Critical care medicine
-
Critical care medicine · May 1983
Comparative StudyVentilator-induced barotrauma in controlled mechanical ventilation versus intermittent mandatory ventilation.
Retrospective analysis of pulmonary barotrauma incidence in 292 patients ventilated greater than or equal to 24 h was conducted. From 1971-1973, 156 patients with acute respiratory insufficiency were managed with controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV) and PEEP. ⋯ Despite higher mean peak and end-expiratory airway pressure, the IMV-CPAP group exhibited a significantly lower incidence of ventilator-induced barotrauma; 7% vs 22% (p less than 0.01). We suspect the difference is related to fewer mechanical breaths with IMV and not to the level of end-expiratory pressure employed.
-
Critical care medicine · May 1983
Laryngotracheal injury due to endotracheal intubation: incidence, evolution, and predisposing factors. A prospective long-term study.
The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence, evolution and long-term effects of laryngotracheal lesions due to endotracheal intubation and to evaluate the import of factors in the genesis of laryngotracheal injury. Over a 12-month period, we performed fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FBS) in 19 critically ill patients with endotracheal intubation. ⋯ In 6 (31%) patients, early tracheal lesions appeared in the form of ring-shaped tracheitis at the cuff level and granulomas at the tube-tip level; in 2 (10%) patients, an established tracheal stenosis developed and early detected ring-shaped tracheitis preceded circumferential fibrous stenosis. Severe respiratory failure, high cuff pressure, and secretion infection showed a statistical correlation to tracheal injury.
-
Critical care medicine · May 1983
Comparative StudyThe use of conventional ventilators for high frequency positive pressure ventilation.
Ten randomly selected patients were ventilated for defined periods with 2 ventilatory modes: (a) high frequency positive pressure ventilation (HFPPV) (frequency 66-70 min; tidal volume 1-3 ml/kg body weight), (b) conventional IPPV (frequency 16/min; tidal volume (VT) 10-15 ml/kg). This was done successfully using conventional ventilators, and keeping other variables (FIO2, PEEP) constant. Various ventilatory and hemodynamic variables were measured and compared during both modes of ventilation. ⋯ Peak tracheal pressure was significantly lower during HFPPV. An increase in mean systemic arterial pressure and in oxygen transport was observed during HFPPV, whereas transpulmonary shunt and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) decreased during HFPPV. These findings are in accordance with previously reported advantages of HFPPV, and might be of importance in the treatment of patients with bronchopleural fistula, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), left ventricular failure and other conditions in which conventional positive pressure ventilation (PPV) fails.
-
We present a case of cerebral air embolism after a gunshot wound to the lung, combined with mechanical ventilation. Hyperbaric and pharmacologic therapy resulted in complete recovery. The discussion focuses on hyperbaric therapy as the mainstay of treatment, the importance of prophylactic measures, and prompt diagnosis.
-
Anecdotal observations suggest that high frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) is beneficial in major airway disruption. Quantitative evaluation is, however, unavailable. In 12 healthy mongrel dogs, a tracheal window of increasing size, from 0.5 x 1 cm to 1.5 x 2 cm, was opened. ⋯ In all experimental conditions, HFJV delivered with a 1.62-mm injector effectively maintained alveolar ventilation and arterial oxygenation. Gas transport on HFJV is based, in part, on the principles of jet mixing and entrainment; increasingly large tidal volumes can be delivered under conditions of low and constant pressure. Air leaks through pathological openings remain constant even when tidal volume is increased, so that alveolar ventilation can be adequately maintained.