Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Sep 2000
Acute respiratory distress syndrome: resource use and outcomes in 1985 and 1995, trends in mortality and comorbidities.
The purpose of this study was to compare resource consumption and mortality between (ARDS) patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome treated at our center in 1985 (45 patients) and those treated in 1995. ⋯ In our setting, mortality remained constant from 1985 to 1995 among ARDS trauma patients but not among nontrauma ARDS patients because of the new case-mix of the latter population, which now includes HIV and other immunodepressed patients.
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Journal of critical care · Sep 2000
Partial liquid ventilation shows dose-dependent increase in oxygenation with PEEP and decreases lung injury associated with mechanical ventilation.
The purpose of this article is to evaluate the effect of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) during partial liquid ventilation (PLV) and to investigate if lung damage associated with mechanical ventilation can be reduced by PLV. ⋯ PLV shows dose-dependent increase in oxygenation with PEEP and may reduce lung damage associated with mechanical ventilation.
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Journal of critical care · Sep 2000
The clinical features of severe community-acquired pneumonia presenting as septic shock. Norasept II Study Investigators.
The purpose of this article was to determine the outcome, clinical and prognostic features, and microbiology of a large group of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) presenting in septic shock. ⋯ A diverse spectrum of both gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens were implicated in patients with CAP presenting in septic shock, necessitating broad spectrum empiric antimicrobial coverage. This coverage should include antipseudomonal activity, particularly in alcoholic patients. Severity of illness (APACHE II score) and IL-6 levels were important prognostic factors. Infection with P aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species carried a very high mortality.