Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2013
Correlation of oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio with Pao2/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio in a heterogeneous sample of critically ill children.
Oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry (Spo2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (Fio2) (SF) ratio has demonstrated to be an adequate marker for lung disease severity in children under mechanical ventilation. We sought to validate the utility of SF ratio in a population of critically ill children under mechanical ventilation, noninvasive ventilation support, and breathing spontaneously. ⋯ Oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry/Fio2 ratio is an adequate noninvasive surrogate marker for PF ratio. Oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry/Fio2 ratio may be an ideal noninvasive marker for patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2013
Genetic predisposition to acute kidney injury induced by severe sepsis.
The aim of this study was to demonstrate that candidate gene polymorphisms are associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). ⋯ This is the first study demonstrating an association between the VEGF +936 CC genotype and the risk to develop AKI in patients with severe sepsis.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2013
Multicenter StudyImpaired gastrointestinal transit and its associated morbidity in the intensive care unit.
To determine the proportion of critically ill adults developing impaired gastrointestinal transit (IGT) using a clinically pragmatic definition, its associated morbidity and risk factors. ⋯ Traditional definitions of constipation or ileus in intensive care unit patients are simplistic and lack clinical relevance. Pragmatically defined IGT is a common complication of critical illness and is associated with significant morbidity. Future interventional studies for IGT in critically ill adults should use a more clinically relevant definition and evaluate energy deficits and lengths of stay as clinically relevant outcomes.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2013
Comparative StudyNurse-driven, protocol-directed weaning from mechanical ventilation improves clinical outcomes and is well accepted by intensive care unit physicians.
Ventilator weaning protocols can improve clinical outcomes, but their impact may vary depending on intensive care unit (ICU) structure, staffing, and acceptability by ICU physicians. This study was undertaken to examine their relationship. ⋯ A protocol for liberation from MV driven by ICU nurses decreased the duration of MV and ICU LOS in mechanically ventilated patients for more than 24 hours without adverse effects and was well accepted by ICU physicians.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2013
Acinetobacter baumannii infection was decreased by the structural renovation of a medical intensive care unit.
The study aimed to determine whether improvements in intensive care unit (ICU) structural environment affect the incidence of ICU-acquired infections (IAIs), particularly those caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens. ⋯ These results suggest that structural ICU renovations only may not improve overall IAI incidence, except for transient decrease in IAI by A baumannii.