Crit Care Resusc
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Despite the growing number of older patients having major surgery, the normal resting values for the cardiac index of older patients remain unclear. We aim to derive a normative value for such patients. ⋯ The normal range of the cardiac index in older patients may be lower than previously reported. Its rate of decline with age is uncertain, but likely between 3.5 and 8 mL/min/m2 per year. Data on the normal cardiac index in people older than 80 years are scant.
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Observational Study
"Likely overassistance" during invasive pressure support ventilation in patients in the intensive care unit: a multicentre prospective observational study.
To evaluate the prevalence of "likely overassistance" (categorised by respiratory rate [RR] ≤ 17 breaths/min or rapid shallow breathing index [RSBI] ≤ 37 breaths/min/L) during invasive pressure support ventilation (PSV), and the additional prevalence of fixed ventilator settings. ⋯ In a cohort of Victorian hospitals in Australia, during invasive PSV, "likely overassistance" was common, and the pressure support level was delivered in a standardised and unadjusted manner at 10 cmH2O, resulting in the frequent delivery of potentially injurious VT.
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Prognostication in patients with post-hypoxic brain injury remains difficult; yet, clinicians are commonly asked to guide decisions regarding withdrawal of life support. We aimed to assess whether electroencephalogram (EEG) is a useful tool in predicting neurological outcome in patients with post-hypoxic myoclonus (PHM). ⋯ This study shows that PHM is associated with a poor but not universally fatal prognosis. Early EEG does not reliably distinguish between good and poor outcomes.