Intensive care medicine
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 1992
Evaluation of indexes predicting the outcome of ventilator weaning and value of adding supplemental inspiratory load.
To assess the diagnostic accuracy of several measured and calculated indexes for early prediction of weaning outcome, and to study the value of supplemental inspiratory load in improving the accurate prediction of successful weaning. ⋯ a) P01/MIP, IEQ and F/Vt ratio were accurate, early predictors of weaning outcome. b) The addition of a moderate mechanical inspiratory load did not enhance the diagnostic accuracy of P01 measurements. c) In our patients, a period of two hours seemed to be sufficient for development and detection of weaning failure.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 1992
Round table conference on ventilatory failure, Brussels, Belgium, March 16-18, 1991.
It was possible to reach agreement on several important issues relating to VF. First, the phenomenon of CO2 retention may have both pathophysiologic and compensatory components. There is increased awareness of the nature, intensity, and significance of the cross-talk between the ventilatory control center and the pump itself, as expressed in breathing pattern and indices of ventilatory drive. ⋯ In the acute setting, measures to limit alveolar distention, such as controlling airway pressure, revising blood gas targets, and/or using adjunctive methods for blood gas exchange may avoid barotraumatic edema and rupture. The potential for non-invasive ventilation to avert intubation, facilitate ventilator withdrawal, and help patients with chronic VF to achieve compensation without machine dependence is now being actively investigated. This two day conference proved a stimulating forum for interchange of ideas regarding the state of the field, and allowed many opportunities for scientific interaction, both during outside the formal program.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 1992
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialIsoflurane for prolonged sedation in the intensive care unit; efficacy and safety.
To compare isoflurane with midazolam for prolonged sedation in ventilated patients. ⋯ Isoflurane is a useful agent for prolonged sedation of ventilated patients and does not have any adverse effect on the cardiorespiratory system or on hepatic, renal or adrenal function.
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Measurement of arterial oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry was performed in two patients with acute and chronic anaemia (haemoglobin concentrations: 2.9 mmol/l (4.7 g/dl) and 1.9 mmol/l (3.0 g/dl), respectively) using a Radiometer OXI and a Nellcor N-200 pulse oximeter. The two oximeters read alternating different values in the two patients. In conclusion, pulse oximeters are able to give a value for oxygen saturation even at extreme anaemia, and when a high value is given, it possibly reflects arterial oxygen saturation. The value of pulse oximetry in severe anaemia is discussed.