Indian journal of critical care medicine : peer-reviewed, official publication of Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine
-
Status asthmaticus is a common cause of morbidity and mortality. The addition of ketamine to the standard treatment regimen of severe asthma has shown to improve outcome and alleviate the need for mechanical ventilation. The purpose of this review is to determine the pulmonary effects of ketamine and to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to support its use for refractory status asthmaticus. ⋯ In various studies, ketamine has been found to be a potential bronchodilator in severe asthma. However, a large prospective clinical trial is warranted before laying down any definitive recommendations on its use in status asthmaticus.
-
Indian J Crit Care Med · May 2013
Elevated procalcitonin is associated with increased mortality in patients with scrub typhus infection needing intensive care admission.
Procalcitonin is a biomarker of bacterial sepsis. It is unclear if scrub typhus, a rickettsial illness, is associated with elevated procalcitonin levels. ⋯ Procalcitonin is elevated in severe scrub typhus infection and may be associated with higher mortality.
-
Indian J Crit Care Med · May 2013
Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter ventilator-associated pneumonia: Clinical characteristics and outcome.
To study the clinical characteristics and 28-days mortality in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) due to carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter (CRA). ⋯ CRA-VAP has high crude mortality. Advanced age; severity of illness and presence of pneumonia at ICU admission; and presence of shock, ARDS and renal failure have impact on outcome in these patients.