A mathematical model for fresh frozen plasma transfusion strategies during major trauma resuscitation with ongoing hemorrhage.

Background: Randomized controlled trials of how best to administer fresh frozen plasma (FFP) in the presence of ongoing severe traumatic hemorrhage are difficult to execute and have not been published. Meanwhile, coagulopathy remains a common occurrence during major trauma resuscitation and hemorrhage remains a major cause of traumatic deaths, suggesting that current coagulation factor replacement practices may be inadequate.

Methods: We used a pharmacokinetic model to simulate the dilutional component of coagulopathy during hemorrhage and compared different FFP transfusion strategies for the prevention or correction, or both, of dilutional coagulopathy.

Limitation of life support: frequency and practice in a Hong Kong intensive care unit.

Objective: To examine the frequency and the decision-making processes involved in limiting (withdrawing and withholding) life support therapy in critically ill Chinese patients in the intensive care unit.

Design: Prospective survey of patients who had life support limited between April 1997 and March 1999.

Setting: Medical and surgical intensive care unit of a teaching hospital.

Comparison of rocuronium and suxamethonium for rapid tracheal intubation in children.

Background: The purpose of our study was to determine whether a smaller dose of rocuronium than previously reported could provide similar intubating conditions to suxamethonium during rapid-sequence induction of anaesthesia in children.

Methods: One hundred and twenty ASA I, unpremedicated children, aged 1-10 years, who were undergoing elective surgery, were randomized into three groups to receive rocuronium 0.6 mg.