The Diagnosis and Management of Pleural Effusions in the ICU
Pleural effusions are common in critically ill patients. Most effusions in intensive care unit (ICU) patients are of limited clinical significance; however, some are important and require aggressive management. Transudative effusions in the ICU are commonly caused by volume overload, decreased plasma oncotic pressure, and regions of altered pleural pressure attributable to atelectasis and mechanical ventilation. Exudates are sequelae of pulmonary or pleural infection, pulmonary embolism, postsurgical complications, and malignancy. Increases in pleural fluid volume are accommodated principally by chest wall expansion and, t...
Source: Journal of Intensive Care Medicine - January 15, 2013 Category: Intensive Care Authors: Maslove, D. M., Chen, B. T.-M., Wang, H., Kuschner, W. G. Tags: Analytic Reviews Source Type: research
Critical Care of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury
Approximately 11 000 people suffer traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in the United States, each year. TSCI incidences vary from 13.1 to 52.2 per million people and the mortality rates ranged from 3.1 to 17.5 per million people. This review examines the critical care of TSCI. The discussion will focus on primary and secondary mechanisms of injury, spine stabilization and immobilization, surgery, intensive care management, airway and respiratory management, cardiovascular complication management, venous thromboembolism, nutrition and glucose control, infection management, pressure ulcers and early rehabilitation, pharmacol...
Source: Journal of Intensive Care Medicine - January 15, 2013 Category: Intensive Care Authors: Jia, X., Kowalski, R. G., Sciubba, D. M., Geocadin, R. G. Tags: Analytic Reviews Source Type: research
Hypertonic Saline and Mannitol Therapy in Critical Care Neurology
Osmotic agents play a vital role in the reduction of elevated intracranial pressure and treatment of cerebral edema in Neurologic critical care. Both mannitol and hypertonic saline reduce cerebral edema in many clinical syndromes, yet there is controversy over agent selection, timing, and dosing regimens. Despite the lack of randomized, controlled trials, our knowledge base on the appropriate clinical use of osmotic agents continues to expand. This review will summarize the evidence for the use of mannitol and hypertonic saline in a variety of disease states causing cerebral edema, as well as outlining monitoring and safet...
Source: Journal of Intensive Care Medicine - January 15, 2013 Category: Intensive Care Authors: Hinson, H. E., Stein, D., Sheth, K. N. Tags: Analytic Reviews Source Type: research
