View clinical trials related to Critical Illness.
Filter by:The early diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is particularly difficult in surgical critically ill patients. If the use of rapid immunological diagnostic methods and pretest scoring systems has been proposed in the medical intensive care unit (ICU), none of these methods have been specifically evaluated in the diagnosis of HIT in surgical patients.
Difficulties in the accurate assessment of intravascular volume in critically ill patients are frequently encountered. In addition to clinical evaluation, bedside echocardiographic measurements of fluid responsiveness can be technically difficult, especially in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients. The carotid artery is an easily accessible structure that is amenable to bedside ultrasonography performed by Intensivists. The investigators hypothesize that measurement of the carotid artery Corrected Flow Time (FTC) in response to a passive leg raise (PLR), which simulates a fluid bolus, can be used to predict fluid responsiveness.
This study aims to investigate current aftercare activities in Denmark after intensive care unit (ICU) treatment. The hypothesis is that a large number of hospitals offer aftercare, and these interventions are heterogenic and differ between hospitals and regions. This study is an electronic questionnaire survey that aim to describe and map Danish aftercare activities, and future development plans in this field.
Most ICU patients develop a positive fluid balance, mainly during the two first weeks of their stay. The causes are multifactorial: a reduced urine output subsequent to shock state, positive pressure mechanical ventilation, acute renal failure, post-operative period of major surgical procedures, and simultaneous fluid loading to maintain volemia and acceptable arterial pressure. Additionally, the efficacy of fluid loading is frequently suboptimal, in relation to severe hypoalbuminemia and inflammatory capillary leakage. This results usually in a cumulated positive fluid balance of more than 10 litres at the end of the first week of stay. A high number of studies have showed that such a positive fluid balance was an independent factor of worse prognosis in selected populations of ICU patients: acute renal failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis, post-operative of high risk surgery. However, little is known about the putative causal role of positive fluid balance by itself on outcome. However, in two randomized controlled studies in patients with ARDS, a strategy of fluid balance control has been demonstrated to reduce time under mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay with no noticeable adverse effects. Although avoiding fluid overload is now recommended in ARDS management, there is no evidence that this approach would be beneficial in a more general population of ICU patients (i.e. with sepsis, acute renal failure, mechanical ventilation). In addition, fluid restriction -mainly if applied early could be deleterious in reducing both tissue oxygen delivery and perfusion pressure. There is a place for a prospective study comparing a "conventional" attitude based on liberal fluid management throughout the ICU stay with a restrictive approach aiming at controlling fluid balance, at least as soon as the patient circulatory status is stabilized. The latter approach would use a simple algorithm using fluid restriction and diuretics based on daily weighing, a common procedure in the ICU, probably more reliable than cumulative measurement of fluid movements in patients whose limits have been underlined.
Background During ventilatory assistance, optimization of settings is critical to allow a personalized support and avoid over- or under-assistance. But little data are available in clinical practice to guide the adjustment of the support. In adults, esophageal pressure (PES) has been shown to be a reliable surrogate of pleural pressure (PPL) and clinical studies suggest that PES may be useful to guide the management of mechanical ventilation. In children, the PES measurement could have similar potential benefits, but beforehand the reliability of PES to estimate PPL needs to be assessed. Objective The primary objective of this study is to validate the reliability of PES directly monitored using a miniature catheter tip pressure transducer (Gaeltec® system) to estimate PPL, when compared to a gold standard, i.e the direct PPL measurement in situ. Method This is a prospective single center study. Children <18 years old, hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit, requiring invasive ventilation and with at least one chest tube will be included. Protocol A pressure transducer will be connected to the existing chest-tube and PES (measured by Gaeltec® and feeding tube), PPL, PAW, respiratory volume and flow will be simultaneously recorded. Expected results We expect that the PES-based methods will provide an accurate estimation of PPL. Once this tool validated, PES could be helpful to optimize mechanical ventilation in children, and further interventional trials would be warranted to evaluate if its use could allow a reduction of the ventilation support duration.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether oral topic silver nanoparticles are effective to reduce potential pathogen microbial loads in mechanical ventilation patients.
Many patients who are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) experience muscle weakness. This muscle weakness occurs whilst patients are unconscious, immobile in bed and on a breathing machine (ventilator). It can develop very quickly, as soon as they become unwell. The investigators know that this weakness can make it harder for patients to regain their normal level of functional ability, such as standing and walking independently. Physical rehabilitation, delivered by physiotherapists, is important for patients as they recover from their critical illness to help them regain strength and to practice the ability to perform physical activities. These activities include sitting on the edge of the bed, standing, stepping on the spot and walking. However it is difficult to know how hard it is for patients who are recovering from critical illness to perform these types of activities - in other words, how much energy is required. Some patients may find certain activities harder or easier than others. By knowing the energy requirements of patients whilst they take part in different physical rehabilitation activities, physiotherapists may be able to be more accurate with prescribing exercises and designing rehabilitation sessions for patients to practice achieving those activities. In this study, the investigators will measure the energy requirements of the patients when they take part in physiotherapy-led physical rehabilitation they will have during their admission. To do this, the investigators will use a different ventilator to the one normally used to help their breathing. This ventilator works in exactly the same way, but has an extra component built into it to measure energy requirements. After the rehabilitation session, the patient will return to using their normal ventilator.
Background: Few studies showed that early rehabilitation on the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) results in a better functional outcome at hospital discharge and reduced hospital stay. Effects of early rehabilitation at the general ward directly after transfer from the ICU on the length of stay (LOS) in hospital and on the functional outcome are missing. Methods: In a prospective randomised controlled trial (RCT) 53 consecutive critical-illness-survivors were enrolled at nine ICUs. Early rehabilitation program (protocol) consisted of exercise therapy, active breathing techniques and electrical stimulation after discharge from the ICU to ward-based care. The usual care group received physical therapy as ordered by the primary care team after discharge from the ICU. LOS at the general ward after transfer from the ICU was recorded. Furthermore, Early-Rehabilitation-Barthel-Index (ERBI), Visual-Analogue-Scale for pain (VAS), 3-Minute-walk-test (3min), Beck-Depression-Inventory (BDI), State-Trait-Anxiety-Inventory (STAI), and Medical-Research-Council-scale (MRCS) were assessed.
A retrospective analysis of the Case Mix Programme database to evaluate the association between day and time of admission to critical care and acute hospital outcome for unplanned admissions to adult, general critical care units in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is the leading reason for ICU admission in immunocompromised patients. Usual oxygen therapy involves administering low-to-medium oxygen flows through a nasal cannula or mask [with or without a bag and with or without the Venturi system] to achieve SpO2≥95%. Oxygen therapy may be combined with non-invasive ventilation [NIV] providing both end-expiratory positive pressure and pressure support. However, in a recent trial by our group, non-invasive ventialtion [NIV] was not superior over oxygen without NIV. High-flow nasal oxygen [HFNO] therapy is a focus of growing attention as an alternative to standard oxygen therapy. By providing warmed and humidified gas, HFNO allows the delivery of higher flow rates [of up to 60 L/min] via nasal cannula devices, with Fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) values of nearly 100%. Physiological benefits of HFNO consist of higher and constant FiO2 values, decreased work of breathing, nasopharyngeal washout leading to improved breathing-effort efficiency, and higher positive airway pressures associated with better lung recruitment. Clinical consequences of these physiological benefits include alleviation of dyspnoea and discomfort, decreases in tachypnoea and signs of respiratory distress, a diminished need for intubation in patients with severe hypoxemia, and decreased mortality in unselected patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure However, although preliminary data establish the feasibility and safety of this technique, HFNO has never been properly evaluated in immunocompromised patients. Thus, this project aims at demonstrating that HFNO is superior to low/medium-flow (standard) oxygen, minimising day-28 mortality