Editorials:

Kathleen Dracup and Christopher W. Bryan-Brown

From Novice to Expert to Mentor: Shaping the Future
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(6): 448-450. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Letters to the Editor:

Mary Scott

LETTER TO THE EDITORS
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(6): 452. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Cardiac Critical Care:

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

Role of Diastole in Left Ventricular Function, II: Diagnosis and Treatment
Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction plays an important role in congestive heart failure. Although once thought to be lower, the mortality of diastolic heart failure may be as high as that of systolic heart failure. These authors discuss the 3 stages of diastolic dysfunction, its clinical features, criteria for diagnosis, and treatment.
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(6): 453-466. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Technology in Critical Care:

Nancy M. Albert, Melanie D. Hail, Jianbo Li, and James B. Young

Equivalence of the Bioimpedance and Thermodilution Methods in Measuring Cardiac Output in Hospitalized Patients With Advanced, Decompensated Chronic Heart Failure
A reliable noninvasive method for determining cardiac output/cardiac index would be valuable for patients with acutely decompensated advanced systolic heart failure. With this study, the authors determine whether a correlation exists for cardiac output and index determined by using bioimpedance and thermodilution in patients with acutely decompensated complex heart failure and if differences between results with the 2 methods could be explained by the patients' advanced condition.
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(6): 469-479. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Nurse Practitioners in the ICU:

Leslie A. Hoffman, Mary Beth Happ, Carmella Scharfenberg, Dana DiVirgilio-Thomas, and Frederick J. Tasota

Perceptions of Physicians, Nurses, and Respiratory Therapists About the Role of Acute Care Nurse Practitioners
The authors used an open-ended survey design to ask attending physicians, respiratory therapists, and nurses in 2 ICUs to list 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages of collaborative care provided by acute care nurse practitioners. Responses were grouped into 4 main themes: accessibility, competence/knowledge, care coordination/communication, and system issues.
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(6): 480-488. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

End-of-Life Issues In Critical Care:

Arthur J. Engler, Regina M. Cusson, Renee T. Brockett, Charlene Cannon-Heinrich, Michelle A. Goldberg, Margaret Gorzkowski West, and Wendy Petow

Neonatal Staff and Advanced Practice Nurses’ Perceptions of Bereavement/End-of-Life Care of Families of Critically Ill and/or Dying Infants
The authors used the 55-item Bereavement End-of-Life Attitudes About Care: Neonatal Nurses Scale containing 4 sections (comfort, roles, involvement, and demographics) to investigate RNs' and APNs' perceptions of various aspects of bereavement/end-of-life care of critically ill and/or dying infants and the infants' families. Respondents agreed about many important aspects of their roles with patients' families, especially the importance of providing daily support to the families.
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(6): 489-498. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Cardiac Surgery:

Marilyn Hravnak, Leslie A. Hoffman, Melissa I. Saul, Thomas G. Zullo, Julie F. Cuneo, and Ronald V. Pellegrini

Short-Term Complications and Resource Utilization in Matched Subjects After On-Pump or Off-Pump Primary Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(6): 499-508. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Current Controversies in Critical Care:

Patricia Benner

Listening to Past Leaders in Medicine and Nursing
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(6): 510-511. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Cardiology Casebook:

Laurie G. Futterman and Louis Lemberg

Cardiac Repair With Autologous Bone Marrow Stem Cells
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(6): 512-518. [Full Text] [PDF]  

ECG Puzzler:

Michele M. Pelter and Mary G. Adams

Premature Beats
Am J Crit Care 2004 13(6): 519-520. [Full Text] [PDF]  

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