Changes in R-Wave amplitude in DII lead is less sensitive than pulse pressure variation to detect changes in stroke volume after fluid challenge in ICU patients postoperatively to cardiac surgery.

Objective: The amplitude of R-wave in DII lead (RDII) has been shown to correlate to central blood volume in animal and healthy volunteers. The aim of this study was to assess if change in RDII (DeltaRDII) after passive leg rise (PLR) and fluid loading would allow detecting preload dependence in intensive care ventilated patients. This parameter was compared to concomitant changes in pulse arterial pressure (DeltaPP).

Adverse events with medical devices in anesthesia and intensive care unit patients recorded in the French safety database in 2005-2006.

Background: French regulations require that adverse events involving medical devices be reported to the national healthcare safety agency. The authors evaluated reports made in 2005-2006 for patients in anesthesiology and critical care.

Methods: For each type of device, the authors recorded the severity and cause of the event and the manufacturer's response where relevant.

Measuring disease-specific quality of life in rare populations: a practical approach to cross-cultural translation.

Background: Disease-specific quality of life (QoL) measures have enhanced the capacity of outcome measures to evaluate subtle changes and differences between groups. However, when the specific disease is rare, the cohort of patients is small and international collaboration is often necessary to accomplish meaningful research. As many of the QoL measures have been developed in North American English, they require translation to ensure their usefulness in a multi-cultural and/or international society.

The virulence variability of different Acinetobacter baumannii strains in experimental pneumonia.

Objectives: Our objective was to compare the virulence of 5 strains of Acinetobacter baumannii by using a mouse model of pneumonia.

Methods: Six-week old female C3H/HeN mice were used. The pneumonia was inducted by intra-tracheal inoculation of 5.

Written information that relatives of adult intensive care unit patients would like to receive--a comparison to published recommendations and opinion of staff members.

Objective: Information booklets have not been assessed by the families of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. This study explored the information that the relatives of adult ICU patients wanted to find in the information booklets.

Design: Multicenter survey.