Revista Brasileira de terapia intensiva
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Rev Bras Ter Intensiva · Sep 2006
[Challenges in prevention venous thromboembolism: critical ill patient approach].
Venous thromboembolism (VTE), with includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a common complication in critically ill patients, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. ⋯ This article reviews background, current options, and recommendations regarding VTE in intensive care population emphasizing special diagnostic and treatment considerations in the ICU setting.
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Rev Bras Ter Intensiva · Sep 2006
[Blood transfusion in intensive care: an epidemiological observational study].
Packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion is frequent in intensive care unit (ICU). However, the consequences of anemia in ICU patients are poorly understood. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence, indications, pre-transfusion hematocrit and hemoglobin levels, and outcomes of ICU patients transfused with PRBC. ⋯ PRBC transfusions are frequent in ICU patients, especially in those with medical and emergency surgical complications, longer ICU stay, and hepatic cirrhosis and in need of MV. Pre-transfusion hemoglobin levels were lower than those previously reported. In our study, PRBC transfusion was associated with increased mortality.
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Rev Bras Ter Intensiva · Jun 2006
[Update on cardiopulmonary resuscitation: what changed with the new guidelines].
New resuscitation guidelines contain significant changes intended to improve resuscitation practice and survival from cardiac arrest. This article provides an overview of the key changes on resuscitation for healthcare provider. ⋯ The update on the new resuscitation guidelines is important to improve the quality of resuscitation and achieve better survival rates from our critical care patients.
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Rev Bras Ter Intensiva · Jun 2006
[Standardization of weaning of the mechanical ventilation in a Intensive Care Unit: results afterwards one year].
The weaning of mechanical ventilation is the process of transition from mechanical ventilation to spontaneous. The actual practice weaning reveals that the empirism is insufficient and inadequate. On the other side, the standardization of the weaning provides best conductions in the process. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the application of a weaning protocol in an intensive care unit. ⋯ The weaning of the ventilation realized following the standardization brought improvement in its conduction, maintaining the high success index with low mortality.
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Rev Bras Ter Intensiva · Jun 2006
[Referred medical patients not admitted to the Intensive Care Unit: prevalence, clinical characteristics and prognosis].
Information on the outcomes of patients who were refused to the ICU is limited. The aims of this study were to compare the clinical characteristics of patients who were admitted with those of patients who were refused to the ICU and to identify clinical parameters associated with triage procedures. ⋯ Refusal of ICU admission is frequent and generally as a consequence of ICU beds shortage. Patients who were not admitted had a higher mortality. Clinical characteristics associated with the refusal of admission were identified suggesting that they are used in clinical decision-making for ICU triage.