Articles: critical-illness.
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The link between oral bacteria and respiratory infections is well documented. Dental plaque has the potential to be colonized by respiratory pathogens and this, together with microaspiration of oral bacteria, can lead to pneumonia particularly in the elderly and critically ill. The provision of adequate oral care is therefore essential for the maintenance of good oral health and the prevention of respiratory complications. ⋯ Oral health is an important consideration in the management of the critically ill. Studies have suggested benefit in the reduction of respiratory complication such as Ventilator Associated Pneumonia associated with effective oral health care practices. However, at present there is no consensus as to the best way of providing optimal oral health care in the critically ill. Further research is needed to standardise oral health assessment and care practices to enable development of evidenced based personalised oral care for the critically ill.
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Studies have shown nonlinear relationships between systolic blood pressure (SBP) and outcomes, with increased risk observed at both low and high blood pressure levels. However, the relationships between cumulative times at different SBP levels and outcomes in critically ill patients remain unclear. We hypothesized that an appropriate SBP level is associated with a decrease in adverse outcomes after intensive care unit (ICU) admission. ⋯ SBP at 120 mm Hg to 140 mm Hg was associated with decreased adverse outcomes. Randomized trials are required to determine whether the outcomes in critically ill patients improve with early maintenance of a SBP level at 120 mm Hg to 140 mm Hg.
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Comparative Study
Delaying initiation of diuretics in critically ill patients with recent vasopressor use and high positive fluid balance.
Fluid overload is associated with poor outcomes. Clinicians might be reluctant to initiate diuretic therapy for patients with recent vasopressor use. We estimated the effect on 30-day mortality of withholding or delaying diuretics after vasopressor use in patients with probable fluid overload. ⋯ Withholding diuretic initiation after vasopressor use in patients with high cumulative positive balance (>5 L) was estimated to increase 30-day mortality. These findings are hypothesis generating and should be tested in a clinical trial.
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Regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) is the preferred anticoagulation method for continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) recommended by KDIGO. Limited availability of calcium-free solutions often imposes challenges to the implementation of RCA for CKRT (RCA-CKRT). The principal purpose of this study was to characterize the outcomes of RCA-CKRT using calcium-containing solutions. ⋯ Our study suggests that RCA-CKRT with calcium-containing solutions is feasible and safe in critically ill patients, including those with sepsis and liver disease.
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Intensive care medicine · Oct 2021
Critically ill cancer patient's resuscitation: a Belgian/French societies' consensus conference.
To respond to the legitimate questions raised by the application of invasive methods of monitoring and life-support techniques in cancer patients admitted in the ICU, the European Lung Cancer Working Party and the Groupe de Recherche Respiratoire en Réanimation Onco-Hématologique, set up a consensus conference. The methodology involved a systematic literature review, experts' opinion and a final consensus conference about nine predefined questions1. Which triage criteria, in terms of complications and considering the underlying neoplastic disease and possible therapeutic limitations, should be used to guide admission of cancer patient to intensive care units?2. ⋯ What specific considerations should be taken into account in the intensive care unit?8. Based on which criteria, in terms of benefit and complications and taking into account the neoplastic disease, patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit (or equivalent) should receive cellular elements derived from the blood (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets)?9. Which training is required for critical care doctors in charge of cancer patients?