Chest
-
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) prevent the development of and reverse pulmonary hypertension (PH) in animal models. We sought to determine whether SSRIs are associated with a decreased incidence of PH in at-risk patients and whether SSRIs are associated with decreased mortality in patients with established PH. ⋯ SSRIs appear to be associated with a decreased development of PH and a decreased mortality in PH. These findings provide a rationale for clinical trials of SSRIs in PH.
-
Age and duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) are strongly associated with mortality and hospital discharge disposition. ⋯ This study suggests that age and duration of MV are strongly associated with mortality and posthospital disposition. If confirmed, the simple combination of age and duration of MV provides prognostic information that could be used with trajectory of illness and in the context of patients' values to inform end-of-life discussions with patients or their surrogates during a trial of critical care.