Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2016
Observational StudyThrombocytopenia in critically ill patients with severe sepsis/septic shock: Prognostic value and association with a distinct serum cytokine profile.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the incidence, association with serum cytokine profile, and prognostic value of thrombocytopenia, in critically ill patients with severe sepsis/septic shock. ⋯ Thrombocytopenia is associated with poor prognosis and a distinct serum cytokine profile.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2016
Use of fentanyl and midazolam in mechanically ventilated children-Does the method of infusion matter?
Benzodiazepines and opioids are commonly used in pediatric intensive care unit. However, there is no previous study assessing the use of administering these drugs combined (single solution) or separately. We sought to evaluate the impact of these 2 different methods of providing sedation/analgesia in pediatric intensive care unit. ⋯ Patients who received a single solution of midazolam and fentanyl had a higher cumulated dose of compared with those patients who did not. The potential risk for long-term neurologic effects on developing brains associated with this finding should be considered.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2016
Extent of pleural effusion on chest radiograph is associated with failure of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy.
The purpose of the study was to determine whether pleural effusion (PE) is associated with a failure of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy. ⋯ The extent of PE on chest radiograph and SOFA score were associated with HFNC failure.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2016
The concept of a surrogate is ill adapted to intensive care: Criteria for recognizing a reference person.
In the intensive care unit (ICU), caregivers may find it difficult to identify a suitable person in the patient's entourage to serve as a reference when there is no official surrogate. ⋯ Caregivers identify a reference person based on criteria such as knowledge of the patient's wishes, emotional bond with the patient, an adequate understanding of the clinical history, and designation as surrogate before admission.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2016
Delayed anticoagulation is associated with poor outcomes in high-risk acute pulmonary embolism.
Early diagnosis and timely treatment are essential to improve the outcomes of pulmonary embolism (PE), but no study has investigated the impact of anticoagulation timing on clinical outcomes in high-risk acute PE patients. We analyzed the relationship between early anticoagulation initiation and in-hospital mortality in high-risk acute PE patients at the intensive care unit (ICU) of a teaching hospital. ⋯ Delayed anticoagulation is an important prognostic factor of poor outcomes in high-risk acute PE patients.