Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Jul 1994
Comparative StudyEffect of carboxyhemoglobin on the accuracy of mixed venous oximetry monitors in dogs.
To assess the accuracy of mixed venous hemoglobin oxygen saturation estimated, using in vivo pulmonary artery reflectance oximetry with ranging concentrations of carboxyhemoglobin. ⋯ Mixed venous oxygen saturation monitoring does not detect the presence of carboxyhemoglobin and progressively overestimates fractional oxyhemoglobin as carboxyhemoglobin increases. Mixed venous oxygen saturation values of the standard pulmonary artery oximetry catheter approximately equal functional hemoglobin saturation. Bench co-oximeter blood analysis is required in patients suspected of having increased carboxyhemoglobin levels.
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To review the difficulties associated with defining sepsis and its complications and to characterize the role of the proinflammatory cytokines in the development of human septic shock, adult respiratory distress syndrome, and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome. ⋯ Sepsis and its complications constitute a complex biological cascade that may be defined by specific clinical characteristics. The clinical variability in these events suggests that definitions based on clinical end points be used in combination with assessments of severity of illness to best define patient status, predict clinical course, and guide treatment decision-making.
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Critical care medicine · Jul 1994
Comparative StudyReduction of morbidity in interhospital transport by specialized pediatric staff.
We prospectively compared the occurrence of morbidity during high-risk interhospital transport in two types of transport systems: specialized tertiary center-based vs. nonspecialized, referring hospital-based. ⋯ We conclude that specialized pediatric teams can reduce transport morbidity. This is the first published study to compare two models of pediatric transport using identical definitions of severity and morbidity.
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Critical care medicine · Jul 1994
Comparative StudyThermodilution right ventricular ejection fraction measurements: room temperature versus cold temperature injectate.
To compare thermodilution right ventricular ejection fraction measurements using 10 mL room temperature injectate vs. 10 mL cold temperature injectate. ⋯ The results suggest that room temperature injectate may be used for right ventricular ejection fraction measurements in critically ill adult surgical patients. Utilizing room temperature injectate for right ventricular ejection fraction measurements may save time and costs in the critical care unit.
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Critical care medicine · Jul 1994
ReviewDoes the formulation of enteral feeding products influence infectious morbidity and mortality rates in the critically ill patients? A critical review of the evidence.
To examine the relationship between the formulation of enteral nutrition and nosocomial infection in critical illness. ⋯ Insufficient experimental data exist to permit conclusions that enteral nutrition formulations or supplements reduce infectious morbidity and mortality rates, but results are promising enough to warrant further research.