Clinical Research Directory

Diaphragmatic Speckle Tracking During Spontaneous Breathing Trial

Currently, measurement of transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) using oesophageal and gastric balloons is the gold standard for the assessment of diaphragmatic effort. This technique is relatively invasive and its interpretation may be complex. The diaphragmatic longitudinal strain (LSdi) and strain rate (LSRdi) might provide additional information in the assessment of diaphragmatic effort and movement during SBT, allowing early detection of diaphragmatic dysfunction. Patients will be monitored during a 30-120 minutes SBT consisting of no assistance on the ventilator using CPAP with a pressure level of 0 cmH2O. Parameters to evaluate diaphragm function will include diaphragmatic strain (LSdi and LSRdi), diaphragmatic thickening fraction (TFdi), and airway occlusion pressure (ΔP0.1 and ΔPocc). These parameters will be measured immediately before ('baseline') the SBT, as well as 2 minutes ('early' assessment), 15 ('intermediate' assessment) and 30 minutes ('late' assessment) after the beginning of the SBT.

Effect of a Personalized Weaning Strategy on Weaning Success

Weaning from mechanical ventilation is a daily challenge in intensive care units, as it can take up to 50% of the total duration of ventilation. The longer the duration of ventilation is, the more there is complication related with it. Even when the spontaneous breathing trial is succeeded, 10 to 20% of extubations are failed and requires re-intubation. There is two different ways to assess if the patient is capable of breathing by its own : T-piece which can be considered as hard to succeed (it can delay extubation for some patients) or pressure support ventilation with no PEEP which can be too easy and lead to an extubation too early. Studies have identified risk factors of weaning induced pulmonary oedema wich is one of the main cause of failed extubation (up to 60%). The purpose of P-WEAN is to evaluate whether a personalized strategy for weaning from mechanical ventilation, including daily search for weaning criteria and individualization of the weaning modality (T-piece or pressure support ventilation with zero PEEP) based on the existence of WIPO risk factors (obesity, COPD, heart disease) improves weaning success compared with usual practice.

Non Invasive Ventilation and Weaning : VENISE Trial

The clinical efficacy of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has now been demonstrated in the management of acute-on-chronic respiratory failure (ACRF) of various etiologies. Endotracheal mechanical ventilation (ETMV) can lead to numerous complications and weaning difficulties increasing the risk of prolonged ETMV, morbidity and mortality as well as excess cost of intensive care. Therefore, it could be interesting to use NIV for delivering effective ventilatory support and reduce the length of ETMV in ACRF patients still not capable to maintain spontaneous breathing. From the interesting but discordant results of two recent randomised controlled trial, a working group from the Société de Réanimation de Langue Française (SRLF) decided to perform a new prospective randomised controlled and multicenter trial. The aim of the study is to assess the usefulness of NIV as an extubation and weaning technique in ventilated ACRF patients. The methodology used compares three weaning strategies in parallel in ACRF patients considered difficult to wean : invasive conventional weaning (group A), extubation relayed by nasal oxygentherapy (group B), and extubation relayed by NIV (group C). Based on the main end-point defined as the weaning success/failure rate, 208 patients from17 investigator centers are planned to be included. Results of the study will also allow to assess the respective impact of the three weaning strategies on the length of ETMV and weaning, the mechanical ventilation-related morbidity, the patients lengths of stay and mortality. Results of the VENISE trial should permit to improve the management of the difficult to wean ACRF patients and thus to contribute to more define the place of NIV among the weaning and prevention of re-intubation strategies in these patients.

Optimal Timing for Spontaneous Breathing Trials

This study aims to explore how the timing of Spontaneous Breathing Trials (SBTs) affects recovery in adult patients who are on mechanical ventilation in the ICU. SBTs are tests used to determine if a patient is ready to breathe on their own without the help of a ventilator. The study will compare two different timing strategies for these trials: one group of patients will have the test early in the morning, while the other group will have it later in the morning. By observing the outcomes, such as how long patients need to stay on the ventilator, the study hopes to find the best time to perform these trials to help patients recover more quickly and safely.

Objective Evaluation of Cough Effort in Tracheotomized Patients (LOST Study)

This study aims to evaluate how well tracheotomized patients can cough before and after their tracheostomy tube is removed. Cough strength is measured using two different tools-Peak Flow and Lorio. Researchers want to find out if the cough measurement taken before removing the tube can help predict how effective the patient's cough will be afterward. The study will also explore factors that might influence cough strength and compare the usefulness of the two tools. Additionally, it will assess how patients feel about using these devices and the role of diaphragm ultrasound in predicting cough effectiveness.

Survey of Different Modes of Weaning in Pediatric Population

Infant weaning refers to the transition from a diet based on the exclusive intake of milk (mother's milk or formula) to a diversified diet that is complete with all the nutrients necessary for proper infant development. For this purpose, a diet supplementary to milk, which is gradually reduced, is undertaken in order to gradually acquire the dietary pattern followed by the family. There are different types of weaning, which vary according to traditions, ethnicity and scientific currents. These include traditional weaning and on-demand self-weaning. The former consists of weaning with specific infant foods (example: freeze-dried, homogenized, vegetable broth, creams..) offered at set doses, quantities, and times. On the other hand, 'autodivezzamento on demand is a mode of weaning entrusted to the child's request, leaving the child to choose quantities and types of food, even prepared at home, during family meals. The aim of our study is to establish the prevalence of different modes of weaning and the perception of advantages and disadvantages related to them by parents and Free Choice Pediatricians by means of two different dedicated questionnaires. The study also aims to assess possible risks resulting from the transition to complementary feeding, for example, errors in feeding or inhalation of foreign bodies.