Journal of critical care
-
Journal of critical care · Aug 2013
Exhaled nitrite/nitrate levels as a marker of respiratory complications after heart valve surgery.
The purposes of this study are to measure the nitric oxide metabolites nitrite and nitrate (NOx) in the exhaled breath condensates (EBCs) of patients submitted to heart valve surgery and to assess the correlation between NOx levels and postoperative respiratory complications. ⋯ Our results suggest that the postoperative NOx level in the EBC is an early marker of respiratory complications after heart valve surgery. Additional studies using large cohorts are necessary to corroborate our results and to better define the clinical usefulness of assessing NOx in the EBC after cardiac surgery.
-
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of age on outcome in a large cohort of surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients. ⋯ Mortality rates increase with age, with an exponential increase in patients older than 65 years. Age is an independent risk factor for in-hospital death, irrespective of the type of surgical intervention.
-
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the incidence and hemodynamic consequences of right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in critically ill patients with H1N1 infection. ⋯ These observations emphasize the high incidence of cardiac dysfunction in patients with H1N1 influenza infections.
-
Journal of critical care · Aug 2013
Prediction of fluid responsiveness in patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit.
Accurate prediction of fluid responsiveness is of importance in the treatment of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). We investigated whether physical examination, central venous pressure (CVP), central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2), passive leg raising (PLR) test, and transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD)-derived parameters can predict volume responsiveness in patients admitted to the ICU. ⋯ Prediction of fluid responsiveness is difficult using physical examination, CVP, ScvO2, PLR maneuver, or TPTD-derived variables in critically ill patients. A volume challenge test should be considered for the assessment of fluid responsiveness in critically ill patients admitted to the ICU.