scholarly journals Medical High Dependency Unit series, Article 3: Respiratory Support in the MHDU

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-122
Author(s):  
Christopher John Wright ◽  
◽  
Russell Morton Allan ◽  
Stuart A Gillon ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
Acute Respiratory Failure ◽  
Key Management ◽  
Respiratory Support ◽  
Severe Respiratory Failure ◽  
High Dependency Unit ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
High Dependency ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening

Acute respiratory failure is a life threatening condition encountered by Acute Physicians; additional non-invasive support can be provided within the medical high dependency unit (MHDU). Acute Physicians should strive to be experts in the investigation, management and support of patients with acute severe respiratory failure. This article outlines key management principles in these areas and explores common pitfalls.

scholarly journals A short course of prednisolone in patients with moderate Covid 19 respiratory failure- stop the progression a case series.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale Ventour ◽  
Rheana Sieunarine ◽  
Chavin Gopaul
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
Oxygen Therapy ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Respiratory Support ◽  
High Dependency Unit ◽  
Supplementary Oxygen ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
High Dependency

Abstract Introduction This case series outlines the results of using prednisolone in patients with moderated respiratory failure secondary to Covid 19 pneumonitis to prevent the progression to invasive ventilation. There is no consensus on the use of prednisolone in Moderate Covid respiratory failure early in the pandemic this should be an additional option where Dexamethasone is not available. Consent was obtained by the patients for anonymous publication of their data.Clinical Findings The author provides evidence of four (4) Covid 19 positive cases admitted to the High dependency Unit with moderate respiratory failure, defined as needing supplementary oxygen therapy to maintain saturations above 90%, who when treated with prednisolone rapidly decreased their oxygen requirement and were successfully weaned to room air within 72 hours of initiation of steroids.Diagnosis Four (4) patients admitted to the High Dependency Unit diagnosed with moderate respiratory failure secondary to PCR positive Covid 19.Intervention Covid 19 positive patients requiring oxygen therapy to maintain saturations above 90% were given a trial of oral prednisolone between 15-30mg until they were weaned to room air maintaining saturations >95%.Outcome Rapid resolution of worsening respiratory function of Covid 19 positive patients within the High Dependency unit in a tertiary medical center. The signs and symptoms of respiratory failure resolved after 72 hours of prednisolone treatment and none of these patients were escalated to non-invasive or invasive respiratory support. The patients were kept for a further 48 hours after the steroids were discontinued to monitor for relapse of symptoms which none of them had.Conclusion Initiation of a prednisolone steroid trial must be considered in Covid 19 positive patients needing supplementary oxygen therapy or developing worsening shortness of breath. Early Covid respiratory failure responds to a low dose for a short duration and prevents escalation to non-invasive/invasive respiratory support.

scholarly journals Emergent thyroidectomy with sternotomy due to acute respiratory failure with severe thyroid storm

2018 ◽  
Vol 100 (8) ◽  
pp. e223-e225
Author(s):  
A Matsushita ◽  
S Hosokawa ◽  
D Mochizuki ◽  
J Okamura ◽  
K Funai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
Acute Respiratory Failure ◽  
Airway Obstruction ◽  
Total Thyroidectomy ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Thyroid Storm ◽  
Graves Disease ◽  
Nasal Intubation ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening

Huge cervical and mediastinal masses may lead to acute respiratory failure caused by laryngotracheal compression and airway obstruction. Thyroid storm is also a life-threatening endocrine emergency originating almost exclusively from uncontrolled Graves’ disease. We report a case of a 42-year-old man with acute upper airway obstruction and tachycardia from progressive swelling of a giant thyroid, in conjunction with thyroid storm resulting from uncontrolled Graves’ disease. Fibreoptic-assisted nasal intubation was performed while the patient was awake, immediately followed by emergency total thyroidectomy via a cervical and sternal approach. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and recovered well. Respiratory failure due to swelling of a giant thyroid is a life-threatening condition and should be treated immediately with endotracheal intubation while the patient is awake following emergent total thyroidectomy, even with a sternotomy.

scholarly journals Baseline characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients admitted to a Respiratory Intensive Care Unit (RICU) in Southern Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Di Lecce ◽  
Giovanna Elisiana Carpagnano ◽  
Paola Pierucci ◽  
Vitaliano Nicola Quaranta ◽  
Federica Barratta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Intensive Care Units ◽  
Invasive Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Respiratory Support ◽  
Severe Respiratory Failure ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Baseline Characteristics ◽  
Almost All

The recent Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, first in China and then also in Italy, brought to the attention the problem of the saturation of Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Almost all previous reports showed that in ICU less than half of patients were treated with invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and the rest of them with non-invasive respiratory support. This highlighted the role of respiratory intensive care units (RICUs), where patients with moderate to severe respiratory failure can be treated with non-invasive respiratory support, avoiding ICU admission. In this report, we describe baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes of 97 patients with moderate to severe respiratory failure due to COVID-19 admitted to the RICU of the Policlinico of Bari from March 11th to May 31st 2020. In our population, most of the subjects were male (72%), non-smokers (76%), with a mean age of 69.65±14 years. Ninety-one percent of patients presented at least one comorbidity and 60% had more than two comorbidities. At admission, 40% of patients showed PaO2/FiO2 ratio between 100 and 200 and 17% showed Pa02/FiO2 ratio <100. Mean Pa02/FiO2 ratio at admission was 186.4±80. These patients were treated with non-invasive respiratory support 40% with CPAP, 38% with BPAP, 3% with HFNC, 11% with standard oxygen therapy or with IMV through tracheostomy (patients in step down from ICU, 8%). Patients discharged to general ward (GW) were 51%, 30% was transferred to ICU and 19% died. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the few described experiences of patients with respiratory failure due to COVID-19 treated outside the ICU, in a RICU. Outcomes of our patients, characterized by several risk factors for disease progression, were satisfactory compared with other experiences regarding patients treated with non-invasive respiratory support in ICU. The strategical allocation of our RICU, between ED and ICU, might have positively influenced clinical outcomes of our patients.

scholarly journals A Retrospective Analysis of Feeding Practices and Complications in Patients with Critical Bronchiolitis on Non-Invasive Respiratory Support

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 410
Author(s):  
Ariann Lenihan ◽  
Vannessa Ramos ◽  
Nichole Nemec ◽  
Joseph Lukowski ◽  
Junghyae Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
Enteral Nutrition ◽  
Acute Respiratory Failure ◽  
Airway Pressure ◽  
Positive Airway Pressure ◽  
Severity Of Illness ◽  
Respiratory Support ◽  
Early Enteral Nutrition ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure

Limited data exist regarding feeding pediatric patients managed on non-invasive respiratory support (NRS) modes that augment oxygenation and ventilation in the setting of acute respiratory failure. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to explore the safety of feeding patients managed on NRS with acute respiratory failure secondary to bronchiolitis. Children up to two years old with critical bronchiolitis managed on continuous positive airway pressure, bilevel positive airway pressure, or RAM cannula were included. Of the 178 eligible patients, 64 were reportedly nil per os (NPO), while 114 received enteral nutrition (EN). Overall equivalent in severity of illness, younger patients populated the EN group, while the NPO group experienced a higher incidence of intubation. Duration of stay in the pediatric intensive care unit and non-invasive respiratory support were shorter in the NPO group, though intubation eliminated the former difference. Within the EN group, ninety percent had feeds initiated within 48 h and 94% reached full feeds within 7 days of NRS initiation, with an 8% complication and <1% aspiration rate. Reported complications did not result in escalation of respiratory support. Notably, a significant improvement in heart rate and respiratory rate was noted after feeds initiation. Taken together, our study supports the practice of early enteral nutrition in patients with critical bronchiolitis requiring NRS.

scholarly journals Prolonged non-invasive respiratory support in a COVID-19 patient with severe acute hypoxemic respiratory failure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Lanza ◽  
Maurizio Sommariva ◽  
Sara Mariani ◽  
Gabriela Ferreyra ◽  
Giuliana Enrica Stagni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
Ventilatory Support ◽  
Respiratory Support ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure ◽  
Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
High Dependency ◽  
Non Invasive Ventilation ◽  
Experienced Team

A pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 was declared in 2020. Severe cases were characterized by the development of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) requiring advanced respiratory support. However, intensive care units (ICU) were saturated, and many patients had to be treated out of ICU. This case describes a 75-year-old man affected by AHRF due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), hospitalized in a high-dependency unit, with PaO2/FiO2 <100 for 28 consecutive days. An experienced team with respiratory physiotherapists was in charge of the noninvasive ventilatory support (NIVS). The patient required permanent NIVS with continuous positive airway pressure, non-invasive ventilation, high flow nasal oxygen and body positioning. He was weaned from NIVS after 37 days and started exercise training afterwards. The patient was discharged at home with low-flow oxygen therapy. This case represents an example of a successful treatment of AHRF with the still controversial noninvasive respiratory support in one patient with COVID-19.

scholarly journals ERS Clinical Practice Guidelines: high-flow nasal cannula in acute respiratory failure

2021 ◽  
pp. 2101574
Author(s):  
Simon Oczkowski ◽  
Begüm Ergan ◽  
Lieuwe Bos ◽  
Michelle Chatwin ◽  
Miguel Ferrer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Acute Respiratory Failure ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Extubation Failure ◽  
Pulmonary Complications ◽  
High Flow ◽  
Respiratory Support ◽  
High Flow Nasal Cannula ◽  
Non Invasive

BackgroundHigh-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has become a frequently used non-invasive form of respiratory support in acute settings, however evidence supporting its use has only recently emerged. These guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for the use of HFNC alongside other noninvasive forms of respiratory support in adults with acute respiratory failure (ARF).Materials and methodologyThe European Respiratory Society Task Force panel included expert clinicians and methodologists in pulmonology and intensive care medicine. The Task Force used the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) methods to summarise evidence and develop clinical recommendations for the use of HFNC alongside conventional oxygen therapy (COT) and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) for the management of adults in acute settings with ARF.ResultsThe Task Force developed 8 conditional recommendations, suggesting using: 1) HFNC over COT in hypoxemic ARF, 2) HFNC over NIV in hypoxemic ARF, 3)HFNC over COT during breaks from NIV, 4) either HFNC or COT in post-operative patients at low risk of pulmonary complications, 5) either HFNC or NIV in post-operative patients at high risk of pulmonary complications, 6) HFNC over COT in non-surgical patients at low risk of extubation failure, 7) NIV over HFNC for patients at high risk of extubation failure unless there are relative or absolute contraindications to NIV, 8) trialling NIV prior to use of HFNC in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hypercapnic ARF.ConclusionsHFNC is a valuable intervention in adults with ARF. These conditional recommendations can assist clinicians in choosing the most appropriate form of non-invasive respiratory support to provide to patients in different acute settings.

scholarly journals Prolonged Active Prone Positioning in Spontaneously Breathing Non-intubated Patients With COVID-19-Associated Hypoxemic Acute Respiratory Failure With PaO2/FiO2 >150

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Pierucci ◽  
Nicolino Ambrosino ◽  
Valentina Di Lecce ◽  
Michela Dimitri ◽  
Stefano Battaglia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
Acute Respiratory Failure ◽  
Prone Position ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Respiratory Support ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Prone Positioning ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Hypoxemic Acute Respiratory Failure ◽  
Spontaneously Breathing

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to new approaches to manage patients outside the ICU, including prone positioning in non-intubated patients.Objectives: To report the use of prolonged active prone positioning in spontaneously breathing patients with COVID-19-associated acute respiratory failure. Spontaneously breathing vs non-invasive respiratory support for COVID19 associated acute respiratory failure.Methods: Patients with PaO2/FiO2 &gt; 150, with lung posterior consolidations as assessed by means of lung ultrasound, and chest x-ray were studied. Under continuous pulse oximetry (SpO2) monitoring, patients maintained active prone position. A PaO2/FiO2 &lt; 150 was considered as treatment failure and patients had to be switched to non-invasive respiratory support. Retrospectively, data of 16 patients undergoing who refused proning and underwent non-invasive respiratory support were used as controls. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients maintaining prolonged prone position and discharged home. Secondary outcomes included improvement in oxygenation, hospital length of stay, and 6-month survival.Results: Three out of 16 (18.7%) patients did not tolerate the procedure. Three more patients showed a worsening in PaO2/FiO2 to &lt;150 and required non-invasive support, two of whom finally needing endotracheal intubation. After 72 h, 10 out of 16 (62.5%) patients improved oxygenation [PaO2/FiO2: from 194.6 (42.1) to 304.7 (79.3.2) (p &lt; 0.001)] and were discharged home. In the control group, three out of 16 failed, required invasive ventilatory support, and died within 1 month in ICU. Thirteen were successful and discharged home.Conclusion: In non-intubated spontaneously breathing COVID-19 patients with PaO2/FiO2 &gt;150, active prolonged prone positioning was feasible and tolerated with significant improvement in oxygenation.

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