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Sensory integration and interaction are essential aspects of the perceptual process. As a result, impairment in one sensory modality might be expected to have some effect on perceptual functioning in [...], This research examines visual field differences in the detection and identification of a peripheral stimulus for deaf and hearing subjects, as a function of concurrent foveal stimulation. Deaf and hearing subjects were presented with peripheral target stimuli (simple geometric shapes) presented tachistoscopically to the left or right visual fields under four conditions of foveal stimulation: (a) no stimulus; (b) simple geometric shapes; (c) pictorial shapes (outline drawings); and (d) orthographic letters. Dependent measures were detection response latency and peripheral shape recognition (errors). With error data, hearing subjects showed a right field advantage under foveal conditions of no stimulus and simple shape stimulus, but a left field advantage with pictorial and letter foveal stimuli. Deaf subjects showed the opposite effect, with a left field advantage under foveal conditions of no stimulus and simple shape stimulus, but a right field advantage with pictorial and letter foveal stimuli. Latency data revealed the same pattern of results for hearing subjects, but no significant visual field differences for deaf subjects. Results are interpreted in terms of differences in hemispheric visual processing used by deaf and hearing subjects, as affected by varying conditions of foveal load.

The objective of this study was to discuss the case of a patient with severe smoke inhalation-related respiratory failure treated with extracorporeal support. The study was set in a 12-bed multi-trauma intensive care unit at a level one trauma center and hyperbaric medicine center. The patient under investigation had carbon monoxide poisoning, and developed acute respiratory distress syndrome and cardiovascular collapse following smoke inhalation. Rapid initiation of extracorporeal support, extreme inverse-ratio ventilation and intermittent prone positioning therapy were carried out. Admission and serial carboxyhemoglobin levels, blood gases, and computerized tomography of the chest were obtained. The patient developed severe hypoxia and progressed to cardiovascular collapse resistant to resuscitation and vasoactive infusions. Veno-venous extracorporeal support was initiated. Cardiovascular parameters of blood pressure, cardiac output, and oxygen delivery were maximized; oxygenation and ventilation were supported via the extracorporeal circuit. Airway pressure release ventilation and intermittent prone positioning therapy were instituted. Following 7 days of extracorporeal support, the patient was decannulated and subsequently discharged to a transitional care facility, neurologically intact. Smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning may lead to life-threatening hypoxemia associated with resultant cardiovascular instability. When oxygenation and ventilation cannot be achieved via maximal ventilatory management, extracorporeal support may prevent death if initiated rapidly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents various abstracts from the Annual Meeting of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization which was held on September 18 to 20, 1998 in San Antonio, California. `Extracorporeal Support in an Adult with Severe Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: A Case Report,' by M. McCunn, J.S. Britten et al; `ECMO Competency Statements,' by J. Braby.