Annals of the American Thoracic Society
-
In normodynamic septic shock, the quantitative assessment of sublingual microcirculation has shown decreases in perfused vascular density and red blood cell velocity. However, no studies have been performed in hyperdynamic septic shock. ⋯ Patients with hyperdynamic septic shock showed microcirculatory alterations similar to those of patients with normal cardiac output. Both groups of patients had reduced perfused vascular density and red blood cell velocity and increased flow heterogeneity compared with that of healthy subjects. Fast red blood cell velocity was not found, even in patients with high cardiac output. These results support the conclusion that microcirculatory function is frequently dissociated from systemic hemodynamic derangements in septic shock.
-
The Syrian crisis, now in its fifth year, has created an unprecedented strain on health services and systems due to the protracted nature of the warfare, the targeting of medics and health care infrastructure, the exodus of physicians and nurses, the shortage of medical supplies and medications, and the disruption of medical education and training. Within a few short years, the life expectancy of resident Syrians has declined by 20 years. Over the first 4 years of the conflict, more than 75,000 civilians died from injuries incurred in the violence. ⋯ Physicians in the United States and other western nations have helped Syrian physicians make the most of the situation by providing training on introducing innovations in technology and treatment. Portable ultrasound machines have been introduced and are being used extensively in the management of trauma and shock. This report, prepared by members of the Syrian American Medical Society, documents current needs for health care relief within Syria, focusing on pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine, and some of the efforts currently underway to meet those needs.
-
Delirium is common following lung transplant and is associated with poorer clinical outcomes. The extent to which intraoperative hemodynamic alterations may contribute to postoperative delirium among lung transplant recipients has not been examined. ⋯ Poorer cerebral perfusion pressure during lung transplant is associated with greater risk for delirium following transplant, as well as greater duration and severity of delirium, independent of demographic and medical predictors.
-
The conflict in Syria has created the largest humanitarian emergency of the twenty-first century. The 4-year Syrian conflict has destroyed hospitals and severely reduced the capacity of intensive care units (ICUs) and on-site intensivists. The crisis has triggered attempts from abroad to support the medical care of severely injured and acutely ill civilians inside Syria, including application of telemedicine. ⋯ The program is implementing a cloud-based electronic medical record for physician documentation and a medication administration record for nurses. There are virtual chat rooms for patient rounds, radiology review, and trainee teaching. The early success of the program shows how a small number of committed physicians can use inexpensive equipment spawned by the Internet revolution to support from afar civilian health care delivery in a high-conflict country.
-
Hospitalization for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with significant morbidity and health care costs, and hospitals in the United States are now penalized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for excessive readmissions. Identifying patients at risk of readmission is important, but modifiable risk factors have not been clearly established, and the potential contributing role of psychological disease has not been examined adequately. We hypothesized that depression and anxiety would increase the risk of both short- and long-term readmissions for acute exacerbation of COPD. ⋯ Depression is an independent risk factor for both short- and long-term readmissions for acute exacerbation of COPD and may represent a modifiable risk factor. In-hospital tobacco cessation counseling was also associated with reduced 1-year readmission.