Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2018
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyEnteral nutrition as stress ulcer prophylaxis in critically ill patients: A randomized controlled exploratory study.
We investigated whether early enteral nutrition alone may be sufficient prophylaxis against stress-related gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in mechanically ventilated patients. ⋯ We found no benefit when pantoprazole is added to early enteral nutrition in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients. The routine prescription of acid-suppressive therapy in critically ill patients who tolerate early enteral nutrition warrants further evaluation.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2018
Implementation of a risk-stratified opioid weaning protocol in a pediatric intensive care unit.
Opioids are important in the care of critically ill children. However, their use is associated with complications including delirium, dependence, withdrawal, and bowel dysfunction. Our aim was to implement a risk-stratified opioid weaning protocol to reduce the duration of opioids without increasing the incidence of withdrawal. ⋯ We implemented a risk-stratified opioid weaning protocol for critically ill children that resulted in reduction in opioid exposure without an increase in withdrawal. There was no difference in the LOS.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2018
Review Meta AnalysisEffect of antibiotics administered via the respiratory tract in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
We evaluated the effect of antibiotics administered via the respiratory tract to prevent the ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in mechanically ventilated (MV) patients. ⋯ Prophylactic antibiotics administered through the respiratory tract by nebulization reduce the occurrence of VAP, without a significant effect on either the ICU mortality or occurrence of VAP due to MDR pathogens.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2018
ReviewLeptospirosis: Report from the task force on tropical diseases by the World Federation of Societies of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine.
Leptospirosis is a zoonosis caused by a gram negative aerobic spirochete of the genus Leptospira. It is acquired by contact with urine or reproductive fluids from infected animals, or by inoculation from contaminated water or soil. The disease has a global distribution, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions that have a humid, rainy climate and is also common in travelers returning from these regions. ⋯ The appropriate diagnostic test depends on the stage of the disease and consists of direct and indirect detection methods and cultures. Severely ill patients need to be monitored in an ICU with appropriate anti-bacterial agents and early, aggressive and effective organ support. Antibiotic therapy consists of penicillins, macrolides or third generation cephalosporins.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2018
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyHealth-related quality of life after obstetric intensive care admission: Comparison with the general population.
To examine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in obstetric patients after intensive care discharge, with comparison to age-appropriate reference values from the general Finnish female population. ⋯ The baseline HRQoL of study population was lower than that of the general population, but after six months, the mean values were comparable to reference value. However, one in five patients still experienced impaired QOL at follow-up.