2011 Dec - The effect of a simulation-based training intervention on the performance of established critical care unit teams
Frengley RW, Weller JM, Torrie J, Dzendrowskyj P, Yee B, Paul AM, Shulruf B, Henderson KM.; Crit Care Med. 2011 Dec;39(12):2605-11.
Objective: We evaluated the effectiveness of a simulation-based intervention on improving teamwork in multidisciplinary critical care teams managing airway and cardiac crises and compared simulation-based learning and case-based learning on scores for performance.
2011 Nov - Preparing your intensive care unit to respond in crisis: Considerations for critical care clinicians
Daugherty EL, Rubinson L.; Crit Care Med. 2011 Nov;39(11):2534-9.
Objective: In recent years, healthcare disaster planning has grown from its early place as an occasional consideration within the manuals of emergency medical services and emergency department managers to a rapidly growing field, which considers continuity of function, surge capability, and process changes across the spectrum of healthcare delivery. A detailed examination of critical care disaster planning was undertaken in 2007 by the Task Force for Mass Critical Care of the American College of Chest Physicians Critical Care Collaborative Initiative. We summarize the Task Force recommendations and available updated information to answer a fundamental question for critical care disaster planners: What is a prepared intensive care unit and how do I ensure my unit's readiness?
2011 Nov - Delayed neurological recovery after decompressive craniectomy for severe nonpenetrating traumatic brain injury
Ho KM, Honeybul S, Litton E.; Crit Care Med. 2011 Nov;39(11):2495-500.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the incidence and factors associated with delayed neurologic recovery after decompressive craniectomy for severe nonpenetrating traumatic brain injury.
2011 Nov - Intensive care unit renal support therapy volume is not associated with patient outcome
Nguyen YL, Milbrandt EB, Weissfeld LA, Kahn JM, Chiche JD, Aegerter P, Clermont G, Kellum JA, Guidet B, Angus DC.; Crit Care Med. 2011 Nov;39(11):2470-2477.
Objective: Evidence suggests that patients requiring high-risk procedures benefit from care at institutions providing a large volume of these procedures. Our objective was to determine whether there is a volume-outcome relationship among intensive care unit patients receiving renal support therapy in two different healthcare systems (France and the United States).
2011 Nov - Efficacy of ventilator waveforms observation in detecting patient–ventilator asynchrony
Colombo D, Cammarota G, Alemani M, Carenzo L, Barra FL, Vaschetto R, Slutsky AS, Della Corte F, Navalesi P.; Crit Care Med. 2011 Nov;39(11):2452-2457.
Objectives: The value of visual inspection of ventilator waveforms in detecting patient–ventilator asynchronies in the intensive care unit has never been systematically evaluated. This study aims to assess intensive care unit physicians' ability to identify patient–ventilator asynchronies through ventilator waveforms.
2011 Nov - Effect of pravastatin on the frequency of ventilator-associated pneumonia and on intensive care unit mortality: Open-label, randomized study
Makris D, Manoulakas E, Komnos A, Papakrivou E, Tzovaras N, Hovas A, Zintzaras E, Zakynthinos E.; Crit Care Med. 2011 Nov;39(11):2440-6.
Objective: To investigate whether the use of pravastatin reduces the frequency of ventilator-associated pneumonia and whether it is related to favorable outcomes in critical care patients.
2011 Nov - The biochemical effects of restricting chloride-rich fluids in intensive care
Yunos NM, Kim IB, Bellomo R, Bailey M, Ho L, Story D, Gutteridge GA, Hart GK.; Crit Care Med. 2011 Nov;39(11):2419-2424.
Objective: To determine the biochemical effects of restricting the use of chloride-rich intravenous fluids in critically ill patients.
2011 Nov - Association of prehospitalization aspirin therapy and acute lung injury: Results of a multicenter international observational study of at-risk patients
Kor DJ, Erlich J, Gong MN, Malinchoc M, Carter RE, Gajic O, Talmor DS; on behalf of U.S. Critical Illness and Injury Trials Group; Lung Injury Prevention Study Investigators (USCIITG–LIPS).; Crit Care Med. 2011 Nov;39(11):2393-2400.
Objective: To evaluate the association between prehospitalization aspirin therapy and incident acute lung injury in a heterogeneous cohort of at-risk medical patients.
2011 Oct - Clinical practices, complications, and mortality in neurological patients with acute severe hypertension: The Studying the Treatment of Acute hyperTension registry
Mayer SA, Kurtz P, Wyman A, Sung GY, Multz AS, Varon J, Granger CB, Kleinschmidt K, Lapointe M, Peacock WF, Katz JN, Gore JM, Oʼneil B, Anderson FA; on behalf of the STAT Investigators.; Crit Care Med. 2011 Oct;39(10):2330-2336.
Objective: To determine the demographic and clinical features, hospital complications, and predictors of 90-day mortality in neurologic patients with acute severe hypertension.
2011 Oct - Accuracy of a continuous noninvasive hemoglobin monitor in intensive care unit patients
Frasca D, Dahyot-Fizelier C, Catherine K, Levrat Q, Debaene B, Mimoz O.; Crit Care Med. 2011 Oct;39(10):2277-82.
Objective: To determine whether noninvasive hemoglobin measurement by Pulse CO-Oximetry could provide clinically acceptable absolute and trend accuracy in critically ill patients, compared to other invasive methods of hemoglobin assessment available at bedside and the gold standard, the laboratory analyzer.
2011 Oct - Noninvasive versus invasive ventilation for acute respiratory failure in patients with hematologic malignancies: A 5-year multicenter observational survey
Gristina GR, Antonelli M, Conti G, Ciarlone A, Rogante S, Rossi C, Bertolini G; on behalf of the GiViTI (Italian Group for the Evaluation of Interventions in Intensive Care Medicine).; Crit Care Med. 2011 Oct;39(10):2232-2239.
Background: Mortality is high among patients with hematologic malignancies admitted to intensive care units for acute respiratory failure. Early noninvasive mechanical ventilation seems to improve outcomes.
2011 Oct - Comparisons of predictive performance of breathing pattern variability measured during T-piece, automatic tube compensation, and pressure support ventilation for weaning intensive care unit patients from mechanical ventilation
Bien MY, Shui Lin Y, Shih CH, Yang YL, Lin HW, Bai KJ, Wang JH, Ru Kou Y.; Crit Care Med. 2011 Oct;39(10):2253-2262.
Objective: To investigate the influence of different ventilatory supports on the predictive performance of breathing pattern variability for extubation outcomes in intensive care unit patients.
2011 Oct - Increased blood glucose variability during therapeutic hypothermia and outcome after cardiac arrest
Cueni-Villoz N, Devigili A, Delodder F, Cianferoni S, Feihl F, Rossetti AO, Eggimann P, Vincent JL, Taccone FS, Oddo M.; Crit Care Med. 2011 Oct;39(10):2225-31.
Objective: Hypothermia impairs blood glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. However, the impact of therapeutic hypothermia on blood glucose levels and insulin requirements is unknown. We analyzed blood glucose variability during therapeutic hypothermia in patients with coma after cardiac arrest and examined its impact on outcome.
2011 Oct - Reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care: Impact of implementing a care bundle
Morris AC, Hay AW, Swann DG, Everingham K, McCulloch C, McNulty J, Brooks O, Laurenson IF, Cook B, Walsh TS.; Crit Care Med. 2011 Oct;39(10):2218-24
Objectives: Ventilator-associated pneumonia is the most common intensive care unit-acquired infection. Although there is widespread consensus that evidenced-based interventions reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia, controversy has surrounded the importance of implementing them as a “bundle” of care. This study aimed to determine the effects of implementing such a bundle while controlling for potential confounding variables seen in similar studies.
2011 Sep - Community acquired polymicrobial pneumonia in the intensive care unit: aetiology and prognosis
Cilloniz C, Ewig S, Ferrer M, Polverino E, Gabarrus A, Puig de la Bellacasa J, Mensa J, Torres A.; Crit Care. 2011 Sep 14;15(5):R209. [Epub ahead of print]
INTRODUCTION: The frequency and clinical significance of polymicrobial aetiology in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) has been poorly studied. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence, clinical characteristics and outcomes of severe CAP of polymicrobial aetiology in patients admitted to the ICU.