Intensive care medicine
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Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is a safe, versatile and effective technique that can avert side effects and complications associated with endotracheal intubation. The success of NIV relies on several factors, including the type and severity of acute respiratory failure, the underlying disease, the location of treatment, and the experience of the team. The time factor is also important. ⋯ NIV has been used to prevent development of acute respiratory failure or post-extubation respiratory failure. The number of days of NIV and hours of daily use differ, depending on the severity and course of the acute respiratory failure and the timing of application. In this review article, we analyse, compare and discuss the results of studies in which NIV was applied at various times during the evolution of acute respiratory failure.
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Intensive care medicine · Mar 2006
Influence of infusion flow rates on central venous pressure measurements through multi-lumen central venous catheters in intensive care.
To study the influence on central venous pressure (CVP), measured at the distal port, of crystalloid infusions administered through the proximal port(s) of a central venous multi-lumen catheter. ⋯ The administration of crystalloids at different flow rates through the proximal port(s) of a multi-lumen catheter placed in the superior vena cava does not affect CVP measurement at the distal port, even in mechanically ventilated patients or patients receiving vasopressors.
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Intensive care medicine · Mar 2006
Multicenter StudyAn evaluation of systemic inflammatory response syndrome signs in the Sepsis Occurrence In Acutely Ill Patients (SOAP) study.
To define the frequency and prognostic implications of SIRS criteria in critically ill patients hospitalized in European ICUs. ⋯ Although common in the ICU, SIRS has prognostic importance in predicting infections, severity of disease, organ failure and outcome.
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Intensive care medicine · Mar 2006
Saline volume in transvesical intra-abdominal pressure measurement: enough is enough.
The objective was to determine the minimum volume of instillation fluid for intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) measurement, and to evaluate the effect of instillation volume on transvesically measured IAP. ⋯ Using 50 or 100 ml of saline for IAP measurement in critically ill patients results in higher IAP values compared with the use of 10 ml, and possibly, in overestimation of the incidence of intra-abdominal hypertension.
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Intensive care medicine · Mar 2006
A self-report-based study of the incidence and associations of sexual dysfunction in survivors of intensive care treatment.
To determine the incidence and associations of sexual dysfunction in survivors of intensive care unit treatment in their first year after hospital discharge using a self-report measure. ⋯ Symptoms of sexual dysfunction are common in patients recovering from critical illness and appear to be significantly associated with the presence of post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology. The intensive care unit follow-up clinic is a suitable forum for the screening and referral of patients with sexual dysfunction.