Intensive care medicine
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Intensive care medicine · May 1996
Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialClinical evaluation of a multiparameter intra-arterial blood-gas sensor.
To evaluate the in vivo performance of a continuous, intra-arterial, multiparameter blood-gas sensor containing a thermocouple, miniaturized polarographic oxygen electrode, as well as fiberoptic pH and pCO2 sensors. ⋯ Clinical performance of this intra-arterial, multiparameter blood-gas sensor demonstrated stability, consistency, and accuracy comparable to laboratory blood-gas analyzers. The present multiparameter, intravascular blood-gas sensor, when inserted in the radial artery, can provide stable and accurate monitoring of pH, PaCO2, and PaO2 over clinically relevant periods of as long as 6 days in the critical care setting.
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Intensive care medicine · May 1996
Multicenter StudyModification of empiric antibiotic treatment in patients with pneumonia acquired in the intensive care unit. ICU-Acquired Pneumonia Study Group.
To assess the frequency of and the reasons for changing empiric antibiotics during the treatment of pneumonia acquired in the intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ A high percentage of patients (43.7%) required modification of empiric antibiotic treatment for pneumonia acquired in the ICU. In 62.1% of cases the main reason for changing antibiotic treatment was inadequate antibiotic coverage of microorganisms. Attributable mortality was significantly higher in patients with inappropriate initial antibiotic therapy. Rapid and accurate diagnostic methods are needed to initiate appropriate antibiotic treatment as soon as pneumonia is suspected.