Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2013
Multicenter Study Observational StudyStewart analysis of apparently normal acid-base state in the critically ill.
This study aimed to describe Stewart parameters in critically ill patients with an apparently normal acid-base state and to determine the incidence of mixed metabolic acid-base disorders in these patients. ⋯ Intensive care unit patients with an apparently normal acid-base state have an underlying mixed metabolic acid-base disorder characterized by acidifying effects of a low SIDa (caused by hyperchloremia) and high SIG combined with the alkalinizing effect of hypoalbuminemia.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2013
A novel method of post-pyloric feeding tube placement at bedside.
Post-pyloric feeding tube placement is often difficult, and special equipment or peristalsis agents are used to aid insertion. Although several reports have described blind techniques for post-pyloric feeding-tube placement, no general consensus about method preference has been achieved. ⋯ With a novel technique, from the bedside, without special tools or drugs, we successfully placed post-pyloric feeding tubes. Essential points when inserting the tube are confirmation of the location of the tube tip by palpation of injected air, and to avoid deflection and looping.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2013
Comparative StudyRisk prediction of hospital mortality for adult patients admitted to Australian and New Zealand intensive care units: Development and validation of the Australian and New Zealand Risk of Death model.
The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a new mortality prediction model (Australian and New Zealand Risk of Death [ANZROD]) for Australian and New Zealand intensive care units (ICUs) and compare its performance with the existing Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III-j. ⋯ The ANZROD has better calibration; discrimination compared with the APACHE III-j. Further research is required to validate performance over time and in specific subgroups of ICU population.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2013
Multicenter StudyMortality after in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation: Multicenter analysis in Korea.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate factors associated with the mortality of patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) after in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the impact of a hospital rapid response system (RRS) on patient mortality in Korea. ⋯ Various physiologic and laboratory parameters were associated with the mortality of post-CPR ICU admitted patients, and the presence of an RRS did not reduce mortality of these patients in our study.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2013
Initial fractal exponent of heart rate variability is associated with success of early resuscitation in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock: a prospective cohort study.
Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects autonomic nervous system tone as well as the overall health of the baroreflex system. We hypothesized that loss of complexity in HRV upon intensive care unit (ICU) admission would be associated with unsuccessful early resuscitation of sepsis. ⋯ Loss of complexity in HRV is associated with worse outcome early in severe sepsis and septic shock. Further work should evaluate whether complexity of HRV could guide treatment in sepsis.