Anaesthesiology intensive therapy
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Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther · Jan 2015
Speckle-Tracking analysis of left ventricular systolic function in the intensive care unit.
Speckle-tracking analysis is a new available tool in order to assess left ventricular function in cardiology. Its novelty relies on the technological ability to track natural acoustic markers (known as speckle) within the myocardium during the cardiac cycle. This technology allows the evaluation of myocardium strain during systole and diastole. ⋯ However, there are many gaps to fill in the critically ill patient. For instance, the influence of mechanical ventilation on GLS is not fully elucidated, and there are, to date, too few data to exactly assess potential GLS alterations on the patient's outcome. Nonetheless, this new tool provides objective and sensitive data with acceptable intra and inter-observer variability and may be of primary interest in the evaluation of left-ventricular systolic function in the ICU.
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Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther · Jan 2015
The differences between two selected intensive care units located in central and northern Europe - preliminary observation.
The aim of this study was to evaluate possible differences in the functioning of two selected intensive care units in Poland and Finland. The activity of the units was analysed over a period of one year. ⋯ The collected data indicate huge differences in the utilisation of critical care resources. Treatment in Polish ICU is concentrated on much more severely ill patients which might be sometimes accompanied by futility of care. In order to verify and correctly interpret the presented phenomena, further studies are needed.
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Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther · Jan 2015
Observational StudyRenal injury during hip fracture surgery: an exploratory study.
The present observational study was undertaken to identify potential markers of poor outcome, such as renal failure and mortality, after hip fracture surgery. ⋯ Two different mechanisms seem to affect the kidneys during hip fracture surgery. The first elevates the serum creatinine concentration while the second increases the albuminuria. Only the second mechanism had a bearing on mortality.
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Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther · Jan 2015
ReviewHemodynamic monitoring: To calibrate or not to calibrate? Part 2--Non-calibrated techniques.
There is much evidence that fluid overload leads to adverse outcomes in perioperative and critically ill patients. Cardiac output monitoring can help us guiding initial and ongoing fluid resuscitation and can help us to assess whether a patient will be responsive to fluids when hypotensive. In recent years, many sophisticated devices that measure a variety of hemodynamic parameters have evolved on the market. ⋯ Further improvements and more validation data are needed before these techniques can be implemented in common day practice. Moreover, in severely shocked hemodynamic unstable patients, calibrated techniques are to be preferred over those which are uncalibrated. Hence, the new techniques not only need to be accurate, but also need to be precise in order to keep track of changes.
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Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther · Jan 2015
Review Meta AnalysisAbdominal signs and symptoms in intensive care patients.
Abdominal problems, both as a primary reason for admission or developing as a part of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome during an ICU stay, are common in critically ill patients. The definitions, assessment, incidence and outcome of different abdominal signs, symptoms and syndromes are assessed in the current review. General abdominal signs and symptoms include abdominal pain and distension, as well as other signs assessed during the physical examination (e.g. palpation, percussion). ⋯ In conclusion, abdominal symptoms occur in half of patients in ICUs. Clinical evaluation, albeit largely subjective, remains the main bedside tool to detect abdominal problems and to assess GI function in the critically ill. IAP is a useful additional tool in the assessment of abdominal complications in ICUs.