Bulletin européen de physiopathologie respiratoire
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Topically and intravenously administered local anaesthetic agents are widely used to inhibit cough, but little quantitative, pharmacological data seems to be available. Various aspects of local anaesthetic agents as inhibitors of cough and other airway reflexes are discussed. Nebulized lidocaine dose-dependently inhibited both mechanically (trachea, carina) and ammonia vapour-induced cough. ⋯ This observation is compatible with the view that the cough receptors are located close to the airway lumen and those mediating the Hering-Breuer reflex within the smooth muscle. Airway anaesthesia is commonly used to block the cough reflex during endoscopic procedures. Nebulized lidocaine has been reported also to suppress severe chronic cough but further studies on airway anaesthesia and cough in acute and chronic lung disease are warranted.
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Bull Eur Physiopathol Respir · May 1985
ReviewVentilatory support for pulmonary failure of the head trauma patient.
Severe head trauma patients frequently develop pulmonary failure. The aetiology of this respiratory distress may be central (neurogenic pulmonary oedema, delayed neurogenic pulmonary dysfunction, abnormal respiratory patterns) or peripheral, due to chest trauma, multiple trauma or lung infection. Hypoxia and hypercarbia alter cerebral haemodynamics, increase intracranial pressure and cause secondary deterioration of neurological function. ⋯ The effects of PEEP on cerebral perfusion pressure and on intracranial pressure depend on the interaction of pulmonary compliance, cerebral pressure/volume relationship and cerebral vascular autoregulation. High levels of PEEP may be deleterious in patients with altered cerebral autoregulation. High frequency ventilation theoretically has less influence on intrathoracic pressures and on cerebral haemodynamics but has not been shown superior in the respiratory support of severe head trauma patients.