Chest
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To determine normative values for superior vena cava (SVC) length and the utility of radiographic landmarks for identifying the boundaries of the SVC for assisting central line placement. ⋯ The right tracheobronchial angle is the most reliable landmark for the upper margin of the SVC. Venous catheters placed caudad to this landmark and cephalad to the right superior cardiac silhouette or no more than 2.9 cm caudad to the tracheobronchial angle result in catheter tips within the SVC.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of the Maxair Autohaler to wet nebulizer in patients with acute asthma.
Patients with acute asthma often have difficulty using a conventional metered-dose inhaler. The Maxair Autohaler (3M Pharmaceuticals; St. Paul, MN) is a hand-held breath-actuated device developed to help patients coordinate drug administration. The study objective is to compare the efficacy of the Autohaler with inhaled beta-agonist administered by wet nebulizer in treating acute asthma exacerbations. ⋯ In patients with moderate asthma exacerbations, similar improvements in pulmonary function are obtained when beta-agonists are given by either the Maxair Autohaler or a wet nebulizer device.
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The incidence of the sepsis syndrome has increased dramatically in the last few decades. During this time, we have gained new insights into the pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to organ dysfunction in this syndrome. Yet, despite this increased knowledge and the use of novel therapeutic approaches, the mortality associated with the sepsis syndrome has remained between 30% and 40%. ⋯ The primary aim of the initial phase of resuscitation is to restore an adequate tissue perfusion pressure. Aggressive volume resuscitation is considered the best initial therapy for the cardiovascular instability of sepsis. Vasoactive agents are required in patients who remain hemodynamically unstable or have evidence of tissue hypoxia after adequate volume resuscitation.
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Multiple complications associated with mechanical ventilation mandate that clinicians expeditiously define and reverse the pathophysiologic processes that precipitate respiratory failure and then, detect the earliest point that a patient can breathe without the ventilator. Over the past decade, numerous laboratory and clinical studies have been reported that may inform transformation of the "art of weaning" to the science of liberation. We review these studies and use them to formulate a systematic approach to assure early, safe, and successful liberation of patients from mechanical ventilation.