Medicina intensiva
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Review Meta Analysis
Role of plasma procalcitonin in the diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia: Systematic review and metaanalysis.
To determine the role of plasma procalcitonin (PCT) levels in diagnosing ventilator-associated pneumonia. ⋯ Our results suggest that PCT provides additional information on the risk of VAP. Inclusion of PCT in diagnostic algorithms could improve their effectiveness.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Prevention of venous thromboembolic disease in the critical patient: An assessment of clinical practice in the Community of Madrid.
To analyze measures referred to venous thromboembolic prophylaxis in critically ill patients. ⋯ Pharmacological prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin was the most frequently used venous thromboembolic prophylactic measure. In patients with contraindications to pharmacological prophylaxis, mechanical measures were little used. The use of combined prophylaxis was anecdotal. Many of our ICUs lack specific prophylaxis protocols.
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Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis are major causes of severe invasive bacterial infections in some individuals. Apparently the genetic is a major susceptibility determinant to these infectious diseases. We study if the functional polymorphisms within genes of the innate immune system (TLR2-TLR4 and CD14) are related to the predisposition to severe invasive infections caused by S. pneumoniae and N. meningitidis. ⋯ Genetical variations in the innate immune system by polymorphisms in the TLR2 and CD14, could be related with an increases susceptibility to severe invasive infections by S. pneumoniae and N. meningitidis.