Intensive care medicine
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Intensive care medicine · Oct 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe opiate-sparing effect of dipyrone in post-operative pain therapy with morphine using a patient-controlled analgesic system.
To determine whether dipyrone has an opiate-sparing effect in post-operative pain therapy compared with placebo during patient-controlled morphine therapy (PCA) and to compare the effects on analgesia and respiratory and coagulation parameters. ⋯ Concomitant administration of dipyrone with on-demand morphine (PCA) reduces opiate consumption while maintaining post-operative pain relief with a low incidence of side-effects.
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Intensive care medicine · Oct 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialImproved oxygenation utilizing a prone positioner in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
(a) To determine whether placing patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome in the prone position by a light-weight portable support frame improves oxygenation, (b) whether one can determine which patients benefit from prone positioning, and (c) to determine an effective technique for prone positioning of patients. ⋯ Prone positioning improves oxygenation in the majority of patients studied and can be achieved relatively easily.
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Intensive care medicine · Oct 1996
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialClinical consequences of the implementation of a weaning protocol.
To analyze the clinical and economic consequences of the implementation of a weaning protocol in patients mechanically ventilated (MV) for more than 48 h. ⋯ The implementation of a weaning protocol decreased the duration of MV and ICU stay by increasing the number of safe, direct extubations.
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Intensive care medicine · Oct 1996
Comparative StudyImpedance cardiography. Importance of the equation and the electrode configuration.
Electrical impedance cardiography (EIC) has been suggested as a non-invasive method to measure cardiac output. In several studies it proved to be a reliable method, although there were some restrictions. In 1966 Kubicek et al. developed an impedance cardiac output system based upon electrodes and a specific stroke volume formula. In 1983 Sramek et al. developed a new electrode configuration, and a new equation to calculate stroke volume, an equation that was adjusted by Bernstein in 1986. Since then these two methods have been used in clinical medicine. The purpose of the present study was to compare both electrode configurations and both stroke volume calculation equations with each other. The cardiac output (CO) values obtained by means of EIC are compared with CO values obtained by means of thermodilution. ⋯ Simultaneous measurement of CO by means of electrical impedance cardiography (COEIC) and thermodilution (COTD) was performed. COEIC was obtained using the lateral spot electrode configuration (LS) and an adjusted circular electrode configuration (SC). The formulas of Sramek (S), Sramek-Bernstein (SB), Kubicek (K) and an adjusted Kubicek formula (aK) were employed. Using the LS electrode configuration, significant differences were found between COEIC and COTD with the S formula (p < 0.005), the K formula (p < 0.001), and the aK formula (p < 0.05). Using the SC electrode configuration, significant differences between COEIC and COTD were found with the K formula (p < 0.005), the S formula (p < 0.01), and the SB formula (p < 0.05). No significant differences was found between EIC and TD using the LS electrode configuration together with the SB formula or using the SC electrode configuration with the aK formula. In both cases a good correlation was found between COEIC and COTD (r = 0.86, p < 0.001 and r = 0.79, p < 0.001, respectively). The mean difference between EIC and TD was 0.15 +/- 0.96 1/min and 0.19 +/- 1.19 1/min, respectively.
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Intensive care medicine · Oct 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial Retracted PublicationInfluence of different volume therapies on platelet function in the critically ill.
Both albumin and synthetic colloids such as hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solution are used to optimize hemodynamics in the critically ill. The influence of different long-term infusion regimes on platelet function was studied. ⋯ Alterations in hemostasis may occur for several reasons in the critically ill. Human albumin is the preferred first-line volume therapy in patients at risk for coagulation disorders. With respect to platelet function, volume replacement with (lower-priced) low-molecular-weight HES solutions can be recommended in this situation without any risk.