Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Sep 1994
ReviewSplanchnic tonometry: a review of physiology, methodology, and clinical applications.
The objective of this article is to review splanchnic tonometry. The English literature, involving both animal and human studies, was used for review, with emphasis on papers on physiological and methodological principles and clinical applications. Tonometry involves the measurement of intraluminal PCO2 as a measure of mucosal PCO2 in the gastrointestinal tract via a catheter in, for instance, stomach or sigmoid colon, and the calculation, with help of the blood bicarbonate content and the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, of the mucosal pH (pHi). ⋯ Tonometry may be a useful monitoring technique to guide treatment and to improve survival. Splanchnic tonometry is a relatively simple, noninvasive, and thereby promising technique to monitor the critically ill. However, some aspects need further evaluation before the technique can be advocated for routine use.
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Estimation and measurement of serum osmolality can be of value in the clinical management of certain forms of critical illness. Osmolality is a measure of the concentration of osmotically active particles, or solutes, in a solution. Only low-formula weight ions and uncharged molecules that are present in relatively high concentrations contribute significantly to serum osmolality. ⋯ An understanding of serum osmolality, its laboratory measurement, its bedside estimation, and the concept of the osmole gap, is crucial in making a preliminary diagnosis of methanol and ethylene glycol intoxication, as well as a few other related compounds. There are important caveats to this use of the osmole gap, because under certain circumstances both false-positive and false-negative interpretations may occur. The osmole gap may also be helpful for confirming pseudohyponatremia, as a gauge for dosing mannitol and glycerol when used to treat intracranial hypertension, and as a prognostic indicator in circulatory shock.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 1994
Review Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialHepatotoxicity related to total parenteral nutrition: comparison of low-lipid and lipid-supplemented solutions.
Because it is unclear whether or not the lipid or carbohydrate component of total parenteral nutrition solutions determines the development of cholestasis during total parenteral nutrition, a prospective randomized clinical trial of a predominantly carbohydrate solution (group I) versus one with isocaloric substitution of 30% nonprotein calories with lipid (group II) was performed. ⋯ With these statistical considerations, we conclude that there was probably no statistically significant difference between the groups for an increase in AST or AP levels during total parenteral nutrition.
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Journal of critical care · Mar 1994
ReviewRole of neutrophil-endothelial cell adhesion in inflammatory disorders.
Polymorphonuclear leukocytes are armed with an impressive arsenal of bactericidal agents that allow these cells to play a vital role in host defense against invading pathogens. However, these same agents can produce extensive cellular damage in host tissues when leukocytes are activated during inflammatory conditions. ⋯ NECA also appears to play an important role in the pathobiology of airway inflammation and asthma, pulmonary oxygen toxicity, arthritis, bacterial meningitis, and cerebral malaria. The aim of this review is to summarize the evidence implicating NECA in the pathogenesis of these inflammatory conditions.
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Journal of critical care · Mar 1994
ReviewReport of the American-European Consensus conference on acute respiratory distress syndrome: definitions, mechanisms, relevant outcomes, and clinical trial coordination. Consensus Committee.
The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a process of nonhydrostatic pulmonary edema and hypoxemia associated with a variety of etiologies, carries a high morbidity rate, mortality rate (10% to 90%), and financial cost. The reported annual incidence in the United States is 150,000 cases, but this figure has been challenged and may be different in Europe. ⋯ The European American Consensus Committee on ARDS was formed to focus on these issues and on the pathophysiologic mechanisms of the process. It was felt that international coordination between North America and Europe in clinical studies of ARDS was becoming increasingly important to address the recent plethora of potential therapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of ARDS.