Hemodynamic Response to Fluid Challenge: A Means of Assessing Volume Status in the Critically Ill

Cardiovascular and oxygen transport variables were studied during fluid challenges in 50 critically ill patients. The results show three distinct patterns of response: hypovolemic, normovolemic, and hypervolemic. Colloid fluid challenge is a rapid, effective diagnostic modality for determination of cardiovascular function in the surgical critical care patient

Chest Radiographs in Surgical Intensive Care Patients: A Valuable Routine

A total of 411 routine chest films were evaluated to determine their clinical value for surgical intensive care unit patients. There were 138 unexpected findings on 112 chest radiographs. These unexpected findings were equally divided between pulmonary problems (72) and device malposition (66). Of the unexpected findings, 30% were considered potentially life-threatening. On the basis of this study, we recommend routine chest films for monitoring in critically ill surgical intensive care patients

Management of Colonic Trauma: Six-Year Experience at Henry Ford Hospital

Surgical management of 114 patients with colonic injuries related to trauma who were treated over a six-year period is reviewed. Eighty-three (73%) injuries were secondary to gunshot wounds. Twenty-six patients (24%) had isolated colonic injuries. The majority of patients (60%)) were treated with colostomies: exteriorization of the injury, repair with proximal colostomy, or resection with colostomy and mucous fistula. Exteriorization of repaired colon, primary repair, and resection with primary anastomosis were performed in 40% of the patients. Six patients (5.3%) in our series died, and 24% had complications directly related to the colon injury. Based on this study, no standard method for treatment of colonic trauma is advised. Colostomy is recommended for patients with massive multiple intra-abdominal injuries and gross fecal contamination. In selected patients, primary repair may be performed

A Prospective Randomized Comparison of a Single Antibiotic (Moxalactam) Versus Combination Therapy (Gentamicin and Clindamycin) in Penetrating Abdominal Trauma

From July 1 to December 31, 1983, 50 consecutive patients undergoing abdominal exploration for penetrating abdominal trauma from stab and gunshot wounds were prospectively randomized to receive postinjury, preoperative antibiotic coverage with moxalactam (2 g intravenously every 12 hours) or a combination of gentamicin (3 to 5 mg/kg/day in three equal doses administered every eight hours) and clindamycin (600 mg intravenously every six hours). No intraabdominal abscesses or wound infections developed, and no direct evidence of toxicity of the antibiotic regimens developed in either group. In the study group, moxalactam therapy was an effective alternative to the combination antibiotic regimen. The subsequently documented incidence of moxalactam-induced bleeding episodes precludes its use as a primary preventive antibiotic; however, other less toxic cephalosporins may demonstrate similar effectiveness

The Impact of Mild Renal Dysfunction on Postoperative Mortality in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit

The negative impact of mild to moderate renal dysfunction on patient outcome is often underestimated. Any amount of renal dysfunction is deleterious in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU). We evaluated all surgery patients admitted to our SICU. We identified two groups of patients: no renal failure and acute renal failure. A total of 5152 patients were included in this study. There were 1259 patients in the acute renal failure group. The average number of ventilator days increased by 2.2 for every increase of creatinine by 1.0. Patients who required dialysis stayed an average of 11 days longer than patients who did not have any renal failure. For every increase of creatinine by 1.0, average cost increased by $23,048. Only 7 per cent of the patients with acute renal failure required dialysis (n = 85). The odds ratio for mortality compared with those patients without renal failure was 7.06 (confidence interval, 3.91–12.76) regardless of the definition of renal failure. This study demonstrates that even mild to moderate renal failure increases mortality. Moreover, we demonstrated that even a mild decline in renal function increases length of stay, ventilator days, and cost in patients in the SICU. Aggressive vigilance in the prevention of any loss of renal function is warranted in the SICU. </jats:p