American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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A major postoperative problem for infants undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery is hypothermia. ⋯ The newly designed Heat Retention Head Wrap was associated with a gradual normalization of temperature during rewarming and did not interfere with routine perioperative care of infants undergoing bypass surgery. This pilot study indicates that the head wrap is both safe and feasible for use in infants undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.
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The role of fever in trauma patients remains unclear. Fever occurs as a response to release of cytokines and prostaglandins by white blood cells. Many factors, including trauma, can trigger release of these factors. ⋯ No relationship was found between the presence of fever during the first 48 hours and mortality. Patients with traumatic brain injury did not have a higher incidence of fever than did patients without traumatic brain injury. About 30% of febrile patients had an identifiable source of infection. Further studies are needed to understand the origin and role of fever in trauma patients.