Modifiable risk factors for ventilator associated diaphragmatic dysfunction: a multicenter observational study

Diaphragmatic dysfunction is known to be associated with difficulties weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation and is related to worse patient outcomes yet our understanding of how to prevent diaphragmatic dysfunction remains incomplete. We examined potentially modifiable risk factors for diaphragmatic dysfunction and attempted to estimate benefits attributable to altering these modifiable risk factors.

This prospective multicenter observational study was undertaken in the general ICUs of two tertiary care teaching hospitals. Critically ill adults expected to receive invasive mechanical ventilation for at least 48 h were enrolled. Diaphragm function was assessed by ultrasound each study day, with dysfunction defined as thickening fraction less than 20%.

From January to December 2019, 856 patients were screened and 126 patients were enrolled. Overall, 40.5% (51/126) of patients experienced diaphragmatic dysfunction during invasive mechanical ventilation. Patients with diaphragmatic dysfunction were more likely to develop ventilator associated pneumonia (risk difference [RD] + 12.9%, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.4 to 24.4%, P = 0.028), were more likely to experience extubation failure (RD + 8.5%, 95% CI 0.4 to 16.6%, P = 0.039) and required a longer duration of invasive mechanical ventilation (RD + 1.3 days, 95% CI 0.1 to 2.5 days, P = 0.035). They also required a longer hospital stay (RD + 1.2 days, 95% CI 0.04 to 2.4 days, P = 0.041) and were more likely to die before hospital discharge (RD + 18.1%, 95% CI 3.7 to 32.5%, P = 0.014). Multivariable analysis considered the impact of age, sex, pre-existing nutritional status, caloric intake, amino acid intake, acute disease severity, modes of mechanical ventilation, measures of respiratory status, sedation, pain control and baseline diaphragm thickness. Only SOFA score (P = 0.008) and early amino acid intake (P = 0.001) remained significant independent risk factors for the onset of diaphragmatic dysfunction. Causal path modeling suggested early amino acid intake may significantly reduce diaphragmatic dysfunction (RRR 29%, 95% CI 10% to 48%, P = 0.003) and may also reduce mortality (RRR 49%, 95% CI 25% to 73%, P < 0.0001).

Amino acid intake during the first 24 h of ICU stay may represent an important, modifiable risk factor for diaphragmatic dysfunction and may have a direct causal effect on mortality. We recommend additional research on this topic.