Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2014
Multicenter StudyEffects of etomidate on vasopressor use in patients with sepsis or severe sepsis: A propensity-matched analysis.
The safety of single-bolus etomidate to facilitate intubation in septic patients is controversial due to its potential to suppress adrenal steroidogenesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of etomidate on the development of shock when used as an induction agent to facilitate intubation in septic patients. ⋯ The use of etomidate for intubation in septic patients did not increase vasopressor requirements within 72 hours after intubation.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2014
The ability of current scoring systems in differentiating transient and persistent organ failure in patients with acute pancreatitis.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the accuracy of currently used scoring systems in differentiating transient and persistent organ failure in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). ⋯ Current scoring systems are not accurate enough in differentiating transient and persistent organ failure in patients with AP.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2014
Multicenter StudyThe views of health care professionals about selective decontamination of the digestive tract: An international, theoretically informed interview study.
Selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) as a prophylactic intervention improves hospital-acquired infection and survival rates. Uptake of SDD is low and remains controversial. This study applied the theoretical domains framework to assess intensive care unit clinicians' views about SDD in regions with limited or no adoption of SDD. ⋯ We identified salient beliefs, barriers, and facilitators to SDD adoption and delivery. What participants said about SDD and the way in which they said it demonstrated the degree of clinical caution, uncertainty, and concern that SDD evokes.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2014
The cost-effectiveness ratio of a managed protocol for severe sepsis.
Severe sepsis is a time-dependent disease, and implementation of early treatment has been associated with mortality rate reduction. However, the literature is controversial regarding cost-effectiveness analysis of this intervention. The aim was to assess the cost-effectiveness of a managed protocol for the treatment of severe sepsis. ⋯ Given that the incremental cost was lower than or equal to zero, the effectiveness of the protocol was justified by the significant increase in the life-years saved and the reduced mortality.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2014
Hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and glycemic complexity are associated with worse outcomes after surgery.
The purpose of this study was to determine if glycemic complexity, along with hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, was associated with worse outcomes after cardiac surgery. ⋯ We found that hypoglycemia (glucose<71 mg/dL) and hyperglycemia (glucose>140 mg/dL) were associated with increased risk of complications, whereas greater complexity of the glucose time series was associated with mortality.