Intensive care medicine
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T helper 1 (Thl) lymphocytes produce interferon gamma (IFNgamma), favouring cell mediated immunity; Th2 cells secrete interleukin-4 (IL-4), favouring humoral immunity. Cytokines produced in sepsis may effect Th subset predominance and subsequent immune responses. ⋯ In patients with sepsis, Th2 antibody mediated (humoral) immune responses predominate. This type of response may lead to fibroblast activation and ultimately immunosuppression. Modulation of Th cell subset predominance may present a novel therapeutic option in the treatment of severe sepsis.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 1999
The use of noninvasive pressure support ventilation for severe respiratory insufficiency due to pulmonary oedema.
Experimental use of noninvasive pressure support ventilation (NIPSV) in patients with severe pulmonary oedema who would have been intubated if noninvasive ventilation were not available. ⋯ NIPSV is a highly effective technique with which to treat patients with severe cardiogenic pulmonary oedema.
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Intensive care medicine · Jan 1999
Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in critically ill patients: incidence over six years and associated factors.
Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with a high mortality. The present study sought to determine the incidence of spontaneous ICH in an intensive care unit (ICU) and associated factors. ⋯ Spontaneous nonhypertensive ICH is a rare, fatal event in the ICU. Associated factors include thrombocytopenia, the need for mechanical ventilation, elevated PIP and PaCO2, sepsis, and impaired hepatic and renal function.