Editorials:

Christopher W. Bryan-Brown and Kathleen Dracup

The Pursuit of Healthcare
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(5): 368-370. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Corrections:

CORRECTION
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(5): 370. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Guest Editorials:

Caroline C. Nguyen

A Personal Reflection on the Nursing Shortage
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(5): 372. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Pulmonary Critical Care:

Thomas Ahrens, Marin Kollef, Jena Stewart, and William Shannon

Effect Of Kinetic Therapy on Pulmonary Complications
Kinetic therapy may improve pulmonary function more than the improvement in function achieved via the standard of care (turning patients every 2 hours). In this study of 234 medical, surgical, and trauma patients, the authors determined (1) if patients receiving mechanical ventilation who tolerate kinetic therapy have better pulmonary function than do patients treated with standard turning and (2) the cost-effectiveness of kinetic therapy.
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(5): 376-382. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Rochelle Wynne and Mari Botti

Postoperative Pulmonary Dysfunction in Adults After Cardiac Surgery With Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Clinical Significance and Implications for Practice
Postoperative pulmonary complications are the most frequent and significant contributors to morbidity, mortality, and costs associated with hospitalization. In this review, the authors provide an integrated discussion of the pathogenesis of postoperative pulmonary dysfunction unique to cardiac surgery to support the proposition that pulmonary dysfunction is an inevitable consequence of cardiac surgery.
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(5): 384-393. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Cardiac Critical Care:

Penelope S. Villars, Shannan K. Hamlin, Andrew D. Shaw, and Joseph T. Kanusky

Role of Diastole in Left Ventricular Function, I: Biochemical and Biomechanical Events
Left ventricular diastolic function plays an important role in cardiac physiology. The authors review the electrophysiology of ventricular action potentials; explain the physiological basis of myocardial contraction and relaxation, with an emphasis on diastole; and describe pressure-volume loops, useful tools for evaluating ventricular function.
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(5): 394-403. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Elizabeth I. Clark, Constance L. Roberts, and Karen C. Traylor

Cardiovascular Single-Unit Stay: A Case Study in Change
A cardiovascular single-unit-stay program began at North Memorial Medical Center, Robbinsdale, Minn, in January 2000. The areas targeted for improvement included mortality rate, sternal wound infection rate, and length of stay. The authors describe the process of establishing this single-unit-stay program.
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(5): 406-409. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Critical Care Follow-Up:

Marcia L. Brackbill and Christine Sytsma

Secondary Prevention of Hyperlipidemia After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft: From Acute Care to Primary Care
Information is minimal on the number of patients who continue with antihyperlipidemic therapy or follow-up with a primary care provider for cholesterol management after antihyperlipidemic therapy is initiated in an acute surgical setting. In this study of 135 patients, the authors determined (1) the frequency of use of antihyperlipidemic agents before CABG surgery, at hospital discharge, and approximately 9 months after discharge and (2) the occurrence of cholesterol monitoring by a primary care provider at least once between discharge and telephone follow-up.
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(5): 411-415. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Family Presence:

Jennifer M. Wagner

Lived Experience of Critically Ill Patients’ Family Members During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
During resuscitative efforts, patients' family members are often barred from the patients' rooms and may never have the opportunity to see their loved ones alive again. Recently, the need to ask family members to leave the room is being questioned. These authors interviewed six family members whose loved ones underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the ICU and describe the experiences, thoughts, and perceptions of these family members.
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(5): 416-420. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Neurological Critical Care:

April Marissa Keaveney

Critical Illness Polyneuropathy in Adults After Cardiac Surgery: a Case Study
Critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) is most often associated with sepsis or multiorgan dysfunction syndrome. Although the incidence of CIP among all patients in ICUs is low, patients with other primary diagnoses have also had CIP diagnosed. This case study describes the suspected pathophysiology, clinical features, and treatment of CIP.
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(5): 421-424. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Current Controversies in Critical Care:

Patricia Benner

Designing Formal Classification Systems to Better Articulate Knowledge, Skills, and Meanings in Nursing Practice
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(5): 426-430. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Cardiology Casebook:

Laurie G. Futterman and Louis Lemberg

A Silent Killer—Often Preventable
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(5): 431-436. [Full Text] [PDF]  

ECG Puzzler:

Mary G. Adams and Michele M. Pelter

An Evolving Myocardial Infarction
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(5): 437-438. [Full Text] [PDF]  

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