Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2018
Multicenter StudyC-reactive protein and procalcitonin profile in ventilator-associated lower respiratory infections.
Ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT) has been suggested as an intermediate process between tracheobronchial colonization and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) to differentiate between VAT and VAP. ⋯ Although PCT and CRP presented lower values in VAT as compared to VAP, there was a marked overlap of both biomarkers values in both VA-LRTI not allowing adequate discrimination.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2018
Multicenter StudyAntibiotics has more impact on mortality than other early goal-directed therapy components in patients with sepsis: An instrumental variable analysis.
To estimate the effect of each of the EGDT components, as well as of the antibiotics, on length-of-stay and mortality. ⋯ Among patients entering ER with infection and shock or hypoperfusion criteria, the use of appropriate antibiotics in the first 3 h is the measure that has the greatest impact on survival. In addition, among patients with hyperlactatemia >4 mmol/L, the clearance of >10% of lactate during resuscitation is associated with better outcomes.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2018
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyHigh-flow nasal therapy vs standard oxygen during breaks off noninvasive ventilation for acute respiratory failure: A pilot randomized controlled trial.
To assess the role of high-flow nasal therapy (HFNT) compared to standard oxygen (SO) as complementary therapy to non-invasive ventilation (NIV). ⋯ Compared to SO, HFNT did not reduce time on NIV. However, it was more comfortable and the increase in RR and dyspnea seen with SO did not occur with HFNT. Therefore, HFNT could be a suitable alternative to SO during breaks off NIV.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2018
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyPatient-ventilator interaction with conventional and automated management of pressure support during difficult weaning from mechanical ventilation.
Optimizing pressure support ventilation (PSV) can improve patient-ventilator interaction. We conducted a two-center, randomized cross-over study to determine whether automated PSV lowers asynchrony rate during difficult weaning from mechanical ventilation. ⋯ During difficult weaning, autoPSV improves patient-ventilator interaction by lowering tidal volume and enhancing PS variability. In expert centres, however, the size effect of the intervention appears clinically small, likely because physicians themselves adequately limit PS and tidal volume.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2018
Multicenter Study Observational StudyCaregivers' perceptions towards communication with mechanically ventilated patients: The results of a multicenter survey.
The purpose of this study was to investigate ICU health care providers' perception towards communication and associated problems with mechanically ventilated (MV) patients. The primary aim was to quantify the extent of the problem and to determine its effect on patient care and job satisfaction. ⋯ In half of the interactions with MV patients, health care professionals experience significant communication difficulties. The respondents indicated that these difficulties frequently lead to negative effects on patient care and job satisfaction. These results emphasize the need for improvements such as the development of communication protocols, skills training and continued research into new communication methods.