Late-onset post-lesional paroxysmal hypothermia: a case series and literature review.

Background: Paroxysmal hypothermia (PH) is a rare condition characterized by recurrent episodes of spontaneous hypothermia, bradycardia, disorders of consciousness and, in some cases, hyperhidrosis. When associated with a detectable hypothalamic lesion, PH episodes usually occur shortly after the brain insult.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study to identify patients who had demonstrated at least one episode of symptomatic spontaneous PH as defined by (i) tympanic temperature < 35 °C; (ii) drowsiness and/or confusion state and/or coma; (iii) duration of the episode ≥ 24 h; (iv) absence of other condition resulting in hypothermia RESULTS: Among 8824 patients, we identified four patients with recurrent late-onset PH episodes of 1-26-day duration that occurred 6-46 years after the brain insult.

Expiratory flow-volume loop profile and patient outcome in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in acute respiratory failure: a prospective observational study in a single intensive care unit.

Background: Expiratory flow-volume (EFV) loops are continuously displayed on the screen of intensive care unit (ICU) ventilators.

Objectives: It was the aim of this study to investigate the relationships of EFV to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient outcome.

Methods: This is a prospective study on COPD patients who received invasive mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory failure in the ICU.