Current opinion in critical care
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Feb 2016
ReviewStem cell therapy for acute respiratory distress syndrome: a promising future?
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a devastating disease process with a 40% mortality rate, and for which there is no therapy. Stem cells are an exciting potential therapy for ARDS, and are currently the subject of intensive ongoing research efforts. We review data concerning the therapeutic promise of cell-based therapies for ARDS. ⋯ Cell-based therapies, particularly MSCs, offer considerable promise for the treatment of ARDS. Overcoming translational challenges will be important to fully realizing their therapeutic potential for ARDS.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Feb 2016
ReviewCurrent incidence and outcome of the acute respiratory distress syndrome.
This article discusses recently published articles reporting the incidence and outcome of patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This is a difficult task since there is a marked variability regarding the methodology of the few, large epidemiological, and observational studies on ARDS. ⋯ On the basis of current evidence, it seems that the incidence and overall hospital mortality of ARDS has not changed substantially in the last decade. Independent of the definition used for identification of ARDS patients, reported population-based incidence of ARDS is an order of magnitude lower in Europe than in the USA. Current hospital mortality of combined moderate and severe ARDS reported in observational studies is greater than 40%.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Feb 2016
Review Comparative StudyThe clinical management of patients on partial/total extracorporeal support.
Despite advances in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) technology, much is unknown about the optimal management strategies for patients receiving extracorporeal support. There is a growing body of literature investigating patient selection and outcomes, mechanical ventilation approaches, anticoagulation, pharmacokinetics, early mobilization, and the role of ECMO transport among others. ⋯ Recently published data highlight the evolving management strategies of patients receiving extracorporeal support and help identify those patients most appropriate for ECMO and extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal. More data will ultimately be needed to develop an evidence-based consensus.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Feb 2016
ReviewAcute respiratory distress syndrome: the heart side of the moon.
Circulatory failure is a frequent complication during acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and is associated with a poor outcome. This review aims at clarifying the mechanisms of circulatory failure during ARDS. ⋯ The RV has a pivotal role in the circulatory failure of ARDS patients. The ventilatory strategy during ARDS has to pay a peculiar attention to the RV to rigorously control its afterload.