American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
-
Surrogate decision makers may be poorly prepared to give informed consent for genomics research for their loved ones in intensive care. A review of the challenges and strategies associated with obtaining surrogates' consent for genomics research in intensive care patients revealed that few well-controlled studies have been done on this topic. Yet, a major theme in the literature is the role of health care professionals in guiding surrogates through the informed consent process rather than simply witnessing a signature. Informed consent requires explicit strategies to approach potential surrogates effectively, educate them, and ensure that informed consent has been attained.
-
Review Case Reports
Cardiogenic oscillation and ventilator autotriggering in brain-dead patients: a case series.
Brain death is manifested by a flaccid, areflexic patient on assessment of brain function with fixed and dilated pupils at midpoint, loss of consciousness, no response to stimulation, loss of brainstem reflexes, and apnea. A lesion or clinical state responsible for the loss of consciousness must be found. An integral part of clinical evaluation of brain death is apnea testing, which indicates complete loss of brainstem function and respiratory drive. ⋯ Also, chest wall and precordial movements may mimic intrinsic respiratory drive. Ventilator autotriggering may delay determination of brain death, prolong the intensive care unit experience for patients and their families, increase costs, risk loss of donor organs, and confuse staff and family members. A detailed literature review and 3 cases of cardiogenic ventilator autotriggering are presented as examples of this phenomenon and highlight the value of close multidisciplinary clinical evaluation and examination of ventilator pressure and flow waveforms.