Cost-effectiveness analysis of prophylactic respiratory physiotherapy in pulmonary lobectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness balance of implementing an intensive program of chest physiotherapy in pulmonary lobectomy. METHODS: DESIGN: cross-sectional study with historical controls. Cases are 119 patients operated on during a 15-month period of time, after implementation of an intensive chest-physiotherapy program. Controls are 520 patients operated on by the same team before the program started. In these patients, only incentive spirometry was indicated besides routine nursing care. In both series, operative selection criteria and anaesthetic management were similar. Population homogeneity was assessed by comparing age, body mass index (BMI) and estimated postoperative FEV1 (ppoFEV1) of the patients in both series. Selected outcomes were as follows: 30-day mortality, prevalence of respiratory morbidity (atelectasis and pneumonia) and hospital stay. Hospital stay was estimated by Cox regression using age, ppoFEV1, BMI, diagnosis and postoperative morbidity as covariates. Costs were calculated adding chest therapists' salaries and acquisition value of specific training and monitoring devices and its consumable items. Savings from avoided hospitalisation days was discounted. RESULTS: Prevalence of atelectasis and median hospital stay decreased in physiotherapy group. Cost of the program was 48,447.81 (407.12 per treated patient). An estimated total of 151.75 hospital days was saved in the physiotherapy group. Since daily hospitalisation cost is 590.00 in our centre, 89,532.50 savings was estimated from avoided hospitalisation days. CONCLUSIONS: We have found a significant decrease in the rate of postoperative atelectasis without additional costs. In fact, the program has produced considerable monetary savings.     

Discontinuance of respiratory assistance after pulmonary insufficiency. Indications and results

The indications, technics, and results in discontinuing assisted ventilation in patients who had continuous assisted ventilation longer than seventy-two hours are presented. Significant differences between preassist and postassist values for PO₂, tidal volume, and respiratory rates were observed. The significance of adequate ventilation, oxygenation, the work of breathing, and other physiologic requirements are stressed.     

Early noncardiogenic pulmonary edema and the use of PEEP and prone ventilation after emergency liver transplantation.

Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema in liver transplant recipients is usually secondary to TRALI (transfusion related acute lung injury) or liver ischemic-reperfusion injury. If persistent, the resultant hypoxemia is associated with increased ventilator days, prolonged length of stay (intensive care and hospital) and increased 28-day mortality. Ventilation strategies for the management of hypoxemia in acute lung injury include moderate to high levels of PEEP (positive and expiratory pressure) and prone ventilation (PV). Such strategies have theoretical adverse effects on graft perfusion. Evidence does however exist to demonstrate that maintenance of cardiac output and correct positioning of the prone patient to allow abdominal excursion can negate the deleterious effects of PEEP and PV. A liver transplant recipient became profoundly hypoxemic on our intensive care unit following the onset of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. A risk-benefit assessment performed at the time deemed that the potential adverse effects of PEEP and PV were outweighed by the life-threatening nature of hypoxemia. The patient's condition improved following prone positioning and application of PEEP (10-15 cm H(2)O). We conclude that such ventilation strategies are appropriate in hypoxemic liver transplant recipients if an appropriate risk-benefit assessment is performed.     

肺表面活性物质及呼气末正压对呼吸衰竭的作用

目的　探讨肺表面活性物质 (PS)在不同呼气末正压 (PEEP)下对洗肺鼠呼吸衰竭的作用。方法　 5 6只Wistar大鼠 (体重 30 0～ 35 0 g)在戊巴比妥钠 (30mg/kg)腹腔内麻醉下人工呼吸并用生理盐水洗肺 ,共洗 8～ 11次 ,洗肺期间吸入峰压及PEEP分别调至 2 5cmH2 O和 7 5cmH2 O。当PaO2 降至 90mmHg以下时 ,随机分为八组 ,每组 7例。 1～ 4组经气道注入PS 2 5mg(0 5ml) ,5～ 8组则经气道注入等量的生理盐水 (0 5ml)。 1组和 5组的PEEP为 7 5cmH2 O ,2组和 6组的PEEP为5cmH2 O ,3组和 7组的PEEP为 2 5cmH2 O ,4组和 8组的PEEP为 0cmH2 O。结果　未注入PS的 5～ 8组的PaO2 在整个实验中未见明显变化 ,均在 10 0mmHg以下。注入PS的 1～ 4组中 ,无PEEP的第 4组及 2 5cmH2 OPEEP的第 3组的PaO2 未见明显改善 ,与 5～ 8组之间未见显著差异 (P >0 0 5 )。第 2组的PaO2 虽在注入PS后 15分钟明显升高至 (34 3 5 3± 132 2 6 )mmHg ,但以后逐渐下降至治疗前水平。只有第 1组的PaO2 在治疗后显著的升高至 40 0mmHg以上 (P <0 0 5 ) ,并维持此高值至实验结束。结论　单独PEEP不能改善洗肺鼠的低氧血症 ,补充PS并附加 7 5cmH2 O的PEEP可明显改善低氧血症     

Acute respiratory insufficiency caused by diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage]

Two cases of adult respiratory distress syndrome due to diffuse pulmonary haemorrhage are reported. The first patient was treated with azathioprine, prednisolone, cyclosporine and ranitidine for haemorrhagic rectocolitis; the second has untreated primary biliary cirrhosis. Haemoptysis only occurred in the latter. Both had severe isolated hypoxaemia. Chest X-rays revealed bilateral alveolar infiltrates. Bronchoscopies showed a diffusely bleeding bronchial tree. Both patients recovered after having been mechanically ventilated with positive end-expiratory pressure for six and eight days respectively. The cause of the diffuse pulmonary haemorrhage was, in the first case, severe thrombocytopaenia (17,000 G.1-1) of central origin, and, in the other patient, an unspecified vasculitis. Diffuse pulmonary haemorrhage should be added to the list of possible causes of the adult respiratory distress syndrome.     

Isolated traumatic aortic valvular insufficiency with rapid pulmonary deterioration. Report of two cases

Blunt trauma followed by aortic valvular insufficiency occurs rarely. Valve replacement or repair has most often taken place several months or years after injury; only a few cases have been reported of acute operative intervention performed within a few days after injury. However, we herein report two cases of isolated aortic valvular trauma in young men, in whom fulminant pulmonary edema ensued so rapidly that urgent aortic valve replacement was necessitated within hours after injury.     

Acute respiratory insufficiency: prehospital management of obstructive pulmonary diseases

Acute respiratory insufficiency due to obstructive pulmonary diseases is a common problem presenting to the emergency medical service. Most frequent causes are acute asthma attacks or acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The preclinical differentiation of both diseases may be difficult, so that the diagnosis is often made by precise anamnesis. This article reviews the prehospital management of asthma and COPD, including pharmacological options and techniques of mechanical ventilatory support (non-invasive vs. invasive).