Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Feb 1997
Comparative StudyGender differences in 24-hour outcome following resuscitation after 9 minutes of cardiac arrest in dogs.
To examine possible gender-specific differences in 24-hr outcome following resuscitation from 9 mins of controlled cardiac arrest. ⋯ An extensive history with this preclinical canine model (restricted to male dogs) had indicated little or no change in standard clinical chemistry markers of systemic dysfunction following 9 mins of cardiac arrest. However, when compared with male dogs, the female dogs tested here appear to have sustained a more significant hepatic and renal ischemic injury with no differences in the neurologic deficit.
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To evaluate the pattern of inspiratory nitric oxide concentration in a simple, constant flow delivery system during the use of two phasic-flow ventilatory modes. ⋯ Continuous flow delivery of nitric oxide into the circuit of a phasic-flow ventilator results in marked inspiratory nitric oxide concentration fluctuation that is not detected by a slow-response chemiluminescence analyzer. Moreover, nitric oxide concentration fluctuation can influence the accuracy of the chemiluminescence measurements. These effects can be diminished by using additional mixing chambers to facilitate a stable gas concentration. As these mixing volumes increase the contact time of nitric oxide with oxygen, an increase of nitrogen dioxide has to be taken into account.
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Critical care medicine · Feb 1997
Comparative StudyReduced airway resistance and work of breathing during mechanical ventilation with an ultra-thin, two-stage polyurethane endotracheal tube (the Kolobow tube).
To compare dynamic pulmonary function studies using the ultrathin walled Kolobow endotracheal tube, with conventional endotracheal tubes of similar external diameter on rabbits during mechanical ventilation. To test the hypothesis that the increased internal diameter of the Kolobow tube will result in decreased airway resistance and work of breathing. ⋯ The use of the ultrathin walled Kolobow endotracheal tube resulted in significant decreases in airway resistance and work of breathing, which has the potential for improving the ventilatory mechanics in very small premature newborns.
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Critical care medicine · Feb 1997
Intensive care physicians' insufficient knowledge of right-heart catheterization at the bedside: time to act?
To evaluate French, Swiss, and Belgian intensive care physicians' knowledge about the pulmonary artery catheter. ⋯ Knowledge of right-heart pulmonary artery catheterization is not uniformly good among ICU physicians. Accreditation policies and teaching practices concerning this technique need urgent revision.
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Critical care medicine · Feb 1997
The unassisted respiratory rate/tidal volume ratio accurately predicts weaning outcome in postoperative patients.
To evaluate the accuracies of the respiratory rate/tidal volume ratio (rate/volume ratio), minute volume, and negative inspired force in predicting weaning outcome in postoperative mechanically ventilated patients. ⋯ The rate/volume ratio measured at the beginning and after 30 mins of weaning is more highly predictive of weaning outcome than the negative inspired force and minute volume. The principal weakness of the rate/volume ratio is false-positive results.