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Biomedical subjects

C Hörmann

Publications and source records attributed to C Hörmann.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Comparison of different modes of high-frequency ventilation in surfactant-deficient rabbits.

Various modes of high-frequency ventilation (HFV) have been developed to avoid the disadvantages of conventional mechanical ventilation. In the present study, we examined the hypothesis that high-frequency oscillation (HFO) is superior to high-frequency positive pressure ventilation (HPPV) and combined high-frequency ventilation (CHFV) in surfactant-deficient rabbits. The aim of the ventilator strategy was to adjust the mean airway pressure to 2 cm above critical opening pressure of the inflation limb of the respiratory system pressure volume (P/V) curve, achieve a normal tidal volume (VT) (5 ml/kg body weight) and apply repeated sustained inflations. We studied the effect of these HFV modes on oxygenation, lung mechanics and lung histology in 15 New Zealand White rabbits during a 6-hour experiment. Statistically, the HFO group demonstrated significantly better oxygenation (P < 0.05), lung mechanics (lung stability index: P < 0.05), and better lung tissue histology compared to the HPPV and CHFV groups. In contrast to the HPPV and CHFV groups, the P/V curves of the HFO group showed significant recovery over the 6-hour period after lavage. The lungs of the HFO-treated group had a more uniform distribution of alveoli and less overdistention than the HPPV group (P < 0.002), and less atelectasis than the CHFV group (P < 0.05). The HFO group had less lung injury than the CHFV groups (P < 0.01) and its lungs contained significantly less water than both other groups (P < 0.05). We conclude that the relationship between mean and end-expiratory pressures impacts strongly on both oxygenation and the progression of injury during HFV at the same mean airway pressures. The HFO group showed less acute lung injury than the other ventilatory groups.

Animals

Surfactant replacement therapy in acute respiratory distress syndrome from viral pneumonia.

A modified natural surfactant was administered to a patient with life-threatening adult respiratory distress syndrome caused by viral pneumonia. Subsequently, there was a marked improvement in gas exchange. In order to assess the mechanism for improved oxygenation, computed tomography of the lungs was done. Quantitative analysis of the scans taken before and after surfactant administration indicates that improvement in gas exchange was largely due to the expansion of underinflated and collapsed lung areas. Although this is a single case report, it provides insight into the possible beneficial effect of instilled surfactant in severe respiratory distress from viral pneumonia.

Biological Products

Influence of urapidil on cerebrospinal fluid pressure in humans with uncompromised intracranial compliance.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the influence of urapidil on mean lumbar cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), mean central venous pressure (CVP) and heart rate (HR) in awake humans without any evidence of cerebral or cardiovascular disease. DESIGN: Open, single-dose volunteer study. INTERVENTIONS: CSFP was measured via a spinal needle after i.v. injection of a single dose of 0.2 mg kg-1 urapidil in six volunteers (2 female, 4 male). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: After administration of urapidil, CSFP increased from 7 +/- 1 mmHg to 10 +/- 1 mmHg (p < 0.05), MAP decreased from 88 +/- 7 mmHg to 74 +/- 5 mmHg (p < 0.05), CPP decreased from 81 +/- 7 mmHg to 64 +/- 5 mmHg (p < 0.05) and CVP decreased from 0 +/- 1 mmHg to -3 +/- 1 mmHg (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that in humans with presumed normal intracranial compliance the administration of urapidil causes a small but statistically significant increase in CSFP due to a parallel decrease in MAP.

Adult

Hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism in the pig during long-term hypothermia: comparison of 2 pH strategies.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of acid-base management (pH stat or alpha stat) on hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism during long-term hypothermia in the pig. Seventeen female pigs were anesthetized, slowly cooled to 28 degrees C with cooling mats and kept at this temperature for 36 h. Thereafter, slow rewarming was performed with inhalation of a 40 degrees C warm air/oxygen mixture and insulation. Eight of the 17 pigs were ventilated according to the pH stat strategy and 9 according to the alpha stat strategy. Both groups were compared 4 times each for hemodynamics and metabolism during cooling, hypothermia and rewarming. The 2 strategies showed no significant difference in cardiac output, heart rate or mean arterial pressure. The only difference in hemodynamics was observed in mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary artery resistance during hypothermia, showing higher values in pH stat animals. As for oxygen metabolism, oxygen consumption during hypothermia was significantly higher in alpha stat animals. Long-term hypothermia with spontaneous circulation revealed significant differences in oxygen metabolism and pulmonary artery pressure as well as resistance between alpha and pH stat acid-base management. These differences may be of importance when using moderate hypothermia in a clinical or experimental setting.

Acid-Base Equilibrium

Hyperventilation reverses the nitrous oxide-induced increase in cerebral blood flow velocity in human volunteers.

Because hypocapnia is routine during general anaesthesia for intracranial procedures, we have compared, in 13 healthy volunteers, the effect of normocapnia (PE'CO2 5.3 kPa) and hypocapnia (PE'CO2 3.3 kPa) on mean blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery (Vmca) during normoventilation and hyperventilation with air and with 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen. After replacement of air with 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen, there was an increase in mean Vmca during normoventilation (air: mean 68.23 (SD 16.98) cm s-1 vs nitrous oxide in oxygen: 90.69 (20.41) cm s-1; P < 0.01), whereas during hyperventilation mean Vmca values were similar regardless of the inhaled gas mixture (air: 43.46 (9.97) cm s-1 vs nitrous oxide in oxygen: 41.69 (8.08) cm s-1. Our data suggest that the nitrous oxide-induced increase in mean Vmca can be blocked by hyperventilation.

Adult

Low-dose sufentanil increases cerebrospinal fluid pressure in human volunteers.

Although sufentanil is frequently used in neuroanesthesia, the effect of the drug on intracranial pressure is still controversial. In our study, we used an invasive measurement technique to study the effects of 0.1 micrograms/kg-1 sufentanil on mean lumbar cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), central venous pressure (CVP), heart rate (HR), and end-tidal dioxide (ETCO2) in five human volunteers. After i.v. injection of sufentanil, mean lumbar CSFP increased from 6 mm Hg to 12 mm Hg (p < 0.05), and mean CPP decreased from 92 mm Hg to 78 mm Hg (p < 0.05), whereas MAP, CVP, HR, and ETCO2 remained stable. The results of this study clearly show that even a low dose of sufentanil transiently increases lumbar CSFP in volunteers with uncompromised intracranial compliance.

Adult

[The prone position in ARDS. A successful therapeutic strategy].

As early as 1974, Brian advocated the prone position for ventilated patients. He suggested that this position might enhance ventilation of the dorsal parts of the lungs, thereby improving oxygenation. These considerations have been confirmed by several experimental and clinical studies. Better secretion removal, decreased intrapulmonary shunting, and an increased FRC are thought to be responsible for the observed improvement of oxygenation. However, the prone position never became very popular in the clinical treatment of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Routine performance of thoracic CT scans in ARDS patients demonstrated preferential distribution of pathological densities in the dependent lung areas. The prone position therefore could possibly benefit these patients, as shown by two recent studies. The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of repeatedly turning the patient to the prone position on gas exchange and thoracic CT findings in multiple-trauma patients. METHODS. Seven ventilated intensive care patients with severe ARDS (Murray Score > 2.5, Quotient > 0.7, mean airway pressure > 18 cm H2O, thoracic CT scan showing dorsal atelectases) were included in the study. Patients were turned from the supine to the prone position at 12-h intervals using an air-cushion bed (Mediscus, Austria). Redistribution of dystelectatic or atelectatic dependent lung areas was verified by means of repeated thoracic CT scans (Figs. 1, 8). RESULTS. The patients were intermittently turned for 6.5 +/- 1.1 days. The course of gas exchange is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Initially, improvement of the respiratory quotient could only be achieved during prone positioning, from the 2nd day in the supine position as well. Intrapulmonary shunting showed a similar trend (Figs. 4 and 5). No significant changes in cardiovascular parameters could be observed. Control thoracic CT scans showed uniform reduction of atelectases in dependent lung areas (Figs. 1 and 8). The inspiratory fraction of oxygen could be reduced significantly as of the 2nd day (Fig. 7). Constant levels of positive end-expiratory pressure and tidal volume were associated with decreasing mean and plateau airway pressures (Fig. 6). DISCUSSION. Repeatedly turning the patient to the prone position produced long-lasting improvement of arterial oxygenation, which persists up to the end of the weaning process. This is in good accordance with other studies, however, this is the first study to report an observation period of more than 6 days of repeatedly turning the patient. These positive effects on gas exchange can be attributed to sudden improvement of the ventilation-perfusion ratio within the lung areas that become dependent after turning to the prone position. Due to reduced hydrostatic pressure and relative hyperventilation, previously collapsed alveoli are recruited in the lung areas that become non-dependent after turning to the prone position.

Adult

Subglottic positive end-expiratory pressure in extubated patients recovering from acute lung injury.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the glottic function in extubated patients recovering from acute lung injury by simultaneous measurement of airway opening and subglottic airway pressures while patients are breathing at ambient pressure and receiving continuous positive airway pressure by a face mask. DESIGN: Descriptive, prospective study. SETTING: Intensive care unit at a university hospital. PATIENTS: Ten patients who required continuous positive airway pressure of at least 7 cm H2O in order to restore gas exchange after mechanical ventilation for acute lung injury. INTERVENTIONS: Spontaneous breathing at ambient airway pressure and with continuous positive airway pressures of 5 and 10 cm H2O via face mask. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Intratracheal pressure, airway opening pressure, and airflow at the airway opening were measured. Breathing at ambient pressure resulted in significantly higher end-expiratory intratracheal pressure than end-expiratory airway opening pressure (p < .01). No significant differences between end-expiratory intratracheal pressure and end-expiratory airway opening pressure were observed during breathing with continuous positive airway pressures of 5 and 10 cm H2O. A significant end-expiratory airflow at the airway opening (p < .01), observed during ambient pressure breathing, was not detectable while the patient received mask continuous positive airway pressure. The partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood (Pao2) increased significantly while patients breathed with 10 cm H2O, but not while patients breathed 5 cm H2O continuous positive airway pressure compared with breathing at ambient pressure (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data imply that patients recovering from acute lung injury create an intratracheal positive end-expiratory pressure by braking the expiratory airflow, probably by glottic narrowing. Despite compensatory glottic narrowing, extubated patients with reduced lung function may benefit from higher levels of continuous positive airway pressure.

Adolescent

Continuous positive airway pressure breathing increases cerebral blood flow velocity in humans.

The effect of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) of 12 cm H2O on mean middle cerebral artery flow velocity (CBFV) was studied in nine human volunteers by means of transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD). During CPAP breathing, CBFV increased (45 +/- 9 vs 59 +/- 11 cm/s; P < 0.001; mean +/- SD), and pulsatility index (PI) decreased (0.87 +/- 0.1 vs 0.74 +/- 0.2; P < 0.05), indicating an increase in cerebral blood flow due to cerebral vasodilation. This phenomenon should be taken into account when CPAP is applied to patients with intracranial disease or when assessing CBFV patterns of patients during CPAP respiration.

Adult

[Errors in ventilation therapy].

In spontaneous breathing intrathoracic pressure alternates between positive and negative in a biphasic sequential pattern. By contrast, during mechanical ventilation (IPPV, CPPV) the intrathoracic pressure remains above atmospheric all the time. Due to these unphysiological conditions there are extensive causal and side effects on the lung parenchyma and other organs. Errors in the artificial ventilation technique can magnify these effects. In order to minimize these deleterious effects of positive pressure ventilation it is essential to keep the procedure as short and little invasive as possible. The following strategy enables this goal to be brought closer: 1) early commencement of ventilation; 2) optimal adjustment of artificial ventilation to the individual needs of the patient, 3) early weaning from assisted ventilation through augmented rather than controlled modes of ventilation: 4) kinetic therapy (systematic changing of the patient's position) with the back up of the requisite thoracic CT scan findings; 5) reduction of the invasiveness of the procedure in order to ensure early commencement of spontaneous respiration.

Humans

Biphasic positive airway pressure (BIPAP)--a new mode of ventilatory support.

Biphasic Positive Airway Pressure (BIPAP) can be described as pressure controlled ventilation in a system allowing unrestricted spontaneous breathing at any moment of the ventilatory cycle. It can also be described as a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) system with a time-cycled change of the applied CPAP level. As with a pressure controlled, time-cycled mode, the duration of each phase (T(high), T(low)) as well as the corresponding pressure levels (P(high), P(low)) can be adjusted independently. Depending on the spontaneous breathing activity, BIPAP can be subdivided into: no spontaneous breathing: CMV-BIPAP; spontaneous breathing at the lower pressure level: IMV-BIPAP; spontaneous breathing at the upper pressure level: APRV-BIPAP; spontaneous breathing at both CPAP levels: genuine BIPAP. Since it enables progressive transition from controlled to all levels of augmented mechanical ventilation, BIPAP appears to be a suitable mode for the entire period of mechanical ventilation of the patient. There are difficulties neither in choosing the correct moment for switching nor the further respiratory management of the ventilated patient under BIPAP. The necessary adaptation (ventilation, oxygenation) can be individualized on the basis of blood gas analyses. An increase or reduction of the invasivity of ventilation can be attained without any problems with BIPAP. Furthermore, spontaneous breathing of the patient does not necessitate any switching of the mode of ventilation. The transition from controlled to augmented ventilation is smooth. BIPAP enables the therapist to let the patient breathe freely even under the most invasive ventilation conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Humans

Response of cerebrospinal fluid pressure to continuous positive airway pressure in volunteers.

The effect of a 10-min period of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) of 12 cm H2O on lumbar cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), central venous pressure (CVP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) was studied in eight volunteers. CSFP increased (7 +/- 4 control vs 11 +/- 4 mm Hg; P < 0.001; mean +/- SD) and CVP increased (2 +/- 2 control vs 5 +/- 3 mm Hg; P < 0.001; mean +/- SD) when CPAP of 12 cm H2O was applied. CPP decreased slightly during CPAP (79 +/- 13 vs 74 +/- 19 mm Hg; P < 0.05; mean +/- SD), whereas MAP, HR, and ETCO2 remained unchanged. The findings of our study suggest that changes in CSFP and CPP due to moderate levels of CPAP, although statistically significant, are probably of only minor clinical importance.

Adult

Comparison of mask and nasal continuous positive airway pressure after extubation and mechanical ventilation.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of continuous positive airway pressure applied via face masks and nose masks on the change in functional residual capacity and gas exchange. DESIGN: Descriptive and prospective study. SETTING: Intensive care unit of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Ten patients with acute lung injury who had required mechanical ventilation. INTERVENTIONS: Continuous positive airway pressure at a level of 10 cm H2O applied in random order via face and nose masks. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Both continuous positive airway pressure methods resulted in an almost identical increase of functional residual capacity. During nasal continuous positive airway pressure, the increase in functional residual capacity was 294 +/- 82 mL. During mask continuous positive airway pressure, the increase in functional residual capacity was 290 +/- 85 mL. PaO2 increased and the alveolar-arterial oxygen tension/alveolar oxygen tension quotient decreased significantly during mask continuous positive airway pressure and nasal continuous positive airway pressure at a level of 10 cm H2O. Two patients showed a periodic change in their breathing patterns; they took a few breaths at an increased lung volume, followed by one deep expiration caused by mouth opening. Change in mask pressure was negligible in these two patients. Using a visual analog scale (10 = highly comfortable; 0 = severely uncomfortable), the patients rated nasal continuous positive airway pressure (8.6 +/- 0.9) significantly more comfortable than mask continuous positive airway pressure (2.6 +/- 0.8). CONCLUSION: The major advantages of continuous positive airway pressure (the improvement of functional residual capacity and oxygen transfer) can also be achieved with nasal continuous positive airway pressure in the postextubation period in patients who have been mechanically ventilated for acute lung injury.

Acute Disease

Selecting ventilator settings according to variables derived from the quasi-static pressure/volume relationship in patients with acute lung injury.

Knowledge of the pressure/volume (P/V) relationship of the lung may allow selection of tidal volume and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) to optimize gas exchange without adversely affecting lung function or hemodynamics. Ten patients with acute lung injury were stabilized on controlled mechanical ventilation, based on conventional practice, using criteria from arterial blood gas data. The P/V relationship was determined under quasi-static conditions (end-expiratory and end-inspiratory, no flow periods > 0.8 s) during mechanical ventilation with an automated procedure that changed PEEP in a stepwise fashion. Differences in expiratory tidal volumes before and after a change in PEEP equaled the change in functional residual capacity (delta FRC). PEEP was set above the lowest point of the steepest section of the P/V curve (inflection pressure) to prevent end-expiratory lung collapse. Inspiratory tidal volumes (VTI) were adjusted to avoid an end-inspiratory lung volume reaching the flat part of the P/V curve. Averaged delta FRC versus PEEP curves were shifted to the left and the slope increased 1, 6, and 12 h after changing ventilator settings compared to baseline (P < 0.01). Averaged baseline delta FRC versus PEEP curves showed a marked inflection pressure that decreased after adjusting ventilator settings (P < 0.01). PEEP was increased from 7.4 +/- 1.8 cm H2O (baseline) to 11.9 +/- 1.6 cm H2O (1 h) (P < 0.001) according to measured baseline inflection pressures. Simultaneously, VTI had to be reduced from 759 +/- 161 mL (baseline) to 664 +/- 101 mL (1 h) (P < 0.01) to avoid end-inspiratory overinflation. To maintain minute volume constant ventilator frequency was increased from 14 +/- 1.2 (baseline) to 16 +/- 1.2 breaths/min (1 h) (P < 0.01). Maximum quasi-static compliance of 38 +/- 7 mL/cm H2O (baseline) increased to 46 +/- 9 mL/cm H2O (1 h) (P < 0.01). Maintaining FIO2 constant, PaO2 increased from a baseline of 90 +/- 16 mm Hg to 122 +/- 24 mm Hg (1 h) (P < 0.001), to 130 +/- 20 mm Hg (6 h) (P < 0.01), and to 138 +/- 19 mm Hg (12 h) (P < 0.01). Intrapulmonary shunt decreased from 0.28 +/- 0.08 (baseline) to 0.14 +/- 0.05 (12 h) (P < 0.001). Hemodynamic variables did not change. Our data suggest that using variables derived from a quasi-static P/V loop during mechanical ventilation under muscle paralysis is clinically superior compared to blood gas criteria for titration of ventilator settings.

Adult

Tidal volume, breathing frequency, and oxygen consumption at different pressure support levels in the early stage of weaning in patients without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different PSV levels on VT, F, VO2 in the early weaning phase of patients without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These parameters were tested for the predictive power for the success of the weaning. Patients on SIMV were studied during the first weaning attempt with PSV. Depending on their ventilatory support demands after 24 h they were divided into responders (patients breathing on CPAP) and nonresponders (patients being on a more invasive ventilatory mode). 14 ICU patients without pre-existing pulmonary disease being ventilated for at least 3 days entered the study. 2 of them could be studied a second time after failing the first weaning attempt. Beside the level of ventilatory support no other changes (drugs, nutrition) were allowed. VO2, VT, F were measured by a computer controlled, metabolic unit connected to the expiratory port of a Siemens Servo Ventilator. In addition, airway pressures, arterial pressure and heart rate were recorded. The measurements were performed at PSV of 5, 10 and 20 cmH2O. Arterial blood-gases were drawn at the end of each 60 min lasting PS period. Responders and nonresponders could be separated by the response of VO2, VT and F to a change in PS 10 to PS 20 cmH2O. Patients who significantly increased VT and significantly decreased F did not fulfil our weaning criteria. Our responders did not show a significant change in these two parameters, but a significant increase in VO2 at PS 20 cmH2O could be observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult