No agreement of mixed venous and central venous saturation in sepsis,independent of sepsis origin

Introduction  

Controversy remains regarding the relationship between central venous saturation (ScvO₂) and mixed venous saturation (SvO₂) and their use and interchangeability in patients with sepsis or septic shock. We tested the hypothesis that ScvO₂ does not reliably predict SvO₂ in sepsis. Additionally we looked at the influence of the source (splanchnic or non-splanchnic) of sepsis on this relationship.     

Angiotensin II in experimental hyperdynamic sepsis

Introduction  

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a potential vasopressor treatment for hypotensive hyperdynamic sepsis. However, unlike other vasopressors, its systemic, regional blood flow and renal functional effects in hypotensive hyperdynamic sepsis have not been investigated.     

The impact of crystalloid and colloid infusion on the kidney in rodent sepsis

Purpose  

Volume replacement remains one of the pillars of sepsis therapy. The effect of different volume solutions on kidney function in sepsis still remains unclear. We therefore determined the impact of crystalloid and colloid solutions on kidney function in a rodent model of abdominal sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).     

Recommendations for sepsis management in resource-limited settings

Purpose  

To provide clinicians practicing in resource-limited settings with a framework to improve the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric and adult patients with sepsis.     

The association of endothelial cell signaling,severity of illness,and organ dysfunction in sepsis

Introduction  

Previous reports suggest that endothelial activation is an important process in sepsis pathogenesis. We investigated the association between biomarkers of endothelial cell activation and sepsis severity, organ dysfunction sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, and death.     

Effects on management and outcome of severe sepsis and septic shock patients admitted to the intensive care unit after implementation of a sepsis program: a pilot study

Introduction  

The application in clinical practice of evidence-based guidelines for the management of patients with severe sepsis/septic shock is still poor in the emergency department, while little data are available for patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an in-hospital sepsis program on the adherence to evidence-based guidelines and outcome of patients with severe sepsis/septic shock admitted to the ICU.     

The late phase of sepsis is characterized by an increased microbiological burden and death rate

Introduction  

Recent models capturing the pathophysiology of sepsis and ex-vivo data from patients are speculating about immunosuppression in the so-called late phase of sepsis. Clinical data regarding survival and microbiological burden are missing. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical significance of the 'late phase' of sepsis with respect to overall survival and occurrence of microbiological findings.     

Renal bioenergetics during early gram-negative mammalian sepsis and angiotensin II infusion

Purpose  

To measure renal adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (bioenergetics) during hypotensive sepsis with or without angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion.     

CD4+ lymphocyte adenosine triphosphate determination in sepsis: a cohort study

Introduction  

Patients suffering from sepsis are currently classified on a clinical basis (i.e., sepsis, severe sepsis, septic shock); however, this clinical classification may not accurately reflect the overall immune status of an individual patient. Our objective was to describe a cohort of patients with sepsis in terms of their measured immune status.     

Recombinant human milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 produces dose-dependent benefits in sepsis

Purpose  

Animal milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 (MFG-E8) has been shown to be beneficial in attenuating the inflammatory response in sepsis. In this study, we examined the effect of recombinant human MFG-E8 (rhMFG-E8) in an animal model of sepsis in an effort to develop it as a potential therapy against sepsis in humans.     

Circulating adhesion molecules in the critically ill: A comparison between trauma and sepsis patients

Objective  

The time course of circulating adhesion molecules was monitored in traumatized and sepsis patients.     

Increased serum soluble Fas after major trauma is associated with delayed neutrophil apoptosis and development of sepsis

Introduction  

Deregulated apoptosis and overshooting neutrophil functions contribute to immune and organ dysfunction in sepsis and multiple organ failure (MOF). In the present study, we determined the role of soluble Fas (sFas) in the regulation of posttraumatic neutrophil extrinsic apoptosis and the development of sepsis.     

Quality of life of survivors from severe sepsis and septic shock may be similar to that of others who survive critical illness

Introduction  

The objective of the present study was to compare the health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) of survivors from severe sepsis and septic shock with HR-QoL in others who survived critical illness not involving sepsis.     

Impact of albumin compared to saline on organ function and mortality of patients with severe sepsis

Purpose  

To determine the effect of random assignment to fluid resuscitation with albumin or saline on organ function and mortality in patients with severe sepsis.     

Heat stress is associated with decreased lactic acidemia in rat sepsis

Background  

Elevated plasma lactate has been shown to correlate with mortality in patients with septic shock. Heat stress prior to sepsis has resulted in reduction in acute lung injury and mortality. We investigated whether heat stress resulted in decreased plasma lactate concentration and protected the lung by decreasing the inflammatory response to sepsis.     

Serum procalcitonin as a diagnostic marker for neonatal sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose  

To assess the value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) for the differentiation between patients with and without neonatal sepsis.     

Effects of discontinuing or continuing ongoing statin therapy in severe sepsis and septic shock: a retrospective cohort study

Introduction  

Recent publications suggest potential benefits from statins as a preventive or adjuvant therapy in sepsis. Whether ongoing statin therapy should be continued or discontinued in patients admitted in the intensive care unit (ICU) for sepsis is open to question.     

Updating the evidence for the role of corticosteroids in severe sepsis and septic shock: a Bayesian meta-analytic perspective

Introduction  

Current low (stress) dose corticosteroid regimens may have therapeutic advantage in severe sepsis and septic shock despite conflicting results from two landmark randomised controlled trials (RCT). We systematically reviewed the efficacy of corticosteroid therapy in severe sepsis and septic shock.     

Regulation and prognostic relevance of serum ghrelin concentrations in critical illness and sepsis

Introduction  

Ghrelin has been recently identified as a mediator of various beneficial effects in animal models of sepsis. At present, no data are available concerning specific properties of ghrelin in critically ill patients from large cohorts. In order to identify possible pathogenic functions of ghrelin in critically ill patients and human sepsis from a clinical point of view, we aimed at analyzing ghrelin serum concentrations in a large cohort of well characterized patients with critical illness.     

Angiopoietin-2 is increased in sepsis and inversely associated with nitric oxide-dependent microvascular reactivity

Introduction  

Angiopoietin-2 (ang-2), an angiogenic peptide released by endothelial cell Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs), increases endothelial activation and vascular permeability. Ang-2 is raised in severe sepsis but the mechanisms underlying this are not known. Nitric oxide (NO) inhibits WPB exocytosis, and bioavailability of endothelial NO is decreased in sepsis. We hypothesized that endothelial NO bioavailability would be inversely correlated with ang-2 concentrations in sepsis.