Active clinical trials for "Lung Injury"

The investigators hypothesize that the level of PEEP is often suboptimally applied in certain operative conditions, such as in laparoscopy with head down (Trendelenburg) positioning. This can result in excessive levels of lung stress and postoperative pulmonary complications. In patients with steep Trendelenburg and a pneumoperitoneum, the investigators aim to measure apical versus basal atelectasis using the lung ultrasound score compare lung ultrasound scores at different PEEP levels compare respiratory mechanics at the different PEEP levels contrast the optimal PEEP level to standard practice provide guidance to optimal PEEP titration in this setting for the clinician

Postoperative pulmonary dysfunction (PPD) is a widely reported complication of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) although there is improvement in perioperative management, that leads to increased morbidity and mortality in cardiac surgery. Many surgical-related factors can predispose to postoperative pulmonary complications such as the effects of general anesthesia combined with the effects of a median sternotomy, CPB, and the use of topical cooling for myocardial protection. Main clinical manifestations of PPD include atelectasis, pleural effusion, and postoperative hypoxemia without clinical symptoms in addition to acute respiratory distress syndrome which is rare to happen but leads to high mortality Different strategies including perioperative management of mechanical ventilation (MV), restrictive transfusion, technical modifications of CPB, and medication administration such as steroids and aprotinin have been developed to lessen impairment of pulmonary function. A recent meta-analysis identified improvement in oxygenation after weaning from CPB when low tidal volume (LTV) ventilation was maintained or after lung recruitment maneuvers (LRM), as compared to when there was no ventilation (noV). Also, maintaining mechanical ventilation may reduce the inflammation response and tissue damage. So far, available researches regarding whether ventilation during CPB could improve respiratory outcomes is still controversial especially in pediatric patients undergoing corrective surgeries for congenital heart defects.

Pulmonary dysfunction after cardiac surgery with CPB remains to be a problem complicating the postoperative course of the patients. The investigators hypothesized that RIPCcom, combined intervention of remote ischemic preconditioning and remote ischemic postconditioning, would confer beneficial influence on inflammatory response and resultant postoperative pulmonary dysfunction after CPB in patients undergoing complex valvular heart surgery who are at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary dysfunction.The aim of this study was to evaluate the lung-protective effect of combined remote ischemic pre- and post-conditioning in patients undergoing complex valvular heart surgery.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is caused by unresolved thromboemboli in the pulmonary arteries, which lead to pulmonary hypertension and, left untreated, right heart failure. This disease can be potentially cured by performing a pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) to remove the blood clots. The surgery is not without risk and the most worrisome complication is the development of a form of acute lung injury called reperfusion lung injury, which occurs in about 40 percent of patients. The landmark publication of the ARDSNET study demonstrated that a low tidal volume strategy of mechanical ventilation, decreased morbidity and mortality in patients who had acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Since then there have been some studies examining the role of a low tidal volume strategy in all patients who are mechanically ventilated. Some studies have demonstrated a decreased incidence of acute lung injury while others have failed to do the same. In patients at high risk for developing acute lung injury, such as patients undergoing PTE, there may be a benefit to using low tidal volumes to reduce the incidence of reperfusion lung injury. To assess the efficacy of a low tidal volume ventilation strategy in patients undergoing PTE, 134 patients will be randomized at the time of surgery to either low tidal volumes (6ml/kg of ideal body weight), or standard tidal volumes (10ml/kg of ideal body weight). Patients will be followed clinically to assess for the development of reperfusion lung injury. This will be defined as the development of hypoxemia (PaO2/FiO2 ratio less than 300) and chest infiltrates in the area of reperfused lung with no other identifiable etiology within the first 72 hours of surgery. Patients will also be assessed for other factors known to contribute to acute lung injury including: plateau pressures, peak inspiratory pressures, fluid balance, and number of transfusions received. Secondary endpoints of the study will be: time to successful spontaneous breathing trial, ventilator free days, ICU free days, hospital free days, and mortality.

To investigate whether limb remote ischemic preconditioning (LRIP) has protective effects against intestinal and pulmonary injury in patients undergoing open infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.

Remote Ischemic Preconditioning(RIPC) and remote ischemic postconditioning(RIPoC) seems to have a protective effect during ischemic period. Using cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) during open heart surgery reduces pulmonary blood flow and may cause ischemic damage to lung tissue. The investigators anticipate that RIPC and RIPoC may reduce lung injury after CPB.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether N-acetylcysteine given intravenously 1 day pre-operatively is effective in preventing inflammation in the lungs, as measured by tests on blood, breath and lung specimens, in patients undergoing surgery to remove a portion of lung.

This will be a prospective observational study where the investigator will scan patients' necks with an ultrasound and look for anatomical landmarks that may help identify the phrenic nerve.

Mechanical ventilation, in spite of being a life-saving technique, can also induce lung injury (VILI) mediated by an inflammatory response, thus having a profound impact in the course of critically ill patients. Ventilatory strategies aimed to minimize this VILI have reduced mortality rates. Patients suffering cardiogenic pulmonary edema may need venoarterial extracorporeal oxygenation, at the same time they are being mechanically ventilated. The objective of this study is to analyze changes induced by the use of utraprotective ventilatory strategies in the inflammatory lung response of these patients and their impact on outcomes.

The purpose of this single-centered, proof of concept study is to determine whether it is feasible to perform a phrenic nerve block to reduce diaphragm electrical activity and, therefore, inspiratory effort and if such block reduces self-inflicted lung injury on patients under mechanical ventilation on spontaneous breathing. Ten patients will be monitored with electrical impedance tomography, NAVA catheter, and esophageal balloon. Using a nerve stimulator and an ultrasound, we will identify the phrenic nerve on its cervical portion bilaterally and administer perineural low-dose lidocaine. Diaphragm electrical activity, transpulmonary pressure and data on ventilation distribution will be continuously collected. The study will be over once the patient presents the same diaphragm electrical activity and transpulmonary pressure as before the phrenic nerve block.