Intensive care medicine
-
Intensive care medicine · Sep 2010
Which factors predict candidate outcome in advanced life support courses? A preliminary observational study.
To identify factors associated with candidate outcome in the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) advanced life support (ALS) provider courses. ⋯ On ALS courses, younger age and a higher level of specific pre-course knowledge, as measured by both the pre-course MCQ and the presence of BLS certification, are the most important predictors of success. Candidate gender and professional background did not show a significant correlation with course outcome.
-
Intensive care medicine · Sep 2010
Imminent brain death: point of departure for potential heart-beating organ donor recognition.
There is, in European countries that conduct medical chart review of intensive care unit (ICU) deaths, no consensus on uniform criteria for defining a potential organ donor. Although the term is increasingly being used in recent literature, it is seldom defined in detail. We searched for criteria for determination of imminent brain death, which can be seen as a precursor for organ donation. ⋯ The definition of imminent brain death can be used as a point of departure for potential heart-beating organ donor recognition on the intensive care unit or retrospective medical chart analysis.
-
Intensive care medicine · Sep 2010
Feasibility of sedation and analgesia interruption following cannulation in neonates on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
In most extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) centers patients are heavily sedated to prevent accidental decannulation and bleeding complications. In ventilated adults not on ECMO, daily sedation interruption protocols improve short- and long-term outcome. This study aims to evaluate safety and feasibility of sedation interruption following cannulation in neonates on ECMO. ⋯ This is the first study to show that interruption of sedatives and analgesics following cannulation in neonates on ECMO is safe and feasible. Interruption times are 2-3 times longer than reported for adult ICU patients not on ECMO. Further trials are needed to substantiate these findings and evaluate short- and long-term outcomes.
-
Intensive care medicine · Sep 2010
Continuous positive airway pressure ventilation with helmet in infants under 1 year.
To report the feasibility of helmet use in infants between 1 and 12 months old with acute respiratory failure. ⋯ The helmet was a satisfactory interface for CPAP delivery in young infants in more than two-thirds of the cases. Pressure sores can be prevented by placing a cushion in the helmet. Caregivers need to take into account the high humidity and noise levels of this interface.