Resp Care
-
Case Reports
Continuous noninvasive ventilation delivered by a novel total face mask: a case series report.
Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been widely used to decrease the complications associated with tracheal intubation in mechanically ventilated patients. However, nasal ulcerations may occur when conventional masks are used for continuous ventilation. ⋯ The total face mask was very well tolerated by all the patients, and permitted safe and efficient continuous NIV for several days until the acute respiratory failure episode resolved. None of the patients required endotracheal intubation during the acute episode.
-
The application of CPAP has been used to minimize postoperative pulmonary complications after lung resection surgery. The aim of this study was to quantify both the CPAP effects upon lung function and functional capacity in early postoperative lung resection, as well as to evaluate if CPAP prolongs air leak through the chest drain. ⋯ When compared to breathing exercises, CPAP increases the 6MWD in postoperative lung resection patients, without prolonging air leak through the chest drain.
-
Increased dead-space fraction is common in patients with persistent acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We evaluated the changes in the oxygenation and dead-space fraction in patients with persistent ARDS after corticosteroid therapy. ⋯ In patients with persistent ARDS, the increase in oxygenation was accompanied by a decrease in the dead-space fraction after a few days of corticosteroid treatment. To confirm potential benefit of corticosteroids on physiological parameters and mortality will require a powered randomized placebo controlled trial.
-
Tularemia is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Francisella tularensis. The most frequent forms of tularemia are ulceroglandular, followed by typhoidal forms, glandular, and oculoglandular. ⋯ Cutaneous lesions secondary to respiratory infections occur in 30% of cases. We present a case of tularemia with cavitary pneumonia and skin lesions.
-
COPD is characterized by chronic air-flow limitation. Smoking is the most important factor in the pathogenesis of COPD. Smoking is associated with increased oxidative stress in the lungs. In this study our aim was to evaluate the differences in the burden of oxidative stress in patients with COPD, smokers, and non-smokers by measuring hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-isoprostane levels in the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) samples. ⋯ Even if respiratory function tests are within normal limits, oxidant burden in lungs of smokers is equivalent to that in COPD patients. 8-isoprostane could be useful in assessing symptom severity and health status of COPD patients.