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.

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Le syndrome de détresse respiratoire aiguë (SDRA) est caractérisé par des dommages au niveau de la barrière alvéolo-capillaire, résultant en la formation d’un œdème pulmonaire et une réponse inflammatoire exacerbée. Sans résolution rapide de ces paramètres, le syndrome progresse vers le développement de fibrose menant à l’insuffisance respiratoire. Or, il a été établi que la réparation de l’épithélium alvéolaire est une étape cruciale pour la résolution du SDRA. Une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes de réparation de l’épithélium alvéolaire est donc nécessaire afin de proposer de nouvelles thérapies pour le SDRA, pour lequel aucun traitement efficace n’existe. Il a été montré que les mécanismes de réparation sont régulés par des protéines membranaires, non seulement par les récepteurs aux facteurs de croissance et les intégrines, mais également par les canaux ioniques, en particulier les canaux potassiques. L’objectif principal de cette étude était donc de caractériser l’impact de la modulation des canaux potassiques KCa3.1 et KvLQT1 dans la résolution du SDRA. Dans un premier temps, nos résultats ont montré le rôle coopératif du canal potassique KCa3.1, de la matrice extracellulaire et de l’intégrine-β1 dans les processus de réparation de l’épithélium alvéolaire in vitro. Nous avons montré que la matrice de fibronectine et le KCa3.1 étaient impliqués dans la migration et dans la réparation de monocouches de cellules alvéolaires de cultures primaires de rat. Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons étudié l’impact de la modulation du canal potassique KvLQT1 dans certains aspects physiopathologiques du SDRA à l’aide de modèles in vivo. Nous avons montré que KvLQT1 n’était pas seulement impliqué dans les mécanismes de réparation de l’épithélium alvéolaire, mais également dans la résorption de l’œdème pulmonaire et la résolution de la réponse inflammatoire. Nos résultats démontrent que les canaux potassiques, tels que KCa3.1 et KvLQT1, pourraient être identifiés en tant que cibles thérapeutiques potentielles pour le SDRA. / Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by alveolar-capillary barrier damage, resulting in the formation of pulmonary oedema and an exacerbated inflammatory response. Without rapid recovery of these parameters, there is a gradual development of fibrosis, leading to respiratory failure. It has been established that alveolar regeneration is a critical step for the resolution of ARDS. A better understanding of alveolar epithelial repair mechanisms is hence necessary to identify new therapies for ARDS, for which no effective treatment exist. It has been shown that repair mechanisms are regulated by membrane proteins, not only by growth factor receptors and integrins, but also by ion channels, in particular potassium channels. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to characterize the impact of KCa3.1 and KvLQT1 potassium channels modulation in the resolution of ARDS. First, our results have shown the cooperative role of the potassium channel KCa3.1, the extracellular matrix and the β1-integrin in alveolar epithelial repair processes in vitro. We have shown that the fibronectin matrix and KCa3.1 are involved in the migration and repair of primary cultures of rat alveolar cell monolayers. Our data also revealed a putative relationship between Kca3.1 and the β1-integrin. Second, we studied the impact of KvLQT1 potassium channel modulation on ARDS pathophysiological aspects with in vivo models. We showed that KvLQT1 was not only involved in alveolar epithelial repair, but also in the resolution of pulmonary oedema and inflammatory response. Taken together, our data demonstrate that potassium channels, such as KCa3.1 and KvLQT1, may be identified as potential therapeutic targets for the resolution of ARDS.

<p>Akutni respiratorni distres sindrom (ARDS) predstavlja klinički sindrom koji se manifestuje te&scaron;kom respiratornom insuficijencijom sa razvojem akutnog edema pluća u odsustvu znakova popu&scaron;tanja leve polovine srca. S obzirom da ovaj sindrom ima heterogenu etiologiju, progresivan tok i visoku stopu mortaliteta, pravovremena i tačna dijagnoza esencijalna je u primeni efektivne i rane terapije, a samim tim i u pobolj&scaron;anju prognoze bolesti. Cilj ove doktorske disertacije bio je da se ispita povezanost kliničke i patohistolo&scaron;ke dijagnoze ovog sindroma, kao i da se analiziraju i uporede vrednosti kliničkih parametara neophodnih za postavljanje dijagnoze ARDS-a sa patohistolo&scaron;kim parametrima o&scaron;tećenja plućnog tkiva. Studija je obuhvatila 67 pacijenata Instituta za plućne bolesti Vojvodine koji su umrli pod kliničkom slikom ARDS-a i/ili kod kojih je na obdukciji patohistolo&scaron;ki dokazan ARDS. Za postavljanje kliničke dijagnoze ARDS-a kori&scaron;ćeni su kriterijumi The American-European Consensus Conference iz 1994. Nakon semikvantitativne analize patohistolo&scaron;kih parametara difuznog alveolarnog o&scaron;tećenja određivan je histolo&scaron;ki stadijum ARDS-a i svi pacijenti podeljeni su u dve grupe: I grupa - pacijenti u eksudativnoj fazi i II grupa - pacijenti u proliferativnoj fazi difuznog alveolarnog o&scaron;tećenja. Formirane grupe pacijenata upoređivane su u odnosu na vrednosti kliničkih parametara 12h pre smrtnog ishoda. U cilju procene prisustva komorbiditeta analizirani su indeks telesne mase (engl. body mass index- BMI) i podaci o prethodno dijagnostikovanoj arterijskoj hipertenziji. Kod svih pacijenata uključenih u studiju upoređivane su kliničke dijagnoze sa obdukcionim nalazom. Za klasifikaciju autopsijskih dijagnoza kori&scaron;ćena je Goldman-ova klasifikacija. Na osnovu provedenog istraživanja, do&scaron;lo se do zaključka da slaganje klinički dijagnostikovanih i patohistolo&scaron;ki potvrđenih slučajeva ARDS-a iznosi 68%. Senzitivnost kliničke dijagnoze ARDS-a iznosi 82%, a pozitivna prediktivna vrednost 80%. Pacijenti sa nalazom eksudativne faze DAD-a u plućnom tkivu su u najvećem procentu imali klinički težak ARDS, dok su se pacijenti sa nalazom proliferativne faze sindroma če&scaron;će manifestovali pod kliničkom slikom srednje te&scaron;kog ARDS-a, odnosno utvrđeno je da postoji statistička povezanost između nižih vrednosti PaO2/FiO2 i teže faze ARDSa. Patohistolo&scaron;kom analizom promena u plućnom tkivu nađeno je da najvažnija obeležja eksudativne faze ARDS-a predstavljaju: hijaline membrane, edem i krvarenje, dok su se kao najvažnija obeležja proliferativne faze ARDS-a izdvojili: proliferacija pneumocita tipa II, intersticijalna i mutilantna fibroza i organizirajuća pneumonija. Kod pacijenata sa kliničkom dijagnozom ARDS-a kod kojih ARDS nije i patohistolo&scaron;ki dokazan, najče&scaron;ći nalaz na plućima bila je fibrinozno-purulentna bronhopneumonija. Analizom etiolo&scaron;kih faktora koji doprinose razvoju ovog sindroma otkriveno je da je ARDS najče&scaron;će nastao kao posledica delovanja direktnih/pulmonalnih činilaca: pneumonije i virusa gripa H1N1. Najzastupljeniji komorbiditeti prisutni kod pacijenata sa ARDS-om bili su sistemska hipertenzija i gojaznost. Najzad, kod svih pacijenata uključenih u istraživanje upoređivane su kliničke dijagnoze sa obdukcionim nalazom i na osnovu Goldman-ove klasifikacije kliničke dijagnoze i obdukcioni nalaz slažu se u 72% slučajeva. Rezultati ove studije mogli bi se upotrebiti u daljim istraživanjima kako bi omogućili bolji dijagnostički pristup ovom problemu, a samim tim i bolji terapijski pristup i smanjivanje stope mortaliteta.</p> / <p>Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by severe respiratory failure with development of acute pulmonary edema in the absence of left heart failure signs. Since this syndrome has a heterogeneous etiology, progressive course and high mortality, timely and accurate diagnosis is essential in the implementation of effective and early treatment, and therefore in improving the prognosis of the disease. The aim of this PhD thesis was to examine the association between clinical and pathohistological diagnosis of this syndrome, as well as to analyze and compare the values of clinical parameters necessary for the diagnosis of ARDS with pathohistological parameters of diffuse alveolar damage. The study included 67 patients of the Institute for Lung Diseases who died under clinical picture of ARDS and / or in which, at the autopsy, pathohistological diagnosis of ARDS was set. To set up a clinical diagnosis of ARDS the criteria of the American-European Consensus Conference in 1994 were used. After a semi-quantitative analysis of histopathological parameters of diffuse alveolar damage, all patients were divided into two groups: Group I - patients in the exudative stage and Group II - patients in the proliferative phase of diffuse alveolar damage. Formed groups of patients were compared with respect to clinical parameters values 12 h before death. In order to assess the presence of comorbidities body mass index (BMI) and data on previously diagnosed arterial hypertension were analyzed. In all patients included in the study the clinical diagnosis were compared with autopsy findings according to Goldman&#39;s classification. According to this study, agreement of clinically diagnosed and histologically confirmed cases of ARDS is 68%. The sensitivity of clinical diagnosis of ARDS is 82%, and positive predictive value is 80%. Patients with exudative phase of DAD most frequently had a severe form of ARDS, whereas patients with proliferative phase often manifested with moderate form of ARDS, ie it was found that there is a statistical association between lower values PaO2 / FiO2 and more severe phase of ARDS. Pathological analysis of changes in lung tissue revealed that the most important characteristics of exudative phase of ARDS are: hyaline membrane, edema and bleeding, while the most important features of the proliferative phase of ARDS are: the proliferation of type II pneumocytes, interstitial fibrosis and mutilating and organizing pneumonia. In patients with a clinical diagnosis of ARDS in which ARDS was not pathohistologically proven, the most common finding in the lungs was fibrinous-purulent bronchopneumonia. The analysis of etiological factors that contribute to the development of this syndrome discovered that ARDS usually develop as a result of pulmonary factors: pneumonia and influenza virus H1N1. The most common comorbidities present in patients with ARDS were systemic hypertension and obesity. Finally, in all patients included in the study clinical diagnosis and autopsy findings were compared and based on Goldman&#39;s classification clinical diagnosis and autopsy findings are in agreement in 72% of cases. The results of this study could be used in further research to enable better diagnostic approach to this problem, and therefore a better therapeutic approach and reducing mortality rates.</p>

Des études adultes sur l’œdème pulmonaire lésionnel et le Syndrome de Détresse Respiratoire Aiguë ont mené à l’établissement de recommandations sur les stratégies de ventilation mécanique à employer chez ces patients. Cependant, il n’est pas clair si les recommandations adultes sont également bénéfiques pour l’enfant. Objectif Décrire les stratégies de ventilation mécanique employées chez les enfants atteints d’un œdème pulmonaire lésionnel. Méthodes Étude épidémiologique transversale tenue dans 59 unités de Soins Intensifs Pédiatriques de 12 pays en Amérique du Nord et en Europe. Six jours d’étude ont eu lieu entre juin et novembre 2007. Les enfants atteints d’un œdème pulmonaire lésionnel étaient inclus et des données sur la sévérité de leur maladie, les paramètres de ventilation mécanique et les thérapies adjuvantes employées ont été recueillies. Résultats Des 3823 enfants dépistés, 414 (10.8%) avaient un œdème pulmonaire lésionnel et 165 (40%) ont été inclus dans l’étude (124 étaient sous ventilation mécanique conventionnelle, 27 sous ventilation à haute fréquence par oscillation et 14 sous ventilation non invasive). Dans le groupe sous ventilation conventionnelle, 43.5% étaient ventilés avec un mode contrôlé à pression, le volume courant moyen était de 8.3±3.3 ml/kg et l’utilisation de la PEP et FiO2 était hétérogène. Conclusions Cette étude démontre une hétérogénéité dans les stratégies de ventilation mécanique employées chez les enfants souffrant d’un œdème pulmonaire lésionnel. Celle-ci pourrait être en partie reliée à la robustesse des critères diagnostiques actuellement utilisés pour définir l’ALI/SDRA. Une évaluation rigoureuse de ces stratégies est nécessaire pour guider la standardisation des soins et optimiser l’issue de ces patients. / Acute Lung Injury and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome are life-threatening conditions frequently leading to respiratory support with mechanical ventilation. Studies on mechanical ventilation strategies in adult patients have led to lung protective ventilation recommendations. However, there are few pediatric clinical trials on optimal mechanical ventilation management in Acute Lung Injury and it is still unclear if strategies studied in adults are equally beneficial to children. Objective Describe mechanical ventilation strategies in Acute Lung Injury in children. Methods Cross-sectional study for six 24-hour periods from June to November 2007 across 59 Pediatric Intensive Care Units in 12 countries in North America and Europe. We identified children meeting Acute Lung Injury criteria and collected detailed information on illness severity, mechanical ventilation support and use of adjunctive therapies. Results Of 3823 patients screened, 414 (10.8%) were diagnosed with Acute Lung Injury and 165 were included in the study (124 received conventional mechanical ventilation, 27 high frequency oscillatory ventilation, 14 non-invasive mechanical ventilation). In the conventional mechanical ventilation group, 43.5% were ventilated in a pressure control mode, the mean tidal volume was 8.3±3.3 ml/kg and there was no clear relationship between PEEP and FiO2 delivery. Conclusions Our study reveals inconsistent mechanical ventilation practice and use of adjunctive therapies in children with Acute Lung Injury. Rigorous evaluation of ventilator management strategies in children with an Acute Lung Injury are urgently needed to guide standardization of care and optimize clinical outcomes.

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A Sindrome do Desconforto Respiratório Agudo (SDRA) apresenta alta taxa de mortalidade em UTI. Sua principal característica é alteração da permeabilidade da membrana alvéolo capilar, com liberação de agentes inflamatórios, disfunção de surfactantes e da aeração pulmonar, queda da complacência e dos níveis de oxigenação. Frequentemente evolui com necessidade de suporte ventilatório. Vários modelos experimentais foram propostos na tentativa de reproduzir as mesmas característica da SDRA encontradas em pacientes, porém com pouco sucesso. Tem sido difícil reproduzir modelos estáveis, e por períodos prolongados. Assim, o nosso objetivo foi validar um novo modelo de SDRA, submetido a um período de observação e estabilização de 40 horas de ventilação mecânica protetora, testando a reprodutibilidade das principais características da apresentação clínica da SDRA. Realizamos o estudo em suínos, divididos em 3 grupos : SHAM (não submetido a Lesão), LESÃO (submetido a lavagem total pulmonar e ventilação lesiva por 3 horas) e VMP40 (submetido a Lesão e 40hs de ventilação protetora segundo a estratégia ARDSNET). Observamos que os níveis de PaO2 e complacência tiveram queda significativa após a lesão mantendo esta queda ao final de 40 horas. Os níveis de citocinas IL1, IL8 e IL6 tiveram um aumento significativa logo após a lesão, mantendo aumento significativo de IL1 e IL8 nas 40 horas de observação. Os níveis de polimorfonuclear no bal também tiveram um aumento significante, mantido nas 40 horas. Uma significativa alteração da permeabilidade alveolo-capilar foi demonstrada pelo aumento de proteínas no lavado broncoalveolar, aumento da água extravascular pulmonar, e aumento da relação peso seco/úmido que foram persistentes após 40hs da estratégia protetora ARDSnet. A lesão histológica foi evindenciada pela presença de todos os componentes clássicos: membrana hialina, hemorragia alveolar, infiltrado inflamatório e edema alveolar, também mantidos por 40hs. Conclusão: O modelo desenvolvido apresentou características clínicas e fisiopatológicas similares a pacientes com SDRA grave, mantidas por um período de 40 horas de ventilação protetora, mostrando assim que este modelo pode ser utilizado para estudos de SDRA e estratégias de ventilação mecânica protetora por período prolongado / The Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) has high mortality in the ICU. Its main features comprise the disruption of the alveolo-capillary membrane with permeability alterations, release of inflammatory agents, and physiological dysfunctions like surfactant function degradation, loss of compliance and reduced PaO2 levels demanding ventilatory support. Several experimental models were developed in an attempt to simulate the same characteristics of ARDS in patients, but could not reproduce the complex, florid characteristics or the persistent damage for long periods. This study aimed to validate a new ARDS model in our laboratory, submited to an stabilization/observation period of 40 hours period of protective mechanical ventilation (according to the protective ARDSnet strategy), during which we tested the persistence of the main physiopathological characteristics of ARDS. We conducted the study in pigs divided into 3 groups : SHAM (not injured), INJURY (total lung lavage and injurious mechanical ventilation for 3hs) and MVP40 (injury protective mechanical ventilation for aditional 40hs-ARDSNET strategy). Respiratory-system compliance and PaO2 significantly decreased after injury, with a persistent drop till the end of 40hs. The levels of IL1, IL6 and IL8 cytokines presented a significant increase immediately after injury, with persistent levels of IL1 and IL8 after 40hs. Polymorphonuclear cells in the BAL were also increased after injury, with persistent levels after 40 hours. Gross alterations in the alveolo-capillary permeability were demonstrated by increased levels of proteins in the bronchoalveolar lavage, increased extravascular lung water and an increased wet/dry lung-weight ratio that remained elevated after 40hs of protective strategy. Histological injury was confirmed by visualization of hyaline membranes, frequent alveolar hemorrhage, alveolar edema and massive inflammatory infiltration. Conclusion: The proposed model reproduced the clinical and phisiopathological alterations found in patients with ARDS. The alterations persisted for at least 40hs of protective ventilation strategy. Thus, this model can be used for long term studies of ARDS and protective ventilation strategies

Introdução: O padrão de distribuição da lesão pulmonar na síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo (SDRA) tem sido alvo de interesse de estudos com tomografia computadorizada. Entretanto, pouca informação é disponível quanto a distribuição e progressão histológica da lesão pulmonar na SDRA. Objetivos: Caracterizar a distribuição e progressão histológica da lesão pulmonar em modelo experimental de SDRA em suínos pela quantificação de parâmetros estruturais, inflamatórios e de remodelamento da matriz extracelular (MEC) e correlacioná-los com variáveis funcionais e de tomografia de impedância elétrica (TIE). Métodos: Vinte e três porcas da raça Landrace foram divididos em três grupos: 1) Sham (n=5): animais submetidos ao preparo e monitorização; 2) Lesão (n=9): animais submetidos ao protocolo de lesão e eutanasiados após 3 horas; 3) Lesão+MV: animais submetidos ao protocolo de lesão e eutanasiados após 40 horas de ventilação mecânica (VM) segundo a \"estratégia ARDSnet\". Os parâmetros histológicos foram mensurados por análise de imagem e incluíam: área alveolar, índice de espessamento septal, densidade neutrofílica, membrana hialina, hemorragia, edema intraalveolar e proporção de fibras colágenas. As medidas de cada parâmetro foram normalizadas pela mediana do grupo Sham. Expressão gênica de proteínas da MEC (colágeno tipo I e tipo III, versican, biglican e decorin) foram quantificados por PCR em tempo real. A ventilação regional foi mensurada por TIE. Foram analisadas regiões anteriores e posteriores do pulmão para cada variável. Resultados: A densidade neutrofílica foi menor no grupo Lesão+VM (p=0,02). A análise da área alveolar no grupo Lesão+VM mostrou que as regiões posteriores apresentaram menor área que as regiões anteriores (p=0,012). Entretanto, o espessamento septal foi maior no grupo Lesão+VM, especialmente nas regiões anteriores, quando comparado ao grupo Lesão (p <= 0,01). Em consonância com esses achados, as regiões anteriores exibiram maior índice de membrana hialina e de edema intraalveolar que as regiões posteriores em ambos os grupos (p < 0,03) e a expressão de colágeno tipo I foi maior na região anterior comparada à região posterior do grupo Lesão+VM (p=0,001). A análise da TIE mostrou que as regiões anteriores receberam maior volume corrente que as regiões posteriores no grupo Lesão (p < 0,001). Nestes animais, a ventilação regional foi correlacionada à densidade neutrofílica (r=0,48; p=0,04), ao índice de hemorragia (r=0,74; p=0,001) e ao índice de membrana hialina (r=0,56; p=0,016). No grupo Lesão+VM, a ventilação regional foi correlacionada à expressão de colágeno tipo I (r=0,494; p=0,05), colágeno tipo III (r=0,656; p=0,006) e versican (r=0,732; p=0,001). Conclusão: Esse estudo mostra a progressão histopatológica e apresentação regional da lesão pulmonar em um modelo de SDRA em suínos. Nesse modelo, o suporte com ventilação mecânica protetora foi eficiente para reduzir a inflamação parenquimatosa, mas não inibiu a progressão da lesão e a sinalização para o processo fibroproliferativo. No curso da lesão, após 40 horas, as regiões anteriores sofreram progressiva redução do lúmen alveolar associada à deposição de membrana hialina e espessamento septal. A lesão progrediu com sinalização difusa para o reparo tecidual, mas com predomínio de expressão de colágeno tipo I nas regiões anteriores. Contudo, a deposição de colágeno parece ser um evento mais tardio / Introduction: The pattern of lesion distribution in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been addressed in computed tomography studies. However, there is little information concerning the progression and distribution of histological lung injury in ARDS. Objectives: To characterize the histological progression and distribution of lung injury in a pig ARDS model by the quantification of structural, inflammatory and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling parameters and to correlate them with functional and electrical impedance tomography (EIT) variables . Methods: Twenty-three healthy female Landrace pigs were divided into three groups: 1) Sham (n=5): animals subjected to preparation and monitoring; 2) Injury (n=9): animals subjected to the injury protocol and euthanized after 3 hours. 3) Injury+MV (n=9): animals subjected to the injury protocol and euthanized after 40 hours of ARDSnet mechanical ventilation. Histological parameters measured by image analysis included: alveolar area, septal thickening index, neutrophils density, hyaline membrane, hemorrhage, alveolar edema and collagen fibers content. The parameters values were normalized by Sham group median values. Gene expression of ECM proteins (collagen type I and type III, versican, biglycan and decorin) was quantified by Real Time-PCR. Regional ventilation was measured by EIT. For each variable the anterior and posterior regions of the lung were analyzed. Results: Density neutrophil was lesser in the Injury+MV group (p=0.02). Alveolar area in the posterior regions of the Injury+MV group was lesser than the anterior regions (p=0.012). However, the septal thickening was higher in Injury+MV group, especially in the anterior regions, when compared to the Injury group (p <= 0.01). In consonance with such findings, the hyaline membrane and alveolar edema index in the anterior region was higher than the posterior region in both groups (p < 0.03) and the expression of collagen type I was significantly higher in the anterior region compared to the posterior region in lungs of Injury+MV (p=0.001). The EIT showed that the non-dependent regions (anterior) received more ventilator influx than the dependent regions (p<0.001) in the Injury group. In these animals, the regional ventilation was correlated to neutrophil density (r=0.48; p=0,04), hemorrhage index (r=0.74; p=0.001) and hyaline membrane index (r=0.56; p=0.016). In Injury+MV group, the regional ventilation was correlated to collagen type I (r=0.494; p=0.05), collagen type III (r=0.656; p=0.006) and versican (r=0.732; p=0.001) expressions. Conclusion: This study shows the histopathological progression and the regional presentation of the pulmonary lesion in the ARDS pig model. In our model, the support with protective ventilation was efficient to reduce parenchymal inflammation, but did not inhibit the injury progression and signaling to the fibroproliferative process. Animals ventilated for 40 hours, the anterior regions underwent a progressive reduction in the alveolar lumen associated with alveolar walls thickening and hyaline membrane deposition. The injury progressed with diffuse activation of tissue repair pathway, but with the predominance of collagen type I expression in anterior regions. However, in our study, the deposition of collagen rich matrix is a later event

O surfactante pulmonar é uma substância fundamental na mecânica pulmonar, com atividade biofísica e de proteção alveolar por reduzir a tensão superficial e impedir o seu colabamento.Na síndrome do desconforto respiratório tipo agudo(SDRA) ocorre uma diminuição quantitativa e disfunção qualitativa do surfactante com agravamento do quadro clínico.Estudamos, em um modelo experimental de SDRA em coelho adulto, os efeitos da adição de polietilenoglicol ao surfactante pulmonar exógeno quanto à melhora da complacência pulmonar,pressão ventilatória,índice de oxigenação,diferença alvéolo-arterial de oxigênio,gradiente alvéolo-arterial de oxigênio pressão arteial parcial de CO2, pelo índice de eficiência ventilatória,diâmetro alveolar médio e índice de distorção.A utilização do surfactante melhorou a oxigenação, e a mecânica pulmonar, sem no entanto, haver diferença entre os grupos surfactante e surfactante mais polietilenoglicol / Lung surfactant is a fundamental substance in lung mechanics, with biophysical activity to reduce alveolar surface tension and to avoid pulmonary collapse. In the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurs a quantitative and qualitative surfactant dysfunction with worsening of clinical status. We study, in an experimental model of ARDS in adult rabbit, the effects of polyethyeneglycol addition to the exogenous surfactant to improve the pulmonary compliance, ventilatory pressure, oxygenation index, arterial-alveolar oxygen ratio , alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, carbon dioxide partial arterial pressure, ventilatory efficiency index , alveolar medium diameter and ditorsion index. Surfactant treatment improved arterial oxygenation and the lung mechanics, with no differences between the study groups

Introdução: A ventilação mecânica protetora, que consiste na utilização de volumes correntes iguais ou menores do que 6 ml/kg de peso ideal e pressão de platô abaixo de 30 cmH2O, é recomendada para pacientes com Síndrome do Desconforto Respiratório Agudo (SDRA). Esta estratégia geralmente necessita de ventilação controlada e sedação. Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NAVA) ou Pressão de Suporte (PSV), que são modos ventilatórios de assistência parcial, poderiam ser alternativas para oferecer ventilação protetora, mas nesses modos o volume corrente (VC) varia em proporção ao esforço do paciente e não sabemos se é possível manter ventilação protetora. Objetivo: Comparar o VC, padrão respiratório e sincronia paciente-ventilador no modo NAVA com o modo PSV em pacientes com SDRA. Métodos: Realizamos um estudo clínico randomizado cruzado comparando NAVA e PSV em pacientes com SDRA admitidos nas UTIs participantes (NCT01519258). Os pacientes foram ventilados com NAVA e PSV por 15 minutos cada, em ordem aleatória. O suporte inspiratório em NAVA e PSV foram titulados antes da randomização para gerar VC de 4-6ml/kg, enquanto outros parâmetros ventilatórios incluindo PEEP (pressão positiva ao final da expiração) e FIO2 (fração inspirada de oxigênio) foram mantidos constantes. Fluxo, pressão de pico (Ppico) e atividade elétrica do diafragma (AEdi) foram capturados do ventilador usando Servo Tracker (Maquet, Suécia), e os ciclos foram processados com MatLab (Mathworks, EUA), que automaticamente detectava esforços inspiratórios e calculava frequência respiratória (FR) e VC. A detecção de eventos de assincronia foi baseada na análise das curvas do ventilador. Utilizamos teste-t pareado para comparar NAVA e PSV, e valores de p < 0,05 foram considerados significativos. Resultados: 20 pacientes foram incluídos e 14 pacientes completaram o estudo. O VC ficou em níveis protetores, 5,8 ± 1,1 em NAVA e 5,6±1,0 em PSV, p = 0,455. Não houve diferença entre FR (24 ± 7 e 23 ± 7) e AEdi [10,8 (6,3-16,1) e 10,1 (6,7-12,8)] comparando NAVA e PSV, respectivamente. A Ppico foi maior em NAVA (21 ± 3) do que em PSV (19 ± 3), p= 0,001, porém permaneceu em níveis protetores. A pressão parcial de oxigênio (PaO2) foi maior em NAVA [88 (69-96)] do que em PSV [80 (66-96)], p = 0,045 e a relação PaO2/FIO2 foi maior em NAVA [241 (203-265)] em comparação com PSV [236 (144-260)], p = 0,050. O atraso de disparo foi mais comum na PSV [21% (15-51)] do que no NAVA [3% (0,3-14)] (p = 0,002). O duplo disparo foi mais observado em NAVA do que em PSV (p = 0,105) e esforços ineficazes foram incomuns e similares nos dois modos (p = 0,371). A mediana do Índice de Assincronia foi de 33% (20-66%) no PSV e 13% (5-27%) no NAVA (p= 0,0003). Conclusão: Durante a ventilação mecânica protetora, NAVA e PSV apresentaram padrão respiratório semelhante, mas NAVA melhorou a troca gasosa e reduziu a assincronia paciente-ventilador em relação ao PSV. Em pacientes com SDRA que apresentam esforços inspiratórios, NAVA pode ser uma alternativa para oferecer ventilação mecânica protetora / Rationale: Protective mechanical ventilation, which consists of the use of tidal volumes equal or less than 6 ml/kg of predicted body weight and plateau pressure below 30 cmH2O, is recommended for patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). But it usually requires controlled ventilation and sedation. Using Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NAVA) or Pressure Support Ventilation (PSV), which are partial ventilatory modes, could be an alternative to offer protective ventilation, but in these modes tidal volume (Vt) varies in proportion to patient effort and we don´t know if it is possible to maintain protective ventilation. Objective: To compare Vt, respiratory pattern and patient-ventilator asynchrony in NAVA with PSV in patients with ARDS. Methods: We conducted a randomized crossover clinical trial comparing NAVA and PSV in patients with ARDS admitted to ICUs (NCT01519258). Patients were ventilated with NAVA and PSV for 15 minutes each, in random order. Inspiratory support in NAVA and PSV were titrated prior to randomization to deliver Vt of 4-6mL/Kg, while other respiratory parameters including PEEP (positive end-expiratory pressure) and FIO2 (fraction of inspired oxygen) were kept constant. Flow, Peak airway pressure (Paw) and electrical activity of the diaphragm (EAdi) were captured from the ventilator using Servo Tracker (Maquet, Sweden), and cycles were processed with MatLab (Mathworks, USA), which automatically detected inspiratory efforts and calculated respiratory rate (RR) and Vt. Dectection of asynchrony events was based on analysis of the ventilator curves. We used paired t-test to compare NAVA and PSV, and p values <0.05 were considered significant. Results: 20 patients were included and 14 patients completed the study. Tidal volume was kept within protective levels, 5.8 ± 1.1 in NAVA and 5.6 ± 1.0 in PSV, p = 0.455. There was no difference in the RR (24 ± 7 and 23 ± 7) and EAdi [10.8 (6.3-16.1) and 10.1 (6.7-12.8)] comparing NAVA and PSV, respectively. Paw was higher in NAVA (21 ± 3) than in PSV (19 ± 3), p = 0.001, but remained in protective levels. The partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) was higher in NAVA [88 (69-96)] than in PSV [80 (66-96)], p = 0.045 and PaO2/FIO2 ratio was higher in NAVA [241 (203 -265)] compared to PSV [236 (144-260)], p = 0.050. Trigger delay was more common in PSV [21% (15-51)] than in NAVA [3% (0.3-14)] (p=0.020). Double triggering was observed more frequently in NAVA than in PSV (p=0.105) and ineffective efforts were uncommon and similar in both modes (p=0.371). The median of the Asynchrony Index was 33% (20-66%) in PSV and 13% (5-27%) in NAVA (p = 0.0003). Conclusion: During protective mechanical ventilation, NAVA and PSV presented similar respiratory pattern, while NAVA improved gas exchange and reduced patient-ventilator asynchrony in relation to PSV. In patients with ARDS with inspiratory efforts, NAVA may be an alternative to provide protective mechanical ventilation