Respiratory care
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To assess whether high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) variables are as good as other known clinical variables in grading emphysema patients. ⋯ This study shows the possible important role of HRCT in the diagnosis and quantification of pulmonary emphysema.
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The aging Taiwan population is expected to require vast medical resources, including prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV). This study determined the trends in hospital resource utilization and associated factors in PMV patients in Taiwan. ⋯ These population-based data demonstrated a decrease in the prevalence of PMV, especially for older patients, and that stay decreased; however, hospital treatment costs increased. Moreover, healthcare providers and patients should recognize that attributes of both the patient and the hospital may affect hospital resource utilization. Additionally, these analytical results should be applicable to similar populations in other countries.
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A combination of helium and oxygen (heliox) can facilitate gas exchange and limit peak inspiratory pressures through reduced resistance to gas flow and decreased turbulent flow. The combination of these gases has been used for a variety of upper and lower airway conditions, including patients who were spontaneously breathing, receiving noninvasive ventilation, as well as during mechanical ventilation. ⋯ We report the use of such a combination of gases in 2 patients with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome following lung transplantation as a supportive measure to facilitate ventilation during the initial treatment course for acute respiratory failure in the ICU. A heliox mixture was administered with noninvasive ventilation and with mechanical ventilation through the ventilator in a heart-lung transplant recipient and a lung transplant recipient, respectively.
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To carry out an in vitro study of Boussignac CPAP valve performance with a new humidification method, using a heated humidifier. ⋯ This new method of Boussignac CPAP humidification yielded humidity values above 25 mg H2O/L regardless of the heated humidifier and flow used. Pressurization values remained constant in each experimental situation and were not influenced by adding humidification. These data open up the possibility of using Boussignac CPAP on different types of patients, with different interfaces and for long periods of time.