Lung
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Subjective sleep quality during average volume assured pressure support (AVAPS) ventilation in patients with hypercapnic COPD: a physiological pilot study.
The aim of this short-term, single-blind, randomized, crossover study was to evaluate night-time efficacy of and compliance and physiological responses to average volume assured pressure support (AVAPS) versus pressure support (PS) ventilation. AVAPS or PS ventilation was delivered to nine stable hypercapnic COPD patients via a mask over two 5-day periods during consecutive weeks. The Synchrony ventilator was used to deliver mask ventilation as follows: 8 ml/kg of ideal body weight (as the targeted inspiratory tidal volume) with IPAP ranging from EPAP up to 30 cmH(2)O for AVAPS, and the patient's highest tolerated IPAP level for PS. ⋯ PaCO(2) and comfort VAS similarly improved for both modalities, whereas the SE score significantly improved at T2 with AVAPS (from 5.1 +/- 2.0 to 4.1 +/- 2.2, P = 0.001) but not with PS (from 5.1 +/- 1.7 to 4.7 +/- 1.3, P = 0.219). No difference in mean usage was found between the two modalities. Mask AVAPS is as comfortable and effective as PS at reducing respiratory acidosis but produces better perceived sleep efficiency in stable hypercapnic COPD patients.
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Patients with severe infections of the potential spaces of the head and neck are commonly managed in the ICU. These infections may present with devastating complications such as airway obstruction, jugular septic thrombophlebitis, lung abscess, upper airway abscess rupture with asphyxiation, mediastinitis, pericarditis, and septic shock. A thorough understanding of the anatomy and microbiology of these infections is essential for proper management of these patients. Retropharyngeal, danger, prevertebral, lateral pharyngeal, and submandibular space infections and their site-specific clinical manifestations, complications, and therapeutic interventions are discussed.
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Comparative Study
Secondary pneumomediastinum: a retrospective comparative analysis.
Pneumomediastinum is an uncommon radiographic finding of potential clinical significance. Secondary pneumomediastinum (SPM) has a variety of etiologies that can lead to potentially morbid outcomes. There are limited data regarding the etiologies, diagnosis, and outcomes of this entity. ⋯ Barotrauma was an independent predictor for hospital mortality. Secondary pneumomediastinum is a morbid condition with distinctive etiologies, radiologic findings, and outcomes. Barotrauma-induced pneumomediastinum is associated with a prolonged recovery and high mortality rate.
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This study investigated the roles of different potential pathophysiological mechanisms in the determination of blood pressure in relation to obstructive sleep apnea. The study was designed as a cross-sectional study. Consecutive healthy male subjects who were to undergo polysomnography were recruited. ⋯ Regression analysis showed that sleep indices and urinary catecholamines were independent determinants of morning systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively, while total cholesterol and waist circumference were respective additional factors. Urinary catecholamines and waist circumference were determinants of evening blood pressure, with morning cortisol being an additional determinant for diastolic blood pressure. Obstructive sleep apnea and related sympathetic activity contributed significantly to the determination of daytime blood pressure in overweight middle-aged men without overt cardiometabolic diseases, and other contributing factors include abdominal obesity, total cholesterol, and cortisol levels.
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Bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung injury consists of excessive inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis. IS-741 has been reported to be an anti-inflammatory drug through an inhibitory action on cell adhesion. In this study we investigated whether IS-741 could inhibit the progression of pulmonary fibrosis through inflammatory cell infiltration. ⋯ Administration of IS-741 caused significant reduction in the absolute number of total cells, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and cysteinyl leukotriene (cysLTs) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid on Day 7. Furthermore, the hydroxyproline content was significantly lower in IS-741-treated mice even though IS-741 was started on Day 14 after BLM instillation. Treatment with IS-741 had an inhibitory effect on BLM-induced lung injury and fibrosis via the repression of MCP-1 or cysLTs in this murine experimental model.