Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2013
Evaluation of hemostatic biomarker abnormalities that precede platelet count decline in critically ill patients with sepsis.
The hemostatic biomarkers for early diagnosis of sepsis-associated coagulopathy have not been identified. The purpose of this study was to evaluate hemostatic biomarker abnormalities preceding a decrease in platelet count, which is a surrogate indicator of overt coagulopathy in sepsis. ⋯ Decreased PC and α2-PI activity preceded a decrease in platelet count in intensive care unit patients with sepsis.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2013
Is vitamin D deficiency associated with development of Acinetobacter baumannii infections in critically ill patients?
A growing number of evidence demonstrates deficiency of vitamin D in critically ill patients. We aimed to evaluate the vitamin D status of our critically ill patients and its relevance to infections in these patients. ⋯ Vitamin D deficiency is common in critically ill patients. Even though there was no statistical difference between vitamin D deficient and sufficient patients regarding development of infections in general, A baumannii infections were significantly more frequent in the deficient group. Vitamin D deficiency was found as one of the independent risk factors for A baumannii infections. Further multicenter studies with a larger sample size are required to validate our data.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2013
Comparative StudyDynamic evaluation of near-infrared peripheral oximetry in healthy volunteers: A comparison between INVOS and EQUANOX.
The present study aimed to compare peripheral regional tissue oxygen saturation (rSO2) values and desaturation/resaturation rates given by INVOS and EQUANOX devices. ⋯ INVOS and EQUANOX are not comparable in measuring both absolute values and dynamic changes of peripheral rSO2 and near-infrared spectroscopy-derived parameters during occlusion vascular tests.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2013
Ionized hypocalcemia is an early event and is associated with organ dysfunction in children admitted to the intensive care unit.
The purpose was to determine the frequency and risk factors of ionized hypocalcemia and to evaluate this disturbance as a predictor of mortality in a pediatric intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Ionized hypocalcemia is common during the ICU stay, particularly in the first 3 days of admission. This disturbance was not found to be a predictor of mortality, but it is independently associated with more severe organ dysfunction.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2013
Comparative StudyIntroducing a new generation indirect calorimeter for estimating energy requirements in adult intensive care unit patients: Feasibility, practical considerations, and comparison with a mathematical equation.
Indirect calorimetry (IC) is increasingly advocated for individualizing nutritional therapy in critically ill adult patients, but questions remain regarding its practical implementation. ⋯ Indirect calorimetry is increasingly advocated for individualizing nutritional therapy in critically ill adult patients. Practical feasibility is tested in this study. Large differences between measured and calculated energy expenditure are observed. Together with patients' characteristics, feasibility results can guide clinicians or institutes in using IC in their daily clinical practice.