Critical Care Alert – July 1, 2006
July 1, 2006
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Use of Corticosteroids in Persistent ARDS
Corticosteroids have been studied in various phases in the treatment of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), which is characterized by an inflammatory injury to the lung resulting in acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Four trials of steroids in early ARDS failed to show any improvement. -
Does Early Enteral Feeding Improve Outcomes in Medical ICU Patients?
Artinian and colleagues performed a retrospective analysis on a large prospectively acquired database from ICUs across the United States to examine the effect of initiating early enteral feeding on outcomes in non-surgical, mechanically ventilated ICU patients. -
Cost-Effectiveness of BNP Measurement in Acute Dyspnea
Mueller and colleagues at the University Hospital in Basel, Switzerland, investigated the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of immediately measuring the serum level of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients presenting to the emergency department with acute dyspnea. -
Special Feature: End-of-Life Care in the ICU: Perspectives on Surrogate Decision-Making and Managing Conflicts
One in 5 Americans dies in or shortly after discharge from an intensive care unit (ICU), an outcome that exposes critical care clinicians to frequent discussions that concern end-of-life care. -
Pharmacology Watch: Capping Drug Benefits — Will it Help Control Healthcare Costs?
Summary Content The STAR Trial (Tamoxifen and Raloxifene); FDA Actions -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement