Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Rates of organ donation vary between otherwise comparable intensive care units (ICUs) suggesting that the process of donation must vary between ICUs. The purpose of this study was to describe the process of organ donation from the perspective of ICU staff, identify important drivers of successful donation, and develop strategies to improve the process of donation. ⋯ Incorporating the perspectives of ICU staff, we were able to identify 22 practice changes that may have a significant cumulative impact on donation outcomes. Future research is required to evaluate whether these findings account for the variability of donation rates between otherwise comparable ICUs.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Effect of age of transfused red blood cells on neurologic outcome following traumatic brain injury (ABLE-tbi Study): a nested study of the Age of Blood Evaluation (ABLE) trial.
Anemia is common in critically ill patients with traumatic brain injury, and often requires red blood cell transfusion. Studies suggest that prolonged storage causes lesions of the red blood cells, including a decreased ability to carry oxygen. Considering the susceptibility of the brain to hypoxemia, victims of traumatic brain injury may thus be more vulnerable to exposure to older red blood cells. ⋯ Overall, transfusion of fresh red blood cells was not associated with a better neurologic outcome at six months in critically ill patients with traumatic brain injury. Nevertheless, we cannot exclude a differential effect according to the patient baseline prognosis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
The effect of neck extension on success rate of blind intubation through Ambu® AuraGain™ laryngeal mask: a randomized clinical trial.
Although the use of fibreoptic guidance is recommended for tracheal intubation through supraglottic airway devices, it can also be performed in a blind manner. Based on the previous finding that a fibreoptic view of the vocal cords was better in the extended neck position than in the neutral position, we hypothesized that neck extension can better facilitate blind intubation through the Ambu® AuraGain™ laryngeal mask than the neutral position. ⋯ Neck extension can be used to facilitate blind intubation through the Ambu® AuraGain™ laryngeal mask. Considering the relatively high failure rate, blind intubation via the AuraGain™ should be used as an alternative, not as a first-line choice.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Efficacy and safety of erythropoietin and iron therapy to reduce red blood cell transfusion in surgical patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Erythropoietin further reduces red blood cell transfusion in surgical patients, beyond iron therapy alone.
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