Journal of critical care
-
Journal of critical care · Apr 2017
ReviewParacetamol in fever in critically ill patients-an update.
Fever, which is arbitrary defined as an increase in body temperature above 38.3°C, can affect up to 90% of patients admitted in intensive care unit. Induction of fever is mediated by the release of pyrogenic cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1, interleukin 6, and interferons). Fever is associated with increased length of stay in intensive care unit and with a worse outcome in some subgroups of patients (mainly neurocritically ill patients). ⋯ Paracetamol is a synthetic, nonopioid, centrally acting analgesic, and antipyretic drug. Its antipyretic effect occurs because it inhibits cyclooxygenase-3 and the prostaglandin synthesis, within the central nervous system, resetting the hypothalamic heat-regulation center. In this clinical review, we will summarize the use of paracetamol as antipyretic in critically ill patients (sepsis, trauma, neurological, and medical).
-
Journal of critical care · Apr 2017
Multicenter StudyDrug-drug interactions in the intensive care unit: Do they really matter?
To describe prevalence and patterns of potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) in the intensive care unit (ICU), occurrence of adverse drug events (ADEs), and agreement between different compendia and intensivists' perceptions. ⋯ Potential drug-drug interactions occurred in most ICU patients, contrasting with low rates of potentially related ADEs, which may have been underestimated. Sources of information are inconsistent, challenging the identification of pDDIs.
-
Journal of critical care · Apr 2017
Fluid resuscitation mediates the association between inhalational burn injury and acute kidney injury in the major burn population.
It is known that acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute lung injury are independent risk factors for developing acute kidney injury (AKI) through complex pathophysiologic mechanisms. Our specific aim is to evaluate the risk factors for AKI postburn injury and whether inhalation thermal injury is an independent risk factor for developing AKI in the major burn population. ⋯ Inhalation thermal injury is not an independent risk factor for AKI after adjusting for TBSA and surrogates for fluid resuscitation. In patients with major burns, intensity of fluid resuscitation may mediate the development of AKI.
-
Journal of critical care · Apr 2017
Randomized Controlled TrialActivation of respiratory muscles during weaning from mechanical ventilation.
Respiratory muscle dysfunction is a key component of weaning failure. Balancing respiratory muscle loading and unloading by applying different ventilation modes along with spontaneous breathing episodes are established weaning strategies. However, the effects of body positioning on the respiratory muscles during weaning remains unclear. ⋯ This is the first study to show that body positioning influences respiratory drive to the diaphragm in tracheotomized patients with prolonged weaning from mechanical ventilation during unassisted breathing. Sitting position reduces respiratory drive compared with semirecumbent and supine positioning and might therefore be favored during spontaneous breathing trials.
-
Journal of critical care · Apr 2017
Can the cerebral regional oxygen saturation be a perfusion parameter in shock?
Shock, defined as a state of tissue hypoperfusion and the tissues reperfusion, is the main goal of management of shock. Increase in central venous saturation (CvSo2) and decrease in blood lactate level are useful in assessment of adequacy of tissue perfusion. Near-infrared spectroscopy is a noninvasive way to observe real-time changes in regional cerebral saturation and has been used in patients with different brain diseases. There is a small body of literature suggesting that cerebral regional oxygen saturation (CrSo2) monitoring added a value in assessment and management of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. ⋯ Cerebral regional oxygen saturation might be helpful as one of the perfusion parameters in patients with shock and it could have a prognostic value in mortality prediction. However, further studies with larger sample size are still needed to validate these results.