Clinical Analysis of Statistical Data on the Characteristics of Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in a Greek ICU.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a potentially life-threatening condition for a many patients. The associated mortality rate may exceed 50% in some cases. The etiopathogenesis of the syndrome remains unclear, and in Greece the exact number of people suffering or dying of ARDS each year is unknown.

Therapeutic Hypothermia in the ICU: The Nursing Aspect.

Clinical studies and experimental research have described therapeutic hypothermia for patients suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI), cardiac arrest, and neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. This procedure is implemented by intensive care unit (ICU)-trained nurses. The aim of the present study was to compare cold compresses/ ice packs, cooling blankets, and heat-exchange systems via intravascular catheters used in the ICU for therapeutic hypothermia from a nursing perspective with respect to ease of application, additional workload, ease of temperature monitoring, and effectiveness.