Critical care : the official journal of the Critical Care Forum
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of vasopressinergic receptor agonists on sublingual microcirculation in norepinephrine-dependent septic shock.
The present study was designed to determine the effects of continuously infused norepinephrine (NE) plus (1) terlipressin (TP) or (2) arginine vasopressin (AVP) or (3) placebo on sublingual microcirculation in septic shock patients. The primary study end point was a difference of ≥ 20% in the microvascular flow index of small vessels among groups. ⋯ The present study suggests that to achieve a MAP of 65 to 75 mmHg in septic patients treated with NE, the addition of continuously infused low-dose TP or AVP does not affect sublingual microcirculatory blood flow. In addition, our results suggest that microcirculatory flow abnormalities are mainly related to other factors (for example, volume status, timing, hemodynamics and progression of the disease) rather than to the vasopressor per se.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
A comparison of estimates of glomerular filtration in critically ill patients with augmented renal clearance.
Increasingly, derived estimates of glomerular filtration, such as the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) equation and Cockcroft-Gault (CG) formula are being employed in the intensive care unit (ICU). To date, these estimates have not been rigorously validated in those with augmented clearances, resulting in potentially inaccurate drug prescription. ⋯ Derived estimates of GFR are inaccurate in the setting of ARC, and should be interpreted with caution by the physician. A measured CLCR should be performed to accurately guide drug dosing.
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Review Comparative Study
Treatment of candidemia in adult patients without neutropenia--an inconvenient truth.
In 2009 the Infectious Diseases Society of America reviewed the guidelines on the treatment of candidemia in non-neutropenic patients. In this document the preferred treatment was either fluconazole or an echinocandin. Amphotericin-B formulations were considered an alternative. However, careful assessment of published data showed similar efficacy between these drugs.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Short-term effects of high-dose oral vitamin D3 in critically ill vitamin D deficient patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study.
Vitamin D deficiency is encountered frequently in critically ill patients and might be harmful. Current nutrition guidelines recommend very low vitamin D doses. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a single oral high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation in an intensive care setting over a one-week observation period. ⋯ This pilot study shows that a single oral ultra-high dose of cholecalciferol corrects vitamin D deficiency within 2 days in most patients without causing adverse effects like hypercalcemia or hypercalciuria. Further research is needed to confirm our results and establish whether vitamin D supplementation can affect the clinical outcome of vitamin D deficient critically ill patients. EUDRACT NUMBER: 2009-012080-34 GERMAN CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTER (DRKS): DRKS00000750.