Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2013
Coagulopathy, catecholamines, and biomarkers of endothelial damage in experimental human endotoxemia and in patients with severe sepsis: A prospective study.
The aim of this study was to investigate associations between circulating catecholamines, endothelial damage, and coagulopathy in experimental human endotoxemia and septic patients. ⋯ Experimental endotoxemia induced a discrete hemostatic response without sympathoadrenal activation or endothelial damage. Septic patients had high levels of catecholamines and endothelial damage biomarkers that correlated with each other and with markers of hypocoagulability and disease severity.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2013
Is vitamin D deficiency associated with development of Acinetobacter baumannii infections in critically ill patients?
A growing number of evidence demonstrates deficiency of vitamin D in critically ill patients. We aimed to evaluate the vitamin D status of our critically ill patients and its relevance to infections in these patients. ⋯ Vitamin D deficiency is common in critically ill patients. Even though there was no statistical difference between vitamin D deficient and sufficient patients regarding development of infections in general, A baumannii infections were significantly more frequent in the deficient group. Vitamin D deficiency was found as one of the independent risk factors for A baumannii infections. Further multicenter studies with a larger sample size are required to validate our data.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2013
Evaluation of hemostatic biomarker abnormalities that precede platelet count decline in critically ill patients with sepsis.
The hemostatic biomarkers for early diagnosis of sepsis-associated coagulopathy have not been identified. The purpose of this study was to evaluate hemostatic biomarker abnormalities preceding a decrease in platelet count, which is a surrogate indicator of overt coagulopathy in sepsis. ⋯ Decreased PC and α2-PI activity preceded a decrease in platelet count in intensive care unit patients with sepsis.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2013
Comparative StudyDynamic evaluation of near-infrared peripheral oximetry in healthy volunteers: A comparison between INVOS and EQUANOX.
The present study aimed to compare peripheral regional tissue oxygen saturation (rSO2) values and desaturation/resaturation rates given by INVOS and EQUANOX devices. ⋯ INVOS and EQUANOX are not comparable in measuring both absolute values and dynamic changes of peripheral rSO2 and near-infrared spectroscopy-derived parameters during occlusion vascular tests.