Crit Care Resusc
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Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is much less common than ischaemic stroke (15% versus 85% in most Western studies), but is associated with a significantly worse prognosis. ICH is much more common in Asian populations, probably reflecting higher rates of small vessel disease, hypertension and genetic factors. Overall, ICH mortality rates approach 50% and there has been little effective treatment to date, except for the overall benefit from stroke unit care. ⋯ Medical therapies to reduce brain edema and intracranial pressure, including glycerol and mannitol, are not of proven value. It is accepted that corticosteroids should not be used in ICH and may worsen outcomes. The management of acute hypertension is controversial and guidelines are based on little direct evidence.
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In traumatic brain injury, cerebral hypoperfusion is associated with adverse outcome, particularly in the early phases of management. This has resulted in the increased use of drugs such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine and phenylephrine to augment or maintain systemic blood pressures at near normal levels. This is now part of standard practice and is endorsed by the Brain Trauma Foundation guidelines. ⋯ A paradigm shift from a "set and forget" philosophy to one of "titration against time" to achieve appropriate therapeutic targets is now required. In this context the rational use of vasoactive agents to optimise cerebral perfusion pressure may be employed. On the basis of limited animal and human evidence, noradrenaline appears to be the most appropriate catecholamine for traumatic brain injury, although definitive, targeted trials are required.
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Obesity has been perceived to be a risk factor for adverse outcomes following cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that patients with morbid obesity (defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater or equal to 40 kg/m(2)) would have increased rates of mortality and morbidity following cardiac surgery. ⋯ This study was unable to demonstrate that morbidly obese patients having cardiac surgery had statistically significant increased morbidity or mortality.
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To assess the relationship between PiCCO-derived signals and conventional measures of pre-load and gas exchange in patients with septic shock. ⋯ PiCCO-derived pre-load and extravascular lung water signals show logical associations with conventional indirect indicators of haemodynamic and fluid status suggesting physiological and clinical relevance.
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Despite technological and medical advances for the treatment of SAH that have had a positive impact on outcomes over the last 20 years, but the all-cause mortality for this often-catastrophic condition remains high at 12 - 15%. Survival will ultimately depend on the severity of the haemorrhage, the subsequent loss of functional neurones and the extracranial reserve of the patient. ⋯ There is little or no evidence to justify the aggressive use of anti-vasospastic therapies as a preventative manner with exception of oral nimodipine in patients with low-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. Concomitant use of induced hypertension/hypervolaemia/haemodilution cannot be recommended on current evidence, but if employed should be done on an individualised basis, considering the patients underlying neurological condition, cardiopulmonary reserve, adequacy of systemic and neurological monitoring and access to expert neuroradiological, neurosurgical and neurocritical care services.