Abstract

BACKGROUND The effect of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of aorta (REBOA) in lowering mortality rate compared to resuscitative thoracotomy (RT) is inconclusive. In this updated systematic review and meta-analysis, we determined the effectiveness of the two techniques in patients with noncompressible torso hemorrhage (NCTH). MATERIALS AND METHODS Online databases (PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE) were searched until April 23, 2021, for original articles investigating the effect of REBOA on relevant outcomes (e.g., mortality in ED, mortality before discharge, in-hospital mortality, length of hospital stay and length of ICU stay) among NCTH patients in contrast to open aortic occlusion by RT. Data on baseline characteristics and endpoints were extracted. Review Manager version 5.4.1 and OpenMetaAnalyst were used for analyses. Risk ratios (RR) and the weighted mean differences (WMD) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS Eight studies were included having 3241 patients in total (REBOA 1179 and RT: 2062). The pooled analysis demonstrated that compared to RT, mortality was significantly lower in the REBOA group in all settings: In emergency department (ED) (RR 0.63 [0.45, 0.87], P = 0.006, I(2) = 81%), before discharge (RR= 0.86 [0.75, 0.98], P = 0.03, I(2 =) 93%), and in-hospital mortality (RR 0.80 [0.68, 0.95], P = 0.009, I(2 =) 85%). Similarly, the length of ICU stay was significantly lower in REBOA group (WMD = 0.50 [-0.48, 1.48], P = 0.32, I(2 =)97%). However, no significant differences were observed in the length of hospital stay (WMD = 0.0 [-0.26, 0.26] P = 1). CONCLUSIONS Our pooled analysis shows REBOA to be effective in reducing mortality among NCTH patients. However, due to limited studies, the positive findings should be viewed discreetly and call for further investigation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Dynamic arterial elastance (Ea(dyn)) has been extensively considered as a functional parameter of arterial load. However, conflicting evidence has been obtained on the ability of Ea(dyn) to predict mean arterial pressure (MAP) changes after fluid expansion. This meta-analysis sought to assess the predictive performance of Ea(dyn) for the MAP response to fluid expansion in mechanically ventilated hypotensive patients. METHODS We systematically searched electronic databases through November 28, 2020, to retrieve studies that evaluated the association between Ea(dyn) and fluid expansion-induced MAP increases in mechanically ventilated hypotensive adults. Given the diverse threshold value of Ea(dyn) among the studies, we only reported the area under the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic curve (AUHSROC) as the primary measure of diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS Eight observational studies that included 323 patients with 361 fluid expansions met the eligibility criteria. The results showed that Ea(dyn) was a good predictor of MAP increases in response to fluid expansion, with an AUHSROC of 0.92 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.89 to 0.94]. Six studies reported the cut-off value of Ea(dyn), which ranged from 0.65 to 0.89. The cut-off value of Ea(dyn) was nearly conically symmetrical, most data were centred between 0.7 and 0.8, and the mean and median values were 0.77 and 0.75, respectively. The subgroup analyses indicated that the AUHSROC was slightly higher in the intensive care unit (ICU) patients (0.96; 95% CI 0.94 to 0.98) but lower in the surgical patients in the operating room (0.72; 95% CI 0.67 to 0.75). The results indicated that the fluid type and measurement technique might not affect the diagnostic accuracy of Ea(dyn). Moreover, the AUHSROC for the sensitivity analysis of prospective studies was comparable to that in the primary analysis. CONCLUSIONS Ea(dyn) exhibits good performance for predicting MAP increases in response to fluid expansion in mechanically ventilated hypotensive adults, especially in the ICU setting.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Outcomes of extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANs) may be adversely impacted by packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusions. We investigated the impact of transfusions on neurodevelopmental outcome in the Preterm Erythropoietin (Epo) Neuroprotection (PENUT) Trial population. METHODS This is a post hoc analysis of 936 infants 24-0/6 to 27-6/7 weeks' gestation enrolled in the PENUT Trial. Epo 1000 U/kg or placebo was given every 48 h × 6 doses, followed by 400 U/kg or sham injections 3 times a week through 32 weeks postmenstrual age. Six hundred and twenty-eight (315 placebo, 313 Epo) survived and were assessed at 2 years of age. We evaluated associations between BSID-III scores and the number and volume of pRBC transfusions. RESULTS Each transfusion was associated with a decrease in mean cognitive score of 0.96 (95% CI of [-1.34, -0.57]), a decrease in mean motor score of 1.51 (-1.91, -1.12), and a decrease in mean language score of 1.10 (-1.54, -0.66). Significant negative associations between BSID-III score and transfusion volume and donor exposure were observed in the placebo group but not in the Epo group. CONCLUSIONS Transfusions in ELGANs were associated with worse outcomes. We speculate that strategies to minimize the need for transfusions may improve outcomes. IMPACT Transfusion number, volume, and donor exposure in the neonatal period are associated with worse neurodevelopmental (ND) outcome at 2 years of age, as assessed by the Bayley Infant Scales of Development, Third Edition (BSID-III). The impact of neonatal packed red blood cell transfusions on the neurodevelopmental outcome of preterm infants is unknown. We speculate that strategies to minimize the need for transfusions may improve neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) injection in neonates with acute lung injury (ALI) and assess its effects on serum inflammatory cytokine levels. The research subjects were 140 neonates with ALI who were evenly distributed into a control group (COG) and a study group (STG). The COG patients were treated routinely, whereas patients in the STG were administered IVIG in addition to the standard treatment received by the COG. The arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO(2)), PaO(2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO(2)), mechanical ventilation time and hospitalization time were compared between the two groups. ELISA was used to determine the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the patients before treatment and at 12, 24 and 36 h after treatment. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the survival of the patients, including their survival for 30 days after treatment. The patients were divided into high and low cytokine expression groups based on their mean expression levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-α before treatment. After treatment, PaO(2) and PaO(2)/FiO2 were significantly higher and mechanical ventilation and hospitalization time were reduced in the STG in comparison with the COG (all P<0.001). At 12, 24 and 36 h after treatment, serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the STG were lower than those in the COG (both P<0.05). The 30-day survival rate after treatment was not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). The 30-day survival rate in the high IL-6 and high TNF-α expression COG was lower than that in the low IL-6 and low TNF-α expression COG (both P<0.05). The results of the present study indicate that IVIG may improve pulmonary gas exchange, shorten the course of disease and reduce the inflammatory response in neonates with ALI.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To analyze the efficacy of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) combined with Ulinastatin (Uti) in the treatment of newborns with capillary leak syndrome (CLS). METHODS A total of 60 newborns with CLS admitted to four hospitals were selected as the study subjects, and were randomly divided into the control group (n = 30) and the observation group (n = 30) in accordance with the random number table. The control group was treated with HES alone, while the observation group was treated with Uti combined with HES. RESULTS At 5 d after treatment, the incidence rates of systemic edema and pulmonary edema, the levels of CRP, NE, and BUN, and the duration for the improvement of systemic edema, pulmonary edema and NICU hospital stay in the control group were superior to those in the observation group, while the 24-h urine output, PaO(2) and MAP levels, the levels of A, SCr, ALT, and IL-10 in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (P < 0.05). After 3 months of follow-up after treatment, the mortality rate of newborns in the observation group (13.33%) was lower than that in the control group (36.67%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION HES combined with Uti can effectively alleviate edema, control inflammatory levels, and improve hepatic and renal functions and neonatal survival rate of newborns with CLS.

Abstract

A meta-analysis update of randomized controlled trials investigating recombinant human erythropoietin suggests improved neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants. There was substantial heterogeneity, which could be ascribed to a single trial. Exclusion of this trial featuring a high risk of bias abolished heterogeneity and any effects of recombinant human erythropoietin treatment.

Abstract

BACKGROUND In previous studies of predictors of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in the intensive care unit (ICU), most patients received pharmacological stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP). We aimed to assess associations between potential predictors of clinically important GI bleeding (CIB) and overt GI bleeding in adult ICU patients, while considering the effect and potential interaction with use of SUP. METHODS We included 3291 acutely admitted adult ICU patients with risk factors for GI bleeding randomised to SUP (pantoprazole) or placebo in the SUP-ICU trial. We used logistic regression models adjusted for allocation to SUP to estimate associations between 23 potential predictors and CIB (primary outcome) and overt GI bleeding (secondary outcome). Further, we assessed associations between potential predictors and both outcomes in each allocation group and assessed potential interaction with allocation to SUP. RESULTS Increasing SAPS II and SOFA scores, use of circulatory support and renal replacement therapy were associated with increased risk of CIB and overt GI bleeding; chronic lung disease was associated with increased risk of overt GI bleeding. Results for the remaining potential predictors were compatible with both no difference or increased and decreased risks. We found no strong evidence for any interaction between treatment allocation and any potential predictors. CONCLUSION In adult ICU patients at risk of GI bleeding, severity of illness, use of circulatory support and renal replacement therapy were associated with higher odds of CIB, with no strong evidence of interaction with SUP.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Hemodynamic instability is a frequent complication of sustained low-efficiency dialysis (SLED) treatments in the ICU. Intravenous hyperoncotic albumin may prevent hypotension and facilitate ultrafiltration. In this feasibility trial, we sought to determine if a future trial, powered to evaluate clinically relevant outcomes, is feasible. METHODS This single-center, blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized feasibility trial included patients with acute kidney injury who started SLED in the ICU. Patients were randomized to receive 25% albumin versus 0.9% saline (control) as 100 mL boluses at the start and midway through SLED, for up to 10 sessions. The recruitment rate and other feasibility outcomes were determined. Secondary exploratory outcomes included ultrafiltration volumes and metrics of hemodynamic instability. RESULTS Sixty patients (271 SLED sessions) were recruited over 10 months. Age and severity of illness were similar between study groups. Most had septic shock and required vasopressor support at baseline. Protocol adherence occurred for 244 sessions (90%); no patients were lost to follow-up; no study-related adverse events were observed; open label albumin use was 9% and 15% in the albumin and saline arms, respectively. Ultrafiltration volumes were not significantly different. Compared to the saline group, the albumin group experienced less hemodynamic instability across all definitions assessed including a smaller absolute decrease in systolic blood pressure (mean difference 10.0 mmHg, 95% confidence interval 5.2-14.8); however, there were significant baseline differences in the groups with respect to vasopressor use prior to SLED sessions (80% vs 61% for albumin and saline groups, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The efficacy of using hyperoncotic albumin to prevent hemodynamic instability in critically ill patients receiving SLED remains unclear. A larger trial to evaluate its impact in this setting, including evaluating clinically relevant outcomes, is feasible. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03665311); First Posted: Sept 11th, 2018. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03665311?term=NCT03665311&draw=2&rank=1.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To evaluate intrapartum resuscitation interventions and improvement in category II fetal heart rate (FHR) tracings. METHODS This secondary analysis of a randomized trial of intrapartum fetal electrocardiographic ST-segment analysis included all participants with category II FHR tracings undergoing intrauterine resuscitation: maternal oxygen, intravenous fluid bolus, amnioinfusion, or tocolytic administration. Fetal heart rate pattern-recognition software was used to confirm category II FHR tracings 30 minutes before intervention and to analyze the subsequent 60 minutes. The primary outcome was improvement to category I within 60 minutes. Secondary outcomes included FHR tracing improvement to category I 30-60 minutes after the intervention and composite neonatal outcome. RESULTS Of 11,108 randomized participants, 2,251 (20.3%) had at least one qualifying intervention for category II FHR tracings: 63.7% improved to category I within 60 minutes and 50.5% improved at 30-60 minutes. Only 3.4% underwent cesarean delivery and 4.1% an operative vaginal delivery for nonreassuring fetal status within 60 minutes after the intervention. Oxygen administration was the most common intervention (75.4%). Among American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists-defined subgroups that received oxygen, the absent FHR accelerations and absent-minimal FHR variability subgroup (n=332) was more likely to convert to category I within 60 minutes than the FHR accelerations or "moderate FHR variability" subgroup (n=1,919) (77.0% vs 63.0%, odds ratio [OR] 2.0, 95% CI 1.4-2.7). The incidence of composite neonatal adverse outcome for category II tracings was 2.9% (95% CI 2.2-3.7%) overall; 2.8% (95% CI 2.0-3.8%) for improvement to category I within 60 minutes (n=1,433); and 3.2% (95% CI 2.1-4.6%) for no improvement within 60 minutes (n=818). However, the group with improvement had 29% lower odds for higher level neonatal care (11.8% vs 15.9%, OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.55-0.91). CONCLUSION Nearly two thirds of category II FHR tracings improved to category I within 60 minutes of intervention with a relatively low overall rate of the composite neonatal adverse outcome. FUNDING SOURCE Funded in part by Neoventa Medical.

Abstract

BACKGROUND In the Preterm Erythropoietin (Epo) NeUroproTection (PENUT) Trial, potential biomarkers of neurological injury were measured to determine their association with outcomes at two years of age and whether Epo treatment decreased markers of inflammation in extremely preterm (<28 weeks' gestation) infants. METHODS Plasma Epo was measured (n=391 Epo, n=384 placebo) within 24h after birth (baseline), 30min after study drug administration (day 7), 30min before study drug (day 9), and on day 14. A subset of infants (n=113 Epo, n=107 placebo) had interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, Tau, and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels evaluated at baseline, day 7 and 14. Infants were then evaluated at 2 years using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd Edition (BSID-III). FINDINGS Elevated baseline Epo was associated with increased risk of death or severe disability (BSID-III Motor and Cognitive subscales <70 or severe cerebral palsy). No difference in other biomarkers were seen between treatment groups at any time, though Epo appeared to mitigate the association between elevated baseline IL-6 and lower BSID-III scores in survivors. Elevated baseline, day 7 and 14 Tau concentrations were associated with worse BSID-III Cognitive, Motor, and Language skills at two years. INTERPRETATION Elevated Epo at baseline and elevated Tau in the first two weeks after birth predict poor outcomes in infants born extremely preterm. However, no clear prognostic cut-off values are apparent, and further work is required before these biomarkers can be widely implemented in clinical practice. FUNDING PENUT was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (U01NS077955 and U01NS077953).