Critical care clinics
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Drowning and near drowning remain a common cause of childhood death and disability. Toddlers aged one through four drown in private swimming pools. ⋯ Management of respiratory failure without neurologic impairment has the most successful outcome. Prevention of drowning morbidity is dependent on constant parental supervision, and immediate and expert CPR.
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Critical care clinics · Jul 1997
ReviewEtiology and treatment of acquired coagulopathies in the critically ill adult and child.
Excessive bleeding frequently complicates the care of critically ill patients. Except in the case of trauma or inpatients with known coagulopathies, the bleeding is generally not directly related to the illness that results in admission to the intensive care unit. In general, the causes of the bleeding can be divided into three categories: consumptive coagulopathies, bleeding related to "hepatic issues," and iatrogenic causes. ⋯ However, some differences do exist in regards to the clinical manifestations and management of some consumptive coagulopathies. This article reviews the more common causes of bleeding in the critically ill patient and outlines diagnostic and treatment approaches for these patients. Particular emphasis will be placed on the differences in presentation and management where differences exist.
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Critical care clinics · Jul 1997
ReviewCommon nutritional issues in pediatric and adult critical care medicine.
This article discusses many of the nutritional topics important to the intensivist. Nutritional assessment, substrate immunonutrition, and disease specific issues are presented. Early introduction of enteral feeds and the use of nutritional modulation are emphasized.
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Status epilepticus (SE) in children and adults is one of the most common neurology problems confronting the intensivist. Recognition of SE is usually straightforward, but may be complicated by the effects of other diseases or therapies. Emergent treatment is necessary to prevent further brain damage. This article reviews protocols for standard treatments of SE patients and includes recommendations for the management of refractory SE.
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Motor vehicle-related accidents account for the largest number of head injuries in all ages. This article reviews types of injury, neurologic assessment, secondary injury, brain swelling, seizures, resuscitation, and intensive care.