Medicina intensiva
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Recently, dobutamine stress echocardiography [DSE] has been used to study the cardiovascular response in patients with septic shock. The increase in stroke volume index after DSE was seen to be strongly correlated to survival. However, its effect on the tissue Doppler imaging [TDI] values in patients with septic shock was not well established. In this study we investigated the effect of DSE on TDI values as a predictor of norepinephrine weaning and mortality in patients with septic shock. ⋯ Variations in TDI after DSE were able to predict survival in septic shock patients, with an s' wave stress-rest change of >4cm/s being associated to lower ICU mortality, while a cutoff value >2cm/s was associated to better norepinephrine weaning.
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To describe the variables related to effective cough capacity and the state of consciousness measured prior to decannulation and compare their measured values between the different areas of care such as the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), General ward and Mechanical Ventilation Weaning and Rehabilitation Centers (MVWRC). Secondarily analyze the evolution of patients once decannulated. ⋯ There are differences in the values of PEFC and GCS observed when decannulating between different areas. A considerable number of patients are decannulated with values of PEFC and maximum expiratory pressure below the suggested cut-off points as predictors of failure in the literature. No patient in our series was decanulated with an GCS <8, this reflects the importance that the treating team gives to the state of consciousness prior to decannulation.
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Hyponatremia is the most prevalent electrolyte disorder in Intensive Care Units. It is associated with an increase in morbidity, mortality and hospital stay. The majority of the published studies are observational, retrospective and do not include critical patients; hence it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions. ⋯ Finally, etiopathogenic mechanisms leading to hyponatremia in the critical care patient are complex and often combined, and an intensive analysis is clearly needed. A study was therefore made to review all clinical aspects about hyponatremia management in the critical care setting. The aim was to develop a Spanish nationwide algorithm to standardize hyponatremia diagnosis and treatment in the critical care patient.