Critical care clinics
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Melatonin is involved in regulation of a variety of physiologic functions, including circadian rhythm, reproduction, mood, and immune function. Exogenous melatonin has demonstrated many clinical effects. ⋯ Recent studies also demonstrate the analgesic, anxiolytic, antiinflammatory, and antioxidative effects of melatonin. This article reviews the principal properties of melatonin and how these could find clinical applications in care of the critically ill patients.
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Thyroid hormone is integral for normal function, yet during illness, circulating levels of the most active form (triiodothyronine [T3]) decline. Whether this is an adaptive response in critical illness or contributes to progressive disease has remained controversial. This review outlines the basis of thyroid hormone changes during critical illness and considers the evidence regarding T3 replacement.
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Critical care clinics · Apr 2019
ReviewHemoglobin A1c and Permissive Hyperglycemia in Patients in the Intensive Care Unit with Diabetes.
Glycated hemoglobin A1c can be used to assess intensive care unit patients' level of chronic glycemic control. Compared with patients with normal glycated hemoglobin A1c, patients with elevated glycated hemoglobin A1c seem to better tolerate hyperglycemia and large glucose fluctuations during critical illness. ⋯ Observational studies suggest that more liberal targets further decrease the occurrence of hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes with elevated glycated hemoglobin A1c. Whether glycated hemoglobin A1c should be used to individualize glucose control during critical illness should be assessed in randomized trials.
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Low-dose hydrocortisone reduces the dose of vasopressors and hospital length of stay; it may also decrease the rate of hospital-acquired pneumonia and time on ventilator. No major side effect was reported, but glycemia and natremia should be monitored. ⋯ Erythropoietin did not enhance neurologic outcome of traumatic brain-injured patients; such treatment, however, could reduce the mortality in subgroups of patients. This review focuses mainly on glucocorticoids, which are the most extensively investigated treatments in hormone therapy.
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Vasodilatory shock is the final common pathway for all forms of severe shock, with sepsis the most common primary etiology and the leading cause of critical illness-related mortality. The pathophysiology of this condition remains incompletely elucidated. ⋯ The physiology of vasopressin and its interaction with the pathophysiology of vasodilatory shock are described in this review. A brief review of the major randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy and safety of vasopressin and its analogs in this complex patient cohort is also provided.