Journal of critical care
-
Journal of critical care · Oct 2014
Observational StudyCorrected QT-interval prolongation and variability in intensive care patients.
Critically ill patients are at risk for prolongation of the interval between the Q wave and the T wave in the electrocardiogram (corrected QT [QTc]). Corrected QT prolongation is probably a dynamic process. It is unknown how many patients have a QTc prolongation during their intensive care stay and how variable QTc prolongation is. ⋯ Continuous QTc monitoring showed a prolonged QTc interval in 52% of intensive care patients. Severity of illness and QT and QTc variances are higher in these patients.
-
Journal of critical care · Oct 2014
Serum lipid profile, cytokine production, and clinical outcome in patients with severe sepsis.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the prevalence and clinical significance of hypolipidemia and the relationship to cytokine concentrations and outcomes in septic patients. ⋯ Low cholesterol and lipoprotein concentrations are detected in septic patients, especially in individuals with poor outcome. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration seems to be an early independent predictive marker of survival in severe sepsis.
-
Journal of critical care · Oct 2014
Polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column hemoperfusion removes endotoxin throughout a 24-hour treatment period.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent of endotoxin adsorption by polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column hemoperfusion (PMX) performed for a 24-hour treatment period in patients with septic shock. ⋯ These findings suggest that 24-hour PMX treatment was effective in removing endotoxin continuously throughout the entire treatment period.
-
Journal of critical care · Oct 2014
CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores can predict thromboembolic events after supraventricular arrhythmia in the critically ill patients.
Prediction of arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs) in relation to supraventricular arrhythmia (SVA) has been poorly investigated in the intensive care unit (ICU). We aimed at evaluating CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores to predict SVA-related ATE in the ICU. ⋯ CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores are predictive of SVA-related thromboembolism in the critically ill patient.
-
Journal of critical care · Oct 2014
Non-English speaking is a predictor of survival after admission to intensive care.
The relationship between English proficiency and health care outcomes in intensive care has rarely been examined. This study aimed to determine whether being a non-English speaker would predict mortality in a critical care setting. Secondary end points were intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay. ⋯ Contrary to expectations, this large single-center study shows a consistent relationship between non-English-speaking status and increased survival after admission to ICU.