This prospective study evaluated the relationship of inflammatory gene polymorphisms and postoperative pneumonia after esophagectomy in 120 pts. One genotype for IL-10 was significantly associated with reduced postoperative serum IL-10 levels and an increased rate of postoperative pneumonia. IL-10 polymorphism was an independent predictor of pneumo
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Intensive Care
June 22, 2014
June 22, 2014
This multicenter prospective study evaluated indications for and outcomes of ICU admission for 449 patients with lung cancer. Most patients had a newly diagnosed lung cancer, and the most common indication for ICU admission was airway compromise. Hospital and 6-month mortality rates were 39% and 55%. Determinants of mortality were severity of orga
June 1, 2014
This is a nice video that demonstrates what items are required to safely perform an emergency resternotomy.
Might be a nice video to show to your ICU nurses or those who might be required to assist in an emergency resternotomy.
May 23, 2014
In this extensive review, the authors focus on extracorproreal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), both for cardiac and respiratory failure. They describe the explosive increase in ECMO use, the expanding indications, and the need for more evidence-based use.
May 6, 2014
The authors reviewed transfusion practices after cardiac surgery in Australia and New Zealand using a database of nearly 43,000 patients. Transfusion rates for >=1 unit varied 3-fold (22% to 67%), for >=5 units varied 5-fold, >=1 platelet pack varied 3-fold, >=1 FFP varied 4 fold, and >=1 cryoprecipitate varied 20-fold. The differenc
April 24, 2014
The authors, well-known experts in critical care medicine, provide a detailed and usedful overview of critical illness polyneuropathy. This affects 25% to 100% of ICU patients and is associated with impaired recovery after cricial illness.
April 14, 2014
This study evaluated the use of ultrasound to assess diaphragm thickening, rather than diaphragm motion, to predict extubation success. Measurements were made in 63 ventilated patients, end-expiration and end-inspiration differences in thickness during spontaneous breathing were calculated, and the outcome was extubation within 48 hr. The ROC AUC w
March 18, 2014
This study randomized severely septic patients to either 20% albumin or crystalloid for resuscitation, with a primary outcome of mortality at 28 days. During the first week the albumin pts had a higher MAP and lower net fluid balance. Total administered fluids did not differ between the groups. Morality was similar at 28 and 90 days, and the rate
March 18, 2014
This randomized trial assigned septic pts to resuscitation with a MAP goal of 80-85 mm Hg or 65-70 mm Hg. There was no difference in mortality at 30 or 90 days. Afib was more common in the high goal pts, and high goal pts with chronic hypertension required less renal replacement therapy.