Acute and Critical Care

Pulmonary
Early bronchoscopy in severe pneumonia patients in intensive care unit: insights from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV database analysis: Chiwon Ahn, Yeonkyung Park, Yoonseok Oh; Acute Crit Care. 2024;39(1):179-185. Published online February 15, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2023.01165

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Abstract PDF: Background
Pneumonia frequently leads to intensive care unit (ICU) admission and is associated with a high mortality risk. This study aimed to assess the impact of early bronchoscopy administered within 3 days of ICU admission on mortality in patients with pneumonia using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV (MIMIC-IV) database. Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis was conducted using the MIMIC-IV data from 2008 to 2019. Adult ICU-admitted patients diagnosed with pneumonia were included in this study. The patients were stratified into two cohorts based on whether they underwent early bronchoscopy. The primary outcome was the 28-day mortality rate. Propensity score matching was used to balance confounding variables. Results: In total, 8,916 patients with pneumonia were included in the analysis. Among them, 783 patients underwent early bronchoscopy within 3 days of ICU admission, whereas 8,133 patients did not undergo early bronchoscopy. The primary outcome of the 28-day mortality between two groups had no significant difference even after propensity matched cohorts (22.7% vs. 24.0%, P=0.589). Patients undergoing early bronchoscopy had prolonged ICU (P<0.001) and hospital stays (P<0.001) and were less likely to be discharged to home (P<0.001). Conclusions: Early bronchoscopy in severe pneumonia patients in the ICU did not reduce mortality but was associated with longer hospital stays, suggesting it was used in more severe cases. Therefore, when considering bronchoscopy for these patients, it's important to tailor the decision to each individual case, thoughtfully balancing the possible advantages with the related risks.

Pulmonary
Safety and feasibility of hybrid tracheostomy: Daeun Kang, In Beom Jeong, Sun Jung Kwon, Ji Woong Son, Gwan Woo Ku; Acute Crit Care. 2021;36(4):369-373. Published online November 26, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.00801

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Background
Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is widely used in intensive care units, but this conventional method has some disadvantages, such as requirement of a lot of equipment and experts at the site. Especially, in situations where the patient is isolated due to an infectious disease, difficulties in using the equipment may occur, and the number of exposed persons may increase. In this paper, we introduce hybrid tracheostomy that combines the advantages of surgical tracheostomy and PDT and describe our experiences.
Methods
Data from 55 patients who received hybrid tracheostomy without bronchoscopy from January 2020 to February 2021 were collected and reviewed retrospectively. Hybrid tracheostomy was performed at the bedside by a single thoracic surgeon. The hybrid tracheostomy method was as follows: after the skin was incised and the trachea was exposed, only the extent of the endotracheal tube that could not be removed was withdrawn, and then tracheostomy was performed by the Seldinger method using a PDT kit.
Results
The average age was 66.5 years, and the proportion of men was 69.1%. Among the patients, 21.8% were taking antiplatelet drugs and 14.5% were taking anticoagulants. The average duration of the procedure was 13.3 minutes. There was no major bleeding, and there was one case of paratracheal placement of the tracheostomy tube.
Conclusions
In most patients, the procedure can be safely performed without any major complications. However, patients with a short neck, a neck burn or patients who have received radiation therapy to the neck should be treated with conventional methods.

Citations

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A Modified Technique for Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy
Zahra Ghotbi, Mehrdad Estakhr, Mehdi Nikandish, Reza Nikandish
Journal of Intensive Care Medicine.2023; 38(9): 878. CrossRef

Pulmonary
The Role of Transbronchial Lung Biopsy in Diagnosing Pulmonary Mucormycosis in a Critical Care Unit: Yoonki Hong, Jinkyeong Park; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2017;32(2):205-210. Published online May 31, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2017.00150

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Abstract PDF: Background
Pulmonary mucormycosis (PM) is an emerging infectious disease and a life-threatening infection with high mortality. The clinical outcomes of PM have not improved significantly over the last decade because early diagnosis of PM is difficult and antifungal agents show limited activity. We evaluated the clinical manifestations of PM in a Korean tertiary hospital and identified the role of transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) in diagnosing PM in patients admitted to an intensive care unit.
Methods
The medical records of adult patients (aged 16 years and older) who met the criteria for proven or probable PM in a Korean tertiary hospital were retrospectively reviewed from January 2003 to December 2013. The clinical features, computed tomographic findings, diagnostic methods, treatment, and outcomes in patients with PM were evaluated.
Results
Of the nine patients, four were male. The median age was 64 years (range, 12 to 73 years). PM was proven and probable in seven and two cases, respectively. Computed tomography findings of PM were unilateral involvement in eight cases (89%), consolidation in eight (89%), ground glass opacity in four (44%), and reverse halo sign in one (11%). Six of nine cases (67%) were diagnosed as PM from TBLB via portable bronchoscopy. There were no complications after TBLB. Mortality rate was 56% (five of nine cases).
Conclusions
TBLB can be an easy and useful technique for diagnosing PM in the intensive care unit.

Pulmonary
A Reinforced Endotracheal Tube Completely Severed by a Patient Bite and Lodged in the Right Main Bronchus: Susie Yoon, Hyunjung Choo, Se Eun Kim, Heeyeon Kwon, Hannah Lee; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2017;32(1):70-73. Published online November 14, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2016.00437

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Abstract PDF

Reinforced endotracheal tubes (ETTs) are designed to resist kinking or compression. However, these have a potential risk of being obstructed or severed by a patient’s bite. We report a case in which a reinforced ETT was severed by tube-bite while the patient was in the prone position during an intensive care unit stay. Bronchoscopic evaluation showed that the severed distal part of the tube had lodged in the patient’s right main bronchus, and it had to be surgically removed. The patency of reinforced ETTs should be carefully monitored in patients intubated in the prone position.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Anaesthesia for reconstructive free flap surgery for head and neck cancer
Peter McCauley, Michael Moore, Edel Duggan
British Journal of Hospital Medicine.2022; 83(5): 1. CrossRef
Endotracheal Tube Obstruction Among Patients Mechanically Ventilated for ARDS Due to COVID-19: A Case Series
Samuel Wiles, Eduardo Mireles-Cabodevila, Scott Neuhofs, Sanjay Mukhopadhyay, Jordan P. Reynolds, Umur Hatipoğlu
Journal of Intensive Care Medicine.2021; 36(5): 604. CrossRef
Complete Endotracheal Tube Transection by Patient Bite: A Case Report and Algorithm for Fragment Identification and Extraction
Annette Ilg, Matthias Eikermann, Andrew J. Synn
A&A Practice.2021; 15(3): e01428. CrossRef
Importance of Capnography Monitoring in Critical Ill Patients
Young-Kown Ko
The Korean Journal of Critical Care Medicine.2017; 32(1): 79. CrossRef

Pulmonary
Lobar Bronchial Rupture with Persistent Atelectasis after Blunt Trauma: Jun Hyun Kim, Kyung Woo Kim, Chu Sung Cho, Sang Il Lee, Ji Yeon Kim, Kyung Tae Kim, Won Joo Choe, Jang Su Park, Jung Won Kim; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2014;29(4):344-347. Published online November 30, 2014; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2014.29.4.344

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Abstract PDF: Rupture limited to the lobar bronchus from blunt trauma is especially rare, and the symptoms are light so diagnosis is difficult. In a patient who visited the hospital complaining of shortness of breath after falling down, atelectasis continued in the chest x-ray. Four days after visiting the hospital, a left upper lobar bronchial rupture was diagnosed through a bronchoscopy and 3 dimensional chest computerized tomography. When diagnosis is delayed in the case of a rupture limited to the lobar bronchus, bronchial obstruction can occur from the formation of granulation tissue, so regular monitoring is important. Therefore, when atelectasis continues after blunt trauma, it is important to differentially diagnose a lobar bronchial rupture through tests such as bronchoscopy.

Pulmonary
Obstructive Fibrinous Tracheal Pseudomembrane Presented with Atelectasis: Jick Hwan Ha, Hyewon Lee, Young Jae Park, Hyeon Hui Kang, Hwa Sik Moon, Sang Haak Lee; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2014;29(2):110-113. Published online May 31, 2014; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2014.29.2.110

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Abstract PDF

Obstructive fibrinous tracheal pseudomembrane (OFTP) is a rare condition usually associated with endotracheal intubation. Airway obstruction caused by OFTP may occur after endotracheal tube extubation and can lead to severe respiratory distress. It is a rare but potentially fatal complication. In this report, we present a case of OFTP presented with atelectasis that caused dyspnea after extubation and was successfully treated by mechanical removal using a rigid bronchoscope.

Citations

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Obstructive Fibrinous Tracheal Pseudomembrane
Yoann Ammar, Juliette Vella-Boucaud, Claire Launois, Hervé Vallerand, Sandra Dury, François Lebargy, Gaëtan Deslee, Jeanne-Marie Perotin
Anesthesia & Analgesia.2017; 125(1): 172. CrossRef
Obstructive Fibrinous Tracheal Pseudomembrane: An Update
Alberto Manassero, Matteo Bossolasco
Korean Journal of Critical Care Medicine.2014; 29(3): 241. CrossRef

Pulmonary
Extraction of Endobronchial Tooth by Flexible Bronchoscopy Using Fishnet Basket in Patients of Intensive Care Unit with Artificial Airway: Kyung Chan Kim; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2014;29(1):38-42. Published online February 28, 2014; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2014.29.1.38

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Abstract PDF

Foreign body aspiration into the tracheobronchial tree can cause serious problems. Tooth aspiration can occur during emergency endotracheal intubation. However, removal of a tooth from the airway is difficult because of the round shape and smooth surface of the tooth. Here, I report extraction of a tooth from the airway by flexible bronchoscopy using fishnet basket in intensive care patients. The procedure was performed in six patients. All patients were critically ill with an artificial airway (n = 4; endotracheal tube, n = 2; tracheostomy tube). The tooth location was right bronchial tree in three patients and left bronchial tree in three patients. Tooth extraction failed in two patients because the teeth were impacted in the distal bronchus during bronchoscopy. There was no complication such as life threatening arrhythmia or hypoxemia during the procedure. Using flexible bronchoscopy with a fishnet basket, we were able to extract aspirated teeth from patients with an artificial airway.

Citations

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Retrieval of Aspirated Teeth in an Adult Polytrauma Patient using Pediatric Flexible Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy Allied with Endoscopic Rat Tooth Alligator Jaw Grasping Forceps
Ali Al Bshabshe, Omprakash Palanivel, Amer Hassan Assiri, Nasser Mohammed Alwadai
Indian Journal of Respiratory Care.2020; 9(2): 236. CrossRef

A Case of Laryngeal Mask Airway-Assisted Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy: Ji Young Park, Taehoon Lee, Hongyeul Lee, Jae Ho Lee, Choon Taek Lee, Young Jae Cho; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2013;28(3):184-186.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2013.28.3.184

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Abstract PDF: Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is a widely used method to perform tracheostomy in the critical care medicine for patients who need prolonged mechanical ventilation. Traditionally, PDT has been facilitated by bronchoscopy via the endotracheal tube. However, there are risks for blocking the view of correct puncture site on the trachea or being extubated unintentionally, which lead to loss of the airway. These complications are possibly due to insufficient bronchoscopic visualizations via endotracheal tube during the procedure. Using laryngeal mask airways (LMA) during PDT may overcome these problems and could provide a safer alternative method with superior visualizations of the trachea and larynx. We report a case of percutaneous tracheostomy being performed successfully under bronchoscopy with LMA in the intensive care unit.

Stress Related Cardiomyopathy during Flexible Bronchoscopy: Jung Ar Shin, Ji Yoon Ha, Sang Yong Kim, Byoung Kwon Lee, Hyung Jung Kim, Chul Min Ahn, Yoon Soo Chang; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2013;28(2):127-132.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2013.28.2.127

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Abstract PDF: Flexible bronchoscopy is a safe medical procedure, but the incidence rate of major complications is 0.08-0.3%. Here, we report 2 cases of stress induced cardiomyopathy, which developed immediately after flexible bronchoscopy. Stress related cardiomyopathy was confirmed by EKG, echocardiography, and coronary angiogram. The cardiac functions of these patients were fully recovered with conservative treatment. Although, the pathogenesis of stress related cardiomyopathy is not well understood, post-bronchoscopy tachycardia or arrhythmia is thought to be associated with hypoxemia or catecholamine excess. Because the clinical presentation is quite similar to acute myocardial infarction, discrete evaluations are required for appropriate treatment.

Five Successful Experiences in the Treatment of Charcoal Aspiration with Bronchoscopic Toilet: A Case Report: Young Il Kim, Jae Seok Park, Jae Sung Choi, Sung Shik Jou, Hyo Wook Gil, Sae Yong Hong; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2012;27(3):202-206.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2012.27.3.202

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Abstract PDF: Although activated charcoal is an effective treatment for most toxic ingestions, aspiration of activated charcoal can be fatal. Here, we report that in 5 charcoal aspiration cases, bronchoscopy with suction and lavage was an effective way to remove charcoal from the lungs. Patients showed high APACHE II scores (range: 10-29), and either low PO2 levels, or low CO2 retention. After bronchoscopic removal of the aspirated charcoal, symptoms of hypoxia, CO2 retention, localized wheezing, and pneumonic infiltration as determined by chest radiography, improved in most patients. We report 5 cases of successful treatment of charcoal aspiration with bronchoscopic toilet.

Ventricular Fibrillation Soon after Endobronchial Epinephrine Application in a Young Man: A Case Report: Young Min Shin, Jong Hyung Kim, Hyung Wook Kim, Bo Sik Choi, Jin Gyu Jeong, Jung Won Hwang, Kwang Won Seo, Jong Joon Ahn, Seung Won Ra; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2011;26(4):276-280.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2011.26.4.276

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Abstract PDF

Ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest rarely occur after local application of epinephrine. Local and superficial application of epinephrine is a common hemostatic method during bronchoscopy, especially after biopsies. Although high plasma levels following endobronchial application of epinephrine have been observed in previous animal studies, there is no report of ventricular fibrillation after a usual dose of endobronchial application of epinephrine during bronchoscopy. We present a case of endobronchial epinephrine-induced ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest in a 31-year-old man with no previous history of cardiac disease.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Stress Related Cardiomyopathy during Flexible Bronchoscopy
Jung Ar Shin, Ji Yoon Ha, Sang Yong Kim, Byoung Kwon Lee, Hyung Jung Kim, Chul Min Ahn, Yoon Soo Chang
Korean Journal of Critical Care Medicine.2013; 28(2): 127. CrossRef

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