Articles: trauma.
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Securing the airway to provide sufficient oxygenation and ventilation is of paramount importance in the management of all types of emergency patients. Particularly in severely injured patients, strategies should be adapted according to useful recent literature findings. ⋯ An algorithm-based approach to airway management can prevent complications due to inadequate oxygenation or procedural difficulties in trauma patients; therefore, advanced equipment for handling a difficult airway is needed. After securing the airway, ventilation must be monitored by capnography, and normoventilation involving the early use of protective ventilation with low-tidal volume and moderate positive end-expiratory pressure must be the target. After early identification of patients with blunt chest trauma at risk for respiratory failure, noninvasive ventilation might be a treatment strategy, which should be evaluated in future research.
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To review fracture rates in patients who had X-rays of either the ankle or foot or both in the Emergency Department of a district hospital. ⋯ The approach to X-raying ankle and feet in this study is probably widespread, and Ottawa Ankle Rules still seem to be of limited use in diagnosing fractures. This low yield of positive X-ray could be accepted or a more sophisticated ankle rule introduced.
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We published the first article that addressed hypocaloric, high-protein enteral nutrition therapy for critically ill patients with obesity more than 10 years ago. This study demonstrated that it was possible to successfully achieve this mode of therapy with a commercially available high-protein enteral formula and concurrent use of protein supplements. ⋯ The results of this study, its unique findings, and shortcomings are discussed. Subsequent studies have added clarity to the effective use of this therapy, including its use in home parenteral nutrition patients, patients with class III obesity, and older patients with obesity.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Dec 2014
ReviewRecent developments in the assessment of the multiply injured trauma patient.
To provide an update on the recent developments and controversies in the assessment of the traumatically injured patient. ⋯ The recent advances in the assessment of the multiply injured patient allow clinicians to more efficiently diagnose a patient's injuries and implement treatment in a more timely manner.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2014
ReviewMitochondrial DNA neutrophil extracellular traps are formed after trauma and subsequent surgery.
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have not been demonstrated after trauma and subsequent surgery. Neutrophil extracellular traps are formed from pure mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) under certain conditions, which is potently proinflammatory. We hypothesized that injury and orthopedic trauma surgery would induce NET production with mtDNA as a structural component. ⋯ Neutrophil extracellular traps formed after major trauma and subsequent surgery contain mtDNA and represent a novel marker of heightened innate immune activation. They could be considered when timing surgery after trauma to prevent systemic NET-induced inflammatory complications.