Mechanical ventilation in itself can harm the lung and cause ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI), which can induce or aggravate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Much debate remains over pivotal concepts regarding the pathophysiology of VILI, especially about the precise contribution, kinetics, and primary role of potential VILI mechanisms. Consequently, it remains largely unknown how best to design a well-timed and full-bodied mechanical ventilation strategy. Little is known also about small airways dysfunction in ARDS. Dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) can be used to image cellular metabolism, which during lung inflammation mainly reflects neutrophil activity, allowing the study of regional lung inflammation in vivo. We studied the regional evolution of inflammation using dynamic PET/CT imaging of 18F-FDG in VILI and during different lung-protective mechanical ventilation strategies. By dynamic CT we investigated also the location and magnitude of peripheral airway closure and alveolar collapse under high and low distending pressures and high and low inspiratory oxygen fraction. Piglets were submitted to an experimental model of early ARDS combining repeated lung lavages and injurious mechanical ventilation. The animals were subsequently studied during sustained VILI, or submitted to distinct approaches of lung-protective mechanical ventilation: the one recommended by the ARDS Network (ARDSNet), or to one defined as open lung approach (OLA). The normally and poorly aerated regions - corresponding to intermediate gravitational zones - were the primary targets of the inflammatory process accompanying early VILI, which may be attributed to the small volume of the aerated lung that receives most of ventilation. The ARDSNet strategy did not attenuate global pulmonary inflammation during 27h and led to a concentration of inflammatory activity in the upper and poorly aerated lung regions. The OLA, in comparison with the ARDSNet approach, resulted in sustained and better gas exchange and lung mechanics. Moreover, the OLA strategy resulted in less global and regional inflammation. Dynamic CT data suggested that a significant amount of airway closure and related reabsorption atelectasis occurs in acute lung injury. Whether potential distal bronchioles injury (“bronchiolotrauma”) is a critical and decisive element in ventilator-associated lung injury is a matter for future studies.

Les deux formes d'inflammation pulmonaire en réanimation sont la pneumonie et le syndrome de détresse respiratoire aiguë (SDRA). Nous avons conçu un test diagnostique rapide basé sur l'autofluorescence des neutrophiles alvéolaires. S'appuyant sur une étude expérimentale, puis sur une étude clinique randomisée, nous avons montré que les sondes d'intubation avec ballonnets coniques diminuaient les micro-inhalations sans prévenir l'incidence des pneumonies post-opératoire. Une grande variabilité des pressions des ballonnets coniques pose la question de leur effet délétère. La thérapie cellulaire basée sur les cellules souches mésenchymateuses (CSM) est prometteuse. L'étude des effets thérapeutiques des vésicules extracellulaires issues de CSM (VE-CSM) constitue un nouvel axe de recherche. Dans 2 modèles murins de SDRA, puis dans un modèle de poumons humains ex vivo, nous avons démontré des effets thérapeutiques des VE-CSM. Nous avons ensuite étudié les lymphocytes T régulateurs (Treg) pulmonaires et systémiques dans le SDRA. Cette étude a montré un déficit quantitatif plutôt que fonctionnel de la population Treg pulmonaire dans le SDRA, avec une cinétique évoquant un recrutement des Treg circulants vers le compartiment pulmonaire au cours de la maladie. En conclusion, nos travaux ont développé de nouvelles stratégies diagnostiques et préventives des pneumonies de réanimation, afin de réduire leur impact en termes de morbi-mortalité. Les bénéfices thérapeutiques des CSM et des VE-CSM dans le SDRA expérimental, ainsi que l'altération du phénotype Treg observé chez nos patients, ouvrent de nouveaux champs de recherche vers le développement d'immunothérapies innovantes. / Pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are two facets of severe acute lunginflammation, often met in intensive care unit (ICU). Rapid diagnosis of pneumonia remains essential inorder to optimize their management. We worked on setting up a quick test diagnosis based on theintensity of alveolar neutrophils autofluorescence. The validation of this test in a multicenter cohort isunderway. Preventing microaspiration across the cuff remains a priority to prevent pneumonia inmechanically ventilated patients. Based on the results of an ex vivo study followed by a clinicalrandomized trial, we showed that tapered-cuff endotracheal tube prevented microaspiration in the exvivo model, without lowering intraoperative microaspirations and postoperative pneumonia rate aftermajor vascular surgery. Both studies yielded similar results concerning the higher variation of cuffpressureover time, which leads to the question of their safety of use in terms of potential resultingtracheal wall ischemia.Pneumonia represents 80% of the cause of ARDS, which can be viewed as lung uncontrolledinflammatory response. Cell-based therapy using mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) is a growing field ofresearch in ARDS therapy. Despite numerous beneficial effects in ARDS, their capacity of self-renewalpoints them out as a potential cancer inducer in the mid-long term. In this context, evaluating thetherapeutic effects of extracellular vesicles-released from MSC (EV-MSC) represents a novel approach.We showed therapeutic effects of EC-CSM in two murine model of ARDS induced by endotoxin or liveEscherichia coli bacteria, and in another ex vivo human lung preparation.We then focused our research on temporal and compartmental dynamics of regulatory T cells(Treg) phenotypes in ARDS patients. This prospective observational clinical study showed that Early ARDSwas characterized with an alveolar compartment fully polarized towards pro-inflammatory state andneutrophils chemotaxis. In lung compartment, and compared to control patients, ARDS patients showeda quantitative Tregs deficiency, which partially recovered over time, while activation markers wereoverexpressed in both Tregs and effectors T cells (Teff). Conversely, patients with ARDS had a higherproportion of systemic Tregs compared to controls. Significant increased proportion in circulating Th1,Th22, and ILC1 subsets, and decreased proportion in ILC3 subsets were also found in ARDS patientscompared to controls.In conclusion, we developed novel strategies to diagnose and prevent pneumonia in ICU, whichremains essential to improve patients’ outcomes. Therapeutic effects of MSC and EV-MSC, as well asTreg phenotype alterations pave the way for development of novel immunoregulatory therapies.

Contexte: Le syndrome de détresse respiratoire aigüe (SDRA) est associé à une dysfonction vasculaire pulmonaire. Objectifs: Préciser le retentissement cardiaque de cette dysfonction vasculaire pulmonaire en recherchant la fréquence et le pronostic du foramen ovale perméable, du passage transpulmonaire de bulles en échographie de contraste, du cœur pulmonaire aigu (CPA), de la dysfonction systolique ventriculaire droite ainsi que de la déformation ventriculaire gauche au cours du SDRA. Nous avons aussi évalué la tolérance hémodynamique de la ventilation en Pression Expiratoire Positive (PEP) élevée. Méthodes: Les explorations étaient menées par échographie trans-œsophagienne (ETO) traditionnelle et en signature acoustique. Résultats: La faisabilité de l'ETO en décubitus ventral est bonne. Le foramen ovale perméable, détecté chez 19% des patients, est associé à une moins bonne réponse à l'augmentation de la PEP et à un recours aux thérapeutiques de sauvetage plus fréquent. Le passage de bulles transpulmonaire ne rend pas compte du seul shunt intra-pulmonaire anatomique, et dépend plus des conditions hémodynamiques (augmentation du débit cardiaque associée au sepsis) que de la ventilation. Le CPA, retrouvé chez 22% des patients, est associé à une pression motrice plus élevée, et au sepsis ; il est fréquemment associé à une insuffisance circulatoire, avec une mortalité plus élevée à J28. La quantification de la déformation ventriculaire gauche systolique par l'index d'excentricité est un bon marqueur de CPA, mais pas la dysfonction contractile ventriculaire droite évaluée en signature acoustique. Enfin, nous n'avons pas retrouvé de lien robuste entre la tolérance hémodynamique et l'efficacité respiratoire (recrutement alvéolaire) des niveaux de PEP élevés, sous réserve d'un nombre limité de patients. Conclusion: Les conséquences cardiaques de la dysfonction vasculaire pulmonaire restent fréquentes et associées à un pronostic péjoratif, avec des implications respiratoires et circulatoires. / Context: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) leads to pulmonary vascular dysfunction Aims: We assessed cardiac consequences of pulmonary vascular dysfunction by detecting patent foramen ovale and transpulmonary bubbles transit using contrast echocardiography, acute cor pulmonale, right ventricle systolic dysfunction and left ventricle deformation during ARDS. We also assessed hemodynamic tolerance of high positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP). Methods: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed with standard measurements and speckle tracking. Results: TEE could be safely performed in prone position. Patent foramen ovale was detected in 19% of patients, and was associated with a poor oxygenation response to PEEP, and greater use of adjunctive interventions. Transpulmonary bubbles transit was not solely related to anatomical intrapulmonary shunt, but was merely influenced by hemodynamic status (increased cardiac output associated with sepsis). Acute cor pulmonale occurred in 22% of patients, and was associated with a higher driving pressure and with sepsis; it was often associated with circulatory failure, with higher day-28 mortality. Left ventricle systolic deformation (evaluated by eccentricity index) but not right ventricle contractile impairment (evaluated with speckle tracking) was associated with acute cor pulmonale. Finally, we did not find a robust relation between hemodynamic tolerance and alveolar recruitment with higher PEEP levels, but the limited number of patients restricted the power of the analysis. Conclusion: Cardiac consequences of pulmonary vascular dysfunction remain frequent and associated with a poorer prognosis, with respiratory and circulatory implications.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-01-12T10:40:54Z No. of bitstreams: 1 fernandofonsecadosreis.pdf: 924331 bytes, checksum: 98e7db5298b53ee7d673e1dcf9a8a468 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-01-25T17:13:54Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 fernandofonsecadosreis.pdf: 924331 bytes, checksum: 98e7db5298b53ee7d673e1dcf9a8a468 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-25T17:13:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 fernandofonsecadosreis.pdf: 924331 bytes, checksum: 98e7db5298b53ee7d673e1dcf9a8a468 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-04 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Introdução: A lesão pulmonar induzida pela ventilação (VILI) é caracterizada por uma resposta inflamatória secundária ao stress/strain não fisiológicos impostos aos pulmões durante a ventilação mecânica. Apesar do conhecimento de que após a retirada do estímulo lesivo, os pulmões tendem a se recuperar, os efeitos de medicações anti-inflamatórias nesta recuperação ainda são incertos. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da dexametasona nas trocas gasosas, edema, inflamação e histologia pulmonar em diferentes momentos após indução da VILI, em ratos Wistar. Métodos: Os animais foram inicialmente alocados em dois grupos conforme recebessem dexametasona (grupo dexametasona – GD, n=26) ou salina (grupo controle – GC, n=31) intraperitoneal (i.p.). Após 30 minutos, os animais foram ventilados durante 1 hora, para indução da VILI, com os seguintes parâmetros: volume corrente (VT) de 35 ml/Kg, pressão positiva ao final da expiração (PEEP) de 0 cmH2O, frequência respiratória (FR) de 18 /min e fração inspirada de oxigênio (FIO2) de 100%. Em seguida os grupos GD e GC foram alocados para serem eutanasiados em diferentes momentos: 0h, 4h, 24h e 168h após a ventilação lesiva. Antes da eutanásia, eles foram anestesiados e ventilados por 10 minutos (VT de 6 ml/kg, FR de 80 /min, PEEP de 2 cmH2O, FIO2 de 100%), para estabilização e coleta da gasometria. Após a eutanásia, foram analisados o edema pulmonar, a citologia do lavado broncoalveolar (LBA) e a histologia pulmonar. Um grupo sham (GS, n=6), foi ventilado por 10 minutos com os mesmos parâmetros e analisado para comparação com os grupos GD e GC. Resultados: VILI foi observada no GC, o qual apresentou um maior escore de lesão pulmonar aguda comparada com GS em 0h, 4h e 24h (p <0,05). A dexametasona reduziu a injúria pulmonar, e o escore no GD não foi significativamente diferente do GS, e foi menor que no GC 4h e 24h (p < 0,05). A contagem de neutrófilos no LBA aumentou tanto no GC quanto no GD, atingindo pico 4h após VM (p < 0,05). No entanto, a contagem de neutrófilos atingiu menores níveis no GD comparado com GC em 4h e 24h (p < 0,05). A dexametasona também atenuou o prejuízo na oxigenação que foi observado no GC imediatamente após a VM lesiva. Conclusões: Neste modelo experimental, a dexametasona reduziu a inflamação e a lesão pulmonar induzida pela ventilação mecânica com alto VT, resultando em melhor oxigenação após a VILI. Estes resultados reforçam a importância do biotrauma na patogênese da VILI, e a necessidade do estudo de terapias anti-inflamatórias para prevenção e tratamento dessa condição. / Introduction: Ventilator induced lung injury (VILI) is characterized by inflammatory response to a non-physiological stress/strain imposed to the lungs, during mechanical ventilation (MV). Although it is known that, after the removal of the harmful stimulus, the lungs tend to recover, the effects of anti-inflammatory drugs on this recovery is still uncertain. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of dexamethasone on arterial blood gases, edema, inflammation, and lung histology at different times after VILI induction in Wistar rats. Methods: The animals were initially allocated into two groups according to the intraperitoneal administration of dexamethasone (dexamethasone group – DG, n=26), or saline (control group – CG, n=31). After 30 minutes, VILI was induced by one hour of MV with the following settings: tidal volume (VT) of 35 ml/Kg, respiratory rate (RR) of 18 /min, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 0 cmH2O, and fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) of 100%. Then, the animals in the DG and the CG groups were allocated to be submitted to euthanasia at different times: 0, 4, 24 and 168 hours, after the injurious MV. Before euthanasia, they were anesthetized and ventilated for 10 minutes (VT of 6 ml/kg, RR of 80 /min, PEEP of 2 cmH2O, FIO2 of 100%) for stabilization, and arterial blood gases analysis. After euthanasia, lung edema, total and differential cell count in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung histology were analyzed. A sham group (SG, n=6) was ventilated for 10 minutes with the same settings, and analyzed for comparisons with the CG and DG groups. Results: VILI was observed in the CG, which presented a higher acute lung injury score compared to the SG, at 0h, 4h and 24h (p <0.05). The dexamethasone decreased the lung injury, and the score in the DG was not significantly different from the SG, and was lower than the CG 4h and 24h (p <0.05). BAL neutrophil counts increased both in the CG and in the DG, peaking at 4h after MV (p < 0.05). However, the neutrophil counts reached lower levels in DG, compared to CG at 4h and 24h (p <0.05). Dexamethasone also improved the oxygenation impairment that was seen in the CG immediately after the injurious MV. Conclusions: In this experimental model, dexamethasone decreased the inflammation and the lung injury induced by mechanical ventilation with high VT. These findings highlight the importance of the biotrauma in the VILI pathogenesis, and the necessity of carrying out researches on anti-inflammatory therapies to prevent and treat this condition.

Bei einem akuten Lungenversagen senkt maschinelle Beatmung mit niedrigen Atemzugvolumina das Risiko für einen Ventilationsassoziierten Lungenschaden (VALI). Allerdings sind weitere Beatmungseinstellungen (Positive End-Exspiratory Pressure [PEEP], Recruitment Maneuver [RM]) zur Reduktion eines VALI Gegenstand aktueller klinischer und grundlagentechnischer Forschung. Studiendaten produzieren diesbezüglich ein heterogenes Meinungsbild. Ein restriktives Management von PEEP und Lungenrekrutierung (ARDSnet-PEEP-Tabelle) findet gleichermaßen Befürworter wie Studien, welche die Minimierung von tidaler Rekrutierung (TR) durch RM und/oder PEEP-Titrierung als lungenprotektives Management propagieren. In diesem experimentellen 24-Stunden-Langzeitversuch mit akutem Lungenversagen (ARDS) durch ein klinisch relevantes, experimentelles Salzsäure-Aspirationsmodell am Schwein wurden drei verschiedene, randomisierte Beatmungsstrategien durch individuelle PEEP-Einstellung anhand der ARDSnet-PEEP-Tabelle (ARDSnet-Gruppe), des Open- Lung-Concept (OLC-Gruppe) und des EIT-generierten SDRVD (EIT-Gruppe) untersucht. Hinsichtlich der Frage nach lungenprotektiver, individueller Beatmung und der Vermeidung eines VALI wurden Parameter der quantitativen Computertomographie (CT), der non-invasiven bettseitigen Elektroimpedanztomographie (EIT) und aus histologischen Untersuchungen (Diffuse Alveolar Damage [DAD] Score) herangezogen und verglichen.:I. Inhaltsverzeichnis II. Abkürzungsverzeichnis 1. Einführung in die Thematik 1.1 Akutes Lungenversagen – Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) 1.1.1 Definition, Epidemiologie, Ätiologie und Pathogenese des ARDS 1.1.2 Lungenprotektive maschinelle Beatmung und Ventilationsassoziierter Lungenschaden (VALI) bei Patienten mit ARDS 1.2 In der Studie verglichene Beatmungsstrategien 1.2.1 ARDS Network Protokoll (ARDSnet-Gruppe) 1.2.2 Open Lung Concept (OLC-Gruppe) 1.2.3 Elektroimpedanztomographie (EIT-Gruppe) 1.3 ARDS – Bildmorphologie (CT und EIT) und Histologie (DAD-Score) 1.3.1 Elektroimpedanztomographie (EIT) – Standard deviation of regional ventilation delay (SDRVD) 1.3.2 Computertomographie (CT) – Lungenkollaps und Tidale Rekrutierung 1.3.3 Histologie – Diffuse Alveolar Damage Score (DAD-Score) 1.4 Statistische Methoden 1.5 Wissenschaftliche Zielsetzung 2. Publikationsmanuskript 3. Zusammenfassung 4. Literaturverzeichnis 5. Anlagen (Supplemental Material) 6. Darstellung des eigenen Beitrags 7. Selbstständigkeitserklärung 8. Teilnahmebescheinigung: Vorlesung zur „Guten wissenschaftlichen Praxis“ an der Medizinischen Fakultät der Universität Leipzig 9. Wissenschaftlicher Lebenslauf 10. Publikationen 11. Danksagung

Die Inzidenz des Atemnotsyndroms ist bei männlichen Neugeborenen etwa 1,7-mal so hoch wie bei weiblichen. Zur Erforschung der Ursachen dieser Tatsache wurden in der vorliegenden Arbeit geschlechtsabhängige Unterschiede im transepithelialen Natriumtransport an fetalen distalen Lungenepithelzellen von Ratten untersucht. Die zugrunde liegende Versuchsanordnung stellt ein Modell der Typ II Pneumozyten des späten Frühgeborenen dar. In Ussing Kammer Messungen wurde ein höherer Natriumtransport in weiblichen Zellen im Vergleich zu männlichen Zellen nachgewiesen. Des Weiteren zeigten Genexpressionsanalysen eine höhere Expression der am Natriumtransport beteiligten Kanäle und Transporter in weiblichen Zellen. Um mögliche Ursachen der festgestellten Geschlechtsunterschiede zu eruieren, wurde die Genexpression von Hormonrezeptoren untersucht. Die Ergebnisse lassen vermuten, dass die Rezeptoren weiblicher Geschlechtshormone dabei eine wichtige Rolle spielen. Abschließend betrachtet diese Arbeit die absolute Zahl fetaler distaler Lungenepithelzellen in Rattenfeten beider Geschlechter. Hierbei fanden sich ebenfalls Geschlechtsdifferenzen. Zusammenfassend kann die vorliegende Arbeit zu einem besseren Verständnis der Pathogenese und der Inzidenz des Atemnotsyndroms des Frühgeborenen beitragen.

Le syndrome de détresse respiratoire aiguë (SDRA) est une forme sévère de défaillance respiratoire qui se caractérise par la présence de dommages alvéolaires, d’un oedème pulmonaire et d’une réponse inflammatoire exacerbée. C’est une condition pour laquelle il n’existe à ce jour aucun traitement pharmacologique efficace. Lors des dernières années, des antagonistes des récepteurs de l’IL-1 (Kineret) et de l’IL-6 (tocilizumab) ont fait preuve d’une efficacité modérée pour le traitement du SDRA causé par la COVID-19. Cependant, leur potentiel thérapeutique en SDRA clinique non causé par la COVID reste à démontrer et les résultats obtenus dans les modèles animaux sont mitigés. Nous avons émis l’hypothèse que le tocilizumab et le Kineret pourraient améliorer la résolution des différents paramètres du SDRA non causé par la COVID-19. Nous avons aussi posé l’hypothèse que des peptides, antagonistes des récepteurs de l’IL-1 (rytvela) ou de l’IL- 6 (HSJ633) et permettant de préserver certaines voies aux propriétés cytoprotectrices en aval de ces récepteurs, pourraient potentiellement être plus efficaces que le Kineret et le tocilizumab pour le traitement des paramètres du SDRA. L’objectif de ma maîtrise était donc de tester ces deux hypothèses dans un modèle murin d’atteinte pulmonaire aiguë (ALI) induite par la bléomycine, qui mime pendant sa phase aiguë les principaux paramètres du SDRA. Mes travaux montrent qu’aucun des quatre antagonistes n’a permis d’améliorer significativement les paramètres observés à jour 7 post-bléomycine (état général, dommages alvéolaires, oedème et inflammation pulmonaire). Ainsi, mes données suggèrent que dans notre modèle d’ALI induit par la bléomycine, la réponse inflammatoire induite via le IL-1R ou le IL-6R ne semble pas constituer un des mécanismes principaux engendrant les différentes atteintes, puisqu’elles ne sont pas prévenues par les antagonistes de ces récepteurs. En plus de contribuer à mieux comprendre ce modèle animal, mes résultats permettent de mettre en lumière que la réparation des dommages ainsi que la résorption secondaire de l’oedème sont cruciales pour la résolution du SDRA et que de viser seulement la voie inflammatoire est insuffisant. / Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a form of severe lung failure characterized by the presence of a pulmonary edema, an inflammatory response, and alveolar damage. There is currently no effective pharmacological treatment for ARDS. In recent years, IL-1 and IL-6 receptor antagonists Kinerert and tocilizumab, respectively, have shown some efficacy as a treatment of ARDS caused by COVID-19. However, their therapeutic potential in non-COVID ARDS remains to be proven and the results obtained in animal models are conflicting. We thus tested the hypothesis that tocilizumab and Kineret could improve the resolution of key parameters of non-COVID ARDS. We also hypothesized that two peptides, rytvela and HSJ633, IL-1 and IL-6 receptor antagonists, respectively, which preserve some of the cytoprotective downstream pathways, could potentially be more effective than Kineret and tocilizumab in treating the various parameters of ARDS. The goal of my master thesis was therefore to test these two hypotheses in a mouse model of acute lung injury (ALI) induced by bleomycin instillation, which, during its acute phase, mimics the main parameters of ARDS. My work has shown that none of the antagonists were able to significantly improve the parameters observed on day 7 post-bleomycin (general condition of the mice, alveolar damages, pulmonary edema and inflammation). Thus, my data suggest that in our bleomycin-induced ALI model, the inflammatory response triggered via IL-1R or IL-6R does not appear to be the principal mechanism generating the main damaging outcome, since they are not prevented by the antagonists of these receptors. In addition to contributing to a better understanding of this animal model of ALI, my research has highlighted the fact that targeting inflammation alone is insufficient and that repairing alveolar damages, and secondary resorbing lung edema, are cornerstones for the resolution of ARDS.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is common in COVID-19 patients and is associated with high mortality. The aim of this observational study was to describe patients’ characteristics and outcome, identifying potential risk factors for in-hospital mortality and for developing Long-COVID symptoms. This retrospective study included all patients with COVID-19 associated ARDS (cARDS) in the period from March 2020 to March 2021 who were invasively ventilated at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the University Hospital Dresden, Germany. Between October 2021 and December 2021 patients discharged alive (at minimum 6 months after hospital discharge—midterm survival) were contacted and interviewed about persistent symptoms possibly associated with COVID-19 as well as the quality of their lives using the EQ-5D-5L-questionnaire. Long-COVID was defined as the occurrence of one of the symptoms at least 6 months after discharge. Risk factors for mortality were assessed with Cox regression models and risk factors for developing Long-COVID symptoms by using relative risk (RR) regression. 184 Patients were included in this study (male: n = 134 (73%), median age 67 (range 25–92). All patients were diagnosed with ARDS according to the Berlin Definition. 89% of patients (n = 164) had severe ARDS (Horovitz-index < 100 mmHg). In 27% (n = 49) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was necessary to maintain gas exchange. The median length of in-hospital stay was 19 days (range 1–60). ICU mortality was 51%, hospital mortality 59%. Midterm survival (median 11 months) was 83% (n = 55) and 78% (n = 43) of these patients presented Long-COVID symptoms with fatigue as the most common symptom (70%). Extreme obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2) was the strongest predictor for in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio: 3.147, confidence interval 1.000–9.897) and for developing Long-COVID symptoms (RR 1.61, confidence interval 1.26–2.06). In-hospital mortality in severe cARDS patients was high, but > 80% of patients discharged alive survived the midterm observation period. Nonetheless, most patients developed Long-COVID symptoms. Extreme obesity with BMI > 40 kg/m2 was identified as independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality and for developing Long-COVID symptoms.

No description available.

Studienziel: Untersuchung der Dosis-Wirkung von inhalativem Stickstoffmonoxid (NO) bei Patienten mit schwerem akuten Lungenversagen (ARDS) und der diese Wirkung beeinflussenden Faktoren. Design: Prospektive, offene Beobachtungsstudie. Setting: Universitäts-Klinikum. Intensivstation. Patienten: 26 Intensivpatienten mit hohem pulmonal-vaskulärem Druck (PAP) bei zugrunde liegendem ARDS. Behandlung: Patienten mit ARDS wurden einer Therapie mit konventioneller Beatmung und Beimischung von inhalativem NO zugeführt. Das Protokoll sah die Applikation von NO in steigender Dosierung von 0,01 parts per million (ppm), 0,01 ppm, 1, 10 und 100 ppm vor. Zischen den Messungen wurden für 15 bis 20 Minuten Nullmessungen durchgeführt. Ein Anstieg des pulmonal-areriellen Sauerstoffdrucks (Pao2) um 20% wurde als "Responding" definiert. Messungen: Es wurden die Parameter des pulmonalen Gasaustausches wie PaO2, PaCo2 und CaO2 gemessen. Des Weiteren wurden die Werte für den mittleren systemischen Blutdruck (AP), den mittleren pulmonal-arteriellen Druck (PAP), den systemischen Widerstand (SVR), den pulmonalvaskulären Widerstand (PVR), die Herzfrequenz (HR), den Herzindex (CI), das Herz-Zeit-Volumen (HZV), den Wedgedruck (PCWP) und die venöse Beimischung registriert. Ergebnisse: NO verursachte einen dosisabhängigen Anstieg des Pao2 von 0,01 bis 10 ppm (p / STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the dose responsiveness to nitric oxide in adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrom (ARDS), especially in those patients with pulmonary hypertension. To find factors influencing the response to NO. DESIGN: Prospective, open, nonblinded observation study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PATIENTS: 26 ICU patients suffering from ARDS demonstrating pulmonary hypertension. INTERVENTIONS: Patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome received inhalation therapy with NO. Inhaled NO was sequentially titrated from 0,01 parts per million to 0,1 ppm, 1, 10, and 100 ppm at 15-minute intervals followed by a 15 to 20 min OFF interval. Changes in hemodynamics and gas exchange were monitored. An increase of at least 20 % in the oxygenation index was considered as a therapeutic response. MEASUREMENTS: Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), peripheral vascular resistance, cardiac index,rigt to left shunting , venous admixture and right ventricular ejection fraction were monitored throughout the study, as well as the Pao2, Cao2 and PaCo2. RESULTS: 26 patients received inhaled NO. Nitric oxide induced a dose-dependent increase in Pao2 for inspiratory nitric oxide concentrations ranging between 0.01 and 10 ppm (p