Effects of ventilatory pattern on experimental lung injury caused by high airway pressure.

Objective: To determine the influence of clinician-adjustable ventilator settings on the development of ventilator-induced lung injury, as assessed by changes in gas exchange (Pao2), compliance, functional residual capacity, and wet weight to dry weight ratio.

Design: Randomized in vivo rabbit study.

Setting: Hospital research laboratory.

Nocturnal asthma and exercise-induced bronchospasm.

Preview More than two thirds of all patients with asthma struggle with nocturnal worsening of their symptoms, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, or both. Understanding the causes of these problems provides a basis for controlling symptoms. Drs Wright and Martin elucidate those causes and make practical recommendations for minimizing nocturnal asthma and increasing patients' ability to exercise.