Critical care : the official journal of the Critical Care Forum
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Use of terlipressin in septic shock relies on a series of European studies resulting in a better knowledge of this vasopressive agent. Additional studies demonstrate that this agent appears to have attractive properties when administered properly. In comparison to prior reports, continuous infusion of low-dose terlipressin seems superior when administered to septic animals. For the first time in humans, Morelli and colleagues compared this mode of administration with other vasopressors.
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Liver dysfunction is a common feature of severe sepsis and is associated with a poor outcome. Both liver perfusion and hepatic inflammatory response in sepsis might be affected by sympathetic nerve activity. However, the effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA), which is associated with regional sympathetic block, on septic liver injury are unknown. Therefore, we investigated hepatic microcirculation and inflammatory response during TEA in septic rats. ⋯ This study demonstrates that TEA reverses sepsis-induced alterations in hepatic perfusion and ameliorates hepatic leukocyte recruitment in sepsis.
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Current evidence regarding potentially different host response mechanisms in sepsis according to the type of initiating infection is sporadic. It is possible that alterations in cell populations, variations in effector molecules, and the degree of apoptosis differ between sepsis caused by ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and non-VAP sepsis. VAP is one of the most common infections and leading causes of sepsis in the intensive care unit, and mortality remains high. A better understanding of the unique pathophysiologic features of VAP is needed in order to develop interventions that target those specific pathways.
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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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Recently, it has been shown in several experimental settings that the noble gases xenon and helium have neuroprotective properties. In this study we tested the hypothesis that the noble gas argon has a neuroprotective potential as well. Since traumatic brain injury and stroke are widespread and generate an enormous economic and social burden, we investigated the possible neuroprotective effect in in vitro models of traumatic brain injury and cerebral ischemia. ⋯ Argon showed a neuroprotective effect in both in vitro models of oxygen-glucose deprivation and traumatic brain injury. Our promising results justify further in vivo animal research.