Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2015
Epidemiology and outcomes of acute kidney injury in critically ill surgical patients.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in critically ill patients but is poorly defined in surgical patients. We studied AKI in a representative cohort of critically ill surgical patients. ⋯ Acute kidney injury is common in critically ill surgical patients and is associated with increased mortality, persisting renal impairment and greater resource use.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2015
The influence of anesthesia on heart rate complexity during elective and urgent surgery in 128 patients.
As an emerging "new vital sign," heart rate complexity (by sample entropy [SampEn]) has been shown to be a useful trauma triage tool by predicting occult physiologic compromise and need for life-saving interventions. Sample entropy may be confounded by anesthesia possibly limiting its value intraoperatively. We investigated the effects of anesthesia on SampEn during elective and urgent surgical procedures. We hypothesized that SampEn is reduced by general anesthesia. ⋯ Sample entropy decreases after induction of anesthesia and continues to decrease even immediately after emergence in patients without any immediately life-threatening conditions. This finding may complicate interpretation low complexity as a predictor of life-saving interventions in patients in the perioperative period.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2015
A pilot assessment of alpha-stat vs pH-stat arterial blood gas analysis after cardiac arrest.
Resuscitated cardiac arrest (CA) patients typically receive therapeutic hypothermia, but arterial blood gases (ABGs) are often assessed after adjustment to 37°C (alpha-stat) instead of actual body temperature (pH-stat). We sought to compare alpha-stat and pH-stat assessment of PaO2 and PaCO2 in such patients. ⋯ Using the pH-stat method, fewer resuscitated CA patients admitted to intensive care unit were classified as hyperoxemic or hypercapnic compared with alpha-stat. These findings suggest an impact of ABG assessment methodology on PaO2, PaCO2 , and patient classification but not on associated outcomes.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2015
Computed tomography pulmonary angiography: More than a screening tool for pulmonary embolus.
Traumatically injured patients have multiple causes for acute respiratory decompensation. We reviewed the use of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in critically injured patients to evaluate the results and impact on patient care. ⋯ Computed tomography pulmonary angiography is valuable in the evaluation of cardiopulmonary deterioration in critically ill traumatically injured patients. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography offers the ability to identify causes of acute physiologic changes not detected using standard chest x-ray. The results of these studies provide insight into the underlying pathophysiology and offer an opportunity to direct subsequent patient care.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2015
Observational StudyPredicting duration of mechanical ventilation in patients with carbon monoxide poisoning: A retrospective study.
Patients with severe carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning may develop acute respiratory failure, which needs endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation (MV). The objective of this study was to identify the predictors for duration of MV in patients with severe CO poisoning and acute respiratory failure. ⋯ A positive toxin screen predicts extubation within the first 72 hours for patients with severe CO poisoning and acute respiratory failure. On the other hand, elevation of initial troponin-I level is a predictor for a longer duration of MV.