5 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
As the general population ages and technology advances, many who suffer from catastrophic critical illness (i.e. septic shock, respiratory failure, Acute Respiratory Disease Syndrome) survive only to find themselves severely physically debilitated and compromised from a pulmonary standpoint, requiring assistance from a mechanical ventilator in order to breath. Oftentimes, these patients require a long course of physical rehabilitation and ventilator support. These patients frequently remain ventilator dependent for greater than 3 weeks, and are thus referred to as requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV). Older patients are at significantly higher risk for requiring PMV for reasons that are not entirely clear, but which may include physical deconditioning, impaired cardiopulmonary physiology, and cognitive or behavioral disturbances. The purpose of this study is two fold: 1. to characterize the functional phenotype of ventilator dependent, and recently ventilated patients with respect to general strength, endurance, balance, and pulmonary functioning and body composition. 2. To pilot test a rehabilitation protocol that targets improving this populations disabilities through exercises focused on improving strength, endurance, balance, and pulmonary functioning.
The purpose of this study is to determine if inspiratory muscle strength training will increase the proportion of ventilator dependent patients weaned versus Sham treated patients.
The goal of this research study is to assess the FDA approved technique for inserting a feeding tube (gastrostomy) along with a breathing tube (tracheostomy) for patients that cannot breathe or eat on their own in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit). All subjects in the study will receive a tracheostomy, but each patient will be randomly assigned a common method for gastrostomy placement. The placement of the tube and tracheostomy will occur as part of normal clinical practice. Researchers will compare subjects in the control group and the intervention group to evaluate the benefits of performing a tracheostomy and gastrostomy tube at the same time. Researchers will also evaluate the likelihood of the PUG procedure decreasing a patient's length of stay in the ICU.
This is a study to evaluate whether PEEP adjusted by use of an esophageal balloon to overcome negative transpulmonary pressure; or adjusted by use of "CStat" to achieve the best effective static compliance will have any effect on outcomes with respect to ventilator weaning in tracheotomized morbidly obese patients (BMI \>=40) with at least one failed prior weaning attempt.
This study involves conducting a telephonic or in person survey regarding parental perception and attitudes about vaccinating the respective "technology dependent" child with the COVID 19 vaccination. "Technology dependent" includes tracheostomy dependence, artificial ventilator dependence and non invasive mechanical ventilation dependence. This population is vulnerable since most patients have underlying lung disease, chronic respiratory failure and require respiratory equipment to assist with breathing. "Technology dependent" patients are particularly vulnerable to respiratory infections and are considered high risk for developing severe COVID 19 illness. Despite this population's high risk for morbidity and mortality from respiratory viral infections, the investigator hypothesize that 50% of the parents are still vaccine hesitant.