Intensive care medicine
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 2004
A novel method for insertion of post-pyloric feeding tubes at the bedside without endoscopic or fluoroscopic assistance: a prospective study.
To assess a novel method, adapted from already published literature, for bedside placement of nasojejunal feeding tubes using erythromycin, air insufflation of the stomach and continuous ECG guidance. ⋯ This procedure is safe, effective and could be performed in a short time period within the confines of the intensive care unit without endoscopic assistance.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 2004
Comparative StudyA comparative evaluation of thermodilution and partial CO2 rebreathing techniques for cardiac output assessment in critically ill patients during assisted ventilation.
To evaluate the reliability and clinical value of partial noninvasive CO2 (NICO2) rebreathing technique for measuring cardiac output compared with standard thermodilution in a group of intensive care nonpostoperative patients. ⋯ The partial CO2 rebreathing technique is reliable in measuring cardiac output in nonpostoperative critically ill patients affected by diseases causing low levels of pulmonary shunt, but underestimates it in patients with shunt higher than 35%.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 2004
Editorial Comment ReviewThe epidemiologist in the intensive care unit.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 2004
Influence of surgical intervention in the immune response of severely injured patients.
Primary events such as severe injury and elective surgery cause a deterioration of the immune response measurable by reduction of expression of HLA-DR on monocytes or ex vivo LPS-induced TNFalpha production. The further influence of secondary surgery after severe injury on the immune response remains unresolved. ⋯ This study shows that initial trauma as well as major secondary surgery causes a suppression of immune functions, whereas minor secondary surgery does not cause significant immune disturbance.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 2004
Editorial Comment ReviewSupply and demand of organs for donation.