Resp Care
-
We describe a unique presentation of polymyositis-associated pneumonitis. A 45-year-old man with a history of polymyositis presented with an episode of fever, cough, dyspnea, rapidly progressive respiratory failure, and unilateral pulmonary infiltrates. ⋯ The patient was treated with systemic corticosteroids and had complete resolution of respiratory failure and pulmonary infiltrates. We discuss polymyositis/dermatomyositis-associated pneumonitis.
-
To study the major eicosanoids implicated in the pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in order to estimate their relative prognostic values. ⋯ The pro-inflammatory eicosanoid leukotriene B(4) showed the best correlation with lung-injury severity and outcome in patients with ARDS.
-
Comparative Study
Measurement of functional residual capacity of the lung by partial CO2 rebreathing method during acute lung injury in animals.
Several techniques for measuring the functional residual capacity (FRC) of the lungs in mechanically ventilated patients have been proposed, each of which is based on either nitrogen wash-out or dilution of tracer gases. These methods are expensive, difficult, time-consuming, impractical, or require an intolerably large change in the fraction of inspired oxygen. We propose a CO(2) wash-in method that allows automatic and continual FRC measurement in mechanically ventilated patients. ⋯ These results indicate that FRC measurement via CO(2) rebreathing can reliably detect an FRC decrease during lung injury and can reflect the response of the FRC to treatment with PEEP.
-
Review Meta Analysis
Role of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation in postextubation respiratory failure: a meta-analysis.
There is a need for an intervention that prevents re-intubation in patients who have been weaned off mechanical ventilation. Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NPPV) has been shown to facilitate weaning in mechanically ventilated patients. ⋯ Current evidence suggests that NPPV should be used judiciously, if at all, in patients with postextubation respiratory failure, but it appears to be promising as a prophylaxis to prevent re-intubation in patients "at risk" for developing postextubation respiratory failure.
-
Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation with different interfaces in patients with respiratory failure after abdominal surgery: a matched-control study.
Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is a relatively common complication after abdominal surgery. ⋯ NPPV can be an alternative to conventional ventilation in patients with ARF after major abdominal surgery, and helmet use is associated with a better tolerance and a lower rate of complications.