Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2017
Multicenter Study Observational StudyClinical predictors of early death from sepsis.
Patients with severe sepsis who experience rapid, early deterioration and death are of particular concern. Our objective was to identify predictors of early death in Emergency Department (ED) patients with severe sepsis. ⋯ Initial serum lactate and mSOFA score were independent predictors of mortality within 24h of ED admission in patients with severe sepsis.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2017
Multicenter Study Observational StudyDelirium and exposure to psychoactive medications in critically ill adults: A multi-centre observational study.
Investigate the relationship between psychoactive drugs and delirium. ⋯ The identification of psychoactive drugs as modifiable delirium risk factors plays an important role in the management of critically ill patients. This is particularly important given the burden of exposure and combinations of drugs used in this vulnerable patient population.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2017
ReviewEncephalitis and myelitis in tropical countries: Report from the Task Force on Tropical Diseases by the World Federation of Societies of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine.
Tropical diseases are those that occur primarily or solely in the tropics, and as such include infectious diseases that are particularly prevalent in hot, humid conditions. The incidence of encephalitis in tropical countries is reported to be as high as 6.34/100,000/year. ⋯ Transverse myelitis (TM) is an inflammation of the spinal cord which has a wide variety of clinical presentations depending on the degree (severity of myelin and neuronal injury) and site of spinal cord involvement. In the present article we discuss the various forms of tropical, viral encephalitides and myelitis and the diagnosis and management.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2017
ReviewViral hemorrhagic fever in the tropics: Report from the task force on tropical diseases by the World Federation of Societies of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine.
Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are a group of illnesses caused by four families of viruses namely Arenaviruses, Filoviruses, Bunyaviruses, and Flaviviruses. Humans are not the natural reservoir for any of these organisms and acquire the disease through vectors from animal reservoirs. ⋯ The resultant microvascular damage leads to increased vascular permeability, organ dysfunction and even death. The management is generally supportive but antiviral agents are of benefit in certain circumstances.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2017
Multicenter StudyZika virus-induced neurological critical illness in Latin America: Severe Guillain-Barre Syndrome and encephalitis.
Zika virus (ZIKAV) is classically described as causing minor symptoms in adult patients, however neurologic complications have been recognized. The recent outbreak in Central and South America has resulted in serious illness in some adult patients. We report adult patients in Latin America diagnosed with ZIKAV infection admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs). ⋯ Differing from what was usually reported, ZIKAV infection can result in life-threatening neurologic illness in adults, including GBS and encephalitis. Collaborative reporting to identify severe illness from an emerging pathogen can provide valuable insights into disease epidemiology and clinical presentation, and inform public health authorities about acute care priorities.