Delivery of heliox with a semi-closed circuit during spontaneous breathing: a comparative economic theoretical study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Heliox is a mixture of oxygen and helium which reduces airway resistance in patients with airway obstruction. In clinical practice, patients breathing spontaneously receive heliox via an open circuit. Recently, a semi-closed circuit for heliox administration has been proposed which minimizes consumption of heliox and therefore cost of the heliox therapy; although, the semi-closed circuit is associated with additional costs. The aim of the study is to conduct an economical analysis comparing total cost of heliox therapy using an open versus a semi-closed circuit in spontaneously breathing patients with airway obstruction.

Methods

Four different systems for heliox administration were analyzed: an open circuit and three alternatives of a semi-closed circuit involving

SUBMITTER: Jurickova I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4460863 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature