Most patients with PAH in our cohort died of their disease; however, right ventricular failure or sudden death was the sole cause of death in less than half of patients.

BACKGROUND: A clinically useful temperature measurement method should correlate well with the body's core temperature. Although previous investigators have studied temperature readings from different sites in hypothermic and normothermic patients, none have compared methods specifically in febrile patients. OBJECTIVE: To compare temperature measurement methods in febrile intensive care patients. METHODS: Temperature readings were obtained in rapid sequence from an electronic thermometer for oral and axillary temperature, rectal probe, infrared ear thermometer on "core" setting, and pulmonary artery catheter, approximately every hour during the day and every 4 hours at night. The sample consisted of 13 patients with pulmonary artery catheters and with temperatures of at least 37.8 degrees C. RESULTS: Rectal temperature correlated most closely with pulmonary artery temperature. Rectal temperature showed closest agreement with pulmonary artery temperature, followed by oral, ear-based, and axillary temperatures. Rectal and ear-based temperatures were most sensitive in detecting temperatures greater than 38.3 degrees C. Likelihood ratios for detecting hyperthermia were 5.32 for oral, 2.46 for rectal, and 1.97 for ear-based temperature. Rectal and ear-based temperatures had the lowest negative likelihood ratios, indicating the least chance of a false negative reading. Axillary temperature had a negative likelihood ratio of 0.86. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal temperature measurement correlates most closely with core temperature. If the rectal site is contraindicated, oral or ear-based temperatures are acceptable. Axillary temperature does not correlate well with pulmonary artery temperature. These results underscore the importance of consistency in method when establishing temperature trends, and of awareness of method when interpreting clinical data.

Pulmonary hypertension is a disabling disease characterized by progressive functional worsening, right heart failure, and death. Although pulmonary hypertension has been associated with poor quality of life, sleep quality has not been investigated in pulmonary hypertension patients. This was a cross-sectional study in which patients (N = 40) were asked to complete standardized questionnaires to assess sleep quality [using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)], insomnia, sleepiness, dyspnea, depression, restless leg syndrome, and quality of life [using Cambridge Pulmonary Hypertension Outcome Review (CAMPHOR)] during routine office visits. Baseline hemodynamics, pulmonary function tests, exercise capacity, and transthoracic echocardiogram were analyzed. Pulmonary hypertension functional class was World Health Organization class II [20 (50%)], III [18 (45%)], and IV [2 (5%)], and 29 (72.5%) had poor sleep quality. PSQI score was associated with CAMPHOR symptoms score (R = 0.61, P < 0.001), CAMPHOR activities score (R = 0.38, P = 0.016), CAMPHOR quality-of-life score (R = 0.45, P = 0.004), depression (R = 0.42, P = 0.007), and dyspnea (R = 0.36, P = 0.02). Sleep quality was not associated with age, gender, other comorbidities, pulmonary hypertension etiology, baseline hemodynamics, pulmonary function testing, echocardiographic parameters, or exercise capacity. Poor sleep quality is common in patients with pulmonary hypertension and correlates with depression, dyspnea, and poor quality of life. Improving sleep quality in patients with pulmonary hypertension may improve quality of life.

Most patients required treatment for agitated behaviors. The majority of treatment regimens partially or totally adhered to the guidelines. Factors such as patient-specific disease states, resident guideline learning curve, and physician preferences of medications may have decreased adherence. Improving adherence to the guidelines is essential to assess their effectiveness in improving clinical outcomes.