Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Jan 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialA randomized trial of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor for patients with acute lung injury.
Despite recent advances in critical care and ventilator management, acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome continue to cause significant morbidity and mortality. Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor may be beneficial for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. ⋯ In a randomized phase II trial, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor treatment did not increase the number of ventilator-free days in patients with acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome. A larger trial would be required to determine whether treatment with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor might alter important clinical outcomes, such as mortality or multiorgan failure. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00201409 [ClinicalTrials.gov]).
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Critical care medicine · Jan 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical assessment of the Mucus Shaver: a device to keep the endotracheal tube free from secretions.
: We evaluated a new device designed to clean the endotracheal tube in mechanically ventilated patients, the Mucus Shaver. ⋯ : The Mucus Shaver is a safe, feasible, and efficient device for endotracheal tube cleaning in the clinical setting. The Mucus Shaver is helpful in preventing endotracheal tube colonization by potentially harmful microorganisms.
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Critical care medicine · Jan 2012
Development and validation of a printed information brochure for families of chronically critically ill patients.
Families and other surrogate decisionmakers for chronically critically ill patients often lack information about patient prognosis or options for care. This study describes an approach to develop and validate a printed information brochure about chronic critical illness aimed at improving comprehension of the disease process and outcomes for patients' families and other surrogate decisionmakers. ⋯ We have developed and validated a printed information brochure that may improve family comprehension of chronic critical illness and its outcomes. The structured process that is described can serve as a template for the development of other information aids for use with seriously ill populations.
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Critical care medicine · Jan 2012
Cytomegalovirus serostatus and outcome in nonimmunocompromised critically ill patients.
The impact of cytomegalovirus reactivation during critical illness remains unclear and studies investigating prophylaxis in cytomegalovirus seropositive patients are being considered. This study investigates the association between cytomegalovirus seropositivity and outcome in a large population of nonimmunocompromised critically ill patients. ⋯ : No association was found between the cytomegalovirus serostatus and the studied major clinical outcomes. Based on these results, the design of an intervention study assessing the impact of cytomegalovirus prophylaxis in all cytomegalovirus seropositive critically ill patients appears premature.