Respiratory care
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Comparative Study
Comparison of Aerosol Delivery by Face Mask and Tracheostomy Collar.
The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of a tracheostomy collar, Wright mask, and aerosol mask attached to a jet nebulizer in facilitating aerosolized medication delivery to the lungs. We also compared albuterol delivery with open versus closed fenestration and determined the effect of inspiratory-expiratory ratio (I:E) on aerosol delivery. ⋯ In an adult tracheostomy model, the tracheostomy collar delivered more aerosol to the bronchi than the Wright or aerosol mask. An I:E of 2:1 caused greater aerosol deposition compared with an I:E of 1:2. During aerosol administration via a tracheostomy collar, closing the fenestration improved aerosol delivery.
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Pulmonary function testing parameters predict cardiovascular and mortality outcomes. Previously, risk scores were created using the basic metabolic profile and complete blood count, including the Intermountain Risk Score (IMRS). This study sought to develop similar pulmonary-specific risk scores for mortality prediction. ⋯ Pulmonary-specific IMRS and pulmonary-specific basic metabolic profile risk score provided excellent discrimination of mortality among pulmonary subjects. These risk stratification tools combine familiar, relatively inexpensive, commonly-measured, standardized laboratory parameters with spirometry data. They may be electronically calculated and delivered at the point of care, providing meaningful risk information to assist clinicians in patient evaluations.
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Comparative Study
Performance and Acceptability of Two Self-Inflating Bag-Mask Neonatal Resuscitator Designs.
A self-inflating bag-mask device is specified by international policy guidelines as standard prototype of care for newborn resuscitation. Our hypothesis is that a new bag-mask design would be as effective and easy to use as a standard, self-inflating resuscitation bag-mask. ⋯ The performance and acceptability of the Upright device in this user population suggest that the device may be suitable for effective ventilation by infrequent users in low-resource settings. The Upright device should be tested in such a setting.
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The objective of this work was to determine predictive factors of hospital admission for exacerbation during primary care visits in patients with COPD. ⋯ This model can identify patients at high risk of hospital admission for COPD exacerbation in our setting. Further studies are needed to validate the model in different populations and settings.
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Advanced stages of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) result in severe lung volume decline and are associated with high respiratory morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate whether lung volume decline in subjects with DMD is associated with ventilation inhomogeneity measured with the multiple-breath washout technique. ⋯ Moderate-to-severe lung volume decline in subjects with DMD is associated with ventilation inhomogeneity. Lung clearance index elevation may be the result of altered ventilation geometry or retention of airway secretions in the infection-free DMD subject.