Ocular disorders in non-invasive ventilation and CPAP therapy-A case report.

Background: The benefits of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in the treatment of several chronic and acute disorders are well documented. However, the side effects associated with this type of treatment must always be taken into account. Patients often fail to mention ocular symptoms.

Intracerebral hemorrhage after kratom ingestion.

Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical tree also known as kratom, is an emerging substance of abuse with dose-dependent stimulant and opioid-like effects. Kratom may be purchased legally in the United States and is marketed online as a safe alternative to opioids and a cheap alternative to opioid replacement therapy. However, adverse reactions to ingestion are largely unknown and may pose a significant public health risk.

Ozone therapy for patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: Preliminary report of a prospective case-control study.

Background: There is still no specific treatment strategies for COVID-19 other than supportive management.

Design: A prospective case-control study determined by admittance to the hospital based on bed availability.

Participants: Eighteen patients with COVID-19 infection (laboratory confirmed) severe pneumonia admitted to hospital between 20th March and 19th April 2020.

Non-invasive ventilation in patients with an altered level of consciousness. A clinical review and practical insights.

Non-invasive ventilation has gained an increasingly pivotal role in the treatment of acute hypoxemic and/or hypercapnic respira-tory failure and offers multiple advantages over invasive mechanical ventilation. Some of these advantages include the preserva-tion of airway defense mechanisms, a reduced need for sedation, and an avoidance of complications related to endotracheal intubation. Despite its advantages, non-invasive ventilation has some contraindications that include, among them, severe encephalopathy.

Respiratory Failure and Mechanical Ventilation in the Pregnant Patient.

Fewer than 2% of all peripartal patients need intensive care unit admission. But due to some anatomic and physiologic changes in pregnancy, respiratory failure can be promoted. This article reviews several obstetric and nonobstetric diseases that lead to respiratory failure and the treatment of these.

Noninvasive ventilation in trauma.

Trauma patients are a diverse population with heterogeneous needs for ventilatory support. This requirement depends mainly on the severity of their ventilatory dysfunction, degree of deterioration in gaseous exchange, any associated injuries, and the individual feasibility of potentially using a noninvasive ventilation approach. Noninvasive ventilation may reduce the need to intubate patients with trauma-related hypoxemia.

Malignant hyperthermia in a trauma patient.

Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening disorder caused by exposure to certain anesthetics. Prompt recognition and intervention is crucial. This article focuses on preoperative patient screening as well as perioperative and postoperative recognition and management.

Noninvasive mechanical ventilation in high-risk pulmonary infections: a clinical review.

The aim of this article was to review the role of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in acute pulmonary infectious diseases, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), H1N1 and tuberculosis, and to assess the risk of disease transmission with the use of NIV from patients to healthcare workers. We performed a clinical review by searching Medline and EMBASE. These databases were searched for articles on "clinical trials" and "randomised controlled trials".

Electronic distractions of the respiratory therapist and their impact on patient safety.

Over the last decade, data from the lay press, government agencies, and the business world have identified ever-growing problems with electronic distraction and changes in human relationships in this electronically interconnected planet. As health professionals, we are well aware of the epidemic growth of injuries and deaths related to texting and driving. It should not surprise us that this distracted behavior has affected all levels of health-care providers and has impacted patient care.

Hourly neurologic assessments for traumatic brain injury in the ICU.

Objectives: Hourly neurologic assessments for traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the critical care setting are common practice but prolonged use may actually be harming patients through sleep deprivation. We reviewed practice patterns at our institution in order to gain insight into the role of frequent neurological assessments.

Methods: A 6-month retrospective review was performed for patients who were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with the diagnosis of TBI.

An updated review of sepsis for the anesthesiologist.

Severe sepsis and septic shock continue to be among of the leading causes of death in intensive care unit patients, carrying an estimated mortality rate between 30% and 50%. This article provides an evidence-based focused review of sepsis, including an update on management strategies based on the most recent guidelines published by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign.

Clinical review: Helmet and non-invasive mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients.

Non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) has proved to be an excellent technique in selected critically ill patients with different forms of acute respiratory failure. However, NIV can fail on account of the severity of the disease and technical problems, particularly at the interface. The helmet could be an alternative interface compared to face mask to improve NIV success.