Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · May 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialEffects of epinephrine, norepinephrine, or the combination of norepinephrine and dobutamine on gastric mucosa in septic shock.
To compare in the same patient with septic shock, respective effects of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and the combination of norepinephrine and dobutamine (5 microg/kg/min) on systemic hemodynamic parameters and gastric mucosal perfusion using gastric tonometry and laser-Doppler flowmetry techniques. ⋯ For the same mean arterial pressure in patients with septic shock, our study showed that administration of epinephrine increased gastric mucosal perfusion more than norepinephrine administration alone. Addition of dobutamine (5 microg/kg/ min) to norepinephrine improved gastric mucosal perfusion. This result could be explained by a vasodilating effect of dobutamine on gastric mucosal microcirculation.
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Critical care medicine · May 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialLow-dose inhaled nitric oxide improves the oxygenation and ventilation of infants and children with acute, hypoxemic respiratory failure.
To describe the effects of inhaled nitric oxide on oxygenation and ventilation in patients with acute, hypoxic respiratory failure and to characterize those who respond to low doses with a significant improvement in PaO2. ⋯ Inhaled nitric oxide at doses of < or =5 ppm improves the oxygenation and (to a lesser extent) ventilation of most children with acute, hypoxic respiratory failure. The unpredictable response of patients necessitates individualized dosing of inhaled nitric oxide, starting at concentrations of < or =1 ppm. Inhaled nitric oxide at < or =20 ppm may exert a small salutary effect on bronchial tone. The benefits of prolonged inhaled nitric oxide remain unknown.
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Critical care medicine · May 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialDo the components of heat and moisture exchanger filters affect their humidifying efficacy and the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia?
To compare the efficiency of two heat and moisture exchange filters (HMEFs) of different compositions of the humidifying capacity and the rate of bronchial colonization and ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Despite differences in their components, the two HMEFs that were tested achieved similar performances in terms of humidification and heating of inspired gases. Only one episode of endotracheal tube occlusion was detected, and very few patients (three in each group) had to be switched to an active heated humidifier. No difference was observed either in the rate of tracheal colonization or of ventilator-associated pneumonia. These data show that the Humid-Vent Filter Light and the Clear ThermAl HMEFs are suited for use with ICU patients.