Articles: mechanical-ventilation.
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Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most frequent hospital-acquired infections occurring in intubated patients. Because VAP is associated with higher mortality, morbidity, and costs, there is a need to solicit further research for effective preventive measures. VAP has been proposed as an indicator of quality of care. ⋯ A different approach proposes ETT modifications to limit the leakage of oropharyngeal secretions: subglottic secretion drainage and cuffs innovations have been addressed to reduce VAP incidence. Moreover, coated-ETTs have been shown to prevent biofilm formation, although there is evidence that ETT clearance devices (Mucus Shaver) are required to preserve the antimicrobial properties over time. Here, after reviewing the most noteworthy issues in VAP definition and pathophysiology, we will present the more interesting proposals for VAP prevention.
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Sedation is used almost universally in the care of critically ill patients, especially in those who require mechanical ventilatory support or other life-saving invasive procedures. This review will focus on the sedation strategies for critically ill patients and the pharmacology of commonly used sedative agents. The role of neuromuscular blocking agents in the ICU will be examined and the pharmacology of commonly used agents is reviewed. Finally a strategy for rational use of these sedative and neuromuscular blocking agents in critically ill patients will be proposed.
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Ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) results from injury to the blood-gas barrier caused by mechanical ventilation. The determinants of VILI are more complex than originally thought, and include the nature, duration, and intensity of the exposure, as well the pattern of initial insult to the lung. ⋯ The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the pathogenesis of VILI and its determinants. We also discuss the best preventive approach in patients with or at risk for ARDS and critically appraise the most recent evidence, expert opinion, and implementation of the acquired knowledge to the bedside.
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Relatively little attention has been directed toward damage inflicted upon the airway network that connects the alveoli, or toward the problems caused by invasive ventilation for patients with severe airflow obstruction. Mechanical ventilation with positive pressure can cause non-edematous barotrauma, inflict airway injury, and promote lung remodeling. ⋯ Awareness of such associations not only helps to avoid complications during and after the critical phase of obstructive illness, but also opens a window to improved patient comfort and safety. The purpose of this review is to survey the range of structural damages and functional impairments that occur in an "obstructive" context.
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J Intensive Care Med · May 2013
Development, implementation, and evaluation of an institutional daily awakening and spontaneous breathing trial protocol: a quality improvement project.
While one controlled trial found that a daily awakening and spontaneous breathing trial (DA-SBT) decreases time on mechanical ventilation (MV), there is a paucity of real-world data surrounding the development, implementation, and impact of DA-SBT protocols. We describe a multidisciplinary process improvement effort in 2, 10-bed medical intensive care units (MICUs) at a 330-bed academic medical center that focused on the development, implementation, and evaluation of a new DA-SBT protocol. ⋯ Despite the implementation of a DA-SBT protocol that was individualized to clinician preferences and institutional resources and accompanied by substantial education and reminders for use, compliance to the DA component of this protocol was low and duration of MV remained unchanged. Additional quality improvement strategies are needed to overcome barriers to DA-SBT protocol use that may not exist in controlled clinical trials.