Articles: critical-illness.
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Comparative Study
Predicting unbound phenytoin concentrations in the critically ill neurosurgical patient.
To assess the correlation of measured unbound phenytoin concentration (dphF) to estimated unbound concentration (dphEF) using the Sheiner-Tozer equation in critically ill patients in the neurosurgical intensive care unit. ⋯ These results indicate that, in this population, the Sheiner-Tozer estimate of dphEF provides an unbiased, precise clinical estimate of dphF in patients for whom measured dphF is unavailable or impractical.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of an infusion of cis-atracurium (51W89) or atracurium in critically ill patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in an intensive therapy unit.
We have studied 12 critically ill, sedated patients who required a neuromuscular blocking drug to assist mechanical ventilation in an intensive care unit. Patients were randomized to receive an infusion of cis-atracurium 0.18 mg kg-1 h-1 (group 1, n = 6) or atracurium 0.6 mg kg-1 h-1 (group 2, n = 6) preceded, if necessary, by a bolus dose of 2 x ED95 of the same drug (cis-atracurium 0.1 mg kg-1 or atracurium 0.5 mg kg-1). Neuromuscular block was monitored using an accelerograph and the infusion rate adjusted regularly so that it was possible to detect the first response to train-of-four (TOF) stimulation of the ulnar nerve at the wrist. ⋯ Using the NONMEM program, a single compartment pharmacokinetic model was fitted to the plasma concentrations of cis-atracurium and the cis-cis, cis-trans and trans-trans isomers of atracurium. The mean population pharmacokinetic values for cis-atracurium were: volume of distribution (V) = 21,900 (SEM 416) ml; clearance (Cl) = 549 (79) ml min-1; half-life (T1/2) = 27.6 (3.6) min; and for the three groups of atracurium isomers were: cis-cis, V = 15,100 (720) ml, Cl = 449 (42) ml min-1, T1/2 = 23.4 (1.2) min; cis-trans, V = 18,000 (667) ml, Cl = 1070 (43) ml min-1, T1/2 = 11.7 (0.1); trans-trans, V = 13,100 (1280) ml, Cl = 1560 (55) ml min-1, T1/2 = 5.8 (0.4) min. Plasma laudanosine concentrations were lower in the cis-atracurium (peak value 1.3 micrograms ml-1) than in the atracurium (maximum 4.4 micrograms ml-1) group.
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Critical care medicine · Mar 1996
Review Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial Retracted PublicationInfluence of different volume therapies and pentoxifylline infusion on circulating soluble adhesion molecules in critically ill patients.
To study the influence of long-term volume therapy with different solutions and continuous administration of pentoxifylline on plasma concentrations of circulating adhesion molecules. ⋯ Sepsis is associated with markedly increased plasma concentrations of adhesion molecules, indicating endothelial activation or damage. By long-term volume therapy with hydroxyethal starch solution, these concentrations remained unchanged or even decreased, whereas in patients in whom human albumin was infused or pentoxifylline was given continuously, plasma concentration of soluble adhesion molecules further increased.
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Two patients with acute onset of profound weakness and loss of muscle bulk during a critical illness had unusual histopathological changes of type II myofibers. Both patients had respiratory failure and prolonged neuromuscular blockade. ⋯ Muscle biopsies at days 30 to 32 demonstrated widespread atrophy, basophilic cytoplasm, and vesicular nuclei, features suggestive of regeneration involving virtually all type II myofibers and sparing type I myofibers. This may be another variant or critical illness myopathy or a variation of the pathology during the course of illness.
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Previous research indicates that hope is an important psychosocial need of families of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. However, there is a lack of nursing research about how to inspire hope in families of the critically ill. The purpose of this study was to explore the hope-inspiring strategies that spouses of critically ill adults used while their family member was critically ill. ⋯ Utilizing a qualitative methodology, 20 spouses of patients hospitalized in an ICU for the first time were interviewed. Data was categorized into eight hope-inspiring themes, including spiritual religious activities, significant others, devotion for the patient, positive relationship with caregivers, physical presence at the bedside, talking to others, and the use of distraction mechanisms. In addition, five sources of hope were identified in this population.