Chest
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Comparative Study
Performance of transport ventilator with patient-triggered ventilation.
Transport ventilators with inspiratory triggering functions and pressure support-control modes have recently become commercially available. We evaluated these ventilators in comparison with a standard ICU ventilator. ⋯ The newer Food and Drug Administration-approved transport ventilators have performance indexes comparable to the ventilator currently used in ICUs and can probably be recommended for clinical use.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Implantation of ultraflex nitinol stents in malignant tracheobronchial stenoses.
To assess the uncovered Ultraflex nitinol stent (Boston Scientific; Natick, MA) for its efficacy and safety. ⋯ In this study of the Ultraflex nitinol stent, we have demonstrated that patients were relieved from dyspnea, which contributed to improved quality of life, with minimal complications. This stent can be used safely, even in the subglottic region. Owing to its excellent flexibility and biocompatibility, the stent is also indicated in certain complicated situations, eg, narrow stenosis, hourglass stenosis, curvilinear stenosis, bilateral mainstem bronchial stenoses, and long stenosis of varying diameters.
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Comparative Study
Admission serum potassium in patients with acute myocardial infarction: its correlates and value as a determinant of in-hospital outcome.
Although controversial, hypokalemia (LK) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) is thought to predict increased in-hospital morbidity, particularly cardiac arrhythmias, and mortality. Also, the mechanism of low serum potassium in the setting of MI has not been delineated. We evaluated the frequency, attributes, and outcome, and speculated on the mechanism of LK in patients with MI. ⋯ LK is seen in approximately 8% of patients with MI in the emergency department; LK is associated with low emergency department magnesium, and low serum potassium levels in the CCU and throughout hospitalization. LK has no relationship to preadmission use of diuretics, it is associated with early presentation to the emergency department, and it is not a predictor of increased morbidity or mortality.
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Comparative Study
Pathophysiology of impaired right and left ventricular function in chronic embolic pulmonary hypertension: changes after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy.
This study sought to evaluate the pathophysiology of left and right heart failure in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) who were hospitalized to undergo pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE). ⋯ In CTEPH, functions are impaired in the right as well as the left ventricles of the heart. Improved lung perfusion and the reduction of right ventricular pressure overload are direct results of PTE, which in turn bring a profound reduction of right ventricular size and a recovery of systolic function. Normalization of interventricular septal motion as well as improved venous return to the left atrium lead to a normalization of left ventricular diastolic and systolic function, and the cardiac index improves.