Respiratory failure – Related resources

Cochrane reviews

• Use of inhaled nitric oxide in acute respiratory failure patients with low blood oxygen does not improve survival .
• Nocturnal positive pressure ventilation appears not to improve the condition of patients with COPD . Lung-protective ventilation strategies appear to reduce mortality at day 28 and at the end of hospital stay in adult patients affected by acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute lung injury. The effects on long-term mortality are unknown. Closed and open tracheal suction systems are similar in safety as regards the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia or mortality . There is insufficient evidence on the beneficial effect for oxygen breathing over air breathing in cancer or cardiac failure .

Other evidence summaries

• CPAP reduces mortality and the need for subsequent mechanical ventilation in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema as compared to standard care .
• Corticosteroids started after the onset of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may reduce mortality. Preventive steroids may possibly increase the incidence of ARDS in critically ill adults . Use of prone position for mechanical ventilation does not reduce mortality or duration of ventilation in patients with acute respiratory failure, despite improved oxygenation. The risk of pneumonia may be decreased in patients treated in prone position .

Other Internet resources

• Acute interstitial pneumonia. Orphanet ORPHA79126

Literature

• Nava S, Hill N. Non-invasive ventilation in acute respiratory failure. Lancet 2009 Jul 18;374(9685):250-9.
• Wheeler AP, Bernard GR. Acute lung injury and the acute respiratory distress syndrome: a clinical review. Lancet 2007 May 5;369(9572):1553-64.
• Leaver SK, Evans TW. Acute respiratory distress syndrome. BMJ 2007 Aug 25;335(7616):389-94.
• Driscoll BR, Howard LS, Davison AG. O'Driscoll BR, Howard LS, Davison AG, British Thoracic Society. BTS guideline for emergency oxygen use in adult patients. Thorax 2008 Oct;63 Suppl 6():vi1-68.
• Turkinton PM, Elliot MW. Rationale for the use of noninvasive ventilation in chronic ventilatory failure. Thorax 2000;15:417–423
• Clinical indications for noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in chronic respiratory failure due to restrictive lung disease, COPD, and nocturnal hypoventilation--a consensus conference report. Chest 1999 Aug;116(2):521-34.
• Collins SP, Mielniczuk LM, Whittingham HA, Boseley ME, Schramm DR, Storrow AB. The use of noninvasive ventilation in emergency department patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema: a systematic review. Ann Emerg Med 2006 Sep;48(3):260-9, 269.e1-4.
• Radunovic A, Mitsumoto H, Leigh PN. Clinical care of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Lancet Neurol 2007 Oct;6(10):913-25.