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Biomedical subjects

Laura M Criddle

Publications and source records attributed to Laura M Criddle.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A case of postpartum cerebral venous thrombosis.

Cerebral venous thrombosis, also known as cortical venous, cerebral sinus, cerebral venous sinus, or dural sinus thrombosis, results from clot formation in one of the many outflow tracts of the brain. Obstruction of flow causes venous hypertension, which is responsible for clinical findings associated with this condition. Signs and symptoms of cerebral venous thrombosis include headache, nausea, mental status changes, seizures, and focal neurologic deficits. Although cerebral venous thrombosis can occur at any time during life, women are particularly vulnerable before delivery and during the postpartum period because of the hypercoagulable state that accompanies pregnancy. This case study describes the challenging clinical course of one postpartum patient who developed venous thrombosis of the sagittal sinus.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Variables predicting trauma patient survival following massive transfusion.

INTRODUCTION: The literature contains little information regarding demographic or transfusion-related factors associated with survival following massive blood transfusion in trauma patients. The objective of this study was to describe patient, transfusion, and laboratory variables contributing to survival in this population during the first and second days after arrival at the hospital. A secondary objective was to identify costs associated with massive blood transfusion. METHODS: A 7-year, retrospective review of 13,005 consecutive trauma patient records yielded a sample of 46 who were transfused with > or =50 units of blood products in the first postinjury day. Descriptive statistics were computed to describe the sample, transfusion data, and laboratory values. Logistic regression was used to predict survival using selected patient characteristics, laboratory data, and transfusion characteristics for both the first and second days. RESULTS: Overall survival among this group who received massive transfusion was 63%. No significant differences were found between survivors and nonsurvivors in age, sex, type of trauma, or amount of any of the blood components administered on Day 1. Nonsurvivors had higher Injury Severity Scores and shorter ICU and hospital lengths of stay. Controlling for other variables, only arterial base deficit levels made a significant unique contribution to predicting survival. The volume of blood transfused on Day 2 did not contribute to survival prediction. The average cost of blood transfusion was more than 49,000 US dollars per survivor and 51,000 US dollars per nonsurvivor. CONCLUSION: Defining medical futility based solely on the volume of blood products transfused currently is unjustified. The search for other early indicators of survival in the trauma population must continue.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Pass the salt: indications for and implications of using hypertonic saline.

Sodium is the most abundant extracellular ion. Historically, therapy with hypertonic saline was widely used for a variety of conditions. Currently, there are 3 primary indications for its use in critical care: hyponatremia, volume resuscitation, and brain injury. SIADH and CSW syndrome may require sodium replacement, but most cases of hyponatremia can be managed without administration of hypertonic saline. Studies of use of hypertonic saline in hypovolemia and brain injury are promising, but additional research is needed to better define optimal dosing regimens and to determine the relative risks associated with hypertonic saline versus conventional treatment for the management of patients with head injuries and for volume resuscitation in shock states.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Pathophysiology and management of abdominal compartment syndrome.

Abdominal compartment syndrome is a potentially lethal condition caused by any event that produces intra-abdominal hypertension; the most common cause is blunt abdominal trauma. Increasing intra-abdominal pressure causes progressive hypoperfusion and ischemia of the intestines and other peritoneal and retroperitoneal structures. Pathophysiological effects include release of cytokines, formation of oxygen free radicals, and decreased cellular production of adenosine triphosphate. These processes may lead to translocation of bacteria from the gut and intestinal edema, predisposing patients to multiorgan dysfunction syndrome. The consequences of abdominal compartment syndrome are profound and affect many vital body systems. Hemodynamic, respiratory, renal, and neurological abnormalities are hallmarks of abdominal compartment syndrome. Medical management consists of urgent decompressive laparotomy. Nursing care involves vigilant monitoring for early detection, including serial measurements of intra-abdominal pressure.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2003

Rhabdomyolysis. Pathophysiology, recognition, and management.

Rhabdomyolysis is a clinical syndrome in which the contents of injured muscle cells leak into the circulation. This leakage results in electrolyte abnormalities, acidosis, clotting disorders, hypovolemia, and acute renal failure. More than 100 conditions, both traumatic and non-traumatic, can lead to rhabdomyolysis. Intervention consists of early detection, treatment of the underlying cause, volume replacement, urinary alkalinization, and aggressive diuresis or hemodialysis. Patients with rhabdomyolysis often require intensive care, and critical care nurses are instrumental in both the early detection and the ongoing management of this life-threatening syndrome.

Adult↗