Respiratory care
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The 2-min walk test (2MWT) has been used in several health conditions, but the interpretation of its results is limited due to a lack of reference values. The aim of this study was to establish a reference equation to predict the distance walked (DW) in the 2MWT for healthy adults and the elderly and to test its reproducibility. ⋯ We established a prediction equation that may be used as a reference to interpret performance on the 2MWT of adults and the elderly with different health conditions.
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Observational Study
Long Term Acute Care Patients Weaning From Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation Maintain Circadian Rhythm.
Circadian rhythm regulates many physiologic and immunologic processes. Disruption of these processes has been demonstrated in acutely ill, mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU setting. Light has not been studied as an entraining stimulus in the chronically mechanically ventilated patient. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of naturally occurring ambient light levels in a long-term acute care (LTAC) hospital with circadian rhythm in patients recovering from critical illness and requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV). ⋯ Despite requiring continued high-level care and a prolonged stay in a medical facility, patients recovering from critical illness and actively weaning from PMV maintain their circadian rhythm in phase with normal diurnal variations of light.
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Swyer-James-Macleod syndrome (SJMS) is a rare constrictive bronchiolitis with air-flow obstruction and a decreased number and diameter of ipsilateral peripheral pulmonary vessels. This syndrome is characterized by unilateral hyperlucency on chest radiography. Computed tomography provides useful additional information. ⋯ The disease often presents with dyspnea, decreased exercise tolerance, cough, hemoptysis, and recurrent pulmonary infections. SJMS may be confused with asthma or pulmonary embolism due to similar symptoms and may result in inappropriate therapy. This case series examined the clinical and imaging spectrum of four patients who were diagnosed with SJMS in adulthood.
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In March 2013, the first patient infected with the avian influenza A H7N9 virus was identified in China. The infection progressed rapidly, and the patient died of ARDS. ⋯ When the viral infection was identified, strict procedures for disinfection and protection were carried out. None of the health care workers involved in the management of the patient were infected.
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There have been few reports of factors affecting aerosol delivery during noninvasive ventilation (NIV). Nebulization is a standard practice, and our objective was to determine the effect of spontaneous breathing (SB) and NIV mode on lung technetium-99m ((99m)Tc) deposition in subjects with normal lungs. ⋯ Based on our data, there is an equivalent deposition of inhaled substances in individuals with healthy lungs when SB, CPAP, and bi-level are compared.