Evaluation of sublingual and gut mucosal microcirculation in sepsis: a quantitative analysis.

Objective: To determine the relationship between sublingual and intestinal mucosal microcirculatory perfusion.

Design: Observational, experimental study.

Setting: University-affiliated large animal laboratory.

Combination of biphasic transmittance waveform with blood procalcitonin levels for diagnosis of sepsis in acutely ill patients.

Objectives: To assess the diagnostic utility of combining measurement of blood procalcitonin (PCT) concentrations with the presence of a biphasic transmittance waveform (BPW) from the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) to identify sepsis in critically ill patients.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Thirty-one-bed university hospital department of medico-surgical intensive care.