Indian journal of critical care medicine : peer-reviewed, official publication of Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine
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There is a paucity of data evaluating serum albumin levels and outcome of critically ill-children admitted to intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Hypoalbuminemia is a significant indicator of mortality and morbidity in critically sick children. More studies are needed to define role of albumin infusion in treatment of such patients.
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Indian J Crit Care Med · Sep 2014
Association between electrocardiographic findings and cardiac dysfunction in adult isolated traumatic brain injury.
Abnormal electrocardiographic (ECG) findings can be seen in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. ECG may be an inexpensive tool to identify patients at high risk for developing cardiac dysfunction after TBI. The aim of this study was to examine abnormal ECG findings after isolated TBI and their association with true cardiac dysfunction, based on echocardiogram. ⋯ Repolarization abnormalities (prolonged QTc and MERA), but not ischemic-like ECG changes, are associated with cardiac dysfunction after isolated TBI. 12-lead ECG may be an inexpensive screening tool to evaluate isolated TBI patients for cardiac dysfunction prior to more expensive or invasive studies.
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A 19-year-old male presented with history of massive hemoptysis. The patient was kept on mechanical ventilation because of severe hypoxia. ⋯ During the course of treatment, the patient developed a very high CO2 level of 373 mmHg. The patient was successfully weaned off on the 9(th) day without any obvious adverse consequences.
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Use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) outside guideline recommendations is common. We audited use of NIV in our tertiary care critical care unit (CCU) to evaluate appropriateness of use and patient outcomes when used outside level I recommendations. ⋯ Noninvasive ventilation failure and mortality rates were significantly higher when used outside level I recommendations. APACHE II score, baseline PaCO2 and duration on NIV prior to intubation were predictors of increased mortality.