Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2010
Comparative StudyA prospective, observational study of Xigris Use in the United States (XEUS).
Use of pharmacologic agents in clinical practice may differ from the manner in which they were studied in rigorous randomized clinical trials. This was a prospective, observational, noninterventional study to determine the profile of patients receiving drotrecogin alfa (activated) in clinical practice, provide additional outcome and safety data, and allow for a comparison to patients studied in the phase 3 Protein C Worldwide Evaluation in Severe Sepsis (PROWESS) trial. ⋯ Patients receiving drotrecogin alfa (activated) in clinical practice were more acutely ill, had a higher mortality rate, but a similar safety profile with respect to serious bleeding events compared to the PROWESS trial.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2010
Multicenter StudyPredictors for daily interruption of sedation therapy by nurses: a prospective, multicenter study.
The aim of the study was to identify the nurse and patient-related factors predicting daily interruption of sedation (DIS) performance by nurses in the intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Educational strategies and institutional protocols focused on improving use of DIS need to consider the various nurse- and patient-related factors that affect DIS performance by nurses in the ICU.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2010
Comparative StudyEosinopenia: Is it a good marker of sepsis in comparison to procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels for patients admitted to a critical care unit in an urban hospital?
The role of eosinopenia as a marker of sepsis has recently been evaluated. The aim of our study was to test the value of eosinopenia as a diagnostic marker of sepsis in comparison to procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels. ⋯ Eosinopenia is a very sensitive yet not specific serological marker of sepsis in the intensive care unit and can be utilized to guide physicians in the diagnosis of sepsis.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2010
Results from the National Sepsis Practice Survey: use of drotrecogin α (activated) and other therapeutic decisions.
We sought to evaluate factors associated with choices about provided care for patients with septic shock, including the use of drotrecogin α (activated) (DAA). ⋯ There was wide variability in the therapeutic choices of respondents. The use of DAA was not associated with perceived risk of mortality or bleeding, as recommended by consensus guidelines. Physicians appear to base treatment decisions in septic shock on a consistent pattern of practice rather than estimates of patient outcome.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2010
Effect of early achievement of physiologic resuscitation goals in septic patients admitted from the ward on the kidneys.
The aim of the study was to evaluate if early achievement of physiologic goals of resuscitation in critically ill septic patients admitted from the ward may prevent acute kidney injury (AKI). ⋯ Although most of AKI occurred before ICU consultation, early physiologic resuscitation and achievement of hemodynamic goals on the ICU is associated with a decrease in development of AKI of septic patients admitted from the ward.