Effect of blood-sugar limitation on intensive care mortality: Intragroup evaluation.

Objective: To evaluate the safety profile of blood sugar limits in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Methods: Adult patients with ICU stay >36 h, more than two blood sugar measurements and antibiotic therapy concordant with locally adapted guidelines were included. For analyses, one study cohort was defined in two ways: as a narrow group, euglycaemic patients' blood sugar levels 80-150 mg/dl; as a moderate group, euglycaemic patients' blood sugar levels 80-180 mg/dl.

Randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating multiplex polymerase chain reaction for pathogen identification and therapy adaptation in critical care patients with pulmonary or abdominal sepsis.

Objective: To determine whether a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based test could reduce the time required for initial pathogen identification in patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting.

Methods: This double-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial** enrolled adults with suspected pulmonary or abdominal sepsis caused by an unknown pathogen. Both the intervention and control groups underwent the standard blood culture (BC) testing, but additional pathogen identification, based on the results of a LightCycler® SeptiFast PCR test, were provided in the intervention group.

Long-term effect of computer-assisted decision support for antibiotic treatment in critically ill patients: a prospective 'before/after' cohort study.

Objectives: Antibiotic resistance has risen dramatically over the past years. For individual patients, adequate initial antibiotic therapy is essential for clinical outcome. Computer-assisted decision support systems (CDSSs) are advocated to support implementation of rational anti-infective treatment strategies based on guidelines.

Standard operating procedures for antibiotic therapy and the occurrence of acute kidney injury: a prospective, clinical, non-interventional, observational study.

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in 7% of hospitalized and 66% of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. It increases mortality, hospital length of stay, and costs. The aim of this study was to investigate, whether there is an association between adherence to guidelines (standard operating procedures (SOP)) for potentially nephrotoxic antibiotics and the occurrence of AKI.

Polymorphisms of the toll-like receptor 2 and 4 genes are associated with faster progression and a more severe course of sepsis in critically ill patients.

Objective: To determine whether the Arg753Gln polymorphism of the toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) gene and the Asp299Gly polymorphism of the TLR4 gene in critically ill patients affect their clinical outcomes.

Methods: Medical and surgical patients in three intensive care units (ICU) were enrolled in this prospective study. TLR2 and TLR4 gene polymorphisms were determined using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.