Intensive care medicine
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Intensive care medicine · May 2015
Editorial Case ReportsRescue therapy for refractory ARDS should be offered early: yes.
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Intensive care medicine · May 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyDirect extubation onto high-flow nasal cannulae post-cardiac surgery versus standard treatment in patients with a BMI ≥30: a randomised controlled trial.
Patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m(2) experience more severe atelectasis following cardiac surgery than those with normal BMI and its resolution is slower. This study aimed to compare extubation of patients post-cardiac surgery with a BMI ≥30 kg/m(2) onto high-flow nasal cannulae (HFNC) with standard care to determine whether HFNC could assist in minimising post-operative atelectasis and improve respiratory function. ⋯ In this study, prophylactic extubation onto HFNC post-cardiac surgery in patients with a BMI ≥30 kg/m(2) did not lead to improvements in respiratory function. Larger studies assessing the role of HFNC in preventing worsening of respiratory function and intubation are required.
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Intensive care medicine · May 2015
Comparative StudyEarly temperature and mortality in critically ill patients with acute neurological diseases: trauma and stroke differ from infection.
Fever suppression may be beneficial for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke, but for patients with meningitis or encephalitis [central nervous system (CNS) infection], the febrile response may be advantageous. ⋯ The relationship between peak temperature in the first 24 h after ICU admission and in-hospital mortality differs for TBI/stroke compared to CNS infection. For CNS infection, increased temperature is not associated with increased risk of death.