Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2017
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of thoracic epidural block on infection-induced inflammatory response: A randomized controlled trial.
Epidural block decreases inflammation and oxidative stress in experimental models of sepsis as well as after surgery. There is, however, no clinical evidence evaluating its effect on infection-induced inflammatory process. The present trial evaluated the effect of thoracic epidural block (TEB) on systemic inflammatory response in patients with small intestinal perforation peritonitis. Outcome measures included systemic levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, procalcitonin, and C-reactive protein and postoperative Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment scores. ⋯ Thoracic epidural block showed a trend toward better preservation of anti-inflammatory response and clinical recovery that, however, failed to achieve statistical significance (P > .05).
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2017
ReviewParacetamol in fever in critically ill patients-an update.
Fever, which is arbitrary defined as an increase in body temperature above 38.3°C, can affect up to 90% of patients admitted in intensive care unit. Induction of fever is mediated by the release of pyrogenic cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1, interleukin 6, and interferons). Fever is associated with increased length of stay in intensive care unit and with a worse outcome in some subgroups of patients (mainly neurocritically ill patients). ⋯ Paracetamol is a synthetic, nonopioid, centrally acting analgesic, and antipyretic drug. Its antipyretic effect occurs because it inhibits cyclooxygenase-3 and the prostaglandin synthesis, within the central nervous system, resetting the hypothalamic heat-regulation center. In this clinical review, we will summarize the use of paracetamol as antipyretic in critically ill patients (sepsis, trauma, neurological, and medical).
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2017
Multicenter StudyDrug-drug interactions in the intensive care unit: Do they really matter?
To describe prevalence and patterns of potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) in the intensive care unit (ICU), occurrence of adverse drug events (ADEs), and agreement between different compendia and intensivists' perceptions. ⋯ Potential drug-drug interactions occurred in most ICU patients, contrasting with low rates of potentially related ADEs, which may have been underestimated. Sources of information are inconsistent, challenging the identification of pDDIs.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2017
A simple hemodynamic parameter to predict clinical worsening in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Predicting prognosis is a cornerstone in management of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Hemodynamic parameters are among the robust indicators of right ventricular function and prognosis. In this study we have investigated the association of a simple hemodynamic parameter with clinical worsening in pulmonary arterial hypertension. ⋯ The index of cSvO2 includes both parameters of cardiac output and right ventricular filling pressure and might be beneficial in predicting clinical worsening in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
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Journal of critical care · Apr 2017
Can the cerebral regional oxygen saturation be a perfusion parameter in shock?
Shock, defined as a state of tissue hypoperfusion and the tissues reperfusion, is the main goal of management of shock. Increase in central venous saturation (CvSo2) and decrease in blood lactate level are useful in assessment of adequacy of tissue perfusion. Near-infrared spectroscopy is a noninvasive way to observe real-time changes in regional cerebral saturation and has been used in patients with different brain diseases. There is a small body of literature suggesting that cerebral regional oxygen saturation (CrSo2) monitoring added a value in assessment and management of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. ⋯ Cerebral regional oxygen saturation might be helpful as one of the perfusion parameters in patients with shock and it could have a prognostic value in mortality prediction. However, further studies with larger sample size are still needed to validate these results.