Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Mar 1992
Comparative StudyComparison of cerebral blood flow by radionuclide cerebral angiography and by microspheres in cats.
Radionuclide cerebral angiography is commonly used as an adjunct to the diagnosis of brain death. Despite its acceptance as a diagnostic tool, it is not clear whether the absence of cerebral blood flow by radionuclide cerebral angiography denotes a complete lack of cerebral blood flow. ⋯ We conclude that the ability of radionuclide cerebral angiography to quantify low cerebral blood flow is poor, and that this technique may not identify severely reduced cerebral blood flow.
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Critical care medicine · Mar 1992
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialUltrasound-facilitated central venous cannulation.
To compare the conventional method for cannulation of the internal jugular vein with the ultrasound-aided technique. ⋯ Ultrasound guidance reduces both the duration of time and the number of punctures required to cannulate the internal jugular vein. The Seldinger technique appears safer for catheterization of the internal jugular vein.
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Critical care medicine · Mar 1992
Case ReportsInfluence of political power, medical provincialism, and economic incentives on the rationing of surgical intensive care unit beds.
To determine factors influencing rationing decisions in a surgical ICU during a temporary nursing shortage when two to six of the unit's 16 beds were closed. ⋯ Surgical attending physicians rarely used other open inhouse ICU beds when surgical ICU beds were unavailable. Political power, medical provincialism, and income maximization overrode medical suitability in the provision of critical care services.
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Critical care medicine · Mar 1992
Frequency of chronic lung disease in infants with severe respiratory failure treated with high-frequency ventilation and/or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
To assess the frequency of chronic lung disease and factors associated with its development in term infants with severe respiratory failure who receive high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, or high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). ⋯ The frequency of chronic lung disease in ECMO candidates is clinically important. Factors associated with chronic lung disease in ECMO candidates are: the presence of lung hypoplasia, delayed referral, and the need for ECMO to support gas exchange.