Articles: postoperative-complications.
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Review
[Diagnosis, prevention and therapy of pulmonary complications in heart surgery interventions].
Pulmonary complications after cardiac surgery may be caused by preexisting disorders of the respiratory system, common risk factors (e.g., smoking), kind and duration of the surgical procedure, and the anesthesia performed. Preoperative lung function measurements do not allow a valid assessment of the frequency and severity of postoperative complications. However, the efficacy of the peroperative management with bronchodilating agents (beta 2-agonists, theophylline, corticosteroids) in patients with airflow limitation should be based on repeated lung-function testing. ⋯ Atelectasis and gas-exchange disturbances during anesthesia can be treated by ventilation with PEEP. An adequate and immediate management of postoperative pulmonary complications (atelectasis, respiratory failure, pneumonia) improves the outcome of patients after cardiac surgery. The role of perioperative physiotherapy for the reduction of pulmonary complications after cardiac surgery is not well established.
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Langenbecks Arch Chir Suppl II Verh Dtsch Ges Chir · Jan 1990
Review[Acute respiratory distress syndrome of the adult: are there new therapeutic approaches?].
The mortality of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains high despite increasing understanding of the syndrome's pathophysiology, better monitoring and new ventilatory techniques. The outcome can be improved adequate systemic oxygen availability, improved infection control, and biochemical monitoring and interventions. Only by combinating of several treatment modalities is there a reasonable chance to change the prognosis of ARDS.
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Langenbecks Arch Chir Suppl II Verh Dtsch Ges Chir · Jan 1990
Review[Perioperative respiratory therapy and postoperative pain therapy].
Especially patients with preexisting bronchopulmonary diseases or those undergoing operations in the upper abdomen or thoracotomies are susceptible to post-operative pulmonary complications. All patients at risk should learn the prophylactic respiratory maneuvers preoperatively. ⋯ If given in an equipotent dose, nearly every opioid provides sufficient postoperative analgesia. Wide interindividual variation in the needed dose requires that opioids be titrated intravenously.