Journal of intensive care medicine
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J Intensive Care Med · Jan 2015
The association of serum bilirubin levels on the outcomes of severe sepsis.
Admission serum bilirubin levels have been incorporated into severity of illness scoring systems in critical illness as a marker of liver dysfunction. The purpose of our study is to determine the independent association of serum bilirubin with mortality in severe sepsis and septic shock. ⋯ After multivariable adjustment for potential confounding factors, elevated serum bilirubin levels within 72 hours of admission are associated with an increased risk of mortality in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. Prospective studies are warranted to further validate our findings.
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J Intensive Care Med · Jan 2015
Comparative Study Observational StudyVideo laryngoscopy is associated with increased first pass success and decreased rate of esophageal intubations during urgent endotracheal intubation in a medical intensive care unit when compared to direct laryngoscopy.
To compare the complication rates of urgent endotracheal intubation (UEI) performed by pulmonary critical care medicine (PCCM) fellows and attending intensivists using a direct laryngoscope (DL) versus a video laryngoscope (VL) in a medical intensive care unit (MICU). ⋯ The use of the VL for UEI performed by PCCM fellows is associated with a reduction in the rate of esophageal intubation and difficult endotracheal intubation when compared to the use of the DL.
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J Intensive Care Med · Jan 2015
Review Case ReportsCocaine-induced agitated delirium: a case report and review.
Cocaine use continues to be a major public health problem in the United States. Although many of the initial signs and symptoms of cocaine intoxication result from increased stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, this condition can present as a spectrum of acuity from hypertension and tachycardia to multiorgan system failure. Classic features of acute intoxication include tachycardia, arterial vasoconstriction, enhanced thrombus formation, mydriasis, psychomotor agitation, and altered level of consciousness. ⋯ This syndrome is characterized by severe cardiopulmonary dysfunction, hyperthermia, and acute neurologic changes frequently leading to death. We report a case of cocaine-induced agitated delirium in a man who presented to our institution in a paradoxical form of circulatory shock. Rapid evaluation, recognition, and proper management enabled our patient not only to survive but also to leave the hospital without neurologic sequelae.
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J Intensive Care Med · Jan 2015
Review Case ReportsHypertonic saline in elevated intracranial pressure: past, present, and future.
Hypertonic Saline (HS) has been a proven and effective therapy and a safe alternative to mannitol in patients with increase intracranial pressure (ICP). We hereby present a case of 25-year-old women with intracranial bleed secondary to right parietal arteriovenous malformation. ⋯ She received total of 17 doses of 23.4% HS and 30 doses of mannitol with good outcome. Despite reluctance from some clinicians to use HS, hypertonic saline seems to be a safe and effective therapy.
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J Intensive Care Med · Jan 2015
Comparative Study Observational StudyEvaluation of a new index of mechanical ventilation weaning: the timed inspiratory effort.
The performance of most indices used to predict ventilator weaning outcomes remains below expectation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new weaning index, the timed inspiratory effort (TIE) index, which is based on the maximal inspiratory pressure and the occlusion time required to reach it. ⋯ The TIE index performed better than the best weaning indices used in clinical practice.