Neurocritical care
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Tight glycemic control (TGC) after ischemic stroke may improve clinical outcome but previous studies failed to establish TGC, principally because of postprandial glucose surges. The aim of the present study was to investigate if safe, effective and feasible TGC can be achieved with continuous tube feeding and a computerized treatment protocol. ⋯ TGC after acute ischemic stroke is feasible with continuous tube feeding and a computerized intensive treatment protocol. Although glycemic control is associated with hypoglycemia, no severe hypoglycemia occurred in the continuous tube feeding group.
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To address the gap between organs available for transplant and the number of patients on the transplant waiting list, the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Institute of Medicine, United Network for Organ Sharing and the federal government have recommended the increased used of donation after cardiac death (DCD) (JCAHOnline http://www.jointcommission.org/Library/JCAHOnline/jo_06.06.htm ; UNOS, Highlights of the June Board Meeting, 2006). DCD is defined as organ donation once death is declared after irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions, as opposed to brain death (donation after neurological death). ⋯ Early transplantation from DCD donors met with limited success and most transplant surgeons turned to brain-dead donors. Consequently, DCD fell out of vogue and, until recently, has not been the focus of transplant initiatives.
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We analyzed the impact of shivering on brain tissue oxygenation (PbtO(2)) during induced normothermia in patients with severe brain injury. ⋯ In patients with severe brain injury treated with induced normothermia, shivering was associated with a significant decrease of PbtO(2), which correlated with the intensity of cooling. Monitoring of therapeutic cooling with computerized thermoregulatory systems may help prevent shivering and optimize the management of induced normothermia. The clinical significance of shivering-induced decrease in brain tissue oxygenation remains to be determined.
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The need for organ donation has become a growing concern over that last decade as the gap between organ donors and those awaiting transplant widens. According to UNOS, as of 8/2009, there were 102,962 patients on the transplant waiting list and only 6,004 donors in 2009 (UNOS.org. Accessed 4/8/2009). ⋯ In order to preserve the choice of organ donation for the family, intensive management of the potential organ donor is necessary. Since each potential donor could save seven lives or more, nihilism in the care of such patients can have far reaching ramifications. This article describes intensive care management practices that can optimize organ donation.
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To investigate the hemodynamic response of the cerebral bridging veins to increased intracranial pressure (ICP) during normo- and hyperventilation. ⋯ The cerebral bridging veins dilation and blood flow velocity decrease indicate the venous relative stasis in response to the elevated ICP. This response is proposed to be caused by an ICP-dependent increase in resistance to the outflow from the cerebral bridging veins.