The incidence of increased ICP in ICU patients with non-traumatic coma as diagnosed by ONSD and CT: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Unexplained coma after critical illness can be multifactorial. We evaluated the diagnostic ability of bedside Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter [ONSD] as a screening test for non-traumatic radiographic cerebral edema.

Methods: In a prospective study, mixed medical-surgical intensive care units [ICU] patients with non-traumatic coma [GCS < 9] underwent bedside ultrasonographic ONSD measurements.

Guidelines for the treatment of acidaemia with THAM.

THAM (trometamol; tris-hydroxymethyl aminomethane) is a biologically inert amino alcohol of low toxicity, which buffers carbon dioxide and acids in vitro and in vivo. At 37 degrees C, the pK (the pH at which the weak conjugate acid or base in the solution is 50% ionised) of THAM is 7.8, making it a more effective buffer than bicarbonate in the physiological range of blood pH.

Contradictory effects of dopamine at 32 degrees C in pigs anesthetized with ketamine.

Background: In critically ill patients who were surface cooled to 33 +/- 2 degrees C, we have observed that dopamine sometimes causes a substantial decrease in blood pressure. The present study was designed to compare the effects of dopamine in normothermia to those seen after surface cooling to 32 degrees C.

Methods: Seven pigs with a mean body weight of 21 kg were anesthetized with ketamine and muscle relaxation was induced with pancuronium.

Dynamics of carbon dioxide elimination following ventilator resetting.

Background: Carbon dioxide elimination (VCO2) at steady state corresponds to the metabolic rate. A change in tidal ventilation will lead to a transient response in VCO2 if other determinants of VCO2 are constant. This principle may be applied in the critical care unit to reset ventilators.