Does immediate positive pressure ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure ( PEEP ) improve survival in ovine smoke inhalation injury?
Immediate PPV + PEEP did not prevent the development of hypoxia and was associated with increased pleural fluid formation. Death within 96 hours in the delayed group was the result of respiratory failure aggravated by bronchial cast formation despite vigorous pulmonary toilet. Early positive pressure ventilation with PEEP, preferably initiated immediately after the inhalation insult, significantly increases short-term survival and is associated with decreased tracheobronchial cast formation in this ovine model of severe smoke inhalation injury.
The antihypertensive effect of spironolactone is positively related to urinary sodium excretion regardless of aldosterone status. These findings suggest that mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists may be of preferential benefit in counteracting the BP effects of high dietary sodium.