Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Mar 2014
Mice Lacking the Lectin-Like Domain of Thrombomodulin Are Protected Against Melioidosis.
Thrombomodulin is a multidomain receptor primarily expressed by vascular endothelium. The lectin-like domain of thrombomodulin has anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the role of the thrombomodulin lectin-like domain in the host response to Gram-negative sepsis caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a "Tier 1" biothreat agent and the causative agent of melioidosis, a common form of community-acquired sepsis in Southeast Asia. ⋯ This study reveals for the first time a detrimental role for the thrombomodulin lectin-like domain in the host response to sepsis caused by a clinically relevant Gram-negative pathogen.
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Critical care medicine · Mar 2014
Review Meta AnalysisClinical Outcomes, Predictors, and Prevalence of Anterior Pituitary Disorders Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review.
To assess the clinical outcomes, predictors, and prevalence of anterior pituitary disorders following traumatic brain injury. ⋯ Approximately one third of traumatic brain injury patients have persistent anterior pituitary disorder. Older age, traumatic brain injury severity, and skull fractures predict anterior pituitary disorders, which in turn may be associated with higher ICU mortality. Further high-quality studies are warranted to better define the burden of anterior pituitary disorders and to identify high-risk patients.
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Critical care medicine · Mar 2014
Comparative StudyAgitated Saline Bubble-Enhanced Transthoracic Echocardiography: A Novel Method to Visualize the Position of Central Venous Catheter.
The purpose of this study is to describe a novel method to visualize the position of central venous catheters, which is safe, expeditious, and less expensive than the routine postprocedural chest radiograph. ⋯ The results revealed that the accuracy of agitated saline bubble-enhanced transthoracic echocardiography is equivalent to the chest radiograph. It offers a safe, cost-effective, expeditious alternative to routine chest radiograph for position controls of central venous catheters.