Articles: critical-illness.
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Critical care medicine · May 1993
Longitudinal analysis of neutrophil superoxide anion generation in patients with septic shock.
To examine polymorphonuclear leukocyte respiratory burst function serially in patients with septic shock. ⋯ In vitro neutrophil respiratory burst function is significantly depressed during early septic shock. As patients improve clinically, as quantitated by decreasing APACHE II scores, neutrophil respiratory burst function recovers, approaching normal values.
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To determine the effects of fat emboli on cardiopulmonary function in critically ill patients. ⋯ Cardiopulmonary dysfunction commonly attributed to fat emboli is likely due to other causes.
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Critical care medicine · Apr 1993
Endocrine profiles for outcome prediction from the intensive care unit.
To evaluate the discriminating ability of various specific endocrine studies on patient outcome from the intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ The basal cortisol and triiodothyronine concentrations obtained from blood samples collected within 48 hrs of ICU admission appear to be better discriminators of patient outcome than the APACHE II score.
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Critical care clinics · Apr 1993
ReviewMetabolic and nutritional support of the intensive care patient. Ascending the learning curve.
The learning curve of nutritional support in the critically ill began with the amelioration of the effects of starvation in patients with a disabled intestine. Next, there was an appreciation that feeding formulas could be tailored to support patients with specific organ insufficiencies. Then it was realized that feeding enterally has distinct advantages over feeding parenterally. ⋯ In the future, feeding formulae will be devised that continue to modify the patient's response to illness favorably. Another important consideration is to begin nutritional support as soon as possible--i.e., on the day of admission, if appropriate. The critical care specialist should be expert in these techniques, with the goal of eliminating malnutrition as a confounding variable in the clinical course of the intensive care unit patient.
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Critical care medicine · Mar 1993
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialImproved cardiovascular stability during continuous modes of renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients with acute hepatic and renal failure.
To determine whether continuous modes of renal replacement therapy result in improved cardiovascular stability compared with standard daily intermittent treatment in critically ill patients. ⋯ In critically ill patients, in whom DO2 is impaired, the use of continuous forms of renal replacement therapy is preferred for its improved cardiovascular tolerance compared with daily intermittent machine treatments.