Chest
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Preventive antibiotic usage in traumatic thoracic injuries requiring closed tube thoracostomy.
To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of antibiotics in reducing the infectious complications following closed tube thoracostomy for isolated chest trauma. ⋯ This study showed that patients receiving antibiotics had a significantly reduced rate of infection than did patients administered placebo. No significant adverse events were seen in either group.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Effect of TENS on pain, medications, and pulmonary function following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
The efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as an adjunct to narcotic medications for the management of postoperative pain was assessed in a prospective, randomized, controlled study of patients following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery with the right or left internal thoracic artery (ITA). Forty-five male patients (mean age, 57 +/- 6 years) were randomly assigned to (1) TENS, (2) placebo TENS, or (3) control treatments (n = 15 each), following extubation and during the 24- to 72-h postoperative period. ⋯ All six criterion measures were characterized by significant changes over time for the entire group (n = 45; time main effect; p < 0.01), as follows: pain and medication intake were similar on days 1 and 2, but were significantly less on day 3, and pulmonary functions were significantly lower than preoperatively on day 1, decreased further on day 2, and despite an improvement on day 3, remained significantly lower than preoperative values (p < 0.01). This study suggests that the addition of TENS, applied continuously during the immediate postoperative period following CABG with ITA, may not be advantageous in pain management or the prevention of pulmonary dysfunction.
-
Comparative Study
Lack of oxygen supply dependency in patients with severe sepsis. A study of oxygen delivery increased by military antishock trouser and dobutamine.
During severe sepsis, the existence of a pathologic oxygen supply dependency remains controversial. ⋯ There was no evidence of a pathologic oxygen supply dependency in patients with severe sepsis, even in those who had an elevated concentration of plasma lactate and in those who ultimately died. These results do not favor the conclusion that maximizing DO2 is a primary therapeutic objective in such patients.
-
Comparative Study
Routine chest radiographs following repositioning of endotracheal tubes are necessary to assess correct position in pediatric patients.
Attempts to correctly reposition endotracheal tubes (ETTs) are not always successful in pediatric patients, even when chest radiographs (CXRs) are measured to determine the distance that the ETT deviates from the correct position. We determined the frequency of continued ETT malposition after repositioning in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Forty children with malpositioned ETTs were identified during a 4-month period. ⋯ Despite repositioning based on measurements taken from a CXR, a large percentage of pediatric patients had continued ETT malposition. However, after radiographic documentation of correct position, we demonstrated that significant movement was uncommon. Routine confirmation of ETT position by CXRs should be considered after repositioning ETTs in pediatric patients.
-
Comparative Study
Decreasing frequency but worsening mortality of acute respiratory failure secondary to AIDS-related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.
To describe changes in incidence and outcome of acute respiratory failure (ARF) due to AIDS-related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) at a tertiary care center over the 4-year period starting April 1, 1987 with reference to previously reported data from the preceding 6 years. ⋯ Our data show a decreasing frequency but a worsening mortality of ARF secondary to AIDS-related PCP. We conclude that ARF secondary to AIDS-related PCP developing despite maximal therapy, including adjunctive corticosteroids, carries a dismal prognosis.