6) after 6 hours between the OS and CS groups in the circulatory as well as the pulmonary tissues.

Conclusions

Progressive arterial desaturation under conditions of repeated endotracheal suctioning is greater in OS than in CS time-dependently. However, OS does not exacerbate lung injury during mechanical ventilation when observed over a longer time span (6 hours) of repeated endotracheal suctioning, based on morphological and molecular analysis.

Autonomic nervous system function and depth of sedation in adults receiving mechanical ventilation

BACKGROUND

The effect of the depth of sedation on the function of the autonomic nervous system is not well known.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the effect of level of sedation on heart rate variability as a marker of the function of the autonomic nervous system in patients receiving mechanical ventilation.

METHODS

This pilot study was part of a larger study in which sedation level was measured continuously for up to 24 hours. The sample consisted of 14 patients receiving mechanical ventilation. The R-R interval was measured continuously via electrocardiography. Sedation level was determined by using the Patient State Index and was categorized as deep (<60) or light (=60). Continuous heart rate data of 5 to 10 minutes for each sedation level for each patient were analyzed.

RESULTS

Parasympathetic activity as indicated by root mean square of successive difference of the R-R interval, the high-frequency component, and the percentage of differences of successive N-N intervals (intervals due to normal sinus depolarization) that differed more than 50 milliseconds was significantly lower for deep sedation than for light sedation. The markers indicating sympathetic activity, including the low-frequency component and the ratio of the low-frequency component to the high-frequency component, did not differ significantly between the 2 levels of sedation. Most patients were receiving benzodiazepines.

CONCLUSIONS

Deep sedation may be associated with depression of parasympathetic function in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Use of benzodiazepines most likely contributed to this finding.