Current opinion in critical care
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Dysnatremias, disorders of sodium concentration, are exceedingly common in critically ill patients and confer increased risk for adverse outcomes including mortality. The physiology that underpins the diagnosis and management of these disorders is complex. This review seeks to discuss current literature regarding the pathophysiology, diagnosis, epidemiology, and management of these disorders. ⋯ Dysnatremia remains a common disorder across the spectrum of critically ill patients. It is frequently hospital acquired. Simplified treatment regimens are proposed and the potential for prevention or earlier recognition and intervention is emphasized. Future directions of interest include further exploration of how dysnatremia contributes to adverse outcomes and new treatment strategies.
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Antimicrobial resistance is an emerging problem in ICUs worldwide. As numbers of published results from national/international surveillance studies rise rapidly, the amount of new information may be overwhelming. Therefore, we reviewed recent trends in antibiotic resistance in ICUs across Europe in the past 18 months. ⋯ As the epidemiology of antibiotic resistance in ICUs is rapidly changing toward more frequently occurring epidemics and endemicity of multi and panresistant Gram-negative pathogens, better infection control and improved diagnostics will become even more important than before.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Dec 2011
ReviewGuided transfer of critically ill patients: where patients are transferred can be an informed choice.
Given increasingly scarce healthcare resources and highly differentiated hospitals, with growing demand for critical care, interhospital transfer is an essential part of the care of many patients. The purpose of this review is to examine the extent to which hospital quality is considered when transferring critically ill patients, and to examine the potential benefits to patients of a strategy that incorporates objective quality data into referral patterns. ⋯ Although hospitals often transfer patients, there may be substantial room for improvement in transfer patterns. Guiding transfers on the basis of objective quality information may offer substantial benefits to patients, and could be incorporated into quality improvement initiatives.
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In this study we present a concise review of the evolving management of traumatic injury to the pancreas, including diagnostic approaches and options for operative and nonoperative intervention. ⋯ Nonoperative management of solid organ injuries is the recommended treatment in hemodynamically stable patients. This strategy is now being successfully applied to pancreatic injuries in specific situations. However, the mainstays of pancreatic injury remain the same. The identification of pancreatic duct injury is the top priority. Management includes distal resection, debridement, and closed suction drainage of pancreatic injuries.
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In the past 3 years substantial progress has been made in the field of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for critically ill patients. ⋯ Wide variations in clinical practice still require RRT for critically ill patients to be optimized. The ideal prescription does not exist; however, continuous hemofiltration at a dose of 30 ml/kg/h meets many requirements of optimal care. In order to shed some light in the issue of RRT timing, furthermore, in the near future a standardized and clinically relevant definition of 'early' RRT should be provided. Great expectations currently rely on the utilization of acute kidney injury severity classifications and on new biomarkers of renal function.