Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2011
Morbidity and mortality characteristics of morbidly obese patients admitted to hospital and intensive care units.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of hospitalized morbidly obese inpatients. ⋯ As BMI increases, utilization of medical resources also increases such as ICU admission, MV, longer hospital LOS, and tracheostomy. Although overall BMI interquartile mortality rates do not differ significantly in our study, utilization of valuable and costly hospital resources is a major challenge facing health care delivery. Our findings indicate the need for increased efforts and novel strategies for treatment, prevention, and resource allocation to deal with this emerging challenge.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2011
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with 2009 influenza A(H1N1) virus infection with respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation.
The purpose of the study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of critically ill patients with 2009 influenza A(H1N1). ⋯ Patients with 2009 influenza A(H1N1) and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation often present with clinical criteria of acute respiratory distress syndrome and shock. Bacterial pneumonia is a frequent complication. Mortality is high and is primarily due to refractory hypoxia.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2011
Impact of systemic corticosteroids on the clinical course and outcomes of patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia: a cohort study.
Our aim was to evaluate the impact of corticosteroids on clinical course and outcomes of patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. ⋯ In patients with severe CAP requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, adjunctive therapy with corticosteroids did not influence intensive care unit and hospital mortality. In addition, no changes were observed on weaning from vasopressors, on recovery from organ failure/dysfunction as assessed by the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, as well as on C-reactive protein course.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2011
Is hyperchloremia associated with mortality in critically ill patients? A prospective cohort study.
The aim of the study was to determine if acid-base variables are associated with hospital mortality. ⋯ Hypoalbuminemia and hyperchloremia were associated with mortality. This result involving chloride is something new and should be tested in future studies.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2011
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neuron-specific enolase, but not S100β, levels are associated to the occurrence of delirium in intensive care unit patients.
The aim of this study was to determine the association between serum concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and S100β and the occurrence of delirium in critically ill patients. ⋯ Our results suggest that admission serum BDNF and NSE levels are associated with the occurrence of delirium in ICU patients.