Critical Care Alert – May 1, 2011

May 1, 2011

• Abstract & Commentary: Caregivers of Chronically Critically Ill Experience Distress and Lifestyle Restrictions up to 6 Months Regardless of Whether the Loved On

  Chronically critically ill patients are projected to increase in number over the next 10 years.

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• Abstract & Commentary: Do Serum Ionized Calcium Levels Matter in the ICU?

  Although previous studies have suggested that hypocalcemia, a common problem in critical illness, is associated with increased mortality in ICU patients, and correction of hypocalcemia has been advocated to prevent neurologic and cardiovascular complications, the literature is still unclear as to the precise relationship between abnormal calcium levels both hypo- and hypercalcemia and ICU outcomes.

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• Abstract & Commentary: Family Rounds in the ICU: A Means to Improve Family Satisfaction?

  Communicating with family members in a manner that ensures satisfaction with the information received, assists in reducing distress, and supports decision making is challenging.

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• Abstract & Commentary: Effects of ICU Admission Delay on Patient Outcomes

  Cardoso and colleagues at University Hospital in Londrina, Brazil, prospectively studied all patients who were admitted to their 17-bed, closed, general adult ICU during a 12-month period.

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• Abstract & Commentary: Acute Respiratory Failure in Chronic Neuromuscular Diseases: ICU Management and Long-Term Outcomes

  Flandreau and colleagues at the Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse in Lyon, France, report their experience with patients with chronic neuromuscular disease (CNMD) admitted to their 15-bed medical ICU because of acute respiratory failure (ARF).

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• Pharmacology Watch: Tiotropium for COPD — The New Standard?

  In this issue: Anticholinergic drugs for COPD; pioglitazone for diabetes prevention; insulin degludec in Phase 3 trials; and FDA Actions.

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• Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement

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