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Diagnosis and treatment of respiratory failure after civilian trauma

1971; Elsevier BV; Volume: 122; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0002-9610(71)90328-x

1879-1883

Cornelius Olcott, R. Barber, F. William Blaisdell,

Trauma and Emergency Care Studies

The clinical records of all patients entering the San Francisco General Hospital with severe trauma between 1966 and 1970 were reviewed. Pulmonary insufficiency developed in 55 per cent during their hospital course. The mortality in this group decreased from 64 per cent in 1966 to 28 per cent in 1970. This report discusses factors which contributed to the increased survival. This includes a description of our ICU with its equipment and personnel, an analysis of the technics used in evaluating and monitoring the cardiovascular and pulmonary status of the patient pre- and postoperatively, and a description of our regimen for the treatment of pulmonary insufficiency in the traumatized patient. The problems surrounding the use of such therapeutic modalities as continuous positive pressure ventilation, high inspired oxygen concentrations, plasma expanders, diuretics, and anticoagulants are discussed. The necessity of prompt, careful evaluation and aggressive therapy is stressed.