Critical care : the official journal of the Critical Care Forum
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It is now well accepted that sepsis is associated with the development of a pronounced immunosuppressive state, characterized by severe immune alterations (e.g. reduced proliferative capacity, endotoxin tolerance, apoptosis) participating in increased mortality and susceptibility to nosocomial infections. Efforts are currently aimed at restoring a functional immune response in septic patients. Successful therapy depends on the identification of appropriate immunostimulatory drugs and on the development of suitable biomarkers that could be used to stratify patients and to follow response to treatment. ⋯ Overall, mRNA expressions of a panel of genes could represent promising candidates for the ex vivo evaluation of rIFN-γ effect on monocyte functionality. This ex vivo translational research study demonstrates the potential of a mRNA-based approach to successfully monitor drug efficacy.
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Weaning from prolonged mechanical ventilation is a complex, time-consuming process that involves the loss of force/generating capacity of the inspiratory muscle. In their study 'Inspiratory muscle strength training improves the outcome in failure to wean patients: a randomized trial', Martin and colleagues showed that the use of an inspiratory muscle strength program increased the maximal inspiratory pressure and improved weaning success compared to a control group. The study was performed mainly in post-surgical patients, however, and the results, therefore, may not be generalizable to other subsets of patients, such as those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or congestive heart failure. Indeed, the study applied so-called 'strength training' and not 'endurance training', which may be more appropriate in certain circumstances.
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
A comparison of early versus late initiation of renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Our aim was to investigate the impact of early versus late initiation of renal replacement therapy (RRT) on clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). ⋯ Earlier institution of RRT in critically ill patients with AKI may have a beneficial impact on survival. However, this conclusion is based on heterogeneous studies of variable quality and only two randomised trials. In the absence of new evidence from suitably-designed randomised trials, a definitive treatment recommendation cannot be made.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
An updated study-level meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials on proning in ARDS and acute lung injury.
In patients with acute lung injury (ALI) and/or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), recent randomised controlled trials (RCTs) showed a consistent trend of mortality reduction with prone ventilation. We updated a meta-analysis on this topic. ⋯ Long duration of ventilation in prone position significantly reduces ICU mortality when only ARDS patients are considered.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
The association of near-infrared spectroscopy-derived tissue oxygenation measurements with sepsis syndromes, organ dysfunction and mortality in emergency department patients with sepsis.
Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) noninvasively measures peripheral tissue oxygen saturation (StO₂). NIRS may be utilized along with a vascular occlusion test, in which limb blood flow is temporarily occluded and released, to quantify a tissue bed's rate of oxygen exchange during ischemia and recovery. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that NIRS-derived StO₂ measures (StO₂ initial, StO₂ occlusion and StO₂ recovery) identify patients who are in shock and at increased risk of organ dysfunction (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score ≥ 2 at 24 hours) and dying in the hospital. ⋯ NIRS measurements for the StO₂ initial, StO₂ occlusion and StO₂ recovery slope were abnormal in patients with septic shock compared to sepsis patients. The recovery slope was most strongly associated with organ dysfunction and mortality. Further validation is warranted.