Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2015
Causes of ischemic electrocardiographic changes in near drowning: A literature review.
Drowning is a main cause of accidental death among children and adolescents worldwide. Ischemic electrocardiographic (ECG) changes are often encountered in victims of near drowning. We reviewed the literature for near drowning cases reporting ischemic ECG changes to study the underlying etiology for these findings. Among the 8 cases included in the analysis, ischemic ECG changes were due to takotsubo cardiomyopathy (in elderly cases especially females); coronary artery spasm (in younger cases); or hypothermia effect on ECG; and, to a lesser extent, myocardial ischemia resulting from occlusive coronary artery disease.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2015
Symptom burden and health-related quality of life among intensive care unit survivors in Argentina: A prospective cohort study.
Our goal was to describe the evolution of selected physical and psychologic symptoms and identify the determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge. ⋯ Determinants of HRQOL after ICU discharge were both related to late sequelae of critical illness and to some events occurring in the ICU. Notwithstanding the high symptom burden, patients still perceived their HRQOL as good.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2015
ReviewRisk stratification in acute pulmonary embolism with heart-type fatty acid-binding protein: A meta-analysis.
Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) has emerged as a new biomarker in risk stratification of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). We performed a meta-analysis of studies in patients with acute PE to assess the prognostic value of elevated H-FABP for short-term adverse outcomes. ⋯ This meta-analysis indicates that elevated H-FABP levels are associated with increased risk of 30-day complicated clinical course, mortality, and RVD.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2015
Mutual relationship between anxiety and pain in the intensive care unit and its effect on medications.
Little is known about the relationship between anxiety and pain in intensive care unit (ICU) patients despite its importance. The aims of the present study are to examine the correlation between pain and anxiety during ICU care and to investigate its effects on the dose of opioids and anxiolytics administered. ⋯ Pain and anxiety among critically ill patients in the ICU were closely correlated. Pain and anxiety influenced the dose of anxiolytics administered. Therefore, a precise evaluation and comprehensive approach to the management of pain and anxiety are important for treating ICU patients.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2015
Long-term survival of adults with cardiogenic shock after venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
This study was designed to examine the long-term survival of patients who survived to be weaned from venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) and to determine which factors present at initiation and during ECMO predict long-term survival. We further sought to develop the preliminary long-term outcome after VA ECMO score that would predict patient outcome and to assess its accuracy at various time points. ⋯ Good long-term survival can be achieved in patients who have been successfully weaned from VA-ECMO. The factors present at initiation and during ECMO can relate to altered risk of long-term survival.