Chest
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Comparative Study
The Effect of Point of Care Ultrasonography on Imaging Studies in the MICU: A Comparative Study.
Point-of-care ultrasonography performed by frontline intensivists offers the possibility of reducing the use of traditional imaging in the medical ICU (MICU). We compared the use of traditional radiographic studies between two MICUs: one where point-of-care ultrasonography is used as a primary imaging modality, the other where it is used only for procedure guidance. ⋯ The use of point-of-care ultrasonography in an MICU is associated with a significant reduction in the number of imaging studies performed by the radiology and cardiology services.
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Comparative Study
Diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia: a pilot, exploratory analysis of a new score based on procalcitonin and chest echography.
To facilitate the clinical diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the ICU, the Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS) has been proposed but has shown a low diagnostic performance in subsequent studies. We propose a new score based on procalcitonin level and chest echography with the aim of improving VAP diagnosis: the Chest Echography and Procalcitonin Pulmonary Infection Score (CEPPIS). ⋯ In this pilot, exploratory analysis, CEPPIS is effective in predicting VAP. Prospective validation is needed to confirm the potential value of this score to facilitate VAP diagnosis.
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Resting mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) values between 20 and 25 mm Hg are above normal but do not fulfill the criteria for pulmonary hypertension (PH). The clinical relevance of such borderline hemodynamics is a matter of discussion. ⋯ In patients undergoing right-sided heart catheterization with exclusion of manifest PH, borderline elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure is associated with cardiac and pulmonary comorbidities, decreased exercise capacity, and a poor prognosis.