Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2011
Multicenter StudyEarly changes of procalcitonin may advise about prognosis and appropriateness of antimicrobial therapy in sepsis.
The objective of this study is to define if early changes of procalcitonin (PCT) may inform about prognosis and appropriateness of administered therapy in sepsis. ⋯ Changes of serum PCT within the first 48 hours reflect the benefit or not of the administered antimicrobial therapy. Serial PCT measurements should be used in clinical practice to guide administration of appropriate antimicrobials.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2011
Evolutive physicochemical characterization of diabetic ketoacidosis in adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit.
The aim of this study was to characterize the first 48-hour evolution of metabolic acidosis of adult patients with diabetic ketoacidosis admitted to the intensive care unit. ⋯ Initial metabolic acidosis was due to SIG, and the treatment was associated with a significant decrease of SIG with an elevation of serum chloride above the normal range.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2011
Telemedicine in the intensive care unit environment--a survey of the attitudes and perspectives of critical care clinicians.
This study was conducted to assess the preimplementation knowledge and perceptions of intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians regarding the ability of telemedicine in the ICU environment (Tele-ICU) to address challenges resulting from the shortages of experienced critical care human resources and the drive to improve quality of care. ⋯ Significant uncertainty and skepticism were expressed by critical care clinicians regarding the ability of Tele-ICU to address the challenges of human resource limitation and the delivery of quality care. This suggests the need for further research and education of system impact beyond patient outcomes related to this new technology.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2011
Albumin and C-reactive protein have prognostic significance in patients with community-acquired pneumonia.
This study aims to determine the association of commonly used biochemical markers, such as albumin and C-reactive protein (CRP), with mortality and the prognostic performance of these markers combined with the pneumonia severity index (PSI) for mortality and adverse outcomes in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). ⋯ Albumin and CRP were associated with 28-day mortality in hospitalized patients with CAP, and these markers increased prognostic performance when combined with the PSI scale.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2011
Admission hyperlactatemia: causes, incidence, and impact on outcome of patients admitted in a general medical intensive care unit.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the causes, incidence, and impact on outcome of admission hyperlactatemia in patients admitted to a general medical intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Admission hyperlactatemia is common in a general ICU and is associated with increased mortality, irrespective of presence of hypotension. Shock was the commonest cause for hyperlactatemia, followed by respiratory and renal failures.