Medicina intensiva
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Mechanical ventilation is a therapeutic intervention involving the temporary replacement of ventilatory function with the purpose of improving symptoms in patients with acute respiratory failure. Technological advances have facilitated the development of sophisticated ventilators for viewing and recording the respiratory waveforms, which are a valuable source of information for the clinician. The correct interpretation of these curves is crucial for the correct diagnosis and early detection of anomalies, and for understanding physiological aspects related to mechanical ventilation and patient-ventilator interaction. The present study offers a guide for the interpretation of the airway pressure and flow and volume curves of the ventilator, through the analysis of different clinical scenarios.
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It remains unknown why some intubated patients remain infection-free while others develop tracheobronchitis (VAT) or pneumonia (VAP). ⋯ Intubated patients complicated with pneumonia developed immune impairment in the pre-infection period, manifesting as a relatively lower expression of genes involved in the complement system that differed from patients developing tracheobronchitis. These findings suggest that a significant proportion of VAP episodes cannot be prevented, but might be treatable through pre-emptive therapy.
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To evaluate variability in the detection and prevention of acute kidney injury (AKI) in the intensive care unit (ICU), and application of the international recommendations in this field (Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative [ADQI] and Acute Kidney Injury Network [AKIN]). ⋯ We observed important variability regarding diagnostic criteria and prevention of AKI in Spanish ICUs, the application of ADQI or AKIN recommendations still being low in our units. Renal replacement therapy seems to generate more concern among our intensivists than AKI management.