Intensive care medicine
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 1993
Hydrogen peroxide in expired breath condensate of patients with acute respiratory failure and with ARDS.
Measurement of hydrogen peroxide concentrations in breath condensate of mechanically ventilated patients with ARDS and with risk factors for developing ARDS. ⋯ Since high concentrations of H2O2 in breath condensate were only found in patients with ARDS or with risk factors for ARDS, the results add to the existing evidence that reactive oxygen species are associated with some acute lung diseases.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 1993
Review Case ReportsSudden death revealing Chiari type 1 malformation in two children.
We report the first two fatal cases of sudden unprovoked cardiorespiratory arrest in children with previously undiagnosed Arnold-Chiari type 1 malformation. This diagnosis should be considered in children with unexplained cardiorespiratory arrest. The risk of sudden death in Arnold-Chiari type 1 malformation reinforces the indication for early neurosurgical procedure.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 1993
Clinical TrialAtracurium infusions in patients with fulminant hepatic failure awaiting liver transplantation.
To determine the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the neuromuscular blocking agent atracurium besylate in patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). ⋯ Atracurium kinetics and dynamics are near-normal even in patients with fulminant hepatic failure and renal failure; laudanosine accumulation will occur, but this is not associated with measurable central neurological effects. Implantation of a functioning liver graft results in clearance of laudanosine, which seems to be independent of renal function. Atracurium is an appropriate choice for producing neuromuscular blockade for periods of several days in patients with fulminant hepatic failure and renal impairment.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 1993
Importance of pre-existing co-morbidities for prognosis of septicemia in critically ill patients.
To determine admission characteristics associated with the outcome of septicemia in critically ill patients and more specifically assess the prognostic value of pre-existing co-morbidities. ⋯ Pre-existing co-morbidities assessed at the admission to the ICU significantly improved the prediction of mortality from septicemia compared to Apache II score alone.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 1993
Comparative StudyAngiotensin-converting enzyme activity in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after damage to the alveolo-capillary barrier in the human lung.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is considered as a possible marker for endothelial cell damage in serum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. This hypothesis was tested during cardiac surgery and during the adult respiratory distress syndrome. ⋯ Angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in serum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid does not reflect damage of endothelial cells or damage of alveolocapillary integrity in acute pulmonary disease.