Minerva anestesiologica
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Minerva anestesiologica · Aug 2013
Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist in non-invasive ventilation.
This manuscript describes the motivation for developing neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) and its subsequent use with a non-invasive interface. The challenges with conventional, pneumatically controlled non-invasive modes are briefly described, followed by a mini-review on the upper airways and the diaphragm electrical activity (EAdi) signal. ⋯ In summary, non-invasive NAVA provides a truly synchronized mode of non-invasive ventilation, both in time and in level of assist. Along with EAdi monitoring, NAVA can increase the confidence to treat respiratory failure non-invasively.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Aug 2013
Predicting hospital mortality in adult patients with prolonged stay (>14 days) in surgical intensive care unit.
The aim of this paper was to identify the factors at surgical intensive care unit (SICU) admission and during the following SICU course that influence hospital mortality of patients with prolonged SICU stay (>14 days). ⋯ This validated predictive model reached clinically accurate discriminatory power, and may serve to improve patient care and resource utilization in the SICU.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Aug 2013
Effects of intraoperative colloid administration on outcome in a population-based general surgical cohort: a propensity score analysis.
Many studies on colloids have recently been retracted, leaving us with uncertain evidence of their safety. We aimed to analyze whether intraoperative colloid administration is associated with postoperative complications. ⋯ Our study suggests an association of intraoperative colloid administration, mainly of 130/0.4 hydroxyethyl starches, with diverse major postoperative complications and longer hospital stay. Controlled studies are urgently needed to assess the safety profile of colloid use in surgical patients.