Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudySevere protein C deficiency is associated with organ dysfunction in patients with severe sepsis.
The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between protein C levels and temporal changes in organ dysfunction. ⋯ Severe protein C deficiency in patients with severe sepsis is associated with both the incidence and severity of organ dysfunction and subsequent worsening of organ function and may be a useful predictor of organ failure in severe sepsis.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialHydrocortisone at stress-associated concentrations helps maintain human heart rate variability during subsequent endotoxin challenge.
We evaluated the differential impact of stress-associated vs high pharmacologic concentrations of hydrocortisone pretreatment on heart rate variability (HRV) during a subsequent systemic inflammatory stimulus. ⋯ Pretreatment with a stress dose of hydrocortisone but not a higher pharmacologic dose maintained a significantly higher ApEn after endotoxin exposure when compared to a placebo. In addition, decreases in ApEn preceded increases in heart rate.