Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Apr 2011
Pressure support improves oxygenation and lung protection compared to pressure-controlled ventilation and is further improved by random variation of pressure support.
To explore whether 1) conventional pressure support ventilation improves lung function and attenuates the pulmonary inflammatory response compared to pressure-controlled ventilation and 2) random variation of pressure support levels (noisy pressure support ventilation) adds further beneficial effects to pressure support ventilation. ⋯ In this model of acute lung injury, pressure support ventilation and noisy pressure support ventilation attenuated pulmonary inflammatory response and improved gas exchange as compared to pressure-controlled ventilation. Noisy pressure support ventilation further improved gas exchange, reduced the inspiratory effort, and attenuated alveolar edema and inflammatory infiltration as compared to conventional pressure support ventilation.
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Critical care medicine · Apr 2011
Effects of balanced crystalloid vs. 0.9% saline-based vs. balanced 6% tetrastarch infusion on renal function and tubular integrity in ovine endotoxemic shock.
Conflicting data exist on the renal effects of hydroxyethyl starch preparations. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of balanced crystalloids, as well as 0.9% saline-based and balanced 6% tetrastarch solutions, on renal function and ultrastructural morphologic correlates of acute kidney injury in an established model of ovine endotoxemic shock. ⋯ The present study provides evidence that renal function, as measured by creatinine clearance and cumulative creatinine excretion as well as ultrastructural tubular integrity, is preserved with the use of 6% tetrastarch solutions despite increases in plasma levels of renal retention variables in ovine endotoxemic shock.
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Critical care medicine · Apr 2011
Relationship of a common polymorphism of the glucocorticoid receptor gene to traumatic memories and posttraumatic stress disorder in patients after intensive care therapy.
Glucocorticoids play a major role in the consolidation and retrieval of traumatic information. They act through the glucocorticoid receptor, for which, in humans, several polymorphisms have been described. In particular, the BclI single-nucleotide polymorphism is associated with hypersensitivity to glucocorticoids and with susceptibility to development of major depression. Furthermore, in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder carrying the BclI GG genotype, cortisol levels were lower and showed an inverse relationship to posttraumatic stress disorder symptom intensity. Here, we studied the association of the BclI polymorphism with plasma cortisol levels, traumatic memories, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, and health-related quality of life outcomes in 126 patients undergoing cardiac surgery and intensive care unit therapy. ⋯ Homozygous BclI G allele carriers are at risk for traumatic memories, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, and lower health-related quality of life after cardiac surgery and intensive care unit therapy. The BclI single-nucleotide polymorphism may help to identify individuals at need for tailored medical care.
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Critical care medicine · Apr 2011
Impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilatation is a novel predictor of mortality in intensive care.
Endothelial function may be impaired in critical illness. We hypothesized that impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilatation is a predictor of mortality in critically ill patients. ⋯ In vivo bedside assessment of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation is an independent predictor of mortality in the critically ill. We have shown it to be superior to other validated severity of illness scores with high sensitivity and specificity.