Intensive care medicine
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Intensive care medicine · Sep 2002
Comparative StudyComparative bench study of triggering, pressurization, and cycling between the home ventilator VPAP II and three ICU ventilators.
To compare triggering, pressurization, and cycling of the home ventilator VPAP II with those of three ICU ventilators (Evita 4, Galileo, and Servo 300). ⋯ The VPAP II performed as well as one ICU ventilator and less well than two. Home devices for noninvasive ventilation in acute respiratory failure outside the ICU could prove attractive as they are smaller, less costly, and easier to use than ICU machines.
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Intensive care medicine · Sep 2002
Comparative StudyWaiting for the break of dawn? The effects of discharge time, discharge TISS scores and discharge facility on hospital mortality after intensive care.
To assess the effects of discharge Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS) scores, discharge time and type of discharge facility on ultimate hospital mortality after intensive care. ⋯ Both late discharge and high discharge TISS scores are indicators of "premature" ICU discharge and were associated with increased mortality. Intermediate care reduced the mortality of patients discharged "prematurely" from ICU. This adds to the growing evidence of the benefits of intermediate care after ICU discharge.
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Intensive care medicine · Sep 2002
Quality of reporting of randomised controlled trials in the intensive care literature. A systematic analysis of papers published in Intensive Care Medicine over 26 years.
To assess the number and quality of the reporting of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in Intensive Care Medicine. ⋯ Randomised controlled trials offer the best evidence of the efficacy of medical interventions, provided that high standards of transparent reporting are used. More resolute attention to the methodological quality of reporting and adherence to recently published guidelines (CONSORT II) may help to achieve this result.
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Intensive care medicine · Sep 2002
Comparative StudyNoninvasive pressure support ventilation in non-COPD patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema and severe community-acquired pneumonia: acute effects and outcome.
To compare the acute effects of noninvasive pressure support ventilation (NIPSV) in non-COPD patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema (CPE) and severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) presenting with a similar hypoxemic respiratory failure and exploring the ensuing impact on outcome. DESIGN. Prospective, observational study. SETTING. Multidisciplinary ICU, regional teaching hospital. ⋯ NIPSV equally and rapidly improved oxygenation in non-COPD patients with CPE and severe CAP presenting with a similar hypoxemic respiratory failure, but the subsequent outcome was definitely different in the two groups, depending on the nature of the acute lung injury.
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Intensive care medicine · Sep 2002
Comparative StudyEndocrine measurements in survivors and non-survivors from critical illness.
To compare measurements of thyroid and adrenal function between survivors and non-survivors in critical illness. ⋯ Thyroid hormone and cortisol concentrations differ between survivors and non-survivors on admission to intensive care, but the values overlap. These differences do not allow accurate prediction of outcome from critical illness.