Respiratory care
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
"HOSPITAL AT HOME" FOR NEURO-MUSCULAR DISEASE PATIENTS WITH RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION: A PILOT STUDY.
The "hospital-at-home" model may provide adequate care without an adverse effect on clinical outcome, and is generally well received by users. Our objective was to compare hospital-at-home and in-patient hospital care for neuromuscular disease (NMD) patients with respiratory tract infections. ⋯ Hospital-at-home is an effective alternative to hospital admission for selected NMD patients with respiratory tract infections.
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Pulmonary microcirculation abnormalities are the main determinants of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) pathophysiology. We hypothesized that PAH patients have peripheral tissue microcirculation alterations that might benefit from hyperoxic breathing. We evaluated peripheral muscle microcirculation with near-infrared spectroscopy, before and after hyperoxic breathing. ⋯ The PAH subjects had substantial impairments of peripheral muscle microcirculation, decreased tissue O(2) saturation (possibly due to hypoxemia), slower reactive hyperemia time, (possibly due to endothelium dysfunction), and peripheral systemic vasoconstriction. Acute hyperoxic breathing improved resting tissue O(2) saturation (an expression of higher oxygen delivery) and decreased the oxygen consumption rate and reactive hyperemia time during reperfusion, possibly due to increased oxidative stress and evoked vasoconstriction.
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Case Reports
Caution for anabolic androgenic steroid use -a case report of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.
We report a 42-year-old male amateur body builder and user of anabolic androgenic steroids, who developed ARDS, acute kidney injury, and refractory supraventricular tachycardia. He required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, continuous veno-venous hemodialysis, and catheter ablation. We believe that long-term anabolic androgenic steroid abuse predisposed the patient to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, from its immunomodulatory effects in an otherwise healthy patient. Anabolic androgenic steroid use should be part of the history taking process, since it may complicate diagnosis, disease progression, and prognosis.
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Prolonged chest tube duration is less well studied in patients who are supported by mechanical ventilation and have acquired pneumothorax. We investigated the impact of prolonged chest tube duration on patient outcomes and the risk factors associated with prolonged chest tube duration. ⋯ High peak inspiratory pressure and surgical emphysema are independent predictors of prolonged chest tube duration and negatively impact clinical outcomes in this patient group. These findings may provide information for better chest tube management.
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Practice Guideline
AARC Clinical Practice Guideline: Effectiveness of Nonpharmacologic Airway Clearance Techniques in Hospitalized Patients.
Airway clearance therapy (ACT) is used in a variety of settings for a variety of ailments. These guidelines were developed from a systematic review with the purpose of determining whether the use of nonpharmacologic ACT improves oxygenation, reduces length of time on the ventilator, reduces stay in the ICU, resolves atelectasis/consolidation, and/or improves respiratory mechanics, versus usual care in 3 populations. ⋯ For postoperative adult and pediatric patients, 1) incentive spirometry is not recommended for routine, prophylactic use in postoperative patients, 2) early mobility and ambulation is recommended to reduce postoperative complications and promote airway clearance, 3) ACT is not recommended for routine postoperative care. The lack of available high-level evidence related to ACT should prompt the design and completion of properly designed studies to determine the appropriate role for these therapies.