Acute life-threatening hypoxemia during mechanical ventilation. 2017

Thomas Piraino, and Eddy Fan
aDepartment of Anesthesia, McMaster University, Hamilton bDepartment of Respiratory Therapy, St. Michael's Hospital cDivision of Respirology, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network and Sinai Health System dInterdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine and the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

OBJECTIVE To describe current evidence-based practice in the management of acute life-threatening hypoxemia in mechanically ventilated patients and some of the methods used to individualize the care of the patient. RESULTS Patients with acute life-threatening hypoxemia will often meet criteria for severe ARDS, for which there are only a few treatment strategies that have been shown to improve survival outcomes. Recent findings have increased our knowledge of the physiological effects of spontaneous breathing and the application of PEEP. Additionally, the use of advanced bedside monitoring has a promising future in the management of hypoxemic patients to fine-tune the ventilator and to evaluate the individual patient response to therapy. CONCLUSIONS Treating the patient with acute life-threatening hypoxemia during mechanical ventilation should begin with an evidence-based approach, with the goal of improving oxygenation and minimizing the harmful effects of mechanical ventilation. The use of advanced monitoring and the application of simple maneuvers at the bedside may assist clinicians to better individualize treatment and improve clinical outcomes.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009466 Neuromuscular Blocking Agents Drugs that interrupt transmission of nerve impulses at the skeletal neuromuscular junction. They can be of two types, competitive, stabilizing blockers (NEUROMUSCULAR NONDEPOLARIZING AGENTS) or noncompetitive, depolarizing agents (NEUROMUSCULAR DEPOLARIZING AGENTS). Both prevent acetylcholine from triggering the muscle contraction and they are used as anesthesia adjuvants, as relaxants during electroshock, in convulsive states, etc. Neuromuscular Blocker,Neuromuscular Blocking Agent,Neuromuscular Blockers,Agent, Neuromuscular Blocking,Agents, Neuromuscular Blocking,Blocker, Neuromuscular,Blockers, Neuromuscular,Blocking Agent, Neuromuscular,Blocking Agents, Neuromuscular
D011175 Positive-Pressure Respiration A method of mechanical ventilation in which pressure is maintained to increase the volume of gas remaining in the lungs at the end of expiration, thus reducing the shunting of blood through the lungs and improving gas exchange. Positive End-Expiratory Pressure,Positive-Pressure Ventilation,End-Expiratory Pressure, Positive,End-Expiratory Pressures, Positive,Positive End Expiratory Pressure,Positive End-Expiratory Pressures,Positive Pressure Respiration,Positive Pressure Ventilation,Positive-Pressure Respirations,Positive-Pressure Ventilations,Pressure, Positive End-Expiratory,Pressures, Positive End-Expiratory,Respiration, Positive-Pressure,Respirations, Positive-Pressure,Ventilation, Positive-Pressure,Ventilations, Positive-Pressure
D012128 Respiratory Distress Syndrome A syndrome characterized by progressive life-threatening RESPIRATORY INSUFFICIENCY in the absence of known LUNG DISEASES, usually following a systemic insult such as surgery or major TRAUMA. ARDS, Human,Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome,Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome,Pediatric Respiratory Distress Syndrome,Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Acute,Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult,Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Pediatric,Shock Lung,Distress Syndrome, Respiratory,Distress Syndromes, Respiratory,Human ARDS,Lung, Shock,Respiratory Distress Syndromes,Syndrome, Respiratory Distress
D003422 Critical Care Health care provided to a critically ill patient during a medical emergency or crisis. Intensive Care,Intensive Care, Surgical,Surgical Intensive Care,Care, Critical,Care, Intensive,Care, Surgical Intensive
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000860 Hypoxia Sub-optimal OXYGEN levels in the ambient air of living organisms. Anoxia,Oxygen Deficiency,Anoxemia,Deficiency, Oxygen,Hypoxemia,Deficiencies, Oxygen,Oxygen Deficiencies
D016684 Prone Position The posture of an individual lying face down. Position, Prone,Positions, Prone,Prone Positions
D017097 Electric Impedance The resistance to the flow of either alternating or direct electrical current. Bioelectrical Impedance,Electric Resistance,Impedance,Ohmic Resistance,Biolectric Impedance,Electrical Impedance,Electrical Resistance,Impedance, Bioelectrical,Impedance, Biolectric,Impedance, Electric,Impedance, Electrical,Ohmic Resistances,Resistance, Electric,Resistance, Electrical,Resistance, Ohmic,Resistances, Ohmic
D017410 Practice Guidelines as Topic Works about directions or principles presenting current or future rules of policy for assisting health care practitioners in patient care decisions regarding diagnosis, therapy, or related clinical circumstances. The guidelines may be developed by government agencies at any level, institutions, professional societies, governing boards, or by the convening of expert panels. The guidelines form a basis for the evaluation of all aspects of health care and delivery. Clinical Guidelines as Topic,Best Practices,Best Practice
D042241 Early Diagnosis Methods to determine in patients the nature of a disease or disorder at its early stage of progression. Generally, early diagnosis improves PROGNOSIS and TREATMENT OUTCOME. Early Detection of Disease,Diagnosis, Early,Disease Early Detection

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