Intensive care medicine
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To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of atrial fibrillation (AF) in trauma patients. ⋯ In addition to age and catecholamine use, inflammation and severity of injury may be involved in the development of AF in trauma patients. Our results suggest that AF could rather be a marker of a higher severity of illness without major effect on mortality.
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Intensive care medicine · Mar 2006
Informed consent for research in ICU obtained before ICU admission.
To analyze the procedure of the informed consent for ICU research obtained before ICU admission. ⋯ Even when the informed consent is obtained in the most optimal conditions for ICU research, its ethical value remains questionable. Indeed, a substantial number of patients were unaware of their study participation, or of the related purpose and risks. When the ICU stay is prolonged, we should at least repeatedly and actively (re)-inform patients about their study participation.