Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Oct 1992
Circulating interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations after burn injury in humans.
To measure plasma interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) concentrations after burn injury and to determine if these concentrations relate to clinical status. ⋯ These results indicate that early after burn injury there is a correspondence of IL-1 beta and TNF alpha with certain host responses, but these correlations disappear with the progression of illness. In general, IL-1 beta and TNF alpha appear to be poor indicators of prognosis during burn injury; however, the association of mortality with low circulating IL-1 beta values supports the concept of IL-1 beta as being an essential mediator of host defenses.
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Critical care medicine · Oct 1992
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialEffect of acidified enteral feedings on gastric colonization in the critically ill patient.
To evaluate the effect of acidified enteral nutritional formulas (feedings) on gastric colonization and pH in critically ill patients. ⋯ Acidified enteral feedings are effective in eliminating and preventing gastric colonization in critically ill patients. Further investigation is needed to assess its effect on nosocomial infection rates.
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Critical care medicine · Oct 1992
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialHypothermia in the sepsis syndrome and clinical outcome. The Methylprednisolone Severe Sepsis Study Group.
To evaluate the consequences of clinical hypothermia associated with sepsis syndrome and septic shock. ⋯ This prospective study confirms that hypothermia associated with sepsis syndrome has a significant relationship to outcome manifest by increased frequency of shock and death from shock. This finding is in sharp contrast to the protective effects of induced hypothermia in septic animals and perhaps man.
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Critical care medicine · Oct 1992
Respiratory syncytial virus morbidity and mortality estimates in congenital heart disease patients: a recent experience.
To determine recent morbidity and mortality rates from respiratory syncytial virus infection in a pediatric congenital heart disease population. ⋯ We conclude that respiratory syncytial virus mortality risk in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease is less than the risk reported a decade ago. Respiratory syncytial virus infection in congenital heart disease patients with pulmonary hypertension is associated with increased morbidity but not increased mortality rates. The markedly decreased respiratory syncytial virus mortality risk in patients with congenital heart disease currently experienced is likely secondary to improvements in intensive care management and advances in the surgical correction in this population rather than antiviral therapy.