Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jun 2003
The incidence and immediate respiratory consequences of pulmonary aspiration of enteral feed as detected using a modified glucose oxidase test.
Pulmonary micro-aspiration of enteral feed in intubated critically ill patients has been reported to occur commonly. In this prospective observational study the incidence of micro-aspiration, diagnosed by a modified glucose oxidase test, is reported in 25 enterally fed critically ill and tracheally intubated patients on a general intensive care unit. Episodes of microaspiration were correlated with changes in PaO2/FiO2 ratio as an index of changes in degree of lung injury. ⋯ Aspiration was associated with a mean fall in the PaO2/FiO2 ratio of 5.6 kPa from 27.1 kPa to 21.5 kPa (P = 0.002). Aspiration of enteral feed is common and causes a demonstrable morbidity. Detection using this simple bedside test may alert the clinician to institute measures to minimize further aspiration.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jun 2003
Critical illness and its impact on the Aboriginal people of the top end of the Northern Territory, Australia.
The Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) services a relatively large and geographically remote Aboriginal population who account for 45% of intensive care unit admissions. Critical illness in the Aboriginal population is different from the non-Aboriginal population of the "Top End" of the Northern Territory. ⋯ English is a second, third or fourth language for many Aboriginal people from remote communities and strategies must be put in place to ensure informed consent and effective communication are achieved. Despite the increased severity of illness and complexity, the Royal Darwin Hospital ICU achieves the same survival rates for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal patients.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jun 2003
Case ReportsPropofol infusion syndrome--report of an adult fatality.
This report describes a fatal case of the propofol infusion syndrome in an adult patient being sedated for a closed head injury using high doses of propofol. The features of circulatory collapse, metabolic acidosis, mild rhabdomyolysis and renal impairment are consistent with the syndrome and not readily attributable to alternative aetiologies. Potential mechanisms for the syndrome may relate to antagonism of beta-receptors, impaired myocardial oxygen utilization and a specific disruption to fatty-acid oxidation. This is the first published Australian case of the propofol infusion syndrome in an adult and should serve as an additional case report to the existing literature highlighting this potentially fatal syndrome in adults.