Multi-injection paravertebral block with low volume local anesthetic for anesthesia in radical mastectomy - randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Paravertebral block (PVB) is generally used in breast cancer surgery in combination with general anesthesia. Only multi-injection PVB can decrease the volume of local anesthetic (LA) while maintaining the efficacy of the block. The use of small LA volumes in PVB prevents its undesirable distribution from the injection site.

The prognostic value of procalcitonin, C-reactive protein and cholesterol in patients with an infection and multiple organ dysfunction.

Background: To establish the prognostic value of procalcitonin, C-reactive protein and cholesterol levels for mortality in patients with an infection and multiple organ dysfunction.

Methods: A prospective case-control study was performed, including 67 patients admitted to the intensive care unit with an infection and multiple organ dysfunction in whom cholesterol, procalcitonin, and C-reactive protein levels were measured on admission and during the course of treatment.

Results: The associations between in-hospital mortality and procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, and cholesterol levels were analyzed.