Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Apr 1998
Comparative StudyEffect of advance directives on the management of elderly critically ill patients.
To evaluate the effects of advance directives on the management of elderly, critically ill patients. ⋯ Few critically ill seniors have advance directives. As assessed by objectively documented information, the level of care delivered to elderly ICU patients is not affected by the presence or absence of advance directive statements. Medical personnel need to be aware of whether or not patients have advance directive statements, as unauthorized CPR was administered to 11% of the patients who died with advance directives.
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Critical care medicine · Apr 1998
Right ventricular overload causes the decrease in cardiac output after nitric oxide synthesis inhibition in endotoxemia.
To determine whether the decrease in cardiac output after nitric oxide synthase inhibition in endotoxemia is due to increased left ventricular afterload or right ventricular afterload. ⋯ The decrease in cardiac output after nitric oxide synthase inhibition in endotoxemia is due to increased right ventricular afterload and not to left ventricular afterload.
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Critical care medicine · Apr 1998
Comparative StudyTotal plasma antioxidant capacity is not always decreased in sepsis.
To compare total plasma antioxidant capacity and selected individual antioxidants in patients with varying degrees of severity of sepsis. ⋯ Although total plasma antioxidant capacity is decreased from normal levels in septic patients, an increase in some oxidants contributes to an increased total antioxidant capacity in septic shock patients.
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Critical care medicine · Apr 1998
Comparative StudyAccuracy of physiologic deadspace measurement in intubated pediatric patients using a metabolic monitor: comparison with the Douglas bag method.
To evaluate the accuracy of physiologic deadspace (VD/VT) measurement, using a metabolic monitor. ⋯ The VD/VT can be measured reliably and accurately in intubated pediatric patients using a metabolic monitor. The metabolic monitor method is a convenient and simple alternative to the standard Douglas bag method.