Respiratory Failure in Acute Chest Infections

Chest radiographs for acute lower respiratory tract infections.

BACKGROUND Acute lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) (e.g. pneumonia) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality and management focuses on early treatment. Chest radiographs (X-rays) are one of the commonly used strategies. Although radiological facilities are easily accessible in high-income countries, access can be limited in low-income countries. The efficacy of chest radiographs as...

Prevention of nosocomial infections in acute respiratory failure patients.

Patients with acute respiratory failure are predisposed to acquire nosocomial infection primarily because they may need ventilatory support, usually invasive mechanical ventilation. The presence of an endotracheal tube impairs natural defences of the respiratory tract and favours airways colonisation and lung infection. Cross transmission of microorganisms may also occur via contaminated hands ...

Treatment of respiratory failure following chest injuries.

Observer variation in chest radiography of acute lower respiratory infections in children: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the accuracy of chest radiograph findings in acute lower respiratory infection in children is important when making clinical decisions. METHODS: I conducted a systematic review of agreement between and within observers in the detection of radiographic features of acute lower respiratory infections in children, and described the quality of the design and reporting of stu...

Acute respiratory failure in asthma

A b st ra ct Although asthma is a condition that is managed in the outpatient setting in most patients, the poorly control­ led and severe cases pose a major challenge to the health-care team. Recognition of the more common insidious and the less common rapid onset “acute asphyxic” asthma are important. The intensivist needs to be familiar with the factors that denote severity of the exacerbati...