Shock : molecular, cellular, and systemic pathobiological aspects and therapeutic approaches : the official journal the Shock Society, the European Shock Society, the Brazilian Shock Society, the International Federation of Shock Societies
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Comparative Study
Serum S 100 B: a marker of brain damage in traumatic brain injury with and without multiple trauma.
This prospective clinical study was conducted to determine whether S 100 B is a reliable serum marker for traumatic brain injury (TBI) with and without multiple trauma. Fifty-five trauma patients (Injury Severity Score [ISS] > or = 24 and Glasgow Coma Score [GCS] < or = 8) were classified by radiography, computer tomography, ultrasound, and neurology as TBI without multiple trauma (n = 23), TBI with multiple trauma (n = 23), or multiple trauma without TBI (n = 9). S 100 B was measured initially after trauma and daily for a maximum of 21 days. ⋯ According to receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and calculation of the area under the curve (AUC), S 100 B is equally accurate for mortality prediction at 24, 48, and 72 h after trauma and is most accurate >84 h after trauma. Sensitivity/specificity for mortality prediction are more accurate in TBI without multiple trauma (AUC 0.802-0.971) than in TBI with multiple trauma (AUC 0.693-0.783). Thus, though S 100 B may be a reliable marker of brain damage in TBI without multiple trauma 24 h after trauma and thereafter, it appears to be less reliable in TBI with multiple trauma.
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Comparative Study
Endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the skin microcirculation of patients with septic shock.
The evidence for endothelial dysfunction in sepsis is mostly restricted to animal models. We investigated endothelial function in the skin microcirculation of eight patients hospitalized for septic shock in an intensive care unit (ICU). All patients required adrenergic support. ⋯ The ratio of responses to Ach and SNP did not significantly differ between groups (septic: 1.22 +/- 0.40; ICU control 1.18 +/- 0.46, healthy, nonsmoking 1.12 +/- 0.24, P = 0.86). Thus, sepsis was not associated with a selective depression of the endothelium-dependent response. These results suggest that the capacity of the endothelium to produce signals for vasorelaxation remains intact in the skin microcirculation of patients with septic shock.