Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Jun 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialA dose-ranging study of midazolam for postoperative sedation of patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
To evaluate the dose range, efficacy, and safety of midazolam for induction of sedation of mechanically ventilated postoperative patients in the intensive care unit. ⋯ The proportion of patients who achieved a satisfactory level of sedation increased with an increasing dose of midazolam. Intravenous bolus injection of midazolam also dose-dependently reduced mean systolic arterial pressure. This study indicated that, balancing sedative efficacy and safety, from 0.03 to 0.06 mg/kg of midazolam provides relatively safe sedation in postoperative patients.
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Critical care medicine · Jun 2002
Multicenter StudyCost effectiveness of aggressive care for patients with nontraumatic coma.
To estimate the cost effectiveness of aggressive care for patients with nontraumatic coma. ⋯ Continuing aggressive care after day 3 of nontraumatic coma is associated with a high cost per QALY gained, especially for patients at high risk for poor outcomes. Earlier decisions to withhold life-sustaining treatments for patients with very poor prognoses may yield considerable cost savings.