22 Feb Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Often Underrecognized, Has High Mortality
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. John Laffey
John G. Laffey MD
Chief, Department of Anesthesia; Co-Director, Critical illness and Injury Research Centre; Scientist, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science ‑ St. Michael’s Hospital
Professor, Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Physiology ‑ University of Toronto
Medical Research: What is the background for this study?
Dr. Laffey: Acute respiratory distress syndrome is the commonest cause of severe acute respiratory failure in the critically ill. ARDS is a major cause of death and disability in the critically ill worldwide. Second, there is no treatment for ARDS, and our present management approaches are limited to supporting organ function while treating the underlying causes
We performed the LUNG SAFE study to address several clinically important questions regarding ARDS.
First, the current incidence in a large international cohort was not known. Large regional differences had been suggested: for example, the incidence of ARDS in the US was reported to be ten times greater of that in Europe_ENREF_4.
Second, we wanted to understand how we manage patients with Acute respiratory distress syndrome in the ‘real world’ situation. Specifically, it was not clear to what extent newer approaches to artificial ventilation, such as reducing the size of the breaths (lower tidal volumes) and keeping the lung pressure positive at all times to minimize collapse (PEEP) were used. The impact of studies showing promise for other measures to improve gas exchange such as turning patients prone during mechanical ventilation, or using neuromuscular blockade, on routine clinical practice in the broader international context was not known.
Third, there were some concerns over the extent of clinician recognition of ARDS. This was an important issue because implementation of the effective therapies may be limited by lack of recognition of ARDS by clinicians. A better understanding the factors associated with ARDS recognition and how this recognition influenced patient management could lead to effective interventions to improve care.
Lastly we wanted to determine the outcome from Acute respiratory distress syndrome in a global cohort of patients.
Medical Research: What are the main findings?
Dr. Laffey: We found that ARDS continues to represent an important public health problem globally, with 10% of ICU patients meeting clinical criteria for ARDS. While there appeared to be some geographic variation, this did not seem as great as previously thought.
An important finding was the under-recognition of Acute respiratory distress syndrome by clinicians, with 40% of all cases not being recognized.
In addition, over one third of patients did not receive protective lung ventilation strategies. The use of other measures to aid gas exchange during artificial ventilation, such as turning the patient into the prone position, or the use of neuromuscular blockade was also quite low.
Of most concern, ARDS continues to have a very high mortality of approximately 40% of patients dying in hospital.
Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Laffey: Acute respiratory distress syndrome is more commonly seen that previously appreciated, with 10% of ICU patients meeting clinical criteria for ARDS. ARDS appears to be under-recognized by clinicians with 40% of all cases not being recognized. The fact that over one third of patients did not receive protective lung ventilation strategies is a concern, and the barriers to instituting protective lung ventilation strategies need to be better understood.
The use of other measures to aid gas exchange during artificial ventilation, such as turning the patient into the prone position, or the use of neuromuscular blockade was also quite low. This may reflect the lack of a clear evidence base for the effectiveness of higher levels of PEEP in patients with ARDS. It emphasizes the need for additional research to answer this and other important questions relating to the optimal treatment of patients with ARDS.
Of most concern, ARDS continues to have a very high mortality of approximately 40% of patients dying in hospital.
Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Laffey: We see a number of research priorities arising from this study. First, we need to increase our efforts to find more reliable ways to diagnose ARDS. While the reasons underlying clinician failure to recognize ARDS in critically ill patients are complex, the fact that there is no single test for diagnosing ARDS is a likely contributing factor.
Second, we need to understand and overcome barriers to clinician recognition of Acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Third, we need to continue to develop the evidence base for existing interventions as well as discover new approaches that may benefit patients suffering from this devastating condition
Medical Research: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Dr. Laffey: This global study gives us unparalleled insights into the burden and current management approaches for ARDS in the 21st century. We are deeply indebted to the 500+ investigators who contributed data form their intensive care units across 50 countries to this study, to our patients, and to the European society of Intensive Care Medicine who provided the support and resources for the study.
Citation:
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John G. Laffey MD (2016). Acute Respiratory Distress syndrome Often Underrecognized, Has High Mortality
Last Updated on February 22, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD