Secondary Response to Chronic Respiratory Acidosis in Humans: A Prospective Study.

Introduction: The magnitude of the secondary response to chronic respiratory acidosis, that is, change in plasma bicarbonate concentration ([HCO]) per mm Hg change in arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO), remains uncertain. Retrospective observations yielded Δ[HCO]/ΔPaCO slopes of 0.35 to 0.

Acid-base patterns in acute severe asthma.

Background And Objectives: Acid-base status in acute severe asthma (ASA) remains undefined; some studies report complete absence of metabolic acidosis, whereas others describe it as present in one fourth of patients or more. Conclusion discrepancies would therefore appear to derive from differences in assessment methodology. Only a systematic approach centering on patient clinical findings can correctly establish true acid-base disorder prevalence levels.

Decline of outpatient asthma management in Argentina.

Background And Objectives: To assess management of adult patients admitted with acute asthma and compare the results obtained with a similar study 5 years earlier.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 211 consecutive patients admitted to hospital during a 12-month period was conducted. Patients were surveyed using a validated management questionnaire and the results compared with those of the previous survey.

[Argentine consensus of non-invasive ventilation].

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is nowadays increasingly used. The significant decrease in tracheal intubation related complications makes it particularly attractive in patients with moderately acute respiratory failure (ARF) who still have some degree of respiratory autonomy. It has also been used to support patients with chronic respiratory failure.

Adequacy of outpatient management of asthma patients admitted to a state hospital in Argentina.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess chronic outpatient management of adult patients admitted with asthma.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted of 98 consecutive asthma admissions to a specialized pulmonary State Hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina, over a 12-month period. Patients were surveyed, within 48 h of admission, with a previously validated questionnaire which deals with chronic outpatient management and measures taken by patients or physicians to treat symptoms during asthma exacerbations.

[Survey of chest physicians regarding COPD diagnosis and treatment].

A survey on COPD diagnostic procedures, treatment and management was conducted in a group of 517 chest physicians randomized from a list of the 1121 affiliates to the Asociación Argentina de Medicina Respiratoria. One hundred eighty-seven responses were obtained (36.2% of the questionnaires mailed).

[Survey on changes in asthma treatment and management].

A total of 518 chest physicians selected at random from a national list participated in a survey on asthma management. This paper dealt with queries about diagnostic procedures, methods for recognizing life-threatening asthma attacks, patient education and treatment for acute asthma in adults and in children older than 6 years. A total of 198 replies were received (38.

[Gas exchange in acute respiratory distress syndrome].

The hypoxemia of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) depends chiefly upon shunt and ventilation-perfusion (VA/Q) inequality produced by fluid located in the interstitial space, alveolar collapse and flooding. Variables other tham inspired oxygen fraction and the underlying physiological abnormality can influence arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2). Changes in cardiac output, hemoglobin concentration, oxygen consumption and alcalosis can cause changes in PaO2 through their influence on mixed venous PO2.