J Postgrad Med
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End-tidal CO2 monitoring is an exciting non-invasive technology that is more commonly used in the emergency department, intensive care unit and in the prehospital setting. Its main use has been in verifying endotracheal tube position, during mechanical ventilation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but it is being studied and used for other purposes as well. The new American Heart Association guidelines require secondary confirmation of proper tube placement in all patients by exhaled CO2 immediately after intubation and during transport. This article covers the clinical applications of end-tidal CO2 monitoring with special reference to the paediatric patient.
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Comparative Study
Comparative evaluation of intraocular pressure changes subsequent to insertion of laryngeal mask airway and endotracheal tube.
To evaluate the intraocular pressure and haemodynamic changes subsequent to insertion of laryngeal mask airway and endotracheal tube. ⋯ Laryngeal mask airway is an acceptable alternative technique for ocular surgeries, offering advantages in terms of intraocular pressure and cardiovascular stability compared to tracheal intubation.
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Percutaneous tracheostomy to a large extent has replaced conventional surgical tracheostomy by virtue of its low incidence of complications and the rapidity with which the procedure can be performed at the bedside avoiding transport of critically ill patients to the operating rooms. Since it is a blind approach, bronchoscopic guidance has been suggested which might not always be possible due to logistic reasons. ⋯ In the absence of bronchoscopic guidance, adopting the simple but effective precaution of free movement of guide wire at each step of the procedure, a safe tracheostomy tube placement is possible.