Crit Care Resusc
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A phase II randomised controlled trial of intensive insulin therapy in general intensive care patients.
To determine the safety and efficacy of an intensive insulin regimen compared with a conventional insulin regimen in general intensive care unit patients. ⋯ The intensive insulin regimen was effective in achieving the target blood glucose concentration, with clear separation from the conventional insulin regimen. Although the incidence of hypoglycaemia was increased, there was no detectable harm.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of heparin in arterial line flushing solutions on platelet count: a randomised double-blind study.
Arterial catheters are widely used in intensive care units for continuous blood pressure monitoring and blood sampling. Studies have examined the effect of heparin on patency of arterial catheters but not on platelet counts. Heparin is a naturally occurring anticoagulant that helps prevent clotting and is given to prevent and treat thrombosis. It has many other effects, including reducing platelet counts. ⋯ Use of heparin in normal saline as a continuous flush for an arterial catheter does not reduce platelet counts in critically ill patients.
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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.