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The development of continuous positive airway pressure: an interview with D r. G eorge G regory
Author(s) -
Mai Christine L.,
Yaster Myron,
Firth Paul
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
pediatric anesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.704
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1460-9592
pISSN - 1155-5645
DOI - 10.1111/pan.12075
Subject(s) - medicine , respiratory distress , neonatology , continuous positive airway pressure , mechanical ventilation , ventilation (architecture) , anesthesia , intensive care medicine , pregnancy , mechanical engineering , biology , obstructive sleep apnea , genetics , engineering
Summary George Gregory, M.D. (1934‐), Professor Emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco, has made numerous contributions to neonatology and pediatric anesthesia through his research efforts and authoritative textbook, Gregory's Pediatric Anesthesia . However he identified his defining moment as the occasion he saved the life of an infant suffering from neonatal respiratory distress syndrome by using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilation. The development of CPAP by Gregory revolutionized the treatment of premature infants with respiratory failure. Prior to the creation of this treatment, the mortality rate of neonates with respiratory distress syndrome was >50%. The innovation markedly improved the ventilation of infants with respiratory distress and led to significant improvements in survival rates. Based on an interview with Dr. Gregory, this article describes the discovery of CPAP and reviews his career in advancing pediatric anesthesia and critical care medicine.