scholarly journals Tension pneumomediastinum: A literal form of chest tightness

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J Clancy ◽  
Andrew S Lane ◽  
Peter W Flynn ◽  
Ian M Seppelt

Tension pneumomediastinum is a rare and life-threatening complication of mediastinal emphysema which can occur with mechanical ventilation. We present a case of tension mediastinum associated with mechanical ventilation in a patient with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome due to Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia. We discuss the mechanism and pathophysiology of tension pneumomediastinum, the potential association with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia and recruitment manouvres, and its definitive emergency treatment.

Author(s):  
Milad Darrat ◽  
Brian Gilmartin ◽  
Carmel Kennedy ◽  
Diarmuid Smith

Summary Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a rare but life-threatening complication of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). We present the case of a young female, with no previous diagnosis of diabetes, presenting in DKA complicated by ARDS requiring extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) ventilator support. This case report highlights the importance of early recognition of respiratory complications of severe DKA and their appropriate management. Learning points ARDS is a very rare but life-threatening complication in DKA. The incidence of ARDS remains unknown but less frequent than cerebral oedema in DKA. The mechanism of ARDS in DKA has multifactorial aetiology, including genetic predisposition. Early recognition and consideration of rare pulmonary complication of DKA can increase survival rate and provide very satisfactory outcomes. DKA patients who present with refractory ARDS can be successfully rescued by ECMO support.


2021 ◽  
pp. 004947552110291
Author(s):  
Sathish K Loganathan ◽  
Amol Jaybhaye ◽  
Nabaneeta Dash ◽  
Anu Punnen ◽  
Urmi Ghosh ◽  
...  

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a life-threatening complication of scrub typhus; we sought to describe its mortality and associated factors, namely eschar, hepatomegaly and severe thrombocytopenia, in a retrospective study in India of 65 children.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsty Michelle Clarke ◽  
Vivi Riga ◽  
Amy-lee Shirodkar ◽  
Joel Meyer

Abstract Background Non-arteritic ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is a rare but harmful complication of prone positioning. Prone mechanical ventilation is a therapeutic strategy which has been used extensively during the COVID-19 pandemic to treat acutely hypoxemic patients with COVID-19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Though a small number of cases of unilateral NAION have been reported in patients testing positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, we describe what is to our knowledge, the first reported case of bilateral NAION occurring in a patient proned extensively for the treatment of COVID-19 related ARDS. We consider the potential aetiological factors leading to NAION after prone mechanical ventilation in patients with COVID-19 and suggest strategies to protect against its development. Case presentation : We report a case of severe, irreversible, visual impairment secondary to bilateral anterior ION in a fifty-five-year-old male who underwent eight episodes of prone mechanical ventilation to treat COVID-19 related ARDS. Once weaned from his sedation he reported bilateral painless vision loss, and bedside ophthalmological assessment identified a reduced visual acuity of 3/30 unaided in the left eye and counting fingers in the right. Dilated indirect ophthalmoscopy revealed inferotemporal optic disc oedema with splinter haemorrhages in the right eye and mild disc oedema, temporal pallor, and nerve fibre layer haemorrhages inferiorly in the left eye. Humphrey visual field 24 − 2 testing confirmed a severely constricted visual field with macular sparing on the right and depressed inferonasal vision with preserved peripheral vision on the left eye. OCT disc imaging shortly after diagnosis revealed bilateral disc swelling and flame haemorrhages in the right eye. Conclusions NAION is a devastating, but preventable complication of prone positioning, which may pose significant risk of vision loss in patients with COVID-19 related ARDS.


2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. S400-S408
Author(s):  
Zongsheng Wu ◽  
Yao Liu ◽  
Jingyuan Xu ◽  
Jianfeng Xie ◽  
Shi Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Mechanical ventilation is crucial for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients and diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in ARDS patients is challenging. Hence, an effective model to predict VAP in ARDS is urgently needed. Methods We performed a secondary analysis of patient-level data from the Early versus Delayed Enteral Nutrition (EDEN) of ARDSNet randomized controlled trials. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis established a predictive model, incorporating characteristics selected by systematic review and univariate analyses. The model’s discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness were assessed using the C-index, calibration plot, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results Of the 1000 unique patients enrolled in the EDEN trials, 70 (7%) had ARDS complicated with VAP. Mechanical ventilation duration and intensive care unit (ICU) stay were significantly longer in the VAP group than non-VAP group (P < .001 for both) but the 60-day mortality was comparable. Use of neuromuscular blocking agents, severe ARDS, admission for unscheduled surgery, and trauma as primary ARDS causes were independent risk factors for VAP. The area under the curve of the model was .744, and model fit was acceptable (Hosmer-Lemeshow P = .185). The calibration curve indicated that the model had proper discrimination and good calibration. DCA showed that the VAP prediction nomogram was clinically useful when an intervention was decided at a VAP probability threshold between 1% and 61%. Conclusions The prediction nomogram for VAP development in ARDS patients can be applied after ICU admission, using available variables. Potential clinical benefits of using this model deserve further assessment.


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