Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Dec 2014
Review Meta AnalysisTransfusion Triggers for Guiding RBC Transfusion for Cardiovascular Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Restrictive red cell transfusion is recommended to minimize risk associated with exposure to allogeneic blood. However, perioperative anemia is an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes after cardiovascular surgery. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine whether perioperative restrictive transfusion thresholds are associated with inferior clinical outcomes in randomized trials of cardiovascular surgery patients. ⋯ Further randomized controlled trials are necessary to determine the optimal transfusion strategy for patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery.
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Critical care medicine · Dec 2014
Review Meta AnalysisTidal Volume and Mortality in Mechanically Ventilated Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.
To determine whether tidal volume is associated with mortality in critically ill, mechanically ventilated children. ⋯ A relationship between tidal volume and mortality in mechanically ventilated children could not be identified, irrespective of the severity of disease. The significant heterogeneity observed in the pooled analyses necessitates future studies in well-defined patient populations to understand the effects of tidal volume on patient outcome.