Respiratory care
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Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease that results in progressive muscular atrophy and weakness. The primary cause of morbidity and mortality in these children is pulmonary disease due to poor airway clearance that leads to acute respiratory failure. There is a paucity of literature on the treatment of children with SMA and acute respiratory failure. ⋯ The subjects with SMA types I or II can be treated successfully with NIV and aggressive airway clearance during acute respiratory failure. Similarly, when intubation is required, successful extubation can be achieved with NIV transitional support combined with aggressive airway clearance maneuvers.
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Retracted Publication
Direct Extubation to High-Flow Nasal Cannula versus Noninvasive Ventilation in Obese Subjects.
Patients who are obese have a higher risk of acute respiratory failure after extubation in the ICU. This study aimed to compare the extubation of subjects who were critically ill and obese to high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) versus noninvasive ventilation (NIV) to determine whether HFNC can aid in reducing postextubation respiratory failure and the re-intubation rate. ⋯ Postextubation application of HFNC may prevent respiratory failure in patients who are obese. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT04035351.).
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Post-Transplant and In-Hospital Risk Factors for ARDS After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.
ARDS is a serious complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Pre-transplant risk factors for developing ARDS after HSCT have been recently identified. The objective of this study was to better understand post-transplant risk factors for developing ARDS after HSCT. ⋯ Several post-transplant predictors of ARDS development specific to the HSCT population were identified in the pre-hospital and early in-hospital domains. These findings can provide insights into causal mechanisms of ARDS development and be used to develop HSCT-specific risk prediction models.
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Observational Study
Environmental Contamination by SARS-CoV-2 During Noninvasive Ventilation in COVID-19.
Environmental contamination by SARS-CoV-2 from patients with COVID-19 undergoing noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in the ICU is still under investigation. This study set out to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces near subjects receiving NIV in the ICU under controlled conditions (ie, use of dual-limb circuits, filters, adequate room ventilation). ⋯ Our data show that application of NIV in an appropriate environment and with correct precautions leads to no sign of surface environmental contamination. Accordingly, our data support the idea that use of NIV in the ICU is safe both for health care workers and for other patients.
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Regular care and cleaning of positive airway pressure (PAP) devices are important for maintaining equipment in the home. Illness and hospitalization have occurred from inadequate cleaning and use of tap water in the humidifier. In recent years, ozone and ultraviolent-light disinfection devices have been advertised for cleaning home PAP equipment. Our clinic provides instructions; however, cleaning practices performed in the home are unknown. ⋯ Care and cleaning practices of home PAP equipment varied from instructions provided in clinic. Most reported at least weekly cleaning of items for which daily cleaning is recommended. Few reported using a device for cleaning or having respiratory symptoms from PAP treatment.