Minerva anestesiologica
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Although systemic inflammation is the hallmark of sepsis, the use of glucocorticoids remained controversial during many years. Gluco-corticoids exert key actions during sepsis, interacting with metabolism, immune and cardiovascular systems. ⋯ Improvement in survival may result from reduced duration of shock, alleviation of the systemic inflammatory response, and reduction in the number and intensity of organs dysfunction. This article summarises why, when and how glucocorticoids should be used in the management of septic shock.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Nov 2005
Correlation between hyperglycemia and mortality in a medical and surgical intensive care unit.
The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between hyperglycemia and mortality in a group of patients admitted to a medical and surgical ICU and to evaluate if the association between hyperglycemia and reason of ICU admission significantly worsens patients' outcomes. ⋯ A strict blood glucose control seems to be crucial, even in a medical and surgical ICU. The need for intensive insulin therapy, even by means of continuous infusion of insulin, to obtain the normalization of blood glucose levels, appears essential.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Nov 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyComparison of sequential combined spinal-epidural anesthesia and spinal anesthesia for cesarean section.
The aim of our study was to prove that by using sequential combined spinal-epidural (CSE) anesthesia it is possible to overcome the limits connected to the use of spinal anesthesia (SA) alone for elective cesarean section. ⋯ In our opinion sequential CSE can be considered an important step forward in the regional anesthesia used for elective cesarean section.