Critical care clinics
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The thrombotic microangiopathies (TMA) are a group of diseases associated with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and end-organ dysfunction. These seemingly disparate entities share in common a pathogenic mechanism involving endothelial injury and thrombus formation. Prognosis and treatment depend on the nature of the underlying disease.
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Critical care clinics · Apr 2002
ReviewCritical care issues in the patient with chronic renal failure.
The metabolic abnormalities associated with chronic renal failure and complications of the dialysis procedure present unique challenges in critical care medicine. Understanding how renal failure impacts the development and management of cardiovascular disease, bleeding tendencies, infection, and malnutrition is necessary to provide optimal care for these patients. The recognition of ESRD as a state of chronic inflammation and increased oxidative stress ultimately should lead to more effective treatment approaches for several of the comorbid conditions common in this patient population.
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Critical care clinics · Apr 2002
ReviewEvaluation and treatment of vasculitis in the critically ill patient.
The systemic vasculitides, if left untreated, often lead to major organ damage and death. When a patient presents with features that may be consistent with vasculitis, especially with pulmonary and renal findings, it is important to make a specific diagnosis as quickly as possible so that specific therapy can be started. ⋯ The diagnosis may be even more difficult in patients with established diagnoses of vasculitis on immunosuppressive treatment who develop new clinical findings. Rapid initiation of immunosuppressive therapy for critically ill patients with vasculitis is crucial and may be life-saving.
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Critical care clinics · Apr 2002
ReviewClinical approach to disorders of salt and water balance. Emphasis on integrative physiology.
Our purpose was to illustrate the utility of an approach that begins with simple principles of physiology to patients who have a disturbance in salt and water balance (Table 1). At times, the physiology is restricted to the kidney and body fluid compartments. In these settings, the goals of therapy are defined by calculating a tonicity balance--electrolyte-free water balances simply do not provide the needed information [3]. ⋯ With acute hyponatremia, the objective is to diminish brain cell swelling especially if even mild symptoms are present. In contrast, the objective in the patient with chronic hyponatremia is to prevent ODS. An even slower rate of rise of the PNa is required in patients who are malnourished and/or K+ depleted.
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Metabolic acidosis is a common occurrence in critically ill patients. Understanding the pathological mechanisms underlying the generation of protons will enable the clinician to quickly recognize these disorders and establish an acceptable treatment strategy. This article presents a logical approach to metabolic acidosis.