Crit Care Resusc
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A double-blind placebo-controlled randomised pilot study of nocturnal melatonin in tracheostomised patients.
Patients in the intensive care unit often suffer from lack of sleep at night. We hypothesised that nocturnal melatonin may increase observed nocturnal sleep in tracheostomised patients. ⋯ Melatonin is well absorbed, and a standard dose increases blood levels approximately 1000-fold. However, in this pilot assessment, these high levels failed to increase observed nocturnal sleep or induce other observable benefits in tracheostomised ICU patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Comparison of normal or heparinised saline flushing on function of arterial lines.
Heparin is used as a flush solution for intravenous and intra-arterial lines, but has a number of drug interactions, as well as potentially serious side effects. ⋯ Heparin as a continuous flush at 3 units/hour does not improve the function of arterial lines compared with a continuous normal-saline flush.