Crit Care Resusc
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We describe a case of a 51-year-old man who ingested methylene chloride and presented with the classical clinical features. He developed an acute abdomen that required repeated laparotomy. The effect of an ethanol infusion on carboxyhaemoglobin concentrations in this case was also of interest and could potentially be a new treatment modality.
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Intensive care patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at high risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A high rate of DVT was reported before routine thromboprophylaxis, but the current DVT rate in TBI patients receiving best-practice mechanical and pharmacological prophylaxis is unknown. ⋯ Mechanical and pharmacological prophylaxis appeared to be effective. The incidence of clinically identified PE is of concern and suggests that thromboembolic sources other than large leg veins may not be being adequately controlled by modern thromboprophylaxis regimens.
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To define the relationship between worsening oxygenation status (worst PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio in the first 24 hours after intensive care unit admission) and mortality in immunosuppressed and immunocompetent ICU patients in the presence and absence of mechanical ventilation. ⋯ Immunosuppression increases the risk of mortality with progressively worsening oxygenation status, but only in the presence of mechanical ventilation. Further research into the impact of mechanical ventilation in immunosuppressed patients is required.