Editorials:

Kathleen Dracup and Christopher W. Bryan-Brown

Nursing Morbidity and Mortality Conferences
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(6): 492-494. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Pulmonary Critical Care:

Annette DeVito Dabbs, Leslie A. Hoffman, Aldo T. Iacono, Chris L. Wells, Wayne Grgurich, Thomas G. Zullo, Kenneth R. McCurry, and James H. Dauber

Pattern and Predictors of Early Rejection After Lung Transplantation
Most lung transplant recipients experience improvement in their underlying pulmonary condition but are faced with the threat of allograft rejection, the primary determinant of long-term survival. The authors describe the pattern and predictors of early rejection during the first year after transplantation to guide the development of interventions to facilitate earlier detection and treatment of rejection.
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(6): 497-507. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Critical Care Cardiology:

Kathy J. Booker, Karyn Holm, Barbara J. Drew, Dorothy M. Lanuza, Frank D. Hicks, Tim Carrigan, Michelle Wright, and John Moran

Frequency and Outcomes of Transient Myocardial Ischemia in Critically Ill Adults Admitted for Noncardiac Conditions
The authors set out to 1) determine the extent of myocardial ischemia and injury detected within the first 48 hours in the ICU in patients admitted for noncardiac conditions and to 2) examine the relationship of myocardial ischemia, injury, risk of coronary artery disease, and acuity to the outcomes of cardiac events detected during the hospital stay.
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(6): 508-517. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Sepsis in Critical Care:

Patricia Dettenmeier, Bridget Swindell, Mary Stroud, Nancy Arkins, and April Howard

Role of Activated Protein C in the Pathophysiology of Severe Sepsis
Sepsis is a complex syndrome that can lead to multiple organ failure and death. The authors review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of severe sepsis. Also discussed are the recently published results from a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 clinical trial of drotrecogin alfa (activated), a recombinant form of activated protein C, in patients with severe sepsis.
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(6): 518-524. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Patient Outcomes:

Susan A. Wheelan, Christian N. Burchill, and Felice Tilin

The Link Between Teamwork and Patients’ Outcomes in Intensive Care Units
In this study, a total of 394 staff members and 17 ICUs completed the Group Development Questionnaire and a demographic survey. The authors obtained each unit's predicted and actual mortality rates for the month in which data were collected and examined the relationship between the level of self-identified teamwork in the ICU and patients' outcomes.
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(6): 527-534. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

New Techniques in Critical Care:

Marie E. Pokorny, Dixie Koldjeski, and Melvin Swanson

Skin Care Intervention for Patients Having Cardiac Surgery
Pressure ulcers are a major problem after cardiovascular surgery, occurring in 9.2% to 38% of patients. The authors determined 1) the effectiveness of a skin care intervention program in preventing development of ulcers or progression from one stage to another and 2) the extent to which selected risk factors were associated with development and progression of pressure ulcers.
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(6): 535-544. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Critical Care Commentary:

Alexander Tartaglia, Diane Dodd-McCue, Susan Kuthy, Kevin Myer, and Ken Faulkner

Care for the Critical Care Provider, Too?
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(6): 545-547. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Psychosocial Aspects of Critical Care:

Sally A. Norton, Virginia P. Tilden, Susan W. Tolle, Christine A. Nelson, and Susan Talamantes Eggman

Life Support Withdrawal: Communication and Conflict
Skillful communication between and among clinicians and patients' families at the patients' end of life is essential for decision making. In this article, the authors describe communication and information concerns of families who experience conflict with clinicians in the context of making decisions to withdraw life-sustaining treatment from loved ones.
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(6): 548-555. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Case Study in Critical Care:

Kate Henchey

Use of Heliox Therapy to Relieve Acute Respiratory Distress in an Adolescent With Cystic Fibrosis: A Case Report
In the United States, the pulmonary complications of cystic fibrosis, including asthma, airway obstruction, bronchiolitis, mucus plugging, and pneumonia, are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in children who have the disorder. This author describes the use of heliox in a 15-year-old girl with cystic fibrosis.
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(6): 556-557. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Current Controversies in Critical Care:

Patricia Benner, Sally Kerchner, Inge B. Corless, and Betty Davies

Attending Death as a Human Passage: Core Nursing Principles for End-OF-Life Care
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(6): 558-561. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Cardiology Casebook:

Kathryn Buchanan Keller and Louis Lemberg

The Cocaine-Abused Heart
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(6): 562-566. [Full Text] [PDF]  

ECG Puzzler:

Michele M. Pelter and Mary G. Adams

Non–Conducted P Waves
Am J Crit Care 2003 12(6): 567-568. [Full Text] [PDF]  

To see an article, click its [Full Text] link. To review many abstracts, check the boxes to the left of the titles you want, and click the 'Get All Checked Abstract(s)' button. To see one abstract at a time, click its [Abstract] link.