Intra-abdominal hypertension in early post-kidney transplantation period is associated with impaired graft function.

Background: Moderate hyperhydration is often achieved in the early post-kidney transplantation period. Whether this strategy could lead to the development of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) has never been assessed so far. We aimed to study the incidence of IAH after kidney transplantation and its association with graft function recovery.

[How to explain glomerular filtration rate decrease in intra-abdominal hypertension?].

Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is a frequent and serious condition affecting critical care patients. IAH diagnostic needs intravesical pressure (IVP) measurement which is recommended for monitoring patients presenting IAH risk factors. IVP monitoring is probably insufficient in daily practice.

Tissue factor expressed by adherent cells contributes to hemodialysis-membrane thrombogenicity.

End-stage renal patients present a high risk of thrombosis and bleeding. Consequently, it is challenging to prevent clotting during hemodialysis. If a contact system induces thrombin generation in the extra corporeal circuit, recent data suggest a role of tissue factor (TF) in hemodialysis-associated thrombosis.

Adjunctive steroid in HIV-negative patients with severe Pneumocystis pneumonia.

Background: High-dose steroid therapy has been proven effective in AIDS-related Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) but not in non-AIDS-related cases. We evaluated the effects on survival of steroids in HIV-negative patients with PCP.

Methods: Retrospective study patients admitted to the ICU with hypoxemic PCP.

Survival in neutropenic patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.

Objective: To determine whether the survival gains achieved in critically ill cancer patients in recent years exist in the subset with neutropenia and severe sepsis or septic shock.

Design: Retrospective 11-yr study (1998-2008).

Setting: Medical intensive care unit in a teaching hospital.