A communication strategy and brochure for relatives of patients dying in the ICU.

Background: There is a need for close communication with relatives of patients dying in the intensive care unit (ICU). We evaluated a format that included a proactive end-of-life conference and a brochure to see whether it could lessen the effects of bereavement.

Methods: Family members of 126 patients dying in 22 ICUs in France were randomly assigned to the intervention format or to the customary end-of-life conference.

Risk of post-traumatic stress symptoms in family members of intensive care unit patients.

Rationale: Intensive care unit (ICU) admission of a relative is a stressful event that may cause symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Objectives: Factors associated with these symptoms need to be identified.

Methods: For patients admitted to 21 ICUs between March and November 2003, we studied the family member with the main potential decision-making role.

Massive hemoptysis due to Rasmussen aneurysm: detection with helicoidal CT angiography and successful steel coil embolization.

Objective: To present the successful management of two cases of massive hemoptysis related to pulmonary aneurysms in patients with active tuberculosis.

Design And Setting: Retrospective study in the respiratory intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital.

Patients: Between July 1996 and January 2002, 46 cases of hemoptysis related to active tuberculosis needed ICU admission.