American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Use of a noninvasive electromagnetic device to place transpyloric feeding tubes in critically ill children.
The start of transpyloric feedings is often delayed because of challenges in reliably placing tubes blindly at the bedside. ⋯ Placement of transpyloric feeding tubes with the guidance of a noninvasive electromagnetic device significantly increases the time required for accurate placement. Because placement of transpyloric feeding tubes in critically ill children is common practice in many pediatric intensive care units, technology that delays satisfactory placement may be counterproductive in experienced hands.
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Locked-in syndrome is an extremely rare neurological state caused by injury of the ventral pons. The syndrome is characterized by quadriplegia and anarthria with concomitant preservation of cortical function. ⋯ Because patients retain consciousness throughout their illness, a dependable method for titrating sedation may improve their quality of life. The case presented suggests that bispectral index monitoring may be a cost-effective and reliable method for managing sedation in patients with locked-in syndrome.