Management of severe exacerbations of COPD by French intensivists and adherence to guidelines.

Background: Severe exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (ECOPD) require hospitalization in intensive care unit (ICU) in 10 % of cases. This study aims to describe current practices for the management of severe ECOPD in the ICU and to evaluate adherence to the 2017 French guidelines.

Methods: From March to May 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional multicenter survey across 80 ICUs in France.

Contribution and evolution of respiratory muscles function in weaning outcome of ventilator-dependent patients.

Background: The present study was designed to investigate the evolution and the impact of respiratory muscles function and limb muscles strength on weaning success in prolonged weaning of tracheotomized patients. The primary objective was to determine whether the change in respiratory muscles function and limb muscles strength over the time is or is not associated with weaning success.

Methods: Tracheotomized patients who were ventilator dependent upon admission at a weaning center were eligible.

In-hospital outcomes after acute myocardial infarction with obstructive coronary artery disease in critically ill patients hospitalized for non-cardiac disease.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the major cardiac complications in patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) for non-cardiac disease. A better knowledge of ischemic and bleeding risks in these patients is needed to identify those most likely to benefit from specific cardiac management. We therefore assessed the incidence and predictors of a composite outcome of severe ischemic event (AMI recurrence, ischemic stroke), major bleeding, or all-cause death in this setting.

Critically ill severe hypothyroidism: a retrospective multicenter cohort study.

Background: Severe hypothyroidism (SH) is a rare but life-threatening endocrine emergency. Only a few data are available on its management and outcomes of the most severe forms requiring ICU admission. We aimed to describe the clinical manifestations, management, and in-ICU and 6-month survival rates of these patients.

Dyspnea and the electromyographic activity of inspiratory muscles during weaning from mechanical ventilation.

Rationale: Dyspnea, a key symptom of acute respiratory failure, is not among the criteria for spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) failure. Here, we sought (1) to determine whether dyspnea is a reliable failure criterion for SBT failure; (2) to quantify the relationship between dyspnea and the respective electromyographic activity of the diaphragm (EMGdi), the parasternal (EMGpa) and the Alae nasi (EMGan).

Methods: Mechanically ventilated patients undergoing an SBT were included.

Respiratory distress observation scales to predict weaning outcome.

Background: Whether dyspnea is present before starting a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) and whether it may affect the outcome of the SBT is unknown. Mechanical Ventilation-Respiratory Distress Observation Scale (MV-RDOS) has been proposed as a reliable surrogate of dyspnea in non-communicative intubated patients. In the present study, we sought (1) to describe the evolution of the MV-RDOS during a SBT and (2) to investigate whether MV-RDOS can predict the outcome of the SBT.

Specialized Weaning Unit in the Trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 ARDS: Influence of Limb Muscle Strength on Decannulation and Rehabilitation.

Background: Patients with ARDS due to COVID-19 may require tracheostomy and transfer to a weaning center. To date, data on the outcome of these patients are scarce. The objectives of this study were to determine the factors associated with time to decannulation and limb-muscle strength recovery.

Health-related quality of life of COVID-19 two and 12 months after intensive care unit admission.

Purpose: To describe health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and dyspnea of COVID-19, 2 and 12 months after an intensive care unit (ICU) stay.

Methods: Patients discharged from the ICU between April and June 2020 and subsequently transferred to an inpatient rehabilitation facility were assessed 2 months and 12 months after ICU admission. HRQoL was assessed by the EuroQoL EQ-5D-3L (visual analog scale and time trade-off normalized to the French population algorithm) and dyspnea was assessed by the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale.

Proportional assist ventilation relieves clinically significant dyspnea in critically ill ventilated patients.

Introduction: Dyspnea is common and often severe symptom in mechanically ventilated patients. Proportional assist ventilation (PAV) is an assist ventilatory mode that adjusts the level of assistance to the activity of respiratory muscles. We hypothesized that PAV reduce dyspnea compared to pressure support ventilation (PSV).

Diaphragm dysfunction, lung aeration loss and weaning-induced pulmonary oedema in difficult-to-wean patients.

Background: Diaphragm dysfunction and weaning-induced pulmonary oedema are commonly involved during weaning failure, but their physiological interactions have been poorly reported. Our hypothesis was that diaphragm dysfunction is not particularly associated with weaning-induced pulmonary oedema.

Methods: It was a single-centre and physiological study conducted in patients who had failed a first spontaneous breathing trial and who underwent a second trial.

Antiplatelet Drugs and Risk of Bleeding After Bedside Pleural Procedures: A National Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background: The decision-making on antiplatelet drug withdrawal or continuation before performing a pleural procedure is based on the balance between the risk of bleeding associated with the antiplatelet therapy and the risk of arterial thrombosis due to its interruption. Knowledge on antiplatelet therapy-associated risk of bleeding after pleural procedures is lacking.

Research Question: Is the risk of bleeding associated with antiplatelet drugs increased in patients undergoing pleural procedures?

Study Design And Methods: We conducted a French multicenter cohort study in 19 centers.

Ultrasound shear wave elastography for assessing diaphragm function in mechanically ventilated patients: a breath-by-breath analysis.

Background: Diaphragm dysfunction is highly prevalent in mechanically ventilated patients. Recent work showed that changes in diaphragm shear modulus (ΔSMdi) assessed using ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) are strongly related to changes in Pdi (ΔPdi) in healthy subjects. The aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between ΔSMdi and ΔPdi in mechanically ventilated patients, and whether ΔSMdi is responsive to change in respiratory load when varying the ventilator settings.

Retrospective Observational Study of Brain MRI Findings in Patients with Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Neurologic Manifestations.

Background This study provides a detailed imaging assessment in a large series of patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and presenting with neurologic manifestations. Purpose To review the MRI findings associated with acute neurologic manifestations in patients with COVID-19. Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted between March 23 and May 7, 2020, at the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, a reference center for COVID-19 in the Paris area.

Comparison of hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir, and standard of care in critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia: an opportunistic retrospective analysis.

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak is spreading worldwide. To date, no specific treatment has convincingly demonstrated its efficacy. Hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir have potential interest, but virological and clinical data are scarce, especially in critically ill patients.

Usefulness of Parasternal Intercostal Muscle Ultrasound during Weaning from Mechanical Ventilation.

Background: The assessment of diaphragm function with diaphragm ultrasound seems to bring important clinical information to describe diaphragm work and weakness. When the diaphragm is weak, extradiaphragmatic muscles may play an important role, but whether ultrasound can also assess their activity and function is unknown. This study aimed to (1) evaluate the feasibility of measuring the thickening of the parasternal intercostal and investigate the responsiveness of this muscle to assisted ventilation; and (2) evaluate whether a combined evaluation of the parasternal and the diaphragm could predict failure of a spontaneous breathing trial.

ICU-acquired weakness, diaphragm dysfunction and long-term outcomes of critically ill patients.

Background: Intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired weakness and diaphragm dysfunction are frequent conditions, both associated with poor prognosis in critically ill patients. While it is well established that ICU-acquired weakness severely impairs long-term prognosis, the association of diaphragm dysfunction with this outcome has never been reported. This study investigated whether diaphragm dysfunction is associated with negative long-term outcomes and whether the coexistence of diaphragm dysfunction and ICU-acquired weakness has a particular association with 2-year survival and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).