Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2016
Determination of death after circulatory arrest by intensive care physicians: A survey of current practice in the Netherlands.
Determination of death is an essential part of donation after circulatory death (DCD). We studied the current practices of determination of death after circulatory arrest by intensive care physicians in the Netherlands, the availability of guidelines, and the occurrence of the phenomenon of autoresuscitation. ⋯ Extensive variability in the practice of determining death after circulatory arrest exists, and a need for guidelines and standardization, especially if organ donation follows death, is reported. Autoresuscitation is reported; this observation requires attention in further prospective observational studies.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2016
Complication rates among peripherally inserted central venous catheters and centrally inserted central catheters in the medical intensive care unit.
There are limited contemporary data describing the rates of catheter-related deep vein thrombosis (CRDVT) and central line-associated bloodstream infection for peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) and centrally inserted central venous catheters (CICCs) in the medical intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Thrombotic and infectious complications were uncommon following PICC and CICC insertion, with no significant difference in complication rates observed. Half of PICC DVTs occurred on the general floor, and like all central catheters placed in the ICU, PICCs should be aggressively discontinued when no longer absolutely needed.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2016
Observational StudyThe implementation of a nonpharmacologic protocol to prevent intensive care delirium.
The purpose was to determine if the implementation of an evidence-based nonpharmacologic protocol reduced the percentage of time patients spent delirious in a medical intensive care unit (MICU) that already uses a sedation and mobility protocol. ⋯ The implementation of a nonpharmacologic delirium prevention protocol resulted in a significant decrease in the percentage of time spent delirious in the MICU while reducing the risk of delirium development. Additional studies with more rigorous study designs need to be completed to further the research of nonpharmacologic interventions with appropriate sedation and mobility protocols.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2016
Ultrasound assessment of optic nerve sheath diameter in healthy volunteers.
Ultrasound assessment of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) has been suggested as a non-invasive measure of intracranial pressure. Numerous small studies suggest its validity; however, discrepancy exists around normal values for ONSD. In this study we sought to define a normal value range for ONSD in a population of healthy adult volunteers. ⋯ This study has defined the range of ONSD in a healthy cohort of volunteers. The lack of relationship to age, weight and height is similar to other studies but this is the first study to find a difference depending on sex suggesting the possible need for separate reference ranges for men and women.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2016
Risk factor analysis of postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome in valvular heart surgery.
The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence, severity, and outcome of postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), according to the Berlin definition, in isolated valvular heart surgery. The preoperative and perioperative predisposing factors of this complication were also identified. ⋯ In conclusion, postoperative ARDS, according to Berlin definition, in valvular surgery, was associated with high in-hospital mortality. The severity of ARDS was associated with patient midterm mortality. In multivariate analysis, age, liver cirrhosis, massive blood transfusion, and tricuspid valve replacement were identified as independent risk factors of ARDS.