Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Feb 2020
Meta AnalysisSystematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Effects of Transfusion on Hemodynamic and Oxygenation Variables.
RBC transfusions can increase oxygen availability to the tissues, but studies have provided conflicting results. The objectives of this study were, therefore, to evaluate, using systematic review and meta-analysis, the effects of transfusion on hemodynamic/oxygenation variables in patients without acute bleeding. ⋯ Transfusion was not associated with a decrease in mean cardiac output or mean heart rate. The increase in mean oxygen delivery following transfusion was associated with an increase in mean oxygen consumption after transfusion, especially in patients with sepsis.
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Critical care medicine · Feb 2020
Neuroprognostication Practices in Postcardiac Arrest Patients: An International Survey of Critical Care Providers.
To characterize approaches to neurologic outcome prediction by practitioners who assess prognosis in unconscious cardiac arrest individuals, and assess compliance to available guidelines. ⋯ Neuroprognostic approaches to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy vary among physicians and are often not consistent with current guidelines. The overall inconsistency in approaches and deviation from evidence-based recommendations are concerning in this disease state where mortality is so integrally related to outcome prediction.
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Critical care medicine · Feb 2020
Comparative Performance of Pulmonary Ultrasound, Chest Radiograph, and CT Among Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure.
The study goal was to concurrently evaluate agreement of a 9-point pulmonary ultrasound protocol and portable chest radiograph with chest CT for localization of pathology to the correct lung and also to specific anatomic lobes among a diverse group of intubated patients with acute respiratory failure. ⋯ A clinical, 9-point pulmonary ultrasound protocol strongly agreed with specific CT findings when analyzed by both lung- and lobe-specific location among a diverse population of mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory failure; in this regard, pulmonary ultrasound significantly outperformed portable chest radiograph.
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Critical care medicine · Feb 2020
Observational StudyCorrection and Control of Hyperammonemia in Acute Liver Failure: The Impact of Continuous Renal Replacement Timing, Intensity, and Duration.
Hyperammonemia is a key contributing factor for cerebral edema in acute liver failure. Continuous renal replacement therapy may help reduce ammonia levels. However, the optimal timing, mode, intensity, and duration of continuous renal replacement therapy in this setting are unknown. We aimed to study continuous renal replacement therapy use in acute liver failure patients and to assess its impact on hyperammonemia. ⋯ Continuous renal replacement therapy is associated with reduced ammonia concentrations in acute liver failure patients. This effect is related to greater cumulative dose. These findings suggest that continuous renal replacement therapy initiated early and continued or longer may represent a useful approach to hyperammonemia control in acute liver failure patients.