Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2014
Glasgow Coma Scale score dominates the association between admission Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score and 30-day mortality in a mixed intensive care unit population.
The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, a measure of multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome, is used to predict mortality in critically ill patients by assigning equally weighted scores across 6 different organ systems. We hypothesized that specific organ systems would have a greater association with mortality than others. ⋯ In a mixed population of critically ill patients, the Glasgow Coma Scale score dominates the association between admission SOFA score and 30-day mortality. Future research into outcomes from multiple-organ dysfunction may benefit from new models for measuring organ dysfunction with special attention to neurologic dysfunction.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2014
Comparative StudyLimited echocardiography-guided therapy in subacute shock is associated with change in management and improved outcomes.
The purpose of the study was to compare the effect of limited echocardiography (LE)-guided therapy to standard management on 28-day mortality, intravenous fluid prescription, and inotropic dosing following early resuscitation for shock. ⋯ Limited echocardiography-guided management following early resuscitation is associated with improved survival, less fluid, and increased inotropic prescription. A prospective randomized control trial is required to verify these results.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2014
Observational StudyImpact of serial measurements of lysophosphatidylcholine on 28-day mortality prediction in patients admitted to the intensive care unit with severe sepsis or septic shock.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of serial lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) measurement on 28-day mortality prediction in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Serial measurements of LPC help in the prediction of 28-day mortality in ICU patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2014
Management of severe community-acquired pneumonia: A survey on the attitudes of 468 physicians in Iberia and South America.
The purpose of this study is to characterize the practices of pulmonary, internal medicine, and critical care physicians toward the management of patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). ⋯ Despite the recent advances of knowledge reflected in the present study in the management of severe CAP, several of them are still incompletely translated into clinical practice. Significant variation in practice is observed among physicians and represents a potential target for future research and educational interventions.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2014
Platelet indices are novel predictors of hospital mortality in intensive care unit patients.
Platelet volume indices (PVIs) are inexpensive and readily available in intensive care units (ICUs). However, their association with mortality has never been investigated in a critical care setting. Our study aimed to investigate the association of PVI and mortality in unselected ICU patients. ⋯ Higher MPV and PDW are associated with increased risk of death, whereas the decrease in plateletcrit is associated with increased mortality risk.