Respiratory medicine
-
Respiratory medicine · Jul 2008
Multicenter StudyNebulisers or spacers for the administration of bronchodilators to those with asthma attending emergency departments?
Systematic reviews and national guidelines conclude that the nebulised route of administration of bronchodilators has no advantage over the use of a spacer in moderately severe exacerbations of asthma. Whether this recommendation is implemented and whether it might affect use of staff time is unknown. ⋯ Spacer administration of bronchodilators to those with asthma attending EDs utilises less treatment time than use of a nebuliser. A survey of EDs in Greater London has shown that despite guideline conclusions there appears to be little evidence of reduction in use of nebulisers; a fear that use of alternatives might take nurses longer is not supported by this study.
-
Respiratory medicine · Jul 2008
Intrapleural minocycline following simple aspiration for initial treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax.
The optimal initial management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) remains controversial. This study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intrapleural minocycline following aspiration for initial treatment of PSP. ⋯ Although associated with immediate chest pain, intrapleural minocycline following simple aspiration is a simple, safe and convenient initial treatment for PSP that may reduce the rates of ipsilateral recurrence.
-
Respiratory medicine · Jul 2008
Impact of extravascular lung water index on outcomes of severe sepsis patients in a medical intensive care unit.
This study was designated to investigate whether extravascular lung water index (EVLI) is an independent predictor for mortality outcome in patients with severe sepsis. ⋯ This investigation suggested that EVLI was an independent predictor for in-hospital survival in medical ICU patients with severe sepsis. Measurement of EVLI may be used for risk stratification among those patients.