Advanced biomedical research
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No previous study has been done to evaluate the admission serum potassium level as a predictor of morbidity or need for mechanical ventilation. The aim of this study is to determine the predictive ability of serum potassium on admission, in critically ill trauma patients, and to evaluate the relation of the potassium level to organ failure, length of stay, ventilator need, and duration of mechanical ventilation. ⋯ Development of hypokalemia during an ICU stay is associated with the need for mechanical ventilation. Monitoring of the serum potassium levels may be a good prognostic factor for the requirement of mechanical ventilation.
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The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy intravenous (IV) ondansetron with ketamine plus midazolam for the prevention of shivering during spinal anesthesia (SA). ⋯ Prophylactic use of ondansetron 8 mg IV was comparable to ketamine 0.25 mg/kg IV plus midazolam 37.5 μg/kg IV in preventing shivering during SA.
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Nausea and vomiting are frequently seen in patients undergoing cesarean section (CS) under regional anesthesia. We aimed to compare the antiemetic efficacy of ondansetron and dexamethasone combination with that of the use of each agent alone to decrease the incidence of postdelivery intra- and post-operative nausea and vomiting during CS under spinal anesthesia. ⋯ Combined use of dexamethasone and ondansetron for the same indication seems to increase the antiemetic efficacy.
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This study was performed to evaluate the learning curve and related complications of ultrasound (US) guided central venous catheter (CVC) insertion in infants. ⋯ US-guided percutaneous CVC insertion is a safe and reliable method which can be easily and rapidly learned.
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The main objective of this study was to determine the incidence, time to event, and risk factors for posttraumatic seizures (PTS) following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a five-year follow-up survival design. ⋯ All in all, the present study highlighted the role of the trauma severity and GCS as effective factors in the incidence of seizure in patients with TBI. Particular care is advised for patients with these risk factors during the primary handling in the Emergency Units.