Crit Care Resusc
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Background: Haemorrhage is a major cause of death in severe trauma. Fibrinogen plays a critical role in maintaining haemostasis in traumatic haemorrhage, and early replacement using fibrinogen concentrate (FC) or cryoprecipitate (Cryo) is recommended by several international trauma guidelines. Limited evidence supports one product over the other, with widespread geographic and institutional variation in practice. ⋯ Fibrinogen levels increased appropriately using either product. The optimal method for replacing fibrinogen in traumatic haemorrhage is controversial. Our results will inform the design of a larger trial powered to assess patient-centred outcomes.
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Objective: We aimed to measure the incidence, prevalence, characteristics and outcomes of intensive care unit (ICU) patients with early (first 24 hours) metabolic acidosis (MA) according to two different levels of severity with a focus on recent data. Design: We retrospectively applied two diagnostic criteria to our analysis based on literature for early MA: i) severe MA criteria (pH ≤ 7.20 and Paco2 ≤ 45 mmHg and HCO3- ≤ 20 mmol/L with total Sequential Organ Failure Assessment [SOFA] score ≥ 4 or lactate ≥ 2 mmol/L), and ii) moderate MA criteria (pH < 7.30 and base excess < -4 mmol/L and Paco2 ≤ 45 mmHg). Setting: ICUs in the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Adult Patient Database program. ⋯ Overall, hospital mortality for patients with early severe MA was 48.3% (652/1350) compared with 21.5% (4444/20 679) for moderate MA. Conclusions: Early severe MA is uncommon in Australian and New Zealand ICUs and carries a very high mortality. Moderate MA is over seven-fold more common and still carries a high mortality.
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Background and objective: The Plasma-Lyte 148 versus Saline (PLUS) study is a prospective, multicentre, parallel-group, concealed, blinded, randomised controlled trial comparing the effect of Plasma-Lyte 148 versus 0.9% sodium chloride (saline) for fluid resuscitation and other fluid therapy on 90-day mortality among critically ill adults requiring fluid resuscitation. The original target for recruitment was 8800 participants, which was reduced to 5000 participants following the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020. This article describes the statistical analysis plan for the PLUS study. ⋯ The plan describes in detail the analysis of baseline characteristics, process measures, and outcomes, including covariate adjustments, subgroup analyses, missing data handling, and sensitivity analyses. Results and conclusions: A statistical analysis plan for the PLUS study was developed. This pre-specified plan accords with high quality standards of internal validity and should minimise future analysis bias.
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Background: Nosocomial pneumonia in the critical care setting is associated with increased morbidity, significant crude mortality rates and high health care costs. Ventilator-associated pneumonia represents about 80% of nosocomial pneumonia cases in intensive care units (ICUs). Wide variance in incidence of nosocomial pneumonia and diagnostic techniques used has been reported, while successful treatment remains complex and a matter of debate. ⋯ The concordance of ventilator-associated pneumonia diagnosis with accepted definitions will also be assessed. Results and conclusions: PneumoINSPIRE will provide valuable information on current diagnostic and management practices relating to ICU nosocomial pneumonia, and identify research priorities in the field. Trial registration:ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02793141.
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Objective: Examine values, preferences and goals elicited by doctors following goals-of-care (GOC) discussions with critically ill patients who had life-limiting illnesses. Design: Descriptive qualitative study using four-stage latent content analysis. Setting: Tertiary intensive care unit (ICU) in South Western Victoria. ⋯ The subthemes - relationships, sense of place, enjoyment of activities, independence, dignity, cognitive function, quality of life, longevity and physical comfort - provided a matrix of issues identified as important to patients. Relationship, place, independence and physical comfort statements were most frequently identified; longevity was least frequently identified. Conclusion: Our analysis of GOC discussions between medical staff and patients who had life-limiting illnesses and were admitted to the ICU, using a shared decision-making training and support program, revealed a framework of values, preferences and goals that could provide a structure to assist clinicians to engage in shared decision making.