Editorials:

Kathleen Dracup and Christopher W. Bryan-Brown

Practicing What We Preach
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(6): 498-500. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Letters to the Editor:

Mary Spremulli

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(6): 501. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Donna Rosborough, Marilyn Hravnak, Leslie A. Hoffman, Melissa I. Saul, Thomas G. Zullo, and Gayle R. Whitman

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(6): 501-502. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Susan DeLisle, Tracy N. Albright, Michael A. Zimmerman, and Craig H. Selzman

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(6): 502-503. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Corrections:

CORRECTIONS
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(6): 503. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Cardiovascular Issues:

Deborah Chyun, Viola Vaccarino, Jaime Murillo, Lawrence H. Young, and Harlan M. Krumholz

Cardiac Outcomes After Myocardial Infarction in Elderly Patients With Diabetes Mellitus
The authors examine the association between (1) comorbid conditions related to diabetes mellitus, clinical findings on arrival at the hospital, and characteristics of the myocardial infarction and (2) risk of heart failure, recurrent myocardial infarction, and mortality in the year after myocardial infarction in elderly 30-day survivors of myocardial infarction who had non-insulin- or insulin-related diabetes.
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(6): 504-519. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Barbara Riegel, Jill A. Bennett, Andra Davis, Beverly Carlson, John Montague, Howard Robin, and Dale Glaser

Cognitive Impairment in Heart Failure: Issues of Measurement and Etiology
In this study, the authors describe cognitive impairment in patients with heart failure, explore the usefulness of 4 measures of cognitive impairment, and assess correlates of cognitive impairment, including age, education, hypotension, fluid overload, and dehydration.
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(6): 520-528. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Critical Care Education:

Mina Attin, Suzette Cardin, Vivien Dee, Lynn Doering, Dieula Dunn, Kathi Ellstrom, Virginia Erickson, Maria Etchepare, Anna Gawlinski, Theresa Haley, Elizabeth Henneman, Maureen Keckeisen, Marcia Malmet, and Lisa Olson

An Educational Project to Improve Knowledge Related to Pulse Oximetry
Physicians, registered nurses, and respiratory therapists are responsible for the accurate interpretation of pulse oximetry data as part of the evaluation and management of acutely and critically ill patients. The authors of this study set out to evaluate the extent of current knowledge about pulse oximetry, with the use of a test/survey of 17 true-false questions, and to increase clinicians' knowledge of research-based practices related to the appropriate use of pulse oximetry and interpretation of its results.
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(6): 529-534. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Cases Study in Critical Care:

Anna Barkman and Judy McCay

Cardiogenic Shock in a Patient With Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy After Insertion of a Pacemaker
These authors present a case study illustrating the cascade of complications that can occur after insertion of a pacemaker in a patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), an obstructive subvariety of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and review the pathophysiology of this cardiac abnormality.
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(6): 537-542. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Curriculum in Critical Care:

Caryl Goodyear-Bruch and Janet D. Pierce

Oxidative Stress in Critically Ill Patients
Oxidative stress and the damage it causes have been implicated in many diseases in critically ill patients. The authors review the formation of reactive oxygen species, the damage caused by them, and the body's defense system against them. New interventions that may be used in critically ill patients to prevent or treat oxidative damage are discussed.
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(6): 543-551. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Innovations in Critical Care:

Stacy Heiner, JoAnne D. Whitney, Connie Wood, and Brenda I. Mygrant

Effects of an Augmented Postoperative Fluid Protocol on Wound Healing in Cardiac Surgery Patients
Delayed wound healing and wound infection prolong hospital stay, increase healthcare costs, and contribute to morbidity and mortality. Methods that promote more efficient wound healing could increase cost-effective care. The authors conducted this study to determine the effects of augmented fluid replacement protocol after open heart surgery on PsCO2, subcutaneous tissue perfusion, wound healing, and wound complications and to further explore the relationships between subcutaneous tissue oxygen levels and wound healing.
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(6): 554-566. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Susan Houston, Paul Hougland, Jacqueline J. Anderson, Mark LaRocco, Virginia Kennedy, and Layne O. Gentry

Effectiveness of 0.12% Chlorhexidine Gluconate Oral Rinse in Reducing Prevalence of Nosocomial Pneumonia in Patients Undergoing Heart Surgery
In this study, the authors tested the effectiveness of 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse in decreasing microbial colonization of the respiratory tract and nosocomial pneumonia in patients undergoing open heart surgery. A total of 561 patients were randomized to an experimental (n = 270) or a control (n = 291) group. Peridex (0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate) was the experimental drug, and a phenolic mixture was the control drug.
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(6): 567-570. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Current Controversies in Critical Care:

Patricia Benner

One Year After September 11: Revisiting Our Ethical Visions of Freedom and Justice
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(6): 572-573. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Cardiology Casebook:

Laurie G. Futterman and Louis Lemberg

Anger and Acute Coronary Events
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(6): 574-576. [Full Text] [PDF]  

ECG Puzzler:

Michele M. Pelter and Mary G. Adams

Bradycardic ECG Monitoring Alarms
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(6): 577-578. [Full Text] [PDF]  

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