Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2017
Lactate and lactate clearance as valuable tool to evaluate ECMO therapy in cardiogenic shock.
ECMO support is an ultimate ratio therapy for patients in refractory cardiogenic shock and is linked to high mortality. We assessed the dynamic characteristics of lactate during ECMO therapy and its predictive role on 30-day mortality. ⋯ Dynamic course of lactate during ECMO therapy is a valuable tool to assess effective circulatory support and is superior to single lactate measurements as a predictive marker for 30-day mortality.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2017
Multicenter Study Observational StudyClinical predictors of early death from sepsis.
Patients with severe sepsis who experience rapid, early deterioration and death are of particular concern. Our objective was to identify predictors of early death in Emergency Department (ED) patients with severe sepsis. ⋯ Initial serum lactate and mSOFA score were independent predictors of mortality within 24h of ED admission in patients with severe sepsis.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2017
Multicenter Study Observational StudyDelirium and exposure to psychoactive medications in critically ill adults: A multi-centre observational study.
Investigate the relationship between psychoactive drugs and delirium. ⋯ The identification of psychoactive drugs as modifiable delirium risk factors plays an important role in the management of critically ill patients. This is particularly important given the burden of exposure and combinations of drugs used in this vulnerable patient population.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2017
ReviewEncephalitis and myelitis in tropical countries: Report from the Task Force on Tropical Diseases by the World Federation of Societies of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine.
Tropical diseases are those that occur primarily or solely in the tropics, and as such include infectious diseases that are particularly prevalent in hot, humid conditions. The incidence of encephalitis in tropical countries is reported to be as high as 6.34/100,000/year. ⋯ Transverse myelitis (TM) is an inflammation of the spinal cord which has a wide variety of clinical presentations depending on the degree (severity of myelin and neuronal injury) and site of spinal cord involvement. In the present article we discuss the various forms of tropical, viral encephalitides and myelitis and the diagnosis and management.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2017
ReviewViral hemorrhagic fever in the tropics: Report from the task force on tropical diseases by the World Federation of Societies of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine.
Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are a group of illnesses caused by four families of viruses namely Arenaviruses, Filoviruses, Bunyaviruses, and Flaviviruses. Humans are not the natural reservoir for any of these organisms and acquire the disease through vectors from animal reservoirs. ⋯ The resultant microvascular damage leads to increased vascular permeability, organ dysfunction and even death. The management is generally supportive but antiviral agents are of benefit in certain circumstances.