Journal of critical care
-
Journal of critical care · Feb 2015
Fat embolism in pediatric patients: An autopsy evaluation of incidence and Etiology.
Little is known about the incidence and etiology of fat embolism in pediatric patients. We sought to determine the incidence, time course, and associated factors of pulmonary fat embolism (PFE), cerebral fat embolism (CFE), and kidney fat embolism (KFE) in trauma and nontrauma pediatric patients at the time of autopsy. ⋯ Pulmonary fat embolism, CFE, and KFE are common in pediatric trauma and medical deaths. Body mass index is independently associated with the development of PFE. Absence of nuclear elements suggests that fat embolism did not originate from intramedullary fat.
-
Journal of critical care · Feb 2015
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyAdults with childhood-onset chronic conditions admitted to US pediatric and adult intensive care units.
The purpose of the study is to compare demographics, intensive care unit (ICU) admission characteristics, and ICU outcomes among adults with childhood-onset chronic conditions (COCCs) admitted to US pediatric and adult ICUs. ⋯ There are marked differences in characteristics between young adults with COCC admitted to pediatric ICUs and adult ICUs. Barriers to accommodating these young adults may be reasons why many such adults have not transitioned from pediatric to adult critical care.
-
Journal of critical care · Feb 2015
Electrolyte shifts across the artificial lung in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: Interdependence between partial pressure of carbon dioxide and strong ion difference.
Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2), strong ion difference (SID), and total amount of weak acids independently regulate pH. When blood passes through an extracorporeal membrane lung, PCO2 decreases. Furthermore, changes in electrolytes, potentially affecting SID, were reported. We analyzed these phenomena according to Stewart's approach. ⋯ When PCO2 is reduced and oxygen added, several changes in electrolytes occur. These changes cause a PCO2-dependent SID reduction that, by acidifying plasma, limits pH correction caused by carbon dioxide removal. In this particular setting, PCO2 and SID are interdependent.
-
Journal of critical care · Feb 2015
Observational StudyPain measurement in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients: Behavioral Pain Scale versus Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool.
The Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) and Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) are behavioral pain assessment tools for uncommunicative and sedated intensive care unit (ICU) patients. This study compares the discriminant validation and reliability of the CPOT and the BPS, simultaneously, in mechanically ventilated patients on a mixed-adult ICU. ⋯ This study showed that the BPS and the CPOT are reliable and valid for use in a daily clinical setting. Although both scores increased with a presumed painful stimulus, the discriminant validation of the BPS use was less supported because it increased during a nonpainful stimulus. The CPOT appears preferable in this particular group of patients, especially with regard to its discriminant validation.
-
Journal of critical care · Feb 2015
Predictive value of plasma biomarkers for mortality and organ failure development in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
To evaluate the predictive value of 6 different biomarkers in the development of multiple-organ failure (MOF) and mortality in a contemporary prospective cohort of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ⋯ Addition of biomarkers did not improve mortality prediction in this cohort of ARDS. Association between elevated interleukin 8 levels and progression of organ failures suggests an important role of exaggerated inflammatory response in the development of MOF.