Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Nov 2017
The ICU Is Becoming a Main Battlefield for Severe Maternal Rescue in China: An 8-Year Single-Center Clinical Experience.
To review the characteristics of and to identify the reasons for severe maternal admissions to the ICU. ⋯ The number of severe maternal cases has increased annually in our ICU. Although obstetric causes remained the most common reason for admission, the nonobstetric causes and basic complications were too complex, dangerous, and beyond the reach of the obstetrician with regard to monitoring and treatment. We call for a multidisciplinary team mainly composed of ICU staff to improve severe maternal outcomes.
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Critical care medicine · Nov 2017
Sedation and Mobilization during Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Acute Respiratory Failure: An International Survey.
To characterize sedation, analgesia, delirium, and mobilization practices in patients supported with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for severe acute respiratory failure. ⋯ The majority of respondents reported targeting moderate to deep sedation following cannulation, with the use of sedative and opioid infusions. There is considerable variability surrounding early physical therapy and mobilization goals for patients with acute respiratory failure supported by venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
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Critical care medicine · Nov 2017
Valproic Acid Combined With Postcardiac Arrest Hypothermic-Targeted Temperature Management Prevents Delayed Seizures and Improves Survival in a Rat Cardiac Arrest Model.
High-dose valproic acid in combination with hypothermic-targeted temperature management has been reported to synergistically improve neurologic outcomes after cardiac arrest. This study investigated the potential synergistic mechanisms. ⋯ High-dose valproic acid combined with hypothermic-targeted temperature management prevents postcardiac arrest seizures and improves survival. It remains to be determined if the mechanism of seizure prevention is through the antiepileptic effect of valproic acid or direct neuroprotection. Overall, the combination of high-dose valproic acid and hypothermic-targeted temperature management remains a promising strategy to improve cardiac arrest outcomes.