pubmed:abstractText |
Patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who develop respiratory failure and require mechanical ventilation have mortality rates of 85%. Tracheotomies are performed in this patient population for prolonged intubation. However, to date, objective data on tracheotomy in patients with AIDS are lacking. Tracheotomy in ventilator-dependent patients with AIDS presents risks to patients and exposes surgeons, nurses, and operating room personnel to human immunodeficiency virus-infected blood.
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