Active clinical trials for "Critical Illness"

The patients with sepsis are in high risk of malnutrition, which could contribute to infection, difficulty in weaning from ventilators. The investigators speculate whether nutrition therapy with high nitrogen could attenuate the malnutrition status and improve the outcome in these sepsis patients. In this prospective Randomized Controlled Trial, the investigators aim to compare high nitrogen intake with conventional nitrogen supply which were recommended in guidelines.

Sepsis and septic shock patients are considered to have a high risk of complications and death. Appropriate antimicrobial therapy plays an important role in determining outcomes in septic patients. However, pathophysiologic changes associated with critical illness have an impact on pharmacokinetics of antimicrobials. In addition, increasing bacterial resistance is also a growing concern, especially in intensive care units., Consequently, standard antimicrobial dose may not be sufficient to achieve pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic target in sepsis and septic shock patients. The purpose of this study is to compare a therapy between meropenem standard dose and meropenem high dose in the treatment of sepsis and septic shock

Patients admitted to the ICU with diagnosis of sepsis and requiring mechanical ventilation for at least 24-hours and receiving enteral or parenteral nutrition will be prospectively randomized to one of two arms. Patients allocated to the estimated energy expenditure group will receive nutrition with caloric intake calculated based on the Penn State equation. Patients randomized to the measured group will receive nutrition with caloric intake calculated based on IC measurement present in the GE ventilator. Patients in the estimated group will have IC performed, but these data will not be used for prescription of nutrition. An equal number of beds within the ICU will be allocated to the measured group and the estimated group. The primary objective is to assess whether the utilization of indirect calorimetry for caloric goal calculation results in improvement in muscular structure, and consequent reduction of mechanical ventilation duration in patients with sepsis in comparison to utilizing the Penn State estimation equation for caloric goal calculation. The secondary objective is to assess whether the utilization of indirect calorimetry for caloric goal calculation results in improved adequacy of nutritional delivery in comparison to the adequacy of nutritional delivered when utilizing the Penn State estimation equation. Adult patients (> 18 years of age) admitted to the hospital with diagnosis of sepsis, and who require mechanical ventilation during hospitalization will be considered. Patients newly ventilated for at least one day but less than three days will be included in the study. Informed consent will be obtained from the legal authorized representative (LAR).

Pilot explanatory, randomized, open label, controlled trial. Critically ill patients which will demand placement of invasive devices for organ support (endotracheal tube, central venous catheter and urinary Foley catheter) will be randomized 1:1 to receive coated (Bactiguard®) or habitual (non-coated) devices.

The goal of this study is to evaluate whether a standard enteral nutrition protocol can improve the efficiency in achieving nutritional goals and improve prognosis in critically ill patients.

This study investigates the impact of introducing an early mobilisation device called the Sara Combilizer on time taken to mobilise in critical care. The investigators will collect baseline data on time taken to mobilise for a period of 4 months, then following a training programme and introduction of the device for a further 4 months

The purpose of this study is to verify if a protocol of early and progressive mobility which includes the use of technology is able to increase the level of physical activity and improve functionality and respiratory and muscular function of Intensive Care Unit patients compared with conventional Physical Therapy.

Hyperglycemia is common in critically ill patients and associated with an adverse outcome. Thus, glycaemic control is an important issue in critical care. Despite extensive efforts of the intensive care unit staff difficulties were experienced in achieving efficient and safe glucose control. A fully automated algorithm may help to overcome some of these limitations by excluding intuitive interventions and integrating relevant clinical data in the decision-making process. Space GlucoseControl (TGC system) is a decision support system which helps to achieve safe and reliable blood glucose control in the desired ranges. Information on parenteral and enteral nutrition is automatically integrated into the calculations. The primary objective of the current study is to investigate the performance and usability of the Space TGC system for glucose control over an tight glucose control range (4.4 to 6.1 mmol/L) in surgical intensive care patients.

We hypothesized that continuous control of tracheal cuff pressure would reduce microaspiration of gastric content as determined by pepsin level in tracheal aspirate.

This study should help determine to determine whether or not the use of an antibiotic coated catheter will significantly reduce the number of central line related bloodstream infections in children requiring a CVC. This study may also determine if antibiotic coated catheters will be significantly less likely than non-antibiotic coated catheters to allow bacteria to live (colonize) in/on the catheter. The use of central venous catheters (CVC) is paramount to the care of critically ill children. Thus, in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), these catheters are widely used in situations when more than peripheral venous access is necessary. This central access allows the delivery of fluids, e.g, blood, medications, etc. as well as serves as a means to withdraw blood. It has been estimated that more than 250,000 nosocomial bloodstream infections occur each year, with 90% of these associated with the use of CVCs. More recently, the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System (NNIS) reported during 1992-2001 CVC-associated bloodstream infections (BSI) in ICU settings occurred at rates of 2.9-11.3 BSI per 1,000 catheter days. The cost of treating CVC related BSI has been estimated to be in excess of $28,000 per catheter. In the adult medical literature, there is strong evidence supporting use of antiseptic or antibiotic coated catheters to reduce the cost of hospitalization for CVC related infections. Cost-benefit studies have suggested that if the baseline incidence of CVC BSI is >0.4 BSI per 1000 catheter days, $59,000 will be saved, 7 cases of BSI will be avoided, and 1 death prevented for every 300 anti-septic impregnated CVCs used.