Critical care : the official journal of the Critical Care Forum
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Dynamic predictors are clearly superior to static pressures in predicting whether a patient will respond to a fluid bolus. Hand-carried ultrasound (HCUS) can measure changes in blood flow velocity in the brachial artery that parallel arterial pulse pressure variation. The potential for HCUS to guide fluid therapy non-invasively must overcome problems of sensitivity and applicability.
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Results from clinical studies have provided evidence for the importance of leukocyte-endothelial interactions in the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases such as acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), as well as in systemic events like sepsis and multiple organ failure (MOF). The present study was designed to investigate whether alveolar stretch due to mechanical ventilation (MV) may evoke endothelial activation and inflammation in healthy mice, not only in the lung but also in organs distal to the lung. ⋯ Our data implicate that MV causes endothelial activation and inflammation in mice without pre-existing pulmonary injury, both in the lung and distal organs.
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Despite extensive research into its pathophysiology, acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) remains a devastating syndrome with mortality approaching 40%. Pharmacologic therapies that reduce the severity of lung injury in vivo and in vitro have not yet been translated to effective clinical treatment options, and innovative therapies are needed. ⋯ In the previous issue of Critical Care, Briot and colleagues present evidence that may help clarify the inconsistent results. The authors demonstrate that, in oleic acid lung injury in dogs, the inotropic effect of beta agonists may recruit damaged pulmonary capillaries, leading to increased lung endothelial permeability.
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The intimate mechanisms of sepsis-induced delirium are unknown. Among the potential contributing factors, the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier is considered a key determinant of brain dysfunction. The complement activation is paramount to an appropriate activation of the central nervous system during stress. ⋯ Here we discuss the pro and con for inhibiting C5a to attenuate brain damage during sepsis. In particular, we discuss the hypothesis that C5a increased blood-brain barrier permeability amy ease the brain to mount an appropriate response to sepsis. Thus, blockade of C5a may be detrimental, resulting in an attenuated response of the stress system.
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The anaesthetic agent propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) has been shown to be an effective neuroprotective agent in different in vitro models of brain injury induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation. We examined its neuroprotective properties in an in vitro model of traumatic brain injury. ⋯ When used in combination, the dose-dependent neuroprotective effect of propofol is additive to the neuroprotective effect of hypothermia in an in vitro model of traumatic brain injury.