Comparison of the efficacy of three topical antiseptic solutions for the prevention of catheter colonization: a multicenter randomized controlled study.

Background: To compare the efficacy of three antiseptic solutions [0.5%, and 1.0% alcohol/chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), and 10% aqueous povidone-iodine (PVI)] for the prevention of intravascular catheter colonization, we conducted a randomized controlled trial in patients from 16 intensive care units in Japan.

The negative effect of initial high-dose methylprednisolone and tapering regimen for acute respiratory distress syndrome: a retrospective propensity matched cohort study.

Background: The efficacy of corticosteroid use in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains controversial. Generally, short-term high-dose corticosteroid therapy is considered to be ineffective in ARDS. On the other hand, low-dose, long-term use of corticosteroids has been reported to be effective since they provide continued inhibition of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) that accompanies ARDS.

Fibroproliferative changes on high-resolution CT in the acute respiratory distress syndrome predict mortality and ventilator dependency: a prospective observational cohort study.

Objectives: To examine whether the extent of fibroproliferative changes on high-resolution CT (HRCT) scan influences prognosis, ventilator dependency and the associated outcomes in patients with early acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Design: A prospective observational cohort study.

Setting: Intensive care unit in a teaching hospital.

[Solid malignancy in patients who received cyclosporine for fibrosing interstitial pneumonia].

Objective: Since more solid malignancies are observed in transplant recipients treated with cyclosporine (CsA) than in healthy persons. We sought to describe the incidence of malignancy in patients treated with CsA for fibrosing interstitial pneumonia.

Methods: We prospectively reviewed 43 patients who received CsA and prednisolone for fibrosing interstitial pneumonia over 180 days at our hospital between April 2004 and October 2008.

Prediction of prognosis for acute respiratory distress syndrome with thin-section CT: validation in 44 cases.

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate whether the thin-section computed tomographic (CT) appearance has prognostic value for prediction of mortality, number of ventilator-free days (ie, days without mechanical ventilation), and 28-day risk of barotrauma in patients with a clinically early stage of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) from diverse causes.

Materials And Methods: Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained. Two independent observers who were blinded to patient outcomes retrospectively evaluated the thin-section CT scans obtained within 7 days after clinical ARDS onset in 26 survivors and 18 nonsurvivors.