Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2015
Observational StudyThe implementation of a protocol promoting the safe practice of brain death determination.
The purpose of the study is to describe the implementation of measures introduced in Israel in 2009 to promote the safe practice of brain death determination (BDD). ⋯ The measures were successfully implemented, reduced diversity in patient testing, and positively accepted by local physicians. Wider application of the measures may be appropriate as suggested by the results of a European survey and the variability of BDD reported in the literature.
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Journal of critical care · Feb 2015
The methodology and pharmacokinetics study of intraventricular administration of vancomycin in patients with intracranial infections after craniotomy.
The purpose of the study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of combined intravenous (i.v.) and intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) vancomycin for patients with intracranial infections after craniotomy and to provide the basis for establishing the intracranial local administration criterion. ⋯ The combined i.v. and i.c.v. administration may improve CSF vancomycin concentrations without side effects at the same dosage. Our finding suggests that it can be an option for the treatment of severe intracranial infections after craniotomy; however, its safety and effectiveness need to be confirmed by further large-scale studies.