Publications by authors named "Heunks L"

Background: Advanced respiratory monitoring through the measurement of esophageal pressure (Pes) as a surrogate of pleural pressure helps guiding mechanical ventilation in ICU patients. Pes measurement with an esophageal balloon catheter, the current clinical reference standard, needs complex calibrations and a multitude of factors influence its reliability. Solid-state pressure sensors might be able to overcome these limitations.

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Rationale: In critically ill patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation, switching from controlled to assisted ventilation is a crucial milestone towards ventilator liberation. The optimal timing for switching to assisted ventilation has not been studied.

Objectives: Our objective was to determine whether a strategy of early as compared to delayed switching affects the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, and mortality.

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Objective: To understand the impact of both frailty and chronologic age on outcomes of weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation (MV).

Methods: The study population consisted of patients enrolled in the 'WorldwidE. AssessmeNt of Separation of pAtients From ventilatory assistancE (WEAN SAFE) study.

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Background: Extubation failure is associated with an increased morbidity, emphasizing the need to identify factors to further optimize extubation practices. The role of biomarkers in the prediction of extubation failure is currently limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of cardiac (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), High-sensitivity Troponin T (Hs-TnT)) and inflammatory biomarkers (Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Procalcitonin (PCT)) for extubation failure in patients with COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (C-ARDS).

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The conventional gradient-echo steady-state signal model is the basis of various spoiled gradient-echo (SPGR) based quantitative MRI models, including variable flip angle (VFA) MRI and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE). However, including preparation pulses, such as fat suppression or saturation bands, disrupts the steady-state and leads to a bias in T and DCE parameter estimates. This work introduces a signal model that improves the accuracy of VFA T-mapping and DCE for interrupted spoiled gradient-echo (I-SPGR) acquisitions.

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Article Synopsis
  • Mechanical ventilation can negatively impact diaphragm and lung function, highlighting the need for protective strategies that support natural respiratory efforts while minimizing lung damage.
  • Recent advancements in monitoring techniques and interventions, such as noninvasive ventilator maneuvers and various measurement tools, help assess and manage respiratory effort and lung stress effectively.
  • Achieving optimal lung- and diaphragm-protective ventilation requires a holistic understanding of breathing physiology, combined with careful application of multiple interventions and continuous monitoring.
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Background: Popularity of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) and esophageal pressure (Pes) monitoring in the ICU is increasing, but there is uncertainty regarding their bedside use within a personalized ventilation strategy. We aimed to gather insights about the current experiences and perceived role of these physiological monitoring techniques, and to identify barriers and facilitators/solutions for EIT and Pes implementation.

Methods: Qualitative study involving (1) a survey targeted at ICU clinicians with interest in advanced respiratory monitoring and (2) an expert focus group discussion.

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Objectives Background: This study aimed to assess the impact of race on pulse oximetry reliability, taking into account Spo ranges, COVID-19 diagnosis, and ICU admission.

Design: Retrospective cohort study covering admissions from January 2020 to April 2024.

Setting: National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) database, consisting of electronic health records from 80 U.

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Patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU) frequently develop contractile weakness of the diaphragm. Consequently, they may experience difficulty weaning from mechanical ventilation, which increases mortality and poses a high economic burden. Because of a lack of knowledge regarding the molecular changes in the diaphragm, no treatment is currently available to improve diaphragm contractility.

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Background: Incidence of central venous catheter (CVC)-related thrombosis in critically ill patients remains ambiguous and its association with potential hazardous sequelae unknown. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the epidemiology of CVC-related thrombosis; secondary aims were to assess the association of catheter-related thrombosis with catheter-related infection, pulmonary embolism and mortality.

Methods: This was a single-center, prospective observational study conducted at a tertiary intensive care unit (ICU) in the Netherlands.

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It is unclear whether other cardiac biomarkers than NT-proBNP can be useful in the risk stratification of patients weaning from mechanical ventilation. The aim of this study is to summarize the role of ischemic cardiac biomarkers in predicting spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) or extubation failure. : We systematically searched Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central for studies published before January 2024 that reported the association between ischemic cardiac biomarkers and SBT or extubation failure.

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Background: High-flow tracheal oxygen (HFTO) is being used as supportive therapy during weaning in tracheostomized patients difficult to wean from invasive mechanical ventilation. There is, however, no clinical evidence for such a strategy. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to summarize studies evaluating the physiologic effects of HFTO during tracheostomy-facilitated weaning and to identify potential areas for future research in this field.

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This statement outlines a review of the literature and current practice concerning the prevalence, clinical significance, diagnosis and management of dyspnoea in critically ill, mechanically ventilated adult patients. It covers the definition, pathophysiology, epidemiology, short- and middle-term impact, detection and quantification, and prevention and treatment of dyspnoea. It represents a collaboration of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM).

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Article Synopsis
  • The statement reviews the literature regarding dyspnoea in critically ill, mechanically ventilated adults, focusing on its prevalence, diagnosis, and management.
  • Dyspnoea is a significant source of distress, with around 40% of ICU patients on ventilation experiencing it at high intensity, eliciting a strong fear response.
  • The importance of identifying, preventing, and alleviating dyspnoea in ICU patients is emphasized, as healthcare has concentrated more on pain management while respiratory distress is often overlooked.
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Surface electromyography (sEMG) can be used to measure the electrical activity of the respiratory muscles. The possible applications of sEMG span from patients suffering from acute respiratory failure to patients receiving chronic home mechanical ventilation, to evaluate muscle function, titrate ventilatory support and guide treatment. However, sEMG is mainly used as a monitoring tool for research and its use in clinical practice is still limited-in part due to a lack of standardization and transparent reporting.

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