Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · May 2011
Comparative StudyQualitative analysis of an intensive care unit family satisfaction survey.
To describe the qualitative findings from a family satisfaction survey to identify and describe the themes that characterize family members' intensive care unit experiences. ⋯ The study provided improved understanding of why family members are satisfied or dissatisfied with particular elements of the intensive care unit and this knowledge can be used to modify intensive care units to better meet the physical and emotional needs of the families of intensive care unit patients.
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Critical care medicine · May 2011
Comparative StudyBioenergetic failure of human peripheral blood monocytes in patients with septic shock is mediated by reduced F1Fo adenosine-5'-triphosphate synthase activity.
Increasing evidence points to the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of sepsis. Previous data indicate that mitochondrial function is affected in monocytes from septic patients, but the underlying mechanisms and the impact of these changes on the patients' outcome are unknown. We aimed to determine the mechanisms involved in mitochondrial dysfunction in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with septic shock. ⋯ Mitochondrial dysfunction is present in immune cells from patients with septic shock and is characterized as a reduced respiration associated to adenosine-5'-triphosphate synthesis. The molecular basis of this phenotype involve a reduction of F1Fo adenosine-5'-triphosphate synthase activity, which may contribute to the energetic failure found in sepsis.
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Critical care medicine · May 2011
Comparative StudyThe relationship between hospital and intensive care unit length of stay.
To assess variations in case-mix-adjusted hospital and intensive care unit length of stay and to examine the relationship between intensive care unit and hospital stay. ⋯ Case-mix-adjusted benchmarks for hospital and intensive care unit stays reveal substantial differences in unit efficiency. Hospital and intensive care unit stays are strongly correlated at the patient and unit level, suggesting that there are causal factors common to both.
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Critical care medicine · May 2011
Editorial Comment Comparative StudyFrom the bedside to the bench: how to improve the care of critically ill pregnant patients with influenza.
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Critical care medicine · May 2011
Comparative StudyIs worsening multiple organ failure the cause of death in patients with severe sepsis?
Although the mortality of severe sepsis is easily quantified, the actual cause and timing of death from severe sepsis are less defined. We used the INDEPTH (International Integrated Database for the Evaluation of Severe Sepsis and Drotrecogin alfa activated) database to investigate the reported cause of death in patients with severe sepsis. ⋯ Patients with severe sepsis typically die of multiple organ failure, refractory shock, or respiratory failure. Persistent, more than worsening, organ failure is the more common pattern before death.