Background Data on noninvasive ventilation (NIV) use in intensive care units (ICUs) are very limited in South Korea. Methods A prospective observational study was performed in 20 ICUs of university-affiliated hospitals from June 2017 to February 2018. Adult patients (age>18 years) who were admitted to the ICU and received NIV treatment for acute respiratory failure were included. Results A total of 156 patients treated with NIV were enrolled (mean age, 71.9±11.6 years). The most common indications for NIV were acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF, n=89) and post-extubation respiratory failure (n=44). The main device for NIV was an invasive mechanical ventilator with an NIV module (61.5%), and the majority of patients (87.2%) used an oronasal mask. After the exclusion of 32 do-not-resuscitate patients, NIV success rate was 68.5% (85/124); ICU and hospital mortality rates were 8.9% and 15.3%, respectively. However, the success rate was lower in patients with de novo respiratory failure (27.3%) compared to that of patients with AHRF (72.8%) or post-extubation respiratory failure (75.0%). In multivariate analysis, immunocompromised state, de novo respiratory failure, post-NIV (2 hours) respiratory rate, NIV mode (i.e., non-pressure support ventilation mode), and the change of NIV device were significantly associated with a lower success rate of NIV. Conclusion AHRF and post-extubation respiratory failure were the most common indications for NIV in Korean ICUs. Overall NIV success was achieved in 68.5% of patients, with the lowest rate in patients with de novo respiratory failure. Keywords: Intensive Care Units; Noninvasive Ventilation; Masks
The best ventilator mode for patients receiving non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has not been clarified. This study compared the effectiveness of two pressure-targeted modes, i.e., pressure support ventilation (PSV) and pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV), in patients receiving NIV.This was a prospective multicentre observational study of NIV use for acute respiratory failure (ARF) in adult patients. We compared the two pressure-targeted modes in terms of NIV success and complication rates.Among 176 patients receiving NIV, 88 patients were included in the study (PCV mode, n=29; PSV mode, n=59). The study population had a median age of 73.0 years and median body mass index of 20.8 kg/m2. The applied inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) was higher in patients with PCV than in those with PSV [18.0 cmH2O (15.0-20.5 cmH2O) vs. 15.0 cmH2O (12.0-17.0 cmH2O), respectively, P=0.001]. More patients with PCV received sedatives and experienced dry mouth than those with PSV; however, the incidences of large leaks were low in both groups (n=5 vs. n=2, respectively). With regard to NIV outcomes, 24 (27.2%) patients experienced NIV failure and 13 (14.8%) died in hospital. PSV mode was a significant factor for NIV success [odds ratio (OR), 2.303; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.216 to 4.360] in multivariate analyses and this association remained significant in a 1:1 matched cohort (n=29 per group).In contrast to PCV mode, PSV mode was significantly associated with NIV success in the intensive care unit setting, particularly when large leaks were not a major concern. Nevertheless, further well-designed multicenter, protocol-driven randomized controlled trials are warranted.
It remains uncertain how long pure ground-glass nodules (pGGNs) detected on low-dose CT (LDCT) imaging should be followed up. Further studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to determine the optimal follow-up duration for pGGNs.
The relationship between nonpulmonary organ failure and the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in patients with sepsis has not been well studied.We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with septic bacteremia admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary academic hospital between January 2013 and December 2016.The study enrolled 125 patients of median age 73.0 years. Urinary (n = 47), hepatobiliary (n = 30), and pulmonary infections (n = 28) were the most common causes of sepsis; the incidence of ARDS was 17.6%. The total number of nonpulmonary organ failures at the time of ICU admission was higher in patients with ARDS than in those without (p = 0.011), and the cardiovascular, central nervous system (CNS), and coagulation scores were significantly higher in ARDS patients. On multivariate analysis, apart from pneumonia sepsis, the CNS (odds ratio [OR], 1.917; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.097 to 3.348) and coagulation scores (OR, 2.669; 95% CI, 1.438 to 4.954) were significantly associated with ARDS development. The 28-day and in-hospital mortality rates were higher in those with ARDS than in those without (63.6 vs. 8.7%, p < 0.001; 72.7% vs. 11.7%, p < 0.001), and ARDS development was found to be an independent risk factor for 28-day mortality.Apart from pneumonia, CNS dysfunction and coagulopathy were significantly associated with ARDS development, which was an independent risk factor for 28-day mortality.