Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2010
Clinical characteristics, and laboratory and echocardiographic findings in takotsubo cardiomyopathy presenting as cardiogenic shock.
Although takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) has been reported to have an excellent clinical recovery, there are few data regarding clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic findings in TTC presenting as cardiogenic shock. We aimed to assess the differences in these parameters between TTC presenting with and without cardiogenic shock. ⋯ The S group has a higher prevalence of heart failure symptoms, significant reversible mitral regurgitation, and troponin-I and N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide levels. However, with meticulous therapeutic strategies, prognosis of this syndrome may be excellent irrespective of hemodynamic instability.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2010
A model for identifying patients who may not need intensive care unit admission.
This study presents a new model for identifying patients who might be too well to benefit from intensive care unit (ICU) care. ⋯ The outcome for low-risk monitor patients suggest they may be too well to benefit from intensive care. The frequency of low-risk monitor admissions provides a measure of ICU resource use. Improved resource use and reduced costs might be achieved by strategies to provide care for these patients on floors or intermediate care units.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2010
Risk factors and treatment outcome in scuba divers with spinal cord decompression sickness.
This study was designed to determine the recompression strategy and the potential risk factors associated with the development of severe diving-related spinal cord decompression sickness (DCS). ⋯ The initial clinical course before treatment is a major prognostic factor of spinal cord DCS. Delay to recompression less than 3 hours and use of deep treatment tables did not improve outcome in DCS divers.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2010
Real-time monitoring of heart rate variability in critically ill patients.
Heart rate variability (HRV) is widely used to evaluate autonomic nervous function; however, real-time monitoring of HRV has rarely been attempted in the intensive care unit (ICU). We report our experience in performing real-time monitoring of HRV in our ICU. ⋯ The MemCalc system is practicable for real-time monitoring of HRV in the ICU. Heart rate variability parameters may offer useful information in the management of critically ill patients.