Der Anaesthesist
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There is uncertainty whether surgical patients with severe sepsis have a benefit from therapy with Drotrecogin alfa (activated). In the PROWESS and ENHANCE studies 4,068 patients were included and 3,228 were treated with Drotrecogin alfa (activated). Approximately 28% of the PROWESS patients and 41% of the ENHANCE patients were surgical patients. ⋯ Serious bleeding was more frequent in patients treated with Drotrecogin alfa (activated): 2.4-3.6% vs. 1.0% in the placebo group. In surgical patients bleeding was not more frequent than in non-surgical patients (3.1% vs. 2.1%, difference not significant). Surgical patients with severe sepsis, especially with peritonitis, should receive therapy with Drotrecogin alfa (activated), if severely ill.
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In recent years great efforts in clinical sepsis research have led to a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and new therapeutic approaches including drugs and supportive care. Despite this success, severe sepsis remains a serious health care problem. Each year approximately 75,000 patients in Germany and approximately 750,000 patients in the USA suffer from severe sepsis. ⋯ Some drugs and strategies already offer promising results and will probably play a major role in the future. Even though their cost-effectiveness is likely, intensive care medicine has to carry a substantial economic burden. This article summarizes studies focusing on the evaluation of direct or indirect costs of sepsis and the cost-effectiveness of new therapies.
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Drotrecogin alpha (recombinant human activated protein C, rhAPC; Xigris) is an immune modulating treatment principle that has been shown to significantly reduce mortality in patients with severe sepsis. Currently, the identification of patients in intensive care that may benefit from such a treatment is insufficient. The importance of this evidence-based treatment modality is commonly ignored for reasons of increased cost. ⋯ This may benefit patients with severe sepsis of not longer than 48 h duration, an APACHE II score of > or =25 or > or =2 failing organs and no exclusion criteria. Extending the indication beyond this group should be discussed as a last resort in patients with a fulminant clinical course, such as in meningitis, and based on data from retrospective subgroup analyses. Patients with severe sepsis following community-acquired pneumonia with progressive organ dysfunction may also benefit from activated protein C treatment in addition to an otherwise best standard of care.
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Awake craniotomy in tumor and epilepsy surgery or for the implantation of electrodes for deep brain stimulation requires specific anesthesiological strategies. Propofol allows for quick emergence and has little effect on the respiratory function of the usually spontaneously breathing patient. ⋯ The airway may be secured by an ordinary Magill tube placed transnasally with its tip underneath the epiglottis. To protect the patient against vomiting an adequate antiemetic prophylaxis is required.
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Argatroban is a direct, selective and reversible active site thrombin inhibitor derived from L-arginine. It is a representative of a new class of antithrombotic drugs which offer inhibition of clot-bound as well as fluid-phase thrombin. Argatroban is characterised by favourable pharmacokinetics (beta-elimination half-time approximately 40-50 min) undergoing hepatic metabolism and mainly biliary excretion. ⋯ The ease of monitoring with the activated partial thromboplastin time, lack of induction of antibodies and adequate safety in renal failure patients, make this drug a favourable mode therapy in comparison with other anticoagulants such as lepirudin or heparinoids. Since June 2005 argatroban has been approved in Germany for the treatment of patients with HIT type II. The main characteristics of the drug with special considerations for anaesthesiologists and intensive care physicians are presented in this review.