Critical care : the official journal of the Critical Care Forum
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Letter Multicenter Study
Metabolic alkalosis is the most common acid-base disorder in ICU patients.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Prevalence, predictors and outcome of hypofibrinogenaemia in trauma: a multicentre observational study.
Exsanguination due to trauma-induced coagulopathy is a continuing challenge in emergency trauma care. Fibrinogen is a crucial factor for haemostatic competence, and may be the factor that reaches critically low levels first. Early fibrinogen substitution is advocated by a number of authors. Little evidence exists regarding the indications for fibrinogen supplementation in the acute phase. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of hypofibrinogenaemia in a multi-center trauma population, and to explore how initial fibrinogen concentration relates to outcome. Also, factors contributing to low fibrinogen levels are identified. ⋯ Hypofibrinogenaemia is common in trauma and strongly associated with poor outcome. Below an estimated critical fibrinogen concentration value of 2.29 g/L a dramatic increase in mortality was detected. This finding indicates that the negative impact of low fibrinogen concentrations may have been previously underestimated. A number of clinically identifiable factors are associated with hypofibrinogenaemia. They should be considered in the management of massively bleeding patients. Interventional trials with fibrinogen substitution in high-risk patients need to be undertaken.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Predictors of physical restraint use in Canadian intensive care units.
Physical restraint (PR) use in the intensive care unit (ICU) has been associated with higher rates of self-extubation and prolonged ICU length of stay. Our objectives were to describe patterns and predictors of PR use. ⋯ PR was used in half of the patients in these 51 ICUs. Treatment characteristics predominantly predicted PR use, as opposed to patient or hospital/ICU characteristics. Use of sedative, analgesic, and antipsychotic drugs, agitation, heavy sedation, and occurrence of an adverse event predicted PR use or number of days used.