Critical care : the official journal of the Critical Care Forum
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Reappraisal of Pseudomonas aeruginosa hospital-acquired pneumonia mortality in the era of metallo-beta-lactamase-mediated multidrug resistance: a prospective observational study.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with high mortality rates. The metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs) are emerging enzymes that hydrolyze virtually all beta-lactams. We aimed to assess P. aeruginosa HAP mortality in a setting of high-rate MBL production ⋯ MBL-producing P. aeruginosa HAP resulted in higher mortality rates, particularly in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia, most probably related to the less frequent institution of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Therapeutic approaches should be reviewed at institutions with a high prevalence of MBL.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Empiric broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy of nosocomial pneumonia in the intensive care unit: a prospective observational study.
Antibiotic de-escalation, which consists of the initial institution of empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics followed by antibiotic streamlining driven by microbiological documentation, is thought to provide maximum benefit for the individual patient, while reducing the selection pressure for resistance. ⋯ This study mainly highlights the current practice of a specific algorithm of de-escalation solely based on the available microbiological data, and highlights the barriers to using it more widely. In this setting, de-escalation was less likely to occur in the presence of potentially multiresistant pathogens. Prior antibiotic administration and the low use of bronchoscopic techniques may have influenced negatively the implementation of de-escalation. Optimization of de-escalation strategies for NP should rely on a correct choice of empiric antibiotics, on appropriate microbiological investigations, and on a balanced interpretation of microbiological and clinical data.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Real-time ultrasound-guided catheterisation of the internal jugular vein: a prospective comparison with the landmark technique in critical care patients.
Central venous cannulation is crucial in the management of the critical care patient. This study was designed to evaluate whether real-time ultrasound-guided cannulation of the internal jugular vein is superior to the standard landmark method. ⋯ The present data suggest that ultrasound-guided catheterisation of the internal jugular vein in critical care patients is superior to the landmark technique and therefore should be the method of choice in these patients.
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Systemic inflammatory response syndrome is common after surgery, and it can be difficult to discriminate between infection and inflammation. We performed a review of the literature with the aims of describing the evolution of serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels after uncomplicated cardiac surgery, characterising the role of PCT as a tool in discriminating infection, identifying the relation between PCT, organ failure, and severity of sepsis syndromes, and assessing the possible role of PCT in detection of postoperative complications and mortality. ⋯ The dynamics of PCT levels, rather than absolute values, could be important in identifying patients with infectious complications after cardiac surgery. PCT is useful in differentiating acute graft rejection after heart and/or lung transplantation from bacterial and fungal infections. Further studies are needed to define cutoff points and to incorporate PCT levels in useful prediction models.
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The pathogenesis of sepsis-induced multiple organ failure may crucially depend on the development of mitochondrial dysfunction and consequent cellular energetic failure. According to this hypothesis, interventions aimed at preventing or reversing mitochondrial damage may have major clinical relevance, although the timing of such interventions will be critical to both ensuring benefit and avoiding harm. ⋯ The regulated induction of a hypometabolic state resembling hibernation may protect the cells from dying once energy failure has developed, allowing the possibility of functional recovery. Repair of damaged organelles through stimulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and reactivation of cellular metabolism may accelerate resolution of the multiple organ failure syndrome.