Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2013
Endotoxin activity levels as a prediction tool for risk of deterioration in patients with sepsis not admitted to the intensive care unit: A pilot observational study.
The aim of this prospective observational study was to evaluate in patients with sepsis not requiring intensive care unit admission the relationship between the levels of endotoxin activity assay (EAA) early after sepsis recognition and the risk of development of organ dysfunction (OD). ⋯ Endotoxin activity assay levels 0.60 or greater early after sepsis diagnosis in patients not requiring intensive care unit admission predict risk of development of new organ dysfunction. High EAA levels in the first 48 hours of recognition of sepsis are also predictive of risk of deterioration.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2013
Predicting laryngeal edema in intubated patients by portable intensive care unit ultrasound.
The purpose of this study is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of portable ultrasound for detection of laryngeal edema (LE) in intubated patients. ⋯ Portable intensive care unit ultrasound visualizing ACWD between predeflation and postdeflation cuff balloon is a promising objective tool, which aids in prediction of successful extubation regarding LE.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2013
Comparative StudySimple translational equations to compare illness severity scores in intensive care trials.
Comparison of illness severity for intensive care unit populations assessed according to different scoring systems should increase our ability to compare and meta-analyze past and future trials but is currently not possible. Accordingly, we aimed to establish a methodology to translate illness severity scores obtained from one system into another. ⋯ Simple and robust translational formulas can be developed to allow clinicians to compare illness severity between studies involving critically ill patients. Further studies in other countries and health care systems are needed to confirm the generalizability of these results.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2013
Critical illness is associated with decreased plasma levels of coenzyme Q10: A cross-sectional study.
Plasma coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels are lower in patients with septic shock (SS) than in healthy controls (HCs). However, CoQ10 status in critically ill patients without SS is unknown. Here, we investigated CoQ10 concentrations in patients with SS and without SS as compared with HCs. ⋯ Decreased plasma CoQ10 levels are not specific to patients with SS, but rather observed in a broad range of critically ill patients. In critically ill patients, CoQ10 insufficiency may be associated with various conditions; age may be a risk factor.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2013
Unplanned pediatric intensive care unit readmissions: A single-center experience.
The purpose of the study was to compare patients readmitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) unexpectedly within 48 hours (early), more than 48 hours from transfer (late), or not readmitted during the same hospitalization. ⋯ Patients requiring an unplanned PICU readmission had worse outcomes than those without a readmission. Future studies should focus on identifying modifiable risk factors for targeted interventions.