Critical Care Alert – October 1, 2007
October 1, 2007
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Can BNP Levels Be Used To Distinguish ARDS from Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema?
When used in conjunction with clinical and radiographic data, brain natriuretic peptide levels may provide a non-invasive alternative for distinguishing between ARDS and cardiogenic pulmonary edema in patients with severe hypoxemic respiratory failure. -
Invasive Aspergillosis in the ICU
With better immunosuppressive therapy and ICU care, invasive aspergillosis is being encountered more often. Making the diagnosis is challenging, especially in lower-risk patients such as those with COPD and cirrhosis. -
Special Feature: Nutritional Support for the Acutely Critically Ill Patient
Although it is understood that good nutrition is essential for normal immune function, wound healing and maintenance of muscle mass and function, and is likely beneficial for overall recovery from the highly catabolic state of acute critical illness, it is less clear when and how best to deliver adequate nutritional support in practice. -
How Often Are ICU Chest Tubes Malpositioned?
In this study of surgical ICU patients in whom chest tubes were placed percutaneously for pneumothorax or sterile pleural effusion, 21% of the tubes were found on chest CT to be in a fissure, and another 9% were intraparenchymal. Only a minority of the malpositions were described in the official radiology reports. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement
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Pharmacology Watch: Stopping Statins in At-Risk Patients — Just Too Risky
Stopping statins, even briefly, after stroke or cardiovascular surgery increases vascular complications according to 3 new studies.