Paolo Pelosi1, Paolo Severgnini, Maurizio Chiaranda. 1. Dipartimento Ambiente, Salute e Sicurezza, Universita' degli Studi dell'Insubria, Servizio di Anestesia e Rianimazione B, Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy. ppelosi@hotmail.com
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Brain-injured patients are at increased risk of extracerebral organ dysfunction, in particular ventilator-associated pneumonia. The purpose of this review is to discuss functional abnormalities, clinical treatment, and possible prevention of respiratory function abnormalities in brain-injured patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Ventilator-associated pneumonia worsens the neurologic outcome and increases the intensive care unit and hospital stay, costs, and risk of death. The respiratory dysfunction can be due to several causes, but atelectasis and/or consolidation of the lower lobes predominates in the most severe cases. Strategies should be implemented to prevent lung infections and accelerate weaning from mechanical ventilation to reduce the incidence of respiratory dysfunction and ventilator-associated pneumonia. SUMMARY: An integrated approach including appropriate ventilatory, antibiotic, and fluid management could be extremely useful, not only to prevent and more rapidly treat respiratory failure but also to improve neurologic outcome and reduce hospital stay. Further studies are warranted to better elucidate the pathophysiology and clinical treatment of respiratory dysfunction in brain-injured patients.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Brain-injured patients are at increased risk of extracerebral organ dysfunction, in particular ventilator-associated pneumonia. The purpose of this review is to discuss functional abnormalities, clinical treatment, and possible prevention of respiratory function abnormalities in brain-injured patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Ventilator-associated pneumonia worsens the neurologic outcome and increases the intensive care unit and hospital stay, costs, and risk of death. The respiratory dysfunction can be due to several causes, but atelectasis and/or consolidation of the lower lobes predominates in the most severe cases. Strategies should be implemented to prevent lung infections and accelerate weaning from mechanical ventilation to reduce the incidence of respiratory dysfunction and ventilator-associated pneumonia. SUMMARY: An integrated approach including appropriate ventilatory, antibiotic, and fluid management could be extremely useful, not only to prevent and more rapidly treat respiratory failure but also to improve neurologic outcome and reduce hospital stay. Further studies are warranted to better elucidate the pathophysiology and clinical treatment of respiratory dysfunction in brain-injured patients.
Authors: Kari Schirmer-Mikalsen; Anne Vik; Eirik Skogvoll; Kent Gøran Moen; Ole Solheim; Pål Klepstad Journal: Neurocrit Care Date: 2016-06 Impact factor: 3.210
Authors: Luisa Corral; Casimiro F Javierre; Josep L Ventura; Pilar Marcos; José I Herrero; Rafael Mañez Journal: Crit Care Date: 2012-12-12 Impact factor: 9.097