Intensive care medicine
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Intensive care medicine · Jun 2015
Review Meta AnalysisDiastolic dysfunction and mortality in septic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Myocardial dysfunction may contribute to the haemodynamic instability which accompanies sepsis, and may result in circulatory failure. There is no association between systolic dysfunction (SD) and mortality in septic patients and there is conflicting evidence regarding the effects of diastolic dysfunction (DD) on mortality in septic patients. ⋯ Diastolic dysfunction is common in septic patients and it is associated with mortality. Systolic dysfunction is less common and is not associated with mortality in this group of patients.
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Intensive care medicine · Jun 2015
ReviewPredicting time to death after withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy.
Predicting time to death following the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy is difficult. Accurate predictions may better prepare families and improve the process of donation after circulatory death. ⋯ While the risk factors controlled ventilation, oxygenation, vasopressors, level of consciousness, and brainstem reflexes have been most consistently found to be associated with time to death, the addition of novel predictors, such as physician opinion and simultaneous withdrawal of all support, warrant further investigation. The currently existing prediction tools are not highly sensitive. A more accurate and generalizable tool is needed to inform end-of-life care and enhance the predictions of donation after circulatory death eligibility.
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Intensive care medicine · Jun 2015
ReviewMechanical ventilation during extracorporeal life support (ECLS): a systematic review.
In patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), extracorporeal life support (ECLS) has been utilized to support gas exchange and mitigate ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). The optimal ventilation settings while on ECLS are unknown. The purpose of this systematic review is to describe the ventilation practices in patients with ARDS who require ECLS. ⋯ Reduction in the intensity of mechanical ventilation in patients with ARDS supported by ECLS is common, suggesting that clinicians may be focused on reducing VILI after ECLS initiation. Future investigations should focus on establishing the optimal ventilatory strategy for patients with ARDS who require ECLS.
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Intensive care medicine · Jun 2015
Multicenter StudyFeasibility and utility of the use of real time random safety audits in adult ICU patients: a multicentre study.
The two aims of this study were first to analyse the feasibility and utility (to improve the care process) of implementing a new real time random safety tool and second to explore the efficacy of this tool in core hospitals (those participating in tool design) versus non-core hospitals. ⋯ Real time safety audits improved the care process and adherence to the clinical practice guidelines and proved to be most useful in situations of high care load and in patients with more severe disease. The effect was greater in core hospitals.
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Intensive care medicine · Jun 2015
Long-term neuropsychological outcomes in children and adolescents after cardiac arrest.
Research into neuropsychological functioning of survivors of cardiac arrest (CA) in childhood is scarce. We sought to assess long-term neuropsychological functioning in children and adolescents surviving CA. ⋯ Long-term neuropsychological assessment of CA survivors showed significant weaknesses, but also relatively intact functioning. As deficits in IQ, memory and executive functioning have significant impact on the child, long-term follow-up and neuropsychological support of CA survivors is warranted.