Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Oct 1991
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialReduction of colonization and infection rate during pediatric intensive care by selective decontamination of the digestive tract.
To compare the effects of two different antibiotic regimes on the colonization and infection rates of critically ill pediatric patients. ⋯ Selective oropharyngeal and gastrointestinal decontamination combined with systemic cefotaxime application allows for a significant reduction of the colonization rate with Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts in critically ill pediatric patients undergoing prolonged intensive care. In addition, it significantly reduces the Gram-negative infection rate of the respiratory system. However, this therapeutic approach does not alter ICU length of stay or mortality rate.
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Critical care medicine · Oct 1991
Comparative StudyEffect of associated injuries and blood volume replacement on death, rehabilitation needs, and disability in blunt traumatic brain injury.
To examine the effects of associated injuries on death, disability, rehabilitation needs, and cost in patients with blunt traumatic brain injury. ⋯ In blunt traumatic brain injury, the addition of major visceral or extremity injuries, with need for blood replacement or shock, increases the risk of death, the need for rehabilitation, and the costs of disability.
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Critical care medicine · Oct 1991
Comparative StudyReduction of duration and cost of mechanical ventilation in an intensive care unit by use of a ventilatory management team.
To test the hypothesis that a formal interdisciplinary team approach to managing ICU patients requiring mechanical ventilation enhances ICU efficiency. ⋯ We conclude that a ventilatory management team, or some component thereof, can significantly and safely expedite the process of "weaning" patients from mechanical ventilatory support in the ICU.
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Critical care medicine · Oct 1991
Gastric tonometry and venous oximetry in cardiac surgery patients.
To determine the relationship between gastric intramucosal pH and several other indices of splanchnic perfusion in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. ⋯ Gastric intramucosal pH may provide a minimally invasive way to monitor the adequacy of splanchnic DO2 in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. Additional data are necessary to determine whether low gastric intramucosal pH is truly a marker of supply-dependent oxygen uptake across the hepatosplanchnic vascular bed under these conditions.
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Critical care medicine · Oct 1991
Comparative StudyMeasurement of alveolar ventilation and changes in deadspace by indirect calorimetry during mechanical ventilation: a laboratory and clinical validation.
To validate the assessment of changes in alveolar ventilation and deadspace by indirect calorimetry. ⋯ Changes in alveolar ventilation and deadspace can be accurately measured by combined use of indirect calorimetry and end-tidal CO2 analysis.