Articles: intensive-care-units.
-
Multicenter Study
Hospital and 1-year survival of patients admitted to intensive care units with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
To describe outcomes and identify variables associated with hospital and 1-year survival for patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ⋯ Patients with COPD admitted to an ICU for an acute exacerbation have a substantial hospital mortality (24%). For patients aged 65 years or older, mortality doubles in 1 year from 30% to 59%. Hospital and longer-term mortality is closely associated with development of nonrespiratory organ system dysfunction; severity of the underlying respiratory function substantially influences mortality following hospital discharge. The need for mechanical ventilation at ICU admission did not influence either short- or long-term outcomes. Physicians should be aware of these relationships when making treatment decisions or evaluating new therapies.
-
Nihon Kyobu Shikkan Gakkai Zasshi · Dec 1995
[Mechanical ventilation and long-term respiratory care in the intensive care unit of a general hospital].
We studied the need for mechanical ventilation in 265 patients with respiratory failure who came to our medical ICU over the past 3 years. The time required for weaning from mechanical ventilation and the percentage of patients who needed oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation at home after their condition was no longer acute were also studied. Of the patients treated in the medical ICU, 143 (54%) required mechanical ventilation; 104 (39%) had acute respiratory failure and the others had acute exacerbations of chronic respiratory failure. ⋯ Ten other survivors received home oxygen therapy. Chest physicians bear the greatest responsibility for managing mechanical ventilation in medical emergencies. Moreover, the prognosis for patients with chronic respiratory failure can be improved with a long-term program for respiratory care that includes home mechanical ventilation and home oxygen therapy.