Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Mar 1992
Effect of epinephrine on the ability of end-tidal carbon dioxide readings to predict initial resuscitation from cardiac arrest.
To determine if the administration of epinephrine changes the partial pressure of end-tidal CO2 during cardiac arrest, as previously reported. Such a change could diminish the demonstrated ability of end-tidal CO2 measurements to predict resuscitation from cardiac arrest. ⋯ Although epinephrine administration may decrease end-tidal CO2 tensions in cardiac arrest, it does so unpredictably in individual patients, and it does not eliminate the predictive value of this measurement.
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Critical care medicine · Mar 1992
Attitudes of critical care medicine professionals concerning forgoing life-sustaining treatments. The Society of Critical Care Medicine Ethics Committee.
To evaluate the attitudes of critical care professionals concerning forgoing life-sustaining treatments in critically ill patients. ⋯ Critical care professionals evaluate both the preservation of life and quality of life in their patients. Despite some discomfort in forgoing treatment, the majority of critical care professionals decide to forgo treatment in irreversibly, terminally ill patients.
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Critical care medicine · Mar 1992
Caloric requirements and supply in critically ill surgical patients.
To compare the caloric intake with the caloric requirements in postoperative patients being fed enterally via nasoenteric tubes, parenterally, or by both enteral and parenteral methods. ⋯ Enteral nutrition delivered via nasoenteric tubes as the sole delivery method in postoperative critically ill patients resulted in an inadequate and inconsistent nutrient supply. The use of parenteral or parenteral plus enteral nutrition resulted in more stable and adequate feeding than feeding by enteral nutrition alone.
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Critical care medicine · Mar 1992
Continuous monitoring of mixed venous oxygen saturation during aortic operations.
To systematically analyze the changes in mixed venous oxygen saturation (delta SvO2) during aortic operations with tube, aortobi-iliac, and aortobifemoral grafts. ⋯ Reperfusion via extensive pelvic and lumbar collaterals in patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease reduces the delta SvO2 after aortic unclamping. Monitoring the changes in SvO2 during different types of aortic reconstruction helps to define precisely the physiologic alterations that occur in the course of these operations.