Project description:Simple Summary Surgical resection is the optimal treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), despite a high risk of recurrence. We performed a retrospective analysis of survival after recurrence (SAR) of HCC after liver resection. Time to recurrence and treatment at recurrence are major prognostic factors of SAR. However, after curative treatment at recurrence, Overall survival is not significantly different between patients who recurred or not, whatever the time of recurrence. Abstract Surgical resection is the optimal treatment for HCC, despite a high risk of recurrence. Few data are available on patient’s survival after resection. This is a retrospective study of tumor recurrence occurring after hepatectomy for HCC from 2000 to 2016. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors of survival after recurrence (SAR). Among 387 patients, 226 recurred (58.4%) with a median SAR of 26 months. Curative treatments (liver transplantation, repeat hepatectomy, thermal ablation) were performed for 44.7% of patients. Independent prognostic factors for SAR were micro-vascular invasion on the primary surgical specimen, size of the initial tumor >5 cm, preoperative AFP, albumin and platelet levels, male gender, number, size and localization of tumors at recurrence, time to recurrence, Child–Pugh score and treatment at recurrence. In subgroup analysis, early recurrence (46%) was associated with a decrease in SAR, by contrast with late recurrence. However, the overall survival (OS) of patients with early recurrence and curative treatment did not significantly differ from that of non-recurring patients. For late recurrence, OS did not significantly differ from that of non-recurring patients, regardless of the proposed treatment. Aggressive and repeat treatments are therefore key to improve prognosis of patients with HCC.
Project description:PurposeTaiwan has implemented an integrated prospective payment program (IPP) for prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) patients that consists of four stages of care: intensive care unit (ICU), respiratory care center (RCC), respiratory care ward (RCW), and respiratory home care (RHC). We aimed to investigate the life impact on family caregivers of PMV patients opting for a payment program and compared different care units.MethodA total of 610 questionnaires were recalled. Statistical analyses were conducted by using the chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression model.ResultsThe results indicated no associations between caregivers' stress levels and opting for a payment program. Participants in the non-IPP group spent less time with friends and family owing to caregiver responsibilities. The results of the family domain show that the RHC group (OR = 2.54) had worsened family relationships compared with the ICU group; however, there was less psychological stress in the RCC (OR = 0.54) and RCW (OR = 0.16) groups than in the ICU group. In the social domain, RHC interviewees experienced reduced friend and family interactivity (OR = 2.18) and community or religious activities (OR = 2.06) than the ICU group. The RCW group felt that leisure and work time had less effect (OR = 0.37 and 0.41) than the ICU group. Furthermore, RCW interviewees (OR = 0.43) were less influenced by the reduced family income than the ICU group in the economic domain.ConclusionsRHC family caregivers had the highest level of stress, whereas family caregivers in the RCW group had the lowest level of stress.
Project description:RationaleAlthough caregiver burden is well described in chronic illness, few studies have examined burden among caregivers of survivors of critical illness. In existing studies, it is unclear whether the observed burden is a consequence of critical illness or of preexisting patient illness.ObjectivesTo describe 1-yr longitudinal outcomes for caregivers of patients who survived critical illness, and to compare depression risk between caregivers of patients with and without pre-intensive care unit (ICU) functional dependency.MethodsProspective, parallel, cohort study of survivors of prolonged (greater than 48 h) mechanical ventilation and their informal caregivers. Caregivers were divided into two cohorts on the basis of whether patients were functionally independent (n = 99, 59%), or dependent (n = 70, 41%) before admission. Functional dependency was defined as dependency in one or more activities of daily living or in three or more instrumental activities of daily living. Patient and caregiver outcomes were measured 2, 6, and 12 mo after mechanical ventilation initiation.Measurements and main resultsWe studied three caregiver outcomes: depression risk, lifestyle disruption, and employment reduction. Most patients were male (59.8%), with a mean (SD) age of 56.6 (19.0) yr. Caregivers were mostly female (75.7%), with a mean (SD) age of 54.6 (14.7) yr. Prevalence of caregiver depression risk was high at all time points (33.9, 30.8, and 22.8%; p = 0.83) and did not vary by patient pre-ICU functional status. Lifestyle disruption and employment reduction were also common and persistent.ConclusionsDepression symptoms, lifestyle disruption, and employment reduction were common among informal caregivers of critical illness survivors. Depression risk was high regardless of patient pre-ICU functional status.
Project description:BackgroundAn increasing number of patients require prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) to survive recovery from critical care. It should be emphasized that PMV is a neglected disease in chest medicine. We investigated 6 years of clinical outcomes and long-term survival rates of patients who required PMV.MethodsWe analyzed retrospectively data from patients in respiratory care center (RCC) to investigate the main causes of respiratory failure leading patients to require PMV. We also studied the factors that influence the ventilator weaned rate, factors that influence the long-term ventilator dependence of patients who require PMV, as well as patients' hospital mortality and long-term survival rates.ResultsA total of 574 patients were admitted to RCC during the 6 years. Of these, 428 patients (74.6%) were older than 65 years. A total of 391 patients (68.1%) were successfully weaned from the ventilator while 83 patients (14.4%) were unsuccessfully weaned. A total of 95 patients (16.6%) died during RCC hospitalization. The most common cause of acute respiratory failure leading to patients requiring PMV was pneumonia. The factor that affected whether patients were successfully weaned from the ventilator was the cause of the respiratory failure that lead patients to require PMV. Our hospital mortality rate was 32.4%; the 1-year survival rate was 24.3%. There was a strong correlation between higher patient age and higher hospital mortality rate and poor 1-year survival rate. Patients with no comorbidity demonstrated good 1-year survival rates. Patients with four comorbidities and patients with end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis comorbidity showed poor 1-year survival rates.ConclusionsThe factor that affected whether patients were successfully weaned from the ventilator was the cause of the respiratory failure that lead patients to require PMV. Older patients, patients with renal failure requiring hemodialysis, and those with numerous comorbidities demonstrated poor long-term survival. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.
Project description:BackgroundShort-term mechanical ventilation (MV) protects against sepsis-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction. Prolonged MV induces diaphragmatic dysfunction in non-septic animals, but few reports describe the effects of prolonged MV in sepsis. We hypothesized that prolonged MV is not protective but worsens the diaphragmatic dysfunction induced by a mild sepsis, because MV and sepsis share key signaling mechanisms, such as cytokine upregulation.MethodWe studied the impact of prolonged MV (12 h) in four groups (n = 8) of male Wistar rats: 1) endotoxemia induced by intraperitoneal injection of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide, 2) MV without endotoxemia, 3) combination of endotoxemia and MV and 4) sham control. Diaphragm mechanical performance, pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations (Tumor Necrosis Factor-?, Interleukin-1?, Interleukin-6) in plasma were measured.ResultsProlonged MV and sepsis independtly reduced maximum diaphragm force (-27%, P = 0.003; -37%, P<0.001; respectively). MV and sepsis acted additively to further decrease diaphragm force (-62%, P<0.001). Similar results were observed for diaphragm kinetics (maximum lengthening velocity -47%, P<0.001). Sepsis and MV reduced diaphragm cross sectional area of type I and IIx fibers, which was further increased by the combination of sepsis and MV (all P<0.05). Sepsis and MV were individually associated with the presence of a robust perimysial inflammatory infiltrate, which was more marked when sepsis and MV were both present (all P<0.05). Sepsis and, to a lesser extent, MV increased proinflammatory cytokine production in plasma and diaphragm (all P<0.05); proinflammatory cytokine expression in plasma was increased further by the combination of sepsis and MV (all P<0.05). Maximum diaphragm force correlated negatively with plasma and diaphragmatic cytokine production (all p<0.05).ConclusionsProlonged (12 h) MV exacerbated sepsis-induced decrease in diaphragm performance. Systemic and diaphragmatic overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines may contribute to diaphragm weakness.
Project description:IntroductionPrediction of death and prolonged mechanical ventilation is important in terms of projecting resource utilization and in establishing protocols for clinical studies of acute lung injury (ALI). We aimed to identify risk factors for a combined end-point of death and/or prolonged ventilator dependence and developed an ALI-specific prediction model.MethodsIn this retrospective analysis of three multicenter clinical studies, we identified predictors of death or ventilator dependence from variables prospectively recorded during the first three days of mechanical ventilation. After the prediction model was derived in an international cohort of patients with ALI, it was validated in two independent samples of patients enrolled in a clinical trial involving 17 academic centers and a North American population-based cohort.ResultsA combined end-point of death and/or ventilator dependence at 14 days or later occurred in 68% of patients in the international cohort, 60% of patients in the clinical trial, and 59% of patients in the population-based cohort. In the derivation cohort, a model based on age, oxygenation index on day 3, and cardiovascular failure on day 3 predicted death and/or ventilator dependence. The prediction model performed better in the clinical trial validation cohort (area under the receiver operating curve 0.81, 95% confidence interval 0.77 to 0.84) than in the population-based validation cohort (0.71, 95% confidence interval 0.65 to 0.76).ConclusionA model based on age and cardiopulmonary function three days after the intubation is able to predict, moderately well, a combined end-point of death and/or prolonged mechanical ventilation in patients with ALI.
Project description:Patients with impending respiratory failure often require mechanical ventilation to optimize gas exchange. Although this form of assisted ventilation is required for survival, its persistent use results in diaphragm weakness and muscle fiber atrophy. There is strong evidence that mechanical ventilation alters the structure and function of the diaphragm, resulting in prolonged dependence on assisted ventilation and long-term consequences such as a delayed functional recovery, reduced quality of life and increased risk of mortality. This review summarizes the mechanisms underlying diaphragm dysfunction due to prolonged mechanical ventilation, highlights the role of inspiratory muscle exercise as a strategy to counter diaphragm weakness, and identifies the parameters of an evidence-supported exercise prescription for difficult to wean patients.
Project description:Successful weaning from ventilators not only improves the quality of life of patients, but also reduces medical expenses. The aim of this study was to explore the association between nutritional provision and successful ventilator weaning. In this retrospective study data from the Respiratory Care Center of Chung Shan Medical University Hospital between October, 2017 and July, 2019 on patient characteristics, amount of nutrition delivered, and clinical outcomes were retrieved. A total of 280 ventilated patients were enrolled and divided into successful extubation and failed weaning groups. There were 178 males (63.6%) and 102 females (36.4%) with a mean age of 67.3 ± 16.9 years. The successful extubation group consisted of patients who tended towards ideal body weight during the weaning process (BMI 23.9 ± 5.0 versus 22.7 ± 4.8 kg/m2, p < 0.001). Patients from both groups initially received the same nutritional intervention, while patients of successful extubation received significantly more calories and protein after weaning (23.8 ± 7.8 kcal versus 27.8 ± 9.1 kcal, p < 0.001 and 0.97 ± 0.36 g versus 1.14 ± 0.42 g, p < 0.001). Successful weaning was associated with higher survival rate (p = 0.016), shortened hospital stay (p = 0.001), and reduced medical costs (p < 0.001). Overall, nutritional support with high calories and protein was associated with the probability of successful ventilator weaning in patients undergoing prolonged mechanical ventilation. Adequate nutrition is a determinant of successful ventilator weaning.
Project description:ObjectivesUpper airway injury is a recognized complication of prolonged endotracheal intubation, yet little attention has been paid to the consequences of laryngeal injury and functional impact. The purpose of our study was to prospectively define the incidence of acute laryngeal injury and investigate the impact of injury on breathing and voice outcomes.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingTertiary referral critical care center.PatientsConsecutive adult patients intubated greater than 12 hours in the medical ICU from August 2017 to May 2018 who underwent laryngoscopy within 36 hours of extubation.InterventionsLaryngoscopy following endotracheal intubation.Measurements and main resultsOne hundred consecutive patients (62% male; median age, 58.5 yr) underwent endoscopic examination after extubation. Acute laryngeal injury (i.e., mucosal ulceration or granulation tissue in the larynx) was present in 57 patients (57%). Patients with laryngeal injury had significantly worse patient-reported breathing (Clinical Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Questionnaire: median, 1.05; interquartile range, 0.48-2.10) and vocal symptoms (Voice Handicap Index-10: median, 2; interquartile range, 0-6) compared with patients without injury (Clinical Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Questionnaire: median, 0.20; interquartile range, 0-0.80; p < 0.001; and Voice Handicap Index-10: median, 0; interquartile range, 0-1; p = 0.005). Multivariable logistic regression independently associated diabetes, body habitus, and endotracheal tube size greater than 7.0 with the development of laryngeal injury.ConclusionsAcute laryngeal injury occurs in more than half of patients who receive mechanical ventilation and is associated with significantly worse breathing and voicing 10 weeks after extubation. An endotracheal tube greater than size 7.0, diabetes, and larger body habitus may predispose to injury. Our results suggest that acute laryngeal injury impacts functional recovery from critical illness.