Journal of critical care
-
Acute liver failure is a rare but potentially devastating disease. Throughout the last few decades, acute liver failure outcomes have been improving in the context of the optimized overall management. This positive trend has been associated with the earlier recognition of this condition, the improvement of the intensive care unit management, and the developments in emergent liver transplantation. Accordingly, we aimed to review the current diagnostic and therapeutic approach to this syndrome, especially in the intensive care unit setting.
-
Journal of critical care · Jun 2017
ReviewEchocardiographic approach to cardiac tamponade in critically ill patients.
Cardiac tamponade should be considered in a critically ill patient in whom the cause of haemodynamic shock is unclear. When considering tamponade, transthoracic echocardiography plays an essential role and is the initial investigation of choice. ⋯ Knowledge of the pathophysiology and echocardiographic features of cardiac tamponade are essential for the practicing Intensivist. This review presents an approach to the recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiac tamponade in critically ill patients.
-
Journal of critical care · Jun 2017
Multicenter StudyRelatives' perception of stressors and psychological outcomes - Results from a survey study.
To identify relevant stressors or resources of relatives of critically ill patients and explore their relationship with psychological outcomes. ⋯ Our study confirmed a high prevalence of PICS-F among relatives of critically ill patients. Feeling overburdened and experiencing acute stressors may be related to negative psychological outcomes. In future, vulnerable relatives might be identified by a single-item screening tool on feeling overburdened.
-
Journal of critical care · Jun 2017
The effect of targeted temperature management on QT and corrected QT intervals in patients with cardiac arrest.
Targeted Temperature Management (TTM) improves outcomes after cardiac arrest but may affect the QT and QTc intervals which could increase the chance of subsequent arrhythmia. We report here the effects of TTM on both computer-derived and manually calculated QT and QTc as well as the relationship of the length of the QTc and serious arrhythmia in a retrospective single-center experience. ⋯ QT and QTc prolong during TTM. There was no differential increase in the QTc in patients who experienced malignant arrhythmias. While the mechanism of QTc prolongation is not clear, it would not appear that the degree of QTc prolongation has an adverse effect on cardiac rhythm during TTM.
-
Journal of critical care · Jun 2017
The epidemiologic characteristics, temporal trends, predictors of death, and discharge disposition in patients with a diagnosis of sepsis: A cross-sectional retrospective cohort study.
To assess recent epidemiologic characteristics, temporal trends, and predictors of death and discharge disposition in patients with sepsis. ⋯ Certain comorbidities and organ failures were associated with death and discharge to a skilled outpatient facility.