2014 May - Postoperative Polymyxin B Hemoperfusion and Mortality in Patients With Abdominal Septic Shock: A Propensity-Matched Analysis

Iwagami M, Yasunaga H, Doi K, Horiguchi H, Fushimi K, Matsubara T, Yahagi N, Noiri E.; Crit Care Med. 2014 May;42(5):1187-93.

Objectives:  To examine the effect of postoperative polymyxin B hemoperfusion on mortality in patients with abdominal septic shock triggered by lower gastrointestinal tract perforation, identifying subpopulations of patients who may benefit from this treatment.

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2014 May - Early Bispectral Index and Sedation Requirements During Therapeutic Hypothermia Predict Neurologic Recovery Following Cardiac Arrest

Burjek NE, Wagner CE, Hollenbeck RD, Wang L, Yu C, McPherson JA, Billings FT 4th.; Crit Care Med. 2014 May;42(5):1204-12

Objectives:  To test the hypothesis that low bispectral index scores and low sedative requirements during therapeutic hypothermia predict poor neurologic outcome.

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2014 May - The Effects of Different IV Fat Emulsions on Clinical Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients

Edmunds CE, Brody RA, Parrott JS, Stankorb SM, Heyland DK.; Crit Care Med. 2014 May;42(5):1168-77.

Objective:  To examine the effects of different IV fat emulsions on clinical outcomes in critically ill patients.

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2014 May - Outcomes and Complications of Intracranial Pressure Monitoring in Acute Liver Failure: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Karvellas CJ, Fix OK, Battenhouse H, Durkalski V, Sanders C, Lee WM; U.S. Acute Liver Failure Study Group.; Crit Care Med. 2014 May;42(5):1157-1167.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if intracranial pressure monitor placement in patients with acute liver failure is associated with significant clinical outcomes.

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2014 May - Impact of critical care nursing on 30-day mortality of mechanically ventilated older adults

Kelly DM, Kutney-Lee A, McHugh MD, Sloane DM, Aiken LH.; Crit Care Med. 2014 May;42(5):1089-95

Objectives:  The mortality rate for mechanically ventilated older adults in ICUs is high. A robust research literature shows a significant association between nurse staffing, nurses’ education, and the quality of nurse work environments and mortality following common surgical procedures. A distinguishing feature of ICUs is greater investment in nursing care. The objective of this study is to determine the extent to which variation in ICU nursing characteristics—staffing, work environment, education, and experience—is associated with mortality, thus potentially illuminating strategies for improving patient outcomes.

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2014 May - Short-Term Decline in All-Cause Acquired Infections With the Routine Use of a Decontamination Regimen Combining Topical Polymyxin, Tobramycin, and Amphotericin B With Mupirocin and Chlorhexidine in the ICU: A Single-Center Experience

Camus C, Salomon S, Bouchigny C, Gacouin A, Lavoué S, Donnio PY, Javaudin L, Chapplain JM, Uhel F, Le Tulzo Y, Bellissant E.; Crit Care Med. 2014 May;42(5):1121-30.

OBJECTIVES: In a multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind trial, we showed that acquired infections in intubated patients were reduced by the combination of topical polymyxin plus tobramycin and nasal mupirocin plus chlorhexidine body wash. Because intubated patients are particularly at risk for acquired infections, we reassessed the impact of this protocol as a routine procedure to control acquired infections in the ICU.

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2014 May - Infection hospitalization increases risk of dementia in the elderly

Tate JA, Snitz BE, Alvarez KA, Nahin RL, Weissfeld LA, Lopez O, Angus DC, Shah F, Ives DG, Fitzpatrick AL, Williamson JD, Arnold AM, Dekosky ST, Yende S; GEM Study Investigators.; Crit Care Med. 2014 May;42(5):1037-46.

Objectives:  Severe infections, often requiring ICU admission, have been associated with persistent cognitive dysfunction. Less severe infections are more common and whether they are associated with an increased risk of dementia is unclear. We determined the association of pneumonia hospitalization with risk of dementia in well-functioning older adults.

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2014 Apr - Timing of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy and Mortality in Critically Ill Children

Modem V, Thompson M, Gollhofer D, Dhar AV, Quigley R.; Crit Care Med. 2014 Apr;42(4):943-53.

Objectives:  Acute kidney injury and fluid overload frequently necessitate initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients admitted to the ICU. In this study, our primary objective was to determine the effect of timing of initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy on ICU mortality in children requiring renal support for management of acute kidney injury and/or fluid overload.

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2014 Apr - Liberal Versus Restricted Fluid Resuscitation Strategies in Trauma Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Observational Studies

Wang CH, Hsieh WH, Chou HC, Huang YS, Shen JH, Yeo YH, Chang HE, Chen SC, Lee CC.; Crit Care Med. 2014 Apr;42(4):954-61.

Objective:  Hemorrhage is responsible for most deaths that occur during the first few hours after trauma. Animal models of trauma have shown that restricting fluid administration can reduce the risk of death; however, studies in patients are difficult to conduct due to logistical and ethical problems. To maximize the value of the existing evidence, we performed a meta-analysis to compare liberal versus restricted fluid resuscitation strategies in trauma patients.

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2014 Apr - Do Physicians Have Lower Risk of Severe Sepsis and Associated Mortality? A Matched Cohort Study

Shen HN, Lu CL, Li CY.; Crit Care Med. 2014 Apr;42(4):816-23.

Objectives:  Physicians generally have higher disease awareness and easier access to medical care, which may help them reduce risk of developing severe sepsis and associated mortality when they suffer from acute infection. However, the opposite situation may occur due to the presence of potential barriers to healthcare in physicians. We aim to examine the risk of severe sepsis and associated mortality in physicians.

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2014 Apr - Cost-Effectiveness of Histamine Receptor-2 Antagonist Versus Proton Pump Inhibitor for Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis in Critically Ill Patients

Maclaren R, Campbell J.; Crit Care Med. 2014 Apr;42(4):809-15.

Objective:  To examine the cost-effectiveness of using histamine receptor-2 antagonist or proton pump inhibitor for stress ulcer prophylaxis.

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2014 Apr - Troponin Elevation in Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock: The Role of Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction and Right Ventricular Dilatation

Landesberg G, Jaffe AS, Gilon D, Levin PD, Goodman S, Abu-Baih A, Beeri R, Weissman C, Sprung CL, Landesberg A.; Crit Care Med. 2014 Apr;42(4):790-800.

Objective: Serum troponin concentrations predict mortality in almost every clinical setting they have been examined, including sepsis. However, the causes for troponin elevations in sepsis are poorly understood. We hypothesized that detailed investigation of myocardial dysfunction by echocardiography can provide insight into the possible causes of troponin elevation and its association with mortality in sepsis.

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2014 Apr - Enteral Nutrition in the Critically Ill: Myths and Misconceptions

Marik PE.; Crit Care Med. 2014 Apr;42(4):962-9.

Background:  Nutritional support is an essential component of the management of critically ill and injured ICU patients. Optimal provision of calories and protein has been demonstrated to reduce morbidity, mortally, and length of ICU and hospital stay. Yet, a large proportion of ICU patients receive inadequate nutrition.

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2014 Apr - Physical Complications in Acute Lung Injury Survivors: A Two-Year Longitudinal Prospective Study

Fan E, Dowdy DW, Colantuoni E, Mendez-Tellez PA, Sevransky JE, Shanholtz C, Himmelfarb CR, Desai SV, Ciesla N, Herridge MS, Pronovost PJ, Needham DM.; Crit Care Med. 2014 Apr;42(4):849-59.

Objective:  Survivors of severe critical illness frequently develop substantial and persistent physical complications, including muscle weakness, impaired physical function, and decreased health-related quality of life. Our objective was to determine the longitudinal epidemiology of muscle weakness, physical function, and health-related quality of life and their associations with critical illness and ICU exposures.

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2014 Apr - A Feasibility Study of Cerebral Oximetry During In-Hospital Mechanical and Manual Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Parnia S, Nasir A, Ahn A, Malik H, Yang J, Zhu J, Dorazi F, Richman P.; Crit Care Med. 2014 Apr;42(4):930-3.

Objective:  A major hurdle limiting the ability to improve the quality of resuscitation has been the lack of a noninvasive real-time detection system capable of monitoring the quality of cerebral and other organ perfusion, as well as oxygen delivery during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Here, we report on a novel system of cerebral perfusion targeted resuscitation.

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2014 Mar - Clinical Outcomes, Predictors, and Prevalence of Anterior Pituitary Disorders Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review

Lauzier F, Turgeon AF, Boutin A, Shemilt M, Côté I, Lachance O, Archambault PM, Lamontagne F, Moore L, Bernard F, Gagnon C, Cook D.; Crit Care Med. 2014 Mar;42(3):712-21.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical outcomes, predictors, and prevalence of anterior pituitary disorders following traumatic brain injury.

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2014 Mar - Assessment of Limb Muscle Strength in Critically Ill Patients: A Systematic Review

Vanpee G, Hermans G, Segers J, Gosselink R.; Crit Care Med. 2014 Mar;42(3):701-11.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the reliability of volitional and nonvolitional limb muscle strength assessment in critically ill patients and to provide guidelines for the implementation of limb muscle strength assessment this population.

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2014 Mar - Plasma Biomarkers for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Terpstra ML, Aman J, van Nieuw Amerongen GP, Groeneveld AB.; Crit Care Med. 2014 Mar;42(3):691-700.

OBJECTIVE: Numerous studies have focused on biomarkers for acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Although several biomarkers have been identified, their relative performance is unclear. We aim to provide a quantitative overview of plasma-derived biomarkers associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome diagnosis or mortality.

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2014 Mar - Transfusion in Critically Ill Children: Indications, Risks, and Challenges

Parker RI.; Crit Care Med. 2014 Mar;42(3):675-90.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a concise review of transfusion-related issues and practices in the pediatric patient population, with a focus on those issues of particular importance to the care of critically ill children.

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2014 Mar - Pediatric and neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: does center volume impact mortality?

Freeman CL, Bennett TD, Casper TC, Larsen GY, Hubbard A, Wilkes J, Bratton SL.; Crit Care Med. 2014 Mar;42(3):512-9.

OBJECTIVE: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, an accepted rescue therapy for refractory cardiopulmonary failure, requires a complex multidisciplinary approach and advanced technology. Little is known about the relationship between a center's case volume and patient mortality. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between hospital extracorporeal membrane oxygenation annual volume and in-hospital mortality and assess if a minimum hospital volume could be recommended.

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