Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · May 2011
Review Meta Analysis Comparative StudyThe effect of heparin administration in animal models of sepsis: a prospective study in Escherichia coli-challenged mice and a systematic review and metaregression analysis of published studies.
If thrombosis contributes to sepsis, heparin titrated using activated partial thromboplastin times may be efficacious. We investigated heparin in preclinical models. ⋯ Coagulopathy with sepsis or other variables, such as type of infectious source, may influence the efficacy of heparin therapy for sepsis.
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Critical care medicine · May 2011
Review Meta AnalysisRelationship of catheter-associated urinary tract infection to mortality and length of stay in critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
To determine whether catheter-associated urinary tract infections are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. ⋯ Catheter-associated urinary tract infection is associated with significantly increased mortality and length of stay in unmatched studies. Increased mortality and possibly increased length of stay appear to be consequences of confounding by unmeasured variables. These findings highlight the importance of evaluating risks and benefits of commonly used treatments such as antibiotics to manage catheter-associated urinary tract infection.