Respiratory medicine
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Respiratory medicine · Aug 2021
Pneumothorax in critically ill patients with COVID-19 infection: Incidence, clinical characteristics and outcomes in a case control multicenter study.
The clinical features and outcomes of mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19 infection who develop a pneumothorax has not been rigorously described or compared to those who do not develop a pneumothorax. ⋯ The overall incidence of pneumothorax in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19 infection was 13%. Mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19 infection who developed pneumothorax had worse gas exchange and respiratory mechanics at the time of intubation and had a higher mortality compared to those who did not develop pneumothorax.
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Respiratory medicine · May 2021
Predictive factors for success of awake proning in hypoxemic respiratory failure secondary to COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study.
Awake prone positioning has been recommended as an adjunctive measure in spontaneously breathing patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure during the COVID-19 pandemic. It remains uncertain as to how long this should be implemented, what variables to follow and who would be the ideal candidates for this adjunctive therapy. ⋯ Awake prone positioning can be safely performed with improvement in oxygenation. However, its institution may be beneficial only in patients with mild to moderate ARDS and requires careful evaluation of respiratory parameters and serum inflammatory markers to avoid a delay in endotracheal intubation and consequent increase in mortality rates.
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Respiratory medicine · May 2021
Development of a new aerosol barrier mask for mitigation of spread of SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious pathogens.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused huge impact on public health and significantly changed our lifestyle. This is due to the fast airborne oro-nasal transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from the infected individuals. The generation of liquid aerosolized particles occurs when the COVID-19 patients speak, sing, cough, sneeze, or simply breathe. ⋯ This mask can constrain aerosol and droplet particles and trap them in a biofilter, while the patient is normally breathing and administrated with medical oxygen. The system can be characterized as an oxygen delivery and mitigation mask which has no unfiltered exhaled air dispersion. The mask helps to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, and potentially other infectious respiratory pathogens and protects everyone in general, especially healthcare professionals.
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Respiratory medicine · May 2021
Does Duke Activity Status Index help predicting functional exercise capacity and long-term prognosis in patients with pulmonary hypertension?
To investigate the association of Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) with 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and WHO-Functional Class (WHO-FC) in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH), as well as exploring whether DASI can discriminate between the patients with better and worse long-term prognosis according to 400 m cut-off score in 6MWT. ⋯ The DASI is a valid tool reflecting functional exercise capacity in patients with PH. Considering its ability to discriminate between the patients with better or worse long-term prognosis, it may help identifying the patients at higher risk.