Clinical Research Directory

The Course of Acute Respiratory Failure in Geriatric Patients With Hip Fracture Using Different Modes of a Vibroacoustic Device for the Lungs

A medical professional trained in the procedure and use of the device will conduct the vibroacoustic therapy session. He will also take blood samples. In the control group, patients will undergo vibroacoustic pulmonary therapy in the "Pneumonia" mode, and in the control group, in the "Prevention" mode. Vibroacoustic pulmonary therapy will be conducted over a period of 5 days. A similar algorithm of actions is planned for both groups. VALT sessions will be conducted 4-6 times a day for 5 minutes in combination with treatment according to the protocol for the use of "Vibroacoustic Therapy" of the lungs of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The device's emitters will be applied to the affected areas of the lungs. Since the device has long cords for the emitters and is portable, it is not difficult to change the patient's position and does not require their active participation, which is important for patients on ventilators and with limited mobility.

Neonatal Enterovirus Infections in Italy: Virological Characterization, Genomic and Clinical-epidemiological Insights on Echovirus 11

The Enterovirus genus, belonging to the Picornaviridae family, consists of positively polarized single-stranded RNA viruses classified into the species Enterovirus (EV, comprising Coxsackievirus, Echovirus and Poliovirus) A-J and Rhinovirus (RV) A-C, of which more than 200 different genotypes have been described. Enteroviruses have a global spread and are a common cause of febrile, gastroenteric and exanthematous diseases, usually self-limiting, which are widespread in infants and pediatric populations. However, they can occasionally cause serious diseases, including meningoencephalitis, myelitis, paralysis, myocarditis, sepsis, severe respiratory syndromes, and acute hepatitis. They can be transmitted by respiratory route, with most cases in temperate regions occurring during summer and early autumn. Enteroviruses are characterized by a rapid evolution determined by the high mutation rate (due to the presence of an RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase that lacks proofreading activity) and the high probability of undergoing recombination events. The latter, in particular inter-typical recombination, plays a crucial role in the evolutionary process of Enteroviruses and has been recognized as a major cause of the emergence of strains with higher pathogenicity and/or epidemic potential, although the associated genetic determinants are not known to date. Between July 2022 and April 2023, nine cases of neonatal Echovirus 11 (E-11) infection with severe liver failure and neurological and myocardial involvement were reported in France; seven of these cases resulted in fatal outcomes. Following these reports, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an alert that quickly led to the identification of further cases in Italy, Spain, Croatia and the United Kingdom. As EV infections are not subject to systematic surveillance, there is a lack of data on the actual burden of disease associated with these infections. Thus, EV infections are underestimated and, even more so, data on their typing are scarce - if not absent -, which involve second-level analyses that are generally not carried out routinely in clinical microbiological diagnostic laboratories, are rarely available and are not systematically collected, not even at European level. A condition that therefore makes it impossible to estimate either the impact of EV infections in general, and of E-11 in particular, or the risk factors related to the most serious cases and the most significant transmission routes. Moreover, the characteristics of the immunological and inflammatory response to infection remain to be defined. These elements would allow, if available, the formulation of a specific case definition to ensure rapid laboratory confirmation and recognition of the disease.To strengthen knowledge of the spread and impact of enterovirus infections in newborns, with a focus on E-11, by carrying out the following activities, within the scope of the project's proposed objectives: design and pilot implementation (proof of concept) of epidemiological and genomic surveillance systems with potential national application; molecular characterization and evaluation of viral pathogenic features; search for possible immunological markers and host risk factors associated with severe EV disease, including E-11. Specific objectives 1. To implement and validate a protocol for screening activities in neonatal units and neonatal intensive care units aimed at checking for the presence of infections caused by EV and identifying severe forms of infection, with particular attention to E-11. 2. Characterize EV strains, identified within the activities carried out by specific objectives 1, using next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches to obtain the whole genome sequence and identify possible recombinant forms. Carry out phylogenetic analysis of the obtained sequences compared with those deposited in the main international databases, to define genomes that can be traced back to variant strains or with specific mutations in the genome.

Respiratory Microbioma and Respiratory Complications After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantion

Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is a therapeutic resource for many haemopathies. The number of HSCTs has risen sharply in recent years due to the use of attenuated conditioning, which has increased the risk of non-haematological complications. Pulmonary pathologies are a frequent cause of complications following HSCA, both infectious and non-infectious(1,3,4). Among these, late non-infectious pulmonary complications (LNIPC), all taken together, occur in 25% of post-HSCA cases(1). These NIPCs, the most common of which is bronchiolitis obliterans, significantly alter the prognosis(4,5). The pathophysiology of CPTNI is poorly understood, but it seems that the occurrence of a viral respiratory infection (pre- or post-ACSH) may be a potential trigger for the onset of CPTNI(1). These viral infections can become "chronic", given that viral clearance is impaired by the underlying immunodepression, and can thus cause chronic inflammation leading to the fibrosing and irreversible process of obliterative bronchiolitis(6). Given the prognostic importance of this type of CPTNI, it seems essential to gain a better understanding of its pathophysiology, which may involve a number of mechanisms: cellular expression of the graft and its evolution, disruption of the host response (innate immunity) following viral infection, influence of the microbiome and alteration of epithelial repair(1,3,5). Interest in the digestive and respiratory microbiome has been growing in recent years(7-9). The literature is gradually being enriched with data on the links between infection, the microbiome and chronic respiratory pathology and, in the post-HSCA context, a potential link between the enteric microbiome and Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (cGVHD). A pilot study comparing respiratory microbiomes using sequencing and metatranscriptomic analysis on 20 respiratory samples (nasopharyngeal swab and bronchoalveolar lavage pairs) taken under the conditions of the proposed study showed that the technique was highly feasible and highly sensitive. The aim of this study is therefore to use meta-genomics to investigate the respiratory virome/microbiome in a population of patients who have undergone HSCA: eukaryotic and prokaryotic viruses, bacterial expression and the expression (meta-transcriptomics) of graft-derived cell lines and their possible association with the occurrence of post-HSCA respiratory complications (infectious and non-infectious). No study has assessed the link between the composition of the respiratory virome/microbiome and the occurrence of respiratory events (infectious and CPTNI post ACSH), but also more broadly the link with the composition of the microbiome in the broad sense (respiratory virome, respiratory and digestive microbiota). The aim of this study is to establish a respiratory viral and bacterial map as a possible biomarker of the occurrence of respiratory events (infectious and CPTNI), thus enabling more personalised monitoring of patients at risk of CPTNI and management of immunosuppressive treatment of patients at risk of an infectious episode, with risk assessment based on the composition of the respiratory virome. The interest of this study is that it is multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary, studying the respiratory pathologies and infections of haematology patients and combining clinical and fundamental research, with expected spin-offs for direct patient care (personalised monitoring and management of immunosuppressive treatments).

The PRIMROSE Trial

Smoking is a major cause for developing lung cancer. People diagnosed with lung cancer, may be offered surgery which offers a complete cure. Smoking also damages the lungs and compromises a person's lung function, resulting in shortness of breath. Breathlessness limits the ability to carry out daily physical activities and exercise and makes people vulnerable to developing post procedure complications and even death. Some people with surgically treatable lung cancer have a poor ability to exercise and compromised lung function and are not fit for surgery. They will instead be referred for radiation therapy, chemotherapy or palliative care. Surgery is the preferred treatment option. The pulmonary rehabilitation program (Prehab) improves fitness levels. In addition, it improves the level of breathlessness, exercise capacity and vulnerability of people with lung cancer, with the aim of making them fit for safe surgery. By adding a breathing training device to the Prehab program, the investigators aim to further improve participants fitness for surgery, lower their risk of developing complications and the time spent in hospital after the procedure. The breathing training device is called an inspiratory muscle training device. The hand-held device helps to train and strengthen the breathing muscles, which are then able to work more effectively. After the procedure, participants may be able to breathe and exercise more easily reducing their risk of developing complications and improving outcomes. The study will compare two groups of people with lung cancer having surgical removal of part of the lung, at a specialist hospital . One group will receive standard Prehab and inspiratory muscle training with the device prior to the procedure; patients in the second group with receive standard Prehab prior to the procedure. Participants will be followed up for twelve months.

Comparison of the Effects of Target-Controlled Infusion Method and Manual Propofol Administration on Respiratory Function, Recovery, and Electroencephalogram in Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Cases

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has become widely used as a minimally invasive alternative for the resection of early-stage gastrointestinal neoplasms. Due to the lengthy procedure time and intense pain caused by stretching, cutting, and dissecting the gastric wall during ESD, a deeper level of sedation is recommended compared to traditional endoscopic procedures (1). While ensuring adequate patient immobilisation during ESD, preserving respiratory function and rapid recovery are important clinical goals. Total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) is an alternative method to inhalation anaesthesia, achieved through the combination of agents such as propofol and remifentanil. TIVA applications can be performed using manual or target-controlled infusion (TCI) systems. TCI systems aim to achieve and maintain the targeted plasma or effect site concentration based on pharmacokinetic models. These systems have been shown to provide advantages such as more stable depth of sedation during endoscopy, less haemodynamic fluctuation, and faster recovery (2-4). Preserving spontaneous breathing is preferred during ESD procedures, which requires careful monitoring of respiration. The Capnostream® device records four variables (SpO₂, RR, non-invasive EtCO₂, heart rate) every 30 seconds via a nasal cannula and integrates them into a single, dimensionless value called the integrated pulmonary index (IPI). The IPI can range from 1 to 10, with 4 and below requiring intervention and 8 to 10 representing the normal range. Furthermore, the use of the bispectral index (BIS) enables objective monitoring of anaesthesia depth by analysing EEG waves and can increase the safety of the recovery process (5). This study aims to compare the effects of manual TIVA and TCI applications on recovery time, BIS, and respiratory parameters during ESD procedures in the stomach or colon region performed under sedation in the endoscopy unit. The findings will contribute to the safer and more effective planning of sedation applications. References; 1. Sasaki T, Tanabe S, Azuma M, Sato A, Naruke A, Ishido K, et al. Propofol sedation with bispectral index monitoring is useful for endoscopic submucosal dissection: a randomised prospective phase II clinical trial. Endoscopy. 2012 Jun;44(6):584-9. 2. Chang YT, Tsai TC, Hsu H, Chen YM, Chi KP, Peng SY. Sedation for gastrointestinal endoscopy with the application of target-controlled infusion. Turk J Gastroenterol Off J Turk Soc Gastroenterol. 2015 Sep;26(5):417-22. 3. Sarraj R, Theiler L, Vakilzadeh N, Krupka N, Wiest R. Propofol sedation in routine endoscopy: A case series comparing target controlled infusion vs manually controlled bolus concept. World J Gastrointest Endosc. 2024 Jan 16;16(1):11-7. 4. García Guzzo ME, Fernandez MS, Sanchez Novas D, Salgado SS, Terrasa SA, Domenech G, et al. Deep sedation using propofol target-controlled infusion for gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Anaesthesiol. 10 August 2020;20(1):195. 5. Sandler NA, Hodges J, Sabino M. Assessment of recovery in patients undergoing intravenous conscious sedation using bispectral analysis. J Oral Maxillofac Surg Off J Am Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2001 Jun;59(6):603-11; discussion 611-612. 6. Ding Y, White PF. Simplified quality of anaesthesia scoring system. Anaesthesia. 1992 Oct;47(10):906-7.

Deflated and Inflated Cuff Endotracheal Extubations

General anesthesia is a treatment with medicine to make a patient unconscious for surgery. This is sometimes called "being put to sleep" or "being put under." Most of the time, a breathing tube is used to help a machine breathe for patients. The breathing tube has a cuff, which is like a small balloon. After the breathing tube is placed, the cuff is inflated. This keeps the breathing tube in place and keeps fluids like saliva and stomach juices from getting into the windpipe and lungs. When a breathing tube is removed, that is called extubation. Normally, doctors deflate the cuff before removing the breathing tube. This is called deflated cuff extubation. Some doctors worry that keeping the cuff inflated while it is removed can damage the throat or vocal cords. However, some doctors keep the cuff inflated when removing the breathing tube. This is called inflated cuff extubation. These doctors think that keeping the cuff inflated can help keep fluids from entering the airway. Doctors have not studied if deflated cuff extubation is better or worse than inflated cuff extubation. The goal of this study is to see which type of extubation is better at keeping fluids from getting in the airway. Participants who are part of this study will get general anesthesia and have surgery as planned. Near the end of surgery, a small amount of liquid is placed at the back of a participant's mouth. This liquid is called contrast material, and it is like a dye. The contrast material will help determine if any liquid enters the windpipe or lungs. Then, contrast material is removed, along with any other fluids, using normal methods. When it is safe to take the breathing tube out, a deflated cuff extubation or an inflated cuff extubation will be performed. This decision will be made at random, like by the flip of a coin. Information will be collected about participants, the surgery, and how well a participant is breathing. After surgery, a chest x-ray will be taken to see if any of the contrast material is in the windpipe or lungs. Otherwise, everything else after surgery would be normal. 24 to 48 hours after surgery, a member of the research team will ask about any symptoms a participant may have, like sore throat or a hoarse voice. Research would conclude at that time.

Timing of Opioid Administration and Postoperative Respiratory Depression.

The goal of this study is to determine if a relationship can be detected between the administration of an opioid and quantitative respiratory depression in spontaneously breathing non-intubated patients who have undergone general anesthesia and have received perioperative opioids. The primary aim is to determine the temporal effect of opioid administration on respiratory depression as assessed by minute ventilation with a reduction of at least 20% in the percent of predicted minute ventilation. A secondary aim is to determine a dose response of opioid administration and its effect on minute ventilation. The investigators aim to determine the influence of opioid administration on minute ventilation on spontaneously breathing patients during post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay.

Acute Effect of the Thoraco-abdominal Rebalance Method on Diaphragmatic Function, Respiratory Discomfort, Pulmonary Complications and Hemodynamic Variables in Postoperative Cardiac Surgery Patients

Introduction: The thoracoabdominal rebalancing (TAR) method aims to promote diaphragmatic juxtaposition, in addition to seeking to increase respiratory muscle strength and adjust muscle tone. However, scientific publications on this method in heart patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are still scarce, justifying the need to carry out this study for information, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment purposes in the health area with an emphasis on cardiology. Objective: To evaluate whether diaphragmatic ultrasound findings differ between the TAR method and conventional physiotherapy in post-CABG patients. Methods: This is a randomized, single-blind clinical trial. Adults (\>35 years), hemodynamically stable, who underwent CABG (\<24 hours) and had a prescription for physiotherapy will be included. Patients will be randomized into two groups: 1) intervention group \[IG\] - TAR; 2) control group \[CG\] - standard physiotherapy approach. Interventions will be performed at a single time and the following variables will be collected pre- and post-intervention: heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), mean arterial pressure (MAP), diaphragmatic ultrasound (US) to identify possible acute findings in both groups, respiratory distress scale and pulmonary complications scale will be applied at the end of the interventions. Keywords: Physiotherapy; Cardiology; Ultrasonography

Propofol vs Sevoflurane in Cardiac Surgery

The hypothesis of our study: presence of a relationship between the type of anesthesia and complications after cardiac surgery. The aim is to assess the benefit of using intravenous or inhaled anesthesia on the patients\&#39; stay and its complications.

Incidence and Complications of Post-extubation and Post-tracheostomy Dysphagia in Adult Patients in the Critical Care Unit

Acquired Swallowing Disorder in ICU (ICU-ASD), also known as postextubation dysphagia, is a multicausal problem experienced by survivors in intensive care units (ICUs) when the efficiency, safety of swallowing, or both are compromised. These alterations can lead to an increased risk of aspiration, respiratory complications, and malnutrition, potentially resulting in prolonged hospitalization, reduced quality of life, poorer clinical outcomes, and even death. Despite the clinical and social significance of this disorder, there is limited research addressing it. Existing studies primarily focus on incidence and associated factors, with scant attention to the occurrence of complications, and there is a lack of assessment of the quality of life of these patients. In our context, healthcare professionals are increasingly recognizing the importance of this issue, although the real incidence of ICU-ASD, as well as the frequency of respiratory and nutritional complications, remains unknown. Furthermore, the quality of life of patients with this disorder has not been evaluated thus far. Objectives:Primary: To analyze the occurrence of respiratory and nutritional complications associated with ICU-ASD in patients intubated for ≥48 hours or tracheotomized in the Intensive Care Unit of the University Hospital Complex of Albacete (ICU CHUA) and identify potential factors related to their occurrence. Specific: To determine the incidence of ICU-ASD in the polyvalent ICU CHUA, assess the frequency of respiratory complications, evaluate nutritional status, assess quality of life, and determine the mortality of study participants. Material and Method: Prospective observational cohort study. Setting: Polyvalent ICU CHUA. Participants: Intubated patients for ≥48 hours or tracheotomized, with signed consent. Sampling: Consecutive. Sample size: 414 participants. Demographic/clinical variables. Outcome variables: Occurrence of respiratory complications, nutritional status, quality of life. Instruments: Modified Volume-Viscosity Swallowing Test (mV-VST), Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QoL). Dysphagia detection will occur 24 hours post-extubation and/or 4 days after tracheotomy. Follow-up during hospitalization and post-ICU discharge until the outpatient consultation. Statistical analysis: Absolute and relative frequencies, measures of central tendency and dispersion, significance level of p \&amp;amp;lt; 0.05, 95% CI; Bivariate analysis: Checking group homogeneity and hypothesis testing: Chi-square, Student\&amp;amp;#39;s t-test, U-Mann-Whitney, ANOVA, or Kruskal-Wallis.