Chest
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Deep venous thrombosis in patients with acute pulmonary embolism: prevalence, risk factors, and clinical significance.
To determine the prevalence of lower-limb deep venous thrombosis (DVT) that can be detected by compression ultrasonography (CUS) in patients with symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosed with spiral CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA); and to explore the risk factors for positive CUS results and the prognostic significance of such findings. ⋯ These results do not support screening for DVT in patients with CTPA-proven symptomatic PE; however, they suggest that CUS might prove especially efficient and safe as a frontline test in elderly patients with suspected PE. Further studies are needed before these conclusions can be translated into clinical recommendations.
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Multicenter Study
Hospital volume-outcome relationships among medical admissions to ICUs.
Positive relationships between hospital volume and outcomes have been demonstrated for several surgeries and medical conditions. However, little is known about the volume-outcome relationship in patients admitted to medical ICUs. ⋯ Associations between ICU volume and risk-adjusted mortality were significant for patients with GI diagnoses and for sicker patients with respiratory diagnoses. However, associations were not significant for patients with neurologic diagnoses. The lack of a consistent volume-outcome relationship may reflect unmeasured patient complexity in higher-volume hospitals, relative standardization of care across ICUs, or lack of efficacy of some accepted ICU processes of care.
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Decompensated right ventricular (RV) failure is becoming increasingly common as the prevalence of predisposing conditions grows. Advances in diagnosis and management have granted insights into the following pathophysiologic mechanisms of RV dysfunction: impaired RV contractility, RV pressure overload, and RV volume overload. Emerging imaging modalities, such as cardiac MRI, and new therapeutic agents, such as pulmonary selective vasodilators, have expanded our options for evaluation and management, respectively. An improved understanding of pathophysiology and technologic progress provides us with new pathways in the diagnosis and hemodynamic support of these often critically ill patients.
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Alterations in microvascular permeability are prevalent in patients with sepsis; a recent study reported that patients with septic shock had increased capillary filtration coefficient (Kf), a noninvasive index of microvascular permeability. We aimed to determine whether patients with severe sepsis had increased Kf, and whether the magnitude of Kf correlated with indexes of nitric oxide activity and neutrophil activation. ⋯ ICU patients with severe sepsis have increased Kf, a noninvasive index of microvascular water permeability. The magnitude of hyperpermeability did not correlate with NOx levels or one index of neutrophil activation (alpha4-integrin expression). Presence of peripheral edema in these patients was associated with increased Kf, and may represent a simple, clinical indicator of altered microvascular permeability in sepsis.
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In patients with disseminated neoplastic disease, recurrent pleural effusion is frequently observed. The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term efficacy and safety of pleurodesis by thoracoscopic talc poudrage (TTP) in malignant pleural effusions (MPEs). ⋯ Thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis is a safe and effective method to stop recurrent MPEs. Lasting pleural symphysis is obtained.