Respiratory care
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This study assessed the clinical effects of a ventilatory assist (VA) device in addition to supplemental O2 (VA+O2) on exercise endurance in subjects with severe to very severe COPD managed with long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT). ⋯ In symptomatic subjects with severe to very severe COPD, VA+O2 significantly increased exercise time and improved dyspnea, SpO2 , breathing frequency, and leg fatigue versus O2 alone.
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Exhaled breath contains an extensive reservoir of biomolecules. The collection of exhaled breath is noninvasive and low risk. ⋯ An overview of breath collection methods in both individuals who are spontaneously breathing and those receiving mechanical ventilation is outlined. We also highlight the challenges in exhaled breath testing and areas for future research.
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Little is known about the rates, causes, or risk factors for hospital readmission among patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). We investigated the prevalence, features, and comorbidities of subjects hospitalized with ILD and their subsequent re-hospitalizations in this retrospective study. ⋯ We demonstrated that hospital readmission from any cause was a common occurrence in subjects with ILD. Further efforts to improve quality of life among these subjects could focus on risk scores for readmission, mitigating racial health disparities, and treatment of comorbidities.
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Open respiratory secretion suctioning with a catheter causes pain and tracheobronchial mucosal injury in intubated patients. The goal of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) is to move secretions proximally and noninvasively by generating a high peak expiratory air flow. Nebulized hypertonic saline with hyaluronic acid (HS-HA) may facilitate suctioning by hydration. We assessed the safety and tolerance of a single session of airway clearance with MI-E and HS-HA in critically ill intubated patients. ⋯ We observed no difference in adverse events. MI-E avoids pain and agitation.