Intensive care medicine
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 1997
Continuous venovenous haemofiltration using polyacrylonitrile filters does not activate contact system and intrinsic coagulation pathways.
To investigate whether continuous venovenous haemofiltration using polyacrylonitrile filters causes activation of the contact system and intrinsic coagulation pathways and if this, and/or low plasma levels of endogenous anticoagulants, influences filter lifespan. ⋯ The contact system was not activated further by continuous venovenous haemofiltration using polyacrylonitrile filters in critically ill patients. Premature clotting of the haemofilter circuit was more common in patients with very low levels of antithrombin III and heparin co-factor II; although this was related to thrombin generation, the intrinsic coagulation pathway does not appear to be implicated.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 1997
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialCandidemia in non-neutropenic critically ill patients: analysis of prognostic factors and assessment of systemic antifungal therapy. Study Group of Fungal Infection in the ICU.
To determine the incidence and prognosis of candidemia in non-neutropenic critically ill patients, to define mortality-related factors, and to evaluate the results of systemic antifungal therapy. ⋯ The incidence of candidemia in ICU patients was very low. An APACHE II score > 20 at the time of candidemia was associated with a higher mortality. Further studies with a large number of patients are needed to assess the effect of early antifungal therapy on the decrease in mortality associated with candidemia and to determine the appropriate dosage of fluconazole and duration of treatment.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 1997
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialA cost analysis of a treatment policy of a deliberate perioperative increase in oxygen delivery in high risk surgical patients.
To investigate the cost implications of a treatment policy of a deliberate perioperative increase of oxygen delivery in high risk surgical patients. ⋯ Perioperative increase of oxygen delivery in high risk surgical patients not only improves survival, but also provides an actual and relative cost saving. This may have important implications for the management of these patients and the funding of intensive care.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 1997
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialThe effects of low-dose dopamine on splanchnic blood flow and oxygen uptake in patients with septic shock.
To assess the effects of low-dose dopamine on splanchnic blood flow and splanchnic oxygen uptake in patients with septic shock. ⋯ Low-dose dopamine has a potential beneficial effect on splanchnic blood flow and oxygen consumption in patients with septic shock, provided the fractional splanchnic flow is not already high before treatment.