Impact of active surveillance and infection control measures on carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacterial colonization and infections in intensive care.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CRGNB) infections constitute a global threat for critically ill patients and the outcome of their hospitalization. Early identification of CRGNB through rectal surveillance cultures and routine infection control measures including contact precautions, use of appropriate disinfectants, staff education on cleaning, and hand hygiene may reduce the dissemination of CRGNB.

Aim: To assess the impact of enhanced infection control measures on CRGNB infections in a nine-bed polyvalent intensive care unit in a tertiary level hospital in an endemic area.

Causes and incidence of renal replacement therapy application in orthotopic liver transplantation patients: our experience.

Background: Renal dysfunction is commonly found in patients with end-stage liver disease, as well as after liver transplantation, and it often needs renal replacement therapy (RRT) with the application of continuous or intermittent methods. The aim of this study was the recording of the patients who underwent continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) in the early postoperative period, as well as the recording of mortality and risk factors.

Methods: We retrospectively examined 71 patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation during a 2-year period (2011-2012).

Comparison of RIFLE and AKIN criteria in the evaluation of the frequency of acute kidney injury in post-liver transplantation patients.

Background: Acute renal dysfunction is presented quite often after orthotopic liver transplantation (LT), with a reported incidence of 12-64%. The "RIFLE" criteria were introduced in 2004 for the definition of acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients, and a revised definition was proposed in 2007 by the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN), introducing the AKIN criteria. The aim of this study was to record the incidence of AKI in patients after LT by both classifications and to evaluate their prognostic value on mortality.

Impact of the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score on liver transplantation in Greece.

Introduction: The impact of preoperative Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score in postoperative mortality remains unclear. The assumption that patients with a higher MELD score will have a higher mortality rate is not confirmed and studies are contradictory.

Aim: The study of the clinical course of patients with a higher MELD score and its impact in immediate and later mortality in comparison with patients with a lower MELD score in the only liver transplantation center in Greece.

Preterm delivery in a parturient candidate for emergency liver transplantation after hepatitis B virus infection related fulminant liver failure.

This case shows the development of fulminant hepatic failure due to acute hepatitis B virus infection in a multipara (32(nd) week of gestation) candidate for an emergency liver transplantation. Preterm labor began and she delivered a preterm healthy male baby. Postpartum, there were complications including a massive hemorrhage that was managed adequately.