Distribuição da COVID-19 e dos recursos de saúde na Amazônia Legal: uma análise espacial / Distribution of COVID-19 cases and health resources in Brazil's Amazon region: a spatial analysis

Resumo O método de análise espacial permite mensurar a acessibilidade espacial dos serviços de saúde para alocação dos recursos de forma eficiente e eficaz. Diante disso, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a distribuição espacial das taxas de COVID-19 e dos recursos de saúde na Amazônia Legal. Estudo ecológico realizado com casos de COVID-19 e os recursos de saúde nos 772 municípios em dois picos da pandemia. Utilizou-se o método bayesiano global e local para elaboração de mapas coropléticos, com cálculo do índice de Moran para análise da dependência espacial e utilização do Moran map para identificação dos clusters da doença. Os índices de Moran calculados para os dois períodos demonstraram autocorrelação espacial positiva dessa distribuição e dependência espacial entre os municípios nos dois períodos, sem muita diferença entre os dois estimadores. Evidenciaram-se maiores taxas da doença nos estados do Amapá, Amazonas e Roraima. Em relação aos recursos de saúde, observou-se alocação de forma ineficiente, com maior concentração nas capitais.

Abstract Spatial analysis can help measure the spatial accessibility of health services with a view to improving the allocation of health care resources. The objective of this study was to analyze the spatial distribution of COVID-19 detection rates and health care resources in Brazil's Amazon region. We conducted an ecological study using data on COVID-19 cases and the availability of health care resources in 772 municipalities during two waves of the pandemic. Local and global Bayesian estimation were used to construct choropleth maps. Moran's I was calculated to detect the presence of spatial dependence and Moran maps were used to identify disease clusters. In both periods, Moran's I values indicate the presence of positive spatial autocorrelation in distributions and spatial dependence between municipalities, with only a slight difference between the two estimators. The findings also reveal that case rates were highest in the states of Amapá, Amazonas, and Roraima. The data suggest that health care resources were inefficiently allocated, with higher concentrations of ventilators and ICU beds being found in state capitals.

COVID-19: unidades de terapia intensiva, ventiladores mecânicos e perfis latentes de mortalidade associados à letalidade no Brasil / COVID-19: unidades de cuidados intensivos, ventiladores mecánicos y perfiles latentes de mortalidad asociados a la letalidad en Brasil / COVID-19: intensive care units, mechanical ventilators, and latent mortality profiles associated with case-fatality in Brazil

O acelerado aumento do número de casos de doença pelo novo coronavírus (COVID-19) exige que os países aumentem as vagas nas unidades de terapia intensiva (UTI). Doenças respiratórias, neoplasias, cardiopatias, hipertensão e diabetes aumentam sua letalidade. O estudo objetivou identificar tanto as regiões com as maiores taxas de mortalidade específica por essas doenças quanto as com maior escassez de UTI e ventiladores pulmonares. Foi realizado um estudo ecológico transversal, as unidades de análise foram as Regiões de Saúde no Brasil. A fonte de dados foi o Departamento de Informática do SUS - DATASUS (Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde - 2019, Sistemas de Informação de Mortalidade - 2017 e Projeções Populacionais - 2017). Foram calculadas as taxas por 100 mil habitantes de mortalidade específica para hipertensão, neoplasias, diabetes, doenças cardíacas e respiratórias, leitos de UTI total, leitos de UTI privados, leitos de UTI do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e ventiladores do SUS. O perfil de mortalidade foi determinado pela análise de perfis latentes, e a análise de clusters dos leitos e ventiladores foi feita pelo método de varredura espacial. Mapas de Kernel foram construídos para a visualização dos dados. O nível de significância foi de 5%. Observou-se quatro perfis latentes de mortalidade. As regiões de saúde com as maiores médias na mortalidade estão localizadas em regiões cuja escassez de leitos de UTI e de ventiladores foi visualizada, especialmente, em partes das regiões Nordeste, Sudeste e Sul. A localização espacial das regiões com maior mortalidade e com escassez de leitos de UTI/ventiladores requer a atenção dos gestores e planejadores públicos, para o enfrentamento eficiente e equânime da epidemia no Brasil.

El acelerado aumento en el número de casos de la enfermedad por el nuevo coronavirus (COVID-19) exige que los países aumenten sus plazas en las unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI). Enfermedades respiratorias, neoplasias, cardiopatías, hipertensión y diabetes aumentan su letalidad. El estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar tanto las regiones con mayores tasas de mortalidad específica por estas enfermedades, como las que tenían mayor escasez de UCI y ventiladores pulmonares. Se realizó un estudio ecológico transversal, la unidad de análisis fueron las regiones de salud en Brasil. La fuente de datos fue el Departamento de Informática del SUS - DATASUS (Registro Nacional de Establecimientos de Salud - 2019, Sistemas de Información de Mortalidad - 2017 y Proyecciones Poblacionales - 2017). Se calcularon las tasas por 100 mil habitantes de mortalidad específica para hipertensión, neoplasias, diabetes, enfermedades cardíacas y respiratorias, camas de UCI total, camas de UCI privadas, camas de UCI del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) y ventiladores del SUS. El perfil de mortalidad se determinó por el análisis de perfiles latentes y el análisis de clústeres de las camas y ventiladores fue realizado por el método de análisis espacial. Se construyeron mapas de Kernel para la visualización de los datos. El nivel de significancia fue de un 5%. Se observaron 4 perfiles latentes de mortalidad. Las regiones de salud con las mayores medias en la mortalidad se localizaron en regiones cuya escasez de camas de UCI y ventiladores se visualizó, especialmente en partes de las regiones Nordeste, Sudeste y Sur. La localización espacial de las regiones con mayor mortalidad y con escasez de camas de UCI/ventiladores requiere la atención de los gestores y planificadores públicos para el combate eficiente y ecuánime de la epidemia en Brasil.

In response to the accelerated increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, countries must increase their supply of beds in intensive care units (ICUs). Respiratory diseases, neoplasms, cardiopathies and hypertension, and diabetes are associated with higher COVID-19 case-fatality. The study aimed to identify the regions of Brazil with higher specific mortality rates from these comorbidities and the regions with the greatest shortage of ICU beds and mechanical ventilators. A cross-sectional ecological study was performed in which the units of analysis were the country's Health Regions. Data were obtained from Brazilian Health Informatics Department - DATASUS (National Registry of Healthcare Establishments - 2019, Mortality Information Systems - 2017, and Population Projections - 2017). We calculated the disease group-specific mortality rates for hypertension, neoplasms, diabetes, cardiac diseases, respiratory diseases and the rates of total ICU beds, private ICU beds, ICU beds in the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS), and ventilators in the SUS, per 100,000 inhabitants. The mortality profile was determined by latent profiles analysis, and the cluster analysis of ICU beds and ventilators used the spatial scan method. Kernel maps were constructed for the data's visualization. Level of significance was set at 5%. Four latent mortality profiles were observed. The Health Regions with the highest mean mortality rates were located in regions with shortages of ICU beds and ventilators, especially in parts of the Northeast, Southeast, and South of Brazil. The spatial localization of regions with both the highest mortality and shortages of ICU beds/ventilators requires attention by policymakers and public planners to deal efficiently and fairly with the COVID-19 epidemic in Brazil.

Conventional and comprehensive oral hygiene procedures using Chlorhexidine 0.2% in patients with mechanical ventilator

Background: Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) in the intensive care unit patients is related to the oropharyngeal bacteria colonization. The purpose of this study was to compare the number of oropharyngeal bacterial colonies after conventional and comprehensive oral hygiene procedures in patients with mechanical ventilators.Methods: This study uses an experimental design on 32 subjects with mechanical ventilators. Conventional group/K group (n=16) used 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate antiseptic conventionally using a sterile gauze while the comprehensive group/L group (n=16) used 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate antiseptic comprehensively using a toothbrush every 12 hours. Bacterial Isolation is done using swab technique. The number of bacterial colonies and bacterial identification before and after oral hygiene procedure was examined. The data were statistically analyzed using the Wilcoxon test and the Mann Whitney test using SPSS 19.0 software.Results: There was a significant decrease in the number of oropharyngeal bacterial colonies before and after oral hygiene both in the conventional group (p=0.002) and comprehensive group (p=0.002). However, there was no significant difference between the number of bacterial colonies in the two groups before (p=0.269) and after the oral hygiene procedure (p=0.295). The most common bacterium in the conventional and comprehensive group are Enterobacter gergoviae and Escherichia coli, respectively. Klebsiella pneumonia have decreased the most after conventional oral hygiene while Pseudomonas aeruginosa has decreased the most after comprehensive oral hygiene.Conclusions: Conventional and comprehensive oral hygiene significantly reduces the number of oropharyngeal bacterial colonies. Both techniques can be used as oral hygiene techniques with relatively similar results.

Preference and Performance Fidelity of Modified Korean Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MK-POLST) Items in Hospice Patients with Cancer / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

PURPOSE: The Act on Hospice and Palliative Care and Decisions on Life-sustaining Treatment for Patients at the End of Life was enacted in 2016 and has taken effect since 2018 February. The content of this act was based on Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) in the United States and we modified it for terminal cancer patients registering hospice. The object of this study is to investigate preference and implementation rate for modified Korean POLST (MMK-POLST) items in hospice ward.METHODS: From February 1, 2017 to April 30, 2019, medical records regarding MMK-POLST were retrospectively analyzed for all patients hospitalized in the hospice ward of Gyeongsang National University Hospital.RESULTS: Of the eligible 387 total cohorts, 295 patients filled out MK-POLST. MK-POLST has been completed in 133 cases (44.1%) by the patient themselves, 84 cases (28.5%) by the spouse, and 75 cases (25.4%) by their children, respectively. While only 13 (4.4%) out of 295 MK-POLST completed patients refused the parenteral nutrition and 5 patients (1.7%) for palliative sedation, the absolute majority of 288 (97.6%) patients did not want cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and ventilators and 226 people (76.9%) for pressor medications. Kappa values for the matched strength of MK-POLST implementation were poor for all items except CPR, ventilators and palliative sedation.CONCLUSION: Hospice patients refused to conduct cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ventilators and pressor agents. In contrast, antibiotics, parenteral nutrition and palliative sedation were favored in the majority of patients.

Cardiac function associated with home ventilator care in Duchenne muscular dystrophy / 소아과

PURPOSE: Cardiomyopathy is becoming the leading cause of death in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy because mechanically assisted lung ventilation and assisted coughing have helped resolve respiratory complications. To clarify cardiopulmonary function, we compared cardiac function between the home ventilator-assisted and non-ventilator-assisted groups. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy from January 2010 to March 2016 at Gangnam Severance Hospital. Demographic characteristics, pulmonary function, and echocardiography data were investigated. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy were divided into 2 groups: home ventilator-assisted and non-ventilator-assisted. The patients in the home ventilator group were older (16.25±1.85 years) than those in the nonventilator group (14.73±1.36 years) (P=0.001). Height, weight, and body surface area did not differ significantly between groups. The home ventilator group had a lower seated functional vital capacity (1,038±620.41 mL) than the nonventilator group (1,455±603.12 mL). Mean left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening were greater in the home ventilator group, but the data did not show any statistical difference. The early ventricular filling velocity/late ventricular filling velocity ratio (1.7±0.44) was lower in the home ventilator group than in the nonventilator group (2.02±0.62). The mitral valve annular systolic velocity was higher in the home ventilator group (estimated β, 1.06; standard error, 0.48). Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy on a ventilator may have better systolic and diastolic cardiac functions. CONCLUSION: Noninvasive ventilator assistance can help preserve cardiac function. Therefore, early utilization of noninvasive ventilation or oxygen may positively influence cardiac function in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Effects of the positive end-expiratory pressure increase on sublingual microcirculation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome / Efeitos do aumento de pressão positiva ao final da expiração sobre a microcirculação sublingual em pacientes com síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of increased positive end-expiratory pressure on the sublingual microcirculation. Methods: Adult patients who were sedated, under mechanical ventilation, and had a diagnosis of circulatory shock and acute respiratory distress syndrome were included. The positive end-expiratory pressure level was settled to obtain a plateau pressure of 30 cm H2O and then maintained at this level for 20 minutes. Microcirculatory (obtained by videomicroscopy) and hemodynamic variables were collected at baseline and compared with those at the end of 20 min. Results: Twelve patients were enrolled. Overall, the microcirculation parameters did not significantly change after increasing the positive end-expiratory pressure. However, there was considerable interindividual variability. There was a negative, moderate correlation between the changes in the De Backer score (r = -0.58, p = 0.048), total vessel density (r = -0.60, p = 0.039) and baseline values. The changes in total vessel density (r = 0.54, p = 0.07) and perfused vessel density (r = 0.52, p = 0.08) trended toward correlating with the changes in the mean arterial pressure. Conclusion: Overall, the microcirculation parameters did not significantly change after increasing the positive end-expiratory pressure. However, at individual level, such response was heterogeneous. The changes in the microcirculation parameters could be correlated with the baseline values and changes in the mean arterial pressure.

Resumo Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto do aumento de pressão positiva no fim da expiração (PEEP) sobre a microcirculação sublingual. Métodos: Os pacientes adultos que foram sedados, sob ventilação mecânica, com diagnóstico de choque circulatório e síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo foram incluídos. O nível da PEEP foi estabelecido para obter uma pressão de platô de 30 cmH2O e depois mantido nesse nível por 20 minutos. As variáveis de microcirculação (obtida por microscopia de vídeo) e hemodinâmica foram registradas na fase basal e comparadas com aquelas no fim de 20 min. Resultados: Doze pacientes foram incluídos. Em geral, os parâmetros da microcirculação não apresentaram alterações significativas após o aumento da PEEP. Porém, houve considerável variabilidade interindividual. Houve uma correlação negativa, moderada, entre as alterações no escore de De Backer (r = -0,58, p = 0,048), na densidade total do vaso (r = -0,60, p = 0,039) e nos valores basais. As alterações na densidade total do vaso (r = 0,54, p = 0,07) e na densidade do vaso perfundido (r = 0,52, p = 0,08) apresentaram tendência de correlação com as alterações na pressão arterial média. Conclusão: Em geral, os parâmetros da microcirculação não apresentaram alterações significativas após o aumento da PEEP. No entanto, individualmente, essa resposta foi heterogênea. As alterações nos parâmetros da microcirculação puderam ser correlacionadas com os valores basais e alterações na pressão arterial média.

Historia de la ventilación mecánica / Children's Hospital "Ricardo Gutiérrez"

Siglos de aciertos y errores en el entendimiento de la fisiología pulmonar fueron la base para el desarrollo de los primeros aparatos de ventilación artificial. En los pasados cien años, desde que la humanidad avanzó hacia el sostén artificial del pulmón, el progreso fue vertiginoso. La asistencia respiratoria mecánica a presión negativa, inicialmente, dominó la tecnología de la época, y los "pulmones de acero" en las graves epidemias de poliomielitis, fueron los protagonistas. Pronto la historia demostró la infalibilidad de aquellos. En la ciudad de Copenhague, en Dinamarca, los sucesos relacionados con la epidemia de poliomielitis de 1952, modificaron la historia, y la asistencia respiratoria mecánica a presión positiva empezó a ganar la batalla en la insuficiencia respiratoria. Este trabajo intenta contar, a través de las palabras y anécdotas de muchos de los personajes que vivieron esta historia, los sucesos fundamentales que llevaron a la comprensión y utilización de la ventilación artificial, tal como la conocemos hoy en día. (AU)

Centuries of strengths and weaknesses in the understanding of pulmonary physiology, were the basis for the development of the first devices for artificial ventilation. In the last 100 years, since mankind advanced towards the artificial support of the lung, the progress was rapid. Negative pressure mechanical ventilation, initially dominated the technology of the era, and the "iron lungs" were the protagonists during the severe epidemics of poliomyelitis. Soon the history proved their infallibility. In the city of Copenhagen, Denmark, the events associated with the polio epidemic of 1952 changed history, and positive pressure mechanical ventilation began winning the battle in respiratory failure. Through the words and experiences of many of the characters who lived this story, this work attempts to tell the fundamental events that led to the understanding and use of artificial ventilation as we know it today.(AU)

Using the High Frequency Ventilation during Neonatal Transport

PURPOSE: To present and evaluate a system of high-frequency oscillatory ventilator (HFOV) during intra-/inter-hospital neonate transport. METHODS: The system includes a charged HFOV (SOPHIE, Fritz Stephan GmbH, Dusseldorf, Germany), an incubator, and E-oxygen/air-cylinders with connections to the HFOV. The test lung was evaluated at the high and medium ventilator settings used for infants to determine the operating time of HFOV. The time required to exhaust the gas supply was checked, and the HFOV was operated until the low-battery alarm sounded to determine the operating time of the batteries. RESULTS: The batteries provided electrical power for at least 60 mins, and the oxygen and air-cylinders lasted at least 20 mins. The system has been used frequently for the intra-hospital transport, from delivery rooms to ICU and from ICU for surgery. The system has been used twice for the inter-hospital transport of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and pulmonary hypertension to another hospital 45 km away (one hour distance). In one case, the ambulance's electrical power supply failed, causing the system failure during the last 5 mins of transport. However, with the complete check and simulation of the system and the ambulance bulk oxygen/electric supply, the second patient was transported successfully in stable condition. CONCLUSION: The system was useful for intra-/inter-hospital transport of the neonates on HFOV. For the transport time of 60 mins, fully charged HFOV, 2 E-oxygen-cylinders, and 3 E-air-cylinders seemed to be sufficient. H-oxygen-cylinder and ambulance electrical power supply should also be provided for safe and efficient transport between hospitals.

New Modes of Ventilation for Neonates

Many premature infants require mechanical ventilatory support and oxygen supply. Because they have immature lungs, these ventilator supports contribute to the development of ventilator induced lung injury, which causes the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in large portion. Recent meta-analysis reported that the volume-targeted ventilation reduced the development of BPD and death. Non-invasive ventilator support also can reduce the adverse effects associated with intubation and mechanical ventilatory support. The technological advancements, including microprocessors, enhance the development of new devices with new modes of ventilatory support. A lot of limits and demerits of conventional ventilatory support obviously inspired the thoughts of new modes of ventilatory support. In this article, new modes of ventilatory support for neonates, as well as conventional modes, are introduced in the hope of adopting strategies with evidences efficiently.

Mecânica respiratória de pacientes neurocríticos sob ventilação mecânica submetidos à umidificação aquosa aquecida e a um modelo de filtro trocador de calor / Respiratory mechanics of neurological patients undergoing mechanical ventilation under water heated humidifier and a heat exchanger filter model

OBJETIVOS: Em pacientes sob ventilação mecânica, dispositivos de umidificação são utilizados para aquecer e umidificar o gás inspirado. O aquecimento e umidificação do gás inspirado podem prevenir complicações associadas ao ressecamento da mucosa respiratória, como a formação de tampão mucoso e oclusão do tubo endotraqueal. Com esse objetivo, dois dispositivos têm sido comumente utilizados: os umidificadores aquosos aquecidos e os filtros trocadores de calor e umidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o efeito da utilização do umidificador aquoso aquecido e de um modelo de filtro trocador de calor e umidade sobre a mecânica respiratória de pacientes neurocríticos sob ventilação mecânica. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um ensaio clínico, cruzado e randomizado, onde 31 pacientes neurocríticos sob ventilação mecânica foram submetidos de forma aleatória às duas formas de umidificação. Foram avaliados o volume corrente expirado, pico de fluxo inspiratório, pico de fluxo expiratório, complacência estática, complacência dinâmica e resistência do sistema respiratório. Para análise estatística dos resultados obtidos foram utilizados os testes de Kolmogorov-Smirnov e t-Student para amostras pareadas, considerando-se a significância estatística quando observado um valor de p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: A utilização de um modelo de filtro trocador de calor e umidade promoveu a redução do volume corrente expirado, pico de fluxo inspiratório, pico de fluxo expiratório (p < 0,001) e complacência dinâmica (p = 0,002), além do aumento da resistência do sistema respiratório (p < 0,0001). CONCLUSÃO: Na população estudada, a utilização de um modelo de filtro trocador de calor e umidade promoveu a modificação de diversos parâmetros da mecânica respiratória.

OBJECTIVES: In mechanically ventilated patients, humidifier devices are used to heat and moisturize the inspired gas. Heating and humidifying inspired gas may prevent complications associated with the respiratory mucosa dryness such as mucus plugging and endotracheal tube occlusion. Two devices have been commonly used to this, either heated humidifier or the heat moisture exchange filter. This study aimed to compare the effects of the heated humidifier and a model of heat moisture exchange filter on respiratory mechanics in mechanically ventilated neurological patients. METHODS: This was a randomized crossover trial, involving 31 neurological patients under mechanical ventilation randomly assigned to the humidification devices. Expired tidal volume, peak inspiratory flow, peak expiratory flow, static compliance, dynamic compliance and respiratory system resistance were evaluated. Statistical analysis used the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Student's t test for paired samples, in which P values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The heat moisture exchanger filter decreased expired tidal volume, peak inspiratory flow, peak expiratory flow (p < 0.001) and dynamic compliance (p = 0.002), and increased respiratory system resistance (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In the studied population, the use of a heat moisture exchange filter model leaded to several changes on respiratory mechanics parameters.

The Use of Graphic Monitoring during Mechanical Ventilation

Graphic monitoring assists the clinician at the bedside in several ways. It can be helpful in fine-tuning or adjusting ventilator parameters. Graphic monitoring may help to determine the patient's response to pharmacologic agents. The clinician also has the ability to trend monitored events over a prolonged period of time. The neonatal patient's self respiration, synchrony to ventilator and respiratory efforts can be well recognized with graphic monitoring. Of all, it may enable detection of complications before they become clinically apparent. This article introduces the basics of real-time graphics.

The effects of neonatal ventilator care or maternal chorioamnionitis on the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia / 소아과

PURPOSE: Advances in neonatal intensive care have improved the survival rate of low-birth-weight infants, but mild bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) with the accompanying need for prolonged oxygen supplement remains problematic. Maternal chorioamnionitis and neonatal ventilator care affect the development of BPD. This study aimed to examine whether maternal chorioamnionitis or neonatal ventilator care affect the development of BPD dependently or independently. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 158 newborn infants below 36 weeks of gestational age and 1,500 gm birth weight admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Daegu Fatima Hospital between January 2000 and December 2006. We analyzed the incidence of BPD according to maternal chorioamnionitis and neonatal ventilator care. Result: Histologic chorioamnionitis was observed in 50 of 158 infants (31.6%). There were no significant differences in the development of BPD (P=0.735) between the chorioamnionitis (+) and chorioamnionitis (-) groups. In the multiple regression analysis, ventilator care (OR=7.409, 95% CI=2.532-21.681) and neonatal sepsis (OR=4.897, 95% CI=1.227-19.539) affected the development of BPD rather than maternal chorioamnionitis (OR=0.461, 95% CI=0.201-1.059). CONCLUSION: Ventilator care or neonatal sepsis may play a role in the development of BPD rather than maternal chorioamnionitis.

Analysis of the Description of Ventilator Parameters in Recent Papers Relating Artificial Ventilation Using Anesthesia Machine / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: Procedures in medical papers should be described in sufficient detail to allow other researchers to reproduce the results. The apparatus including anesthesia machine should be given, too. Anesthesia machine has dramatically improved as bioengineering has developed. There are several ventilator settings in modern anesthesia machines. However, it seems that only a few ventilator settings are described even though modern ventilators are used in research. The purpose of this study is to investigate that how many ventilator parameters were described in the papers of the Korean Journal of Anesthesiology from 2001 to 2006. METHODS: All of papers with human general anesthesia were reviewed except case reports, and papers regarding only induction or intubation procedures. Recruited articles were grouped into papers with strongly related to respiratory parameters (STP), and into ones with slightly related to them based on the research topics. The description of following categories was counted in each paper; the type of anesthesia machine, tidal volume, respiratory rate, inspiratory:expiratory ratio, mode of ventilation, pressure set in pressure targeted ventilation, positive end expiratory pressure, inspiratory pause, and inspiratory rising rate. RESULTS: The description rate of each parameters in STP were 36% in the type of anesthesia machine, 66% in tidal volume, 54% in respiratory rate, and 24% in inspiratory:expiratory ratio. The other settings were seldomly mentioned. CONCLUSIONS: Description on the ventilator parameters was sometimes missed. We should describe adequate ventilator settings to reproduce the results because the modern anesthesia machine has additional ventilator options.

A utilidade da broncofibroscopia em pacientes submetidos à ventilação mecânica em uma unidade de terapia intensiva de um hospital universitário. Análise de 109 exames. / Utility of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in ventilated patients in a unit care intensive of university hospital. Analysis of 109 procedures.

Introdução: a pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica (PAVM) contribui para a morbi-mortalidade e para os custos relacionados aos cuidados de pacientes criticamente enfermos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o impacto e a utilidade clínica da broncofibroscopia (BFC) com lavado broncoalveolar (LBA) na evolução clínica para pacientes com PAVM. Materiais e métodos: os resultados de 109 exames broncoscópicos foram retrospectivamente analisados. Entre 1 de Janeiro e 31 de dezembro de 2001, oitenta e nove pacientes em VM e suspeita clínica de PAVM internados na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva do Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro foram submetidos a BFC com LBA. As amostras coletadas foram submetidas à cultura quantitativa. Considerou-se pneumonia quando havia crescimento superior a 10 4 e 10 5 UFC/ml no LBA e aspirado traqueal, respectivamente. Foram avaliados a evolução clínica e o número de casos cuja antibioticoterapia foi modificada como consequência do resultado da cultura, além da mortalidade. Resultados: Pseudomas aeruginosa (21/61), Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (9/61) e em 69% (61/88) episódios suspeitos de PAVM. Os resultados do LBA propiciaram troca na antibioticoterapia empírica em 52% (46/88) casos. A mortalidade total foi de 62,9% (56/89). Conclusão: o diagnóstico etiológico da PAVM obtido através da BFC com LBA modificou a conduta em um significativo número de casos.

Introduction: ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) contributes to the morbidity, mortality, and costs of caring for critically ill patients. Objective: evaluate clinical utility of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for patients with VAP. Materials and methods: the results of 109 bronchoscopic procedures were studied. Between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2001 eight nine mechanically ventilated patients with clinical suspicion of VAP in the Intensive Care Unit of Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro were underwent to a bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Samples collected were cultured quantitatively. Pneumonia was considered if the growth of bacteria was > 10 4 UFC/ml in BAL or > 10 UFC/ml in tracheal aspiration. Outcome variables studied included the change of the antibiotic because the result of culture were sisolated more frequently from patients with VAP. Bacterial pneumonia was diagnosed in 69% (61/88) suspected VAP episodes. The antibiotic prescription was changed in 52% (46/88) cases because the BAL results. Overall mortality was 63%. Conclusion: the etiologic diagnosis of VAP obtained through bronchoscopy with modified the antibiotic prescription in a significant number of cases.