[Cardiac transplantation and donation in Icelandic patients - indications and outcome].

Introduction: Information on the number, indications and outcome of cardiac transplantations in Icelandic patients is scarce, as is information on the number of hearts donated from Iceland for cardiac transplantation.

Material And Methods: A retrospective study on patients receiving heart transplantation from the first procedure in 1988 until March 2019. Clinical information was gathered from Landspitali Transplantation Clinic, patient charts, and information on donated hearts from the Icelandic Donation Registry.

Utilization and outcomes of tracheostomies in the intensive care unit in Iceland in 2007-2020: A descriptive study.

Background: Tracheostomies are commonly utilized in ICU patients due to prolonged mechanical ventilation, upper airway obstruction, or surgery in the face/neck region. However, practices regarding the timing of placement and utilization vary. This study provides a nationwide overview of tracheostomy utilization and outcomes in the ICU over a 14-year period.

[Critical care management of patients with spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage - a review].

Spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage is characterized by extravasation of blood into the subarachnoid space without a preceding trauma. The leading cause is a ruptured intracranial aneurysm. Serious neurologic complications can occur, such as rebleeding, cerebral vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia.

Predictive variables for poor long-term physical recovery after intensive care unit stay: An exploratory study.

Background: Elucidating factors that influence physical recovery of survivors after an intensive care unit (ICU) stay is paramount in maximizing long-term functional outcomes. We examined potential predictors for poor long-term physical recovery in ICU survivors.

Methods: Based on secondary analysis of a trial of 50 ICU patients who underwent mobilization in the ICU and were followed for one year, linear regression analysis examined the associations of exposure variables (baseline characteristics, severity of illness variables, ICU-related variables, and lengths of ICU and hospital stay), with physical recovery variables (muscle strength, exercise capacity, and self-reported physical function), measured one year after ICU discharge.

Nationwide Incidence and Outcomes of Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Requiring Intensive Care in Iceland.

Objectives: To determine the nationwide demographics and hospital mortality of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection requiring admission to the ICU for coronavirus disease 2019 in Iceland.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: All ICUs in Iceland (Landspitali University Hospital and Akureyri Regional Hospital).

The potential for organ donation in Iceland: A nationwide study of deaths in intensive care units.

Background: The deceased organ donation rate in Iceland has been low compared with other Western countries. The aim of this study was to explore the potential for organ donation after brain death in Iceland.

Methods: Observational cohort study of patients with catastrophic brain injury who died in intensive care units (ICUs) at hospitals in Iceland in 2003-2016.

Long-term survival after intensive care: A retrospective cohort study.

Background Limited data exist on long-term survival of patients requiring admission to intensive care units (ICUs). The aim of this study was to investigate long-term survival of ICU patients in Iceland and assess changes over a 15-year period. Methods Data were collected on age, gender, admission cause, length of stay, comorbidities, mechanical ventilation and survival of patients 18 years and older admitted to the ICUs in Landspitali during 2002-2016.

Epidemiology of spinal fractures and associated spinal cord injuries in Iceland.

Study Design: A retrospective epidemiological study.

Setting: Landspítali University Hospital, Iceland.

Objectives: Assessment of epidemiological data and risk factors for traumatic spinal fractures (SFs) and associated spinal cord injury (SCI).

[Severely increased serum lipid levels in diabetic ketoacidosis - case report].

Severe hypertriglyceridemia is a known, but uncommon complication of diabetic ketoacidosis. We discuss the case of a 23-year-old, previously healthy, woman who initially presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain. Grossly lipemic serum due to extremely high triglyceride (38.

A population-based study on epidemiology of intensive care unit treated traumatic brain injury in Iceland.

Background: Traumatic brain injury is a worldwide health issue and a significant cause of preventable deaths and disabilities. We aimed to describe population-based data on intensive care treated traumatic brain injury in Iceland over 15 years period.

Methods: Retrospective review of all intensive care unit admissions due to traumatic brain injury at The National University Hospital of Iceland 1999-2013.

[Epidemiology of Spinal Cord Injury in Iceland from 1975 to 2014].

Introduction: Traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) is serious and often has long-term consequences. Since no cure has been found the emphasis has been on preventive measures. The incidence of TSCI varies between countries and the epidemiology has been changing.

The incidence and mortality of acute thoracic aortic dissection: results from a whole nation study.

Objectives: Acute thoracic aortic dissection (ATAD) is a devastating condition associated with a high mortality rate. Recent reports suggest that its incidence is rising. Utilizing nationwide data comprising the whole Icelandic population, we aimed to determine the incidence, mortality rate and time-dependent mortality risk of ATAD.

[Injecting drug abuse: survival after intensive care admission and forensic toxicology reports at death].

Introduction: Injecting drug abuse is a worldwide problem with serious consequences for the individual and for society. The purpose of this study was to gather information on the most serious complications of injecting drug use from two perspectives, intensive care admissions and forensic toxicology reports.

Material And Methods: Firstly, intensive care admissions related to injecting drug abuse during a five year period were reviewed for demographics, complications and 5 year survival.

[Visits to an emergency department due to head injuries].

Introduction: Head injury is a common consequence of accidents and violence. It can result in permanent disability and is one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide. Our aim was to review all visits to Landspitali University Hospital (LUH) from head injuries, to study the incidence, nature and severity of head injuries.

Evaluation of clinical efficacy and safety of cervical trauma collars: differences in immobilization, effect on jugular venous pressure and patient comfort.

Background: Concern has been raised that cervical collars may increase intracranial pressure in traumatic brain injury. The purpose of this study was to compare four types of cervical collars regarding efficacy of immobilizing the neck, effect on jugular venous pressure (JVP), as a surrogate for possible effect on intracranial pressure, and patient comfort in healthy volunteers.

Methods: The characteristics of four widely used cervical collars (Laerdal Stifneck(®) (SN), Vista(®) (VI), Miami J Advanced(®) (MJ), Philadelphia(®) (PH)) were studied in ten volunteers.

[Epidemiology of acute kidney injury in a tertiary care university hospital according to the RIFLE criteria].

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common problem in hospitalized patients, requiring extensive treatment and carries a high mortality rate. This study was designed to assess the epidemiology of AKI, and risk factors and outcome of patients with severe AKI in a tertiary care university hospital in Iceland.

Material And Methods: All adult patients with measured serum creatinine (SCr) in Landspitali University Hospital from January 2008 to December 2011, who had a measured baseline SCr in the preceeding six months, were included.

[The incidence and mortality of ARDS at Landspítali - The National University Hospital of Iceland 2004-2008].

Objective: A retrospective study of the incidence, causes, mortality and treatment of patients with ARDS at Landspítali The National University Hospital of Iceland during the five year period 2004-2008 and comparing the results with an earlier study for the period 1988-1997.

Materials And Methods: All ICU admissions during the period 2004-2008 were reviewed, selecting patients according to the American-European consensus criteria for ARDS. Data were collected on age, gender, causes, length of stay, ventilator treatment and survival.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome: nationwide changes in incidence, treatment and mortality over 23 years.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess population-based changes in incidence, treatment, and in short- and long-term survival of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) over 23 years.

Materials And Methods: Analysis of all patients in Iceland who fulfilled the consensus criteria for ARDS in 1988-2010. Demographic variables, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scores and ventilation parameters were collected from hospital charts.

Acute kidney injury in intensive care units according to RIFLE classification: a population-based study.

Introduction: Recent studies of the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) are largely based on estimated baseline serum creatinine values. The aim of this study was to more accurately determine the incidence of AKI using the RIFLE criteria for intensive care unit (ICU) patients of a whole population.

Materials And Methods: All adult patients admitted to the ICUs of Landspitali - The National University Hospital of Iceland in 2007 (n = 1026) were studied with meticulous search for baseline creatinine.

Recombinant factor VIIa as last-resort treatment of desperate haemorrhage.

Introduction: Studies are inconclusive regarding clinical outcomes after administration of recombinant activated coagulation factor VII (rFVIIa) during severe haemorrhage. The circumstances encountered during desperate haemorrhage make it difficult to include the most critically ill patients that could possibly benefit the most from such treatment into randomized controlled trials. We report our experience with rFVIIa as last-resort treatment of desperate haemorrhage when all standard treatment has failed.

Epidemiology of traumatic spinal cord injuries in Iceland from 1975 to 2009.

Study Design: Retrospective population-based epidemiological study.

Objectives: To assess the nationwide, population-based incidence, causes, age, gender, extent and prevalence of spinal cord injuries (SCIs) in Iceland from 1975 to 2009.

Setting: Landspitali University Hospital in Iceland, the single referral center for SCIs in Iceland.

Induced hypothermia in comatose survivors of asphyxia: a case series of 14 consecutive cases.

Background: Induced hypothermia is widely used for comatose survivors of cardiac arrest. Other causes of hypoxic brain injury carry a poor prognosis when treated using traditional methods. At our hospital, hypothermia has also been used for the management of all comatose survivors of asphyxiation.