Comparison of noninvasive ventilation by sequential use of mask and helmet versus mask in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a preliminary study.

Background: Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) using a face mask is the ventilatory mode of choice in selected patients experiencing acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A high incidence of intolerance limits the use of this approach.

Objective: To evaluate the sequential use of mask and helmet during NPPV in patients with severe exacerbation of COPD in order to reduce the intolerance to these devices.

Cuff-leak test predicts the severity of postextubation acute laryngeal lesions: a preliminary study.

Background And Objective: The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the relationships between the results of the cuff-leak test and the presence of laryngeal lesions; to assess whether lesions needing pharmacological treatment and surveillance can be predicted by the cuff-leak test; and to analyse the relationships between these lesions and postextubation stridor.

Methods: The present study is a preliminary, prospective, clinical investigation set in an 11-bed ICU of a university hospital. We studied 50 consecutive adult patients admitted to the ICU and mechanically ventilated for more than 72 h.

Intrapulmonary percussive ventilation improves the outcome of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using a helmet.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of intrapulmonary percussive ventilation (IPV) by mouthpiece during noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation with helmet in patients with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Design: Randomized clinical trial.

Setting: General intensive care unit, university hospital.

Effects of a sigh on the respiratory mechanical properties in ali patients.

Objectives: The application of sighs during baseline ventilation was found to improve alveolar recruitment and oxygenation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The present investigation evaluates if respiratory mechanics can be modified by a sigh.

Methods: Ten consecutive patients with acute lung injury (ALI) admitted to the University Hospital Intensive Care Unit the were studied during mechanical ventilation.

Sigh: tool to determine the respiratory viscoelastic properties.

Objective: In mechanically ventilated patients a high fraction of the pressure can be dissipated to overcome the viscoelastic components of the respiratory system. Recently it was demonstrated that sigh improved oxygenation in mechanically ventilated ARDS patients. We evaluated if, in acute lung injury (ALI) patients, the sigh can be used to measure the respiratory viscoelastic properties.