Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Sep 1991
Case Reports Comparative Study"Near miss" death in obstructive sleep apnea: a critical care syndrome.
The objective of this study was to alert critical care physicians to the syndrome of obstructive sleep apnea with respiratory failure ("near miss" death) and to elucidate characteristics that might allow earlier recognition and treatment of such patients. ⋯ Patients with obstructive sleep apnea who have concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or hypercarbia and hypoxemia are more prone to develop severe respiratory failure and probable death than those patients with apnea alone. The current study shows that recurrent respiratory failure and presumably mortality from this acute complication can be reversed with effective treatment of the obstructive apnea.
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To assess the frequency and mortality rates of septic shock in ICU patients and the clinical course of multiple organ failure associated with septic shock. ⋯ Septic shock is a major cause of death in intensive care patients. Refractory hypotension is a main cause of early deaths. Later on, multiple organ failure becomes the primary clinical problem and cause of mortality.
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Critical care medicine · Sep 1991
Effects of alterations in left ventricular filling, contractility, and systemic vascular resistance on the ascending aortic blood velocity waveform of normal subjects.
To confirm the consistent effects on Doppler-measured aortic blood flow velocity waveform variables of alterations in left ventricular preload, afterload, and inotropy using pharmacologic and physiologic maneuvers. ⋯ Aortic blood flow velocity waveform variables measured by Doppler ultrasound can be used to noninvasively follow changes in left ventricular preload, afterload, and inotropy.
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Critical care medicine · Sep 1991
Case ReportsProlonged paralysis after treatment with neuromuscular junction blocking agents.
Previous reports have described prolonged paralysis after treatment with neuromuscular junction blocking agents in critically ill patients. The purpose of this study was to further describe a group of patients who developed prolonged weakness after treatment with these agents. ⋯ Although alternative explanations cannot be excluded with certainty, the use of neuromuscular junction blocking agents may lead to neurogenic atrophy and care must be taken when using them.