Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2010
Review Comparative StudyIntensive- vs less-intensive-dose continuous renal replacement therapy for the intensive care unit-related acute kidney injury: a meta-analysis and systematic review.
The aim of the study is to summarize the effect of intensive-dose continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) on the mortality and other clinical outcomes. ⋯ This meta-analysis provides additional evidence that the higher dose of CRRT is not sufficient in reducing the mortality in critically ill patients with acute renal failure.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2010
Review Meta AnalysisThe effect of statins on mortality from severe infections and sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on the effect of statins on mortality in patients with infection and/or sepsis. ⋯ This meta-analysis demonstrated a protective effect for statins in patients with sepsis and/or other infections compared to placebo for various infection-related outcomes. However, our results are limited by the cohort design of the selected studies and the degree of heterogeneity among them, and as a result, further randomized trials are needed to validate the use of statins for sepsis and/or other infections.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2010
Comparative StudyA prospective, observational study of Xigris Use in the United States (XEUS).
Use of pharmacologic agents in clinical practice may differ from the manner in which they were studied in rigorous randomized clinical trials. This was a prospective, observational, noninterventional study to determine the profile of patients receiving drotrecogin alfa (activated) in clinical practice, provide additional outcome and safety data, and allow for a comparison to patients studied in the phase 3 Protein C Worldwide Evaluation in Severe Sepsis (PROWESS) trial. ⋯ Patients receiving drotrecogin alfa (activated) in clinical practice were more acutely ill, had a higher mortality rate, but a similar safety profile with respect to serious bleeding events compared to the PROWESS trial.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialGinger extract reduces delayed gastric emptying and nosocomial pneumonia in adult respiratory distress syndrome patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of ginger extract on delayed gastric emptying, developing ventilator-associated pneumonia, and clinical outcomes in adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ⋯ This study showed that gastric feed supplementation with ginger extract might reduce delayed gastric emptying and help reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in ARDS.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2010
Survey on physicians' knowledge of sepsis: do they recognize it promptly?
In Brazil, sepsis has a high mortality; and early recognition is essential in outcome. The aim of the study was to evaluate physicians' knowledge about systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock concepts. ⋯ The prompt recognition of sepsis and its severity is not satisfactory. This difference is probably due to the difficulty in the recognition of organ dysfunction, which hampers early identification of septic patients.