Tracheal stent placement provides opportunity for subsequent anti-cancer therapy for cancer patients with malignant respiratory complications.

Background: Critically ill patients with severe acute dyspnea due to malignant tracheal stenosis or tracheoesophageal fistula often need advanced respiratory support. Tracheal stenting is an important palliative treatment of such patients. This study retrospectively analyzes the efficacy and outcomes of airway stenting in patients with tracheal stenosis or tracheoesophageal fistula.

Current situation and associated factors of withdrawing or withholding life support to patients in an intensive care unit of cancer center in China.

Objectives: To investigate the current situation and analyze the associated factors of withdrawing or withholding life support in the intensive care unit (ICU) of our cancer center.

Methods: Three hundred and twenty-two cancer patients in critical status were admitted to our ICU in 2010 and 2011. They were included in the study and were classified into two groups: withdrawing or withholding life support (WWLS), and full life support (FLS).

Serum levels of procalcitonin as a biomarker for differentiating between sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome in the neurological intensive care unit.

We explored the value of procalcitonin (PCT) to differentiate sepsis from systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and determine sepsis severity in the neurological intensive care unit (NICU). Blood samples were measured for C-reactive protein (CRP) and PCT levels upon NICU admission, on the day of diagnosis of SIRS or sepsis, and at 3 and 7 days after diagnosis. We found that there were significant differences in serum levels of CRP and PCT as well as Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score upon admission between the SIRS and sepsis groups (p<0.

N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide and weaning outcome in postoperative patients with pulmonary complications.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between plasma N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and weaning outcomes, and the ability of NT-proBNP level to predict weaning success, in cancer patients with pulmonary complications undergoing noncardiac major surgeries.

Methods: Patients who were mechanically ventilated following postoperative respiratory failure were enrolled. NT-proBNP levels at the end of a 2-h spontaneous breathing trial were measured.

The efficacy of thymosin alpha 1 for severe sepsis (ETASS): a multicenter, single-blind, randomized and controlled trial.

Introduction: Severe sepsis is associated with a high mortality rate despite implementation of guideline recommendations. Adjunctive treatment may be efficient and require further investigation. In light of the crucial role of immunologic derangement in severe sepsis, thymosin alpha 1 (Tα1) is considered as a promising beneficial immunomodulatory drug.