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
-
Acute pancreatitis has an incidence of approximately 40 cases per year per 100,000 adults. Although usually self-limiting, 10% to 20% of afflicted patients will progress to severe pancreatitis. The mortality rate among patients with severe pancreatitis may approach 30% when they progress to multisystem organ failure. ⋯ Full understanding of these basic mechanisms involves determining not only which mediators are present, but also closely documenting the kinetics of their appearance. Measurement of the inflammatory response may also serve to identify diagnostic markers for the presence of acute pancreatitis and provide insight into prognosis. Understanding the models, documenting the markers, and deciphering the mediators have the potential to improve treatment of acute pancreatitis.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Diagnostic accuracy of left ventricular function for identifying sepsis among emergency department patients with nontraumatic symptomatic undifferentiated hypotension.
The hypothesis of this study states that in emergency department (ED) patients with non-traumatic symptomatic hypotension, the presence of hyperdynamic left ventricular function (LVF) is specific for sepsis as the etiology of shock. We performed a secondary analysis of patients with non-traumatic symptomatic hypotension enrolled in a randomized, clinical diagnostic trial. The study was done in an urban tertiary ED with a census over 100,000 visits per year. ⋯ The sensitivity and specificity of hyperdynamic LVF for predicting sepsis were 33% (95% CI 19%-50%) and 94% (85%-98%), respectively. Hyperdynamic LVF had a positive likelihood ratio of 5.3 for the diagnosis of sepsis and was a strong independent predictor of sepsis as the final diagnosis with an odds ratio of 5.5 (95% CI 1.1-45). Among ED patients with non-traumatic undifferentiated symptomatic hypotension, the presence of hyperdynamic LVF on focused echo is highly specific for sepsis as the etiology of shock.
-
Severe trauma induces sustained changes of the immune response, which are thought to be related to secondary organ dysfunction. Despite a similar injury severity, the extent of the inflammatory response may vary between polytraumatized patients. It is unclear whether inflammatory variability is associated with genetic variations. ⋯ A significantly higher incidence of the IL-6-174G allele and the IL-6-174G homozygous genotype in +SIRS patients was observed. The IL-6-174G/C polymorphism was associated with the severity of posttraumatic SIRS. This data points toward a genetic predisposition regarding an enhanced inflammatory response after polytrauma that may be associated with adverse outcome.
-
Meningococcal septic shock is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children and young adults worldwide and is the prototypical gram-negative septic shock. One of the key factors in the development of shock is increased microvascular permeability. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a central factor in angiogenesis and is an important mediator of vascular permeability. ⋯ In all patients, a decrease in VEGF was associated with a decrease in fluid intake during t=24 to 48 h. The results suggest that apart from correlation with IL-1 beta, -10, -12, and complement activation, microvascular permeability in sepsis is also closely linked to the plasma concentration of VEGF. The role of VEGF in sepsis-associated increased microvascular permeability needs further exploration and may represent a new therapeutic target.
-
The release of the immunomodulator, interleukin 18 (IL-18) into sera early in acute pancreatitis (AP) corresponds to disease severity. IL-18 induces nitric oxide (NO), which is involved in the pathophysiology of pancreatitis. The objective of this study was to clarify the role of IL-18 in pathogenesis and NO production during early AP using recombinant mouse (rm) IL-18 protein and IL-18 gene knockout (KO) mice. ⋯ Administration of aminoguanidine, a selective iNOS inhibitor, before AP induction abolished the protective effect of pretreatment with rmIL-18 on pancreatic injury. IL-18 appears to protect the pancreas during early induced-induced AP in mice, probably through induction of NO release from an iNOS source. IL-18 may be a target for new AP therapeutics.