Respiratory care
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Interprofessional education (IPE) improves collaboration and patient care through joint education between health professions. Respiratory therapy (RT) faculty were surveyed to evaluate their knowledge and attitudes toward IPE. We report current opportunities for IPE from faculty and compare responses from associate's, bachelor's, and master's degree programs and profit versus nonprofit institutions. ⋯ IPE is recognized as an important component of RT education by all faculty respondents. However, significant differences in knowledge and attitudes toward IPE exist between faculty in associate's versus bachelor's/master's degree programs. Revisiting the current accreditation standards program may allow IPE to take a more prominent role in RT curricula.
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Obese patients show a decline in exercise capacity and diverse degrees of dyspnea in association with mechanical abnormalities, increased ventilatory requirements secondary to the increased metabolic load, and a greater work of breathing. Consequently, obese patients may be particularly predisposed to the development of respiratory muscle fatigue during exercise. The aim of this study was to assess inspiratory muscle performance during incremental exercise in 19 obese male subjects (body mass index 41 ± 6 kg/m2) after aerobic exercise training using the noninvasive, inspiratory muscle tension-time index (TT0.1). ⋯ Aerobic exercise at ventilatory threshold can induce significant improvement in respiratory muscle strength, maximal exercise capacity, and inspiratory muscle performance and decreased dyspnea perception in obese subjects.
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Observational Study
Two-Year Follow-Up After Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy in a Surgical ICU.
The modalities of tracheostomy for critically ill patients are still controversially discussed. Although the use of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is generally accepted to be a safe procedure, it is still not considered to be suitable for patients requiring a permanent tracheostomy. ⋯ Decannulations after PDT are easily done. Complications after PDT requiring a transformation to a surgical tracheostomy are rare. Elective surgical conversions are not necessary.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of Cisatracurium Versus Atracurium in Early ARDS.
Administration of cisatracurium in severe ARDS decreases in-hospital mortality. Whether clinical outcomes are cisatracurium-specific or related with all neuromuscular blockers is unknown. This study aimed to compare outcomes in severe ARDS patients treated with cisatracurium versus atracurium. ⋯ Seventy-six subjects with ARDS were included in the study. Eighteen subjects (24%) were treated with atracurium, whereas 58 (76%) were treated with cisatracurium. Equivalent dosages of sedation and analgesia as well as use of brain function monitoring technology were similar between both groups. There were no differences in clinical outcomes. Specifically, improvement of PaO2 /FIO2 was a median (interquartile range [IQR]) of 65 (25-162) in the atracurium group and 66 (IQR 16-147) in the cisatracurium group (P = .65). Ventilator-free days at day 28 were 13 d (IQR 0-22 d) and 15 d (IQR 8-21 d) in the atracurium and cisatracurium groups, respectively (P = .72). ICU length or stay was 18 d (IQR 8-34 d) in the atracurium group and 15 d (IQR 9-22 d) in the cisatracurium group (P = .34). In-hospital mortality was 50% for the atracurium population and 62% for the cisatracurium group (P = .42) CONCLUSIONS: Among subjects with early severe ARDS, the utilization of atracurium versus cisatracurium within 72 h of admission was not associated with significant differences in clinical outcomes.
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Observational Study
Diaphragm Muscle Thinning in Subjects Receiving Mechanical Ventilation and Its Effect on Extubation.
Diaphragm muscle weakness and atrophy are consequences of prolonged mechanical ventilation. Our purpose was to determine whether thickness of the diaphragm (TDI) changes over time after intubation and whether the degree of change affects clinical outcome. ⋯ Although most of the subjects showed evidence of diaphragm thinning, we were unable to find a correlation with outcome of extubation failure. In fact, the thinner the diaphragm at baseline and the greater the extent of diaphragm thinning at 72 h, the greater the likelihood of extubation. Thickening ratio or other measurement may be a more reliable indicator of diaphragm dysfunction and should be explored.