Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2010
Risk factors and outcome of acute renal failure in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.
Acute renal failure (ARF) is one of the most common causes of death in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Here, we aimed to investigate the risk factors of ARF in patients with SAP, assess the prognosis of patients with SAP and ARF, and seek potential measures to prevent ARF. ⋯ The significant risk factors for ARF in patients with SAP include history of renal disease, hypoxemia, and ACS. Measures that can prevent ARF include homeostasis maintenance, adequate perfusion of the kidneys, adequate oxygenation, and abdominal decompression to avoid ACS.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyTriggers for emergency team activation: a multicenter assessment.
The purpose of the study was to examine triggers for emergency team activation in hospitals with or without a medical emergency team (MET) system. ⋯ In MET hospitals, more emergency team calls are triggered because staff members are worried about the patient; and fewer calls have multiple triggers. Type of hospital, type of ward, and time of day also affect the nature and frequency of triggers for emergency team activation.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2010
Depression among white and nonwhite caregivers of the chronically critically ill.
The study aimed to describe characteristics of caregivers of chronically critically ill (CCI) patients, describe key outcomes (depression, employment, physical health), and examine race as one of several predictors of post-hospital depressive symptoms. ⋯ Caregivers of CCI patients are at risk for depression post-hospital discharge. Nonwhite caregivers of patients residing in an institution 2 months post-discharge are at highest risk for depression.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2010
Troponin-I as a prognosticator of mortality in severe sepsis patients.
The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) as a 28-day mortality prognosticator and predictor for a drotrecogin alfa (activated) (DrotAA) survival benefit in recombinant human activated Protein C Worldwide Evaluation in Severe Sepsis patients. ⋯ This is the largest severe sepsis study reporting an association between elevated cTnI and higher mortality. Cardiac troponin-I elevation was not predictive of a survival benefit with DrotAA treatment.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2010
Revised Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score as a predictor of neurosurgery intensive care unit readmission: a case-controlled study.
Patients with neurologic system problems are among the most common patients readmitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Readmission predictors for neurologic ICU patients have not been established. Previous research suggests that the Revised Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score is one indication of the critical status of ICU-admitted patients; however, the ability of the discharge APACHE II to predict readmission to the ICU requires further study. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of the APACHE II scoring system to predict ICU readmission of neurosurgical and ICU patients. ⋯ The risk of ICU readmission of neurologic ICU patients can be predicted by determining APACHE II score upon ICU discharge.