Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Jun 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialPreoperative alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonists prevent the deterioration of renal function after cardiac surgery: results of a randomized, controlled trial.
To evaluate the influence of the alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonist clonidine on creatinine clearance as a measure of renal function. ⋯ Preoperative treatment with clonidine (4 microgram/kilogram) prevents the deterioration of renal function after cardiac surgery. This effect might be due to clonidine-induced reduction in the sympathetic nervous system response to coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
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Critical care medicine · Jun 1996
Comparative StudyHand-held blood gas analyzer is accurate in the critical care setting.
To determine the accuracy of a new, portable battery-powered blood gas analyzer when used by nonlaboratory-trained clinicians in the critical care setting. ⋯ IRMA is accurate and reproducible when used in the clinical setting by nonlaboratory-trained individuals. Nonlaboratory-trained individuals can obtain laboratory results in the critical care setting comparable with the results obtained by trained laboratory technologists. Bedside laboratory testing decreases turnaround time compared with a near-patient laboratory.
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Critical care medicine · Jun 1996
Multicenter StudyStudy of critically ill patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
To determine the presenting features, prognostic factors, course, and outcome of critically ill patients with systemic lupus erythematosus admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Our study suggests that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus admitted to an ICU often have florid disease manifestations with multifactorial reasons precipitating the admission. The prognosis for such patients is poor, particularly in the presence of renal involvement.
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Critical care medicine · Jun 1996
ReviewSepsis/septic shock: participation of the microcirculation: an abbreviated review.
An overview of the importance of understanding mechanisms occurring in the microcirculation during septic and endotoxic shock. The thesis of the paper is to place emphasis on this important vascular network to ultimately benefit the patient. ⋯ The purpose of this review is to draw the readers' attention to the growing list of adverse factors occurring in the microcirculation during sepsis/septic shock. A further aim is to point to the realization of the complexity of factors which may contribute to the importance of a well-functioning microcirculation.
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Critical care medicine · Jun 1996
Comparative StudyEvaluation of gas exchange, pulmonary compliance, and lung injury during total and partial liquid ventilation in the acute respiratory distress syndrome.
To investigate whether pulmonary compliance and gas exchange will be sustained during "total" perfluorocarbon liquid ventilation followed by "partial" perfluorocarbon liquid ventilation when compared with gas ventilation in the setting of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ⋯ In a model of severe ARDS, pulmonary gas exchange is improved during total followed by partial liquid ventilation. Pulmonary compliance is improved during total, but not during partial liquid ventilation. Total followed by partial liquid ventilation was associated with a reduction in alveolar hemorrhage, pulmonary edema, and lung inflammatory infiltration.