Automatic oxygen administration and weaning in patients following mechanical ventilation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate efficacy of FreeO2 device in oxygen weaning of patients after being liberated from mechanical ventilation (MV). METHODS: Prospective crossover cohort study in patients admitted to ICU and after MV weaning. FreeO2 curves were recorded during constant flow and FreeO2 modes. Oxygenation parameters and O2 consumption were assessed. RESULTS: Fifty one records were obtained in 51 patients (median age, 62 years, 54.9% had COPD, admission for acute respiratory failure in 96%). NIV was used initially in 68.6%. For a median records duration of 2.04 h, the time spent within target SpO2 range was significantly higher with FreeO2 mode compared to constant O2 flow mode [86.92% (77.11-92.39) vs 43.17% (5.08-75.37); p < 0.001]. Time with hyperoxia was lower with FreeO2 mode: 8.68% (2.96-15.59) vs 38.28% (2.02-86.34). Times with hypoxaemia, and with severe desaturation, were similar. At the end of FreeO2 mode, O2 flow was lower than 1 l/min in 28 patients (54.9%), with a median of 0.99 l/min. CONCLUSIONS: For the purpose of oxygen weaning in patients recovering from MV, automatic O2 titration with FreeO2 was associated with a substantial reduction in O2 delivery and better oxygenation parameters in comparison with constant O2 flow.

[Multiple cranial nerve involvement: consider the diagnosis of cephalic tetanus. A case report and review of the literature]. / Atteinte multiple des nerfs crâniens : atteinte multiple des nerfs crâniens au cours du tétanos céphalique. À propos d'une observation et revue de la littérature.

INTRODUCTION: Cephalic tetanus is the most serious form of localized tetanus. It associates trismus with impairment of one or more cranial nerves. It was a rare condition, whose diagnosis can raise several problems. CASE REPORT: A 49-year-old-man presented multiple and unilateral cranial nerve involvement revealing cephalic tetanus. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the importance of considering cephalic tetanus when patients present cranial nerve palsy associated with injury.

Short-term treatment of severe hypertension of pregnancy: prospective comparison of nicardipine and labetalol.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of nicardipine in comparison to labetalol in the initial management of severe hypertension in pregnancy. DESIGN. Randomized prospective study. SETTING: The obstetric ward of the teaching hospital of Monastir Tunisia. PATIENTS: Sixty consecutive pregnant women admitted beyond the 24th week of pregnancy with severe hypertension. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly assigned to receive intravenously for 1 h either labetalol ( n=30) or nicardipine ( n=30). Treatment was titrated to achieve a 20% lowering of blood pressure (BP). MEASUREMENTS: Maternal BP and heart rate were measured at inclusion and repeatedly during the first hour following the drugs administration. Fetal heart rate was recorded throughout the study period. The main outcome endpoints were the success rate and the length of time needed to achieve the therapeutic goal. The rate of maternal and fetal adverse events and dose adjustments were also analyzed. RESULTS: Labetalol and nicardipine achieved the 20% lowering in BP in the same proportion (63% and 70% success rates, respectively). Overall nicardipine caused a significantly greater decrease in systolic and diastolic BP. No patient had any episode of hypotension. The length of time to achieve the BP goal was also similar (12 vs. 11 min, respectively). Both drugs were well tolerated except for a moderate tachycardia observed with the use of nicardipine. CONCLUSION: Nicardipine and labetalol are effective and safe in the initial treatment of severe hypertension of pregnancy.