Respiratory care
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The purpose of this study was to correlate airway parameters of COPD determined by low-dose high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) with pulmonary function testing (PFT) results. ⋯ The results of this study suggest that airway parameters in different COPD grades have no uniform tendency of correlation with PFT, but some HRCT parameters are correlated to some PFT parameters.
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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.