Therapeutic Hypothermia in Critically Ill Patients: The Role of Hypothermia in the Critical Care Toolbox*

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 1089-1090
Author(s):  
Ofer Sadan
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Therapeutic Hypothermia ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients

scholarly journals Optimal Role of the Nephrologist in the Intensive Care Unit

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 68-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.J. Askenazi ◽  
Michael Heung ◽  
Michael J. Connor Jr. ◽  
Rajit K. Basu ◽  
Jorge Cerdá ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Health Care Team ◽  
Quality Initiatives ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Delivery Of Care ◽  
Multi Disciplinary Team

As advances in Critical Care Medicine continue, critically ill patients are surviving despite the severity of their illness. The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) has increased, and its impact on clinical outcomes as well as medical expenditures has been established. The role, indications and technological advancements of renal replacement therapy (RRT) have evolved, allowing more effective therapies with less complications. With these changes, Critical Care Nephrology has become an established specialty, and ongoing collaborations between critical care physicians and nephrologist have improved education of multi-disciplinary team members and patient care in the ICU. Multidisciplinary programs to support these changes have been stablished in some hospitals to maximize the delivery of care, while other programs have continue to struggle in their ability to acquire the necessary resources to maximize outcomes, educate their staff, and develop quality initiatives to evaluate and drive improvements. Clearly, the role of the nephrologist in the ICU has evolved, and varies widely among institutions. This special article will provide insights that will hopefully optimize the role of the nephrologist as the leader of the acute care nephrology program, as clinician for critically ill patients, and as teacher for all members of the health care team.

Recombinant Human Erythropoietin Use in Intensive Care

2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1068-1074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Darveau ◽  
Éric Notebaert ◽  
André Y Denault ◽  
Sylvain Bélisle
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Recombinant Human Erythropoietin ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Optimal Dosage ◽  
Human Erythropoietin ◽  
The Impact

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature concerning the role of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) in reducing the need for transfusion in critically ill patients. DATA SOURCES: Articles were obtained through searches of the MEDLINE database (from 1990 to June 2001) using the key words erythropoietin, epoetin alfa, anemia, reticulocytes, hemoglobin, critical care, intensive care, critical illness, and blood transfusion. Additional references were found in the bibliographies of the articles cited. The Cochrane library was also consulted. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Controlled, prospective, and randomized studies on the use of rHuEPO in critically ill adults were selected. DATA SYNTHESIS: Anemia is a common complication in patients requiring intensive care. It is caused, in part, by abnormally low concentrations of endogenous erythropoietin and is mainly seen in patients with sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, in whom inflammation mediator concentrations are often elevated. High doses of rHuEPO produce a rapid response in these patients, despite elevated cytokine concentrations. There have been 3 studies on rHuEPO administration in intensive care and 1 trial in acutely burned patients. Only 2 of these studies looked at the impact of rHuEPO administration on the need for transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Few randomized, controlled trials explore the role of rHuEPO in critical care. Only 1 was a large, randomized clinical trial, but it presents many limitations. Future outcome and safety studies comparing rHuEPO with placebo must include clinical endpoints such as end-organ morbidity, mortality, transfusion criteria, and pharmacoeconomic analysis. rHuEPO appears to provide an erythropoietic response. Optimal dosage and the real impact of rHuEPO on the need for transfusion in intensive care remain to be determined. Currently, based on the evidence available from the literature, rHuEPO cannot be recommended to reduce the need for red blood cell transfusions in anemic, critically ill patients.

scholarly journals The effect of opioids on gastrointestinal function in the ICU

Critical Care ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Yan ◽  
Yu Chen ◽  
Xijing Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Critical Care Setting ◽  
Gastrointestinal Function ◽  
Opioid Antagonists

AbstractGastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction is common in the critical care setting and is highly associated with clinical outcomes. Opioids increase the risk for GI dysfunction and are frequently prescribed to reduce pain in critically ill patients. However, the role of opioids in GI function remains uncertain in the ICU. This review aims to describe the effect of opioids on GI motility, their potential risk of increasing infection and the treatment of GI dysmotility with opioid antagonists in the ICU setting.

Managing agitation in critically ill patients

1996 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Pharmacologic Agents

Managing agitation in critically ill patients is challenging and complex. Advances in the field of critical care impose strains on patients that can lead to disorientation and agitation, especially as more severe illnesses are treated successfully. Although the adverse effects of agitation are well-known, their impact on morbidity, mortality, length of stay, and cost are only beginning to be addressed. Meeting these challenges requires an understanding of the potential adverse effects of agitation, its causes and contributing factors, the advantages and limitations of available pharmacologic agents, and the role of nonpharmacologic interventions. This article reviews each of these issues, with a focus on clinical applications and strategies.

scholarly journals Report of the first AKI Round Table meeting: an initiative of the ESICM AKI Section

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ostermann ◽  
A. Schneider ◽  
T. Rimmele ◽  
I. Bobek ◽  
M. van Dam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Renal Replacement Therapy ◽  
Replacement Therapy ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Blood Pressure Targets

Abstract Purpose Critical Care Nephrology is an emerging sub-specialty of Critical Care. Despite increasing awareness about the serious impact of acute kidney injury (AKI) and renal replacement therapy (RRT), important knowledge gaps persist. This report represents a summary of a 1-day meeting of the AKI section of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) identifying priorities for future AKI research. Methods International Members of the AKI section of the ESICM were selected and allocated to one of three subgroups: “AKI diagnosis and evaluation”, “Medical management of AKI” and “Renal Replacement Therapy for AKI.” Using a modified Delphi methodology, each group identified knowledge gaps and developed potential proposals for future collaborative research. Results The following key research projects were developed: Systematic reviews: (a) epidemiology of AKI with stratification by patient cohorts and diagnostic criteria; (b) role of higher blood pressure targets in patients with hypertension admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, and (c) specific clearance characteristics of different modalities of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Observational studies: (a) epidemiology of critically ill patients according to AKI duration, and (b) current clinical practice of CRRT. Intervention studies:( a) Comparison of different blood pressure targets in critically ill patients with hypertension, and (b) comparison of clearance of solutes with various molecular weights between different CRRT modalities. Conclusion Consensus was reached on a future research agenda for the AKI section of the ESICM.

scholarly journals Feasibility of cardiac output measurements in critically ill patients by medical students

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Geert Koster ◽  
Thomas Kaufmann ◽  
Bart Hiemstra ◽  
Renske Wiersema ◽  
Madelon E. Vos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Output ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Percentage Error ◽  
Poor Agreement ◽  
Cardiac Output Measurements

Abstract Background Critical care ultrasonography (CCUS) is increasingly applied also in the intensive care unit (ICU) and performed by non-experts, including even medical students. There is limited data on the training efforts necessary for novices to attain images of sufficient quality. There is no data on medical students performing CCUS for the measurement of cardiac output (CO), a hemodynamic variable of importance for daily critical care. Objective The aim of this study was to explore the agreement of cardiac output measurements as well as the quality of images obtained by medical students in critically ill patients compared to the measurements obtained by experts in these images. Methods In a prospective observational cohort study, all acutely admitted adults with an expected ICU stay over 24 h were included. CCUS was performed by students within 24 h of admission. CCUS included the images required to measure the CO, i.e., the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) diameter and the velocity time integral (VTI) in the LVOT. Echocardiography experts were involved in the evaluation of the quality of images obtained and the quality of the CO measurements. Results There was an opportunity for a CCUS attempt in 1155 of the 1212 eligible patients (95%) and in 1075 of the 1212 patients (89%) CCUS examination was performed by medical students. In 871 out of 1075 patients (81%) medical students measured CO. Experts measured CO in 783 patients (73%). In 760 patients (71%) CO was measured by both which allowed for comparison; bias of CO was 0.0 L min−1 with limits of agreement of − 2.6 L min−1 to 2.7 L min−1. The percentage error was 50%, reflecting poor agreement of the CO measurement by students compared with the experts CO measurement. Conclusions Medical students seem capable of obtaining sufficient quality CCUS images for CO measurement in the majority of critically ill patients. Measurements of CO by medical students, however, had poor agreement with expert measurements. Experts remain indispensable for reliable CO measurements. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov; http://www.clinicaltrials.gov; registration number NCT02912624

A Systematic Review of Anticoagulation Strategies for Patients With Atrial Fibrillation in Critical Care.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Jayne Nelson ◽  
Brian W Johnston ◽  
Alicia Achiaa Charlotte Waite ◽  
Gedeon Lemma ◽  
Ingeborg Dorothea Welters
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Major Bleeding ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Thromboembolic Events ◽  
Bleeding Events ◽  
Major Bleeding Events ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Anticoagulated Patients

Background. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in critically ill patients. There is a paucity of data assessing the impact of anticoagulation strategies on clinical outcomes for general critical care patients with AF. Our aim was to assess the existing literature to evaluate the effectiveness of anticoagulation strategies used in critical care for AF. Methodology. A systematic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and PubMed databases. Studies reporting anticoagulation strategies for AF in adults admitted to a general critical care setting were assessed for inclusion. Results. Four studies were selected for data extraction. A total of 44087 patients were identified with AF, of which 17.8-49.4% received anticoagulation. The reported incidence of thromboembolic events was 0-1.4% for anticoagulated patients, and 0-1.3% in non-anticoagulated patients. Major bleeding events were reported in three studies and occurred in 7.2-8.6% of the anticoagulated patients and up to 7.1% of the non-anticoagulated patients. Conclusions. There was an increased incidence of major bleeding events in anticoagulated patients with AF in critical care compared to non-anticoagulated patients. There was no significant difference in the incidence of reported thromboembolic events within studies, between patients who did and did not receive anticoagulation. However, the outcomes reported within studies were not standardised, therefore, the generalisability of our results to the general critical care population remains unclear. Further data is required to facilitate an evidence-based assessment of the risks and benefits of anticoagulation for critically ill patients with AF.

scholarly journals Serum Procalcitonin Level and Mortality Risk in Critically ill Patients with Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 1967-1972 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Li ◽  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Shumei Li
Keyword(s):  
Critically Ill ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
High Serum ◽  
Ventilator Associated Pneumonia ◽  
Prognostic Role ◽  
Procalcitonin Level ◽  
Increased Risk

Background/Aims: The prognostic role of serum procalcitonin level in critically ill patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia was unclear. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between serum procalcitonin level and mortality risk in critically ill patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia. Methods: Data of critically ill patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia were retrospectively collected. Demographics, comorbidities, and serum procalcitonin level were extracted from electronic medical records. The primary outcome was mortality within two months after diagnosis. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the prognostic role of serum procalcitonin level in those patients. Results: A total of 115 critically ill patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia were enrolled in our study. Serum procalcitonin level was not associated with age, gender, or other comorbidities. Univariate Cox regression model showed that high serum procalcitonin level was associated increased risk of morality within 2 months after diagnosis (OR = 2.32, 95% CI 1.25-4.31, P = 0.008). Multivariable Cox regression model showed that high serum procalcitonin level was independently associated increased risk of morality within 2 months after diagnosis (OR = 2.38, 95% CI 1.26-4.50, P = 0.008). Conclusion: High serum procalcitonin level is an independent prognostic biomarker of mortality risk in critically ill patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia, and it's a promising biomarker of prognosis in critically ill patients.

Efficacy of Epidural Analgesia for Pain Management of Critically Ill Patients and the Implications for Nursing Care

1991 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 729-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanne F. Slack ◽  
Margaret Faut-Callahan
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Pain Relief ◽  
Epidural Analgesia ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Nursing Care ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Continuous Epidural Analgesia ◽  
Analgesic Agents ◽  
Care Problems ◽  
Critical Care Patients

Management of pain for critically ill patients has been shown to be inadequately controlled and can have serious deleterious effects on a patient’s recovery. Continuous epidural analgesia can be used to control pain in critical care patients. This mode of analgesia administration provides pain relief without the delays inherent in the as-needed administration of analgesics. Fifteen critical care unit patients were part of a multidisciplinary, prospective, randomized, double-blind study of various epidural analgesic agents in 43 thoracic and 66 abdominal surgery patients. The purpose of the study was to identify the benefits and problems associated with continuous epidural analgesia administration and the implications for the nursing care of critically ill patients. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the analgesia was based on the following measures: 1) pain measured at regular intervals in the 72-hour period with a visual analog; 2) pain as measured after 72 hours with the word descriptor section of the McGill pain questionnaire; 3) amount of supplemental systemic narcotic analgesic needed; 4) recovery of ambulatory and respiratory function, including ability to perform coughing and deep-breathing exercises; 5) occurrence of adverse effects, and 6) the type and distribution of nursing care problems associated with continuous epidural infusions. The results of this study showed that the level of pain relief and recovery of postoperative function was superior to that provided by the more widely used as-needed systemic administration of narcotics. Although some nursing care problems were identified, continuous epidural analgesia can be used for pain relief in critical care patients, if the analgesia is administered by accurate reliable infusion systems and carefully monitored by nursing staff who are knowledgeable about the pharmacologic considerations of epidural analgesic agents and the management of patient care

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document