Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2017
Assessment of corrected flow time in carotid artery via point-of-care ultrasonography: Reference values and the influential factors.
Assessment of Corrected Flow Time (FTc) in carotid artery has been suggested recently as a measure of intravascular volume status. This study aimed to determine the reference values of FTc in carotid artery in a normal population. ⋯ This study would potentially pave the way to determine clinically significant cutoff points in order to assess the diagnostic accuracy of FTc in predicting intravascular volume status and fluid therapy responsiveness.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2017
Abnormal environmental light exposure in the intensive care environment.
We sought to characterize ambient light exposure in the intensive care unit (ICU) environment to identify patterns of light exposure relevant to circadian regulation. ⋯ Patients' environmental light exposure in the intensive care unit is consistently low and follows a diurnal pattern. No effect of nighttime light exposure was observed on melatonin secretion. Inadequate daytime light exposure in the ICU may contribute to abnormal circadian rhythms.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2017
Observational StudyAssessment of macro- and micro-oxygenation parameters during fractional fluid infusion: A pilot study.
The main goal of this study was to assess whether maximal fluid infusion improves both oxygen delivery (DO2) and micro-circulatory parameters during hemodilution. The secondary objective was to assess the ability of baseline micro-circulatory parameters to predict oxygen consumption (VO2) response following fluid infusion. ⋯ Maximal fluid infusion improves macro- and micro-circulatory oxygenation parameters. For VO2-Responders, only ScVO2 and cerebral rSO2 could serve as markers of tissue hypoxia.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2017
Randomized Controlled TrialThe effects of oral rinse with 0.2% and 2% chlorhexidine on oropharyngeal colonization and ventilator associated pneumonia in adults' intensive care units.
Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is the most common nosocomial infection in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) which increases the length of ICU stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, and mortality. The present study used an oral care protocol and compared the effects of two different concentrations of chlorhexidine on reduction of oropharyngeal colonization and VAP. ⋯ Oral decontamination with 2% compared to 0.2% chlorhexidine is a more effective method in the prevention of VAP and reduction of oropharyngeal colonization (especially gram-positive).