The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association
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Obstructive sleep apnea is a multisystemic disorder with pathologic sequelae that become apparent after a number of years. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea generally present with hypersomnolence, and diagnosis is eventually established through observation of the patient during sleep. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea snore loudly and experience nocturnal oxygen desaturation and repetitive disruptions from sleep that eventually lead to daytime hypersomnolence. ⋯ During apneic episodes, the systemic blood pressure increases while heart rate and cardiac output decrease. Bradydysrhythmias have been noted with the obstructive apneic episodes, and ventricular dysrhythmias are associated with episodes of severe oxyhemoglobin desaturation. Coexisting cardiopulmonary or neuromuscular disease in patients with obstructive sleep apnea contributes to the development of hypoventilation, serious gas exchange derangement, and general cardiovascular instability.
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J Am Osteopath Assoc · Jun 1995
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialEffects of different intermittent mandatory ventilation rates on oxygen consumption in premature infants recovering from respiratory distress syndrome.
Oxygen consumption at intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) rates of 10 and 20 breaths per minute was evaluated to determine whether a higher IMV rate in mechanically ventilated premature infants with apnea and respiratory insufficiency would reduce metabolic expenditure. Ten studies were performed in seven infants, with three infants studied twice after a trial of failed elective extubation. The mean birth weight was 952 +/- 183 kg (SD), and the mean postnatal age was 12 +/- 8 days (SD). ⋯ The oxygen consumption difference at the two IMV rates was not significantly related to dynamic lung compliance, resistance, or work of breathing. These results demonstrate that mechanically dependent premature infants without bronchopulmonary dysplasia do not have significant alteration in oxygen consumption with changes in IMV. This finding suggests that there is no potential metabolic energy balance benefit in use of moderately higher IMV rates to achieve improved growth rates in this population of infants.
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J Am Osteopath Assoc · Jun 1995
Case ReportsAccidental epinephrine auto-injector-induced digital ischemia reversed by phentolamine digital block.
The use of epinephrine-containing auto-injectors as a prescription medication for treating routine to severe anaphylactic reactions is now widely accepted. Associated with this trend is an increasing number of accidental injections of epinephrine into digits, causing severe vasoconstriction and the risk of ischemic necrosis. ⋯ The alpha-adrenergic blocking characteristics of phentolamine administered by a variety of methods have proved effective in reversing the effects of epinephrine in these cases. The authors urge that the described treatment protocol become more widely disseminated among primary care and emergency physicians.
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J Am Osteopath Assoc · Mar 1995
Case ReportsFatal venous air embolism after removal of a central venous catheter.
Venous air embolism is an infrequent, but potentially disastrous, occurrence after the insertion or removal of central venous catheters. The authors describe fatal venous air embolism after removal of a central venous catheter in a 43-year-old man recovering from coronary artery bypass surgery. They discuss the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Several practical considerations are necessary to prevent this complication of central venous catheterization, a procedure commonly delegated to junior house officers.
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J Am Osteopath Assoc · Jan 1995
ReviewBicarbonate therapy in the treatment of lactic acidosis: medicine or toxin?
The metabolic acidosis resulting from poor tissue perfusion is considered to have several significant hemodynamic effects. Correction of the acidosis with sodium bicarbonate seems to be a rational approach to this problem. ⋯ Concurring with the absence of a consistent therapeutic advantage to the use of sodium bicarbonate in the treatment of lactic acidosis due to inadequate tissue perfusion, the American Heart Association removed the routine use of sodium bicarbonate from the treatment of cardiac arrest in the algorithms of the Advanced Cardiac Life Support course. Although the debate continues, a detailed review of the medical literature does not support the use of sodium bicarbonate in this setting.