Heart & lung : the journal of critical care
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Pulmonary artery dissection (PAD) is a rare diagnosis that is often made postmortem in patients with pulmonary hypertension. It can be visualized by echocardiography, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. ⋯ The diagnosis was made at autopsy. We think that physicians should consider the possibility of a PAD in patients with chronic pulmonary hypertension who present with dyspnea and chest pain.
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The study objective was to explore the health care needs of patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and identify the influential factors related to those needs. CABG is a current medical treatment for patients with ischemic heart disease. Discharged patients who have undergone CABG often have physical and psychosocial discomfort that can be intolerable. Understanding and meeting the health care needs of patients who have undergone CABG will facilitate their recovery. ⋯ Clinical nursing care should focus on patients who have longer postsurgery hospitalization, patients with more severe symptom distress, and female patients after discharge. The results of this study will provide a reference for developing nursing interventions for patients who are discharged after CABG. The optimal goal is to enhance the quality care of these patients.
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To describe the coping strategies used by the relatives of patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit. ⋯ This study describes the coping strategies used by patients' relatives during the early hospitalization period. This investigation allowed for a better understanding of the relatives' psychologic aspects and their relation with the patient's clinical condition. The results shall assist the design of specific interventions directed at facilitating positive coping responses on the part of relatives.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Beta-1 selective adrenergic antagonist landiolol and esmolol can be safely used in patients with airway hyperreactivity.
This study was undertaken to clarify the effects of esmolol and landiolol, beta-1 selective adrenergic antagonists, on hyperreactive airways in both ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs and asthmatic patients. In the animal study, asthma was induced by ovalbumin. After control acetylcholine responses for total pulmonary resistance (Raw) and dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) were obtained, the animals received propranolol, esmolol, or landiolol, and the same protocol was again performed. ⋯ Tracheal intubation increased the incidence of wheezing in asthmatic patients. However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of wheezing among these groups. The ultra-short-acting beta-1 selective adrenergic antagonists esmolol and landiolol can be safely used perioperatively in patients with airway hyperreactivity.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects millions worldwide. Despite advances in the treatments of other chronic diseases, little progress in decreasing COPD morbidity and mortality has been made. The death rate associated with COPD has doubled in 30 years. The presence of psychiatric comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression, has been linked to increased mortality, decreased functional status, and decreased quality of life. ⋯ Although the prevalence of anxiety and depression among patients with COPD is significantly higher than the general population, there are serious barriers to the recognition and treatment of these comorbid conditions. Routine assessment and screening for anxiety and depression in all patients diagnosed with COPD should be considered.