Intensive care medicine
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Intensive care medicine · Jun 2002
C-reactive protein and mortality in patients with acute aortic disease.
The association of acute-phase reaction and outcome of patients with acute vascular diseases is controversial. The prognostic value of admission C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with acute aortic aneurysm or dissection has not yet been investigated. ⋯ Elevated admission CRP values in patients with symptomatic aortic aneurysm/dissection were independently associated with poor prognosis. CRP levels higher than 6.3 mg/dl indicate a high risk for short-term mortality.
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Intensive care medicine · Jun 2002
An evaluation of extubation failure predictors in mechanically ventilated infants and children.
To assess the accuracy of traditional weaning indices in predicting extubation failure, and to compare their accuracy when indices are measured at the onset of a breathing trial (SBT) and at the end of the SBT before extubation. ⋯ In a population which had passed SBT, the ability of the traditional weaning indices to discriminate between children successfully extubated and children re-intubated is very poor.
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Intensive care medicine · Jun 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialPeer-led resuscitation training for healthcare students: a randomised controlled study.
To determine the efficacy of a peer-led tuition model for training healthcare students in basic life support compared to tuition delivered by clinical tutors. ⋯ This model of peer-led undergraduate training in basic life support provides a quality of education which is at least as good as that provided by clinical staff, while offering advantages in terms of reliability. The re-deployment of clinical tutors from basic to more advanced training may allow the overall enhancement of undergraduate resuscitation and critical care training.
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Intensive care medicine · Jun 2002
Comparative StudyComparison of three different methods to confirm tracheal tube placement in emergency intubation.
Verification of endotracheal tube placement is of vital importance, since unrecognized esophageal intubation can be rapidly fatal (death, brain damage). The aim of our study was to compare three different methods for immediate confirmation of tube placement: auscultation, capnometry and capnography in emergency conditions in the prehospital setting. ⋯ Capnography is the most reliable method to confirm endotracheal tube placement in emergency conditions in the prehospital setting.
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Intensive care medicine · Jun 2002
Cardiac performance during vasopressin infusion in postcardiotomy shock.
Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) might be a potent vasopressor agent in catecholamine-resistant postcardiotomy shock. However, its use remains experimental because of considerations about deleterious effects on the heart. We report on the effects of continuous AVP-infusion on cardiac performance, biomarkers of myocardial ischemia, and systemic hemodynamics in catecholamine-resistant postcardiotomy shock. ⋯ AVP was devoid of adverse effects on the heart in these patients with catecholamine-resistant postcardiotomy shock. The significant reduction in HR, vasopressor, and inotropic support suggest a substantial improvement in myocardial performance. These findings are supported by a significant decrease of cardiac enzymes and cardioversion of TA into sinus rhythm in 45.5% of patients with new-onset TA.