Pneumologie
-
Historical Article
[Chronic respiratory failure: the role of home mechanical ventilation].
While negative pressure ventilation using cuirass respirators or iron-lung machines was prevailing in the first part of the 20th century, the polio epidemic in Copenhagen 1952 marks the turning point at which positive pressure ventilation following tracheotomy was started. Furthermore, following the introduction of facial masks and starting 1985 in Germany non-invasive positive pressure ventilation has meanwhile been developed as a routine procedure for the long-term treatment of patients with chronic ventilatory failure today. The current article provides an overview of these developments and also outlines the role of two particular national societies: "Deutsche Gesellschaft für Pneumologie und Beatmungsmedizin (DGP) e. V." (German Medical Association of Pneumology and Ventilatory Support) and "Deutsche Interdisziplinäre Gesellschaft für außerklinische Beatmung (DIGAB) e. V." (German Interdisciplinary Society for Home Mechanical Ventilation).
-
The prevalence of difficult or prolonged weaning from the ventilator is increasing due to a growing number of multi-morbid, elderly and pulmonary deficient patients being mechanically ventilated. Intensive care units (ICU) tend to refer difficult to wean patients to specialised weaning facilities. A survey of 38 centres - performed in 2006 - included a total number of 2718 patients with difficult or prolonged weaning. ⋯ The finished register is now logistically run by ILF. In less than 1 year after the official start, already 70 weaning units with ca. 3000 patients are registered. In future "WeanNet", in particular in terms of the register and the accreditation, will stand for the quality of weaning centres in Germany.
-
As a consequence of the novel therapeutic option of mechanical ventilation in early intensive care medicine, the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was defined as a disease entity of its own representing the most severe form of acute lung injury (ALI). Since its first description four decades ago, our knowledge about the aetiology, physiology, histology and epidemiology of this lethal pulmonary complication of severe acute diseases such as pneumonia or sepsis has been increasing steadily. The initial major therapeutic advances were due to improvements in intensive care medical procedures and monitoring. ⋯ This clinical trial, as well as following large-scale trials in ARDS patients, led to significant changes of ventilation therapy and therapeutic strategies that improve the outcome of this disease entity. Advances in the standardisation of care for ARDS patients involving innovative therapeutic procedures such as extracorporeal gas exchange systems will lead to a further improvement in ARDS management and outcome. Modern pulmonary medicine can play a pivotal role in this process and can contribute its rich experiences in all areas of the respiratory system.