Journal of critical care
-
Our aim was to investigate the level and the maturation status of dendritic cells (DCs) in pediatric patients with sepsis and its relation to prognosis. ⋯ Sepsis is associated with reduced level of DCs and decreases their maturation. The estimation of DCs number and maturation state may be used as prognostic makers of sepsis.
-
Journal of critical care · Oct 2013
Development and validation of a novel fusion algorithm for continuous, accurate, and automated R-wave detection and calculation of signal-derived metrics.
Previous studies have shown that heart rate complexity may be a useful indicator of patient status in the critical care environment but will require continuous, accurate, and automated R-wave detection (RWD) in the electrocardiogram (ECG). Although numerous RWD algorithms exist, accurate detection remains a challenge. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a novel fusion algorithm (Automated Electrocardiogram Selection of Peaks, or AESOP) that combines the strengths of several well-known algorithms to provide a more reliable real-time solution to the RWD problem. ⋯ By fusing several best algorithms, AESOP uses the strengths of each algorithm to perform more robustly and reliably in real time. The AESOP algorithm will be integrated into a real-time heart rate complexity software program for decision support and triage in critically ill patients.
-
Journal of critical care · Oct 2013
Intra-abdominal hypertension in the critically ill: Interrater reliability of bladder pressure measurement.
Intra-abdominal hypertension is frequently underdiagnosed and defined by intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) 12 mm Hg or higher. Increasing IAP may compromise organ viability and culminate in abdominal compartment syndrome. Bladder pressure measurement is a surrogate for IAP, but measurement properties are unknown in the intensive care unit. Our primary objective was to assess the agreement of bladder pressure measurements in critically ill patients. ⋯ Agreement on bladder pressure was high among 4 clinicians and were not significantly different between physicians and nurses. Given that medical/surgical treatments are considered on bladder pressure values, understanding their reliability is essential to monitor critically ill patients.
-
Journal of critical care · Oct 2013
Procollagen type III aminoterminal propeptide as biomarker of host response in severe sepsis.
The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that procollagen type III aminoterminal propeptide (PIIINP) is early elevated in septic episodes and can indicate the acute organ dysfunction/failure characterizing severe sepsis. ⋯ Increased serum PIIINP can signify severe sepsis/septic shock and predict which patients with sepsis will eventually develop severe sepsis/septic shock, thus representing a biomarker of risk stratification of patients with sepsis.
-
Journal of critical care · Oct 2013
Critical illness is associated with decreased plasma levels of coenzyme Q10: A cross-sectional study.
Plasma coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels are lower in patients with septic shock (SS) than in healthy controls (HCs). However, CoQ10 status in critically ill patients without SS is unknown. Here, we investigated CoQ10 concentrations in patients with SS and without SS as compared with HCs. ⋯ Decreased plasma CoQ10 levels are not specific to patients with SS, but rather observed in a broad range of critically ill patients. In critically ill patients, CoQ10 insufficiency may be associated with various conditions; age may be a risk factor.