Annals of the American Thoracic Society
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Diabetes and hypertension are common among patients with airflow limitation and contribute to cardiovascular (CV) mortality, one of the leading causes of death among patients with airflow limitation. ⋯ Severity of airflow limitation is associated with decreased adherence to β-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors. The decreased adherence to these medications may be related to adverse effects on symptoms in patients with lung disease, and may partially explain excess CV mortality in these patients.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Health-Related Quality of Life in Australasian Survivors of H1N1 Influenza Undergoing Mechanical Ventilation. A Multicenter Cohort Study.
Patients surviving acute respiratory distress syndrome suffer decrements in physical function and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL); however, it is unclear whether HR-QoL is disproportionately affected in those with H1N1 influenza. ⋯ Health-related quality of life of Australasian survivors of severe H1N1 influenza was comparable to the healthy population 1 year after ICU discharge. Consensus should be sought on standardization of follow-up time points and outcome measurement. Clinical trial registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12609001037291).
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Preventing pulmonary complications during mechanical ventilation via tracheotomy is a high priority. ⋯ Proof-of-concept was confirmed. The Blom tracheotomy tube with disposable suction-above-the-cuff inner cannula decontaminated microorganisms from the subglottic space when normal flora and pathogens were combined. Future research should investigate if decreased quantity of normal flora and pathogens in the subglottic space reduces the incidence of ventilator-associated pulmonary complications in critically ill patients requiring ongoing mechanical ventilation via tracheotomy.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Post-Acute Care Use and Hospital Readmission after Sepsis.
The epidemiology of post-acute care use and hospital readmission after sepsis remains largely unknown. ⋯ Post-acute care use and hospital readmissions were common after sepsis. The increased readmission risk after sepsis was observed regardless of sepsis severity and was associated with adverse readmission outcomes.