Respiratory arrest in near-fatal asthma

Article Abstract:

Because most deaths from asthma occur outside the hospital, it is difficult to obtain enough information about patients' physiological status to understand the direct causes of death. To learn more about this issue, 10 asthmatic patients were studied after admission to an emergency room for respiratory arrest (cessation of breathing), or after they experienced respiratory arrest in the emergency room. These patients were suffering from near-fatal asthma, and, as such, closely resembled patients who actually die from the disease. Several physiological variables were abnormal in this group of patients, including blood levels of carbon dioxide (elevated), acidity of body fluids (high), and high blood pressure. Although cardiac arrhythmias (irregularities in heartbeat) were noted, it appeared that the more likely cause of death in such patients is severe asphyxia (insufficient oxygen). Opinions have been offered recently that attribute the increase in the number of deaths from asthma to overuse of certain drugs, which affect the heart negatively. Contrary to those opinions, these results indicate that undertreatment (of the asphyxia), rather than overtreatment, may be at fault. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Patient outcomes, Mortality, Physiological aspects, Development and progression, Asthma, Respiration

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Data safety and monitoring boards

Article Abstract:

Data safety and monitoring boards were first introduced in the 1960s as a mechanism for monitoring interim data in clinical trials to ensure safety of the participating subjects. They are composed of biostatisticians, scientists, bio-ethicists and clinicians who are knowledgeable about the question that is being studied.

United States, Science & research, Research, Information management, Biometry, Data encryption chips, Data security devices, Biometric technology, Information accessibility, Data security device

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The acute respiratory distress syndrom, mechanical ventilation, and the prone position

Article Abstract:

Placing hospital patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome on their stomach instead of their back improves oxygen flow to the lungs and may reduce the risk of death in some patients. Also, doctors should reduce the amount of air supplied to the lungs during mechanical ventilation to avoid injuring the lungs.

Editorial, Patients, Acute respiratory distress syndrome, Adult respiratory distress syndrome, Positioning (Patient care)

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