Journal of critical care
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The aim of this study was to assess the association of phosphate concentration with key clinical outcomes in a heterogeneous cohort of critically ill patients. ⋯ Hypophosphatemia behaves like a general marker of illness severity and not as an independent predictor of ICU or in-hospital mortality in critically ill patients.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2013
Acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery according to Risk/Injury/Failure/Loss/End-stage, Acute Kidney Injury Network, and Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes classifications.
The epidemiology of acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery depends on the definition used. Our aims were to evaluate the Risk/Injury/Failure/Loss/End-stage (RIFLE) criteria, the AKI Network (AKIN) classification, and the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) classification for AKI post-cardiac surgery and to compare the outcome of patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) with historical data. ⋯ The AKIN classification correlated better with mortality than did the RIFLE criteria. Mortality of patients needing RRT after cardiac surgery has improved significantly during the last 20 years.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2013
Intensive care unit-acquired hypernatremia is an independent predictor of increased mortality and length of stay.
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of hypernatremia acquired after intensive care unit (ICU) admission on mortality and length of stay (LOS). ⋯ Hypernatremia developed following ICU admission in 4.3% of patients. Hypernatremia was independently associated with a 40% increase in risk for hospital mortality and a 28% increase in ICU LOS. Severity, but not duration of ICU-acquired hypernatremia was associated with hospital mortality.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2013
The clinical quandary of counseling the moribund critical care patient-a registry analysis of postsurgical outcomes.
To provide outcomes data to intensivists and surgeons for counseling patients and family members when considering a surgical intervention in a moribund patient. ⋯ The moribund patient is not as grave as once thought and surgery on these patients may not be futile given the 47% survival rate at 30 days. Postoperative complication rates are high. The data presented provide a meaningful tool for the clinicians in counseling patients and families on the expectations when considering a surgical intervention for moribund patients.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2013
A narrative-based study on communication by family members in intensive care unit.
This study investigates how informative stories are, as written by patients' families in an intensive care unit (ICU) guest book, in terms of families' emotional responses, needs, perceptions, and satisfaction with the quality of care supplied. ⋯ The study suggests that ICU guest books can be an effective and simple means of communication between the family, the patient, and the ICU staff. Families shared thoughts, feelings, or opinions, which were meant to be supportive for the patients or rewarding for the staff.