Current opinion in critical care
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Study of organ crosstalk in critical illness has uncovered complex biological communication between different organ systems, but the role of microbiota in organ crosstalk has received limited attention. We highlight the emerging understanding of the gut-lung axis, and how the largest biomass of the human body in the gut may affect lung physiology in critical illness. ⋯ A growing body of evidence supports the pathophysiological relevance of the gut-lung axis, yet we are only at the brink of understanding the therapeutic and prognostic relevance of the gut microbiome, metabolites and host-microbe interactions in critical illness.
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Many critically ill patients face physical, mental or neurocognitive impairments up to years later, the etiology remaining largely unexplained. Aberrant epigenetic changes have been linked to abnormal development and diseases resulting from adverse environmental exposures like major stress or inadequate nutrition. Theoretically, severe stress and artificial nutritional management of critical illness thus could induce epigenetic changes explaining long-term problems. We review supporting evidence. ⋯ Epigenetic abnormalities induced by critical illness or its nutritional management provide a plausible molecular basis for their adverse effects on long-term outcomes. Identifying treatments to further attenuate these abnormalities opens perspectives to reduce the debilitating legacy of critical illness.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Apr 2023
ReviewNeurological complications of critically ill COVID-19 patients.
COVID-19 and systemic critical illness are both associated with neurological complications. We provide an update on the diagnosis and critical care management of adult patients with neurological complications of COVID-19. ⋯ Our review highlights the importance of a multimodal approach for the accurate diagnosis and management of complications of COVID-19, both at the acute phase and in the long-term.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Apr 2023
ReviewTransfusion medicine approaches for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage patients.
Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the deadliest stroke subtype. Acute treatments necessitate rapid hemorrhage control to minimize secondary brain injury. Here, we discuss the overlap of transfusion medicine and acute ICH care relating to diagnostic testing and therapies relevant for coagulopathy reversal and secondary brain injury prevention. ⋯ Further work is needed to identify improved laboratory diagnostic approaches and transfusion medicine treatment strategies to prevent HE and optimize hemorrhage control in ICH patients, who appear particularly vulnerable to the impacts of transfusion medicine practices.
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To describe the available neuromonitoring tools in patients who are comatose after resuscitation from cardiac arrest because of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI). ⋯ Neuromonitoring provides essential information to detect complications, individualize treatment and predict prognosis in patients with HIBI.