Respiratory care
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Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) during pregnancy may have adverse effects on the mother and infant. This study investigates the association of maternal exposure to SHS with low birthweight (LBW) in infants. Smoking during pregnancy has been linked to multiple complications for both mother and infant. ⋯ The findings of this review revealed that maternal exposure to environmental smoke is correlated with LBW in infants as well as numerous other adverse effects. The majority of the studies found negative consequences of SHS on the birthweight of infants born to nonsmoking women. Thus, this review helps to confirm the association between maternal exposure to SHS and LBW in infants.
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Editorial Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial of Cryoanalgesia (Ice Bag) to Reduce Pain Associated With Arterial Blood Gas Puncture.
Arterial puncture can be a painful procedure for many patients. This study investigates whether precooling of a puncture site with ice can reduce the pain associated with arterial puncture. ⋯ Ice application before arterial puncture is well tolerated and reduces procedure-related pain. (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02065115).
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Comparative Study
Physicochemical Aspects and Efficiency of Albuterol Nebulization: Comparison of Three Aerosol Types in an In Vitro Pediatric Model.
Advances in nebulizer design have produced both ultrasonic nebulizers and devices based on a vibrating mesh (vibrating mesh nebulizers), which are expected to enhance the efficiency of aerosol drug therapy. The aim of this study was to compare 4 different nebulizers, of 3 different types, in an in vitro model using albuterol delivery and physical characteristics as benchmarks. ⋯ The in vitro model was effective for comparing nebulizer types, demonstrating important differences between nebulizer types. The new devices, both the ultrasonic nebulizers and vibrating mesh nebulizers, delivered more aerosolized drug than traditional jet nebulizers.
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Case Reports
Ventilation-Induced Massive Lethal Air Embolism and Subcutaneous Emphysema in a Patient With a Lung Cavern.
The simultaneous occurrence of subcutaneous emphysema and intravascular air due to an air embolism is a rare condition. Here, we report a patient with COPD who developed a severe episode of hemoptysis due to rupture of a previously undiagnosed lung cavern. ⋯ The dramatic amount of intravenous air and subsequent conduction along the venous system to the right heart and pulmonary trunk caused major hemodynamic compromise and ultimately death. The degree of subcutaneous emphysema, especially the massive venous air embolism, was unprecedented.
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Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is critically associated with cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, especially in patients with heart failure (HF). However, the majority of SDB patients remain undiagnosed. In contrast, abnormality in heart rate variability has been reported in patients with SDB. To explore an efficient electrocardiogram (ECG)-based screening tool for SDB, we examined the usefulness of cyclic variation in heart rate score (CVHRS) by Holter ECG in subjects with HF. ⋯ CVHRS determined by Holter ECG is a useful screening index for severe SDB in subjects with HF.