Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jun 2007
NT-pro BNP secretion and clinical endpoints in cardiac surgery intensive care patients.
The primary objective of this study was to determine the pattern of N-Terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) secretion pre and post cardiac surgery and then to investigate the correlation between levels of serum NT-pro BNP and postoperative clinical and biochemical endpoints. This was a prospective observational study performed at a tertiary centre in New Zealand, examining 118 adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Interventions included blood samples for NT-pro BNP and troponin-T taken 48 hours prior to operation and 12, 36 and 72 hours postoperatively. ⋯ Using multivariate analysis, serum NT-pro BNP levels at 36 hours were associated with increased noradrenaline dose (P = 0.001), decreased preoperative ejection fraction (EF) Group (P = 0.013) and elevated preoperative NT-pro BNP (P < 0.001). Factors not associated with NT-pro BNP levels at 36 hours include the operation type, bypass and cross-clamp times, use of milrinone and troponin-T We conclude that NT-pro BNP levels increased markedly after cardiac surgery and that high preoperative NT-pro BNP levels are associated with a slow postoperative recovery, but do not predict the occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation or mortality. Myocardial ischaemia is an unlikely cause of the NT-pro BNP elevation, because no correlation existed between troponin-T and NT-pro BNP levels.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jun 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialBispectral index as a predictor of sedation depth during isoflurane or midazolam sedation in ICU patients.
Bispectral index (BIS) is used for monitoring anaesthetic depth with inhaled anaesthetic agents in the operating room but has not been evaluated as a monitor of sedation depth in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting with these agents. If BIS could predict sedation depth in ICU patients, patient disturbances could be reduced and oversedation avoided. Twenty ventilator-dependent ICU patients aged 27 to 80 years were randomised to sedation with isoflurane via the AnaConDa or intravenous midazolam. ⋯ In conclusion, BIS XP does not reliably predict sedation depth as measured by clinical evaluation in non-paralysed ICU patients sedated with isoflurane or midazolam. EMG contributes significantly to BIS values in isoflurane or midazolam sedated, non-paralysed ICU patients. End-tidal isoflurane concentration appeared to be a better indicator of clinical sedation depth than BIS.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jun 2007
Case ReportsUnsuspected colchicine overdose in a female patient presenting as an acute abdomen.
We report a case of multi-system organ failure as a result of unsuspected colchicine overdose in a patient with known gout and bulimia nervosa. The patient had initially presented with mild gastrointestinal symptoms with rapid progression to fulminant hepatic failure and multiple organ dysfunction before the causative agent was identified. The patient survived with aggressive intensive care support and ongoing medical treatment. Physicians should be aware of the risk assessment based on the ingested dose, that the clinical presentation of colchicine in toxic doses may be nonspecific with high potential for severe morbidity or death and that survival may occur despite multiple organ failure requinng aggressive support.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jun 2007
Case ReportsMyocardial depression associated with pneumococcal septic shock reversed by levosimendan.
Levosimendan is a myocardial calcium sensitiser and potassium-ATP channel opener Levosimendan has been used in critically ill patients in various conditions to support myocardial function as an inotrope, lusitrope and vasodilator. We report the use of levosimendan in a patient with invasive streptococcal septic shock.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jun 2007
Case ReportsMycoplasma pneumoniae associated with Stevens Johnson syndrome.
We describe a case of Mycoplasma pneumoniae chest infection associated with Stevens Johnson syndrome. The patient had extensive epidermal bullous vesicles, oropharyngeal and genital ulceration and required prolonged ventilation due to respiratory failure. ⋯ Secondary skin reactions are common (20 to 25%), although few patients infected develop Stevens Johnson syndrome. It has been suggested that Mycoplasma pneumoniae may be the most common infectious cause of Stevens Johnson syndrome.