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Purpose: The veno-arterial CO2 difference (Pv-aCO2) is a useful marker capable of identifying a subpopulation of shocked patients who present a cardiac output insufficient for the tissue metabolic demands. Some Authors have highlighted a linear relationship between Pv-aCO2 determined by mixed or central venous blood. This research aims to establish whether there is a linear relationship between Pv-aCO2 determined by peripheral venous blood (Pv-aCO2p) and mixed venous blood and the agreement between the two measures. Methods: Prospective, single-centre, observational clinical study on septic shocked and invasively ventilated patients during the first 24 hours from admission in ICU. Results: On 38 determinations, the Bravais-Pearson r between Pv-aCO2 and Pv-aCO2p was 0.70 (95%CI 0.48 – 0.83; p-value = 1.25 x 10^-6). The Bland-Altman test's mean bias was 4.11 mmHg (95%CI 2.82 – 5.39); the repeatability coefficient was 11.05. The differential and proportional bias were 2.81 (95%CI 0.52 – 5.11) and 1.29 (95%CI 0.86 – 1.72), respectively, through the Taffé method. Conclusion: Pv-aCO2p could be used in clinical settings wider than the ICU alone, where central venous access is not routine, to establish early the adequacy of the circulation and, more specifically, of cardiac output versus tissue metabolic demands in septic patients.

Lung ultrasound (LU) has a multitude of features and capacities that make it a useful medical tool to assist physicians contending with the pandemic spread of novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) caused by coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Thus, an LU approach to patients with suspected COVID-19 is being implemented worldwide. In noncritical COVID-19 patients, 2 new LU signs have been described and proposed, the “waterfall” and the “light beam” signs. Both signs have been hypothesized to increase the diagnostic accuracy of LU for COVID-19 interstitial pneumonia. In critically ill patients, a distinct pattern of LU changes seems to follow the disease's progression, and this information can be used to guide decisions about when a patient needs to be ventilated, as occurs in other disease states similar to COVID-19. Furthermore, a new algorithm has been published, which enables the automatic detection of B-lines as well as quantification of the percentage of the pleural line associated with lung disease. In COVID-19 patients, a direct involvement of cardiac function has been demonstrated, and ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction might be present due to the prolonged mechanical ventilation often involved, as reported for similar diseases. For this reason, cardiac and diaphragm ultrasound evaluation are highly important. Last but not least, due to the thrombotic tendency of COVID-19 patients, particular attention also should be paid to vascular ultrasound. This review is primarily devoted to the study of LU in COVID-19 patients. The authors explain the significance of its “light and shadows,” bearing in mind the context in which LU is being used—the emergency department and the intensive care setting. The use of cardiac, vascular, and diaphragm ultrasound is also discussed, as a comprehensive approach to patient care.

The shortage of organs and the growing need for them over recent years have led to the adoption of less stringent donor acceptance criteria, resulting in the approval of marginal organs for transplant, especially from elderly donors. This implies a higher risk of graft dysfunction, a higher frequency of immunological and vascular complications, and shorter graft survival. Several strategies have been implemented in clinical practice to assess graft quality and suitability for transplantation. We have started to test the prospective intraoperative use of thermo-vision cameras during graft reperfusion. Images were acquired using the FLIR One Pro thermo-vision camera for android devices. We hypothesized that thermal images would give a better perspective about the quality of arterial perfusion and graft revascularization of the renal cortex. Thermo-vision cameras provide an easy-to-use, noninvasive, cost-effective tool for the global assessment of kidney graft cortical microcirculation in the immediate post-reperfusion period, providing additional data on the immediate viability and function of a graft.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of postoperative complications arising within 30 days of minimally invasive esophagectomy in the prone position with total lung ventilation and their relationship with 30-day and 1-year mortality. Secondary outcomes included possible anesthesia-related factors linked to the development of complications. Methods: The study is a retrospective single-center observational study at the Anesthesia and Surgical Department of a tertiary care center in the northeast of Italy. Patients underwent cancer resection through esophagectomy in the prone position without one-lung ventilation. Results: We included 110 patients from January 2010 to December 2017. A total of 54% of patients developed postoperative complications that increased mortality risk at 1 year of follow-up. Complications postponed first oral intake and delayed patient discharge to home. Positive intraoperative fluid balance was related to increased mortality and the risk to develop postoperative complications. C-reactive protein at third postoperative day may help detect complication onset. Conclusions: Complication onset has a great impact on mortality after esophagectomy. Some anesthesia-related factors, mainly fluid balance, may be associated with postoperative mortality and morbidity. These factors should be carefully taken into account to obtain better outcomes after esophagectomy in the prone position without one-lung ventilation.

At the end of 2019, a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was identified as the cause of a cluster of pneumonia cases, with high needs of mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients. It is still unclear whether different types of COVID-19 pneumonia require different ventilator strategies. With electrical impedance tomography (EIT) we evaluated, in real time and bedside, the distribution of ventilation in the different pulmonary regions before, during, and after pronation in COVID-19 respiratory failure. We present a brief literature review of EIT in non-COVID-19 patients and a report of 2 COVID-19 patients: one that did not respond well and another one that improved during and after pronation. EIT might be a useful tool to decide whether prone positioning should or should not be used in COVID-19 pneumonia.

Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has rapidly spread to a global pandemic in March 2020. This emergency condition has been putting a severe strain on healthcare systems worldwide, and a prompt, dynamic response is instrumental in its management. While a definite diagnosis is based on microbiological evidence, the relationship between lung ultrasound (LU) and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in the diagnosis and management of COVID-19 is less clear. Lung ultrasound is a point-of-care imaging tool that proved to be useful in the identification and severity assessment of different pulmonary conditions, particularly in the setting of emergency and critical care patients in intensive care units; HRCT of the thorax is regarded as the mainstay of imaging evaluation of lung disorders, enabling characterization and quantification of pulmonary involvement. Aims of this review are to describe LU and chest HRCT main imaging features of COVID-19 pneumonia, and to provide state-of-the-art insights regarding the integrated role of these techniques in the clinical decision-making process of patients affected by this infectious disease.

Assessing heart and diaphragm function constitutes only one of the steps to consider along the weaning path. In this second part of the review, we will deal with the more systematic evaluation of the pulmonary parenchyma—often implicated in the genesis of respiratory failure. We will also consider the other possible causes of weaning failure that lie beyond the cardio-pulmonary-diaphragmatic system. Finally, we will take a moment to consider the remaining unsolved problems arising from mechanical ventilation and describe the so-called protective approach to parenchyma and diaphragm ventilation.

Although mechanical ventilation may be a patient’s vital ally during acute illness, it can quickly transform into an enemy during chronic conditions. The weaning process is the fundamental phase that enables the resumption of physiological respiratory function; however, it is also associated with a number of life-threatening complications, and a large percentage of critically ill patients never achieve airway device removal or require the resumption of mechanical ventilation just a few days post-weaning. Indeed, the weaning process is, at present, more of an art than a science. As such, there is urgent need for novel contributions from the scientific literature to abate the growing rates of morbidity and mortality associated with weaning failure. The physician attempting to wean a patient must integrate clinical parameters and common-sense criteria. Numerous studies have striven to identify single predictive factors of weaning failure and sought to standardize the weaning process, but the results are characterized by remarkable heterogeneity. Despite the lack of benchmarks, it is clear that the analysis of respiratory function must include a detailed overview of the five situations described below rather than a single aspect. The purpose of this two-part review is to provide a comprehensive description of these situations to clarify the “arena” physicians are entering when weaning critically ill patients from mechanical ventilation.

Background Diaphragmatic dysfunction is a major factor responsible for weaning failure in patients that underwent prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation for acute severe respiratory failure from COVID-19. This study hypothesizes that ultrasound measured diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF) could provide corroborating information for weaning COVID-19 patients from mechanical ventilation. Methods This was an observational, pragmatic, cross-section, multicenter study in 6 Italian intensive care units. DTF was assessed in COVID-19 patients undergoing weaning from mechanical ventilation from 1st March 2020 to 30th June 2021. Primary aim was to evaluate whether DTF is a predictive factor for weaning failure. Results Fifty-seven patients were enrolled, 25 patients failed spontaneous breathing trial (44%). Median length of invasive ventilation was 14 days (IQR 7–22). Median DTF within 24 h since the start of weaning was 28% (IQR 22–39%), RASS score (− 2 vs − 2; p = 0.031); Kelly-Matthay score (2 vs 1; p = 0.002); inspiratory oxygen fraction (0.45 vs 0.40; p = 0.033). PaO2/FiO2 ratio was lower (176 vs 241; p = 0.032) and length of intensive care stay was longer (27 vs 16.5 days; p = 0.025) in patients who failed weaning. The generalized linear regression model did not select any variables that could predict weaning failure. DTF was correlated with pH (RR 1.56 × 1027; p = 0.002); Kelly-Matthay score (RR 353; p 2/FiO2 ratio (RR 1.03; p = 0.05); SAPS2 (RR 0.71; p = 0.005); hospital and ICU length of stay (RR 1.22 and 0.79, respectively; p Conclusions DTF in COVID-19 patients was not predictive of weaning failure from mechanical ventilation, and larger studies are needed to evaluate it in clinical practice further. Registered: ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT05019313, 24 August 2021).

Purpose. Cardiac surgery is characterized by a high risk of complications related to perioperative bleeding. Guidelines suggest the use of local algorithms based on perioperative point-of-care tests to assess and manage potential coagulation abnormalities. We investigated whether heparin reversal administration affects the adenosine-5-diphosphate (ADP) test values, thus identifying the earliest time point following cardio-pulmonary bypass that permits the promptest detection and treatment of potential platelet dysfunctions. Methods. This was a retrospective, single-center, observational study enrolling cardiac surgery patients requiring cardiac bypass. ADP-tests at 4 different time-points during surgery (T0: baseline, T1: at aortic de-clamping, T2: 10 minutes after protamine administration, and T3: at the end of surgery) were performed. Results. 63 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery were studied. Baseline ADP-test values were almost constantly greater than intraoperative values, and end of surgery values were often greater than previous intraoperative values. The only difference that proved to be not statistically significant was between T1 and T2, with a clinically insignificant mean difference of −.2 U (95%CI of difference: −6.9 - 6.5 U). There was no correlation between the variation in ADP-test values pre- and post-protamine administration and the protamine-to-heparin ratio. Conclusion. The results of the present study support the hypothesis that the ADP-test could be performed early, at aortic de-clamping before protamine administration. This approach allows for the promptest assessment of a potential impairment in platelet function, and its timely correction.

ObjectiveTo analyze the application of lung ultrasound (LUS) diagnostic approach in obstetric patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and compare LUS score and symptoms of the patients.DesignA single-center observational retrospective study from October 31, 2020 to March 31, 2021.SettingDepartment of Ob/Gyn at the University-Hospital of Udine, Italy.ParticipantsPregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 diagnosed with reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) swab test were subdivided as symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with COVID-19.ExposureLung ultrasound evaluation both through initial evaluation upon admission and through serial evaluations.Main OutcomeReporting LUS findings and LUS score characteristics.ResultsSymptomatic patients with COVID-19 showed a higher LUS (median 3.5 vs. 0, p < 0.001). LUS was significantly correlated with COVID-19 biomarkers as C-reactive protein (CPR; p = 0.011), interleukin-6 (p = 0.013), and pro-adrenomedullin (p = 0.02), and inversely related to arterial oxygen saturation (p = 0.004). The most frequent ultrasound findings were focal B lines (14 vs. 2) and the light beam (9 vs. 0).ConclusionLung ultrasound can help to manage pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection during a pandemic surge.Study RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04823234. Registered on March 29, 2021.

Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequent in cardiac surgery patients. Its pathophysiology is complex and involves decreased renal perfusion. Preliminary clinical evidence in critically ill patients shows that amino acids infusion increases renal blood flow and may decrease the incidence and severity of AKI. We designed a study to evaluate the effectiveness of perioperative continuous infusion of amino acids in decreasing AKI.This is a phase III, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Adults undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are included. Patients are randomly assigned to receive either continuous infusion of a balanced mixture of amino acids in a dose of 2 g/kg ideal body weight/day or placebo (balanced crystalloid solution) from the operating room up to start of renal replacement therapy (RRT), or ICU discharge, or 72 h after the first dose. The primary outcome is the incidence of AKI during hospital stay defined by KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes). Secondary outcomes include the need for, and duration of, RRT, mechanical ventilation; ICU and hospital length of stay; all-cause mortality at ICU, hospital discharge, 30, 90, and 180 days after randomization; quality of life at 180 days. Data will be analyzed in 3500 patients on an intention-to-treat basis.The trial is ongoing and currently recruiting. It will be one of the first randomized controlled studies to assess the relationship between amino acids use and kidney injury in cardiac surgery. If our hypothesis is confirmed, this practice could reduce morbidity in the studied population.This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov with the trial identification NCT03709264 in October 2018.

To investigate the association between the grade of diastolic dysfunction (DD) and the occurrence of early allograft dysfunction (EAD) in liver transplant patients following the new 2016 American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (ASE/EACVI) guidelines.From January 2015 to December 2019, we retrospectively analyzed 83 patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx) and their susceptibility to develop EAD according to the grade of preoperative DD. EAD was defined according to the criteria proposed by Olfhoff et al.; DD was defined with four parameters: E/A, e/e', Left Atrium volume, and Tricuspid Regurgitation velocity.According to the ASE/EACVI guidelines grade II DD was detected in 20 patients (24.1%) undergoing OLTx. A statistically significant association was found between grade II DD and the occurrence of EAD (p-value 0.003). The Kaplan-Meier analysis failed to find any significant difference between the survival probability, nevertheless at the end of a 90-day follow-up period, mortality showed a different trend in classes with more severe diastolic dysfunction.According to the ASE/EACVI guidelines from 2016, patients with grade II DD seem to have a higher propensity to develop early allograft dysfunction EAD after OLTx. Our study advises a need for an urgent prospective multicenter study to elucidate the long-term outcomes of liver transplants patients with diastolic dysfunction.

BackgroundThe application of the amniotic membrane could have a favourable effect on tissue repair and regeneration. We report the first case of implant of an amniotic membrane in a patient affected by myo-cutaneous dehiscence, after a radical surgical treatment for vulvar cancer.MethodsWe describe a case of a 74-years-old patient affected by vulvar cancer. After radiotherapy, the patient underwent to an anterior pelvic exenteration with uretero-ileo-cutaneostomy by Wallace, bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy, omental biopsies, omental flap, bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy, resection of ulcerated left inguinal lesion, reconstruction with left gracilis muscle flap and locoregional V-Y advancement flap. The patient developed a myo-cutaneous dehiscence. Two months after the surgery, following an accurate curettage of the wound and negative pressure therapy, a patch of human amniotic membrane was implanted.ResultsThe surgical procedure was easy, feasible and did not require long operating room times. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. The results obtained were encouraging with a marked improvement in the surgical wound.Conclusionthe use of amniotic membranes was safely and easily performed to promote the healing of complicated surgical wounds.

Background To produce statements based on the available evidence and an expert consensus (as members of the Lung Ultrasound Working Group of the Italian Society of Analgesia, Anesthesia, Resuscitation, and Intensive Care, SIAARTI) on the use of lung ultrasound for the management of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit. Methods A modified Delphi method was applied by a panel of anesthesiologists and intensive care physicians expert in the use of lung ultrasound in COVID-19 intensive critically ill patients to reach a consensus on ten clinical questions concerning the role of lung ultrasound in the following: COVID-19 diagnosis and monitoring (with and without invasive mechanical ventilation), positive end expiratory pressure titration, the use of prone position, the early diagnosis of pneumothorax- or ventilator-associated pneumonia, the process of weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation, and the need for radiologic chest imaging. Results A total of 20 statements were produced by the panel. Agreement was reached on 18 out of 20 statements (scoring 7–9; “appropriate”) in the first round of voting, while 2 statements required a second round for agreement to be reached. At the end of the two Delphi rounds, the median score for the 20 statements was 8.5 [IQR 8.9], and the agreement percentage was 100%. Conclusion The Lung Ultrasound Working Group of the Italian Society of Analgesia, Anesthesia, Resuscitation, and Intensive Care produced 20 consensus statements on the use of lung ultrasound in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. This expert consensus strongly suggests integrating lung ultrasound findings in the clinical management of critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Pneumomediastinum (PNM) and pneumothorax (PNX) are documented complications of arthroscopic shoulder surgery (ATS). Plexus anesthetic block and tracheal lesions during endotracheal intubation are hypothesized to be the underlying risk factors; however, the actual evidence supporting this hypothesis is scarce.A case of bilateral laterocervical emphysema, subcutaneous edema, and signs of PNM after ATS performed under general anesthesia and supra-scapular nerve block is presented. An up-to-date systematic review of PNM/PNX during orthopedic surgery was performed, involving six databases: PubMed (1996–present), Embase (1974–present), Scopus (2004–present), SpringerLink (1950–present), Ovid Emcare (1995–present), and Google Scholar (2004–present).Twenty-five case studies met the eligibility criteria. In 24 cases, the patient underwent general anesthesia and orotracheal intubation; in 9 of these, a plexus anesthetic block was also performed. One case involved ATS under plexus anesthetic block only. In 10 cases, the diagnostic finding was PNM. In 5 cases, the diagnostic finding was associated with PNX. PNX was detected in 17 cases. In 2 cases, SE was found in the absence of any evidence of either PNM or PNX. A tracheal lesion was identified in 3 cases.Endotracheal intubation and loco-regional anesthesia are not the only predisposing risk factors at play in the pathogenesis of PNM/PNX. Rather, multi-factorial pathogenesis seems more probable, necessitating that specific attention is paid during ATS to the change in patient position on the operating bed, to any slipping of the endotracheal tube, to patient monitoring whilst under the drapes, and to the cuff pressure. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021260370.

Lung ultrasound (LU) has rapidly become a tool for assessment of patients stricken by the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID‐19). Over the past two and a half months (January, February, and first half of March 2020) we have used this modality for identification of lung involvement along with pulmonary severity in patients with suspected or documented COVID‐19 infection. Use of LU has helped us in clinical decision making and reduced the use of both chest x‐rays and computed tomography (CT).

Pneumomediastinum is a threatening complication that might occur after tight surgical closure of tracheostomy is performed. Physiopathology of this condition is based on several factors, including direct trauma to the tracheal wall caused by surgical maneuvers or insufficient closure of soft tissue layers which do not seal air leakage. In this paper we explore this phenomenon by reporting the case of one patient undergoing surgical closure of tracheostomy after two weeks, who later developed subcutaneous emphysema followed by pneumomediastinum. Physiopatology is analyzed and management strategies for this condition are suggested based on our experience.

Background: The need to determine prognostic factors that can predict a particularly severe or, conversely, the benign course of COVID-19 is particularly perceived in the Emergency Department (ED), considering the scarcity of resources for a conspicuous mass of patients. The aim of our study was to identify some predictors for 30-day mortality among some clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound variables in a COVID-19 patients population. Methods: Prospective single-center pilot study conducted in an ED of an University Hospital. A consecutive sample of confirmed COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure was enrolled from March 8th, to April 15th, 2020. Results: 143 patients were enrolled. Deceased patients (n = 65) were older (81 vs. 61 years, p

COVID-19 is an infection induced by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, and severe forms can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring intensive care unit (ICU) management. Severe forms are associated with coagulation changes, mainly characterized by an increase in D-dimer and fibrinogen levels, with a higher risk of thrombosis, particularly pulmonary embolism. The impact of obesity in severe COVID-19 has also been highlighted. In this context, standard doses of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) may be inadequate in ICU patients, with obesity, major inflammation, and hypercoagulability. We therefore urgently developed proposals on the prevention of thromboembolism and monitoring of hemostasis in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Four levels of thromboembolic risk were defined according to the severity of COVID-19 reflected by oxygen requirement and treatment, the body mass index, and other risk factors. Monitoring of hemostasis (including fibrinogen and D-dimer levels) every 48 h is proposed. Standard doses of LMWH (e.g., enoxaparin 4000 IU/24 h SC) are proposed in case of intermediate thrombotic risk (BMI 120 kg), or unfractionated heparin (UFH) if renal insufficiency (200 IU/kg/24 h, IV), is proposed. The thrombotic risk was defined as very high in obese patients with ARDS and added risk factors for thromboembolism, and also in case of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), unexplained catheter thrombosis, dialysis filter thrombosis, or marked inflammatory syndrome and/or hypercoagulability (e.g., fibrinogen > 8 g/l and/or D-dimers > 3 μg/ml). In ICU patients, it is sometimes difficult to confirm a diagnosis of thrombosis, and curative anticoagulant treatment may also be discussed on a probabilistic basis. In all these situations, therapeutic doses of LMWH, or UFH in case of renal insufficiency with monitoring of anti-Xa activity, are proposed. In conclusion, intensification of heparin treatment should be considered in the context of COVID-19 on the basis of clinical and biological criteria of severity, especially in severely ill ventilated patients, for whom the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism cannot be easily confirmed.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., The exact origin of intracardiac thrombi formation during orthotopic liver transplant remains unknown. The altered balance between hypercoagulability, hypocoagulation, and endothelial dysfunction associated with end-stage liver disease is thought to play a pivotal role. Venous stasis, vascular clamping, and reperfusion could also contribute to clot formation. The incidence of intracardiac thrombi formation stands at 4.2%, associated with a mortality rate of 45.5%, and to date, no consensus exists regarding the best way to treat this complication. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography is the only effective method for diagnosing intracardiac thrombi formation early, while point-of-care coagulation testing could guide the coagulation management potentially improving patient outcomes.

Italy adopted a law on chronic pain in March 2010, which focused on detection and management of this symptom, that affects approximately 25% of the population. The aim of this study is to analyze the interest of the Italian population in palliative care and chronic pain and to understand whether the Law 38/2010 made an impact on the internet search on chronic pain. Five research parameters were included using Google Trends (chronic pain, anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, fibromyalgia, medical cannabis) from 2004 to 2019 using "joint point regression analysis." Comparisons of annual relative search volume (ARSV), average annual percentage change (AAPC), and temporal patterns were analyzed to assess loss or gain of interest in research of all the terms after adopting Law 38/2010; collected data were analyzed using Kruskall-Wallis test. The research trend of almost every word increased in time (AAPC > 0) with significant inflexion points after issuing law on chronic pain management in March 2010. Our results suggest the relevance of internet search engines, like "Doctor Google," to translate and share knowledge about specific conditions, diseases, and treatment alternatives, with a call to a raise in authoritative scientific voices on the topic, especially when it comes to widespread conditions like chronic pains.

Background The efficacy and safety of high flow nasal therapy (HFNT) in patients with acute hypercapnic exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are unclear. Our aim was to evaluate the short-term effect of HFNT versus NIV in patients with mild-to-moderate AECOPD, with the hypothesis that HFNT is non-inferior to NIV on CO2 clearance after 2 h of treatment. Methods We performed a multicenter, non-inferiority randomized trial comparing HFNT and noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in nine centers in Italy. Patients were eligible if presented with mild-to-moderate AECOPD (arterial pH 7.25–7.35, PaCO2 ≥ 55 mmHg before ventilator support). Primary endpoint was the mean difference of PaCO2 from baseline to 2 h (non-inferiority margin 10 mmHg) in the per-protocol analysis. Main secondary endpoints were non-inferiority of HFNT to NIV in reducing PaCO2 at 6 h in the per-protocol and intention-to-treat analysis and rate of treatment changes. Results Seventy-nine patients were analyzed (80 patients randomized). Mean differences for PaCO2 reduction from baseline to 2 h were − 6.8 mmHg (± 8.7) in the HFNT and − 9.5 mmHg (± 8.5) in the NIV group (p = 0.404). By 6 h, 32% of patients (13 out of 40) in the HFNT group switched to NIV and one to invasive ventilation. HFNT was statistically non-inferior to NIV since the 95% confidence interval (CI) upper boundary of absolute difference in mean PaCO2 reduction did not reach the non-inferiority margin of 10 mmHg (absolute difference 2.7 mmHg; 1-sided 95% CI 6.1; p = 0.0003). Both treatments had a significant effect on PaCO2 reductions over time, and trends were similar between groups. Similar results were found in both per-protocol at 6 h and intention-to-treat analysis. Conclusions HFNT was statistically non-inferior to NIV as initial ventilatory support in decreasing PaCO2 after 2 h of treatment in patients with mild-to-moderate AECOPD, considering a non-inferiority margin of 10 mmHg. However, 32% of patients receiving HFNT required NIV by 6 h. Further trials with superiority design should evaluate efficacy toward stronger patient-related outcomes and safety of HFNT in AECOPD. Trial registration: The study was prospectively registered on December 12, 2017, in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03370666).

Objectives To evaluate the accuracy of a new COVID‐19 prognostic score based on lung ultrasound (LUS) and previously validated variables in predicting critical illness. Methods We conducted a single‐center retrospective cohort development and internal validation study of the COVID‐19 Worsening Score (COWS), based on a combination of the previously validated COVID‐GRAM score (GRAM) variables and LUS. Adult COVID‐19 patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) were enrolled. Ten variables previously identified by GRAM, days from symptom onset, LUS findings, and peripheral oxygen saturation/fraction of inspired oxygen (P/F) ratio were analyzed. LUS score as a single predictor was assessed. We evaluated GRAM model's performance, the impact of adding LUS, and then developed a new model based on the most predictive variables. Results Among 274 COVID‐19 patients enrolled, 174 developed critical illness. The GRAM score identified 51 patients at high risk of developing critical illness and 132 at low risk. LUS score over 15 (range 0 to 36) was associated with a higher risk ratio of critical illness (RR, 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52‐2.77; area under the curve [AUC], 0.63; 95% CI 0.676‐0.634). The newly developed COVID‐19 Worsening Score relies on five variables to classify high‐ and low‐risk patients with an overall accuracy of 80% and negative predictive value of 93% (95% CI, 87%‐98%). Patients scoring more than 0.183 on COWS showed a RR of developing critical illness of 8.07 (95% CI, 4.97‐11.1). Conclusions COWS accurately identify patients who are unlikely to need intensive care unit (ICU) admission, preserving resources for the remaining high‐risk patients.

The goal of this survey was to describe the use and diffusion of lung ultrasound (LUS), the level of training received before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the clinical impact LUS has had on COVID-19 cases in intensive care units (ICU) from February 2020 to May 2020. The Italian Lung Ultrasound Survey (ITALUS) was a nationwide online survey proposed to Italian anesthesiologists and intensive care physicians carried out after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. It consisted of 27 questions, both quantitative and qualitative. 807 responded to the survey. The median previous LUS experience was 3 years (IQR 1.0-6.0). 473 (60.9 %) reported having attended at least one training course on LUS before the COVID-19 pandemic. 519 (73.9 %) reported knowing how to use the LUS score. 404 (52 %) reported being able to use LUS without any supervision. 479 (68.2 %) said that LUS influenced their clinical decision-making, mostly with respect to patient monitoring. During the pandemic, the median of patients daily evaluated with LUS increased 3-fold (p 0.001), daily use of general LUS increased from 10.4 % to 28.9 % (p 0.001), and the daily use of LUS score in particular increased from 1.6 % to 9.0 % (p 0.001). This survey showed that LUS was already extensively used during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic by anesthesiologists and intensive care physicians in Italy, and then its adoption increased further. Residency programs are already progressively implementing LUS teaching. However, 76.7 % of the sample did not undertake any LUS certification.ZIEL: Das Ziel dieser Umfrage war es, den Einsatz und die Verbreitung von Lungenultraschall (LUS), den Ausbildungstand vor und während der COVID-19-Pandemie sowie die klinische Bedeutung des LUS auf COVID-19-Fälle auf Intensivstationen (ICU) von Februar 2020 bis Mai 2020 zu beschreiben. Die „Italian Lung Ultrasound Survey“ (ITALUS) war eine landesweite Online-Umfrage, die italienischen Anästhesisten und Intensivmedizinern nach der ersten Welle der COVID-19-Pandemie unterbreitet wurde. Sie bestand aus 27 quantitativen und qualitativen Fragen. 807 Ärzte nahmen an der Umfrage teil. Die Vorerfahrung im LUS lag bei median 3 Jahren (IQR 1,0–6,0). 473 (60,9 %) gaben an, vor der COVID-19-Pandemie mindestens eine Schulung zu LUS besucht zu haben. 519 (73,9 %) gaben an, mit dem LUS-Score vertraut zu sein. 404 (52 %) gaben an, LUS ohne Aufsicht nutzen zu können. 479 (68,2 %) gaben an, dass LUS ihre klinische Entscheidungsfindung beeinflusst, vor allem in Bezug auf die Patientenüberwachung. Während der Pandemie stieg der Median der Patienten, die täglich mit LUS untersucht wurden, um das 3-Fache (p 0,001), der tägliche Einsatz des allgemeinen LUS erhöhte sich von 10,4 % auf 28,9 % (p 0,001), und insbesondere der tägliche Einsatz des LUS-Scores stieg von 1,6 % auf 9,0 % (p 0,001). Diese Umfrage zeigte, dass LUS bereits während der ersten Welle der COVID-19-Pandemie von Anästhesisten und Intensivmedizinern in Italien in großem Umfang eingesetzt wurde und dann weiter zugenommen hat. In der Facharztausbildung wird LUS bereits zunehmend eingeführt. Allerdings hatten in der Stichprobe 76,7 % keine LUS-Zertifizierung.

In patients intubated for hypoxemic acute respiratory failure (ARF) related to novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), we retrospectively compared two weaning strategies, early extubation with immediate non-invasive ventilation (NIV) versus standard weaning encompassing spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), with respect to IMV duration (primary endpoint), extubation failures and reintubations, rate of tracheostomy, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay and mortality (additional endpoints). All COVID-19 adult patients, intubated for hypoxemic ARF and subsequently extubated, were enrolled. Patients were included in two groups, early extubation followed by immediate NIV application, and conventionally weaning after passing SBT. 121 patients were enrolled and analyzed, 66 early extubated and 55 conventionally weaned after passing an SBT. IMV duration was 9 [6–11] days in early extubated patients versus 11 [6–15] days in standard weaning group (p = 0.034). Extubation failures [12 (18.2%) vs. 25 (45.5%), p = 0.002] and reintubations [12 (18.2%) vs. 22 (40.0%) p = 0.009] were fewer in early extubation compared to the standard weaning groups, respectively. Rate of tracheostomy, ICU mortality, and ICU length of stay were no different between groups. Compared to standard weaning, early extubation followed by immediate NIV shortened IMV duration and reduced the rate of extubation failure and reintubation.

Highlights • In the early stages of COVID-19 respiratory failure, a trial of non-invasive ventilation CPAP mode under close monitoring seems reasonably safe. • CPAP failure patients had a lower DTF, experienced more ICU days and longer in-hospital length of stay. • In the context of critically ill patients with COVID-19 respiratory failure admitted to ICU, DTF could be a predictor of CPAP failure. • The DTF best threshold value was 21% (AUC: 0.944, CI: 0.844-0.999; 94 % sensitivity and 78 % specificity)., Background In a variable number of Covid-19 patients with acute respiratory failure, non-invasive breathing support strategies cannot provide adequate oxygenation, thus making invasive mechanical ventilation necessary. Factors predicting this unfavorable outcome are unknown, but we hypothesized that diaphragmatic weakness may contribute. Methods We prospectively analyzed the data of 27 consecutive patients admitted to the general Intensive Care Unit (ICU) from March 19, 2020, to April 20, 2020 and submitted to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) before considering invasive ventilation. Diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF) inferred by ultrasound was determined before applying CPAP. Results Eighteen patients recovered with CPAP, whereas nine required invasive mechanical ventilation with longer stay in ICU (p

Background Early detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2)‐infected patients who could develop a severe form of COVID‐19 must be considered of great importance to carry out adequate care and optimise the use of limited resources. Aims To use several machine learning classification models to analyse a series of non‐critically ill COVID‐19 patients admitted to a general medicine ward to verify if any clinical variables recorded could predict the clinical outcome. Methods We retrospectively analysed non‐critically ill patients with COVID‐19 admitted to the general ward of the hospital in Pordenone from 1 March 2020 to 30 April 2020. Patients' characteristics were compared based on clinical outcomes. Through several machine learning classification models, some predictors for clinical outcome were detected. Results In the considered period, we analysed 176 consecutive patients admitted: 119 (67.6%) were discharged, 35 (19.9%) dead and 22 (12.5%) were transferred to intensive care unit. The most accurate models were a random forest model (M2) and a conditional inference tree model (M5) (accuracy = 0.79; 95% confidence interval 0.64–0.90, for both). For M2, glomerular filtration rate and creatinine were the most accurate predictors for the outcome, followed by age and fraction‐inspired oxygen. For M5, serum sodium, body temperature and arterial pressure of oxygen and inspiratory fraction of oxygen ratio were the most reliable predictors. Conclusions In non‐critically ill COVID‐19 patients admitted to a medical ward, glomerular filtration rate, creatinine and serum sodium were promising predictors for the clinical outcome. Some factors not determined by COVID‐19, such as age or dementia, influence clinical outcomes.

Objective Meropenem is a β-lactam, carbapenem antibacterial agent with antimicrobial activity against gram-negative, gram-positive and anaerobic micro-organisms and is important in the empirical treatment of serious infections in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. Multi-drug resistant gram-negative organisms, coupled with scarcity of new antibiotic classes, forced healthcare community to optimize the therapeutic potential of available antibiotics. Our aim is to investigate the effect of continuous infusion of meropenem against bolus administration, as indicated by a composite outcome of reducing death and emergence of extensive or pan drug-resistant pathogens in a population of ICU patients. Design Double blind, double dummy, multicenter randomized controlled trial (1:1 allocation ratio). Setting Tertiary and University hospitals. Interventions 600 ICU patients with sepsis or septic shock, needing by clinical judgment antibiotic therapy with meropenem, will be randomized to receive a continuous infusion of meropenem 3 g/24 h or an equal dose divided into three daily boluses (i.e. 1g q8h). Measurements The primary endpoint will be a composite outcome of reducing death and emergence of extensive or pan drug-resistant pathogens. Secondary endpoints will be death from any cause at day 90, antibiotic-free days at day 28, ICU-free days at day 28, cumulative SOFA-free (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) score from randomization to day 28 and the two, separate, components of the primary endpoint. We expect a primary outcome reduction from 52 to 40% in the continuous infusion group. Conclusions The trial will provide evidence for choosing intermittent or continuous infusion of meropenem for critically ill patients with multi-drug resistant gram-negative infections.

Reply: We thank Wittig and his colleagues for their response to our review.[1][1] Indeed, the aim of the work was exactly that: to open up a debate on the topic with the hopeful end result of promoting further scientific inquiry. At present, evidence regarding the best ventilation modalities and

We report a patient who presented with paraplegia after ascending aorta and arch replacement using the frozen elephant trunk technique. Immediate postoperatively cerebrospinal fluid drainage allowed successful reversal of spinal chord injury. Early awakening of patients following a frozen elephant technique is mandatory because it allows recognition and treatment of this complication by prompt cerebrospinal liquor drainage.

Introduction Pediatric brain injury is a common cause of emergency department (ED) referral. Although severe traumatic brain damage is less frequent, it could be primarily managed by non-pediatric critical care physicians called in for advice. Clinical evaluation is important, but radiology is of particular value in the case of severe brain injury. Transcranial Doppler may help the physician through neuromonitoring. Case Report We report the case of a 3-year-old male child brought into the pediatric ED for a moderate head injury. His neurological status deteriorated rapidly, making endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation necessary. Computed tomography (CT) of the head revealed brain contusion and post-traumatic subarachnoidal hemorrhage. Discussion Transcranial Doppler was performed at the standard transtemporal evaluation window, and it showed normal vascularization of the entire anterior brain. This result permitted performance of the control CT scan to be postponed. In this case, basic knowledge of transcranial ultrasound proved to be useful, and we believe it could also be useful to other colleagues faced with similar situations even if they are not dedicated to pediatric critically ill patients. Conclusion Doppler ultrasound in the pediatric population is a valuable bedside tool. Together with clinical evaluation and radiology, it completes the set of techniques necessary for continuous neuromonitoring.

Background The incidence of cerebral fat embolism (CFE) ranges from 0.9–11%, with a mean mortality rate of around 10%. Although no univocal explanation has been identified for the resulting fat embolism syndrome (FES), two hypotheses are widely thought: the ‘mechanical theory’, and the ‘chemical theory’. The present article provides a systematic review of published case reports of FES following a bone fracture. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Web of Science and Scopus to find any article related to FES. Inclusion criteria were: trauma patients; age ≥ 18 years; and the clinical diagnosis of CFE or FES. Studies were excluded if the bone fracture site was not specified. Results One hundred and seventy studies were included (268 cases). The male gender was most prominent (81.6% vs. 18.4%). The average age was 33 years (±18). The mean age for males (29 ± 14) was significantly lower than for females (51 ± 26) (p p p Conclusions FES is most frequent in young men in the third decades of life following multiple leg fractures. FES may be more frequent after a burst fracture. The presence of PFO may be responsible for the acute presentation of cerebral embolisms, whereas FES is mostly delayed by 48–72 h.

Background Pharmacological treatments for critical processes in patients need to be initiated as rapidly as possible; for this reason, it is a standard of care to prepare the main anesthesia and emergency drugs in advance. As a result, 20%-50% of the prepared drugs remain unused and are then discarded. Decreasing waste by optimizing drug use is an attractive strategy for meeting both cost containment and environmental sustainability. The primary end point of this study was to measure the actual amount of drug wastage in the operating rooms (ORs) and intensive care units (ICUs) of a Regional Health Service (RHS). The secondary end point was to analyze and estimate the economic implications of this waste for the Health Service and to suggest possible measures to reduce it. Methods This prospective observational multicenter study was conducted across 12 hospitals, all of which belong to the same RHS in the north-east of Italy. Data collection took place in March 2018 and included patients admitted to ICUs, emergency areas, and ORs of the participating hospitals. Data concerning drug preparation and administration were collected for all consecutive patients, independent of case types and of whether operations were scheduled or unscheduled. Drug wastage was defined as follows: drugs prepared in ready-to-use syringes but not administered at all and discarded untouched. We then estimated the costs of wasted drugs for a 1-year period using the data from this study and the yearly regional pharmacy orders of drugs provided to the ORs and ICUs. We also performed a sensitivity analysis to validate the robustness of our assumptions and qualitative conclusions. Results We collected data for a total of 13,078 prepared drug syringes. Drug wastage varied from 7.8% (Urapidil, an alpha-1 antagonist antihypertensive) to 85.7% (epinephrine) of prepared syringes, with an overall mean wastage rate of 38%. The estimated yearly waste was 139,531 syringes, for a total estimated financial cost of €78,060 ($92,569), and an additional quantity of medical waste amounting to 4968 kg per year. The total provider time dedicated to the preparation of unused drugs was predicted to be 1512 working hours per year. Conclusions The overall extent of drug wastage in ORs and ICUs is concerning. Interventions aimed at minimizing waste-related costs and improving the environmental sustainability of our practice are paramount. Effort should be put into designing a more efficient workflow that reduces this waste while providing for the emergency availability of these medications in the OR and ICU.

Background Despite current advances in liver transplant surgery, post-operative early allograft dysfunction still complicates the patient prognosis and graft survival. The transition from the donor has not been yet fully understood, and no study quantifies if and how the liver function changes through its transfer to the recipient. The indocyanine green dye plasma disappearance rate (ICG-PDR) is a simple validated tool of liver function assessment. The variation rate between the donor and recipient ICG-PDR still needs to be investigated. Materials and methods Single-center retrospective study. ICG-PDR determinations were performed before graft retrieval (T1) and 24 hours after transplant (T2). The ICG-PDR relative variation rate between T1 and T2 was calculated to assess the graft function and suffering/recovering. Matched data were compared with the MEAF model of graft dysfunction. Objective To investigate whether the variation rate between the donor ICG-PDR value and the recipient ICG-PDR measurement on first postoperative day (POD1) can be associated with the MEAF score. Results 36 ICG-PDR measurements between 18 donors and 18 graft recipients were performed. The mean donor ICG-PDR was 22.64 (SD 6.35), and the mean receiver’s ICG-PDR on 1st POD was 17.68 (SD 6.60), with a mean MEAF value of 4.51 (SD 1.23). Pearson’s test stressed a good, linear inverse correlation between the ICG-PDR relative variation and the MEAF values, correlation coefficient -0.580 (p = 0.012). Conclusion The direct correlation between the donor to recipient ICG-PDR variation rate and MEAF was found. Measurements at T1 and T2 showed an up- or downtrend of the graft performance that reflect the MEAF values.

Case Presentation A 30-year-old transgender woman who was HIV positive presented to the ED with progressive severe dyspnea and hemoptysis that started 1 day earlier. The patient was undergoing antiretroviral therapy with emtricitabine-rilpivirine-tenofovir with good compliance and feminizing hormone therapy with cyproterone acetate. She was otherwise healthy and was not taking any other medications.

COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly spread worldwide causing a serious challenge to the global medical community. Italy was struck hard during the first wave earlier this year and several weaknesses as well as general unpreparedness of the national healthcare system were acknowledged. Learning essential lessons from the past, we realized how implementing contingency response measures, human resources and social dynamics could have changed the outcome if promptly adopted. This review translates the previous experience into strategic actions that has to be considered when developing appropriate national and regional operational plans to respond to a pandemic.

Background and aim of the work: The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (or SARS-CoV 2) has struck the healthcare system worldwide. Within few weeks hospitals had to reorganize their internal logistics and structure covering any level of care, from the Emergency Room to medical Departments. Methods: Due to the state of medical emergency, the Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit of the University Hospital in Udine developed new protocols for the usual standard of care, ensuring a safe environment for both healthcare providers and patients. Results: By a continuous update of scientific evidence, the Department was able to increase capacity as well as maintain flexibility when an unexpected high number of admissions was required. 40 COVID -19 positive patients were admitted to our Department between March and December 2020, none of them had complications and no case of cross infection between patients and medical staff were registered. Conclusion: We aimed to share our experience, which provided a notable lesson about what to expect and how to prepare a high-risk pregnancy referral center in response to a pandemic. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Background It is customary to believe that a patient with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score less than or equal to 8 should be intubated to avoid aspiration. We conducted a systematic review to establish if patients with GCS ≤ 8 for trauma or non-traumatic emergencies and treated in the acute care setting (e.g., Emergency Department or Pre-hospital environment) should be intubated to avoid aspiration or aspiration pneumonia/pneumonitis, and consequently, reduce mortality. Methods We searched six databases, Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, SpringerLink, Cochrane Library, and Ovid Emcare, from April 15th to October 14th, 2020, for studies involving low GCS score patients of whom the risk of aspiration and related complications was assessed. Results Thirteen studies were included in the final analysis (7 on non-traumatic population, 4 on trauma population, 1 pediatric and 1 adult mixed case studies). For the non-traumatic cases, two prospective studies and one retrospective study found no difference in aspiration risk between intubated and non-intubated patients. Two retrospective studies reported a reduction in the risk of aspiration in the intubated patient group. For traumatic cases, the study that considered the risk of aspiration did not show any differences between the two groups. A study on adult mixed cases found no difference in the incidence of aspiration among intubated and non-intubated patients. A study on pediatric patients found increased mortality for intubated versus non-intubated non-traumatic patients with a low GCS score. Conclusion Whether intubation results in a reduction in the incidence of aspiration events and whether these are more frequent in patients with low GCS scores are not yet established. The paucity of evidence on this topic makes clinical trials justifiable and necessary. Trial registration Prospero registration number: CRD42020136987.

Ventilation during chest compressions can lead to an increase in peak inspiratory pressure. High inspiratory pressure can raise the risk of injury to the respiratory system and make it challenging to deliver the required tidal volume. The utilization of mechanical devices for chest compression has exacerbated this challenge. The aim of this narrative review was to summarize the different mechanical ventilation strategies applied during mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). To this end, we searched the PubMed and BioMed Central databases from inception to January 2020, using the search terms “mechanical ventilation,” “cardiac arrest,” “cardiopulmonary resuscitation,” “mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation,” and their related terms. We included all studies (human clinical or animal-based research studies, as well as studies using simulation models) to explore the various ventilation settings during mechanical CPR. We identified 842 relevant articles on PubMed and 397 on BioMed Central; a total of 38 papers were judged to be specifically related to the subject of this review. Of this sample, 17 studies were conducted on animal models, 6 considered a simulated scenario, 13 were clinical studies (5 of which were retrospective), and 2 studies constituted literature review articles. The main finding arising from the assessment of these publications is that a high [Formula: see text] must be guaranteed during CPR. Low-grade evidence suggests turning off inspiratory triggering and applying PEEP ≥ 5 cm H(2)O. The analysis also revealed that many uncertainties persist regarding the ideal choice of ventilation mode, tidal volume, the ventilation rate setting, and the inspiratory:expiratory ratio. None of the current international guidelines indicate the “best” mechanical ventilation strategy to apply during mechanical CPR. We propose an operating algorithm worthy of future discussion and study. Future studies specifically addressing the topics covered in this review are required.

Novel coronavirus spread rapidly around the world infecting millions of people. It was thus declared a pandemic. This new virus damages the lungs. In the most severe cases, it leads to acute respiratory failure that requires intensive care treatment. However, many clinical reports have listed different neurological symptoms, leading to increased interest in the neurological involvement of COVID-19. Various pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed to explain these neurological aspects. Direct viral invasion of the nervous system, systemic cytokine storm and severe hypoxemia are key factors in the development of symptoms. Critically ill patients present several additional risk factors for nervous system damage. Reasons for these include deep sedation and extended muscular paralysis, bed rest for several days, and the inability to receive proper physical rehabilitation. After ICU treatment, COVID-19 patients generally require an extensive rehabilitation program. However, distancing restrictions mean that in many cases physiotherapists are unable to enter ICUs, delaying the process of rehabilitation. The role of telemedicine should be considered as an adjunctive tool in the rehabilitation of critically ill COVID-19 patients.