Critical care clinics
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Although the majority of patients can be easily weaned from mechanical ventilation, a substantial minority pose considerable difficulty. These patients account for a disproportionate amount of health care costs, and they pose enormous clinical, economic, and ethical problems. ⋯ Several techniques of weaning can be used, and there are no data to suggest the superiority of one technique over another. Management of the problem patient should be directed at the underlying cause of ventilator dependency, and an organized plan should be followed.
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The non-conventional techniques for ventilatory support represent a new approach to the management of patients with respiratory failure. A large number of studies indicate that these techniques can maintain adequate gas exchange under conditions in which the traditional concepts of gas transport no longer hold. We have reviewed the group of techniques, collectively called high frequency ventilation (HFV), in which the tidal volumes are much less (1 to 5 ml per kg) than those observed during conventional mechanical ventilation. ⋯ However, results in neonates have been quite encouraging. ECCO2R allows less exposure of blood to the extracorporeal circuit and avoids the reduction in pulmonary blood flow associated with ECMO. Although the reported survival of adults with severe acute respiratory failure treated with ECCO2R is extremely promising, it is important to point out that none of the published reports are controlled, randomized studies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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Critical care clinics · Jul 1990
ReviewStrategies to minimize breathing effort during mechanical ventilation.
A primary objective of mechanical ventilation is to alleviate the intolerable effort of breathing while allowing the patient to perform enough work to prevent atrophy. By assuming the workload associated with breathing, mechanical support averts ventilatory failure, prevents respiratory arrest, assures CO2 removal and pH homeostasis, while permitting the overtaxed respiratory muscles to replenish energy reserves as the primary process is addressed. Skillful manipulation of the breathing workload can often facilitate the ventilator withdrawal process. The objectives of this article are to characterize the magnitude of ventilatory work performed by the machine and patient during mechanical ventilation and to formulate a strategy for minimizing the breathing workload.
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Decisions regarding the application and care of airways in respiratory failure are important determinants of outcome in critically ill patients. Specialized procedures for institution of translaryngeal intubation in difficult circumstances, such as fiberoptic intubation, and provision of immediate surgical airway access, such as cricothyroidotomy, are requisite skills for the intensivist. The evolving application of standard techniques and advent of newer procedures for airway cannulation require extensive experience and cognitive skills in the management of tracheal intubation to enhance patient benefit and limit adverse effects from tracheal intubation.
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Critical care clinics · Jul 1990
Historical ArticleA historical perspective of mechanical ventilation.
The fascinating history of mechanical ventilation reveals many approaches to support failing respiration. New technologies continue to evolve. Understanding the intricacies of the patient-machine interface and the use, abuse, and mystique of certain methods of mechanical ventilation such as positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) are considered in this article. The future promises exciting new approaches in mechanical ventilation.