Chest
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Comparative Study
Lung reduction surgery in severe COPD decreases central drive and ventilatory response to CO2.
Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) improves ventilatory function in selected patients with severe COPD. The reasons for the observed benefits include the following: increased elastic recoil, improved airflow, and lesser dynamic hyperinflation and decreased lung volumes. We reasoned that these changes could also alter respiratory drive. ⋯ We conclude that decreased ventilatory drive should be added to the list of benefits of LVRS, and may help explain the symptomatic improvement reported by many patients after this surgery.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A prospective, randomized comparison of an in-line heat moisture exchange filter and heated wire humidifiers: rates of ventilator-associated early-onset (community-acquired) or late-onset (hospital-acquired) pneumonia and incidence of endotracheal tube occlusion.
To compare the performance of an in-line heat moisture exchanging filter (HMEF) (Pall BB-100; Pall Corporation; East Hills, NY) to a conventional heated wire humidifier (H-wH) (Marquest Medical Products Inc., Englewood, Colo) in the mechanical ventilator circuit on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and the rate of endotracheal tube occlusion. ⋯ The use of the HMEF is a cost-effective clinical practice associated with fewer late-onset, hospital-acquired VAPs, and should result in improved resource allocation and utilization.
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To determine the usefulness of serial measurements of the rapid-shallow-breathing index (f/VT) as a predictor for successfully weaning elderly medical patients from mechanical ventilator support using a threshold value (< or =130) derived specifically for this population. ⋯ Serial measurements of the rapid-shallow-breathing index in medical elderly patients during a period of spontaneous breathing can accurately predict the ability to be successfully weaned from mechanical ventilator support.
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Previously we have shown that optimal pulmonary gas exchange can be sustained at normal airway pressures in a model of severe acute respiratory failure (ARF), using intratracheal pulmonary ventilation (ITPV), with weaning to room air. In an identical model of ARF, we have now explored whether ITPV, combined with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), can sustain adequate ventilation, with weaning to room air. ⋯ All sheep treated with CPAP-ITPV maintained good gas exchange without hypercapnia at high RR and at low VT, with weaning to room air. All control animals treated with CPAP alone developed severe hypercapnia, respiratory acidosis, and severe hypoxemia, and were killed.
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To determine the predictors of outcome in cardiac surgical patients with prolonged ICU stay. ⋯ Preoperative health status and early organ failure were not predictive of late hospital mortality. The pattern of late organ failure associated with hospital mortality changed with time.