Resp Care
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Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is increasingly utilized outside the ICU for patients with acute respiratory failure. However, success and failure risk factors and patient safety aspects have been poorly explored in this setting. So far, no study has evaluated the perspective of the patient, despite the known high relevance of patient participation for NIV success. ⋯ Subjects reported a low level of involvement in the initial setting of NIV treatment, low satisfaction about communication with the caring staff, and a suboptimal safety level in case of emergency.
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Despite potential benefits of intrapulmonary percussive ventilation (IPV) in various respiratory diseases, the impact of setting parameters on the mechanical effects produced by IPV in the lungs is unknown. We hypothesized that changing the parameters on IPV would modulate these effects. This in vitro study aimed at comparing the changes in intrapulmonary effects resulting from changes in parameters in 3 portable IPV devices (IMP2, Impulsator, and Pegaso). ⋯ This study suggests that changing the parameters considerably modulates the mechanical effects produced by portable IPV devices in the lungs. Increasing frequency increased PEEP and percussion, but decreased ventilation. Increasing I/E time increased PEEP and E/I flow ratio, and decreased percussion. Finally, increasing pressure increased PEEP and ventilation. The Pegaso produced the highest PEEP, least percussion, and smallest change in E/I flow ratio.
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The mechanism of high-flow oxygen therapy and the pressures reached in the airway have not been defined. We hypothesized that the flow would generate a low continuous positive pressure, and that elevated flow rates in this model could produce moderate pressures. The objective of this study was to analyze the pressure generated by a high-flow oxygen therapy system in an experimental model of the pediatric airway. ⋯ According to our hypothesis, high-flow oxygen therapy systems produced a low-level CPAP in an experimental pediatric model, even with the use of very high flow rates. Linear regression analyses showed similar linear relationships between flow and pressures measured in the pharynx and in the airway. This finding suggests that, at least in part, the effects may be due to other mechanisms.
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We report the process implemented in our institution by a task force focused on the reduction of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). ⋯ Reduction of the incidence of VAP occurred with an intervention that included respiratory therapists doing oral care in patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation. Oral care done by respiratory therapists may be associated with reduction of VAP.
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Transfusion-related acute lung injury is a serious complication of blood transfusions. Herein is a report on a 32-year-old woman who developed diffuse pulmonary infiltrates and acute respiratory compromise after blood transfusion. ⋯ The refractory hypoxemia was improved by high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. This experience suggests that high-frequency oscillatory ventilation may be beneficial for patients with transfusion-related acute lung injury and severe refractory hypoxemia.