Respiratory care
-
Early enteral nutrition is recommended for mechanically ventilated patients in several studies and guidelines. In contrast, the effects of early enteral nutrition on noninvasive ventilation (NIV) have not been investigated extensively. The lack of an established method of airway protection suggests that enteral nutrition administration to these patients could increase airway complications and worsen outcomes. ⋯ Among subjects receiving NIV, enteral nutrition was associated with increased risk of airway complications but did not affect mortality. Enteral nutrition should be carefully considered in these patients.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Using Initial Combination Therapy of Bosentan and Iloprost.
Monotherapy and sequential combination therapy have been widely used in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). There is limited evidence for initial combination therapy in patients with PAH, particularly those with World Health Organization (WHO) functional class III or IV. ⋯ Initial combination therapy in treatment-naive PAH subjects with WHO functional class III or IV can significantly improve 6MWD, hemodynamics, and quality of life compared with monotherapy. Further studies with large samples and placebo controls are required to assess the tolerability and efficacy of initial combination therapy in patients with PAH. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT01712997).
-
Comparative Study
Evaluation of Functional Characteristics of 4 Oscillatory Positive Pressure Devices in a Simulated Cystic Fibrosis Model.
Oscillatory positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) is an airway clearance therapy that delivers positive pressure and air-flow oscillations during exhalation. This study described functional characteristic differences of 4 OPEP devices during an active exhalation in a simulated model. We hypothesized peak pressure (Ppeak), positive expiratory pressure (PEP), oscillatory frequency (f), and pressure amplitude will differ, depending upon the device used, device resistance setting, and time (repeated consecutive active exhalations through the device). ⋯ Statistically significant and clinically relevant variations in Ppeak, PEP, and pressure amplitude occurred between devices and within a device, as the resistance setting changed. The combination of device, time, and resistance settings affects OPEP device output for pressure, amplitude, and oscillatory frequency. Functional variations may impact therapeutic effectiveness, warranting additional study to determine clinical impact.
-
Multicenter Study
Time Required to Rectify Inhaler Errors Among Experienced Subjects With a Faulty Technique.
Regardless of the device used, many patients have difficulty maintaining proper inhaler technique over time. Repeated education from caregivers is required to ensure persistence of correct inhaler technique, but no information is available to evaluate the time required to rectify inhaler errors in experienced users with a baseline faulty technique and whether this time of re-education to restore inhaler mastery can differ between devices. ⋯ In experienced subjects with baseline faulty inhaler use, the mean time of education required to achieve and demonstrate mastery with DPIs was lower than with MDIs.
-
Hospitalized patients who develop at least one instance of cardiorespiratory instability (CRI) have poorer outcomes. We sought to describe the admission characteristics, drivers, and time to onset of initial CRI events in monitored step-down unit (SDU) patients. ⋯ Initial CRI most commonly occurred due to SpO2 and was associated with prolonged SDU and hospital stay. Findings suggest the need for clinicians to more closely monitor SDU patients transferred from an ICU and parameters (SpO2 , breathing frequency) that more commonly precede CRI events.