Clinical outcomes and characteristics of critically ill patients with influenza- and COVID-19-induced ARDS: A retrospective, matched cohort study.

Introduction: Seasonal epidemic influenza and SARS-CoV-2 are the most frequent viruses causing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). To what extent these two etiologies differ in ICU patients remains uncertain. We, therefore, aimed at comparing the severity and outcomes of influenza and SARS-CoV-2-induced ARDS in mechanically ventilated patients.

Positive End-Expiratory Pressure Setting in COVID-19-Related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Comparison Between Electrical Impedance Tomography, PEEP/FiO Tables, and Transpulmonary Pressure.

The best way to titrate the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in patients suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome is still matter of debate. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a non-invasive technique that could guide PEEP setting based on an optimized ventilation homogeneity. For this study, we enrolled the patients with 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), who required mechanical ventilation and were admitted to the ICU in March 2021.

Lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia as markers of disease progression of multiple myeloma: A case report.

: A 64-year-old man was hospitalized in the intensive care unit with pneumonia, lactic acidosis, and hypoglycemia. Investigations revealed a kappa light chain multiple myeloma. The patient underwent chemotherapy by bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone.

Viscerotropic disease and acute uveitis following yellow fever vaccination: a case report.

Background: Yellow fever vaccine exists for over 80 years and is considered to be relatively safe. However, in rare cases it can produce serious neurotropic and viscerotropic complications. We report a case of a patient who presented both viscerotropic and neurological manifestations after yellow fever vaccination.

Automated measurement of neutrophil CD64 expression for diagnosing sepsis in critically ill patients.

Background: Although early identification of sepsis improves outcome, prompt and correct diagnostic remains often challenging. The expression of the high affinity immunoglobulin-Fc fragment receptor I CD64 on neutrophils is upregulated during acute inflammation. We here aimed at determining the usefulness of its rapid measurement in diagnosing sepsis.

Early hypertension after vasopressor weaning during septic shock: associated factors and prognostic significance.

Background: During septic shock, early development of hypertension after vasopressors weaning seems paradoxical. The aim of this study was to authenticate this empirical observation, identify associated factors and document its prognostic significance.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive, retrospective study in a medical ICU of a teaching hospital among adult patients with septic shock.

Early High-Dose Erythropoietin Therapy After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Preliminary data suggested a clinical benefit in treating out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients with a high dose of erythropoietin (Epo) analogs.

Objectives: The authors aimed to evaluate the efficacy of epoetin alfa treatment on the outcome of OHCA patients in a phase 3 trial.

Methods: The authors performed a multicenter, single-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Endovascular Versus External Targeted Temperature Management for Patients With Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Randomized, Controlled Study.

Background: Targeted temperature management is recommended after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Whether advanced internal cooling is superior to basic external cooling remains unknown. The aim of this multicenter, controlled trial was to evaluate the benefit of endovascular versus basic surface cooling.

Factors influencing the implementation of antibiotic de-escalation and impact of this strategy in critically ill patients.

Introduction: A rational use of antibiotics is of paramount importance in order to prevent the emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria that can lead to therapeutic impasse, especially in intensive care units (ICUs). A de-escalation strategy is therefore naturally advocated as part of better antibiotics usage. However, the clinical impact of such a strategy has not been widely studied.

Combination biomarkers to diagnose sepsis in the critically ill patient.

Rationale: Although the outcome of sepsis benefits from the prompt administration of appropriate antibiotics on correct diagnosis, the assessment of infection in critically ill patients is often a challenge for clinicians. In this setting, simple biomarkers, especially when used in combination, could prove useful.

Objectives: To determine the usefulness of combination biomarkers to diagnose sepsis.

Probiotics in the critically ill patient: a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Purpose: Probiotics have been shown to be able to restore a non-pathogenic digestive flora, to prevent digestive colonization by pathogenic bacteria, and to modulate immunity. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of prophylactic probiotic administration in patients ventilated for up to 2 days.

Methods: This study was performed as a double-blind, concealed randomized, placebo-controlled trial in a French medical intensive care unit (ICU).

Metformin-associated lactic acidosis in an intensive care unit.

Introduction: Metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA) is a classic side effect of metformin and is known to be a severe disease with a high mortality rate. The treatment of MALA with dialysis is controversial and is the subject of many case reports in the literature. We aimed to assess the prevalence of MALA in a 16-bed, university-affiliated, intensive care unit (ICU), and the effect of dialysis on patient outcome.

Combined measurement of procalcitonin and soluble TREM-1 in the diagnosis of nosocomial sepsis.

This prospective, non-interventional study was conducted in a medical adult intensive care unit to determine the usefulness of procalcitonin (PCT) and soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) determinations in the diagnosis of nosocomial sepsis. Serum PCT and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid sTREM-1 concentrations were measured in 50 critically ill patients suffering from nosocomial sepsis. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) was diagnosed in 31 patients and extrapulmonary sepsis in 19.

High-mobility group box 1 protein plasma concentrations during septic shock.

Objective: To investigate plasma high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) concentration and its relationship with organ dysfunction and outcome in septic shock patients.

Design And Setting: Prospective, noninterventional study. Medical adult intensive care unit at a university hospital in France.

[Patients' perception of their experience in the intensive care unit].

Objective: To analyze patients' assessment of quality of care in our intensive care unit.

Method: We sent questionnaires to the homes of all patients admitted to intensive care from November 2002 through August 2003 who received mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours.

Results: In all, we received 70 analyzable questionnaires.

Growth arrest-specific protein 6 plasma concentrations during septic shock.

Introduction: The product of growth arrest-specific gene 6 (Gas6) is a vitamin K dependent protein that is secreted by leucocytes and endothelial cells in response to injury and participates in cell survival, proliferation, migration and adhesion. Our purpose was to investigate plasma Gas6 concentration and its relation to organ dysfunction in patients with septic shock.

Methods: Forty-five patients with septic shock admitted to a medical adult intensive care unit were enrolled.

Soluble form of the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 as a marker of microbial infection.

Sepsis is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in intensive care units. Unfortunately, there is no gold standard for diagnosing sepsis as clinical and laboratory signs are neither sensitive enough nor specific enough, and microbiological studies often remain negative. Thus, there is a need for clinical or laboratory tools to distinguish between sepsis and non-infectious inflammatory disorders.

Time-course of sTREM (soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells)-1, procalcitonin, and C-reactive protein plasma concentrations during sepsis.

Objective: To describe the course of plasma sTREM (soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells)-1, procalcitonin (PCT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations during sepsis and their clinical informative value in predicting outcome.

Design: Prospective, noninterventional study.

Setting: Medical adult intensive care unit at a university hospital in France.

Relation between muscle Na+K+ ATPase activity and raised lactate concentrations in septic shock: a prospective study.

Background: Hyperlactataemia during septic shock is often viewed as evidence of tissue hypoxia. However, this blood disorder is not usually correlated with indicators of perfusion or diminished with increased oxygen delivery. Muscles can generate lactate under aerobic conditions in a process linking glycolytic ATP supply to stimulation of Na+K+ ATPase.

Risk factors of relative adrenocortical deficiency in intensive care patients needing mechanical ventilation.

Objective: To study the factors associated with relative adrenocortical deficiency in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients.

Design And Setting: Prospective observational study in a multidisciplinary ICU of a university-affiliated teaching hospital.

Patients: Sixty-two consecutive, acutely ill patients needing mechanical ventilation for more than 24 h.

Plasma level of a triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1: its diagnostic accuracy in patients with suspected sepsis.

Background: Previous experimental studies have suggested that the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) is specifically upregulated in the presence of microbial products.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of plasma levels of the soluble form of TREM-1 in patients admitted with clinical suspicion of infection.

Design: Prospective, noninterventional study conducted between July and September 2003.

Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells and the diagnosis of pneumonia.

Background: The diagnosis and treatment of bacterial pneumonia in patients who are receiving mechanical ventilation remain a difficult challenge. The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM-1) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, and its expression on phagocytes is specifically up-regulated by microbial products. The presence of soluble TREM-1 (sTREM-1) in bronchoalveolar-lavage fluid from patients receiving mechanical ventilation may be an indicator of pneumonia.