Expert perspectives on ECCOR for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure: consensus of a 2022 European roundtable meeting.

Background: By controlling hypercapnia, respiratory acidosis, and associated consequences, extracorporeal CO removal (ECCOR) has the potential to facilitate ultra-protective lung ventilation (UPLV) strategies and to decrease injury from mechanical ventilation. We convened a meeting of European intensivists and nephrologists and used a modified Delphi process to provide updated insights into the role of ECCOR in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and to identify recommendations for a future randomized controlled trial.

Results: The group agreed that lung protective ventilation and UPLV should have distinct definitions, with UPLV primarily defined by a tidal volume (V) of 4-6 mL/kg predicted body weight with a driving pressure (ΔP) ≤ 14-15 cmHO.

Oxygenation management during veno-arterial ECMO support for cardiogenic shock: a multicentric retrospective cohort study.

Backgound: Hyperoxemia is common and associated with poor outcome during veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) support for cardiogenic shock. However, little is known about practical daily management of oxygenation. Then, we aim to describe sweep gas oxygen fraction (FO), postoxygenator oxygen partial pressure (PO), inspired oxygen fraction (FO), and right radial arterial oxygen partial pressure (PO) between day 1 and day 7 of peripheral VA ECMO support.

Oxygenation target in acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Determining oxygenation targets in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains a challenge. Although oxygenation targets have been used since ARDS was first described, they have not been investigated in detail. However, recent retrospective and prospective trials have evaluated the optimal oxygenation threshold in patients admitted to the general intensive care unit.

One-Year Mental and Physical Health Assessment in Survivors after Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for COVID-19-related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Long-term outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-related acute respiratory distress syndrome treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are unknown. To assess physical examination, pulmonary function tests, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and quality of life at 6 and 12 months after ECMO onset. Multicenter, prospective study in patients who received ECMO for COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome from March to June 2020 and survived hospital discharge.

Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal for acute respiratory failure: a review of potential indications, clinical practice and open research questions.

Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCOR) is a form of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) largely aimed at removing carbon dioxide in patients with acute hypoxemic or acute hypercapnic respiratory failure, so as to minimize respiratory acidosis, allowing more lung protective ventilatory settings which should decrease ventilator-induced lung injury. ECCOR is increasingly being used despite the lack of high-quality evidence, while complications associated with the technique remain an issue of concern. This review explains the physiological basis underlying the use of ECCOR, reviews the evidence regarding indications and contraindications, patient management and complications, and addresses organizational and ethical considerations.

Optimizing PO during peripheral veno-arterial ECMO: a narrative review.

During refractory cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest, veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is used to restore a circulatory output. However, it also impacts significantly arterial oxygenation. Recent guidelines of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) recommend targeting postoxygenator partial pressure of oxygen (PO) around 150 mmHg.

Result of one-year, prospective follow-up of intensive care unit survivors after SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.

Introduction: Survivors of viral ARDS are at risk of long-term physical, functional and neuropsychological complications resulting from the lung injury itself, but also from potential multiorgan dysfunction, and the long stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). Recovery profiles after severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in intensive care unit survivors have yet to be clearly defined.

Material And Methods: The goal of this single-center, prospective, observational study was to systematically evaluate pulmonary and extrapulmonary function at 12 months after a stay in the ICU, in a prospectively identified cohort of patients who survived SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.

Nationwide retrospective study of critically ill adults with sickle cell disease in France.

Little is known about patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) who require intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The goals of this study were to assess outcomes in patients admitted to the ICU for acute complications of SCD and to identify factors associated with adverse outcomes. This multicenter retrospective study included consecutive adults with SCD admitted to one of 17 participating ICUs.

β-lactam dosing at the early phase of sepsis: Performance of a pragmatic protocol for target concentration achievement in a prospective cohort study.

Purpose: We hypothesized that a protocol of standardized fixed dose using prolonged infusion during the early phase of sepsis may avoid insufficient β-lactam concentrations.

Methods: In this single center prospective study, patients with sepsis and vasopressors were enrolled if they were treated by either piperacillin-tazobactam, meropenem or cefepime. Βeta-lactams were administered at fixed dose by prolonged infusion.

Impact on antimicrobial consumption of procalcitonin-guided antibiotic therapy for pneumonia/pneumonitis associated with aspiration in comatose mechanically ventilated patients: a multicenter, randomized controlled study.

Background: In comatose patients receiving oro-tracheal intubation for mechanical ventilation (MV), the risk of aspiration is increased. Aspiration can lead to chemical pneumonitis (inflammatory reaction to the gastric contents), or aspiration pneumonia (infection caused by inhalation of microorganisms). Distinguishing between the two types is challenging.

An Original Risk Score to Predict Early Major Bleeding in Acute Pulmonary Embolism: The Syncope, Anemia, Renal Dysfunction (PE-SARD) Bleeding Score.

Background: Improved prediction of the risk of early major bleeding in pulmonary embolism (PE) is needed to optimize acute management.

Research Question: Does a simple scoring system predict early major bleeding in acute PE patients, identifying patients with either high or low probability of early major bleeding?

Study Design And Methods: From a multicenter prospective registry including 2,754 patients, we performed post hoc multivariable logistic regression analysis to build a risk score to predict early (up to hospital discharge) major bleeding events. We validated the endpoint model internally, using bootstrapping in the derivation dataset by sampling with replacement for 500 iterations.

Mental health and stress among ICU healthcare professionals in France according to intensity of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Background: We investigated the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on mental health of professionals working in the intensive care unit (ICU) according to the intensity of the epidemic in France.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in 77 French hospitals from April 22 to May 13 2020. All ICU frontline healthcare workers were eligible.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Cannula-Related Infections: Epidemiology and Risk Factors.

Although being a potential major source of infection in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients, data regarding cannula-related infections (CRI) remain scarce. We therefore aimed at describing the epidemiology of CRI among critically ill patients supported by ECMO. Between October 2017 and November 2019, adult patients supported by either venoarterial (VA), venopulmonary arterial, or venovenous (VV) ECMO for more than 24 hours were prospectively enrolled.

An international tool to measure perceived stressors in intensive care units: the PS-ICU scale.

Background: The intensive care unit is increasingly recognized as a stressful environment for healthcare professionals. This context has an impact on the health of these professionals but also on the quality of their personal and professional life. However, there is currently no validated scale to measure specific stressors perceived by healthcare professionals in intensive care.

Renal dysfunction improves risk stratification and may call for a change in the management of intermediate- and high-risk acute pulmonary embolism: results from a multicenter cohort study with external validation.

Background: Renal dysfunction influences outcomes after pulmonary embolism (PE). We aimed to determine the incremental value of adding renal dysfunction, defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), on top of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) prognostic model, for the prediction of 30-day mortality in acute PE patients, which in turn could lead to the optimization of acute PE management.

Methods: We performed a multicenter, non-interventional retrospective post hoc analysis based on a prospectively collected cohort including consecutive confirmed acute PE stratified per ESC guidelines.

Semi-elemental versus polymeric formula for enteral nutrition in brain-injured critically ill patients: a randomized trial.

Background: The properties of semi-elemental enteral nutrition might theoretically improve gastrointestinal tolerance in brain-injured patients, known to suffer gastroparesis. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerance of a semi-elemental versus a polymeric formula for enteral nutrition (EN) in brain-injured critically ill patients.

Methods: Prospective, randomized study including brain-injured adult patients [Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ≤ 8] with an expected duration of mechanical ventilation > 48 h.

Processing methods and storage duration impact extracellular vesicle counts in red blood cell units.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are active components of red blood cell (RBC) concentrates and may be associated with beneficial and adverse effects of transfusion. Elucidating controllable factors associated with EV release in RBC products is thus important to better manage the quality and properties of RBC units. Erythrocyte-derived EVs (EEVs) and platelet-derived EVs (PEVs) were counted in 1226 RBC units (administered to 280 patients) using a standardized cytometry-based method.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Possible Late Indication for Coronavirus Disease 2019?

Background: There is now substantial evidence to support venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation efficacy and safety for patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, recent guidelines recommend against the initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients with mechanical ventilation for coronavirus disease 2019 severe acute respiratory distress syndrome for greater than 7-10 days.

Case Summary: We report the case of a patient with coronavirus disease 2019 severe acute respiratory distress syndrome with successful late venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation initiation after 20 days of mechanical ventilation.