Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialA weaning protocol administered by critical care nurses for the weaning of patients from mechanical ventilation.
The primary objective of this clinical trial of patients on mechanical ventilation was to determine if a weaning protocol implemented solely by nurses could reduce the weaning time relative to usual care (UC). ⋯ The weaning protocol administered by the nurses was safe and reduced the weaning time from mechanical ventilation in patients who were recovering from respiratory failure.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2012
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyImpact of a multidimensional approach on ventilator-associated pneumonia rates in a hospital of Shanghai: findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium.
The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of a multidimensional infection control approach on the reduction of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in intensive care units (ICUs) patients of one hospital in China. ⋯ Implementing a multidimensional infection control intervention for VAP was associated with a significant cumulative reduction in the VAP rate in our ICUs.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialTopical nitroglycerin and lidocaine locally vasodilate the radial artery without affecting systemic blood pressure: a dose-finding phase I study.
Small radial artery diameter (RAD) and vasospasm are barriers to radial artery cannulation. We performed this study to determine if topical nitroglycerin and/or nitroglycerin plus topical lidocaine increases RAD without affecting systemic blood pressure. ⋯ Topical nitroglycerin and lidocaine significantly increase RAD within 30 to 60 minutes with no effect on contralateral radial artery or blood pressure, indicating a direct, local effect on the radial artery. (Clinicaltrials.gov number NCT00686231).
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2012
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyComparative study of pressure- and volume-controlled ventilation on stroke volume variation as a predictor of fluid responsiveness in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery.
We hypothesized that the 2 ventilation modes might have a different influence on the stroke volume variation (SVV). This study investigated the effect of the ventilation modes on SVV as a predictor of fluid responsiveness during major abdominal surgery. ⋯ Stroke volume variation can predict fluid responsiveness during both VCV and PCV modes. However, the optimal threshold values of SVV may differ according to the ventilation modes.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of osmotic agents on regional cerebral blood flow in traumatic brain injury.
Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is reduced after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) with considerable regional variation. Osmotic agents are used to reduce elevated intracranial pressure (ICP), improve cerebral perfusion pressure, and presumably improve CBF. Yet, osmotic agents have other physiologic effects that can influence CBF. We sought to determine the regional effect of osmotic agents on CBF when administered to treat intracranial hypertension. ⋯ Osmotic agents, in addition to lowering ICP, improve CBF to hypoperfused brain regions in patients with intracranial hypertension after TBI.