Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Sep 2009
Meta AnalysisThe efficacy and dosage effect of corticosteroids for the prevention of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: a systematic review.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) complicates up to 60% of patients after cardiac surgery. Current prophylactic measures are inadequate. Corticosteroids down-regulate activation of the proinflammatory response (including C-reactive protein) after cardiopulmonary bypass and have been suggested to reduce the risk of postoperative AF. ⋯ Moderate-dosage corticosteroid (hydrocortisone) should be considered for the prevention of AF in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Although the optimal dose, dosing interval, and duration of therapy is unclear, a single dose given at induction may be adequate. The interaction between corticosteroids, beta-blockers, and amiodarone requires further study.
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Journal of critical care · Mar 2009
Meta AnalysisProne positioning in hypoxemic respiratory failure: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Prone positioning is used to improve oxygenation in patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure (HRF). However, its role in clinical practice is not yet clearly defined. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the effect of prone positioning on relevant clinical outcomes, such as intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital mortality, days of mechanical ventilation, length of stay, incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and pneumothorax, and associated complications. ⋯ Despite the inherent limitations of the meta-analytic approach, it seems that prone positioning has no discernible effect on mortality in patients with HRF. It may decrease the incidence of VAP at the expense of more pressure sores and complications related to the endotracheal tube. However, a subgroup of the most severely ill patients may benefit most from this intervention.
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Journal of critical care · Mar 2008
Meta AnalysisEfficacy of prone ventilation in adult patients with acute respiratory failure: a meta-analysis.
The use of prone ventilation in acute respiratory failure has been investigated by several randomized controlled trials in the recent past. To date, there has been no systematic review or meta-analysis of these trials. ⋯ The use of prone ventilation is associated with improved oxygenation. It is not associated with a reduction in mortality, pneumonia, or ICU stay and may be associated with an increased incidence of pressure sores.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2007
Meta AnalysisInternational integrated database for the evaluation of severe sepsis and drotrecogin alfa (activated) therapy: 28-day survival and safety.
To enhance the understanding of severe sepsis, a database of patients from multiple clinical trials spanning a 6-year period was constructed. Initial analyses evaluated the 28-day survival in the placebo group and further assessed the treatment effect of drotrecogin alfa (activated) (DrotAA). ⋯ Initial analyses indicate that placebo mortality remained unchanged over a recent 6-year period. These analyses also further substantiate that treatment with DrotAA is associated with improved survival.
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Journal of critical care · Sep 2005
Meta AnalysisCost-effectiveness of immunoglobulin M-enriched immunoglobulin (Pentaglobin) in the treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock.
To measure the cost-effectiveness of a specific polyclonal intravenous immune globulin preparation (Pentaglobin) in adult patients treated for severe sepsis and septic shock. ⋯ Pentaglobin is a promising adjuvant therapy both clinically and economically for treatment of adults with severe sepsis and septic shock.