Left atrial enlargement and reduced physical function during aging.

Diastolic dysfunction, often seen with increasing age, is associated with reduced exercise capacity and increased mortality. Mortality rates in older individuals are linked to the development of disability, which may be preceded by functional limitations. The goal of this study was to identify which echocardiographic measures of diastolic function correlate with physical function in older subjects.

Low positive end-expiratory pressure does not exacerbate nebulized-acid lung injury in dogs.

It is not clear if low end-expiratory pressures contribute to ventilator-induced lung injury in large animals. We sought to determine whether ventilation with a low level of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) worsens preexisting permeability lung injury in dogs. Lung injury was initiated in 20 mongrel dogs by ventilating with nebulized 3N hydrochloric acid until a lower inflection point (LIP) appeared on the respiratory system pressure-volume loop.

Pulmonary capillary pressure during acute lung injury in dogs.

Objectives: To measure pulmonary capillary pressure and pulmonary artery occlusion pressures both during control conditions and during acute lung injury and to evaluate the effects of inotropic therapy and volume loading on these measurements after lung injury.

Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled laboratory trial.

Setting: University research laboratory.