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her risk of ventilator dependence at ICU discharge compared to normal-weight subjects, even after adjusting for potential confounders and inter-ICU variance. The association between BMI and ventilator dependence should be examined using information on subjects’ nutritional status and frailty in further studies.

Pneumatic tube transport of blood gas samples is a common method of delivery within a facility. The effects of pneumatic tube transport on blood gas analysis has been studied. However, other analytes that are often assessed in blood gas analysis (eg, electrolytes, metabolites, and oximetry) are not typically included in these studies. We sought to investigate the impact of pneumatic tube transport on some of these other analytes.

The study was conducted at the blood gas laboratory at the University of Utah Hospital. A split sample comparison was performed. Both samples were walked to a pneumatic tube station, where one sample was sent via tube to the blood gas laboratory, while the other sample was walked back to blood gas laboratory. We examined 2 samples from each of the 27 different pneumatic tube stations in this hospital. Results were graphed with upper and lower control limits set to conform to acceptable College of American Pathologists proficiency testing evaluation criteria. Data were compared using the Student

test.

Differences between walked and tubed specimens were neither clinically nor statistically significant.

Pneumatic tube transport of blood gas specimens is acceptable for blood gas and supplementary analytes, as evidenced by multiple points of evaluation, including statistical analysis, clinical judgment, and concordance with regulatory guidelines.

Pneumatic tube transport of blood gas specimens is acceptable for blood gas and supplementary analytes, as evidenced by multiple points of evaluation, including statistical analysis, clinical judgment, and concordance with regulatory guidelines.

There is a paucity of research on e-cigarette use among adults with chronic lung disease. Accordingly, little is known about the factors that may contribute to e-cigarette use in this population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between chronic lung disease and e-cigarette use and to determine whether binge drinking moderates this relationship.

Data were derived from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Logistic regression was used to test the association between chronic lung disease status and e-cigarette use, controlling for demographic variables and chronic health conditions. We conducted moderation analyses to test the hypothesis that the association between chronic lung disease and lifetime e-cigarette use would be modified by binge drinking.

The prevalence of lifetime e-cigarette use was higher among adults with chronic lung disease than among those without, and more frequent binge drinking was associated with an increased likelihood of lifetime e-stration NCT04135404.).

E-cigarette use appears to be more common among adults with chronic lung disease. Although binge drinking was positively associated with e-cigarette use, more frequent binge drinking weakened the relationship between chronic lung disease and e-cigarette use. Though future studies are needed to determine precisely how binge drinking affects this association, it is possible that individuals with chronic lung disease who binge drink more frequently use e-cigarettes less frequently, despite an increased likelihood of having ever used an e-cigarette. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT04135404.).

In mechanically ventilated subjects, intra-tracheal secretions can be aspirated with either open suction systems (OSS) or closed suction systems (CSS). selleckchem In contrast to CSS, conventional OSS require temporarily disconnecting the patient from the ventilator, which briefly diminishes PEEP and oxygen supply. On the other hand, CSS are more expensive and less effective at aspirating secretions. Thus, it was hypothesized that the 2 procedures differentially affect pulmonary and cardiovascular parameters after suction.

Subjects in the ICU (

= 66) were quasi-randomized for initial treatment with OSS or CSS in a crossover design. To compare the potential for these suction systems to compromise cardiorespiratory stability, changes in cardiopulmonary physiology were assessed from before to just after use of each suction system (three 10-s aspirations).

For most pulmonary and cardiovascular parameters (ie, peak inspiratory pressure, airway resistance, pressure plateau, heart rate, and arterial pressures), the effe, especially for those with underlying diseases involving increased airway resistance or increased alveolar pressure. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT03256214.).

The treatment of cystic fibrosis involves the use of drugs delivered by nebulizer systems, and adequate functioning of the compressors and nebulizers is essential. We hypothesized that compressors of nebulizer systems used by individuals with cystic fibrosis would not work properly. Therefore, we aimed to assess the performance of the compressors from nebulizer systems used by individuals with cystic fibrosis.

This is a cross-sectional study to assess the performance of compressors from nebulizer systems used by subjects with cystic fibrosis registered at the Cystic Fibrosis Patient Association in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Compressors (Proneb Ultra II) brought by the individuals were tested with new nebulizer parts (Pari LC plus) to assess the variables of nebulization efficiency, including residual volume, solution output, and aerosol output rate. Compression performance was assessed by measuring the operating pressure using a PARI PG101 manometer.

The performance of 146 compressors was analyzed. Fifty-seven (39%) of the compressors were ineffective, with operating pressure values well below the manufacturer’s technical reference and the compressor time used for a median time of 36 (15 days to 156 months). The systems with low pressure values demonstrated significantly worse results for nebulization efficiency variables, and a significant correlation was found between residual volume (r = -0.5,

< .001), solution output (r = +0.5,

< .001), and aerosol output rate (r = +0.5,

< .001), and operating pressure values.

A significant number of compressors generate low operating pressure values. These systems showed a compromised efficiency of nebulization, indicating that the pressure generated by the compressor is a critical aspect of treatment efficiency.

A significant number of compressors generate low operating pressure values. These systems showed a compromised efficiency of nebulization, indicating that the pressure generated by the compressor is a critical aspect of treatment efficiency.