Browsing by Author "Bruhn, Alejandro"

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    A deep look into the rib cage compression technique in mechanically ventilated patients: a narrative review
    (2022) Jalil Contreras, Yorschua Frederick; Damiani, L. Felipe; Basoalto, Roque; Bachmman, María Consuelo; Bruhn, Alejandro
    Defective management of secretions is one of the most frequent complications in invasive mechanically ventilated patients. Clearance of secretions through chest physiotherapy is a critical aspect of the treatment of these patients. Manual rib cage compression is one of the most practiced chest physiotherapy techniques in ventilated patients; however, its impact on clinical outcomes remains controversial due to methodological issues and poor understanding of its action. In this review, we present a detailed analysis of the physical principles involved in rib cage compression technique performance, as well as the physiological effects observed in experimental and clinical studies, which show that the use of brief and vigorous rib cage compression, based on increased expiratory flows (expiratory-inspiratory airflow difference of > 33L/minute), can improve mucus movement toward the glottis. On the other hand, the use of soft and gradual rib cage compression throughout the whole expiratory phase does not impact the expiratory flows, resulting in ineffective or undesired effects in some cases. More physiological studies are needed to understand the principles of the rib cage compression technique in ventilated humans. However, according to the evidence, rib cage compression has more potential benefits than risks, so its implementation should be promoted.
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    Challenges and limitations of using ventilator-free days as an outcome in critical care trials
    (2024) Bruhn, Alejandro; Kattan Tala, Eduardo José; Biasi Cavalcanti, Alexandre
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    Development of mechanical ventilators in Chile. Chronicle of the initiative "Un Respiro para Chile
    (2022) Bugedo, Guillermo; Tobar, Eduardo; Alegria, Leyla; Oviedo, Vanessa; Arellano, Daniel; Basoalto, Roque; Enberg, Luis; Suarez, Pablo; Bitran, Eduardo; Chabert, Steren; Bruhn, Alejandro
    At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile, in March 2020, a projection indicated that a significant group of patients with pneumonia would require admission to an Intensive Care Unit and connection to a mechanical ventilator. Therefore, a paucity of these devices and other supplies was predicted. The initiative "Un respiro para Chile" brought together many people and institutions, public and private. In the course of three months, it allowed the design and building of several ventilatory assistance devices, which could be used in critically ill patients.
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    Does Regional Lung Strain Correlate With Regional Inflammation in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome During Nonprotective Ventilation? An Experimental Porcine Study
    (2018) Retamal Montes, Jaime; Hurtado Sepúlveda, Daniel; Villarroel, Nicolás; Bruhn, Alejandro; Bugedo Tarraza, Guillermo; Amato, Marcelo; Costa, Eduardo L. V.; Hedenstierna, Goran; Larsson, Anders; Borges, Joäo Batista
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    Double cycling with breath-stacking during partial support ventilation in ARDS: Just a feature of natural variability?
    (2025) Brito, Roberto; Morais, Caio C. A.; Arellano, Daniel H.; Gajardo, Abraham I. J.; Bruhn, Alejandro; Brochard, L.; Amato, Marcelo B. P.; Cornejo, Rodrigo A.
    Background Double cycling with breath-stacking (DC/BS) during controlled mechanical ventilation is considered potentially injurious, reflecting a high respiratory drive. During partial ventilatory support, its occurrence might be attributable to physiological variability of breathing patterns, reflecting the response of the mode without carrying specific risks. Methods This secondary analysis of a crossover study evaluated DC/BS events in hypoxemic patients resuming spontaneous breathing in cross-over under neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA), proportional assist ventilation (PAV +), and pressure support ventilation (PSV). DC/BS was defined as two inspiratory cycles with incomplete exhalation. Measurements included electrical impedance signal, airway pressure, esophageal and gastric pressures, and flow. Breathing variability, dynamic compliance (CLdyn), and end-expiratory lung impedance (EELI) were analyzed. Results Twenty patients under assisted breathing, with a median of 9 [5–14] days on mechanical ventilation, were included. DC/BS was attributed to either a single (42%) or two apparent consecutive inspiratory efforts (58%). The median [IQR] incidence of DC/BS was low: 0.6 [0.1–2.6] % in NAVA, 0.0 [0.0–0.4] % in PAV + , and 0.1 [0.0–0.4] % in PSV (p = 0.06). DC/BS events were associated with patient’s coefficient of variability for tidal volume (p = 0.014) and respiratory rate (p = 0.011). DC/BS breaths exhibited higher tidal volume, muscular pressure and regional stretch compared to regular breaths. Post-DC/BS cycles frequently exhibited improved EELI and CLdyn, with no evidence of expiratory muscle activation in 63% of cases. Conclusions DC/BS events during partial ventilatory support were infrequent and linked to breathing variability. Their frequency and physiological effects on lung compliance and EELI resemble spontaneous sighs and may not be considered a priori as harmful.
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    Effect of decreasing respiratory rate on the mechanical power of ventilation and lung injury biomarkers: a randomized cross-over clinical study in COVID-19 ARDS patients
    (Springer Nature, 2025) Damiani Rebolledo, L. Felipe; Basoalto Escobar, Roque Ignacio; Oviedo Álvarez, Vanessa Andrea; Alegría Vargas, Leyla; Soto Muñoz, Dagoberto Igor; Bachmann Barrón, María Consuelo; Jalil Contreras, Yorschua Frederick; Santis Fuentes, César Antonio; Carpio Cordero, David Bernardo; Ulloa Morrison, Rodrigo; Valenzuela Espinoza, Emilio Daniel; Vera Alarcón, María Magdalena; Schultz, Marcus J.; Retamal Montes, Jaime; Bruhn, Alejandro; Bugedo Tarraza, Guillermo
    Background The respiratory rate (RR) is a key determinant of the mechanical power of ventilation (MP). The effect of reducing the RR on MP and its potential to mitigate ventilator-induced lung injury remains unclear. Objectives To compare invasive ventilation using a lower versus a higher RR with respect to MP and plasma biomarkers of lung injury in COVID-19 ARDS patients. Methods In a randomized cross-over clinical study in COVID-19 ARDS patients, we compared ventilation using a lower versus a higher RR in time blocks of 12 h. Patients were ventilated with tidal volumes of 6 ml/kg predicted body weight, and positive-end-expiratory pressure and fraction of inspired oxygen according to an ARDS network table. Respiratory mechanics and hemodynamics were assessed at the end of each period, and blood samples were drawn for measurements of inflammatory cytokines, epithelial and endothelial lung injury markers. In a subgroup of patients, we performed echocardiography and esophageal pressure measurements. Results We enrolled a total of 32 patients (26 males [81%], aged 52 [44–64] years). The median respiratory rate during ventilation with a lower and a higher RR was 20 [16–22] vs. 30 [26–32] breaths/min (p < 0.001), associated with a lower median minute ventilation (7.3 [6.5–8.5] vs. 11.6 [10–13] L/min [p < 0.001]) and a lower median MP (15 [11–18] vs. 25 [21–32] J/min [p < 0.001]). No differences were observed in any inflammatory (IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-R1), epithelial (s-RAGE and SP-D), endothelial (Angiopoietin-2), or pro-fibrotic activity (TGF-ß) marker between high or low RR. Cardiac function by echocardiography, and respiratory mechanics using esophageal pressure measurements were also not different. Conclusions Reducing the respiratory rate decreases mechanical power in COVID-19 ARDS patients but does not reduce plasma lung injury biomarkers levels in this cross-over study. Study registration This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (study identifier NCT04641897)
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    Effects of positive end-expiratory pressure on gastric mucosal perfusion in acute respiratory distress syndrome
    (2004) Bruhn, Alejandro; Hernández P., Glenn; Bugedo Tarraza, Guillermo; Castillo Fuenzalida, Luis
    Abstract Introduction Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) improves oxygenation and can prevent ventilator-induced lung injury in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Nevertheless, PEEP can also induce detrimental effects by its influence on the cardiovascular system. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of PEEP on gastric mucosal perfusion while applying a protective ventilatory strategy in patients with ARDS. Methods Eight patients were included. A pressure–volume curve was traced and ideal PEEP, defined as lower inflection point + 2 cmH2O, was determined. Gastric tonometry was measured continuously (Tonocap). After baseline measurements, 10, 15 and 20 cmH2O PEEP and ideal PEEP were applied for 30 min each. By the end of each period, hemodynamic, CO2 gap (gastric minus arterial partial pressures), and ventilatory measurements were performed. Results PEEP had no effect on CO2 gap (median [range], baseline: 19 [2–30] mmHg; PEEP 10: 19 [0–40] mmHg; PEEP 15: 18 [0–39] mmHg; PEEP 20: 17 [4–39] mmHg; ideal PEEP: 19 [9–39] mmHg; P = 0.18). Cardiac index also remained unchanged (baseline: 4.6 [2.5–6.3] l min-1 m-2; PEEP 10: 4.5 [2.5–6.9] l min-1 m-2; PEEP 15: 4.3 [2–6.8] l min-1 m-2; PEEP 20: 4.7 [2.4–6.2] l min-1 m-2; ideal PEEP: 5.1 [2.1–6.3] l min-1 m-2; P = 0.08). One patient did not complete the protocol because of hypotension. Conclusion PEEP of 10–20 cmH2O does not affect gastric mucosal perfusion and is hemodynamically well tolerated in most patients with ARDS, including those receiving adrenergic drugs.
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    Effects of Prone Positioning on Lung Protection in Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
    (2013) Cornejo, Rodrigo A.; Díaz, Juan C.; Tobar, Eduardo A.; Bruhn, Alejandro; Ramos, Cristóbal A.; González, Roberto A.; Repetto, Claudia A.; Romero, Carlos M.; Gálvez, Luis R.; Llanos, Osvaldo; Arellano, Daniel H.; Neira, Wilson R.; Díaz Ulloa, Gonzalo Alberto; Zamorano, Aníbal J.; Pereira, Gonzalo L.
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    Gastric tonometry versus cardiac index as resuscitation goals in septic shock: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial
    (2009) Regueira Heskia, Tomás; Bruhn, Alejandro; Hernández P., Glenn; Palizas, Fernando; Dubin, Arnaldo; Knobel, Elias; Lazzeri, Silvio; Baredes, Natalio
    Abstract Introduction Resuscitation goals for septic shock remain controversial. Despite the normalization of systemic hemodynamic variables, tissue hypoperfusion can still persist. Indeed, lactate or oxygen venous saturation may be difficult to interpret. Our hypothesis was that a gastric intramucosal pH-guided resuscitation protocol might improve the outcome of septic shock compared with a standard approach aimed at normalizing systemic parameters such as cardiac index (CI). Methods The 130 septic-shock patients were randomized to two different resuscitation goals: CI ≥ 3.0 L/min/m2 (CI group: 66 patients) or intramucosal pH (pHi) ≥ 7.32 (pHi group: 64 patients). After correcting basic physiologic parameters, additional resuscitation consisting of more fluids and dobutamine was started if specific goals for each group had not been reached. Several clinical data were registered at baseline and during evolution. Hemodynamic data and pHi values were registered every 6 hours during the protocol. Primary end point was 28 days' mortality. Results Both groups were comparable at baseline. The most frequent sources of infection were abdominal sepsis and pneumonia. Twenty-eight day mortality (30.3 vs. 28.1%), peak Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System scores (32.6 ± 6.5 vs. 33.2 ± 4.7) and ICU length of stay (12.6 ± 8.2 vs. 16 ± 12.4 days) were comparable. A higher proportion of patients exhibited values below the specific target at baseline in the pHi group compared with the CI group (50% vs. 10.9%; P < 0.001). Of 32 patients with a pHi < 7.32 at baseline, only 7 (22%) normalized this parameter after resuscitation. Areas under the receiver operator characteristic curves to predict mortality at baseline, and at 24 and 48 hours were 0.55, 0.61, and 0.47, and 0.70, 0.90, and 0.75, for CI and pHi, respectively. Conclusions Our study failed to demonstrate any survival benefit of using pHi compared with CI as resuscitation goal in septic-shock patients. Nevertheless, a normalization of pHi within 24 hours of resuscitation is a strong signal of therapeutic success, and in contrast, a persistent low pHi despite treatment is associated with a very bad prognosis in septic-shock patients.Abstract Introduction Resuscitation goals for septic shock remain controversial. Despite the normalization of systemic hemodynamic variables, tissue hypoperfusion can still persist. Indeed, lactate or oxygen venous saturation may be difficult to interpret. Our hypothesis was that a gastric intramucosal pH-guided resuscitation protocol might improve the outcome of septic shock compared with a standard approach aimed at normalizing systemic parameters such as cardiac index (CI). Methods The 130 septic-shock patients were randomized to two different resuscitation goals: CI ≥ 3.0 L/min/m2 (CI group: 66 patients) or intramucosal pH (pHi) ≥ 7.32 (pHi group: 64 patients). After correcting basic physiologic parameters, additional resuscitation consisting of more fluids and dobutamine was started if specific goals for each group had not been reached. Several clinical data were registered at baseline and during evolution. Hemodynamic data and pHi values were registered every 6 hours during the protocol. Primary end point was 28 days' mortality. Results Both groups were comparable at baseline. The most frequent sources of infection were abdominal sepsis and pneumonia. Twenty-eight day mortality (30.3 vs. 28.1%), peak Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System scores (32.6 ± 6.5 vs. 33.2 ± 4.7) and ICU length of stay (12.6 ± 8.2 vs. 16 ± 12.4 days) were comparable. A higher proportion of patients exhibited values below the specific target at baseline in the pHi group compared with the CI group (50% vs. 10.9%; P < 0.001). Of 32 patients with a pHi < 7.32 at baseline, only 7 (22%) normalized this parameter after resuscitation. Areas under the receiver operator characteristic curves to predict mortality at baseline, and at 24 and 48 hours were 0.55, 0.61, and 0.47, and 0.70, 0.90, and 0.75, for CI and pHi, respectively. Conclusions Our study failed to demonstrate any survival benefit of using pHi compared with CI as resuscitation goal in septic-shock patients. Nevertheless, a normalization of pHi within 24 hours of resuscitation is a strong signal of therapeutic success, and in contrast, a persistent low pHi despite treatment is associated with a very bad prognosis in septic-shock patients.Abstract Introduction Resuscitation goals for septic shock remain controversial. Despite the normalization of systemic hemodynamic variables, tissue hypoperfusion can still persist. Indeed, lactate or oxygen venous saturation may be difficult to interpret. Our hypothesis was that a gastric intramucosal pH-guided resuscitation protocol might improve the outcome of septic shock compared with a standard approach aimed at normalizing systemic parameters such as cardiac index (CI). Methods The 130 septic-shock patients were randomized to two different resuscitation goals: CI ≥ 3.0 L/min/m2 (CI group: 66 patients) or intramucosal pH (pHi) ≥ 7.32 (pHi group: 64 patients). After correcting basic physiologic parameters, additional resuscitation consisting of more fluids and dobutamine was started if specific goals for each group had not been reached. Several clinical data were registered at baseline and during evolution. Hemodynamic data and pHi values were registered every 6 hours during the protocol. Primary end point was 28 days' mortality. Results Both groups were comparable at baseline. The most frequent sources of infection were abdominal sepsis and pneumonia. Twenty-eight day mortality (30.3 vs. 28.1%), peak Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System scores (32.6 ± 6.5 vs. 33.2 ± 4.7) and ICU length of stay (12.6 ± 8.2 vs. 16 ± 12.4 days) were comparable. A higher proportion of patients exhibited values below the specific target at baseline in the pHi group compared with the CI group (50% vs. 10.9%; P < 0.001). Of 32 patients with a pHi < 7.32 at baseline, only 7 (22%) normalized this parameter after resuscitation. Areas under the receiver operator characteristic curves to predict mortality at baseline, and at 24 and 48 hours were 0.55, 0.61, and 0.47, and 0.70, 0.90, and 0.75, for CI and pHi, respectively. Conclusions Our study failed to demonstrate any survival benefit of using pHi compared with CI as resuscitation goal in septic-shock patients. Nevertheless, a normalization of pHi within 24 hours of resuscitation is a strong signal of therapeutic success, and in contrast, a persistent low pHi despite treatment is associated with a very bad prognosis in septic-shock patients.
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    Geo-economic variations in epidemiology, patterns of care, and outcomes in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: insights from the LUNG SAFE prospective cohort study
    (2017) Bruhn, Alejandro; Laffey, J. G.; Madotto, F.; Bellani, G.; Pham, T.; Fan, E.; Brochard, L.; Arabi, Y.; Bajwa, E. K.; Cerny, V.; Clarkson, K.; Heunks, L.; Kurahashi, K.; Laake, J. H.; Lorente, J. A.; Mcnamee, L.
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    High PEEP levels are associated with overdistension and tidal recruitment/derecruitment in ARDS patients
    (2015) Retamal Montes, Jaime; Bugedo Tarraza, Guillermo; Larsson, A.; Bruhn, Alejandro
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    Pendelluft in hypoxemic patients resuming spontaneous breathing: proportional modes versus pressure support ventilation
    (2023) Arellano, Daniel H.; Brito, Roberto; Morais, Caio C. A.; Ruiz-Rudolph, Pablo; Gajardo, Abraham I. J.; Guiñez, Dannette V.; Lazo, Marioli T.; Ramirez, Ivan; Rojas, Verónica A.; Bruhn, Alejandro; Cerda, María A.; Medel, Juan N.; Illanes, Victor; Estuardo, Nivia R.; Brochard, Laurent J.; Amato, Marcelo B. P.; Cornejo, Rodrigo A.
    Background: Internal redistribution of gas, referred to as pendelluft, is a new potential mechanism of effort-dependent lung injury. Neurally-adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) and proportional assist ventilation (PAV +) follow the patient’s respiratory effort and improve synchrony compared with pressure support ventilation (PSV). Whether these modes could prevent the development of pendelluft compared with PSV is unknown. We aimed to compare pendelluft magnitude during PAV + and NAVA versus PSV in patients with resolving acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Methods: Patients received either NAVA, PAV + , or PSV in a crossover trial for 20-min using comparable assistance levels after controlled ventilation (> 72 h). We assessed pendelluft (the percentage of lost volume from the non-dependent lung region displaced to the dependent region during inspiration), drive (as the delta esophageal swing of the first 100 ms [ΔPes 100 ms]) and inspiratory effort (as the esophageal pressure–time product per minute [PTPmin]). We performed repeated measures analysis with post-hoc tests and mixed-effects models. Results: Twenty patients mechanically ventilated for 9 [5–14] days were monitored. Despite matching for a similar tidal volume, respiratory drive and inspiratory effort were slightly higher with NAVA and PAV + compared with PSV (ΔPes 100 ms of –2.8 [−3.8–−1.9] cm H2O, −3.6 [−3.9–−2.4] cm H2O and −2.1 [−2.5–−1.1] cm H2O, respectively, p < 0.001 for both comparisons; PTPmin of 155 [118–209] cm H2O s/min, 197 [145–269] cm H2O s/min, and 134 [93–169] cm H2O s/min, respectively, p < 0.001 for both comparisons). Pendelluft magnitude was higher in NAVA (12 ± 7%) and PAV + (13 ± 7%) compared with PSV (8 ± 6%), p < 0.001. Pendelluft magnitude was strongly associated with respiratory drive (β = -2.771, p-value < 0.001) and inspiratory effort (β = 0.026, p  < 0.001), independent of the ventilatory mode. A higher magnitude of pendelluft in proportional modes compared with PSV existed after adjusting for PTPmin (β = 2.606, p = 0.010 for NAVA, and β = 3.360, p = 0.004 for PAV +), and only for PAV + when adjusted for respiratory drive (β = 2.643, p = 0.009 for PAV +). Conclusions: Pendelluft magnitude is associated with respiratory drive and inspiratory effort. Proportional modes do not prevent its occurrence in resolving ARDS compared with PSV.
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    Persistent sepsis-induced hypotension without hyperlactatemia: Is it really septic shock?
    (W B SAUNDERS CO-ELSEVIER INC, 2011) Hernandez, Glenn; Castro, Ricardo; Romero, Carlos; de la Hoz, Claudio; Angulo, Daniela; Aranguiz, Ignacio; Larrondo, Jorge; Bujes, Andres; Bruhn, Alejandro
    Purpose: The prognostic value of hyperlactatemia in septic shock is unquestionable. However, as current definitions do not include hyperlactatemia as a mandatory criterion, some hypotensive patients may be diagnosed as having septic shock despite exhibiting normolactatemia. The significance of persistent sepsis-induced hypotension without hyperlactatemia is unclear. Is it really septic shock? Our aim was to determine differences in outcome between patients diagnosed as having septic shock but exhibiting normal vs elevated lactate levels during evolution. We also explored the potential implications of including hyperlactatemia as an obligatory diagnostic criterion.
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    Physiological and clinical effects of trunk inclination adjustment in patients with respiratory failure: a scoping review and narrative synthesis
    (2024) Benites, Martín H.; Zapata Canivilo, Marcelo; Poblete, Fabian; Labbe, Francisco; Battiato, Romina; Ferre, Andrés; Dreyse, Jorge; Bugedo, Guillermo; Bruhn, Alejandro; Costa, Eduardo L. V.; Retamal, Jaime
    Background Adjusting trunk inclination from a semi-recumbent position to a supine-flat position or vice versa in patients with respiratory failure significantly affects numerous aspects of respiratory physiology including respiratory mechanics, oxygenation, end-expiratory lung volume, and ventilatory efficiency. Despite these observed effects, the current clinical evidence regarding this positioning manoeuvre is limited. This study undertakes a scoping review of patients with respiratory failure undergoing mechanical ventilation to assess the effect of trunk inclination on physiological lung parameters. Methods The PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus databases were systematically searched from 2003 to 2023. Interventions: Changes in trunk inclination. Measurements: Four domains were evaluated in this study: 1) respiratory mechanics, 2) ventilation distribution, 3) oxygenation, and 4) ventilatory efficiency. Results After searching the three databases and removing duplicates, 220 studies were screened. Of these, 37 were assessed in detail, and 13 were included in the final analysis, comprising 274 patients. All selected studies were experimental, and assessed respiratory mechanics, ventilation distribution, oxygenation, and ventilatory efficiency, primarily within 60 min post postural change. Conclusion In patients with acute respiratory failure, transitioning from a supine to a semi-recumbent position leads to decreased respiratory system compliance and increased airway driving pressure. Additionally, C-ARDS patients experienced an improvement in ventilatory efficiency, which resulted in lower PaCO2 levels. Improvements in oxygenation were observed in a few patients and only in those who exhibited an increase in EELV upon moving to a semi-recumbent position. Therefore, the trunk inclination angle must be accurately reported in patients with respiratory failure under mechanical ventilation.
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    Physiological effects of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy after extubation: a randomized crossover study
    (2023) Basoalto Escobar, Roque Ignacio; Damiani Rebolledo, L. Felipe; Jalil, Yorschua; Bachmann, María Consuelo; Oviedo, Vanessa; Alegría Vargas, Leyla; Valenzuela, Emilio Daniel; Rovegno Echavarria, Maxiliano; Ruiz-Rudolph, Pablo; Cornejo, Rodrigo; Retamal Montes, Jaime; Bugedo Tarraza, Guillermo; Thille, Arnaud W.; Bruhn, Alejandro
    Abstract: Background: Prophylactic high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy can decrease the risk of extubation failure. It is frequently used in the postextubation phase alone or in combination with noninvasive ventilation. However, its physiological effects in this setting have not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study was to determine comprehensively the effects of HFNC applied after extubation on respiratory effort, diaphragm activity, gas exchange, ventilation distribution, and cardiovascular biomarkers. Methods: This was a prospective randomized crossover physiological study in critically ill patients comparing 1 h of HFNC versus 1 h of standard oxygen after extubation. The main inclusion criteria were mechanical ventilation for at least 48 h due to acute respiratory failure, and extubation after a successful spontaneous breathing trial (SBT). We measured respiratory effort through esophageal/transdiaphragmatic pressures, and diaphragm electrical activity (ΔEAdi). Lung volumes and ventilation distribution were estimated by electrical impedance tomography. Arterial and central venous blood gases were analyzed, as well as cardiac stress biomarkers. Results: We enrolled 22 patients (age 59 ± 17 years; 9 women) who had been intubated for 8 ± 6 days before extubation. Respiratory effort was significantly lower with HFNC than with standard oxygen therapy, as evidenced by esophageal pressure swings (5.3 [4.2–7.1] vs. 7.2 [5.6–10.3] cmH2O; p < 0.001), pressure–time product (85 [67–140] vs. 156 [114–238] cmH2O*s/min; p < 0.001) and ΔEAdi (10 [7–13] vs. 14 [9–16] µV; p = 0.022). In addition, HFNC induced increases in end-expiratory lung volume and PaO2/FiO2 ratio, decreases in respiratory rate and ventilatory ratio, while no changes were observed in systemic hemodynamics, Troponin T, or in amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide. Conclusions: Prophylactic application of HFNC after extubation provides substantial respiratory support and unloads respiratory muscles.
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    Positive end-expiratory pressure increases strain in patients with ALI/ARDS
    (2011) Bugedo Tarraza, Guillermo; Bruhn, Alejandro; Regueira Heskia, Tomás; Romero, C.; Retamal, J.; Hernández P., Glenn
    The study aimed to evaluate a methodology to quantify the porosity of the soil using computed tomography in areas under no-tillage, conventional tillage and native forest. Three soil management systems were selected for the study: forest, conventional tillage and no-tillage. In each soil management system, undisturbed soil samples were collected in the surface layer (0.0 to 0.10 m). The tomographic images were obtained using a X-ray microtomography. After obtaining the images, they were processed, and a methodology was evaluated for image conversion into numerical values. The statistical method which provided the greatest accuracy was the percentile method. The methodology used to analyze the tomographic image allowed quantifying the porosity of the soil under different soil management. The method enabled the characterization of soil porosity in a non-evasive and non-destructive way.
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    Reduction of Respiratory Rate in COVID-19-Associated ARDS
    (2022) Damiani, L. Felipe; Oviedo, Vanessa; Alegria, Leyla; Soto, Dagoberto; Basoalto, Roque; Consuelo Bachmann, M.; Jalil Contreras, Yorschua Frederick; Santis, Cesar; Vera, Magdalena; Retamal, Jaime; Bruhn, Alejandro; Bugedo, Guillermo
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    Safety and efficacy of clinical-grade, cryopreserved menstrual blood mesenchymal stromal cells in experimental acute respiratory distress syndrome
    (2023) Alcayaga-Miranda, Francisca; Silva, Johnatas Dutra; Parada, Nicol; da Silva, Luisa Helena Andrade; Cruz, Fernanda Ferreira; Utreras, Yildy; Hidalgo, Yessia; Cadiz, Maria Ignacia; Limonchi, Rafael Tapia; Espinoza, Francisco; Bruhn, Alejandro; Khoury, Maroun; Rocco, Patricia R. M.; Cuenca, Jimena
    Background: Treatment for critical care conditions, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), requires ready-to-administer injectable mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). A validated cryopreserved therapy based on MSCs derived from menstrual blood (MenSCs) is an attractive option that offers advantages over freshly cultured cells and allows its use as an off-the-shelf therapy in acute clinical conditions. The main goal of this study is to provide evidence on the impact of cryopreservation on different biological functions of MenSCs and to determine the optimal therapeutic dose, safety, and efficacy profile of clinical-grade, cryopreserved (cryo)-MenSCs in experimental ARDS.Methods: Biological functions of fresh versus cryo-MenSCs were compared in vitro. The effects of cryo-MenSCs therapy were evaluated in vivo in ARDS-induced (Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide) C57BL/6 mice. After 24 h, the animals were treated with five doses ranging from 0.25x10(5) to 1.25x10(6) cells/animal. At 2 and 7 days after induction of ARDS, safety and efficacy were evaluated.Results: Clinical-grade cryo-MenSCs injections improved lung mechanics and reduced alveolar collapse, tissue cellularity, and remodelling, decreasing elastic and collagen fiber content in alveolar septa. In addition, administration of these cells modulated inflammatory mediators and promoted pro-angiogenic and anti-apoptotic effects in lung-injured animals. More beneficial effects were observed with an optimal dose of 4x10(6) cells/Kg than with higher or lower doses.Conclusion: From a translational perspective, the results showed that clinical-grade cryopreserved MenSCs retain their biological properties and exert a therapeutic effect in mild to moderate experimental ARDS. The optimal therapeutic dose was well-tolerated, safe, and effective, favouring improved lung function. These findings support the potential value of an off-the-shelf MenSCs-based product as a promising therapeutic strategy for treating ARDS.
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    Síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica severa: ¿Es comparable a la sepsis severa?
    (1999) Hernández P., Glenn; Dougnac Labatut, Alberto; Castro O, J.; Labarca M, E.; Ojeda M, M.; Bugedo Tarraza, Guillermo; Castillo Fuenzalida, Luis Benito; Andresen Hernández, Max; Bruhn, Alejandro; Huidobro M, L.F.; Huidobro M, R.; Caballero G, M.T.; Hernández M, A.
    Background: In 1992, a consensus conference defined the terms systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock. Since then, numerous reports have validated the prognostic usefulness of these operative definitions. Aim: To evaluate if sepsis severity criteria, as defined by the Consensus Conference, can be applied to noninfectious SIRS. Patients and methods: Five hundred eighteen patients admitted to 5 intensive care units (ICU) from 4 hospitals were prospectively evaluated during a 3 months period. Patients that met at least one severity criteria were included. SIRS etiology, organ dysfunction and evolution were recorded in each patient. Results: One hundred two patients were included: 79 with sepsis (group I) and 23 with noninfectious SIRS (group II). ICU and hospital mortality were comparable (43 and 48% in sepsis compared to 43 and 51% in non infectious SIRS). The most common sources of sepsis were pneumonia and peritonitis. Group II patients had a wide variety of diseases. ICU stay, APACHE score and number of organs with dysfunction were not different among groups. Only the incidence of renal dysfunction was higher in the septic group. Conclusions: The Consensus sepsis severity criteria can be applied to noninfectious SIRS, defining a population subset with similar high mortality and organ dysfunction incidence, although with greatly heterogeneous etiologies.