Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2014
Prediction of delirium in critically ill patients with elevated C-reactive protein.
Delirium is thought to be associated with systemic inflammatory response. However, its association with the most widely used inflammatory biomarker C-reactive protein (CRP) has not been well established. We aimed to examine whether CRP on intensive care unit (ICU) entry was associated with subsequent development of delirium. ⋯ C-reactive protein measured on ICU entry and its changes within 24 hours are risk indicators of delirium. Further studies exploring the treatment of delirium according to CRP levels are warranted.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2014
Auditory-evoked potentials during coma: Do they improve our prediction of awakening in comatose patients?
The mismatch negativity (MMN), an auditory event-related potential, has been identified as a good indicator of recovery of consciousness during coma. We explored the predictive value of the MMN and other auditory-evoked potentials including brainstem and middle-latency potentials for predicting awakening in comatose patients after cardiac arrest or cardiogenic shock. ⋯ The MMN is a good predictor of awakening in comatose patients after cardiac arrest and cardiogenic shock and can be measured days before awakening encouraging ongoing life support.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2014
The effect of positive balance on the outcomes of critically ill noncardiac postsurgical patients: A retrospective cohort study.
Fluid balance remains a highly controversial topic in the critical care field, and no consensus has been reached about the fluid levels required by critically ill surgical patients. In this study, we investigated the relationship between fluid balance and in-hospital mortality in critically ill surgical patients. ⋯ In critically ill noncardiac postsurgical patients whose APAHCE II scores were greater than 20, a positive balance in the ICU can be associated with mortality risk. To determine the direct effect of positive fluid balance, a larger scaled, prospective randomized study will be required.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2014
Intensive care specialists' knowledge, attitudes, and professional use of published research evidence: A mail-out questionnaire survey of appropriate use of research evidence in clinical practice.
This survey investigates the knowledge, attitudes, and use of published research in clinical practice by intensive care specialists. ⋯ Respondents reported generally positive attitudes toward using published research evidence, in clinical practice; however, room for improvement in technical knowledge relating to published research evidence was noted.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2014
Outcome of hypotensive ward patients who re-deteriorate after initial stabilization by the Medical Emergency Team.
We evaluated the outcome of hypotensive ward patients who re-deteriorated after initial stabilization by the Medical Emergency Team (MET) in our hospital, due to limited data in this regard. ⋯ Hypotensive ward patients who re-deteriorate after initial stabilization have higher mortality. METs should consider implementing at least an 8-hour follow-up in patients who are deemed stable to remain on the wards after hypotensive episodes.