Active clinical trials for "Critical Illness"

In 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved procalcitonin in conjunction with other laboratory markers to aid in the risk assessment of critically ill patients with severe infection (sepsis). Although considerable literature exists regarding the usefulness of Procalcitonin (PCT) as a marker of sepsis, there are still potential uses for PCT measurements that are not yet explored and its value among the critically ill patients remains unclear. This study seeks to better understand the usefulness of measuring PCT values in patients admitted to the Medical ICU for a variety of reasons and in particular with severe infection (sepsis).

Comparison of ICG liver testing with copeptin and SAPS II score as prognostic markers in critically ill patients.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a pain training program and systematic measurement of pain scores on actual pain levels and the use of analgesics in critically ill patients.

The Remote Physiological Monitoring System (RPM™) is a wireless technology for physiological monitoring. The RPM™ is designed to capture, transmit and remotely monitor the vital signs of a patient or group of patients. The RPM™ allows the patient to carry an unobtrusive unit and sensor array, which is able to store and/or forward its data via existing communication networks. This data is archivable and can be made available to a monitoring station or stations. This approach obviates the need to provide new and expensive infrastructure to support the system since it is designed to 'piggy-back' on the existing network. A major clinical advantage of the RPM™ and the principal reason why it may offer a benefit to patients, is that it provides continuous remote monitoring of vital signs, in contrast to the current situation for ward patients, where there is intermittent vital signs monitoring. This is a major advantage for patients and hospital staff, since there is increasing evidence that demonstrate early recognition and treatment of clinical events, e.g., shock, can save lives; the concurrent cost and labour saving is a further obvious benefit. The RPM™ uses wireless technology to overcome the portability problems associated with conventional patient monitoring systems. The RPM™ consists of the following system components: Physiological Monitoring Unit (PMU) Data Aggregation Server (DAS) Clinical Monitoring Position (CMP) To validate the RPM™ device for regulatory approval, BRYTECH will evaluate the RPM™ in a clinical setting, thereby ensuring that the system is trustworthy and acceptable to health professionals as a monitoring system in patients. The study proposes to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the RPM™ compared to monitors commonly used in the medical practice under the standard conditions of medical practice The study also proposes to evaluate notification and alarm systems, the communications interface and non-interference with existing systems, devices, networks and procedures as well as the incremental nursing workload associated with the integration of the RPM™ in a clinical environment. The RPM™ and reference physiological monitoring devices will be compared for physiological monitoring capabilities in 40 patients.

Role fo oxidative stress in adrenal insufficiency has not been studied. The degree of oxidative stress and it's role in pediatric critical illness is unknown. Potential for significant alterations to many of thew body's regulatory pathways may result from severe oxidative stress. Further is needed to delineate what if any role oxidative stress may play

The objective of this study is to determine whether pharmacokinetic parameters of anidulafungin correlate with disease severity and plasma protein levels in critically ill patients.

This study seeks to define the morbidity of critical care polyneuropathy and to confirm that this diagnosis is, in fact, independently associated with increased mortality. Secondary information regarding the reasons for ICU readmission in patients with weakness may help in formulating cogent discharge strategies for these patients. Measurement of weakness using handgrip strength may provide a useful surrogate marker for weakness that may be more easily and uniformly applied. Primary hypothesis: The development of ICU-associated weakness is independently associated with excess attributable mortality. Secondary hypothesis: The development of ICU-associated weakness is associated with an increased need for ICU readmission. Readmission to the ICU will be a result of the development of recurrent respiratory failure or insufficiency Handgrip strength testing will detect ICU-associated weakness with an equivalent sensitivity as the comprehensive bedside muscle strength exam.

Using the self-regulation theory, an intervention to prepare families for that experience was developed. This study will assess the impact of the intervention on a family's evaluation of their preparation and their short-term coping. The site used for this study will be the Trauma and Life Support Center (TLC), University of Wisconsin (UW) Hospital. After a decision has been made to withdraw life support, a member of the TLC staff will approach the next of kin of the patient to inform him/her about the study and inquire about his/her interest to participate. Using an experimental design, 10 family members will be assigned to the control group and 10 to the intervention group. Upon agreement, a research nurse will use a "coin toss method" for group assignment of the subjects until there are ten in each group. Experimental group subjects will receive the intervention after the family meeting. Demographics of the next of kin will be collected at this time. Patient information such as demographics, diagnosis, and time of withdrawal and death will be collected too. Two to four weeks after death, a telephone interview will be conducted with the next of kin using the "Evaluation of the Experience of Withdrawal" questionnaire and the Profile of Mood State - shortened version. Potential benefits are that the families will be prepared for the experience of the dying patient, which will help them cope better during withdrawal and after their loss. There are no major risks to the subjects but there might be an increase in psychological distress.

The purpose of this study is to see how fast and accurate two different techniques used by physicians to insert catheters in children are. Catheters are tiny tubes which carry fluids, blood and sometimes liquid food into a person's vein. The technique currently used relies on the physical landmarks and using fingers to feel the anatomy in which to place the catheter in the vein or artery. The investigators are changing to a technique where they will use ultrasound at the patient's bedside to help physicians with placing the catheter into the blood vessel. They are comparing the use of these two methods to determine which is faster and requires fewer needle sticks.

This study will examine the impact of acute illness on sequential airway IgA levels in intensive care patients who will require prolonged intubation. Infections are the most common cause of late deaths in non-head injured trauma patients and a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients, especially intubated Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. Nosocomial pneumonia is the most common of these infections, and its incidence in defined populations of critically injured patients is responsive to route and type of nutrition. This study will focus on the mechanisms of specific immune mucosal defenses in intestinal and extraintestinal sites and link enteral feeding (or lack of it) with maintenance (or deterioration) of respiratory mucosal defenses.