Medicina intensiva
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To determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the patients with severe sepsis/septic shock admitted to the ICU of Donostia Hospital (Guipuzcoa, Spain), analyzing the prognostic factors and comparing them with the existing data at national level. ⋯ Severe sepsis is frequent in our unit, generating important morbidity and hospital stay, as well as high mortality. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of our patients are similar to those described globally at national level. Considering our data in complying with the different treatment measures, it is clear that there is still room for improvement.
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The Spanish Society of Critical Care Medicine (SEMICYUC) has recently published an updated version of Quality Indicators in Critical Care. Daily sedative interruption is included among them. As this practice is controversial, research studies are revised and guidelines for its implementation are proposed.
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It remains unknown why some intubated patients remain infection-free while others develop tracheobronchitis (VAT) or pneumonia (VAP). ⋯ Intubated patients complicated with pneumonia developed immune impairment in the pre-infection period, manifesting as a relatively lower expression of genes involved in the complement system that differed from patients developing tracheobronchitis. These findings suggest that a significant proportion of VAP episodes cannot be prevented, but might be treatable through pre-emptive therapy.
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Mechanical ventilation is a therapeutic intervention involving the temporary replacement of ventilatory function with the purpose of improving symptoms in patients with acute respiratory failure. Technological advances have facilitated the development of sophisticated ventilators for viewing and recording the respiratory waveforms, which are a valuable source of information for the clinician. The correct interpretation of these curves is crucial for the correct diagnosis and early detection of anomalies, and for understanding physiological aspects related to mechanical ventilation and patient-ventilator interaction. The present study offers a guide for the interpretation of the airway pressure and flow and volume curves of the ventilator, through the analysis of different clinical scenarios.