Critical care : the official journal of the Critical Care Forum
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Sepsis is a life-threatening condition resulting from pathogen infection and characterized by organ dysfunction. Programmed cell death (PCD) during sepsis has been associated with the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), impacting various physiological systems including respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, neurological, hematological, hepatic, and intestinal systems. ⋯ However, recent evidence suggests that sepsis-related opportunistic pathogens can directly induce organ failure by promoting PCD in parenchymal cells of each affected organ. This study provides an overview of PCD in damaged organ and the induction of PCD in host parenchymal cells by opportunistic pathogens, proposing innovative strategies for preventing organ failure in sepsis.
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In-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) poses a considerable threat to hospitalized patients, leading to high mortality rates and severe neurological deficits among survivors. Despite the advancements in resuscitation practices, the prognosis of IHCA remains poor, and comprehensive studies exploring nationwide trends and long-term survival are scarce, particularly in the Asian populations. ⋯ Our study data revealed significant declines in the IHCA incidence and in-hospital mortality in Taiwan, along with improved long-term survival among survivors, particularly among specific subgroups. Women exhibited significantly better long-term survival as compared to men, underscoring the need to avoid sex-based treatment biases. Improvements in discharge survival rates and life expectancy were less pronounced in older survivors, indicating that age alone may not be sufficient to guide IHCA management decisions. Proactive resuscitation should be carefully considered for older patients, particularly those with mild frailty and potentially reversible conditions. Trial registration the institutional review board of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital approved all data usage and the study protocol (Registration number: 202301625B0, Registered 7 November 2023).
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Conflicting data exist regarding sex-specific outcomes after cardiac arrest. This study investigates sex disparities in the provision of critical care and outcomes of in-hospital (IHCA) and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients. ⋯ This study highlights sex disparities in short-term mortality and ICU resource allocation among cardiac arrest patients, with women potentially facing disadvantages, in particular after OHCA. The limitations of ICU registry data, particularly the lack of detailed cardiac arrest-specific and comorbidity information, restrict definitive conclusions. Future research should prioritize prospective studies with more granular data to better understand and address these disparities.