Predictors of prolonged mechanical ventilation in a cohort of 5123 cardiac surgical patients.

Background: Prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) after heart surgery is associated with increased patient morbidity and mortality.

Methods: In this prospective observational cohort study the aim was to assess PMV predictors and its impact on ICU, hospital length of stay and survival in cardiac surgical patients admitted to our eight-bed ICU from January 2000 to December 2006. All perioperative patient variables were put into an electronic database.

Italy versus the United Kingdom: differing styles for treating bacteremia in the critically ill patient, but who's right?

Background: As no prospective, randomized, clinical trials (PRCTs) exist to inform decisions about antibiotic therapy for bacteraemia, ICUs have likely developed their own strategies. A multi-centre, multi-national questionnaire survey was used to assess variations in antibiotic strategy between ICUs in the United Kingdom (UK) and Italy.

Methods: In January 2001, a detailed questionnaire regarding antibiotic policy was sent to international (e.

Predictors of prolonged mechanical ventilation in a cohort of 3,269 CABG patients.

Background: Prolonged mechanical ventilation after heart surgery is associated with increased patient morbidity and mortality (4.9% vs 22-38%). A prospective observational cohort study was carried out to assess the predictors of prolonged mechanical ventilation and its impact on hospital survival in a cardiac surgical patient cohort admitted to our 8 bed postoperative ICU from January 1997 through June 2004.