IntroductionThe driving pressure (ΔP) has an independent association with outcome in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). INTELLiVENT-Adaptive Support Ventilation (ASV) is a closed-loop mode of ventilation that targets the lowest work and force of breathing.AimTo compare transpulmonary and respiratory system ΔP between closed-loop ventilation and conventional pressure controlled ventilation in patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS.MethodsSingle-center randomized cross-over clinical trial in patients in the early phase of ARDS. Patients were randomly assigned to start with a 4-h period of closed-loop ventilation or conventional ventilation, after which the alternate ventilation mode was selected. The primary outcome was the transpulmonary ΔP; secondary outcomes included respiratory system ΔP, and other key parameters of ventilation.ResultsThirteen patients were included, and all had fully analyzable data sets. Compared to conventional ventilation, with closed-loop ventilation the median transpulmonary ΔP with was lower (7.0 [5.0–10.0] vs. 10.0 [8.0–11.0] cmH2O, mean difference − 2.5 [95% CI − 2.6 to − 2.1] cmH2O; P = 0.0001). Inspiratory transpulmonary pressure and the respiratory rate were also lower. Tidal volume, however, was higher with closed-loop ventilation, but stayed below generally accepted safety cutoffs in the majority of patients.ConclusionsIn this small physiological study, when compared to conventional pressure controlled ventilation INTELLiVENT-ASV reduced the transpulmonary ΔP in patients in the early phase of moderate-to-severe ARDS. This closed-loop ventilation mode also led to a lower inspiratory transpulmonary pressure and a lower respiratory rate, thereby reducing the intensity of ventilation.Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03211494, July 7, 2017. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03211494?term=airdrop&draw=2&rank=1.
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Introduction: There are two surgical approaches to reconstruct a pressure ulcer (PU): one-stage reconstruction or two-stage reconstruction. One stage reconstruction consists of surgical debridement and flap reconstruction during one operation. Two-stage surgery consist of a surgical debridement and a final reconstruction in two different sessions, with approximately six weeks between both sessions. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the results of single stage surgery and two-stage surgery on the PU recurrence rate and other important post operative complications. Method: A retrospective, comparative study in Spinal Cord Injured (SCI) individuals with a single- or two stage surgical reconstruction between 2005 and 2016 was designed. A total of 81 records were included for analysis. Results: The primary outcome, the difference in occurrence of a recurrent PU in the reconstructed area (33.3% versus 31.6%), is not statistically significant between one-and two-stages reconstruction. Also, the mean duration to develop a recurrent PU between both surgical reconstructions is not statistically significant. Other surgical complications in the reconstructed area like wound hematoma, hemorrhage, seroma or (partial) flap failure did not differ significantly between both groups, apart and in total. We calculated the additional costs in case of a two-stage approach compared with a single-stage reconstruction at EUR 16,362. Conclusions: There are no statistical significant differences in PU recurrence rate or other post operative complications between SCI patients who have undergone one- or two stage PU reconstructive surgery. The most obvious choice for a one-stage approach in case of PU reconstructive surgery has great positive implications for the patient, family, health care providers and the health care system.
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Abstract—Pressure ulcers (PUs) are highly prevalent in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Electrical stimulation (ES) activates muscles and might reduce risk factors. Our objectives were to study and compare the effects of two duty cycles during 3 h of ES-induced gluteal and hamstring activation on interface pressure distribution in sitting individuals with SCI and study the usability of a newly developed electrode garment (ES shorts). Ten individuals with SCI participated in this study, in which two ES protocols with different duty cycles (1:1 s vs 1:4 s on-off) were applied in counterbalanced order using a custom-made garment with built-in electrodes. Outcome variables included interface pressure of the ischial tuberosities (ITs) and pressure gradient. A questionnaire was used to determine usability of the ES shorts. In both protocols, ES caused a significant decrease in average IT pressure compared with rest (no ES); on average, 35% for protocol 1:4 and 13% for protocol 1:1. The ES on-off duty cycle of protocol 1:4 showed less muscle fatigue. In general, participants scored the usability of the ES shorts as satisfactory. In this study, the application of ES resulted in a significant decrease in IT pressure. The ES on-off duty cycle of 1:4 s is recommended because of the less fatiguing effect. ES of the hamstrings and gluteal muscles might be a promising method in preventing PUs, but further study is needed.