Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2016
Measurement of pulmonary artery to aorta ratio in computed tomography is correlated with pulmonary artery pressure in critically ill chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading chronic diseases and a common cause of death. Identification of COPD patients at high risk for complications and mortality is of utmost importance. Computed tomography (CT) can be used to measure the ratio of the diameter of the pulmonary artery (PA) to the diameter of the aorta (A), and PA/A ratio was shown to be correlated with PA pressure (PAP). However, the prognostic value of PA size remains unclear in patients with COPD. We hypothesized that PA enlargement, as shown by a PA/A ratio greater than 1, could be associated with a higher risk of mortality in COPD patients admitted to the intensive care unit. ⋯ The PA/A ratio is an easily measured method that can be performed on thorax CT scans. Although, we failed to demonstrate a statistically significant association between higher PA/A and increased mortality, PA/A can be used as a surrogate marker to predict the pulmonary hypertension.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2016
The predictive performance of the SAPS II and SAPS 3 scoring systems: A retrospective analysis.
The purpose was to analyze and compare the performance of Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II and SAPS 3 (North Europe Logit) in an intensive care unit (ICU) for internal disorders at a German university hospital. ⋯ In this study, SAPS 3 overestimated mortality and therefore appears less suitable for risk evaluation in comparison to SAPS II.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2016
Ultrasound images transmitted via FaceTime are non-inferior to images on the ultrasound machine.
Remote telementored ultrasound (RTMUS) systems can deliver ultrasound (US) expertise to regions lacking highly trained bedside ultrasonographers and US interpreters. To date, no studies have evaluated the quality and clinical utility of US images transmitted using commercially available RTMUS systems. ⋯ An RTMUS system using commercially available two-way audiovisual technology can transmit US images without quality degradation. For most anatomic sites assessed, US images acquired using FaceTime are not inferior to those obtained directly with the US machine.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2016
The diagnostic ability of procalcitonin and interleukin-6 to differentiate infectious from noninfectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome and to predict mortality.
The purpose of the study was to quantify the ability of procalcitonin (PCT) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) to differentiate noninfectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis and to predict hospital mortality. ⋯ Procalcitonin measured on intensive care unit admission was diagnostic of sepsis, and IL-6 was predictive of mortality. Addition of IL-6 concentration to SOFA score improved risk assessment for prediction of mortality. Future studies should include clinical indices, for example, SOFA score, for prognostic evaluation of biomarkers.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2016
Quality of life improves with return of voice in tracheostomy patients in intensive care: An observational study.
To measure patient-reported change of mood, communication-related quality of life, and general health status with return of voice among mechanically ventilated tracheostomy patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Return of voice was associated with significant improvement in patient reported self-esteem, particularly in being understood by others and in cheerfulness. Improved self-esteem may also improve quality of life; however, further research is needed to confirm this relationship. Early restoration of voice should be investigated as a way to improve the experience of ICU for tracheostomy patients.