intensive care therapy intensive care unit

Our study aimed to assess the benefit of intrapleural fibrinolysis before resorting to surgery to treat complicated parapneumonic effusion and empyema. We conducted a retrospective and descriptive study, including all patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Abderhaman Mami hospital, Tunisia for empyema treated with instillation of intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy between the 1st January 2000 and 31st December 2016. In all patients, empyema was diagnosed on clinical features, imaging findings (chest X-ray, thoracic echography and/or computed tomography (CT), and microbiological data...

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most common organ dysfunctions impacting ICU (intensive care unit) patients. Early diagnosis using the various classification systems and interventions that can be aided by use of biomarkers are key in improving outcomes. Once the patient meets criteria of AKI, many patient specific factors determine the optimal timing for and mode of renal replacement therapy. There are several special considerations in surgical ICU patients with AKI including management of intracranial hypertension in those with cerebral edema, anticoagulation in high-risk bleeding patients, and use of contrast imaging...

BACKGROUND: The presence of mental health conditions is pervasive in patients who experienced acute myocardial infarction (AMI), significantly disrupting their recovery. Providing timely and easily accessible psychological interventions using virtual reality-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (VR-CBT) could potentially improve both acute and long-term symptoms affecting their mental health. AIMS: We aim to examine the effectiveness of VR-CBT on anxiety symptoms in patients with AMI who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) during the acute stage of their illness...

BACKGROUND: The occurrence and development of sepsis are related to the excessive production of oxygen free radicals and the weakened natural clearance mechanism. Further dependable evidence is required to clarify the effectiveness of antioxidant therapy, especially its impact on short-term mortality. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of common antioxidant therapy on short-term mortality in patients with sepsis...

OBJECTIVE: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood malignancy and among the most common malignancies in young adults and requires a unique pattern of healthcare utilization including an acute/emergent presentation and an intensive initial 8 months of therapy followed by two years of outpatient treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic caused massive global disruptions in healthcare use and delivery. This report aims to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation, diagnosis and continued management of childhood and young adult ALL in regard to utilization and cost of care among commercially insured individuals in the United States...

Optimizing blood culture processing is important to ensure bloodstream infections are accurately diagnosed while minimizing adverse events caused by antibiotic abuse. We evaluated the impact of optimized blood culture processes on antibiotic use, clinical outcomes and economics in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with positive blood cultures. From March 2020 to October 2021, our microbiology laboratory implemented a series of improvement measures, including the clinical utility of Fastidious Antimicrobial Neutralization (FAN® PLUS) bottles for the BacT/Alert Virtuo blood culture system, optimization of bottles reception, graded reports and an upgraded Laboratory Information System...

BACKGROUND: Drowning-associated pneumonia (DAP) is frequent in drowned patients, and possibly increases mortality. A better understanding of the microorganisms causing DAP could improve the adequacy of empirical antimicrobial therapy. We aimed to describe the pooled prevalence of DAP, the microorganisms involved, and the impact of DAP on drowned patients. METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published between 01/2000 and 07/2023 reporting on DAP occurrence and microorganisms involved...

BACKGROUND: Preterms are at risk of systemic infections as the barrier function of their immature skin is insufficient. The long period of hospitalization and the huge number of invasive procedures represent a risk factor for complications. Among the nosocomial infections of the skin, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We report a clinical case of cellulitis and abscess in two preterm twins caused by MRSA in a tertiary level Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)...

BACKGROUND: Work on long COVID-19 has mainly focused on clinical care in hospitals. Thermal spa therapies represent a therapeutic offer outside of health care institutions that are nationally or even internationally attractive. Unlike local care (hospital care, general medicine, para-medical care), their integration in the care pathways of long COVID-19 patients seems little studied. The aim of this article is to determine what place french thermal spa therapies can take in the care pathway of long COVID-19 patients...

An increased intra-abdominal pressure can result in a manifest abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) with significant organ damage, which is a life-threatening situation associated with a high mortality. Although the etiology is manifold and critically ill patients on the intensive care unit are particularly endangered, the disease is often not diagnosed even though the measurement of bladder pressure is available as a simple and standardized method; however, particularly the early detection of an increased intra-abdominal pressure is decisive in order to prevent the occurrence of a manifest ACS with (multi)organ failure by means of conservative measures...

IMPORTANCE: Pneumonia is the most common infection requiring hospitalization and is a major reason for overuse of extended-spectrum antibiotics. Despite low risk of multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) infection, clinical uncertainty often drives initial antibiotic selection. Strategies to limit empiric antibiotic overuse for patients with pneumonia are needed. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether computerized provider order entry (CPOE) prompts providing patient- and pathogen-specific MDRO infection risk estimates could reduce empiric extended-spectrum antibiotics for non-critically ill patients admitted with pneumonia...

IMPORTANCE: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the second most common infection leading to hospitalization and is often associated with gram-negative multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). Clinicians overuse extended-spectrum antibiotics although most patients are at low risk for MDRO infection. Safe strategies to limit overuse of empiric antibiotics are needed. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether computerized provider order entry (CPOE) prompts providing patient- and pathogen-specific MDRO risk estimates could reduce use of empiric extended-spectrum antibiotics for treatment of UTI...

BACKGROUND: Central venous catheterization is an invasive procedure that may lead to central line-associated bloodstream infection, affecting the patient's prognosis and recovery. Thus, it is essential to master the right interventions for the prevention and control of central line-associated bloodstream infections. FOCUS-Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle management model, also known as Deming circle management model, is a programmed and scientific management method. OBJECTIVE: We attempted to clarify the impact of nursing intervention on preventing and controlling central line-associated bloodstream infection under the FOCUS- PDCA cycle management model, in order to effectively deplete central line-associated bloodstream infection in each intensive care unit, facilitate early recovery of patients...

OBJECTIVES: To compare high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) versus nasal prong bubble continuous positive airway pressure (b-CPAP) in children with moderate to severe acute bronchiolitis. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial was carried out from August 2019 to February 2022. (Clinical Trials Registry of India number CTRI/2019/07/020402). SETTING: Pediatric emergency ward and ICU within a tertiary care center in India. PATIENTS: Children 1-23 months old with moderate to severe acute bronchiolitis...

OBJECTIVE: Dexmedetomidine has demonstrated potential in preclinical medical research as a protective agent against inflammatory injuries and a provider of neuroprotective benefits. However, its effect on the short-term prognosis of patients with sepsis-associated encephalopathy remains unclear. This study aims to explore the underlying value of dexmedetomidine in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study enrolled patients with sepsis-associated encephalopathy from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV database, and they were divided into two groups based on dexmedetomidine therapy during hospitalization...

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the effect of various oxygen therapy regimens on oxygenation in patients with acute type A aortic dissection (AAD). METHODS: A quasi-randomized controlled trial was conducted, in which patients with AAD hospitalized for surgery from June to September 2021 were assigned to the control group (patients received conventional oxygen therapy after postoperative mechanical ventilation, weaning, and extubation) and those who were admitted from October to December 2021 were assigned to the observation group [patients underwent optimally adjusted therapy based on the treatment of the control group, which mainly included prioritized elevation of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and restricted use of the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2 )]...

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a major health problem worldwide and is associated with high morbidity and mortality with every hour delay in initiation of therapy. A conventional method of blood culture and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) takes around 48-72 hours. Empirical antibiotics need to be administered until the sensitivity report is made available. It has been estimated that 20-50% of the empirical antibiotics are inappropriate, resulting in prolonged hospital stays, adverse effects, and emergence of drug resistance...

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Intensive care unit (ICU) quality is largely determined by the mortality rate. Therefore, we aimed to develop and validate a novel prognostic model for predicting mortality in Korean ICUs, using national insurance claims data. METHODS: Data were obtained from the health insurance claims database maintained by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service of South Korea. From patients who underwent the third ICU adequacy evaluation, 42,489 cases were enrolled and randomly divided into the derivation and validation cohorts...

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is one of the most common syndromes in the intensive care unit, with a high mortality and morbidity. Refractory hypoxia is the typical feature of ARDS, and improving hypoxia is the key to the treatment of ARDS. Due to the rapid progression of ARDS, invasive ventilation is usually used to improve hypoxia. But in recent years, with the extending of the understanding of ARDS and the development of non-invasive oxygen therapy, high flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) are gradually used in ARDS...

Cardiogenic shock (CS) occurs infrequently in pregnancy and has a high mortality rate. Medical treatment options are few, with limited evidence of efficacy. Temporary mechanical circulatory supports (tMCS) may play a key role in addressing this therapeutic lacuna. We report successfully managing second-trimester CS using an Impella 5.5 micro-axial pump. Our patient presented in the second-trimester with CS. Hemodynamic parameters indicated biventricular dysfunction (low cardiac index, low pulmonary artery pulsatility index)...