Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2018
Randomized Controlled TrialA pilot trial of l-carnitine in patients with traumatic brain injury: Effects on biomarkers of injury.
To investigate the effects of l-Carnitine on neuron specific enolase (NSE) as a marker of inflammation in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). ⋯ We concluded that despite improvements in neurobehavioral function and the degree of cerebral edema, 7-days of treatment with l-Carnitine failed to reduce serum NSE levels or improve mortality rate at 90days in patients with TBI.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2018
Multicenter StudyImpact of physician-less pediatric critical care transport: Making a decision on team composition.
To explore the impact of a physician non-accompanying pediatric critical care transport program, and to identify factors associated with the selection of specific transport team compositions. ⋯ No significant differences were observed with increasing use of a physician non-accompanying team. Selection of transport team compositions was influenced by clinical and system factors, but appreciable variation still remained among triage physicians.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2018
ReviewThyrotoxicosis induced cardiomyopathy requiring support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Thyrotoxicosis-induced cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a rare, potentially life-threatening complication requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for temporary mechanical support while a euthyroid state is being achieved. ⋯ The definitive therapy of TCM is returning the patient to a euthyroid state. For those patients who develop circulatory collapse, however, temporary mechanical support should be strongly considered to allow time for a euthyroid state to be achieved.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2018
Cirrhotic patients admitted to the ICU for medical reasons: Analysis of 5506 patients admitted to 286 ICUs in 8years.
To describe characteristics and prognostic factors of cirrhotic patients admitted to a representative sample of Italian intensive care units (ICUs). ⋯ The outcome of critically ill cirrhotic patients is quite poor, but not to limit their admission to the ICU. When cirrhosis accompanies other acute conditions, the general level of intensive care medicine is more important than the specific liver-oriented expertise in treating these patients.