Resp Care
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Comparative Study
Prognostic value of the pulmonary dead-space fraction during the first 6 days of acute respiratory distress syndrome.
The ratio of pulmonary dead space to tidal volume (VD/VT) in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is reported to be between 0.35 and 0.55. However, VD/VT has seldom been measured with consideration to the evolving pathophysiology of ARDS. ⋯ In ARDS a sustained VD/VT elevation is characteristic of nonsurvivors, so dead-space measurements made beyond the first 24 hours may have prognostic value.
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Clinical practice often lags behind publication of evidence-based research and national consensus guidelines. ⋯ Web-based teaching tools are useful to educate intensive-care practitioners and to promote evidence-based practice.