Lijec̆nic̆ki vjesnik
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Lijec̆nic̆ki vjesnik · Jan 2010
[Hypothermia after cardiac arrest--underused method that saves lives].
Cardiorespiratory arrest causes ischemia and lesion of all organ systems, but the central nervous system is the most vulnerable. It is known that only few minutes of hypoperfusion and ischemia can cause irreversible damage to the brain which is the major frustration of reanimatology. ⋯ Methods for induction and maintenance of hypothermia are numerous and various, basically divided into invasive and non-invasive, each with its own advantages and disadvantages which are described in this paper. Despite recognised positive effects of mild therapeutic hypothermia after resuscitation from cardiac arrest, the method is not fully implemented as a standard method in post-resuscitation period.
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Troponin T and I are sensitive and specific markers of myocardial necrosis. They are used for the routine diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. ⋯ The new, high sensitivity tests which have been developed recently allow earlier and more accurate diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. The use of the new tests has not been studied in critically ill patients, but they will probably replace the old tests and will be used on the routine basis.
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Lijec̆nic̆ki vjesnik · Jan 2010
Review[Lipopeptides and oxazolidinones--novel antibiotics in MRSA infection treatment].
Last few years vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus and vancomycin-resistent S. aureus have emerged, giving us a task to reevaluate susceptiblity to vancomycin in treatment of methicillin-resistent S. aureus (MRSA) infections. It is also oportunity to review necessity for new generation of antibiotics in treatment of MRSA infections. Efficacy of vancomycin treatment in MRSA bacteriemia is associated with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and speed of killing colonies. ⋯ That's one of the reasons why there is novel antibiotic therapy for MRSA investigated, especially daptomycin and linezolid. Daptomycin is lipopeptide and an important optional antibiotic in MRSA infections treatment: bacteremia and endocarditis, even the tricuspidal valve endocarditis. Linezolid, as novel oxazolidinon, has shown good activity against gram-positive bacteria, especially in treatment of nosocomial pneumonia and complicated skin and soft tissue infections caused by MRSA.
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Lijec̆nic̆ki vjesnik · Jan 2010
Practice Guideline[News in hemodynamic monitoring, resuscitation and intensive care of patients after cardiac surgery: "Guidelines for resuscitation in cardiac arrest after cardiac surgery" of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery].
In order to simplify and to standardize procedures during cardiac arrest in patients after cardiac surgery and for professional medical staff education, working group of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery issued in 2009 "Guideline for resuscitation in cardiac arest after cardiac surgery". There are several differences between these guidelines and guidelines for general population: in ventricular fibrillation, three sequential attempts at defibrillation should precede external cardiac massage; in asystole or extreme bradycardia, pacing should precede external cardiac massage. Where the above measures fail, and in pulseless electrical activity, early resternotomy is advocated. ⋯ Also protocols for excluding reversible airway and breathing complications and for safe emergency resternotomy are given. These guidelines in very simple and professional way define rules for resuscitation of patients after cardiac surgery. It is a useful manual which will certainly find its place in daily work of professional medical staff involved in healthcare of these patients.
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Lijec̆nic̆ki vjesnik · Jan 2010
Continous monitoring of central venous oxygen saturation in children and infants.
Maintenance of adequate tissue oxygenation is an important task in intensive care units. There are many variables which are measured for this purpose. Central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) monitoring has some advantages over the mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) monitoring in children and infants as there is no need to insert a pulmonary catheter. The clinical usefulness seems promising.