Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2012
Weaning predictors do not predict extubation failure in simple-to-wean patients.
Predictor indexes are often included in weaning protocols and may help the intensive care unit (ICU) staff to reach expected weaning outcome in patients on mechanical ventilation. ⋯ Usual weaning indexes are poor predictors for extubation outcome in the overall ICU population.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2012
High-frequency oscillatory ventilation in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
High-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) is usually considered not indicated for treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) because of the theoretical risk of air trapping and hyperinflation. The aim of our study was to establish whether HFOV can be safely applied in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD and hypercapnic respiratory failure. ⋯ Our study indicates that short-term HFOV, using lower mean airway pressures than recommended for acute respiratory distress syndrome, appears safe in patients with COPD while securing adequate pulmonary gas exchange.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2012
The association of mean glucose level and glucose variability with intensive care unit mortality in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.
The objective of this study was to retrospectively analyze the association of mean glucose level (MGL) and glycemic lability index (GLI; as a measure of glucose variability) with intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). ⋯ We observed that GLI was a better predictor of ICU and hospital mortality than was MGL. Together with the second 24-hour APACHE II score and the number of organ failures upon ICU admission, GLI is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with SAP.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2012
Stress hyperglycemia may not be harmful in critically ill patients with sepsis.
Stress hyperglycemia (SH) is commonly seen in critically ill patients. It has been shown to be associated with adverse outcomes in some groups of patients. The effects of SH on critically ill patients with sepsis have not been well studied. We aimed to evaluate the effects of SH in critically ill patients with sepsis. ⋯ Stress hyperglycemia may not be harmful in critically ill patients with sepsis. Patients with SH had lower ICU mortality.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2012
Procalcitonin level as an aid for the diagnosis of bacterial infections following pediatric cardiac surgery.
The aim of the present study was to determine if blood procalcitonin can serve as an aid to differentiate between bacterial and nonbacterial cause of fever in children after cardiac surgery. ⋯ During the critical early and late periods after cardiac surgery in children, procalcitonin level may help to differentiate patients with bacterial infection from patients in whom the fever is secondary to nonbacterial infectious causes.