Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Nov 1995
Clinical TrialMilrinone: systemic and pulmonary hemodynamic effects in neonates after cardiac surgery.
To evaluate the hemodynamic effects of intravenous milrinone in neonates with low cardiac output after cardiac surgery. ⋯ Administration of milrinone in neonates with low cardiac output after cardiac surgery lowers filling pressures, systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures, and systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances, while improving cardiac index. Milrinone increases heart rate without altering myocardial oxygen consumption. While milrinone appears to be effective and safe during short-term use, the relative distribution of inotropic and vasodilatory properties of milrinone remains to be elucidated.
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Critical care medicine · Nov 1995
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialParenteral magnesium sulfate versus amiodarone in the therapy of atrial tachyarrhythmias: a prospective, randomized study.
To compare the efficacy of parenteral magnesium sulfate vs. amiodarone in the therapy of atrial tachyarrhythmias in critically ill patients. ⋯ Intravenous magnesium sulfate is superior to amiodarone in the conversion of acute atrial tachyarrhythmias, while initial slowing of ventricular response rate in nonconverters appears equally efficacious with both agents.
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Critical care medicine · Nov 1995
Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialInfluence of the quality of nursing on the duration of weaning from mechanical ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
To evaluate the influence of nursing on the duration of weaning from mechanical ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. ⋯ The quality of nursing appears to be a measurable and critical factor in the weaning from mechanical ventilation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Below a threshold in the available workforce of ICU nurses, the weaning duration of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease increases dramatically. Therefore, very close attention should be given to the education and number of ICU nurses.
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Critical care medicine · Nov 1995
Comparative StudyJugular ligation does not increase intracranial pressure but does increase bihemispheric cerebral blood flow and metabolism.
To answer the following questions: a) Does jugular venous ligation (simulating venovenous extracorporeal life support) alter proximal jugular venous pressure, intracranial pressure, hemispheric cerebral blood flow, or cerebral metabolism? b) Does release of ligation reverse these effects? and c) What are the comparative effects of venous ligation alone vs. venous ligation in combination with arterial ligation? ⋯ Ligation of the right jugular veins alone (venovenous ligation) or jugular veins and right carotid artery (venoarterial ligation) does not increase jugular venous pressures or intracranial pressure. However, this procedure does increase cerebral blood flow and cerebral oxygen consumption. These findings demonstrate that there is adequate decompression of the venous system by the cerebrovascular system and retrograde decompression during extracorporeal life support appears unwarranted.