Chest
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The study assessed the interests of ambulatory cardiac patients in advance planning and their willingness to participate in rehabilitation program-based end-of-life education. ⋯ Cardiac patients enrolled in rehabilitation programs want to learn more about end-of-life care and need more opportunities to discuss advance planning with their physicians. Patients consider cardiovascular rehabilitation programs to be acceptable sites for advance planning education.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Salmeterol administration by metered-dose inhaler alone vs metered-dose inhaler plus valved holding chamber.
To determine whether a spacer device designed as a valved holding chamber with a flow signal increases the efficacy of the long-acting beta(2)-agonist, salmeterol, in patients who use incorrect technique with metered-dose inhaler (MDI) alone. ⋯ We conclude that patients who have poor timing and rapid inhalation with salmeterol MDI alone will have greater increases in PEF at 4 h and 6 h and no additional side effects if the dose is administered with a valved holding chamber that is used correctly. Further study is needed regarding other errors in MDI technique with salmeterol.
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To assess late complications following percutaneous tracheostomy using the Griggs technique. ⋯ Following Griggs percutaneous tracheostomy, 8 of 25 patients developed moderate tracheal dilatation, and none developed a tracheal stenosis. The cosmetic result after Griggs tracheostomy is good, but the number of patients with minor voice changes is high. A further investigation of long-term outcome following Griggs tracheostomy is necessary.