Respiratory care
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Partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2 ) monitoring in children is important to detect apnea or hypopnea early to intervene before hypoxemia develops. Monitoring PETCO2 in children without a tracheal tube is challenging. To improve PETCO2 measurement accuracy in a commercially available mask with a mainstream CO2 detector, we implemented design changes with deform-and-hold shaping technology and anterior-posterior adjustment of the expiratory gas flow cup. ⋯ PETCO2 measurement by a redesigned open-system face mask with a mainstream CO2 detector was accurate in the bench setting. The redesigned face mask can attain good mask fit and accurate capnography tracings in the majority of infants and children.
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For delivery of inhaled aerosols, vibrating mesh systems are more efficient than jet nebulizers are and do not require added gas flow. We assessed the reliability of a vibrating mesh nebulizer (Aerogen Solo, Aerogen Ltd, Galway Ireland) suitable for use in mechanical ventilation. ⋯ Aerogen Solo nebulization was often randomly interrupted with a wide range of retained volumes.