INTRODUCTION Patients with acute respiratory failure requiring respiratory support with invasive mechanical ventilation while awaiting lung transplantation are at a high risk of death. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been proposed as an alternative bridging strategy to mechanical ventilation. The aim of this study was to assess the current evidence regarding how the ECMO bridge i...

BACKGROUND The purpose of the study was to analyze the characteristics and evolution of non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) in the postoperative period of heart surgery in children. METHODS Retrospective observational study including all children requiring NIV after heart surgery in a single center pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) between 2001 and 2012. Demographic characteristics, ...

BACKGROUND We report the process implemented in our institution by a task force focused on the reduction of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). METHODS Retrospective cohort study of all adults admitted to one of our 4 adult ICUs, intubated on invasive mechanical ventilation. We implemented a ventilator bundle in April of 2007; we report the incidence of VAP in 2008, and, after adjustment ...

OBJECTIVE to show the benefits of the use of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in the process of weaning from mechanical ventilation in the immediate postoperative period of heart surgery. METHODS A prospective, randomized and controlled study was performed involving 100 consecutive patients submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting or valve surgery. The subjects were admit...

BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as motor neuron disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disease. Neuromuscular respiratory failure is the commonest cause of death, usually within two to five years of the disease onset. Supporting respiratory function with mechanical ventilation may improve survival and quality of life. This is the first update of a review first published in 2...