Pulmonary and bronchial circulatory responses to segmental lung injury. (65/3997)

In regional lung injury, pulmonary blood flow decreases to the injured regions, and anastomotic bronchial blood flow and total bronchial blood flow increase. However, the pattern of redistribution of the two blood flows to the injured and noninjured areas is not known. In six anesthetized sheep, pulmonary and bronchial blood flows were measured with 15-microm fluorescent microspheres by using the reference flow method. Blood flows were measured in the control state and 1 h after instilling 1 ml/kg of 0. 1 N hydrochloric acid into a dependent segment of the left lung. The lungs were then removed, dried, and cubed into approximately 2-cm cubes while spatial coordinates were noted. Blood flow to each piece was calculated. Mean pulmonary blood flow to the noninjured pieces went from 730 +/- 246 to 574 +/- 347 ml/min (P = 0.22), whereas in the injured pieces the pulmonary blood flow decreased from 246 +/- 143 to 56 +/- 46 ml/min (P < 0.01). In contrast, bronchial blood flow to the injured pieces increased from 0.51 +/- 0.1 to 1.43 +/- 0. 85 ml/min (P = 0.005). We measured the change in flow as it related to the distance from the center of the injured area. Pulmonary blood flow decreased most at the center of the injury, whereas bronchial blood flow doubled at the center of injury and decreased with the distance away from the injury. The absolute increase in bronchial blood flow was substantially less than the decrease in pulmonary blood flow in the injured pieces. We also partitioned the observed variation in pulmonary and bronchial blood flow into that attributable to structure and that due to lung injury and found that 48% of the variation in pulmonary blood flow could be attributed to structure, whereas in the bronchial circulation 70% was attributable to structure. The reasons for these differences are not known and may reflect the intrinsic properties of the systemic and pulmonary circulations.  (+info)

Mucosal pressures from the cuffed oropharyngeal airway vs the laryngeal mask airway. (66/3997)

We tested the hypothesis that pressures exerted on the pharyngeal mucosa by the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) and cuffed oropharyngeal airway (COPA) differ, in 20 male and 20 female adult patients. Microchip pressure sensors were attached to the LMA and COPA at four similar anatomical locations (base of the tongue, lateral pharynx, posterior pharynx and distal oropharynx) and two dissimilar locations (LMA, piriform fossa and hypopharynx; COPA, middle of the tongue and proximal oropharynx). Cuff volume was adjusted until oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP) was 10 cm H2O and mucosal pressures were recorded. This was repeated at an OLP of 15 cm H2O and at maximal OLP. Overall mucosal pressures were higher for the COPA than the LMA at 10 cm H2O (17 vs 3 cm H2O; P < 0.0001), at 15 cm H2O (21 vs 6 cm H2O; P < 0.0001) and at maximal OLP (26 vs 9 cm H2O; P < 0.0001). Mucosal pressures were always higher for the COPA at the base of the tongue, posterior pharynx and lateral pharynx, but were similar in the distal oropharynx. Maximal OLP was higher for the LMA than the COPA (27 (95% confidence intervals 25-29) vs 16 (12-19) cm H2O; P < 0.0001). We conclude that pressures acting on the mucosa were higher with the COPA compared with the LMA.  (+info)

Adenosine A(1) receptor antagonist KW-3902 prevents hypoxia-induced renal vasoconstriction. (67/3997)

Studies were carried out to determine the intrarenal adenosine production during hypoxia, and the protective effects of a selective adenosine A(1) receptor antagonist 8-(noradamantan-3-yl)-1, 3-dipropylxanthine (KW-3902) on hypoxia-induced renal hemodynamic changes. We used an in vivo microdialysis method and measured the renal interstitial concentration of adenosine in response to hypoxic exposure in anesthetized mechanically ventilated rabbits. Normocapnic systemic hypoxia (PaO(2) = 32 +/- 6 mm Hg) caused a significant decrease in renal blood flow and increase in renal vascular resistance, indicating a renal vasoconstriction. The basal interstitial concentration of adenosine in the cortex was 293 +/- 70 nM, which was significantly higher than that in the medulla (170 +/- 23 nM). Five minutes after beginning hypoxia, the renal interstitial concentration of adenosine approximately tripled in the cortex and doubled in the medulla. During treatment with KW-3902, hypoxemia caused a similar increase in the adenosine concentration compared with that in the absence of KW-3902. The administration of KW-3902, however, significantly attenuated hypoxia-induced reduction in renal blood flow. These results suggest that adenosine was involved in hypoxia-induced renal vasoconstriction via its effects on adenosine A(1) receptors, and that KW-3902 had a partial protective effect against renal vasoconstriction during hypoxemia.  (+info)

Efficacy of computerized decision support for mechanical ventilation: results of a prospective multi-center randomized trial. (68/3997)

200 adult respiratory distress syndrome patients were included in a prospective multicenter randomized trial to determine the efficacy of computerized decision support. The study was done in 10 medical centers across the United States. There was no significant difference in survival between the two treatment groups (mean 2 = 0.49 p = 0.49) or in ICU length of stay between the two treatment groups when controlling for survival (F(1df) = 0.88, p = 0.37.) There was a significant reduction in morbidity as measured by multi-organ dysfunction score in the protocol group (F(1df) = 4.1, p = 0.04) as well as significantly lower incidence and severity of overdistension lung injury (F(1df) = 45.2, p < 0.001). We rejected the null hypothesis. Efficacy was best for the protocol group. Protocols were used for 32,055 hours (15 staff person years, 3.7 patient years or 1335 patient days). Protocols were active 96% of the time. 38,546 instructions were generated. 94% were followed. This study indicates that care using a computerized decision support system for ventilator management can be effectively transferred to many different clinical settings and significantly improve patient morbidity.  (+info)

Lung injury following pulmonary resection in the isolated, blood-perfused rat lung. (69/3997)

Lung resection may be complicated by postpneumonectomy pulmonary oedema. Oxidant generation following surgery-induced ischaemia-reperfusion may be responsible. This hypothesis was tested utilizing isolated, in situ, blood perfused rodent lungs subjected to continuous perfusion (control subjects); one lung ventilation followed by pneumonectomy (group 1); or one lung ventilation followed by reinflation of the collapsed lung (group 2). In control subjects, no significant changes in markers of oxidant damage, oxygenation, pulmonary artery pressure or extravascular albumin extravasation were detected. In group 1 lungs, hydroxyl radical-like damage was detected in association with impaired oxygenation (p<0.05), and increased pulmonary artery pressure and extravascular albumin accumulation in both lungs. In group 2, there was evidence of hydroxyl radical-like damage, and a fall in oxygenation (p<0.05) occurred during one lung ventilation. There was a transient rise in pulmonary artery pressure following lung reinflation and extra vascular albumin accumulation was significantly increased in both lungs (right>left, p<0.05). Both changes were attenuated (p<0.05) following treatment with the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger superoxide dismutase (group 2a) and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (group 2b). Hydroxyl radical-like damage was undetectable following nitric oxide synthase inhibition. Oxidant stress may contribute to the pathologies seen in this model of lung injury.  (+info)

The use of manual hyperinflation in airway clearance. (70/3997)

Manual lung hyperinflation (MH) is one of a number of techniques which are employed by the physiotherapist in the critical care setting. The technique was first described with physiotherapy 30 yrs ago and commonly involves a slow, deep inspiration, inspiratory pause and fast unobstructed expiration. The use of MH varies between and within countries. It is commonly employed by physiotherapists to assist in the removal of secretions and re-expand areas of atelectasis. Despite the popularity of the technique, research examining its efficacy is conflicting, especially the effect of MH on cardiovascular parameters. Recent studies examining mucociliary transport in intubated and ventilated patients have shown impaired clearance of secretions, but research evaluating the role of MH specifically in airway clearance is scant. The use of the additional physiotherapy techniques, gravity assisted drainage and chest wall vibrations, may enhance the efficacy of MH in promoting airway clearance, but further research is necessary. Controversy exists regarding the safety and effectiveness of application of manual lung hyperinflation in intubated patients. Clearly, more randomized controlled studies are necessary in order to provide a sound scientific rationale for the application of manual lung hyperinflation in the treatment of critically ill patients.  (+info)

Acute lung injury in leptospirosis: clinical and laboratory features, outcome, and factors associated with mortality. (71/3997)

Forty-two consecutive patients with leptospirosis and acute lung injury who were mechanically ventilated were analyzed in a prospective cohort study. Nineteen patients (45%) survived, and 23 (55%) died. Multivariate analysis revealed that 3 variables were independently associated with mortality: hemodynamic disturbance (odds ratio [OR], 6.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9-38.8; P=. 047), serum creatinine level >265.2 micromol/L (OR, 10.6; 95% CI, 0. 9-123.7; P =.026), and serum potassium level >4.0 mmol/L (OR, 19.9; 95% CI, 1.2-342.8; P=.009). These observations can be used to identify factors associated with mortality early in the course of severe respiratory failure in leptospirosis.  (+info)

Comparison between the Comfort and Hartwig sedation scales in pediatric patients undergoing mechanical lung ventilation. (72/3997)

CONTEXT: A high number of hospitalized children do not receive adequate sedation due to inadequate evaluation and use of such agents. With the increase in knowledge of sedation and analgesia in recent years, concern has also risen, such that it is now not acceptable that incorrect evaluations of the state of children's pain and anxiety are made. OBJECTIVE: A comparison between the Comfort and Hartwig sedation scales in pediatric patients undergoing mechanical lung ventilation. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: A pediatric intensive care unit with three beds at an urban teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty simultaneous and independent observations were conducted by specialists on 18 patients studied. DIAGNOSTIC TEST: Comfort and Hartwig scales were applied, after 3 minutes of observation. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Agreement rate (kappa). RESULTS: On the Comfort scale, the averages for adequately sedated, insufficiently sedated, and over-sedated were 20.28 (SD 2.78), 27.5 (SD 0.70), and 15.1 (SD 1.10), respectively, whereas on the Hartwig scale, the averages for adequately sedated, insufficiently sedated, and over-sedated were 16.35 (SD 0.77), 20.85 (SD 1.57), and 13.0 (SD 0.89), respectively. The observed agreement rate was 63% (p = 0.006) and the expected agreement rate was 44% with a Kappa coefficient of 0.345238 (z = 2.49). CONCLUSIONS: In our study there was no statistically significant difference whether the more complex Comfort scale was applied (8 physiological and behavioral parameters) or the less complex Hartwig scale (5 behavioral parameters) was applied to assess the sedation of mechanically ventilated pediatric patients.  (+info)