www.ccmjournal.org September 2013 • Volume 41 • Number 9 (Suppl.) Abstract: The management of pain, agitation, and delirium in critically ill patients can be complicated by multiple factors. Decisions to administer opioids, sedatives, and antipsychotic medications are frequently driven by a desire to facilitate patients’ comfort and their tolerance of invasive procedures or other interventions ...

OBJECTIVES The matrix protein hyaluronic acid (HA, hyaluronan) has possibly additional immune-regulatory functions in inflammation. We aimed at evaluating serum HA concentrations in critically ill patients. DESIGN AND METHODS We analyzed serum HA levels in 164 critically ill patients at a medical ICU and 61 healthy controls, with respect to organ dysfunction, systemic inflammation and mortali...

1. Detect the pathophysiologic cause(s) of anemia in critically ill patients and assess the risks associated with its development. 2. Assess for the presence of anemia of critical illness in patients using clinical and laboratory indicators. 3. Assess the risks and benefits associated with the various treatment strategies for anemia of critical illness. 4. Develop patient-specific therapeutic p...

The objective of this review was to evaluate current knowledge regarding terminal illness and palliative care in the intensive care unit, to identify the major challenges involved and propose a research agenda on these issues The Brazilian Critical Care Association organized a specific forum on terminally ill patients, to which were invited experienced and skilled professionals on critical care...

Background: Critical COVID-19 patients account for 1.7 to 13% of all pregnant patients. Methods: Patients admitted the intensive care unit Elena Doamna Obstetrics and Gynecology University Hospital in Iasi between 1 January December 2021, with critical forms disease, were included retrospectively studied. The patients’ age range was 25–44 years Alpha group (n = 12) 27–52 Delta 9). Results: Most...

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To characterize oncology nurses' attitudes toward care at the end of life (EOL) and their experiences in caring for terminally ill patients, hospice discussions with patients and families, and the use of palliative care practices. DESIGN Descriptive correlational survey study. SETTING A Magnet®-designated hospital in southern California with more than 500 beds. SAMPLE 3...

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) exert protective effects during experimental endotoxemia through upregulation of cellular immunity and phagocytic functions. They are part of a positive regulatory feedback loop that enhances the production of the other. Because critically ill patients show a marked suppression of T-cell and macrophage functions with a high susceptibility ...

Demand for critical care services is increasing. Unless the supply of intensivists increases, critically ill patients will not have access to intensivists. Recent critical care society recommendations include increased graduate medical education support and expansion of the J-1 visa waiver program for foreign medical graduates. This article proposes additional recommendations, based on strength...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Ongoing and severe systemic inflammation affecting critically ill patients may cause adrenal insufficiency and steroid resistance in target cells. As the appropriate diagnosis of this clinical entity remains a challenge, indication and practical use of corticosteroid replacement therapy in the critically ill is generally directed by clinical symptoms and features. RECENT FIN...