Articles: critical-care.
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Review Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Continuous lateral rotational therapy and nosocomial pneumonia.
The adverse effects of prolonged immobility are due primarily to gravitational effects on blood flow and ventilation, impairment of the normal mucociliary escalator and possibly an increase in extravascular lung water. However, CLRT theoretically should reverse these abnormalities. The sequence of events that culminate in LRTI or pneumonia is unclear; however, low tidal volumes, increased extravascular lung water and the accumulation of bronchopulmonary secretions may lead to atelectasis, a well-known precursor of pneumonia. ⋯ The prevention of pneumonia and more rapid transfer from the ICU should offset the additional expense of a specialized bed. The data suggest that a multicenter study with accrual of a large number of patients to evaluate this form of therapy in a prospective, randomized study is necessary. If the hypothesis that CLRT decreases the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia in the ICU is proven, the impact on critical care in the 90s would be substantial.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
[The use of ketamine and midazolam for analgesia and sedation in ventilated patients subject to obligatory treatment with catecholamines].
This study was undertaken to compare two regimens for analgesic sedation in intensive care patients with exogenous catecholamine therapy, giving special regard to catecholamine demand and hemodynamic parameters. A total of 20 ventilated patients in a surgical intensive care unit were investigated in a prospectively randomized design. Exogenous catecholamine therapy with epinephrine and/or norepinephrine was started at systolic pressure (SAP) less than 85 mmHg or mean arterial pressure (MAP) less than 65 mmHg to maintain cardiovascular function. ⋯ In time course, PAP increased by about 5 mmHg in the ketamine group but not in the fentanyl group (P = 0.009). The average central venous pressure (CVP) was 12 mmHg in both groups. At the end of the investigation, CVP decreased in the fentanyl group and increased in the ketamine group (P = 0.0001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
[Sinusitis in long-term intubated, intensive care patients: nasal versus oral intubation].
Discussion of paranasal sinusitis as a nosocomial infection in the mechanically ventilated intensive care (ICU) patient has recently been intensified. Some authors have emphasized nasotracheal intubation as a possible pathogenetic pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of nasotracheal or orotracheal intubation on the development of sinusitis in ICU patients. ⋯ We found that patients intubated orotracheally developed significantly less sinusitis than those intubated nasotracheally. Edema, local infection of the nasal mucosa, or mechanical obstruction of sinus drainage pathways by the tube are possible explanations. The fact that 63% of orally intubated patients had a pathologic maxillary sinus finding as well suggests that in addition to other reasons, an increased central venous pressure, positive pressure ventilation, and the supine position must be regarded as predisposing factors that increase the incidence of sinusitis. We conclude that the conditions of critically ill patients predispose to the development of sinusitis. Nasotracheal intubation is to be regarded as an additional risk, and therefore oral intubation should be preferred.
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Klinische Wochenschrift · Jan 1991
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial[Prevention with pseudomonas immune globulin in burn injury patients with inhalation trauma: does it have an effect on lung function and outcome?].
In an evaluation of the effect of prophylactic application of Pseudomonas immunoglobulin on the immunoglobulin serum concentration, infection rate, lung function and mortality in major burn-trauma patients, a clinical, prospective, controlled and randomized trial along with an extensive literature review was carried out in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a major burn-trauma center at a major municipal hospital in the Federal Republic of Germany. A total of 60 patients suffering from major burn trauma were studied. Some of them exhibited inhalation injury as a secondary trauma. ⋯ The target value of pulmonary function was the O2 quotient (P(ALV)O2-P(ART)O2/P(ALV)O2), which was significantly closer to the normal value in the PIG-SUBGRP. Mortality was lower in the PIG-SUBGRP (34.8%, 8 patients) than in the CON-SUBGRP (50%, 8 subjects). In conclusion, prophylaxis with Pseudomonas immunoglobulin does not appear to be beneficial to burn trauma patients in general; however, it was shown to be effective in burn-trauma patients exhibiting inhalation injury.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Albumin supplementation in the critically ill. A prospective, randomized trial.
Albumin replacement to correct hypoalbuminemia in critically ill patients has been controversial. This study was a prospective, randomized trial of 25% albumin administration in 40 hypoalbuminemic (serum albumin, less than 25 g/L [2.5 g/dL]), critically ill patients. ⋯ There were also no significant differences in length of hospital stay, intensive care unit stay, ventilator dependence, or tolerance of enteral feeding, despite significant elevations of albumin in the treatment group. The costly use of exogenous albumin as treatment for hypoalbuminemia in this patient population does not appear to be justified.