Search

Anomalous left coronary artery from pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital anomaly in which left coronary artery arises from the pulmonary artery resulting in progressive myocardial ischemia and dysfunction of the left ventricle. We report a case of ALCAPA with severe cardiac and respiratory failure and huge heart dilation compressing the left main bronchus and preventing from an effective ventilation. Emergency bronchial stenting allowed to improve left lung atelectasis, reduce pulmonary hypertension, resume anterograde left coronary artery perfusion and stabilize cardiovascular conditions to undertake a successful surgical correction., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study documents the degree of positional atelectasis in sedated dogs receiving 100% oxygen (O(2)) versus room air. Initial lateral recumbency was determined by an orthopedic study and initial treatment (O(2) or room air) was randomized. Each dog was maintained in lateral recumbency for 15 min, at which time ventrodorsal (VD) and opposite lateral thoracic radiographs were obtained. Each dog was then maintained in the opposite lateral recumbency and received the other treatment for 15 min, followed by a VD and opposite lateral radiograph. Radiographs were scored for severity of pulmonary pattern and mediastinal shift by 3 radiologists. Dogs breathing O(2) had significantly higher scores than dogs breathing room air. If radiographically detectable dependent atelectasis is present, repeat thoracic images following manual positive ventilation and/or position change to the opposite lateral recumbency should be made to rule out the effect of O(2) positional atelectasis and avoid misdiagnosis.

Bronchoscopy is a commonly used technique in patients with atelectasis due to mucus plugs. We present here the case of an 82-year-old patient with a history of Meige's syndrome who developed acute respiratory failure due to atelectasis of the right upper lobe associated with hospital-acquired pneumonia. The patient had a severely reduced level of consciousness, significant work-of-breathing and severe hypercapnic acidosis, all of which contraindicated bronchoscopy. Bi-level noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) was initiated by way of a face mask. Progress was favourable, with clear clinical and gasometric improvement. The chest X-ray performed 12hours later showed complete resolution of the atelectasis. These data suggest that NIMV may be useful in the treatment of atelectasis is some critical patients., (Copyright © 2013 SEPAR. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Atelectasis is a pulmonary disorder that lengthens the hospitalization time of newborns in intensive care units, resulting in increased morbidity among these infants. High-flow nasal cannulae have been used in newborns to prevent atelectasis and/or expand pulmonary regions affected by atelectasis; however, to date, no evidence-based data regarding this approach have been reported. In this paper, we report on the cases of two male newborn patients. The first and second patients described in this report were hospitalized for a neurosurgical procedure and the treatment of abdominal disease, respectively, and were subjected to invasive mechanical ventilation for 4 and 36 days, respectively. After extubation, these patients continued receiving oxygen therapy but experienced clinical and radiological worsening typical of atelectasis. In both cases, by 24 hours after the implantation of an high-flow nasal cannulae to provide noninvasive support, radiological examinations revealed the complete resolution of atelectasis. In these cases, the use of an high-flow nasal cannulae was effective in reversing atelectasis. Thus, this approach may be utilized as a supplemental noninvasive ventilatory therapy to avoid unnecessary intubation.

Recurrent episodes of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are a rare complication of muscular hypotonia in patients with Sotos syndrome. We report on a male child suffering from repeated LRTIs including bronchitis, pneumonia, and atelectasis during infancy despite inhalations with salbutamol and fluticasone combined with manual chest percussion therapy. After initiation of dornase alpha inhalations in addition to the current treatment, we observed an improvement in the respiratory symptoms as well as a reduction in the rate of hospitalizations and in the occurrence of LRTIs. We assume that dornase alpha inhalations, in combination with airway clearance techniques, reduced the viscosity of airway secretions and by this improved mucociliary clearance and coughing efficiency.

Aim: The postextubation chest X-ray (CXR) is frequently taken in neonates who have undergone mechanical ventilation (MV); however, this is not an evidence-based practice. The aim of this paper was to assess the utility of routine post-extubation CXR on the prognosis for neonates who have undergone MV., Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study comparing two periods of time. During the first period, the routine postextubation CXR was performed in neonates; during the second period, postextubation CXR was performed only in infants with any sign of clinical deterioration. Patients were continuously followed up to identify complications such as need for reintubation, length of hospital stay, and death., Results: Twenty-nine vs. 33 patients were compared in the first and second periods, respectively. Throughout follow-up one patient died (in the routine CXR period) and there were 17 reintubations: 8 in the routine CXR group and 9 in the selective CXR group (P=1). However, in a multivariate Cox model (adjusted for birth weight, nasal continuous positive airway pressure [CPAP], bronchopulmonary dysplasia and duration of MV), the routine CXR was associated with an acceleration of discharge after extubation (Hazard Ratio: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.02-3.38). On the other hand, birthweight, nasal-CPAP and duration of MV were strong predictors of hospital stay after extubation., Conclusion: Although it may help accelerate hospital discharge, the utility of routine CXR on prognosis is uncertain. Consequently, it is required to conduct studies of greater magnitude in order to assess the relevance of this procedure.

Reexpansion pulmonary edema (RPE) is an increased permeability pulmonary edema that usually occurs in the reexpanded lung after several days of lung collapse. This condition is recognized to occur more frequently in patients under the age of 40 years, but there has been no detailed analysis of reported pediatric cases of RPE to date. For this review, PubMed literature searches were performed using the following terms: 're(-)expansion pulmonary (o)edema' AND ('child' OR 'children' OR 'infant' OR 'boy' OR 'girl' OR 'adolescent'). The 22 pediatric cases of RPE identified were included in this review. RPE was reported in almost the entire pediatric age range, and as in adult cases, the severity ranged from subclinical to lethal. No specific treatment for RPE was identified, and treatment was administered according to the clinical features of each patient. Of the 22 reported cases, 10 occurred during the perioperative period, but were not related to any specific surgical procedures or anesthetic techniques, or to the duration of lung collapse. Pediatric anesthesiologists should be aware that pediatric RPE can occur after reexpansion of any collapsed lung and that some invasive therapies can be useful in severe cases., (© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: To analyze the diagnosis and treatment characteristics of patients with severe Influenza A., Method: A retrospective investigation on the clinical manifestation, chest radiography, electronic fiber bronchoscopy and the histology of the cast, rescue course and outcome was conducted in 15 children with severe influenza A during January to May of 2013., Result: Eleven cases were male, the range of age was 2 to 6 years; 5 cases were female, the range of age was 1 month to 6 years, accouting for 4.2% of hospitalized children with influenza. Three patients had an underlying chronic disease, two had nephrotic syndrome, and one had congenital heart disease. All the 15 cases were diagnosed as severe influenza A virus infection complicated with pneumonia and respiratory failure, of whom 10 cases were infected with H1N1 virus , the other 5 cases could not be identified as H1N1 virus by using H1N1 kit, but none of the 15 cases were infected with H7N9 virus. Of 15 cases, 8 had atelectasis, 4 had pneumothorax, 3 had pneumomediastinum, 4 had pleural effusion, 1 had pneumorrhagia; 12 patients required mechanical ventilation. 1 only required noninvasive mask CPAP, 2 did not require assisted ventilation, they were just given mask oxygen. Seven cases' sputum culture showed combined infection with bacteria and fungi, sputum smear examination detected: G(+) cocci in 2 cases, and G(-) bacilli in the other 2. By using electronic fiber bronchoscopy, bronchial cast was detected in 5 patiens. Histological examination of the bronchial cast revealed a fibrinous exudation containing large quantity of eosinophils, neutrophils in 1 patients, fibrinous exudation and necrotic material containing large quantity of neutrophils in 4 patients. After the bronchial casts were removed, 4 patients were improved greatly. All patients were treated with postural drainage of left and right side position, massage of electric oscillation, strengthening the sputum suction aiming to improve pulmonary ventilation function. Three patients died: 1 case was compliicated with nephrotic syndrome, another case had congenital heart disease, and 1 case hads pneumorrhagia, renal failure and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)., Conclusion: The mortality of severe Influenza A is higher if it is complicated with underlying chronic diseases. In children undergoing rapid and progressive respiratory distress with lung atelectasis, consolidation or emphysema on chest X-ray, plastic bronchitis should be considered. Electronic fiber bronchoscopy should be performed early Lung physicotherapeutics still are important assistant measures for improving the pulmonary ventilation function.

Purpose of Review: Supporting patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) using a low tidal volume strategy is a standard practice in the ICU. Recruitment maneuvers can be used to augment other methods, like positive end-expiratory pressure and positioning, to improve aerated lung volume. Clinical practice varies widely, and optimal method and patient selection for recruitment maneuvers have not been determined., Recent Findings: Recent developments include experimental and clinical evidence that a stepwise extended recruitment maneuver may match the improvement in aerated lung volume seen with sustained inflation traditionally used, with less adverse effects. Positioning and other chest wall modifications may be useful adjuncts to recruitment maneuvers. In addition, evidence from clinical studies in the operating room suggests that recruitment maneuvers, as a component of an open lung strategy, may be helpful for mechanically ventilated patients with normal lungs., Summary: As a component of ventilation strategy for patients with ARDS, the use of recruitment maneuvers, especially a stepwise maneuver, in addition to adequate positive end-expiratory pressure and appropriate positioning, is suggested by currently available data. Until their effect on clinical outcomes is further defined, the use of recruitment maneuvers in ARDS and other settings will continue to be guided by individual clinician experience and patient factors.

Background: There are few studies using animal models in chest physical therapy. However, there are no models to assess these effects in newborns. This study aimed to develop a model of obstructive atelectasis induced by artificial mucus injection in the lungs of newborn piglets, for the study of neonatal physiotherapy., Methods: Thirteen newborn piglets received artificial mucus injection via the endotracheal tube. X-rays and blood gas analysis confirmed the atelectasis., Results: The model showed consistent results between oxygenation parameters and radiological findings. Ten (76.9%) of the 13 piglets responded to the intervention. This did not significantly differ from the expected percentage of 50% by the binomial test (95% CI 46.2-95%, P = .09)., Conclusions: Our model of atelectasis in newborn piglets is both feasible and appropriate to evaluate the impact of physical therapies on atelectasis in newborns.

The article deals with results of fiberoptic bronchoscopy using during treating of patients suffering atelectasis. According to the research atelectasis is likely to advance in the first three days after serious patients have been admitted to the intensive therapy unit or after operative treatment. Left-sided atelectasis is half as widespread again the right-sided one. The research highlights the effectiveness of atelectasis X-ray diagnosis. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy in almost all the cases allowed diagnosing the degree of tracheobronchial tree obstruction and its causes. Single suction fiberoptic bronchoscopy leads to normalization and encouraged positive dynamics in 76% of all the cases (57 patients). Repeated endoscopic sanation in the first two days was necessary for 25 patients (25.3%) with unresolved or reoccurring atelectasis. The effectiveness of second research was to 84%. It's important to add that mostly patients with serious chest injury were subjected to unresolved or reoccurring atelectasis. And mainly in these cases blood was seen through the tracheobronchial tree lumen.

Apnea of prematurity is a common disorder of respiratory control among preterm infants, with potentially serious adverse consequences on infant development. We review the capability for automatically assessing apnea risk and predicting apnea episodes from multimodal physiological measurements, and for using this knowledge to provide timely therapeutic intervention. We also review other, similar clinical domains of respiratory distress assessment and prediction in the hope of gaining useful insights. We propose an algorithmic framework for constructing discriminative feature vectors from physiological measurements, and for building robust and effective statistical models for apnea assessment and prediction., (Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objective: Foreign body aspiration is a life-threatening emergency for children. Fried chicken is commonly available all over the world, but no cases have previously been reported addressing this food as a tracheobronchial foreign body. We report an extremely rare case of tracheobronchial aspiration of fried chicken complicated by severe bronchitis and postoperative atelectasis. To clarify predisposing factors related to bronchopulmonary complications, we also reviewed paediatric cases of tracheobronchial foreign bodies treated in our department over the past 14 years., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a total of 77 cases of tracheobronchial foreign bodies from 1988 to 2011. The main outcome measure was duration of hospitalisation, reflecting postoperative therapy. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine risk factors for longer hospitalisation., Results: Age, sex, and interval between the aspiration episode and bronchoscopy were not significantly associated with longer hospitalisation. Regarding kinds of foreign bodies, higher rates of longer hospitalisation were noted for patients who had aspirated peanut or animal material, as compared to patients who had aspirated non-organic material (odds ratio, 5.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-30.43)., Conclusions: In terms of predicting the risk of pulmonary complications, the type of foreign body aspirated offers a more meaningful factor than the interval between aspiration and operation. Specifically, peanuts or animal material containing oils appear to be associated with a more prolonged pulmonary recovery even after retrieval of the foreign body., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Pulmonary lower lobe atelectasis/collapse is a common problem in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. It also occurs in non-intubated patients with traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries, morbid obesities and chest wall disorders. Conventional manoeuvres such as chest physiotherapy, bronchodilators and positive-end expiratory pressure (PEEP) administration are frequently used in its management with variable success rates. However, despite the reported success of bronchoscopic recruitment manoeuvres, selective intrabronchial air insufflation during fiberoptic bronchoscopy to re-expand collapsed lungs is an underutilised practice. Here, we report an example of successful selective intrabronchial air insufflation in an intubated patient with bilateral lower lobe collapses after surgery for an incarcerated hernia. To our knowledge, this is the first successful report of recruitment manoeuvre by trans-glottic bronchoscopy in an intubated, mechanically ventilated patient.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether the relative change in the end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) obtained by the recruitment maneuver (RM) can serve as an indicator of the change in the P/F ratio., Materials and Methods: The effects of the intermittent stepwise increases in the RM (peak inspiratory pressure, 45, 50, and 55 cm H2O) were compared in 21 patients with atelectasis under mechanical ventilation. The EELV, the ratio of arterial oxygen concentration to the fraction of inspired oxygen P/F ratio, and relative change rate (Δ) in these parameters were evaluated after each RM., Results: A greater improvement in the EELV (1157 ± 344 mL vs 1469 ± 396 mL) and P/F ratio (250 ± 99 vs 320 ± 92) was observed after the RM. The ΔEELV was correlated with the ΔP/F ratio (ρ = 0.73, P < .01) and was identified as an accurate predictor of the improvement of the ΔP/F ratio by the receiver operating characteristic curve (the area under the curve, 0.93; P < .01)., Conclusions: These results suggest that the ΔEELV obtained by intermittent stepwise RM can serve as an indicator of the change in the P/F ratio., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of combined inflating lung and insufflating calf pulmonary surfactant under general anesthesia for treating postoperative intractable atelectasis., Methods: From August 2006 to January 2013, 15 patients with obstinate postoperative atelectasis receiving pressure control lung expansion were enrolled. The bronchial cannula was intubated into the affected side to assist the expanding of the lung, and the calf pulmonary surfactant was insufflated selectively. The chest auscultation and computed tomography (CT) scan was performed at 1 d and 5 d after the procedure respectively, to evaluation the effect. The airway pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were recorded before the treatment, during the treatment and after the treatment.Monitoring arterial blood gas before and after treatment., Results: After the expansion of the lung and insufflation of calf pulmonary surfactants, the iconographic scan showed that collapsed alveolar was reinflated in 12 (80.0%) patients at 1 d after the treatment and in 14 patients(93.3%) at 5 d after the procedure.There were not notable vital sign change and complications during the treatment.At after the treatment, 1, 3, 5 and 7 d after the treatment, PaO2 was higher (P < 0.05), and there were not significantly difference in the PaCO2 and pH (P > 0.05) ., Conclusion: Combined pressure control lung expansion with selectively insufflating calf pulmonary surfactant under general anesthesia may be an effective therapy for postoperative intractable atelectasis.

General anesthesia is known to cause pulmonary atelectasis; in turn, atelectasis increases shunt, decreases compliance, and may lead to perioperative hypoxemia. One mechanism for the formation of atelectasis intraoperatively is ventilation with 100% oxygen. The goal of this review is to determine if research suggests that intraoperative ventilation with 100% oxygen leads to clinically significant pulmonary side effects. An initial literature search included electronic databases (Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature [CINAHL], PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and The GeneraCochrane Library) using the following search terms: oxygen (administration and dosage), atelectasis, pulmonary complications, and anesthesia. Results were limited to research studies, human subjects, and English-language publications between 1965 and 2011. From this body of research, it appears that absorption atelectasis does occur in healthy anesthetized adults breathing 100% oxygen. Data reviewed suggest that absorption atelectasis does not have significant clinical implications in healthy adults. However, further research is warranted in populations at increased risk of postoperative hypoxemia, including obese or elderly patients and those with preexisting cardiopulmonary disease.

Background: Intractable vomiting in an elderly patient is an emergency condition requiring prompt diagnosis and intervention. Acute gastric outlet obstruction due to gastric volvulus through Morgagni-type diaphragmatic hernia is an exceedingly rare cause of this nonspecific complaint., Objective: Our aim was to highlight that Morgagni hernia, although rare in adults, should be suspected in the appropriate clinical setting, and that a clue toward diagnosis often comes from routine chest and abdominal x-ray studies. In addition, we emphasize the atypical radiological findings and importance of emergency surgical intervention in such a case., Case Report: We describe the case of a 78-year-old woman who presented to the Emergency Department with a 4-day history of intractable vomiting, and with no definitive clue to the diagnosis on examination. Her routine chest and abdomen x-ray studies suggested abnormal air-fluid level at right hemithorax, which prompted a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and an upper gastrointestinal contrast study. Gastric volvulus through a foramen of Morgagni was diagnosed and transthoracic reduction of the contents was performed, along with repair of the defect., Conclusions: A symptomatic Morgagni hernia in adults, although rare, can present with a variety of symptoms ranging from nonspecific complaints of bloating and indigestion to the more severe complaint of intestinal obstruction. Gastric volvulus and obstructive features are less frequently reported as acute complications of these hernias, which need early identification and intervention., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We report first use of bronchoscopic lung insufflation in a child to treat acute left lung collapse. The patient is a 6-year old male asthmatic who was hospitalized with a 2-day history of cough, chest pain, and abdominal pain. He was tachypneic and hypoxemic on room air. Chest exam revealed diminished breath sounds on the left side. Chest X-ray and Chest CT showed complete left lung collapse. He underwent bronchoscopic lung insufflation procedure by injecting total of 200 ml air via flexible bronchoscope in the left upper lobe using 50cc syringe aliquots followed by similar injection of 200 ml of air in left lower lobe. After air insufflations, 6 ml of bovine surfactant (calfactant) were instilled in each lobe. Chest fluoroscopy was done immediately after procedure and showed expansion of entire left lung with no pneumothorax. The procedure was well tolerated. The patient's symptoms and hypoxemia resolved soon after procedure. However, left lower lobe atelectasis recurred next day and persisted for 6 days despite treatments with chest physical therapy, systemic steroids, oral azithromycin, nebulized dornase alpha, and endoscopic removal of secretions from left lower lobe. Bronchoscopic insufflation of left lower lobe was repeated resulting in immediate expansion of that lobe as demonstrated by intraoperative fluoroscopy. The patient was discharged home next day. This case suggests that brochoscopic lung insufflation can be safe and effective in treating acute lung collapse and in treating atelectasis which is refractory to conventional therapy., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Atelectasis is a significant risk factor for the development of pneumonia, especially in pediatric populations more prone to alveolar collapse or those who may have weakened muscular tone. The Metaneb system is a pneumatic, noninvasive physiotherapy technique that delivers chest high-frequency oscillations. Chest high-frequency oscillations have been shown to enhance mucociliary clearance of secretions and help resolve patchy atelectasis. This report describes the case of a 17-year-old female patient who developed significant left-sided atelectasis after extubation and was effectively managed with complete resolution of her atelectasis with the Metaneb system, obviating the need for reintubation.

Background: Because of the shortage of lungs for transplantation, finding the suitable lungs in brain-dead donors is an important issue. Recruitment maneuver is a strategy aimed at re-expanding collapsed and edematous lung tissue. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of this maneuver on improving marginal lungs for transplantation., Methods: From 127 brain-dead potential donor which were evaluated for lung donation in Masih Daneshvari Organ Procurement Unit of Tehran, Iran, 31 (25%) had marginal lungs for transplantation. These donors had normal chest X ray or bilateral infiltration and had PaO2 200-300 mm Hg with FIO2 100%. The recruitment maneuver was performed and arterial blood gas was obtained before and after maneuver. The maneuver lasts for 2 hours with continuous check of O2 saturation and patient's hemodynamic during. Finally, patients with normal bronchoscopy and PaO2/FIO2 >300 mm Hg were considered good candidates for lung transplantation. The frequency (%) and mean ± SD were used for description of variables and the Wilcoxon test was used for comparison between pre- and post-maneuver PaO2 with FIO2 100%., Results: The mean ± SD of PaO2/FIO2 with 100% FIO2 of patients before and after recruitment were 239 ± 62 and 269 ± 91, respectively. Recruitment maneuver could convert 10 marginal lungs (32%) to appropriate ones (PaO2 > 300) and finally 8 lungs were transplanted., Conclusions: Findings of this study showed that recruitment maneuver could convert inappropriate lungs to appropriate ones in one third of brain-dead patients who had marginal lung condition. So, it is recommended that this maneuver is considered in the assessment protocol of lungs for donation., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of reduction of inspired oxygen fraction (Fio(2)) or application of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) after an alveolar recruitment maneuver (ARM) in minimizing anesthesia-induced atelectasis in dogs., Animals: 30 healthy female dogs., Procedures: During anesthesia and neuromuscular blockade, dogs were mechanically ventilated under baseline conditions (tidal volume, 12 mL/kg; inspiratory-to-expiratory ratio, 1:2; Fio(2), 1; and zero end-expiratory pressure [ZEEP]). After 40 minutes, lungs were inflated (airway pressure, 40 cm H(2)O) for 20 seconds. Dogs were then exposed to baseline conditions (ZEEP100 group), baseline conditions with Fio(2) reduced to 0.4 (ZEEP40 group), or baseline conditions with PEEP at 5 cm H(2)O (PEEP100 group; 10 dogs/group). For each dog, arterial blood gas variables and respiratory system mechanics were evaluated and CT scans of the thorax were obtained before and at 5 (T5) and 30 (T30) minutes after the ARM., Results: Compared with pre-ARM findings, atelectasis decreased and Pao(2):Fio(2) ratio increased at T5 in all groups. At T30, atelectasis and oxygenation returned to pre-ARM findings in the ZEEP100 group but remained similar to T5 findings in the other groups. At T5 and T30, lung static compliance in the PEEP100 group was higher than values in the other groups., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Application of airway pressure of 40 cm H(2)O for 20 seconds followed by Fio(2) reduction to 0.4 or ventilation with PEEP (5 cm H(2)O) was effective in diminishing anesthesia-induced atelectasis and maintaining lung function in dogs, compared with the effects of mechanical ventilation providing an Fio(2) of 1.

This article challenges the use of hyperoxia in the perioperative period. It describes the biochemical and physiologic basis for both the direct and indirect adverse effects of oxygen. The reasons for using hyperoxia in the perioperative period are critically evaluated, and the evidence and guidelines for oxygen use in common acute medical conditions are reviewed., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The collapse of lung tissue, edema and intrapulmonary shunt are the main symptoms in patients with acute respiratory insufficiency. The techniques of ventilation in a prone position and continuous lateral rotational therapy (CLRT) are based on these pathophysiological changes. Ventilation in a prone position was found to improve ventilation and perfusion relationships and reduction in the pleural pressure gradient. In hypoxemic lung failure (PaO(2)/FIO(2) <100) a prone position was found to improve oxygenation as a rescue measure and to improve survival. In contrast CLRT is considered to be an early therapeutic or prophylactic measure aimed at prevention of ventilation-associated complications. In trauma patients these beneficial effects were demonstrated in several studies. Positioning therapy can be accompanied by potentially serious complications (e.g. face and skin ulceration, accidental loss of tubes and catheters and cardiac arrhythmias) and its use requires routine management and exact knowledge of indications and risks.

Objective: To assess the effect of early use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy to treat or prevent acute atelectasis in post-operative cardiac patients particularly smokers and elderly patients., Methods: A pilot study suggested enrolling at least 32 participants in each group to be significant. One hundred and eight patients from King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who met the inclusion criteria participated in this study conducted between March 2010 and March 2011. The participants were divided randomly into 3 groups, incentive spirometry (IS) therapy, and CPAP therapy every 2 (CPAP 2 hrs), or 4 hours (CPAP 4 hrs). Inspiratory capacity (IC) was used to compare the 3 therapy regimes. Simultaneously, respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were measured for all groups. Failure was defined as requiring intubation, bi-level positive airway pressure, or added chest physiotherapy., Results: Thirty-six patients participated in each group (98 male and 10 female, with a mean age of 62+/-9.3 years). The IC increased significantly in the CPAP 2 hrs group when compared with the control group or the CPAP 4hrs group. The SpO2 decreased significantly in the control group and the CPAP 4 hrs groups when compared with the CPAP 2 hrs group. Also, there were no significant differences in RR and HR between all groups., Conclusion: Early use of CPAP via mask therapy for half an hour every 2 hours had better outcomes to re-open collapsed alveoli after cardiac surgery.

Background: Postoperative hypoxemia is a common complication in the anesthesia recovery room (ARR), which is predominantly based on the development of atelectasis, excessive intraoperative fluid shift and insufficient ventilation. The goal of this prospective observational study was to compare the effect of standard oxygen administration via a face mask with oxygen administration using the EzPAP® system, a device which additionally provides a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)., Methods: This study included 210 patients with postoperative hypoxemia (S(p)O(2) < 93%) subdivided into the control group (105 patients) and the EzPAP group (105 patients). Postoperative residual paralysis was excluded using relaxometry and a train of four (TOF) ratio of 0.9 was assumed to ensure sufficient recovery of respiratory function from neuromuscular blockade. Patients who received a reversal of neuromuscular blockade were excluded. In cases of hypoxemia (S(p)O(2) < 93%) control patients were treated with oxygen (6 l/min) using a face mask, whereas the EzPAP group received oxygen using the EzPAP® system. In order to adjust the PEEP in the EzPAP group, the O(2) flow was verified and measured by a manometer. After 1 h of oxygen therapy, the oxygen supply was stopped. In cases of reoccurring hypoxemia (S(p)O(2) < 93%, persistence > 5 min), the oxygen therapy was restarted in both groups via a facemask. Both groups were compared using repeat measurement analysis of variance (ANOVA), the unpaired t-test, the Mann-Whitney U-test, Fisher's exact test and the χ(2)-test. The correlation of O(2) flow and PEEP was evaluated by regression analysis and p < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Apart from this a subgroup analysis was performed depending on body-mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, intraoperative airway management, the use of neuromuscular blocking agents and co-existing disorders, e.g. chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD), obesity and chronic heart failure., Results: All patients were equally distributed between both groups with respect to demographic data, ASA classification, BMI, co-existing disorders and surgical procedures. The S(p)O(2) values did not differ between the EzPAP patients and the control group, except for 0.5 min after initiation of oxygen therapy: EzPAP group 96 ± 3.7% (mean ± standard deviation) versus the control group 93.8 ± 4.4% (p < 0.001). However, restarting oxygen therapy was less common in the EzPAP group (EzPAP group 25 versus control group 41, p = 0.03), as well as the occurrence of postoperative complications (EzPAP group 13 versus control group 25, p = 0.02), e.g. nosocomial pneumonia (0 versus 4) and wound infections (2 versus 3). Furthermore, patients with obesity and pulmonary disorders, such as COLD had a benefit from oxygen administration using the EzPAP device and showed higher postoperative than preoperative S(p)O(2) values. In contrast, the subgroup analysis of patients with heart failure did not reveal any differences between both groups and both groups did not differ in terms of time spent in the recovery room (EzPAP group 113 min versus control group 174.8 min, p = 0.2)., Conclusions: In this observational study oxygen supply using the EzPAP® system appeared to be at least equally as effective in the therapy of postoperative hypoxemia compared to standard oxygen supply using a face mask. In patients with a high risk of postoperative hypoxemia, such as patients with obesity and/or pulmonary disorders, oxygen administration using the EzPAP® system possibly improves pulmonary oxygenation more effectively and is longer lasting compared to standard oxygen supply via a face mask. Hence, the EzPAP® system represents a well-tolerated, effective, cost-effective and easily operated tool to improve postoperative oxygenation. In order to investigate the possibilities of this promising tool more intensively, randomized clinical trials are warranted.

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) refers to ventilation delivered through a noninvasive interface (a nasal or face mask) rather than an invasive interface (an endotracheal tube or tracheostomy). The role of NIV in preventing reintubation after abdominal surgery in pediatric patients is uncertain. Therefore, we evaluated the role of NIV for this purpose in pediatric patients after liver transplantation. We successfully started using NIV for respiratory complications (RCs) in pediatric patients undergoing liver transplantation in 1999. For this report, we screened all medical records of patients under the age of 12 years who underwent liver transplantation between 2001 and 2009, and we retrieved data for cases at high risk of extubation failure. We retrospectively compared the clinical outcomes of patients who received NIV during their intensive care unit (ICU) stay and patients who did not. Data for 94 cases (92 patients) were included in this analysis. NIV was used in 47 patients during their ICU stay. The rate of reintubation for RCs was significantly lower in NIV patients versus non-NIV patients [3/47 (6.4%) versus 11/47 (23.4%), P = 0.02]. Furthermore, the discharge rate from the ICU was significantly better for NIV patients versus non-NIV patients. The use of NIV after extubation prevented the worsening of atelectasis and stabilized respiratory conditions in this cohort. No major changes in operative procedures or other treatments during the examined period were found. In conclusion, NIV is acceptable and promising for the respiratory management of pediatric patients undergoing liver transplantation. Its use may stabilize respiratory conditions and decrease the need for reintubation in pediatric liver transplant patients, and it may also facilitate an early ICU discharge., (Copyright © 2012 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.)

Objective: To describe the resolution of regional atelectasis and the development of regional lung overdistension during a lung-recruitment protocol in children with acute lung injury., Design: Prospective interventional trial., Setting: Pediatric intensive care unit., Patients: Ten children with early (<72 hrs) acute lung injury., Interventions: Sustained inflation maneuver (positive airway pressure of 40 cm H2O for 40 secs), followed by a stepwise recruitment maneuver (escalating plateau pressures by 5 cm H2O every 15 mins) until physiologic lung recruitment, defined by PaO2 + PaCO2 ≥400 mm Hg, was achieved. Regional lung volumes and mechanics were measured using electrical impedance tomography., Measurements and Main Results: Patients that responded to the stepwise lung-recruitment maneuver had atelectasis in 54% of the dependent lung regions, while nonresponders had atelectasis in 10% of the dependent lung regions (p = .032). In the pressure step preceding physiologic lung recruitment, a significant reversal of atelectasis occurred in 17% of the dependent lung regions (p = .016). Stepwise recruitment overdistended 8% of the dependent lung regions in responders, but 58% of the same regions in nonresponders (p < .001). Lung compliance in dependent lung regions increased in responders, while compliance in nonresponders did not improve. In contrast to the stepwise recruitment maneuver, the sustained inflation did not produce significant changes in atelectasis or oxygenation: atelectasis was only reversed in 12% of the lung (p = .122), and there was only a modest improvement in oxygenation (27 ± 14 mm Hg, p = .088)., Conclusions: Reversal of atelectasis in the most dependent lung region preceded improvements in gas exchange during a stepwise lung-recruitment strategy. Lung recruitment of dependent lung areas was accompanied by considerable overdistension of nondependent lung regions. Larger amounts of atelectasis in dependent lung areas were associated with a positive response to a stepwise lung-recruitment maneuver.

The passive pharyngeal critical closing pressure (Pcrit) is measured using a series of pressure drops. However, pressure drops also lower end-expiratory lung volume (EELV), which independently affects Pcrit. We describe a technique to measure Pcrit at a constant EELV. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)-treated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients and controls were instrumented with an epiglottic catheter, magnetometers (to measure change in EELV), and nasal mask/pneumotachograph and slept supine on nasal CPAP. Pcrit was measured in standard fashion and using our novel "biphasic technique" in which expiratory pressure only was lowered for 1 min before the inspiratory pressure was dropped; this allowed EELV to decrease to the drop level before performing the pressure drop. Seven OSA and three controls were studied. The biphasic technique successfully lowered EELV before the inspiratory pressure drop. Pcrit was similar between the standard and biphasic techniques (-0.4 ± 2.6 vs. -0.6 ± 2.3 cmH(2)O, respectively, P = 0.84). Interestingly, we noted three different patterns of flow limitation: 1) classic Starling resistor type: flow fixed and independent of downstream pressure; 2) negative effort dependence within breaths: substantial decrease in flow, sometimes with complete collapse, as downstream pressure decreased; and 3) and negative effort dependence across breaths: progressive reductions in peak flow as respiratory effort on successive breaths increased. Overall, EELV changes do not influence standard passive Pcrit measurements if breaths 3-5 of pressure drops are used. These results also highlight the importance of inspiratory collapse in OSA pathogenesis. The cause of negative effort dependence within and across breaths is not known and requires further study.

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of plastic bronchitis associated with 2009 influenza A virus (H1N1) infection., Method: A retrospective investigation of the clinical manifestation, bronchoscopy, and the histology of the cast, clinical course and outcome of 8 children with plastic bronchitis associated with influenza A virus (H1N1) infection during winter of 2009 and 2010 was performed., Result: All 8 cases were boys, the range of age was 3 to 6 years. Five cases occurred in 2009 winter, accounting for 3.3% (5/150) of hospitalized children with influenza A (H1N1) infection; 3 cases occurred in 2010 winter, accounting for 15.8% (3/19) of hospitalized children with influenza A (H1N1) infection. Two patients had an underlying chronic disease, 1 had asthma, and the other had allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. All the 8 cases had fever, cough and sputum; 2 had wheezing; 5 had respiratory distress. All 8 cases were diagnosed as influenza A virus (H1N1) infection complicated with pneumonia, of whom 5 patients had atelectasis, 2 had pneumothorax, 1 had pneumomediastinum, 1 had parapneumonic effusion, 2 patients were suspected of foreign body aspiration. Seven cases were admitted to an ICU, 5 patients developed respiratory failure, and 3 patients required mechanical ventilation. Flexible bronchoscopy and bronchial lavage was performed in all cases and showed bronchial cast. Histological examination of the bronchial cast revealed a fibrinous material containing large quantity of eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphocytes in 7 patients, fibrinous material and necrotic material without inflammatory cells in 1 patient. After the bronchial cast was removed, all patients were improved greatly, no patients died., Conclusion: Plastic bronchitis is a life-threatening complication associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in children. In children with rapid and progressive respiratory distress with lung atelectasis or consolidation on chest radiograph, plastic bronchitis should be considered. Bronchoscopic extraction of casts should be carried out early.

Purpose of Review: Pleural effusions are prevalent in mechanically ventilated patients, and clinicians frequently consider draining the effusions. It is controversial whether patients benefit from pleural drainage in terms of either physiological or clinical outcomes., Recent Findings: Pleural drainage may be undertaken for a variety of reasons. Effusions are an important potential source of infection in patients with undifferentiated sepsis. Pleural drainage may improve hypoxemia or lung mechanics, but the physiological response depends on a complex interplay between lung and chest wall compliance, applied positive end-expiratory pressure and drainage volume. Pleural effusions may be associated with significant cyclic lung recruitment and collapse during tidal ventilation. Because effusions are primarily accommodated by descent of the diaphragm, they can also impair diaphragm mechanics significantly. There is very limited data in the literature to support the use of pleural drainage to accelerate liberation from mechanical ventilation, and there are no randomized controlled trials published to date., Summary: Pleural drainage may benefit certain patient populations based on individual physiological considerations, but randomized controlled trials evaluating the impact on weaning outcomes are lacking. Future research efforts should focus on identifying patient populations most likely to benefit and clarify the mechanisms by which weaning may be accelerated after pleural drainage.

Objective: This case report describes an unusual presentation of right upper lobe atelectasis associated with refractory hypoxemia to conventional alveolar recruitment maneuvers in a patient soon after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery., Method: Case-report., Results: The alveolar recruitment with PEEP = 40 cm H2O improved the patient's atelectasis and hypoxemia., Conclusion: In the present report, the unusual alveolar recruitment maneuver with PEEP 40 cm H2O showed to be safe and efficient to reverse refractory hypoxemia and uncommon atelectasis in a patient after cardiac surgery.

Purpose of Review: Supplemental oxygen is often administered during anesthesia and in critical illness to treat hypoxia, but high oxygen concentrations are also given for a number of other reasons such as prevention of surgical site infection (SSI). The decision to use supplemental oxygen is, however, controversial, because of large heterogeneity in the reported results and emerging reports of side-effects. The aim of this article is to review the recent findings regarding benefits and harms of oxygen therapy in anesthesia and acute medical conditions., Recent Findings: Large randomized trials have not found significant reductions in SSI with 80% oxygen during and after abdominal surgery and cesarean section. There is no documented benefit of hyperbaric oxygen treatment for acute ischemic stroke, and there is emerging data to suggest increased mortality with normobaric supplemental oxygen for myocardial infarction without heart failure. Survival and neurologic outcome seem to be adversely affected by hyperoxia in patients with return of spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest., Summary: The benefits of supplemental oxygen are not yet confirmed, and new findings suggest that potential side-effects should be considered if the inspired oxygen concentration is increased above what is needed to maintain normal arterial oxygen saturation.

Rationale: In acute lung injury, atelectasis is common and frequently develops in the dependent and diaphragmatic regions. Attempts to recruit lung with positive pressure constitute a major aim in the management of acute respiratory distress syndrome but are associated with overdistension and injury in nonatelectatic regions., Objective: To test the hypothesis that continuous negative abdominal pressure using an iron lung would augment positive end-expiratory pressure in recruiting atelectatic lung., Methods and Main Results: An in vivo rabbit model of ventilator-induced lung injury was used in which a recruitment maneuver followed by positive end-expiratory pressure (110 cm H2O) had no effect on oxygenation. Addition of sustained continuous negative abdominal pressure (-5 cm H2O) to the positive end-expiratory pressure significantly increased the end-expired lung volume and PaO2 but impaired ventricular preload and cardiac output (suggested by echocardiography). Addition of transient (15 mins) continuous negative abdominal pressure resulted in comparable and lasting (60 mins) increases in PaO2. Sustained, but not transient, continuous negative abdominal pressure was associated with hemodynamic depression and lactic acidosis, which appeared (illustrative echocardiography, n = 2) to be caused by decreased cardiac preload. Computerized tomography (n = 2) suggested that continuous negative abdominal pressure was an effective adjunct to positive end-expiratory pressure for recruiting atelectasis in dependent and diaphragmatic regions. In surfactant-depleted but noninjured lungs, sustained continuous negative abdominal pressure augmented lung recruitment and oxygenation in the setting of higher (but not lower) levels of positive end-expiratory pressure and reduced central venous oxygenation., Conclusions: Continuous negative abdominal pressure may be a potential adjunct to positive end-expiratory pressure in the recruitment of diaphragmatic atelectasis. The approach ultimately might be useful when ceilings exist on the level of desired positive end-expiratory pressure.

Objective: Persistent lung atelectasis is difficult to treat and perfluorochemical (PFC) liquid may be an option for bronchioalveolar lavage (BAL)., Case Report: A 4-year-old girl with spinal muscle atrophy was admitted in respiratory failure. On admission, the X-ray confirmed the persistence of total right-sided lung atelectasis, which had been present for 14 months. She was endotracheally intubated and ventilated from the day of admission. BAL with normal saline was performed twice without improvement. Following failed extubation and being dependent on continuous respiratory support, a trial of BAL using PFC liquid (Perfluorodecalin HP) was carried out. The PFC was delivered through the endotracheal tube on three consecutive days. A loading dose of 3 ml/kg was administered, followed by a varying dose in order to more effectively lavage the lungs. She tolerated the procedure well the first 2 days, although there were no clinical signs of improvement in the atelectasis. Intentionally, higher inflation pressures were applied after PFC instillation on day 3. Chest X-ray then showed hazy infiltrates on her left lung and she required more ventilatory support. However, lung infiltrates cleared over the next 3 days. A tracheotomy was done 6 days after the last PFC instillation. She had a slow recovery and was successfully decanulated. Clinical improvement of lung function was seen including less need of BiPAP and oxygen. A chest CT scan showed then functional lung tissue appearing in the previous total atelectatic right lung., Conclusion: Lavage with PFC can safely be performed with a therapeutic effect in a child with unilateral total lung atelectasis., (Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)