Critical Care Alert – October 1, 2004
October 1, 2004
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Colloid or Crystalloid: Pick Your Poison
A large multicenter prospective randomized double-blind trial found no difference in 28-day outcomes for fluid resuscitation with normal saline vs 4% albumin for a heterogeneous ICU population. -
Antibacterial Effect of Oral Topical Chlorhexidine after Intubation
In surgical and trauma patients, a single oral application of 2 mL chlorhexidine gluconate was successful in reducing oral bacterial growth over a 72-hour period following intubation. -
A New Approach to Predicting Extubation Failure?
This single-center prospective observational study reveals that the presence of 3 factors (low cough peak flow, high secretion volume, and poor neurologic score per a simple 4-task test) may be useful in predicting extubation failure. -
Special Feature: Vasopressin in Septic Shock
Septic shock is one of the common causes of hypotension in the ICU. For decades, adrenergic agents with variable alpha- and beta-adrenergic activities have been the mainstay among vasopressor agents. Very few randomized controlled trials have been done that identify the efficacy or superiority of any one particular agent. -
Notice to Readers . . .
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Pharmacology Watch: Linking COX-2 Inhibitors and Cardiovascular Event Risk
Viagra: Maximum Capacity at High-Altitudes?; FDA Actions. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement