Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Jun 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialPreoperative alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonists prevent the deterioration of renal function after cardiac surgery: results of a randomized, controlled trial.
To evaluate the influence of the alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonist clonidine on creatinine clearance as a measure of renal function. ⋯ Preoperative treatment with clonidine (4 microgram/kilogram) prevents the deterioration of renal function after cardiac surgery. This effect might be due to clonidine-induced reduction in the sympathetic nervous system response to coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
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Critical care medicine · Jun 1996
Multicenter StudyStudy of critically ill patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
To determine the presenting features, prognostic factors, course, and outcome of critically ill patients with systemic lupus erythematosus admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Our study suggests that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus admitted to an ICU often have florid disease manifestations with multifactorial reasons precipitating the admission. The prognosis for such patients is poor, particularly in the presence of renal involvement.
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Critical care medicine · Jun 1996
ReviewSepsis/septic shock: participation of the microcirculation: an abbreviated review.
An overview of the importance of understanding mechanisms occurring in the microcirculation during septic and endotoxic shock. The thesis of the paper is to place emphasis on this important vascular network to ultimately benefit the patient. ⋯ The purpose of this review is to draw the readers' attention to the growing list of adverse factors occurring in the microcirculation during sepsis/septic shock. A further aim is to point to the realization of the complexity of factors which may contribute to the importance of a well-functioning microcirculation.
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Critical care medicine · Jun 1996
Comparative StudyPrivate attending physician status and the withdrawal of life-sustaining interventions in a medical intensive care unit population.
To assess the influence of private attending physician status on the withdrawal of life-sustaining interventions among patients dying within a medical intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Among patients dying within a medical ICU, those patients without a private attending physician are more likely to undergo the active withdrawal of life-sustaining interventions.
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Critical care medicine · Jun 1996
Myocardial dysfunction after successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest.
To investigate the functional and metabolic changes in the myocardium after successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest. ⋯ Postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction in this animal model was characterized by impaired contractile function, decreased work capability, and ventricular dilation.