scholarly journals A Pilot Study of Pepsin in Tracheal and Oral Secretions

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 408-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilyn Schallom ◽  
Sally M. Tricomi ◽  
Yie-Hwa Chang ◽  
Norma A. Metheny

BackgroundBecause reflux of gastric juice into the oropharynx must precede its aspiration into the lungs, it is reasonable to hypothesize that the detection of pepsin (the major gastric enzyme in gastric juice) in oral secretions may provide a relatively noninvasive method of predicting risk for aspiration.ObjectiveTo describe the incidence of pepsin in oral and tracheal secretions collected concurrently from a sample of 50 gastric-fed patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.MethodsAn exploratory descriptive design with a convenience sample from 4 medical and surgical intensive care units. An oral secretion and a tracheal secretion were collected concurrently from each patient (yielding a sample of 50 oral and 50 tracheal secretions). The tracheal secretions were obtained via the inline suction system with an attached sputum trap; oral secretions were obtained via a Yankauer suction tip with an attached sputum trap. All specimens were assayed for pepsin by the Western blot method.ResultsOral secretions from 10 patients (20%) and tracheal secretions from 2 patients (4%) were pepsin-positive. Both patients with pepsin-positive tracheal secretions also had pepsin-positive oral secretions. Pepsin was not found in the tracheal secretions from the remaining 8 patients with pepsin-positive oral secretions.ConclusionsAlthough reflux of gastric juice into the oropharynx must precede its aspiration into the lungs, individual reflux events do not necessarily lead to aspiration. Thus, it is reasonable that we found pepsin 5 times more often in oral secretions than in tracheal secretions.

Author(s):  
Chalattil Bipin ◽  
Manoj K. Sahu ◽  
Sarvesh P. Singh ◽  
Velayoudam Devagourou ◽  
Palleti Rajashekar ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives This study was aimed to assess the benefits of early tracheostomy (ET) compared with late tracheostomy (LT) on postoperative outcomes in pediatric cardiac surgical patients. Design Present one is a prospective, observational study. Setting The study was conducted at a cardiac surgical intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care hospital. Participants All pediatric patients below 10 years of age, who underwent tracheostomy after cardiac surgery from January2019 to december2019, were subdivided into two groups according to the timing of tracheostomy: “early” if done before 7 days or “late” if done after 7 days postcardiac surgery. Interventions ET versus LT was measured in the study. Results Out of all 1,084 pediatric patients who underwent cardiac surgery over the study period, 41 (3.7%) received tracheostomy. Sixteen (39%) patients underwent ET and 25 (61%) underwent LT. ET had advantages by having reduced risk associations with the following variables: preoperative hospital stay (p = 0.0016), sepsis (p = 0.03), high risk surgery (p = 0.04), postoperative sepsis (p = 0.001), C-reactive protein (p = 0.04), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP; p = 0.006), antibiotic escalation (p = 0.006), and antifungal therapy (p = 0.01) requirement. Furthermore, ET was associated with lesser duration of mechanical ventilation (p = 0.0027), length of ICU stay (LOICUS; p = 0.01), length of hospital stay (LOHS; p = 0.001), lesser days of feed interruption (p = 0.0017), and tracheostomy tube change (p = 0.02). ET group of children, who had higher total ventilation-free days (p = 0.02), were decannulated earlier (p = 0.03) and discharged earlier (p = 0.0089). Conclusion ET had significant benefits in reduction of postoperative morbidities with overall shorter mechanical ventilation, LOICUS, and LOHS, better nutrition supplementation, lesser infection, etc. These benefits may promote faster patient convalescence and rehabilitation with reduced hospital costs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongfang Zhou ◽  
Steven R. Holets ◽  
Man Li ◽  
Gustavo A. Cortes-Puentes ◽  
Todd J. Meyer ◽  
...  

AbstractPatient–ventilator asynchrony (PVA) is commonly encountered during mechanical ventilation of critically ill patients. Estimates of PVA incidence vary widely. Type, risk factors, and consequences of PVA remain unclear. We aimed to measure the incidence and identify types of PVA, characterize risk factors for development, and explore the relationship between PVA and outcome among critically ill, mechanically ventilated adult patients admitted to medical, surgical, and medical-surgical intensive care units in a large academic institution staffed with varying provider training background. A single center, retrospective cohort study of all adult critically ill patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation for ≥ 12 h. A total of 676 patients who underwent 696 episodes of mechanical ventilation were included. Overall PVA occurred in 170 (24%) episodes. Double triggering 92(13%) was most common, followed by flow starvation 73(10%). A history of smoking, and pneumonia, sepsis, or ARDS were risk factors for overall PVA and double triggering (all P < 0.05). Compared with volume targeted ventilation, pressure targeted ventilation decreased the occurrence of events (all P < 0.01). During volume controlled synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation and pressure targeted ventilation, ventilator settings were associated with the incidence of overall PVA. The number of overall PVA, as well as double triggering and flow starvation specifically, were associated with worse outcomes and fewer hospital-free days (all P < 0.01). Double triggering and flow starvation are the most common PVA among critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients. Overall incidence as well as double triggering and flow starvation PVA specifically, portend worse outcome.


1996 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 331-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
BJ Daly ◽  
D Thomas ◽  
MA Dyer

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe ways in which withdrawal of mechanical ventilation is carried out in one institution, patient responses to the various methods of withdrawal, and nurses' perceptions of the methods and morality of ventilator withdrawal. METHOD: A retrospective descriptive study was used with a convenience sample of adult patients who underwent terminal weaning at University Hospitals of Cleveland. Demographic and clinical data, and descriptions of the exact method of ventilator withdrawal were collected from the medical records of these patients. The nurse caring for the patient was interviewed about his or her perceptions, within 7 days of the withdrawal. RESULTS: Data were obtained on 42 subjects. There were no differences in mental status, ventilatory status, age, or duration of survival between the patients who had support removed gradually and those from whom it was abruptly removed. Morphine was administered to 88% of the sample during withdrawal. Survival duration was unrelated to morphine dosage, but did correlate with ventilatory status at the time of withdrawal. Every nurse interviewed reported that he or she believed the act of withdrawal for that patient was morally correct, although only 85% were completely comfortable with carrying out the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide a foundation for preliminary recommendations about the most humane form of ventilator withdrawal and the appropriate use of narcotics and sedatives during withdrawal.


2005 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 389-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constance J. Cutler ◽  
Nancy Davis

• Background Comprehensive oral care is an evidence-based prevention strategy to reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Until recently, no comprehensive guidelines or standards existed to define necessary tasks, methods, and frequency of oral care to provide patients with optimal results. • Objectives To observe current practice of, define best practice for, and measure compliance with standardized comprehensive oral care. • Methods This observational study was part of a larger research study performed at 5 acute care hospitals. Time blocks of 4 hours were randomized over 8 intensive care units and the 7 days of the week. Baseline data were collected before implementation of multifaceted education on an oral-cleansing protocol; interventional data were collected afterward. • Results Oral care practices were observed for 253 patients. During the baseline period, oral cleansing was primarily via suction swabs. Toothbrushing and moisturizing of the oral tissues were not observed. Only 32% of the patients had suctioning to manage oral secretions. During the interventional period, 33% of patients had their teeth brushed, 65% had swab cleansing, and 63% had a moisturizer applied to the oral mucosal tissues. A total of 61% had management of oral secretions; 38% had oropharyngeal suctioning via a special catheter. • Conclusions Implementation of an evidence-based oral cleansing protocol improved the care of patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Multifaceted education and implementation strategies motivated staff to increase oral care practices.


2019 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miles J. Klimara ◽  
Tina L. Samuels ◽  
Nikki Johnston ◽  
Robert H. Chun ◽  
Michael E. McCormick

Objectives: Laryngomalacia is a common cause of stridor in infants and is associated with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Although pepsin in operative supraglottic lavage specimens is associated with severe laryngomalacia, detection of pepsin in oral secretions has not been demonstrated in an outpatient setting. Methods: Children <2 years old with laryngomalacia diagnosed by flexible laryngoscopy and children without stridor were selected. Oral secretion samples were obtained in clinic from all subjects. Pepsin, IL-1β, and IL-8 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to determine presence of LPR. Results: Sixteen laryngomalacia and sixteen controls were enrolled. Pepsin was detected more frequently in oral secretions of patients with laryngomalacia (13/16) than in controls (2/16; P < .001). Four patients with laryngomalacia developed symptoms requiring supraglottoplasty. Presence and level of salivary pepsin was not significantly associated with need for surgical management, nor were the levels or presence of IL-1β or IL-8 significantly associated with presence or level of pepsin, diagnosis of laryngomalacia, or need for operative management. Conclusion: Pepsin in saliva appears to be associated with laryngomalacia, suggesting a role for salivary pepsin as a noninvasive marker of LPR in patients with laryngomalacia. Future studies will determine the utility of this test in laryngomalacia.


2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. e1-e6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Castro ◽  
Michael Turcinovic ◽  
John Platz ◽  
Isabel Law

BACKGROUND Staff in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) had several concerns about mobilizing patients receiving mechanical ventilation. OBJECTIVE To assess and improve the mindset of SICU staff toward early mobilization of patients receiving mechanical ventilation before, 6 months after, and 1 year after implementation of early mobilization. METHODS The Plan-Do-Study-Act model was used to guide the planning, implementation, evaluation, and interventions to change the mindset and practice of SICU staff in mobilizing patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Interventions to overcome barriers to early mobilization included interdisciplinary collaboration, multimodal education, and operational changes. The mindset of the SICU staff toward early mobilization of patients receiving mechanical ventilation was assessed by using a survey questionnaire distributed 2 weeks before, 6 months after, and 1 year after implementation of early mobilization. RESULTS The median score on 6 of 7 survey questions changed significantly from before, to 6 months after, to 1 year after implementation, indicating a change in the mindset of SICU staff toward early mobilization of patients receiving mechanical ventilation. The SICU staff agreed that most patients receiving mechanical ventilation are able to get out of bed safely with coordination among personnel and that early mobilization of intubated patients decreases length of stay and decreases occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, and skin breakdown. CONCLUSIONS SICU interdisciplinary team collaboration, multimodal education, and operational support contribute to removing staff bias against mobilizing patients receiving mechanical ventilation.


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