Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Aug 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyA Randomized Controlled Trial of Regional Citrate Versus Regional Heparin Anticoagulation for Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in Critically Ill Adults.
To determine whether regional anticoagulation of continuous renal replacement therapy circuits using citrate and calcium prolongs circuit life and/or affects circulating cytokine levels compared with regional anticoagulation using heparin and protamine. ⋯ Regional citrate and calcium anticoagulation prolongs continuous renal replacement therapy circuit life compared with regional heparin and protamine anticoagulation, does not affect cytokine levels, and is associated with fewer adverse events.
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Critical care medicine · Aug 2015
Multicenter StudyQualitative Ultrasound in Acute Critical Illness Muscle Wasting.
A rapid and early loss of skeletal muscle mass underlies the physical disability common amongst survivors of critical illness. However, skeletal muscle function depends not only on its quantity but its quality, which may be adversely affected. We set out to characterise the changes in macroscopic muscle echogenicity and fascial characteristics that occur early in critical illness, and to relate these to microscopic histologically defined myofibre necrosis and fascial pathology. ⋯ Myofiber necrosis and fascial inflammation can be detected noninvasively using ultrasound in the critically ill. Fasciitis precedes and frequently accompanies muscle necrosis. These findings may have functional implications for survivors of critical illness.
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Critical care medicine · Aug 2015
Multicenter StudyThe Association Between Nutritional Adequacy and Long-Term Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients Requiring Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation: A Multicenter Cohort Study.
To examine the association between short-term nutritional adequacy received while in the ICU and long-term outcomes including 6-month survival and health-related quality of life in critically ill patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. ⋯ Greater amounts of nutritional intake received during the first week in the ICU were associated with longer survival time and faster physical recovery to 3 months but not 6 months post ICU discharge in critically ill patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. Current recommendations to underfeed critically ill patients may cause harm in some long-stay patients.