Respiratory care
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To maximize the likelihood of successful long-term mechanical ventilation (MV) in patients with neuromuscular diseases, ventilator characteristics and settings must be chosen carefully, taking into account both medical requisites and the patient's preference and comfort. ⋯ The opinions of patients and prescribers differed about the ideal home ventilator. Patients were less prone to use new technologies, mainly because of a lack of information, underlining the need for regular MV update in patients receiving long-term MV.
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Because noninvasive ventilation (NIV) delivers medical gas at high flow, inadequate humidification may cause oral dryness and patient discomfort. Heated humidification can be used during NIV, but little has been reported about the effects on the hygrometric conditions inside an oronasal mask and oral dryness during 24 hours on NIV. ⋯ AH varied among the subjects, and some complained of oral dryness even with heated humidifier. Oral breathing decreased oral moistness and worsened the feeling of dryness.
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There are few studies using animal models in chest physical therapy. However, there are no models to assess these effects in newborns. This study aimed to develop a model of obstructive atelectasis induced by artificial mucus injection in the lungs of newborn piglets, for the study of neonatal physiotherapy. ⋯ Our model of atelectasis in newborn piglets is both feasible and appropriate to evaluate the impact of physical therapies on atelectasis in newborns.
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Editorial Comment
Pulmonary function testing coming of age for the elderly.