Intensive care medicine
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 1985
Case ReportsTracheal and alveolar gas composition during low-frequency positive pressure ventilation with extracorporeal CO2-removal (LFPPV-ECCO2R).
Tracheal and alveolar gas composition was studied by mass spectrometry in a patient with severe ARDS treated by low frequency positive pressure ventilation/extracorporeal CO2-removal (LFPPV-ECCO2R). Measured alveolar gas concentrations were compared with values derived from standard respiratory equations. ⋯ The reasons for this finding are discussed. We conclude that monitoring of alveolar gas composition by mass spectrometry is of great value during LFPPV-ECCO2R if PAO2, P(A-a)O2 and Qva/Qt are to be determined correctly.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 1985
Comparative StudyThe haemostatic effects of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) used as a volume expander.
Hydroxyethyl starch (HES 450.000/0.7; Hespan 6.0 g/100 ml) was compared with standard crystalloid solutions in postoperative volume replacement in 20 patients undergoing routine orthopaedic surgery. The HES group showed no clinical evidence of haemorrhage and no laboratory evidence of significant haemostatic defects as assessed by standard coagulation tests, platelet aggregation and fibrinogen concentrations. There was a slight shortening in the thrombin time and a smaller increase in post-operative FVIII RAg and FVIII RCof levels in the HES group. HES is a safe and effective volume expander for postoperative use.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 1985
Outcome and costs of intensive care. A follow-up study on 238 ICU-patients.
A retrospective follow-up study was performed on 238 consecutive admissions in the surgical ICU. The patients were grouped into four categories according to the therapeutic intervention scoring system: 14 in class I, 13 in class II, 81 in class III and 130 in class IV. The mortality rate during their stay in the ICU (5.4%), after discharge from the ICU (2.1%) and 2 years after discharge from the hospital (7.6%) was estimated. ⋯ Fifty-two percent of the total hospitalization costs were generated during the ICU stage which accounted for 17.5% of the hospitalization period. Sixty percent of the total financial investment was spent on the group of survivors who resumed normal work. The mean cost per survivor was $7095 or $1 per survivor per day of active life over an average span of 15 years survival after discharge from the hospital.