Crit Care Resusc
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Multicenter Study
Early experience of a new extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal device for acute hypercapnic respiratory failure.
Recent advances in the technology of extracorporeal respiratory assist systems have led to a renewed interest in extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCOR). The Hemolung is a new, low-flow, venovenous, minimally invasive, partial ECCOR device that has recently been introduced to clinical practice to aid in avoiding invasive ventilation or to facilitate lung-protective ventilation. ⋯ Our data shows that ECCOR was safe and effective in this cohort. Further experience is vital to identify the patients who may benefit most from this promising therapy.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Incidence and cost of stress ulcer prophylaxis after discharge from the intensive care unit: a retrospective study.
To describe current patterns in initiation and cessation of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) in intensive care units, and to assess the costs associated with inappropriate (non-evidence-based) SUP. ⋯ A substantial proportion of patients prescribed SUP in the ICU continue receiving this therapy at hospital discharge despite no clear indication. In addition to potential adverse clinical effects, this is associated with major direct and indirect cost implications.
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The long-term outcomes of patients with drug overdose admitted to the intensive care unit compared with those admitted to general wards have not been assessed. We aimed to compare the recurrence of overdose, mortality after hospital discharge, cause of death and quality-of-life scores (using the EQ-5D questionnaire) between the ICU patients and general ward patients. ⋯ ICU and general ward patients with overdose have similar, overwhelming prevalences of psychiatric disease, and similar outcome profiles. Such patients experience frequent overdoses and, despite being young, if admitted to the ICU, have a 10% 4-year mortality, with self-harm the dominant cause of death. Finally, among survivors who responded to the follow-up questionnaire, quality of life is poor.
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Cerebral protection is a key priority during cardiac arrest (CA). However, current approaches are suboptimal. ⋯ During experimental CA, cerebral perfusion and cooling are possible by means of an ECMO circuit connected to the anterior cerebral circulation. Antegrade perfusion appears to be superior. Further investigations of the antegrade perfusion technique appear justified.
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Several biological markers can predict outcomes in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), but markers to predict neurological deficit severity in patients with SAH and poor neurological condition have not yet been established. Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) are related to the systemic inflammatory response. ⋯ Our data suggest that sCD40L, PDGF-BB, WBC count, CRP and body temperature can predict the neurological outcome in patients with SAH and poor neurological condition.