Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2015
Review Meta AnalysisIncreased return of spontaneous circulation at the expense of neurologic outcomes: Is prehospital epinephrine for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest really worth it?
Current guidelines for the management of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) recommend the use of prehospital epinephrine by initial responders. This recommendation was initially based on data from animal models of cardiac arrest and minimal human data, but since its inception, more human data regarding prehospital epinephrine in this setting are now available. Although out-of-hospital return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) may be higher with the use of epinephrine, worse neurologic outcomes may be associated with its use. ⋯ Use of epinephrine before arrival to the hospital for OHCA does not increase survival to discharge but does make it more likely for those who are discharged to have poor neurologic outcome. There is a need for additional randomized controlled trials.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2015
ReviewMechanistic similarities between trauma, atherosclerosis, and other inflammatory processes.
Most human diseases, including trauma, atherosclerosis, and malignancy, can be characterized by either an overexuberant inflammatory response or an inadequate immunologic response. As our understanding of the mechanisms underlying these inflammatory aberrations improves, so should our approach to the patient. ⋯ Trauma surgeons are uniquely positioned to usher in a new era of patient diagnostics and patient-directed therapies based on an understanding of the immune system's response to stimuli. These improvements are likely to affect not only trauma care but all aspects of medicine.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2015
ReviewMagnesium status and magnesium therapy in critically ill patients: A systematic review.
Magnesium is frequently measured and administered in general intensive care unit patients. However, magnesium status, its association with outcomes, and therapeutic utility in such patients are unclear. We performed a systematic review of the relevant literature to define current knowledge in this field. ⋯ Total serum magnesium levels are generally used to estimate magnesium status in critical illness. Hypomagnesemia appears associated with greater risk of mortality, but the efficacy of magnesium administration is open to challenge.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2015
Admission hyperglycemia is associated with poor outcome after emergent coronary bypass grafting surgery.
Hyperglycemia during or after cardiac surgery is a common finding that is associated with poor outcome. Very few data, however, are available regarding a correlation between admission blood glucose and outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Thus, the goal of the current study was to examine the relationship between admission blood glucose and outcome after emergency CABG surgery. ⋯ Our study shows for the first time that admission blood glucose is correlated with increased morbidity and mortality among patients undergoing emergency CABG surgery.