[Limited use of extracorporeal CO2 removal].

Extracorporeal CO2 removal is a low-flow technique in which a pump, a membrane lung and sweepgas, remove CO2 from a patient. This facilitates protective, invasive ventilation in patients with severe hypercapnia, for example in ARDS. Although the physiological concept has been proven many times, the indication area has remained limited to only seriously ill, highly complex patients.

Acute isotonic hyponatremia after single dose histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate cardioplegia: an observational study.

Introduction: Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate cardioplegia is used for prolonged myocardial protection in complex cardiac surgery. Administration leads to acute hyponatremia in a majority of patients, because of its low sodium concentration (15 mmol/L). However, histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution's osmolality is slightly hypertonic (310 mOsm/kg).

Impact of postoperative renal replacement therapy on long-term outcome after cardiac surgery increases with age.

Background And Aim Of The Study: In the present study, we investigated the survival of patients who received postoperative renal replacement therapy (RRT) after cardiac surgery. We specifically focused on factors predicting long-term outcome in elderly patients.

Methods: Data of all patients that received unintentional renal replacement therapy following cardiac surgery between 2004 and 2010 were analyzed.

Treatment of hypophosphatemia in the intensive care unit: a review.

Introduction: Currently no evidence-based guideline exists for the approach to hypophosphatemia in critically ill patients.

Methods: We performed a narrative review of the medical literature to identify the incidence, symptoms, and treatment of hypophosphatemia in critically ill patients. Specifically, we searched for answers to the questions whether correction of hypophosphatemia is associated with improved outcome, and whether a certain treatment strategy is superior.

Physicians' and nurses' opinions on selective decontamination of the digestive tract and selective oropharyngeal decontamination: a survey.

Introduction: Use of selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) and selective oropharyngeal decontamination (SOD) in intensive care patients has been controversial for years. Through regular questionnaires we determined expectations concerning SDD (effectiveness) and experience with SDD and SOD (workload and patient friendliness), as perceived by nurses and physicians.

Methods: A survey was embedded in a group-randomized, controlled, cross-over multicenter study in the Netherlands in which, during three 6-month periods, SDD, SOD or standard care was used in random order.

Characteristics and outcome of patients admitted to the ICU following bariatric surgery.

Background: This study evaluates the characteristics and outcome of patients admitted to the ICU following bariatric surgery.

Methods: Descriptive study. A review of a prospectively collected database of our bariatric surgery procedures from 2003 until 2006 was performed.

Epidemiology of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome in The Netherlands: a survey.

Background: The characteristics, incidence and risk factors for acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may depend on definitions and geography.

Methods: A prospective, 3-day point-prevalence study was performed by a survey of all intensive care units (ICU) in the Netherlands (n=96). Thirty-six ICU's responded (37%), reporting on 266 patients, of whom 151 were mechanically ventilated.

Clinical outcome of immunonutrition in a heterogeneous intensive care population.

Objective: To study the effect of a high-protein enteral formula enriched with arginine, glutamine, and antioxidants and containing omega3 fatty acids and a mixture of fibers, on the clinical outcome of a heterogeneous intensive care (ICU) population.

Design And Setting: A randomized, prospective, double blind, controlled, two-center clinical trial in two intensive care units in The Netherlands.

Patients And Participants: A total of 597 adult ICU patients expected to require enteral tube feeding for more than 2 days were randomized to receive immunonutrition or an isocaloric control formula.