摘要:

ObjectiveTo compare percutaneous with surgical tracheostomy using a meta-analysis of studies published from 1960 to 1996.Data SourcesPublications obtained through a MEDLINE data-base search with a Boolean combination (tracheostomy or tracheotomy) and complications, with constraints for human studies and English language.Study SelectionPublications addressing all peri- and postoperative complications. Studies limited to specific tracheostomy complications or containing insufficient details were excluded. Two authors independently selected the publications.Data ExtractionA list of relevant surgical variables and complications was compiled. Complications were divided into peri- and postoperative groups and further subclassified into severe, intermediate, and minor groups. Because most studies of percutaneous tracheostomy were published after 1985, surgical tracheostomy studies were divided into two periods: 1960 to 1984 and 1985 to 1996. The articles were analyzed independently by three investigators, and rare discrepancies were resolved through discussion and data reexamination.Data SynthesisEarlier surgical tracheostomy studies (n = 17; patients, 4185) have the highest rates of both peri- (8.5%) and postoperative (33%) complications. Comparison of recent surgical (n = 21; patients, 3512) and percutaneous (n = 27; patients, 1817) tracheostomy trials shows that perioperative complications are more frequent with the percutaneous technique (10% vs. 3%), whereas postoperative complications occur more often with surgical tracheotomy (10% vs. 7%). The bulk of the differences is in minor complications, except perioperative death (0.44% vs. 0.03%) and serious cardiorespiratory events (0.33% vs. 0.06%), which were higher with the percutaneous technique. Heterogeneity analysis of complication rates shows higher heterogeneity in older and surgical trials.ConclusionsPercutaneous tracheostomy is associated with a higher prevalence of perioperative complications and, especially, perioperative deaths and cardiorespiratory arrests. Postoperative complication rates are higher with surgical tracheostomy. (Crit Care Med 1999; 27:1617-1625)

ISSN:0090-3493    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

ObjectiveTo determine current views of European intensive care physicians regarding end-of-life decisions.DesignA questionnaire was sent to all physician members of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine. All questionnaires were anonymous.ResultsA total of 504 completed questionnaires from 16 western European countries were analyzed. Eighty-seven percent of the respondents were male. Forty-six percent of respondents said that intensive care unit admissions were generally or commonly affected by bed shortages, particularly in the south. Nevertheless, 73% of units frequently admit patients with no hope of survival, although only 33% of respondents felt that such patients should be admitted. Eighty percent of respondents felt that written do-not-resuscitate orders should be applied, but only 58% did so, with a wide variation according to country (from 8% in Italy to 91% in The Netherlands). Ninety-three percent of physicians sometimes withhold treatment from patients with no hope of a meaningful life, but withdrawal of treatment is less common. Forty percent of respondents said that they would deliberately administer large doses of drugs to such patients until death ensued. Forty-nine percent of respondents involved staff, patients, and family in end-of-life decisions. Forty-five percent of respondents felt that an ethics consultation was useful in such situations. Physicians in the countries of southern Europe were less likely than those in the north to apply do-not-resuscitate orders, withhold treatment, and discuss such issues with the patients. However, they were more likely to value the opinion of an ethics consultant.ConclusionsIntensive care unit admissions are frequently limited by the availability of beds across Europe, particularly in the south and in the United Kingdom, yet 73% of intensivists still admit patients with no hope of survival. When treating patients with no hope of survival, 40% of intensivists will deliberately administer large doses of drugs until death ensues. There are interesting differences between what a physician actually does and what he or she believes should be done with regard to various ethical questions. Important differences in attitudes also exist between European countries. (Crit Care Med 1999; 27:1626-1633)

ISSN:0090-3493    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rHGH) as a "rescue treatment" in an end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient after prolonged weaning failure.DesignDescriptive case report.SettingFifteen-bed intensive care unit in a university hospital.PatientA 62-year-old man with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary emphysema after lung reduction surgery and prolonged weaning failure after long-term mechanical ventilation.InterventionsAfter 42 days of unsuccessful weaning from the respirator, rHGH (27 IU/day, 0.3 IU/kg body weight/day) was administered for 20 days through a subcutaneous injection in addition to standard intensive care.Measurements and Main ResultsIn addition to daily routine laboratory studies, the visceral proteins prealbumin, retinol-binding protein, and transferrin, and nitrogen balance were measured twice a week, as were the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone, plasma insulin levels, and the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 binding proteins IGF-BP1 and IGF-BP3. IGF-1 was measured from day 1 to day 4 of rHGH administration. Nutritional support was guided by indirect calorimetry. Additionally, weaning variables such as peak expiratory flow rate and expiratory tidal volume were measured noninvasively. T-piece weaning trials were carried out daily until respiratory muscle fatigue occurred.IGF-1 increased in response to rHGH stimulation, from 103 to 230 [micro sign]g/mL, within 4 days. The carrier protein IGF-BP3 increased from 126 to 283 mg/L at the end of the study period, and the inhibiting IGF-BP1 decreased initially from 19 to 14 mg/L and then increased until the end of the study to 31 mg/L. Nitrogen balance increased initially from 4.6 to 13.6 g/24 hrs and thereafter decreased until the end of rHGH treatment to 8.3 g/24 hrs. Resting energy expenditure increased from 1800 to 2300 kcal/24 hrs. Peak expiratory flow rate increased from 0.69 to 0.88 L/sec. The expiratory tidal volume showed a slight increase during the study period during the daily decrease of pressure support on the ventilator setting. Respiratory muscular strength increased beginning 10 days after rHGH therapy was started. From this point, T-piece weaning trials could be prolonged almost daily. The patient was extubated successfully on postoperative day 75.ConclusionsThis case report shows that after a prolonged catabolic state and long-term mechanical ventilation, administration of rHGH not only enhances the response of protein metabolism but improves respiratory muscular strength. Therefore, it may reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation in selected patients. (Crit Care Med 1999; 27:1634-1638)

ISSN:0090-3493    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

ObjectivesTo describe the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in a severely malnourished patient before lung transplantation.DesignCase study.SettingIntensive care unit.PatientsA 38-yr-old severely malnourished (body mass index, 15.1 kg/m2) woman (receiving prednisone) with bronchiolitis obliterans evolving during 10 yrs presented with end-stage lung disease and required continuous noninvasive mechanical ventilation.InterventionsTwo courses of 35 days of 16 IU/day (0.42 IU/kg/day) rhGH administered subcutaneously, with an interruption of 5 wks between the two courses of rhGH.Measurements and Main ResultsWeight gain of 14.7% and 12.8% fat-free mass, as measured by 50-kHz bioelectrical impedance analysis, during treatment during a 3.5-month period. Nitrogen excretion decreased from 23.7 g/day before treatment to 8.0 g/day while receiving rhGH. Improvement of pulmonary function was also noted and allowed discharge of the patient from the hospital after the second course of rhGH. She underwent successful lung transplantation 2 months later and reached 48.8 kg of body weight 6 months later.ConclusionsrhGH treatment is a possible strategy that could be used with malnourished patients who are awaiting lung transplantation to improve the nutritional status and respiratory muscle function to prevent recurring respiratory infection and postoperative complications favored by malnutrition and possibly to decrease the length of hospital stay. (Crit Care Med 1999; 27: 1639-1642)

ISSN:0090-3493    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0090-3493    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

ObjectiveTo describe the use of muscle relaxants and a bite raiser to avoid continued tongue trauma.DesignCase report.SettingA tertiary general intensive care unit (ICU).InterventionsMuscle relaxation and bite raiser.Main ResultsMuscle relaxation and a bite raiser were used in a 17-yr-old male with traumatic macroglossia, which allowed for rapid resolution of edema and prevented additional trauma to the tongue.ConclusionEarly use of a bite raiser together with muscle relaxants allows for more rapid solution of edema and prevention of additional trauma to the tongue in patients with traumatic macroglossia. (Crit Care Med 1999; 27:1643-1645)

ISSN:0090-3493    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0090-3493    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0090-3493    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0090-3493    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0090-3493    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1999

数据来源: OVID