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Y Loubieres

Publications and source records attributed to Y Loubieres.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular function in critically ill patients: dynamic loading challenge using medical antishock trousers.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that a dynamic left ventricular (LV) evaluation during a loading challenge might enhance diagnostic capabilities of routine transesophageal echocardiography in critically ill patients and selection of therapeutic options against circulatory failure, particularly the choice between volume expansion and vasoactive agent infusion. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study in a group of 26 patients requiring hemodynamic support by vasoactive infusion because of low systemic arterial pressure (< 90 mm Hg by invasive monitoring) during mechanical ventilation. SETTING: University hospital ICU. PATIENTS: Patients required respiratory support for an episode of acute respiratory failure of various causes or for an episode of coma. They were studied by transesophageal echocardiography during mechanical ventilation in the controlled mode, before and during a loading challenge made using the legs compartment of medical antishock trousers inflated at 80 mm Hg. MEASUREMENTS: A short-axis view of the left ventricle was obtained by a transgastric approach, and end-diastolic and end-systolic areas were measured. LV stroke area (LVSA) and LV fractional area contraction (LVFAC) were calculated. RESULTS: Changes in LV echocardiographic measurements permitted separation of the patients into two groups. In nine patients (group 1), LVSA, used as an index of stroke output, was significantly increased during the challenge, together with a significant increase in LV end-diastolic area, suggesting preload improvement by the challenge. Conversely, in 17 patients (group 2), LVSA was significantly reduced by the challenge, together with a significant decrease in LVFAC, suggesting a negative effect of increased afterload by the challenge. CONCLUSION: Study of the changes in LV dimensions during loading challenge in hemodynamically unstable patients was used to evaluate the balance between the adequacy of preload and the ability of the heart to pump against an increased load, and might thus guide hemodynamic support.

Critical Illness↗

Cyclic changes in right ventricular output impedance during mechanical ventilation.

In a context such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, where optimum tidal volume and airway pressure levels are debated, the present study was designed to differentiate the right ventricular (RV) consequences of increasing lung volume from those secondary to increasing airway pressure during tidal ventilation. The study was conducted by combined two-dimensional echocardiographic and Doppler studies in 10 patients requiring mechanical ventilation in the controlled mode because of acute respiratory failure. Continuous monitoring of airway pressure on echocardiographic and Doppler recordings provided accurate timing of each cardiac event during the respiratory cycle, with particular attention being paid to end-expiratory and end-inspiratory atrial diameters, RV dimensions, and pulmonary artery and tricuspid flow estimated by the velocity-time integral (PA(VTI) and T(VTI), respectively). At baseline, lung inflation during the inspiratory phase of mechanical ventilation produced a drop in PA(VTI) from 14.3 +/- 2.6 cm at end expiration to 11.3 +/- 2.1 cm at end inspiration. This drop occurred without reduction in right atrial diameter or in RV diastolic dimensions. It was not preceded but was followed by a decrease in T(VTI), thus confirming an increase in RV outflow impedance. Manipulation of tidal volume without changing airway pressure and manipulation of airway pressure without changing tidal volume demonstrated that tidal volume, but not airway pressure, was the main determinant factor of RV afterloading during mechanical ventilation.

Air Pressure↗