A case of extreme carboxyhaemoglominemia due to vaping.

Acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is known to cause neurological, metabolic and cardiorespiratory sequalae. However, data on chronic CO exposure are scant, particularly in the context of vaping, which recent literature suggests may be a greater source of CO than tobacco cigarette smoking. During a series of admissions at the time of vaping, our patient repeatedly presented with significant CO poisoning and developed pulmonary arterial hypertension with resultant high-output right heart failure.

Arterio-VENouS Intra Subject agreement for blood gases within intensive care: The AVENSIS study.

Background: In critically ill patients, who require multiple blood gas assessments, agreement between arterial and venous blood gas values for pH and partial pressure of carbon dioxide, is not clear. Good agreement would mean that venous values could be used to assess ventilation and metabolic status of patients in intensive care unit.

Methods: All adult patients admitted to Alfred intensive care unit, Melbourne, from February 2013 to January 2014, who were likely to have arterial and central venous lines for three days, were enrolled.

Obstructive sleep apnoea predicted by the STOP-BANG questionnaire is not associated with higher rates of post-operative complications among a high-risk surgical cohort.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to establish if obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) predicted by the STOP-BANG questionnaire would be associated with higher rates of post-operative cardiac, respiratory or neurological complications among a selected high-risk population with established major comorbidities undergoing major surgery. We hypothesise that a cohort selected for major comorbidities will show a higher post-operative complication rate that may power any potential association with co-existent OSA and identify an important target group for OSA screening and treatment pathways in preparation for major surgery.

Methods: Patients attending a high-risk preadmission clinic prior to major surgery from May 2015 to November 2015 were prospectively screened for OSA using the STOP-BANG questionnaire.

Home mechanical ventilation in Australia and New Zealand.

This study aims to describe the pattern of home mechanical ventilation (HMV) usage in Australia and New Zealand. 34 centres providing HMV in the region were identified and asked to complete a questionnaire regarding centre demographics, patient diagnoses, HMV equipment and settings, staffing levels and methods employed to implement and follow-up therapy. 28 (82%) centres responded, providing data on 2,725 patients.