Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialPantoprazole for the prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding in high-risk patients with acute coronary syndromes.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the preventive effect of proton pump inhibitors on gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) who are at high risk for GI bleeding. ⋯ In patients with ACS who are at high risk for GI hemorrhage, prophylactic treatment with pantoprazole could reduce the risk of GI bleeding with no significant effects on the incidence of hospital-acquired pneumonia and 30-day mortality.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2011
Comparative StudyDynamic response of liquid-filled catheter systems for measurement of blood pressure: precision of measurements and reliability of the Pressure Recording Analytical Method with different disposable systems.
We aimed to compare the effects of a blood pressure transducer system specifically manufactured to limit underdamping artifacts with those of a standard system on hemodynamic parameter estimation and accuracy. ⋯ Underdamping/resonance artifacts frequently affect blood pressure measurement in operating rooms and intensive care units and cause severe overestimation of systolic blood pressure and incorrect estimation of hemodynamic parameters when the pulse contour method is used.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2011
Quality of life 9 years after an intensive care unit stay: a long-term outcome study.
The purpose of the study was to assess long-term mortality after an intensive care unit (ICU) stay and to test the hypotheses that (1) quality of life improves over time and (2) predictions of outcome made by caregivers during an ICU stay are reliable. ⋯ Mortality is high 9 years after ICU stay. Quality of life may deteriorate for some individuals; however, overall quality of life for most survivors remains acceptable and may even improve. Long-term outcome predictions made by caregivers during the ICU stay seem accurate.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2011
Early impact of medical emergency team implementation in a country with limited medical resources: a before-and-after study.
The purpose of the study was to determine whether earlier clinical intervention by a medical emergency team (MET) can improve patient outcomes in an Asian country. ⋯ Introduction of a MET reduced the number of cardiac arrests in the general ward during the first 3 months of the academic year. Introduction of MET also decreased the "derangement-to-ICU interval," which was an independent predictor of survival in patients with unplanned ICU admissions. Therefore, MET introduction may lead to improved outcomes for hospitalized patients in a country with limited medical resources.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2011
Patient factors associated with transfusion practices in Veterans Affairs intensive care units: implications for further research.
We sought to describe how patient characteristics influence the frequency of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions among critically ill patients after taking into account hemoglobin (Hgb) level. ⋯ Intensive care unit patients admitted for AMI, unstable angina, and congestive heart-failure had higher likelihood of receiving RBC transfusions below specific Hgb levels varying from 6 to 11 g/dL. Further research is needed to determine how these transfusion practices influence outcomes.