Current opinion in critical care
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To discuss the mechanisms of ventilator-induced lung injury and the pro and cons of the different approaches proposed by literature to minimize its impact in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. ⋯ If one of the essential teachings to young intensivists in the 1980s was to ensure mechanical ventilation restored being able to immediately drain a pneumothorax (barotrauma), nowadays priority we teach to young intensivists is to implement 'protective' ventilation to protect the lungs from the pulmonary and systemic effects of ventilator-induced lung injury (biotrauma). At the same time, priority of clinical research shifted from the search of optimal ventilator settings (best positive end-expiratory pressure) and to the evaluation of 'super-protective' ventilation that integrating partial or total extracorporeal support tries to minimize the use of mechanical ventilation.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Dec 2014
ReviewApproaches to patients and families with strong religious beliefs regarding end-of-life care.
End-of-life (EOL) decisions with limitations are made daily in ICUs around the world and may involve between 2 and 22% of patients admitted to an ICU. EOL decisions may be affected by numerous factors, including location and religion. This review aims to determine an approach to patients and families with strong religious views. ⋯ Through proper open communication and understanding of the patient's and/or family's views on EOL care and involvement of religious leaders, decisions can be made regarding how to further care for the patient.
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Sepsis has a high morbidity, with a mortality rate of over 50% in the septic shock patient. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the latest Surviving Sepsis Campaign and the recent evidence since its publication. The guidelines reflect literature from the past 5 years to optimize outcomes in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. ⋯ Severe sepsis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. The International Surviving Sepsis Guidelines provide a framework for early recognition and treatment of this condition, with the goal of an improved outcome and mortality in severe sepsis. The recent evidence suggests that early identification, adequate volume resuscitation, and assessment of adequate circulation may be the key elements to decrease morbidity from severe sepsis and septic shock.
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Advance care planning and palliative care interventions can improve the quality of end-of-life care by reducing unwanted high intensity care at the end of life. This may have important economic implications and may reduce the financial burden of patients' families. We review the literature to examine the impact advance care planning and palliative care has on ICU utilization, specifically ICU admissions and ICU length of stay (LOS), and to provide insight into ways to reduce costs and financial burden of care while simultaneously improving quality of care. ⋯ Advance care planning and palliative care can reduce ICU utilization at the end of life. The degree to which reducing ICU utilization decreases emotional and financial burden of end-of-life care for patients and families is unknown.