Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Sep 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyA Multicenter, Randomized Clinical Trial of IV Iron Supplementation for Anemia of Traumatic Critical Illness.
To evaluate the efficacy of IV iron supplementation of anemic, critically ill trauma patients. ⋯ Iron supplementation increased the serum ferritin concentration significantly, but it had no discernible effect on transferrin saturation, iron-deficient erythropoiesis, hemoglobin concentration, or packed RBC transfusion requirement. Based on these data, routine IV iron supplementation of anemic, critically ill trauma patients cannot be recommended (NCT 01180894).
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When used to prolong life without achieving a benefit meaningful to the patient, critical care is often considered "futile." Although futile treatment is acknowledged as a misuse of resources by many, no study has evaluated its opportunity cost, that is, how it affects care for others. Our objective was to evaluate delays in care when futile treatment is provided. ⋯ Futile critical care was associated with delays in care to other patients.
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Critical care medicine · Sep 2014
The Effect of Acute Kidney Injury and Discharge Creatinine Level on Mortality Following Cardiac Surgery.
Acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery is associated with increased operative and late mortality. The objective was to determine if short and long term mortality are systematically improved with completeness of postoperative acute kidney injury reversal or with amount of residual renal function. ⋯ Acute kidney injury was associated with higher operative and late mortality. Lesser amounts of residual renal function were associated with increased late mortality.