Intensive care medicine
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Intensive care medicine · Mar 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialEfficacy and tolerability of piperacillin/tazobactam versus ceftazidime in association with amikacin for treating nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care patients: a prospective randomized multicenter trial.
To compare clinical and bacteriological efficacy as well as tolerability of two regimens of broad-spectrum antibiotics (ceftazidime versus piperacillin/tazobactam) combined with amikacin in the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care patients. ⋯ Amikacin associated with either ceftazidime or piperacillin and tazobactam has shown comparable efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of ICU patients with nosocomial pneumonia.
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Intensive care medicine · Mar 2001
Comparative StudyAttitudes towards do-not-resuscitate decisions: differences among health professionals in a Portuguese hospital.
Implementation of an in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) program stresses the need to discuss do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders, as CPR may not be desirable in some terminally ill patients. Ethical, social, educational, and professional issues may influence these decisions. This study was designed to evaluate attitudes among four categories of healthcare professionals. ⋯ Health professionals differ in their attitudes concerning DNR decisions. In particular, the level of medical/health training and/or degree of involvement with the patient's daily care may play an important role in DNR decisions.
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Acute hepatic failure is a rare clinical syndrome associated with high mortality. Hepatic failure leads to a well-recognised pattern of clinical signs and symptoms, sometimes with rapid deterioration and progression to multi-organ failure. Early recognition of this syndrome is essential for appropriate treatment; once identified, patients benefit from early interventional support and treatment in the intensive care unit. ⋯ This review examines the aetiology and clinical presentation of acute hepatic failure, providing guidelines regarding patient management. We present a critical appraisal of specific clinical areas, including the management of cardiovascular, cerebral, renal, coagulopathic and infective complications. Liver transplantation is discussed as well as emerging therapies including non-biological and hybrid liver support systems that may provide a "bridge to transplantation".