Minerva anestesiologica
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Arginine vasopressin (AVP) and its synthetic, long-acting analog terlipressin (TP) are potent alternative vasoconstrictors in the treatment of septic patients with catecholamine-refractive vasodilatatory shock. The results from one large randomized clinical trial suggest that AVP plus norepinephrine (NE) infusion is as safe and effective as treatment with NE alone in patients with septic shock. Because the desired effects of vasopressin analogs are basically related to their vasopressinergic effects via the V1a receptor, more selective V1 agonists, such as TP, may be more potent in reversing sepsis-related arterial hypotension. ⋯ However, because clinical data on the administration of TP in patients with sepsis are limited, it should not currently be used beyond the scope of controlled trials. The optimal time point for the initiation of therapy with vasopressin analogs has yet to be determined. While AVP and TP are commonly used as last-resort therapies in severe septic shock, some evidence supports the initiation of treatment in a less severe state of the disease.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Oct 2010
ReviewPseudomonas aeruginosa: acute lung injury or ventilator-associated pneumonia?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is a Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and polar-flagella bacterium with unipolar motility. Furthermore, it is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for ventilator-acquired pneumonia (VAP). VAP due to P. aeruginosa is usually multidrug-resistant and associated with severe infection and increased mortality. The goals of this review are as follows: (I) to present selected recent epidemiological literature characterizing the population at risk of P. aeruginosa pneumonia, (II) to describe some of the virulence factors of P. aeruginosa that are related to infection, and (III) to illustrate clinical outcomes of ventilated patients with large burdens of P. aeruginosa as well as the mechanism by which this bacterium may evade the host immune response.
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Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are major health problems worldwide. Critical care physicians have long recognized that there are patients who progress poorly despite therapy while others do unexpectedly better than it might be predicted. It is now well accepted that these responses might be related to variations in the genome. ⋯ The identification of important associations between genotype and clinical outcomes will have an impact on the development of more efficient genotype- or phenotype-guided therapies for patients with ALI/ARDS. Using this point of view, we will discuss some of the advances in genetic association studies in relation to the occurrence and severity of ALI/ARDS. In addition, we will also discuss the strategic and medical implications of using genetic testing to detect or predict the occurrence and prognosis of ALI/ARDS.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Oct 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyPropofol versus sevoflurane for fiberoptic intubation under spontaneous breathing anesthesia in patients difficult to intubate.
The most recommended technique for the management of patients with a difficult airway is fiberoptic intubation (FOI). The aim of this study was to compare propofol and sevoflurane for FOI performance in patients who were difficult to intubate. ⋯ Propofol and sevoflurane provide a high success rate for the performance of FOI in patients who are difficult to intubate.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Oct 2010
ReviewCoagulopathy and platelet disorders in critically ill patients.
Coagulation disorders are common among intensive care patients and may range from isolated thrombocytopenia or prolonged global clotting tests to complex defects, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation. There are many causes for deranged coagulation in critically ill patients and each of these underlying disorders may require specific therapeutic management. Hence, a proper differential diagnosis and the initiation of adequate (supportive) treatment strategies are crucial to reduce morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients with coagulation abnormalities.