British journal of anaesthesia
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Long-held assumptions of poor prognoses for patients with haematological malignancies (HM) have meant that clinicians have been reluctant to admit them to the intensive care unit (ICU). We aimed to evaluate ICU, in-hospital, and 6 month mortality and to identify predictors for in-hospital mortality. ⋯ Mortality was lower than in previous studies. Mechanical ventilation and ≥2 organ failures were independently associated with in-hospital mortality. 'Traditional' variables such as neutropenia, transplantation status, and APACHE II score no longer appear to be predictive.
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Clinical Trial
Population pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine during long-term sedation in intensive care patients.
Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective and potent α(2)-adrenoceptor agonist registered for sedation of patients in intensive care units. There is little information on factors possibly affecting its pharmacokinetics during long drug infusions in critically ill patients. We characterized the pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine in critically ill patients during long-term sedation using a population pharmacokinetic approach. ⋯ The population pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine was generally in line with results from previous studies. In elderly patients and in patients with hypoalbuminaemia, the elimination half-life and the context-sensitive half-time of dexmedetomidine were prolonged.
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An analysis of perioperative factors that were independently associated with survival up to 1000 days after scheduled colorectal adenocarcinoma resections in 314 patients. ⋯ Immediate perioperative care may have prolonged effects on postoperative survival. Specialized preoperative assessment clinics may reduce mortality after colorectal surgery.