Critical care : the official journal of the Critical Care Forum
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Observational Study
The modified SAVE score: predicting survival using urgent veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation within 24 hours of arrival at the emergency department.
Although many risk models have been tested in patients who undergo extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, few have been assessed for patients who received veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support in the emergency department (ED). This study aimed to successfully predict outcomes of patients with cardiac or noncardiac failure who received VA-ECMO in the ED within 24 hours of arrival at the ED. ⋯ Modified SAVE scores improved outcome prediction for patients who underwent urgent VA-ECMO in the ED.
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Experimental studies demonstrate beneficial immunological and hemodynamic effects of estradiol in animal models of sepsis. This raises the question whether estradiol contributes to sex differences in the incidence and outcomes of sepsis in humans. Yet, total estradiol levels are elevated in sepsis patients, particularly nonsurvivors. Bioavailable estradiol concentrations have not previously been reported in septic patients. The bioavailable estradiol concentration accounts for aberrations in estradiol carrier protein concentrations that could produce discrepancies between total and bioavailable estradiol levels. We hypothesized that bioavailable estradiol levels are low in septic patients and sepsis nonsurvivors. ⋯ Contrary to our hypothesis, bioavailable estradiol levels were elevated in sepsis patients, particularly nonsurvivors, and were independently associated with mortality. Whether estradiol's effects are harmful, beneficial, or neutral in septic patients remains unknown, but our findings raise caution about estradiol's therapeutic potential in this setting. Our findings do not provide an explanation for sex-based differences in sepsis incidence and outcomes.
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Oxygen delivery to cells is the basic prerequisite of life. Within the human body, an ingenious oxygen delivery system, comprising steps of convection and diffusion from the upper airways via the lungs and the cardiovascular system to the microvascular area, bridges the gap between oxygen in the outside airspace and the interstitial space around the cells. However, the complexity of this evolutionary development makes us prone to pathophysiological problems. ⋯ Beyond that, the vascular barrier is practically nowhere completely tight for water, with paracellular filtration giving rise to generally low but permanent fluid flux outwards into the interstitial space at the microvascular high pressure segment. At the more leaky venular aspect, both filtration and diffusion allow for bidirectional passage of water, nutrients, and waste products. We are just beginning to appreciate that a major factor for maintaining tissue fluid homeostasis appears to be the integrity of the endothelial glycocalyx.
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Identifying patients in the immunosuppressive phase of sepsis is essential for development of immunomodulatory therapies. Little data exists comparing the ability of the two most well-studied markers of sepsis-induced immunosuppression, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR expression and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-ɑ) production, to predict mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to compare HLA-DR expression and LPS-induced TNF-ɑ production as predictors of 28-day mortality and acquisition of secondary infections in adult septic patients. ⋯ Monocyte HLA-DR expression may be a more accurate predictor of mortality and acquisition of secondary infections than LPS-stimulated TNF-ɑ production in adult medical and surgical critically ill patients.
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Ventilator-dependent patients in the ICU often experience difficulties with one of the most basic human functions, namely communication, due to intubation. Although various assistive communication tools exist, these are infrequently used in ICU patients. We summarized the current evidence on communication methods with mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU. Secondly, we developed an algorithm for communication with these patients based on current evidence. ⋯ Although evidence is limited, results suggest that most communication methods may be effective in improving patient-healthcare professional communication with mechanically ventilated patients. A combination of methods is advised. We developed an algorithm to standardize the approach for selection of communication techniques.