Clinical features and outcomes of prolonged mechanical ventilation: a single-center retrospective observational study.

Background: Information on epidemiology of prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) patients in the acute care setting in Japan is totally lacking. We aimed to investigate clinical features, impact, and long-term outcomes of PMV patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study conducted in a tertiary care hospital.

Fatal delayed rupture of the subclavian artery in a patient with first-rib fracture caused by blunt trauma.

This case highlights the probable association of significantly displaced posterior first-rib fracture and jagged edges of the fracture line following blunt chest trauma with delayed ipsilateral subclavian artery rupture. Early angiography and first-rib repair should promptly be considered under such circumstances.

[Effect of concentration on counting numbers on pain induced by injection of propofol].

Background: One of the concerns in the use of propofol is the pain on injection of the drug. Many attempts were made to prevent such pain, none of which has been reasonably successful. We hypothesized that the pain is attenuated when the patient is directed to concentrate on counting numbers while propofol is injected.