Articles: intensive-care-units.
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Critical care medicine · Mar 2024
Multicenter StudyThe Influence of Potential Organ Donors on Standardized Mortality Ratios and ICU Benchmarking.
The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) is a common metric to benchmark ICUs. However, SMR may be artificially distorted by the admission of potential organ donors (POD), who have nearly 100% mortality, although risk prediction models may not identify them as high-risk patients. We aimed to evaluate the impact of PODs on SMR. ⋯ Despite their relatively small overall number, PODs make up a large proportion of ICU patients who die. PODs cause bias in SMRs and in ICU benchmarking. We suggest excluding PODs when benchmarking ICUs with SMR.
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Over the past decade, significant advancements in pharmacological, endoscopic, and radiographic treatments have emerged in the management of patients with cirrhosis and esophagogastric varices or variceal hemorrhage. These advances have been in several areas, including the role of screening and primary prophylaxis (preventing an initial variceal bleed), evaluation and management of acute esophagogastric variceal hemorrhage, and in preventing variceal rebleeding. Therefore, we believe there is a need for an updated, evidence-based "narrative review" on this important clinical topic that will be relevant for internists, hospitalists, intensive care unit physicians, and those in training. We believe the guidance presented in this narrative review will enhance daily medical practice of health care professionals and has the potential to improve quality of care for these complex patients.
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Critical care medicine · Mar 2024
Editorial Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyEffect of a Standardized Family Participation Program in the ICU: A Multicenter Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.
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The merits of early enteral nutrition (EEN) in patients in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit (CTICU) remain unclear. This retrospective study aimed to address this issue. ⋯ EEN may improve short-term outcomes in CTICU patients without a clear survival benefit. Early high caloric and protein intake could lead to adverse outcomes, suggesting a careful evaluation for initiating EN in specific patients.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Mar 2024
Peri-operative Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds in Neonates Undergoing Cardiac Surgery.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are used in the sterilization and manufacture of medical equipment. These compounds have high vapor pressures with low water solubility and are emitted as gases from solids or liquids. They can be mutagenic, neurotoxic, genotoxic, and/or carcinogenic. Safe limits of exposure are not known for neonates. This study examined determinants of exposure in newborns undergoing cardiac surgery. ⋯ Exposure to volatile organic compounds is pervasive in newborns undergoing cardiac surgery. Sources of exposure likely include medical devices and inhalation from the air in the intensive care unit. The contribution of VOC exposure during cardiac surgery in newborns to adverse outcomes warrants further evaluation.