Drotrecogin alfa: a new approach in the treatment of severe sepsis

Severe sepsis is a common and frequently fatal condition. Evidence showing a link between the coagulation system and the inflammatory response to sepsis led to the development of drotrecogin alfa (activated) as an agent in the treatment of sepsis. This recombinant form of the natural protein, activated protein C (Xigris^TM, Eli Lilly & Co.), has been shown to significantly reduce mortality in a large randomised, controlled Phase III study involving 1690 patients. The exact mode of action of drotrecogin alfa (activated) remains uncertain, although it clearly combines anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory properties. Although associated with an increased risk of bleeding, this is usually procedure-related rather than spontaneous. Although costly, this is a drug that effectively reduces mortality rates in patients with severe sepsis.     

原发性高血压并糖尿病老年患者血压与靶器官损害的关联性研究

目的:探讨原发性高血压合并糖尿病老年患者血压与靶器官损害的关联性。方法:将本院收治的70例高血压合并糖尿病患者纳入A组,68例单纯高血压患者纳入B组,52例单纯糖尿病患者纳入C组,并将同时期的46例健康体检志愿者纳入D组。对四组患者的临床指标进行统计学分析。结果:A组患者的TC、LDL-C以及IMT水平均显著高于B、C两组;与B组比较,A组患者的24 h SBP、n SBP水平显著增高,同时24 h DBP、d DBP显著降低;A组患者的靶器官损害比例也显著高于其他组,比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:原发性高血压合并糖尿病能够显著加重患者的血压变异性以及靶器官的损害程度。     

Adrenocortical function and multiple organ failure in severe sepsis

BACKGROUND: Some patients with severe sepsis may have relative adrenocortical insufficiency, although not all studies confirm this finding. Corticosteroids play an important role in controlling excessive immune response, and they may reduce the severity of organ dysfunction in critical illness. In this prospective study, we investigated the incidence of adrenal insufficiency in severe sepsis and its relation to the development of multiple organ failure. METHODS: Forty-one patients meeting the criteria for severe sepsis were studied. A short ACTH stimulation test was carried out within 24 h of the diagnosis of sepsis. Peak serum cortisol level < 680 nmol/L and a rise of less than 260 nmol/L were used as the criteria for relative adrenocortical insufficiency. RESULTS: Relative adrenocortical insufficiency was detected in six patients. Duration of the ICU stay (P = 0.002) and mechanical ventilation (P = 0.024) were significantly longer in patients with impaired adrenal function. In the survivors, SOFA scores were significantly higher in patients with impaired adrenal function. The plasma ACTH levels were normal in most of the patients with relative adrenal insufficiency, whereas most patients with normal adrenal function had extremely low plasma ACTH levels. CONCLUSION: The ICU stay was longer and multiple organ failure more severe in patients with impaired adrenocortical function. There was a clear dissociation between ACTH and cortisol levels in AAR patients. This finding suggests that the integrity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis may be impaired in severe sepsis.     

Dental care and oral health in solid organ transplant recipients: a single center cross-sectional study and survey of German transplant centers

Aim of this study was to collect information about oral health of patients before and after SOT as well as information about center‐based recommendations for dental care. In a single center cross‐sectional study, the oral situation of 20 patients before and 20 after SOT were examined including dental (DMF‐T), periodontal (PSR^®/PSI), and oral hygiene findings (modified QHI). In a second project, a survey among 50 transplant centers in Germany was questioned regarding their recommendations for dental care of SOT recipients. Patients before and after SOT showed similar quality of dental findings (DMF‐T), but worse compared to the general population. In addition, most patients in both groups showed pronounced periodontal treatment need (PSR^®/PSI score 3 or 4). Oral hygiene findings (modified QHI) after SOT were significantly worse than in patients on the waiting list (P = 0.032). In a second project, the questionnaire was returned by 28 of 50 centers. Interpretation of data showed that 89% carry out a dental examination before SOT and 67% contacted the patients’ dentists. After SOT, 83% of the transplant centers recommend antibiotic cover before dental measures. The results of our study revealed lacks in the dental care of SOT recipients. Consistent recommendations regarding the dental care of patients before and after SOT should be determined.     

Blood utilization in children managed non-operatively for blunt solid organ injury

BACKGROUND: Blood product utilization is an important issue in health care, given the frequent shortages in hospitals and the societal burden required to maintain the supply. Therefore, we retrospectively audited our blunt spleen/liver trauma experience to determine the percentage of cross-matched blood that was transfused to see whether more stringent typing criteria should be applied. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a recent 7-year experience with nonoperative management in patients with blunt spleen or liver injury was performed. Demographics, packed red blood cells prepared by cross-match, and transfusions were measured. Unmatched, O-type blood given in the trauma bay was excluded. Patients undergoing laparotomy for solid organ injury were excluded. Data are expressed as mean +/- standard deviation. RESULTS: During the study period, 130 patients were nonoperatively managed for spleen and/or liver injury. Mean age was 8.7 +/- 4.6 years, and 62% were male. The mean grade of injury was 2.4 +/- 0.9. A total of 187 units of packed red blood cells was ordered in 60 patients. A total of 46.5 units was administered to 22 patients, revealing a 24.9% transfusion rate for the units ordered in 36.7% of the patients for whom it was ordered. When patients with other major injuries and those with ongoing bleeding requiring an operation or who clinically required blood on presentation were excluded, there were 80 patients. In this stable population, 104 units of PRBCs were ordered for 29 patients. A total of 18 units was then transfused in 5 patients, for a 17.3% transfusion rate for the units orders in 17.2% of the patients for whom it was ordered. None of the 5 patients received transfusion the day of admission. CONCLUSION: Hemodynamically stable patients with blunt spleen/liver injury triaged to conservative management should have their blood typed and be monitored closely for signs or laboratory values that would mandate a cross-match. According to our data, this strategy would safely improve utilization of blood bank resources.     

Static cold storage preservation of ischemically damaged kidneys. a comparison between IGL-1 and UW solution.

Especially in damaged organs, adequate organ preservation is critically important to maintain viability. Institut Georges Lopez-1 (IGL-1) is a new preservation solution, with an extracellular sodium/potassium ratio and polyethylene glycol as a colloid. The influence of warm and cold ischemia was evaluated in a rat Lewis-Lewis transplant model with a follow up of 14 days. Eight groups of donation after cardiac death donor kidneys were studied with warm ischemia of 0 and 15 min followed by 0- or 24-h cold storage (CS) preservation in IGL-1 or UW-CSS. Blood was collected daily during the first week and at day 14. Recipients were placed in metabolic cages at day 4 and 14 after transplantation allowing urine collection and adequate measurement of glomerular filtration rate. Focussing on inflammation, reactive oxygen species production, proximal tubule damage, proteinuria, histology, and renal function after transplantation we could not show any relevant difference between IGL-1 and UW-CSS. Furthermore, the combination of 15-min warm ischemia and by 24-h cold ischemia did not result in life sustaining kidney function after transplantation, irrespective of the used solution. In the present experiment, static CS preservation of ischemically damaged rat kidneys in either IGL-1 or UW-CSS rendered equal results after transplantation.     

连续性血液透析滤过对MODS犬肝肾IL-6和IL-10 mRNA表达的影响

目的：探讨连续性血液透析滤过（CVVHDF）后多器官功能障碍综合征（MODS）犬肝、肾组织白细胞介素-6（IL-6）和白细胞介素-10（IL-10）mRNA表达水平的变化及意义。方法：15只雄性Beagle犬,采用失血性休克＋复苏灌注＋内毒素血症复制MODS模型,随机分为CVVHDF组（n=8）和MODS组（n=7）,CVVHDF组在内毒素注射完毕后给予CVVHDF治疗12h,MODS组不给CVVHDF治疗。测定各器官功能相关指标,同时应用半定量逆转录-聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）测定两组肝、肾组织中IL-6、IL-10mRNA表达水平。结果：CVVHDF组治疗后肝、肾功能有关指标水平均有不同程度的改善;与MODS组相比,在内毒素注射后3h及以后各时间点,血清肌酐（Scr）、尿素氮（BUN）水平显著降低（P〈0.05）;器官衰竭发生率较MODS组明显降低（37.5%vs85.7%,P〈0.05）;MODS组肝、肾组织IL-6mRNA表达水平显著高于正常对照组和CVVHDF组（P〈0.01）,而CVVHDF组肝、肾组织IL-10 mRNA表达水平显著高于正常对照组和MODS组（P〈0.01）。结论：连续性血液透析滤过能明显改善肾功能,CVVHDF早期应用可以降低MODS肝、肾组织IL-6/IL-10mRNA比值,有助于重建机体免疫系统内稳状态。     

Liver and Intestine Transplantation in the United States, 1997–2006

Liver transplantation in 2006 generally resembled previous years, with fewer candidates waiting for deceased donor liver transplants (DDLT), continuing a trend initiated with the implementation of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD). Candidate age distribution continued to skew toward older ages with fewer children listed in 2006 than in any prior year. Total transplants increased due to more DDLT with slightly fewer living donor liver transplants (LDLT). Waiting list deaths and time to transplant continued to improve. In 2006, there also were fewer DDLT for patients with MELD <15, fewer pediatric Status 1A/B transplants and more transplants from donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors. Adjusted patient and graft survival rates were similar for LDLT and DDLT. This article also contains in-depth analyses of transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recipients with HCC had lower adjusted 3-year posttransplant survival than recipients without HCC. HCC recipients who received pretransplant ablative treatments had superior adjusted 3-year posttransplant survival compared to HCC recipients who did not. Intestinal transplantation continued to slowly increase with the largest number of candidates on the waiting list since 1997. Survival rates have increased over time. Small children waiting for intestine grafts continue to have the highest waiting list mortality.