Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2017
ReviewSepsis and septic shock: Pathogenesis and treatment perspectives.
The majority of bacteremias do not develop to sepsis: bacteria are cleared from the bloodstream. Oxygen released from erythrocytes and humoral immunity kill bacteria in the bloodstream. Sepsis develops if bacteria are resistant to oxidation and proliferate in erythrocytes. ⋯ Abundant release of oxygen to the plasma triggers a cascade of events that cause: 1. oxygen delivery failure to cells; 2. oxidation of plasma components that impairs humoral regulation and inactivates immune complexes; 3. disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organs' failure. Bacterial reservoir inside erythrocytes provides the long-term survival of bacteria and is the cause of ineffectiveness of antibiotics and host immune reactions. Treatment perspectives that include different aspects of sepsis development are discussed.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2017
Review Meta AnalysisSucralfate versus histamine 2 receptor antagonists for stress ulcer prophylaxis in adult critically ill patients: A meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomized trials.
To determine the impact of using sucralfate versus H2RAs for SUP on patient important outcomes. ⋯ Moderate quality evidence suggests that sucralfate reduced ICU acquired pneumonia compared to H2RAs in adult critically ill patients, with no significant impact on GI bleeding or death.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2017
ReviewThe role of vasopressin and the vasopressin type V1a receptor agonist selepressin in septic shock.
Septic shock remains one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the critically ill. Despite early goal therapy and administration of cathecholaminergic agents, up to 30% of patients succumb to the disease. ⋯ We then review the most up-to-date evidence on the potential role of V1a receptor agonists such as Selepressin, in septic shock. Exciting new trials are being completed in order to elucidate the role of V1a receptor agonists as potential first-line vasopressor alternatives in the therapy of circulatory shock in septic patients.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2017
ReviewSepsis-associated in-hospital cardiac arrest: Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and potential therapies.
Sepsis-associated cardiac arrest is a relatively common occurrence with especially poor outcomes. Of the greater than 200,000 in-hospital cardiac arrests that occur in the United States annually, between 30,000 and 60,000 occur in patients with underlying sepsis. These patients are less likely to survive than cardiac arrest victims without sepsis. ⋯ We postulate that persistence of sepsis pathophysiology during and after cardiac arrest is responsible for these poor outcomes. This includes derangements of vascular tone and intravascular volume status; myocardial dysfunction; hypoxemia, acidemia, and other metabolic derangements; and pulmonary hypertension. Potential interventions that specifically target this pathophysiology before, during, and after cardiac arrest may augment standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation and post-resuscitation care for patients with sepsis and septic shock.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2017
ReviewTransesophageal echocardiography in the evaluation of the trauma patient: A trauma resuscitation transesophageal echocardiography exam.
The point-of-care ultrasound exam has become an essential tool for hemodynamic monitoring and resuscitation in the trauma bay as well as the intensive care unit. Transthoracic ultrasound provides a dynamic assessment of cardiac function, volume status, and fluid responsiveness that offers potential advantage over traditional methods of hemodynamic monitoring. More recently, a focused transthoracic echocardiography exam was described to improve immediate resuscitation of severely injured patients in the trauma bay. ⋯ TEE offers improved visualization of cardiac anatomy and physiology, improved diagnostic accuracy, and real-time assessment of intraoperative resuscitation progress, particularly in the operating room. This review discusses the fundamental principles of echocardiography as well as different ultrasound modes with their respective strengths and limitations. It reviews the current literature on the use of TEE in trauma, and suggests views for a trauma resuscitation transesophageal echocardiography exam (TREE), including sample images and videos.