Intensive care medicine
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 2001
Comparative StudyComparison of procalcitonin with C-reactive protein and serum amyloid for the early diagnosis of bacterial sepsis in critically ill neonates and children.
To evaluate procalcitonin (PCT) as a diagnostic marker of bacterial sepsis in critically ill neonates and children and to compare the results of PCT with those of C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid (SAA). ⋯ In critically ill children PCT concentration is a better diagnostic marker of sepsis than CRP and SAA. In critically ill neonates, however, PCT, CRP, and SAA are similar diagnostic markers of sepsis. A PCT concentration higher than 8.1 ng/ml identified all children with bacterial sepsis.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 2001
The value of capillary whole blood lactate for blood transfusion requirements in anaemia of prematurity.
To evaluate the usefulness of blood lactate as an indication for blood transfusion in anaemia of prematurity by means of a study protocol which considers the site of blood sampling and the repeatability of lactate measurements. ⋯ Capillary whole blood lactate measurements in newborn babies agree excellently with arterial values. Lactate measurements add little information to the decision whether to transfuse or not, considering the variability of this parameter in stable premature infants and the lack of correlation with other possible clinical indicators of compromised oxygen delivery.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 2001
Survey of the use of intracranial pressure monitoring in children in the United Kingdom.
To establish current practice for the monitoring and management of acute intracranial hypertension in children in United Kingdom intensive care units (ICUs). ⋯ Faced with a lack of both evidence and consensus, the management of acute intracranial hypertension in childhood varies widely. National or international guidelines for the management of children with raised intracranial pressure are needed. These should incorporate the physiological differences between children of different ages.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 2001
Pulmonary administration of prostacyclin (PGI2) during partial liquid ventilation in an oleic acid-induced lung injury: inhalation of aerosol or intratracheal instillation?
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aerosolized prostacyclin (A-PGI2) and intratracheally instilled prostacyclin (I-PGI2) during partial liquid ventilation (PLV) on gas exchange and pulmonary circulation in rabbits with acute respiratory distress. ⋯ The results suggest that both aerosolized and intratracheally instilled PGI2 improve oxygenation and reduce PAP during PLV in oleic acid lung injury.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 2001
Human errors in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit: a 1-year prospective study.
To determine the incidence and identify risk factors of critical incidents in an ICU. ⋯ Critical incidents add morbidity, workload, and financial burden. A substantial proportion of them are related to human factors with dire consequences. Efforts must focus on timely, appropriate care to avoid planning and execution mishaps at the beginning of the ICU stay; surveillance intensity must be maintained, specially after the fourth day.