Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Oct 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialIntracoronary Transfusion of Circulation-Derived CD34+ Cells Improves Left Ventricular Function in Patients With End-Stage Diffuse Coronary Artery Disease Unsuitable for Coronary Intervention.
This study tested the hypothesis that intra-coronary transfusion of circulation-derived autologous CD34+ cells can improve ischemia-related left ventricular dysfunction in patients with severe diffuse coronary artery disease refractory to medication and unsuitable for coronary intervention. ⋯ CD34+ cell therapy was safe and efficacious in improving heart function for patients with severe diffuse coronary artery disease unsuitable for coronary intervention and with poor response to pharmacotherapy.
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Critical care medicine · Oct 2015
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialUltrarapid Induction of Hypothermia Using Continuous Automated Peritoneal Lavage With Ice-Cold Fluids: Final Results of the Cooling for Cardiac Arrest or Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Trial.
Hypothermia (32-34 °C) can mitigate ischemic brain injury, and some evidence suggests that it can reduce infarct size in acute myocardial infarction and acute ischemic stroke. For some indications, speed of cooling may be crucial in determining efficacy. We performed a multicenter prospective intervention study to test an ultrarapid cooling technology, the Velomedix Automated Peritoneal Lavage System using ice-cold fluids continuously circulating through the peritoneal cavity to rapidly induce and maintain hypothermia in comatose patients after cardiac arrest and a small number of awake patients with acute myocardial infarction. ⋯ Automated peritoneal lavage system is a safe and ultrarapid method to induce and maintain hypothermia, which appears feasible in cardiac arrest patients and awake patients with acute myocardial infarction. The shivering response appeared to be delayed and much reduced with this technology, diminishing metabolic disorders associated with cooling and minimizing sedation requirement. Our data suggest that ultrarapid cooling could prevent subtle neurologic damage compared with slower cooling. This will need to be confirmed in direct comparative studies.
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Critical care medicine · Oct 2015
ReviewPharmacokinetic and Other Considerations for Drug Therapy During Targeted Temperature Management.
To synthesize an emerging body of literature describing pharmacokinetic alterations and related pharmacodynamic implications affecting drugs commonly used in patients receiving targeted temperature management following cardiac arrest. ⋯ This review provides an overview of physiologic changes associated with targeted temperature management and practical considerations for the management of medications. Clinicians should understand and anticipate potential drug-therapy interactions of targeted temperature management and mitigate adverse outcomes by appropriate medication selection, dosing, and monitoring. We discuss complications of hypothermia including shivering, electrolyte abnormalities, hemodynamic changes, arrhythmias, and seizures. We review management of these complications as well as considerations for sedation, analgesia, anticoagulation, and prognostication. Approach to interpretation of the clinical significance of drug interactions during targeted temperature management therapy is also addressed.
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Critical care medicine · Oct 2015
ReviewVariations in the Operational Process of Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Therapy.
The process of withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy remains poorly described in the current literature despite its importance for patient comfort and optimal end-of-life care. We conducted a structured review of the published literature to summarize patterns of withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy processes in adult ICUs. ⋯ Further description of the operational processes of life-sustaining therapy withdrawal in a more structured manner with standardized definitions and regular inclusion of measures of patient comfort and family satisfaction with care is needed to identify which patterns and processes are associated with greatest perceived patient comfort and family satisfaction with care.