Negative-pressure ventilator shows promise in new study

Reuters Health - 25/01/2021 - A negative-pressure ventilator designed to support patients with respiratory failure from COVID-19 and other lung diseases was comfortable and allowed good nursing and monitoring access in a small study in healthy volunteers. While positive-pressure devices use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to increase functional reserve capacity, negative-pressure devices such as the Exovent simulate natural lung movements and do not require tracheal intubation. "There are a number of medical reasons why use of negative pressure is beneficial, above and beyond the obvious benefit that the patient does not need to be anesthetized," Dr. Malcolm Coulthard of Newcastle University, UK, told Reuters Health by email. "As it supports a more natural breathing process, the risk of damage to the lungs is reduced and the way that it lifts the chest takes pressure off the heart, allowing the heart to function more effectively." "While we believe...

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Posted on 25 January, 20211 February, 2021