Association of weaning failure from mechanical ventilation with transthoracic echocardiography parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Weaning from mechanical ventilation is a challenging step during recovery from critical illness. Weaning failure or early reintubation are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, exposing patients to life-threatening complications. Cardiac dysfunction represents the most common cause of weaning failure.

Occurrence of ventilator associated pneumonia using a tracheostomy tube with subglottic secretion drainage.

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients who require mechanical ventilation (MV). Subglottic secretions above the endotracheal cuff are associated with bacteria colonization of lower respiratory tract, causing VAP. A preventive strategy to avoid subglottic secretion progression is the drainage with special tracheal tubes effective in preventing both early onset and late onset VAP.

High flow nasal therapy in immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The role of high-flow nasal therapy (HFNT) as compared to conventional oxygen therapy (COT) in immunocompromised patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) with acute respiratory failure (ARF) remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis in order to address this issue.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Medline and Embase until November 7th, 2018.