A Modified Technique for Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy.

Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is widely used in mechanical ventilation patients to facilitate weaning. This modified technique aims to reduce accidental intraprocedural airway loss and desaturation associated with current PDT techniques. This is a single-center, prospective cohort study of 100 patients who underwent a modified technique between September 8, 2022, and January 18, 2023.

Unintended impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the rate of catheter related nosocomial infections and incidence of multiple drug resistance pathogens in three intensive care units not allocated to COVID-19 patients in a large teaching hospital.

Background: The prevalence of resistant hospital infections in the intensive care unit (ICU) increases mortality and antibiotic resistance. COVID-19 pandemic may have unintended impact on nosocomial infections (NI) and the prevalence of resistant microorganism.

Methodology: The present non-interventional study was performed by a pre and a post survey each lasting 8 months before (March-October 2019) and after (March-October 2020) the onset of COVID-19 pandemic in three ICU's, not allocated to COVID-19 patients, in Nemazee Hospital, Shiraz, Iran.

Pharmacokinetic assessment of vancomycin in critically ill patients and nephrotoxicity prediction using individualized pharmacokinetic parameters.

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and pharmacokinetic assessments of vancomycin would be essential to avoid vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity and obtain optimal therapeutic and clinical responses. Different pharmacokinetic parameters, including trough concentration and area under the curve (AUC), have been proposed to assess the safety and efficacy of vancomycin administration. Critically ill patients receiving vancomycin at Nemazee Hospital were included in this prospective study.

Near-Complete tracheal obstruction due to mucormycosis: A report of two cases.

We present two cases with diabetes and mucormycosis of the major airways. Both patients underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopic evaluation, showing near-complete occlusion of major airways with creamy necrotic mass lesions. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is vital to limit the extent of tissue destruction and prevent death due to asphyxia.

Epidemiologic features and risk factors of sepsis in ischemic stroke patients admitted to intensive care: A prospective cohort study.

Background/objective: Stroke is the second leading cause of death globally that predisposed to sepsis. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the risk factors and epidemiologic features of sepsis in ischemic stroke patients admitted to ICUs.

Methods: Throughout this prospective study, we investigated all severe ischemic stroke patients admitted to ICUs of Namazi and Ali-Ashghar Hospitals in Shiraz.

The Beneficial Effects of α-Lipoic Acid in Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: Critical illness is associated with oxidative stress and insulin resistance. These conditions affect the clinical outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this study was to determine whether intervention with α-lipoic acid (ALA) influences the oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients.

The effect of nurse empowerment educational program on patient safety culture: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The complexity of patients' condition and treatment processes in intensive care units (ICUs) predisposes patients to more hazardous events. Effective patient safety culture is related to lowering the rate of patients' complications and fewer adverse events. The present study aimed to determine the effect of empowering nurses and supervisors through an educational program on patient safety culture in adult ICUs.

Predictive factors associated with mortality and discharge in intensive care units: a retrospective cohort study.

Background And Aim: Accurate prediction of prognosis of patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) is very important for the clinical management of the patients. The present study aims to identify independent factors affecting death and discharge in ICUs using competing risk modeling.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on enrolling 880 patients admitted to emergency ICU in Namazi hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran during 2013-2015.

A study on the efficacy of APACHE-IV for predicting mortality and length of stay in an intensive care unit in Iran.

Clinical assessment of disease severity is an important part of medical practice for prediction of mortality and morbidity in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). A disease severity scoring system can be used as guidance for clinicians for objective assessment of disease outcomes and estimation of the chance of recovery. This study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that the mortality and length of stay in emergency ICUs predicted by APACHE-IV is different to the real rates of mortality and length of stay observed in our emergency ICU in Iran.

Repeated Tracheostomy Tube Cuff Rupture Due to Tracheobronchopathia Osteochondroplastica: A Case Report.

Introduction: Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TPO) is a rare benign disorder of the lower part of the trachea and the upper part of the main bronchi.

Case Report: A case of tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TPO) diagnosed at the time of intubation in an intensive care unit due to difficulty when advancing the endotracheal tube beyond the vocal cords, is reported. A problem was encountered which had not been reported previously in TPO: repeated cuff rupture at the time of surgical tracheostomy occurred possibly because of bony and cartilaginous tissue located in the tracheal wall.

Bilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis after Anterior Cervical Discectomy Following Cervical Spine Injury: A Case Report.

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis is a rare and preventable complication of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Herein, we report a fatal case of bilateral vocal cord paralysis after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACD/F). A 65-year-old man with cervical spine trauma and anterior cord syndrome, following car overturn presented to our emergency department.

The impact of music on postoperative pain and anxiety following cesarean section.

Background: The relief of post-cesarean delivery pain is important. Good pain relief improves mobility and reduces the risk of thromboembolic disease, which may have been increased during pregnancy. Pain may impair the mother's ability to optimally care for her infant in the immediate postpartum period and may adversely affect early interactions between mother and infant.

Role of dominant versus non-dominant hand position during uninterrupted chest compression CPR by novice rescuers: a randomized double-blind crossover study.

Background: Previous research has suggested improved quality of chest compressions when the dominant hand was in contact with the sternum. However, the study was in health care professionals and during conventional chest compression-ventilation CPR. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis, in null form, that the quality of external chest compressions (ECC) in novice rescuers during 5min of uninterrupted chest compression CPR (UCC-CPR) is independent of the hand in contact with the sternum.

Noxious compounds in exhaled air, a potential cause for ocular manifestations of H. pylori gastrointestinal infection.

Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections worldwide. In the past few years, a variety of extradigestive disorders have been associated with H. pylori infection.