PubMed Central (PMC3 - NLM DTD)
(2,081,148 recursos)
Archive of life sciences journal literature at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), developed and managed by NIH's National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) in the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
Mostrando recursos 141 - 160 de 3,189
141.
Bench-to-bedside review: Genetics and proteomics: deciphering gene association studies in critical illness - Yende, Sachin; Kammerer, Candace M; Angus, Derek C
There is considerable interest in understanding genetic determinants of critical illness to improve current risk stratification models, provide individualized therapies, and improve our current understanding of disease mechanisms. This review provides a broad overview of genetic nomenclature, different study designs, and problems unique to each of these study designs in critical illnesses. Well designed genetic studies with careful attention to these issues during the planning phase, use of rigorous statistical methods during analysis, and replication of these results in different cohorts will lead to more robust results and improved understanding of genetics of critical care.
143.
Attributable cost of methicillin resistance: an issue that is difficult to evaluate - Timsit, Jean-François
Estimating the consequences and the cost of methicillin resistance is a difficult challenge. Patients who develop methicillin-resistant ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) are very different from those who develop methicillin-sensitive VAP, and biased estimates are frequent. We reviewed some important confounding factors of which the reader should be aware.
144.
Lung biopsy in ARDS: is it worth the risk? - Malhotra, Atul; Patel, Sanjay
Progress in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been slow, perhaps in part due to the heterogeneity in the biology underlying this syndrome. Open lung biopsy is a feasible approach to define various subcategories of underlying histology. In experienced hands, with careful selection of patients and close attention to details of critical care management, including mechanical ventilator settings, the procedure is safe even in patients with severe disease. However, further work is needed to define which patients, if any, experience a beneficial effect on outcome from this procedure. More research is needed on assessing efficacy of potential...
145.
Bench-to-bedside review: Brain dysfunction in critically ill patients the intensive care unit and beyond - Meyer, Nuala J; Hall, Jesse B
Critical care physicians often find themselves prognosticating for their patients, attempting to predict patient survival as well as disability. In the case of neurologic injury, this can be especially difficult. A frequent cause of coma in the intensive care unit is resuscitation following cardiac arrest, for which mortality and severe neurologic disability remain high. Recent studies of the clinical examination, of serum markers such as neuron-specific enolase, and of somatosensory evoked potentials allow accurate and specific prediction of which comatose patients are likely to suffer a poor outcome. Using these tools, practitioners can confidently educate the family for the majority...
146.
What is a pressurevolume curve? - Brochard, Laurent
The pressurevolume (PV) curve is a physiological tool proposed for diagnostic or monitoring purposes during mechanical ventilation of acute respiratory distress syndrome. The reduction in compliance measured by the PV curve and the different inflection points on the curve are considered interesting markers of the severity of and the levels of opening and closing pressures. Tracing a curve, however, may in itself influence the degree of opening or distension of the lung, and interpretation of the curve has to take this effect into account. In some individuals tracing the curve may even have moderate hemodynamic effects. Fortunately, on average, most...
147.
Measuring the anticoagulant effect of low molecular weight heparins in the critically ill - Crowther, Mark; Lim, Wendy
Antithrombotic prophylaxis in critically ill patients frequently fails. Venous thromboembolism is associated with adverse clinical outcomes, including a prolonged intensive care unit stay and death. A potential mechanism by which critically ill patients may be predisposed to antithrombotic failure is the inability to achieve 'prophylactic' anticoagulant drug levels as a result of impaired absorption. For example, previous studies have shown that patients on inotropes have reduced serum levels of low molecular weight heparin, presumably on the basis of reduced absorption from the subcutaneous injection site. In the previous issue of the journal, Rommers and colleagues examined whether subcutaneous edema reduces...
148.
Etomidate, pharmacological adrenalectomy and the critically ill: a matter of vital importance - Bloomfield, Roxanna; Noble, David W
Etomidate is a potent suppressant of adrenal steroidogenesis, effectively inducing reversible pharmacological adrenalectomy. Recent evidence suggests that for every five patients with septic shock given etomidate without corticosteroid supplementation, one patient will die as a consequence. Other critically ill patients are also at possible risk, and this risk requires further exploration. Etomidate will also confound investigations into the effects of disease states on adrenal function, and should therefore be avoided. A moratorium on the use of etomidate in critically ill patients outside clinical trials may be prudent until its safety is established.
149.
Ventilatory management of ARDS: high frequency oscillation and lung recruitment! - Kacmarek, Robert M
Many aspects of ventilatory management in patients with ARDS are still controversial and one of the major controversies is should HFO or CMV ideally be used to manage this patients. As shown by David et al. when the two approaches to ventilatory support are applied using similar principles the physiologic outcomes appear to be similar. With both approaches the use of lung recruitment maneuvers early in ARDS (1 to 3 day) after hemodynamic stabilization in patients without baratrauma is promising. The key to managing ARDS regardless of mode is to use an open lung protective ventilatory strategy. It is not...
150.
Hyperinsulinemia-euglycemia therapy: a useful tool in treating calcium channel blocker poisoning - Levine, Michael D; Boyer, Edward
Hyperinsulinemia-euglycemia (HIE) therapy, when initiated promptly and aggressively, may offer considerable advantages in the treatment of calcium channel blocker poisoning. Although its mechanism of action is uncertain, HIE improves the efficiency with which the poisoned myocardium uses metabolic fuel, the end result of which is improvements in inotropy and other cardiovascular parameters. Although HIE is not universally accepted, the reports included in the previous issue of Critical Care should prompt clinicians to consider HIE an appropriate therapy specifically for calcium channel blocker poisoning.
151.
Ethics review: Perioperative do-not-resuscitate orders doing 'nothing' when 'something' can be done - Ewanchuk, Mark; Brindley, Peter G
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has the ability to reverse premature death. It can also prolong terminal illness, increase discomfort and consume enormous resources. Despite the desire to respect patient autonomy, there are many reasons why withholding CPR may be complicated in the perioperative setting. This review outlines these factors in order to offer practical suggestions and to provoke discussion among perioperative care providers. Although originally described for witnessed intraoperative arrests, closed chest cardiac massage quickly became universal practice, and a legal imperative in many hospitals. Concerns were raised by both health care workers and patient groups; this eventually led to the...
152.
The pulmonary artery catheter: the tool versus treatments based on the tool - Takala, Jukka
The pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) is a powerful tool that has been used extensively in the assessment and monitoring of cardiovascular physiology. Gross misinterpretation of data gathered by the PAC is common, and its routine use without any specific interventions has not been shown to influence outcome. However, there currently is no evidence from randomized, controlled trials that any diagnostic or monitoring tool used in intensive care patients improves outcome. Studies evaluating the use of the PAC have included numerous potential confounding factors, and should be interpreted with caution. The information obtained with the PAC should be used to find...
154.
Acute respiratory failure in the elderly - Fagon, Jean-Yves
With the current epidemiology of a growing advanced-age population and the specificities of critical illness in elderly patients, studies on this topic are appropriate. We need more clinical trials and evaluations of diagnostic and management procedures applied in the elderly, as well as studies designed to identify prognostic factors for inhospital mortality or mortality in the intensive care unit in the elderly. Studies evaluating long-term outcomes, including quality of life and costs, are also needed to try to define realistic goals for patients, families and physicians.
155.
Haemodynamic management of severe sepsis: recommendations of the French Intensive Care Societies (SFAR/SRLF) Consensus Conference, 13 October 2005, Paris, France - Pottecher, Thierry; Calvat, Sylvie; Dupont, Hervé; Durand-Gasselin, Jacques; Gerbeaux, Patrick;
We present a consensus report from the SFAR/SLRF (Société Française d'Anesthésie et de Réanimation/Société de Réanimation de Langue Française) Consensus Conference, held on 13 October 2005 in Paris, France. The consensus report made recommendations on five topics relevant to the treatment of circulatory failure in sepsis and its underlying rationale. These topics are as follows: therapeutic goals of haemodynamic support in sepsis; goals of fluid resuscitation (including transfusion); role of inotropes and vasoactive drugs; role of other treatments; and treatment strategy. This report is reproduced from a translation of the original in Annales Francaises of Anesthésie and Réanimation.
156.
Year in review 2005: Critical Care nephrology - Ricci, Zaccaria; Ronco, Claudio
We summarize original research in the field of critical care nephrology accepted or published in 2005 in Critical Care and, when considered relevant or directly linked to this research, in other journals. The articles have been grouped into four categories to facilitate a rapid overview. First, physiopathology, epidemiology and prognosis of acute renal failure (ARF): an extensive review and some observational studies have been performed with the aim of describing aspects of ARF physiopathology, precise epidemiology and long-term outcomes. Second, several authors have performed clinical trials utilizing a potential nephro-protective drug, fenoldopam, with different results. Third, the issue of continuous...
157.
Year in review 2005: Critical Care cardiology - Gatheral, Timothy; Bennett, E David
This review summarizes key research papers published in the fields of cardiology and intensive care during 2005 in Critical Care. The papers have been grouped into categories: haemodynamic monitoring; goal-directed therapy; cardiac enzymes and critical care; metabolic considerations in cardiovascular performance; thrombosis prevention; physiology; and procedures and techniques.