| Abstract: | Three hundred fourteen consecutive patients were studied prospectively during 354 episodes of assisted ventilation in a 5 month period. These patients ranged in age from 15 to 95 years, and ventilatory support was required for from 1 hour to 54 days. Over-all survival was 64 per cent. Eighteen complications were studied prospectively, of which three (intubation of the right mainstem bronchus, endotracheal tube malfunction and alveolar hypoventilation) were associated with decreased survival. Four hundred individual complications or potential complications were observed. Intubation of the right mainstem bronchus was associated with alveolar hyperventilation, atelectasis and/or tension pneumothorax in a significant number of cases (all, P < 0.001). The onset of pneumonia, pneumothorax, atelectasis, gastric distention and ventilator malfunction all were observed during assisted ventilation, but none was associated with increased mortality. Careful attention to the recognition and prevention of complications, especially those associated with endotracheal intubation, is mandatory in all patients treated with assisted ventilation. |
