Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2021
Epidemiology and outcomes of invasive mechanical ventilation without ICU admission in acute care hospitals in Texas: A population-based cohort study.
The high ICU bed capacity in the United States (US) allows ICU care of patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), absent public health crisis. The use of IMV without ICU admission (non-ICU) in acute care hospitals in the US and its impact on patients' outcomes were not examined. ⋯ Non-ICU IMV was provided in 1 in 30 IMV hospitalizations in acute care hospitals. Although non-ICU IMV hospitalizations were younger and healthier than those admitted to ICU, their hospital mortality was markedly higher.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2021
Meta AnalysisTemperature control in critically ill patients with fever: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Fever is frequently encountered in ICU. It is unclear if targeted temperature control is beneficial in critically ill patients with suspected or confirmed infection. We conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis to answer this question. ⋯ Antipyretic therapy effectively reduces temperature in non-neurocritical ill patients but does not reduce mortality or impact other outcomes.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2021
Meta AnalysisHypoalbuminemia is associated with increased risk of acute kidney injury in hospitalized patients: A meta-analysis.
Previous systematic review suggested that hypoalbuminemia is associated with increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). However, pooled sample size was small, and there was no universal definition for AKI. ⋯ Hypoalbuminemia is associated with AKI in hospitalized patients. However, the effect on mortality is subjected to publication bias.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2021
ReviewAssociation between electrolyte levels at presentation and hematoma expansion and outcome in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: A systematic review.
To assess the association between specific electrolyte levels (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus) on presentation and hematoma expansion (HE) and outcome in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). ⋯ This review suggests a significant association between hypocalcemia, hyponatremia and, of lesser degree, hypomagnesemia on admission and HE or worse outcome in ICH.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2021
Preventing infectious diseases in Intensive Care Unit by medical devices remote control: Lessons from COVID-19.
The management of COVID-19 patients in the ICUs requires several and prolonged life-support systems (mechanical ventilation, continuous infusions of medications and nutrition, renal replacement therapy). Parameters have to be entered continuously into the device user interface by healthcare personnel according to the dynamic clinical condition. ⋯ Cables and tubing extensions have been utilized to make certain devices usable outside the patient's room but at the cost of introducing further hazards. Remote control of these devices decreases the frequency of unnecessary interventions and reduces the risk of exposure for both patients and healthcare personnel.