Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2010
Multicenter StudyPredictors for daily interruption of sedation therapy by nurses: a prospective, multicenter study.
The aim of the study was to identify the nurse and patient-related factors predicting daily interruption of sedation (DIS) performance by nurses in the intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Educational strategies and institutional protocols focused on improving use of DIS need to consider the various nurse- and patient-related factors that affect DIS performance by nurses in the ICU.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2010
Opinions of families, staff, and patients about family participation in care in intensive care units.
The aims of the study were to assess opinions of caregivers, families, and patients about involvement of families in the care of intensive care unit (ICU) patients; to evaluate the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression in family members; and to measure family satisfaction with care. ⋯ Families and ICU staff were very supportive of family participation in care. Most patients were also favorable to care by family members.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2010
Mechanical ventilation mode (volume × pressure) does not change the variables obtained by indirect calorimetry in critically ill patients.
The aim of the study was to analyze the difference between the results obtained by indirect calorimetry (IC) using volume-controlled and pressure-controlled mechanical ventilation in 2 different ventilators and to characterize the variables achieved by IC after well-defined changes in minute volume (Vm). ⋯ Ventilators and ventilation modes do not influence the IC measurements. The observed changes have no clinical effects and are reversible, provided that increased Vm is maintained for no longer than 45 minutes.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2010
Comparative StudyThe role of advanced oxidation protein products in intensive care unit patients with acute kidney injury.
Oxidative stress (OS) is an imbalance between the production of oxidizing chemical species and the antioxidant defense. It is known that OS increases in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Measurement of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) has been found to be a simple tool for monitoring OS. ⋯ This is the first study to explore the relationship between severity of AKI and AOPP. In our adult ICU population, AOPP levels were higher in AKI compared with non-AKI critically ill patients. On the other hand, AOPP levels were not found to be a useful biomarker for AKI, as it was unable to identify patients who developed AKI within 24, 48, 76, and 96 hours.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2010
Comparative StudyEosinopenia: Is it a good marker of sepsis in comparison to procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels for patients admitted to a critical care unit in an urban hospital?
The role of eosinopenia as a marker of sepsis has recently been evaluated. The aim of our study was to test the value of eosinopenia as a diagnostic marker of sepsis in comparison to procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels. ⋯ Eosinopenia is a very sensitive yet not specific serological marker of sepsis in the intensive care unit and can be utilized to guide physicians in the diagnosis of sepsis.