British journal of anaesthesia
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Comparative Study
Comparison of oxygen uptake during arm or leg cardiopulmonary exercise testing in vascular surgery patients and control subjects.
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing by cycle ergometry (CPET(leg)) is an established assessment tool of perioperative physical fitness. CPET utilizing arm ergometry (CPET(arm)) is an attractive alternative in patients with lower limb dysfunction. We aimed to determine whether oxygen uptake obtained by CPET(leg) could be predicted by using CPET(arm) alone and whether CPET(arm) could be used in perioperative risk stratification. ⋯ Although a relationship exists between VO₂ values for CPET(arm) and CPET(leg), this is insufficient for accurate prediction using CPET(arm) alone. This however does not necessarily preclude the use of CPET(arm) in perioperative risk stratification.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Earplugs and eye masks vs routine care prevent sleep impairment in post-anaesthesia care unit: a randomized study.
Post-anaesthesia care units (PACUs) with 24/7 activity and consequently artificial light and noise may disturb the sleep of patients who require prolonged medical supervision. After one postoperative night, we compared sleep quality in patients with and without noise (earplug) and light (eye mask) protection. ⋯ Earplugs and eye masks applied in the PACU during the first postoperative night significantly preserve sleep quality. Such non-invasive and cheap devices may be generalized in the PACU or in intensive care units.
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Owing to complexities of measuring dead space, ventilatory failure is difficult to quantify in critical care. A simple, novel index called ventilatory ratio (VR) can quantify ventilatory efficiency at the bedside. The study objectives were to evaluate physiological properties of VR and examine its clinical applicability in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients. ⋯ VR is influenced by dead space and CO₂ production. In ARDS, high VR was associated with increased mortality.