Mechanical Ventilator

Published on: January 19, 2012

Study on Recovery from Smoke Inhalation Injury Produces Unexpected Results

A study by researchers at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine generated some surprising findings about the response of the immune system in victims of severe burns and smoke inhalation.

Contrary to expectations, patients who died from their injuries had lower inflammatory responses in their lungs than the patients who survived. “Perhaps a better understanding of this early immune dysfunction will allow for therapies that further improve outcomes in burn care,” researchers reported.

The study was published in the January/February issue of the Journal of Burn Care & Research. First author of the study was Christopher S. Davis, MD, MPH, a research resident in the Loyola Burn & Shock Trauma Institute. Assisting him was Elizabeth J. Kovacs, PhD, director of research of the Burn & Shock Trauma Institute.

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Published on: March 12, 2010

Mechanical Ventilator (part II)

By Larry Kramer

Medications are often used when the patient is intubated in the form of sedative and analgesic drugs to reduce the anxiety and stress associated with the intubation as well as helping the patient with tolerating the constant irritation of the endotracheal tube. The patient is also given prophylaxis against Deep Vein Thrombosis Part I, II. When the patient is intubated this will affect the ability of the patient to talk or speak.

There is another form of mechanical ventilator which is the oldest form in which a negative pressure is used instead of a positive pressure to create a vacuum which forces air into the lung.

Ventilators are used to support and help people who can’t breathe adequately.

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Published on: March 11, 2010

Mechanical Ventilator (part I)

By Larry Kramer

Burns can affect different parts of the body in different ways. Some patients will not be able to breathe on their own and may need the help of a breathing machine (mechanical ventilator).

Mechanical ventilator: can be defined as a device that is designed to help the patient to breathe simply by moving air into and out of the lungs.

Mechanical ventilators may be used in diseases, conditions, or factors that interfere with or impair breathing such as:

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