Effect of sequential high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy and non-invasive positive-pressure ventilation in patients with difficult weaning from mechanical ventilation after extubation on respiratory mechanics.

Background: Patients with difficult weaning who undergo mechanical ventilation are more likely to be at risk of reintubation and the sequential use of oxygen therapy after extubation is a concern for clinicians. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the effects of transnasal high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy and non-invasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIV) on respiratory mechanics in patients with difficult weaning.

Methods: The present study was a single-center, retrospective, observational study.

Compliance with severe sepsis bundles and its effect on patient outcomes of severe community-acquired pneumonia in a limited resources country.

Introduction: Validation of compliance with severe sepsis bundles is still needed. The purpose of this study was to determine compliance and its outcomes in severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients in a limited resources country.

Material And Methods: A prospective cohort study of 212 severe CAP patients was carried out.

[Intrathoracic blood volume index as an indicator of fluid management in septic shock].

Objective: To investigate the value of intrathoracic blood volume index (ITBVI) monitoring in fluid management strategy in septic shock patients.

Methods: In a prospective study, 33 patients who were diagnosed to be suffering from septic shock in the intensive care unit (ICU) were enrolled . Seventeen patients who received pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) monitoring, and ITBVI was used as indicator of fluid management, were enrolled into ITBVI group; 16 patients who received traditional fluid management strategy [directed by central venous pressure (CVP)] were enrolled into control group.

[Evaluation of compliance with bundle treatment in the management of severe infection].

Objective: To evaluate compliance with bundle treatment in the management of severe infection in a tertiary hospital, aiming at analyzing clinical data in order to popularize guidelines for management of severe sepsis and septic shock.

Methods: A 14-month (from November 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007) prospective observational study of a group of 43 patients admitted to the respiratory intensive care unit in First Affiliated Hospital (tertiary hospital) of Guangzhou Medical College meeting the criteria for severe pneumonia and septic shock was carried out. Implementation of 6-hour and 24-hour bundle treatment for severe infection was divided into three phases consisting of education, trial, and application.

[Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of corticosteroid in the treatment of severe SARS in Guangdong province with multi-factor regression analysis].

Objective: To investigate the clinical database of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Guangdong province and evaluate the efficacy and safety of corticosteroid in the treatment of severe SARS from December 2002 to December 2003.

Methods: The detail data of 1 278 SARS patients and borderline cases were collected. Four hundred and two confirmed SARS cases were recruited in our study.

[A survey of present situation of general intensive care unit in second grade hospitals and construction of intensive care network in Guangdong province].

Objective: To investigate the present situation of general intensive care unit (ICU) in second grade hospitals, and to establish intensive care network for the Department of Public Health of Guangdong province in Guangdong province.

Methods: Data from ICU of 26 hospitals in Guangdong were collected through questionnaire concerning different aspects of critical care medicine.

Results: (1) ICU size was (10.

[Retrospective discriminant analysis of the clinical diagnostic criteria for serious contagious severe acute respiratory syndrome].

Objective: To analyze the clinical diagnostic criteria for serious severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Guangdong retrospectively discriminant with SARS database, and to screen out the sensitive warning factors in predicting the outcome.

Methods: Four hundred and two SARS patients were selected based on the diagnostic criteria for SARS from Ministry of Health, China. Of them, 358 SARS patients were selected as their clinical manifestations conformed to the diagnostic criteria of serious SARS.

[Study of continuous blood purification in severe pneumonia patients with multiple organ failure].

Objective: To review retrospectively the effect of continuous blood purification (CBP) on septic shock with acute renal failure and respiratory failure as a result of severe pneumonia, and to analyze its relationship with prognosis.

Methods: Twenty-five patients diagnosed as severe pneumonia with varying degrees of multiple organ failure (MOF), septic shock and anuria, were allocated into three groups based on outcome of the patients A (7 patients), died of progressive worsening of septic shock, (9 patients, yet died of severe pneumonia afterwards). Laboratory data and critical scored of the patients 1 day before and 24, 48, and 72 hours after the initiation of CBP were compared among the three groups.

[Changes in pulmonary function in severe acute respiratory syndrome patients during convalescent period].

Objective: To investigate the changes and pattern of pulmonary function in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients during convalescent period.

Methods: Pulmonary function tests were performed in 26 SARS convalescent patients regularly every 3 months after their discharge from hospital. The significance of changes in pulmonary function indexes was analyzed.

[Clinical therapy of severe acute respiratory syndrome: 38 cases retrospective analysis].

Objective: To analyze the clinical features and therapy experience of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Methods: From December 2002 to April 2003 in Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, 38 patients with severe SARS were retrospectively studied to evaluate the relationship between treatment strategy and prognosis.

Results: Thirty-eight cases of severe SARS were diagnosed.