What is flutter valve used for?
A flutter valve (also known as the Heimlich valve after its inventor, Henry Heimlich) is a one-way valve used in respiratory medicine to prevent air from travelling back along a chest tube.
What type of dressing is used in treating open pneumothorax?
Immediate management of open pneumothorax is to cover the wound with a rectangular sterile occlusive dressing that is closed securely with tape on only 3 sides. Thus, the dressing prevents atmospheric air from entering the chest wall during inspiration but allows any intrapleural air out during expiration.
What is a flutter bag?
The flutter valve drainage bag is a ‘no water’ ambulatory system which incorporates a one-way valve and can be used both in hospital and outpatient drainage of pleural collections [5].
What is the advantage of a one-way flutter valve when dressing an open pneumothorax?
The Heimlich flutter valve has some significant advantages compared to under water seal drainage, the most important being its small size and its portability, allowing this way the immediate ambulation of the patient, a very important factor in the successful treatment of pneumothorax (1).
What is CPT with Flutter?
Chest physiotherapy (CPT) is recommended for the clearance of bronchial secretions in the management of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The Flutter valve (Scandipharm, Birmingham, AL) has been introduced as an alternative method to CPT for airway mucus clearance.
What is 3 sided occlusive dressing?
Classically, an occlusive dressing is applied and adhered to the chest on three sides with the dependent portion open to allow for blood and air to escape the wound. Commercial devices work similarly but are designed to be adherent and allow for drainage and are simply applied over the wound.
What is a flutter drain?
The ambulatory bag connected to your chest tube is used to help you become more mobile and to return to performing most everyday activities whilst continuing your recovery. The air and fluid from your chest will flow through a one way flutter valve that prevents the air going back into your chest.
Why are chest drains inserted?
Chest drains also known as under water sealed drains (UWSD) are inserted to allow draining of the pleural spaces of air, blood or fluid, allowing expansion of the lungs and restoration of negative pressure in the thoracic cavity. The underwater seal also prevents backflow of air or fluid into the pleural cavity.
What is the difference between tension pneumothorax and open pneumothorax?
Tension pneumothorax develops when air continuously enters the chest without evacuation. The pleural pressure can reach supraatmospheric levels and can be life-threatening. In open pneumothorax, sealing of the chest must occur, followed by evaluation of air.
Is PEP and PEEP same?
Another term is expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP). When used on a ventilator, this would refer to PEEP but EPAP is also used as PEP in the area of treatment for sleep apnoea.
What is PEP with Flutter?
Oscillating PEP is an airway clearance technique (ACT), where the person blows all the way out many times through a device. Commonly known by their brand names (Flutter®, Acapella®, AerobikA®, and RC-Cornet®), these types of oscillating PEP devices work in two ways.
What is the purpose of a four sided occlusive dressing?
An occlusive dressing addresses the need to control the environment around a wound to block out pathogens, prevent further trauma and promote optimal healing conditions.
What is the difference between occlusive and Nonocclusive dressing?
An occlusive dressing is a non-permeable dressing, which means that no air or moisture can penetrate in or out. A semi-occlusive (semi-permeable, transparent) dressing allows the wound to “breathe” (air can penetrate in and out) but at the same time, protects the wound from outside liquids.
What is an air leak in a chest tube?
Once a chest tube is inserted, air bubbling into the chest drainage system indicates an air leak. The flow of air through the fistulous tract into the pleural space delays healing and inhibits lung expansion.
How is atrial flutter (AFL) treated?
Treatments include: Medicines to slow your heart rate. They may also help relieve your symptoms. Or you may take a medicine to try to stop the flutter from happening. Blood-thinning medicines to help prevent stroke. You and your doctor can decide if you will take medicine to lower your risk. Electrical cardioversion to stop atrial flutter.
How can I Stop my Heart from fluttering?
Or you may take a medicine to try to stop the flutter from happening. Blood-thinning medicines to help prevent stroke. You and your doctor can decide if you will take medicine to lower your risk. Electrical cardioversion to stop atrial flutter. An electric current is used to shock the heart back to a normal rhythm.
What is a flutter device?
A flutter is a device used by people with respiratory conditions to help loosen secretions (phlegm) in the chest. Above: Active cycle of breathing and postural drainage exercises supervised by a specialist therapist The device, shaped like a pipe is handheld.
What happens if you don’t treat atrial flutter?
Even with treatment, you may have more episodes of atrial flutter. Treatment may fail to control your symptoms, and you may need to return for different treatment. Atrial flutter increases your risk for heart failure or other heart conditions.