Intensive care medicine
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Intensive care medicine · Jul 2002
Comparative StudyDescription of trends in the course of illness of critically ill patients. Markers of intensive care organization and performance.
To identify objective trends of the course of illness that might be used as benchmarks in the auditing of the organization/performance of Intensive Care Units (ICU). ⋯ The use of therapeutic indexes help to classify the daily complexity of ICU care. The classification can be used as an indicator of clinical performance and resource utilization.
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Intensive care medicine · Jul 2002
The upper inflection point of the pressure-volume curve. Influence of methodology and of different modes of ventilation.
The pressure-volume (P/V) curve has been proposed as a tool to adjust the ventilatory settings in cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The aim of this study was to test the influence of P/V tracing methodology on the presence and value of the upper inflection point (UIP). ⋯ Interruption and continuous flow techniques gave similar results, but the previous Vt influences the pressure value of the UIP.
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To determine the magnitude of the treatment effect of low-dose dopamine on renal function in patients at risk of and in patients with early renal injury. ⋯ The results of this meta-analysis confirms that low-dose dopamine has no reno-protective effect. Considering the potential side-effects of dopamine this agent should not be used for this indication.
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Intensive care medicine · Jul 2002
Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialThe effect of propofol on airway pressures generated by magnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerves.
To assess the effect of propofol on the change in airway pressure produced by diaphragmatic contraction. ⋯ Propofol does reduce the effectiveness with which diaphragmatic contraction produces changes of pressure in the airway.