The European respiratory journal : official journal of the European Society for Clinical Respiratory Physiology
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Comparative Study
Evaluation of the user-friendliness of 11 home mechanical ventilators.
The home ventilator market has grown in size and complexity. The aim of this study was to determine if common home ventilators are user-friendly for trained intensive care unit (ICU) physicians. Eleven ventilator models were tested by 13 ICU physicians without practical experience in home mechanical ventilation. ⋯ The mean time for the most rapid of the physicians for all the tests was 58+/-53 s, compared with 15+/-9 s for the technician. In conclusion, trained intensive care unit physicians perform poorly when confronted with home mechanical ventilators without specific prior training. Therefore, it is hypothesised that the user-friendliness of home ventilators for other categories of users might be questionable.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Physiological effects of vibration in subjects with cystic fibrosis.
The physiological mechanisms by which vibration and other physiotherapy interventions may clear secretions in subjects with cystic fibrosis are unknown. The main aim of this study was to compare the expiratory flow rates and frequencies of airflow oscillation of vibration to those of Acapella(R), Flutter(R), positive expiratory pressure and percussion. Respiratory flow rates were measured during interventions, the order of which was randomised. ⋯ Theoretically, the higher peak expiratory flow rate of vibration compared to the other physiotherapy interventions may promote secretion clearance. In addition, the frequency of oscillation of vibration was within the range demonstrated to increase mucus transport. This study has provided some evidence for the physiological rationale for the use of vibration to aid secretion clearance.
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Orally inhaled corticosteroid use has been convincingly linked to an increase in the risk of cataracts, although the risk at lower doses in common use remains uncertain. The potential risk of cataracts with the use of nasal corticosteroids is unknown. A matched nested case-control analysis was performed in a population-based cohort of elderly people who had been dispensed medications for airway disease, as identified through a universal drug benefit plan. ⋯ An excess risk with nasal corticosteroids was not apparent for severe cataracts. It is concluded that, among the elderly, even low doses of inhaled corticosteroids are associated with a small but significant excess risk of cataracts requiring extraction. Such an excess risk was not observed with nasal corticosteroids.
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Characteristics and outcome of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis requiring intensive care.
Severe tuberculosis (TB) requiring intensive care unit (ICU) care is rare but commonly known to be of markedly bad prognosis. The present study aimed to describe this condition and to determine the mortality rate and risk factors associated with mortality. Patients with confirmed TB admitted to ICU between 1990 and 2001 were retrospectively identified and enrolled. ⋯ The mean survival of patients who died was 53.6 days (range 1-229), with 50% of the patients dying within the first 32 days. The factors independently associated with mortality were: acute renal failure, need for mechanical ventilation, chronic pancreatitis, sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and nosocomial pneumonia. These data indicate a high mortality of patients with tuberculosis requiring intensive care unit care and identifies new independently associated risk factors.