Current opinion in critical care
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To examine the evidence for the role of decompressive craniectomy in the management of traumatic brain injury. ⋯ Decompressive craniectomy is currently being applied in the management of traumatic brain injury with a wide range of outcomes reported in the literature. Current opinion on the role of this operation is therefore divided and it is now appropriate to proceed to prospective randomised studies.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Apr 2004
ReviewIs keeping cool still hot? An update on hypothermia in brain injury.
The purpose of this review is to examine recent research results for hypothermia as a treatment for brain injury. ⋯ Hypothermia is a useful adjunct to barbiturates and mannitol to control elevated intracranial pressure. The results of trials that have tested systemic hypothermia as a neuroprotectant have been negative or equivocal, and cooling may have been induced outside the treatment window.
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To summarize new pathophysiologic insights and recent advances in the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage. ⋯ Prospective controlled studies are needed to develop novel medical and surgical therapies for ICH.
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This review will give an overview of current trends in diagnosis, treatment, and pathogenesis of ascites and intraabdominal infection in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic critically ill patients. ⋯ Emerging pathophysiological concepts have modified the conventional view of hydrostatic and Starling forces in the evolution of ascites. Current data indicate that the dynamic sequence of bacterial translocation, mesenteric inflammation, splanchnic vasodilatation and intrahepatic vasoconstriction determines occurrence, severity, and outcome of ascites and intraabdominal infection.