COVID-19 ventilator barotrauma management: less is more

Introduction

Many COVID-19 patients admitted to critical care units require invasive mechanical ventilation (1,2). Current management guidelines are based upon acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) data from a variety of etiologies (3). Incidence and management data of COVID-19 specific ventilator associated pulmonary complications are lacking.

Ventilator induced barotrauma includes pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema, and thoracic compartment syndrome (3). As such, the accepted treatment approach has been to place surgical or percutaneous chest tubes or sub-fascial “blowholes” as prophylactic measures against clinical decline (4,5).

Since the onset of the current pandemic, there has been an increase in reports of intubated patients with mediastinal air and sub-cutaneous emphysema without associated pneumothorax (SWAP) (6,7). COVID-19 patients represent a unique population at high-risk of iatrogenic lung injury and air leak from chest tube placement resulting in release of aerosolized virus endangering health care workers. We describe our non-invasive management at a large academic institution in New York City.

We present the following article in accordance with the STROBE reporting checklist (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/atm-20-3907).

Methods

All patient consults by the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the Mount Sinai Hospital with mediastinal air and SWAP between March 30 and April 10, 2020 were identified. Patient demographics, treatments and outcomes data were abstracted in a de-identified manner as part of a quality initiative to develop a departmental protocol to address this clinical problem.

At the time of evaluation, every patient was already intubated, with ventilator settings per COVID management practices. All cases were diagnosed using portable chest x-ray and confirmed with bedside ultrasound when possible. Due to the critical nature of these patients for transport, only three CT scans were performed. All patients were treated initially with conservative management, which included a daily chest X-ray, and observation for changes in vital signs, ventilator parameters, and supportive infusions. No chest tubes were placed by thoracic surgery unless a pneumothorax developed on subsequent imaging. While the authors were unable to find a precise description of “massive” sub-cutaneous emphysema (SQE), we define it as involving >30% of total body surface area as defined by the “rule of 9’s” for burn victims. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (as revised in 2013). Institutional review board approval was waived as the project was considered a quality improvement initiative for the care of COVID patients.

Statistical analysis

Summary statistics on included patients are presented as percentages and median and interquartile range (IQR) for categorical and continuous variables, respectively.

Results

Out of 171 total COVID positive intubated patients, 29 cases (17%) of mediastinal air and SWAP were seen. A summary of patient clinical characteristics and outcomes is presented in Table 1.

Table 1 Patient information
Full table

There were 21 male and 8 female patients with median age of 55 (IQR, 42–63). There were 10 patients with no appreciable medical history. The average BMI was 30.8 with 15 patients (51.7%) with obesity (BMI >30). Patients were intubated for an average of 2.4 (IQR, 1–4) days before SWAP was identified, though it was present on the post-intubation films in 4 patients. At the time of evaluation, the average peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) was 32 cm H₂O (range, 24–38), mean alveolar pressure was 21 (range, 15–24), and positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) was 13 (range, 10–15).

There were no acute changes in hemodynamics, supportive medications, or ventilator settings before our evaluation that would have suggested an evolving or unstable process.

Pneumomediastinum/SWAP diagnostic characteristics

All patients had mediastinal air and 23 patients (79%) had massive SQE involving at least the neck, supraclavicular spaces, arms, and chest on X-ray. Patients with pneumothorax on initial films were treated with chest tube placement and excluded from this study. A bedside ultrasound was also performed on each patient which confirmed “lung sliding” and “sand-on-the-shore” morphology in M-mode.

Seven patients (24%) were read as having “small” or “trace pneumothoraces” of either one or both lung fields (see Figure 1). In each case, these were small spaces that did not extend significantly into the lateral or apical lung fields. They were believed to be radiographic artifact from overlying skin or extrinsic compression of the parietal pleura by subcutaneous air. These findings were also observed and either resolved or remained stable in every patient.

Figure 1 (A) Chest X-ray showing massive sub-cutaneous emphysema, read as having a “small apical pneumothorax.” Note there is no component in the lateral aspect of the chest. (B) Radiograph of the same patient four hours later without a pneumothorax.

Only three CT scans were performed, each revealing similar findings: severe interstitial disease consistent with COVID infection, widespread SQE, mediastinal air, pneumopericardium, and no evidence of pneumothorax (see Figure 2).

Figure 2 Characteristic CT of the Chest showing extensive bilateral ground-glass opacities, subcutaneous emphysema and mediastinal air, but no pneumothorax.

Post-consultation outcomes

Up to the time of publication, 12 patients (41.4%) had improvement or resolution of their subcutaneous air without any special intervention; including any manipulation of the endotracheal tube or balloon. Ventilator settings were adjusted only in accordance with standard critical care and ARDSNet protocols and not with respect to the SWAP. No patient developed hemodynamic instability or rapid decline in oxygenation to suggest tension pneumothorax or decreased thoracic compliance.

In 3 patients, prior to the study period, percutaneous chest tubes were placed by the primary team before evaluation by Thoracic Surgery despite the absence of a pneumothorax. In each case, the observed subcutaneous emphysema and air leak dramatically worsened suggesting iatrogenic injury.

Two of the 29 patients developed pneumothoraces during their course of observation. In the first patient, the pneumothorax occurred after 3 days on the opposite side of a visualized “small apical” space, and chest tube placement did not improve previously seen subcutaneous air. In the second patient, a pneumothorax developed on day 8. A surgical chest tube was placed, and the subcutaneous emphysema resolved almost completely by the next morning. Both cases were found on daily CXR, and were intervened upon safely in a controlled setting before there were any ventilatory or hemodynamic changes.

Discussion

Barotrauma presenting as mediastinal or subcutaneous emphysema is a known complication of mechanical ventilation in patients with ARDS (4). In the current COVID-19 pandemic, current guidelines recommend a similar ventilatory strategy to ARDS (2). In our institution in New York City where we have a high volume of ventilated patients on high PEEP, we have observed approximately 1/5^th of ventilated patients with mediastinal or subcutaneous air.

In non-intubated patients, mediastinal air, with or without subcutaneous emphysema, is often treated with observation. Cases are routinely diagnosed with CT scan and hospital courses are typically short and uneventful (8).

With intubated patients, decision making is more complicated and historically favors surgical intervention (4,8). Positive pressure can worsen air deposits or exacerbate small parenchymal leaks. Over time, excessive subcutaneous pressure can theoretically result in decreased chest compliance and increased intra-thoracic pressure causing thoracic compartment syndrome (3). Tension pneumothoraces can also develop without obvious findings on imaging. Classically, this occurs when air is loculated in the anterior or deep sulcus spaces. Fortunately, when these occult processes are significant, they will still manifest changes in hemodynamics or oxygenation. A thorough clinical exam becomes an essential tool in determining the need for intervention. Unfortunately, since a majority of intubated COVID patients are hypoxic, receiving sedatives, vasopressors, paralytics, and are too unstable to be transported for CT imaging, we are often unable to evaluate these cases with conventional means.

Our series suggests that management of mediastinal air and SWAP without tube thoracostomy was not associated with hemodynamic instability or pulmonary compromise. We reasoned that in the absence of a pneumothorax, the SQE was likely the result of a mediastinal process. Pleural tubes, therefore, would be unable to drain the affected space, and would not reduce the spread of sub-cutaneous air.

Since SWAP patients have fully inflated lungs, tubes can only be safely placed with a surgical approach. In COVID-19 patients, even in experienced hands, this procedure carries a risk of iatrogenic injury, air leak with viral release, and the potential sequelae of large bore tubes on already fragile ventilatory dynamics (5). Additionally, per evolving protocols, many patients at the Mount Sinai Hospital are receiving therapeutic anticoagulation, and otherwise small traumatic lung hematomas may have significant consequences.

Sub-fascial “blowholes” can be placed with either negative pressure dressings or fenestrated angio-catheters (5). We have avoided these procedures since they increase the risk of widespread sub-dermal infection, and will endanger health care workers with a continuous release of aerosolized virus. Sub-cutaneous emphysema is a cosmetic problem until extreme pressures compromise hemodynamics or ventilation. This outcome is exceedingly rare, can be easily monitored in an ICU setting, and has never occurred in our patients.

Finally, small leaks that are missed by initial X-ray would eventually cause significant pneumothoraces. In the two cases presented earlier, the pneumothoraces were seen on a daily X-ray, and intervened upon before the patients developed symptoms. Since the pneumothoraces manifested days after the initial presentation, there was speculation that both suffered a secondary barotrauma unrelated to the initial source of sub-cutaneous air.

At this time, we are unable to determine why 1/5^th of these patients are developing mediastinal air and SWAP. We can speculate multiple processes that may include traumatic intubation, tracheal mucosal dissection by high ventilator pressures, rupture of small sub-pleural blebs, or an etiology specific to the coronavirus (7).

Conclusions

Conservative management of massive subcutaneous emphysema without pneumothorax in COVID-19 patients is optimal for patient safety and limits viral exposure to healthcare workers. Placement of chest tubes is discouraged unless a definite sizable pneumothorax is present (6).

Acknowledgments

This study is dedicated in loving memory of Marg Oliver, Mount Sinai Thoracic Surgery OR technician.

Funding: None.

Footnote

Reporting Checklist: The authors have completed the STROBE reporting checklist. Available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/atm-20-3907

Data Sharing Statement: Available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/atm-20-3907

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/atm-20-3907). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (as revised in 2013). Institutional review board approval was waived as the project was considered a quality improvement initiative for the care of COVID patients.

Open Access Statement: This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits the non-commercial replication and distribution of the article with the strict proviso that no changes or edits are made and the original work is properly cited (including links to both the formal publication through the relevant DOI and the license). See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.

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