Chest
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Aortic intramural hematoma (IMH) is related to but is pathologically distinct from aortic dissection. In this potentially lethal entity, there is hemorrhage into the aortic media in the absence of an intimal tear. Although intimal disruption is not present, the prognosis is similar to that of classic aortic dissection; therefore, early diagnosis is critical. In this review, symptoms and prognosis of aortic IMH are discussed, as well as current diagnostic techniques and therapy.
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To assess the roles of poor access to care, psychological risk factors, and asthma severity in frequent emergency department (ED) use. ⋯ Frequent ED users present with serious medical conditions. They do not substitute physician care with ED care; they augment it to address serious health needs.
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After patients recovering from respiratory failure have successfully completed a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), clinicians must determine whether an artificial airway is still required. We hypothesized that cough strength and the magnitude of endotracheal secretions affect extubation outcomes. ⋯ After patients recovering from respiratory failure have successfully completed an SBT, factors affecting airway competence, such as cough strength and amount of endotracheal secretions, may be important predictors of extubation outcomes. Also, a majority (89%) of medically ill patients with P:F ratios of 120 to 200 (four of five patients with P:F ratios from 120 to 150), values sometimes used to preclude weaning, were extubated successfully.
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Patients experiencing prolonged periods of in-hospital mechanical ventilation have been described as long-term ventilator (LTV) patients. The purpose of this study was to document the incidence of hospital readmission and to identify risk factors for readmission for LTV patients up to 6 months after hospital discharge. ⋯ LTV patients should be considered at risk for hospital readmission. Further study examining the impact of closer follow-up in the first 60 days posthospital discharge is necessary in order to determine whether there is a more effective way of reducing the risk of readmission for LTV patients.
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Thoracotomy, sternotomy, and upper abdominal laparotomy are associated with high rate of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications (POCs). We hypothesized that symptom-limited stair climbing predicts POCs after high-risk surgery. ⋯ Symptom-limited stair climbing offers a simple, inexpensive means to predict POCs after high-risk surgery.