Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Mar 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyProspective observational study of dementia and delirium in the acute hospital setting.
Dementia and delirium appear to be common among older patients admitted to acute hospitals, although there are few Australian data regarding these important conditions. ⋯ The prevalence of dementia and delirium among older patients admitted to acute hospitals is high and is likely to increase with population aging. It is suggested that hospital design, staffing and processes should be attuned better to meet these patients' needs.
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Internal medicine journal · Oct 2012
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyEffect of oxygen versus adaptive pressure support servo-ventilation in patients with central sleep apnoea-Cheyne Stokes respiration and congestive heart failure.
Central sleep apnoea with Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSA-CSR) is a common, serious consequence of congestive heart failure. Optimal treatment is yet to be established. We compared two common treatments for CSA-CSR. ⋯ CSA-CSR is reduced to a greater extent by ASV than oxygen therapy over 8 weeks but was not accepted long term. Neither treatment improved prognostic indices of heart failure or symptoms in the short term.
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Internal medicine journal · Aug 2012
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyProspective randomised trial of endobronchial ultrasound-guide sheath versus computed tomography-guided percutaneous core biopsies for peripheral lung lesions.
To determine diagnostic rate, complications and patient tolerability of endobronchial ultrasound-guide sheath (EBUS-GS) and computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous core biopsy for peripheral lung lesions. ⋯ In lesions <2 cm, CT-guided biopsy had higher yields; however, EBUS-GS had better tolerability and fewer complications.
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Internal medicine journal · Jun 2012
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyComparison of empirical continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment versus initial portable sleep monitoring followed by CPAP treatment for patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnoea.
Polysomnography is labour-intensive for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). We compared two algorithms for initiating continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for patients with suspected OSA. ⋯ An ambulatory approach with portable sleep monitoring for diagnosing OSA before a CPAP trial can identify more patients who would adhere to CPAP at 6 months than empirical CPAP treatment alone.
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Internal medicine journal · Aug 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyAssessing PaCO2 in acute respiratory disease: accuracy of a transcutaneous carbon dioxide device.
Pulse oximetry non-invasively assesses the arterial oxygen saturation of patients with acute respiratory disease; however, measurement of the arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO(2)) requires an arterial blood gas. The transcutaneous partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PtCO(2) ) has been used in other settings with variable accuracy. We investigated the accuracy of a PtCO(2) device in the assessment of PaCO(2) in patients with asthma and suspected pneumonia attending the emergency department. ⋯ A PtCO(2) device was accurate in the assessment of PaCO(2) in patients with acute severe asthma and suspected pneumonia when compared with an arterial blood gas. These bedside monitors have the potential to improve patient care by non-invasively monitoring patients with acute respiratory disease at risk of hypercapnia.