Intensive care medicine
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 2007
Comparative StudyEntropy is more resistant to artifacts than bispectral index in brain-dead organ donors.
To evaluate the usefulness of entropy and the bispectral index (BIS) in brain-dead subjects. ⋯ Both entropy and BIS showed nonzero values due to artifacts after brain death diagnosis. BIS was more liable to artifacts than entropy. Neither of these indices are diagnostic tools, and care should be taken when interpreting EEG and EEG-derived indices in the evaluation of brain death.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 2007
Attitudes of European physicians, nurses, patients, and families regarding end-of-life decisions: the ETHICATT study.
To evaluate attitudes of Europeans regarding end-of-life decisions. ⋯ Quality of life was more important for physicians and nurses than patients and families. More medical professionals want fewer ICU treatments and prefer being home or in a hospice for a terminal illness than patients and families.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyNon-invasive ventilation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: helmet versus facial mask.
The helmet is a new interface with the potential of increasing the success rate of non-invasive ventilation by improving tolerance. ⋯ Helmet and facial mask were equally tolerated and both were effective in ameliorating gas exchange and decreasing inspiratory effort. The helmet, however, was less efficient in decreasing inspiratory effort and worsened the patient-ventilator interaction.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialDanger of helmet continuous positive airway pressure during failure of fresh gas source supply.
To assess the behavior of different helmets after discontinuation of fresh gas flow by disconnection at the helmet inlet, flow generator, or gas source. ⋯ While the use of a safety valve proved effective in limiting CO2 rebreathing, it did not protect from the risk of hypoxia related to decrease in FIO2 and loss of PEEP. In addition to a safety antisuffocation valve, a dedicated monitoring and alarming systems are needed to employ helmet CPAP safely.
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Delirium in the critically ill is reported in 11-80% of patients. We estimated the incidence of delirium using a validated scale in a large cohort of ICU patients and determined the associated risk factors and outcomes. ⋯ Delirium is associated with a history of hypertension and alcoholism, higher APACHE II score, and with clinical effects of sedative and analgesic drugs.