Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Oct 1994
Case ReportsIncreased resistance of hygroscopic condenser humidifiers when using a closed circuit suction system.
To examine a hygroscopic condenser after clinical use and to describe the interaction of a hygroscopic condenser and a closed circuit suction system used simultaneously. ⋯ Clinical use of a hygroscopic condenser alone is not associated with a significant increase in peak inflation pressure. We caution the use of a hygroscopic condenser and a closed circuit suction system simultaneously, as an increase in hygroscopic condenser resistance may develop and may be poorly tolerated in patients with marginal ventilatory reserve.
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Critical care medicine · Oct 1994
Clinical TrialResuscitation of multiple trauma and head injury: role of crystalloid fluids and inotropes.
To determine the hemodynamic responses to blunt trauma with a closed-head injury and to investigate the effect that volume resuscitation has on intracranial pressure. ⋯ Many patients with diffuse blunt trauma closed-head injuries, even when they are normotensive, have evidence of impaired peripheral perfusion. Volume infusion and vasodilating inotropic support improve oxygen transport without increasing intracranial pressure. The observed relationship between intracranial pressure and the serum lactate concentration requires further study.
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Critical care medicine · Oct 1994
Effect of baseline lung compliance on the subsequent response to positive end-expiratory pressure in ventilated piglets with normal lungs.
To determine the pulmonary function and hemodynamic effects of incremental positive end-expiratory pressure in two groups of normal ventilated newborn piglets with different baseline dynamic lung compliance. ⋯ Baseline dynamic lung compliance is an important determinant of the subsequent effect of positive end-expiratory pressure on pulmonary function and hemodynamics in the ventilated piglet with normal lungs.
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Critical care medicine · Oct 1994
Relationships between plasma cytokine concentrations and leukocyte functional antigen expression in patients with sepsis.
To determine the relationships between cytokine concentrations and alterations in leukocyte functional antigen expression in sepsis. ⋯ These findings suggest that the expression of specific functional molecules on peripheral blood leukocytes is variably related to the net production of certain monokines in sepsis.
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Critical care medicine · Oct 1994
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for pediatric respiratory failure: five-year experience at the University of Pittsburgh.
To describe the etiology, respiratory severity of illness, and outcome in patients with pediatric respiratory failure who were treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). To identify predictors of death, and to compare our morbidity and mortality rates with those rates of a previously reported series of patients with pediatric respiratory failure managed conventionally. ⋯ ECMO appears to be a rational therapy for patients with pediatric respiratory failure who are likely to die with continued conventional management. Recovery of lung function by the end of the first week of ECMO may be a favorable prognostic indicator. Persistent airleak may be a nonfavorable prognostic indicator.