Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Nov 1986
Effect of intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure on respiratory compliance.
We evaluated the influence of intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEPi) on the measurement of static respiratory compliance in 15 adult patients with acute respiratory failure under mechanical ventilation. Modifying the inspiratory/expiratory ratio from 1:2 to 2:1, and the respiratory frequency from 15 to 20 and 25 breath/min significantly changed compliance values. Because PEEPi can increase the work of breathing, we suggest adjusting ventilatory variables to minimize PEEPi.
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Hyperthermia (temperature of at least 40.5 degrees C for at least one hour) associated with drug intoxication was identified in 12 patients over a 5-yr period. Intoxication was due to anticholinergic drugs (tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, antihistamines), CNS stimulants (phencyclidine, cocaine, 3,4-methylene dioxyamphetamine, mescaline, lysergic acid diethylamide), salicylates, or combinations of these. Hyperthermia was present in four patients on admission, but its onset was delayed up to 12 h in the remainder. ⋯ Five patients suffered seizures, and four did not respond to anticonvulsant medication until body temperature was lowered. Cooling did not appear to favorably affect the outcome after body temperature had remained above 40.5 degrees C for a prolonged period. Prevention of death or neurologic sequelae from drug-induced hyperthermia depends upon the recognition of risk factors and the prompt treatment of hyperthermia.