Intrapulmonary concentrations of meropenem administered by continuous infusion in critically ill patients with nosocomial pneumonia: a randomized pharmacokinetic trial.

Background: Optimal antimicrobial drug exposure in the lung is required for successful treatment outcomes for nosocomial pneumonia. Little is known about the intrapulmonary pharmacokinetics (PK) of meropenem when administered by continuous infusion (CI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the PK of two dosages of meropenem (3 g vs 6 g/day by CI) in the plasma and epithelial lining fluid (ELF) in critically ill patients with nosocomial pneumonia.

The BIOMEPOC Project: Personalized Biomarkers and Clinical Profiles in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an entity with a heterogeneous presentation. For this reason, attempts have been made to characterize different phenotypes and endotypes to enable a more individualized approach. The aim of the Biomarkers in COPD (BIOMEPOC) project is to identify useful biomarkers in blood to improve the characterization of patients.

Cystatin C estimated glomerular filtration rate to assess renal function in early stages of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Background/aims: Height-adjusted total kidney volume (htTKV) is the best marker of disease progression in early autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) when renal function still remains normal. The usefulness of cystatin-C as a biomarker to assess renal function according to renal volume has not been studied in ADPKD patients.

Methods: Observational and cross-sectional study of 62 ADPKD patients.

Impact of monopolar radiofrequency coagulation on intraoperative blood loss during liver resection: a prospective randomised controlled trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of using monopolar thermal coagulation based on radiofrequency (RF) currents on intraoperative blood loss during liver resection.

Materials And Methods: A prospective randomised controlled trial was planned. Patients undergoing hepatectomy were randomised into two groups.

Rapid rule out of acute myocardial infarction using undetectable levels of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin.

Background: We examined whether undetectable levels of high-sensitivity cardiac Troponin (hs-cTn) can be used to rule out acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with a single blood draw at presentation to the emergency department (ED).

Methods And Results: In a prospective multicenter study we used 4 different hs-cTn assays (hs-cTnT Roche, and hs-cTnI Siemens, hs-cTnI Beckman Coulter and hs-cTnI Abbott) in consecutive patients presenting with acute chest pain. The final diagnosis of AMI was adjudicated by two independent cardiologists using all available data including serial hs-cTnT levels.

Comparison of the performances of cardiac troponins, including sensitive assays, and copeptin in the diagnostic of acute myocardial infarction and long-term prognosis between women and men.

Background: Concerns have been raised about possible gender disparities in cardiac investigations and/or outcome. This study sought to examine and compare the diagnostic and prognostic performance of selected cardiac biomarkers in women versus men.

Methods: In a prospective, multicenter cohort of patients with acute chest pain cardiac troponin T (cTnT) (fourth-generation Roche assay), high-sensitivity cTnT (hs-cTnT), and copeptin were measured at presentation.

Uric acid for diagnosis and risk stratification in suspected myocardial infarction.

Background: Hypoxia precedes cardiomyocyte necrosis in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We therefore hypothesized that uric acid - as a marker of oxidative stress and hypoxia - might be useful in the early diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with suspected AMI.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective observational study, uric acid was measured at presentation in 892 consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department with suspected AMI.

[Predictive factors for pneumonia in adults infected with the new pandemic A (H1H1) influenza virus].

Background: On April 2009 a new A (H1N1) influenza virus was identified with a higher incidence of severe outcome in younger people, most of them with pneumonia. The objective of our study was to identify the predictive risk factors of pneumonia in patients with the new A (H1N1) influenza virus infection.

Methods: Prospective cohort study of adults infected with the new A (H1N1) influenza virus, admitted in a universitary hospital, from june 2009 to January 2010.

NT-proBNP: a cardiac biomarker to assess prognosis in non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

NT-proBNP provides diagnostic and prognostic information in heart syndromes but its role in cancer has not yet been established. The prognostic value of NT-proBNP was prospectively studied in 104 non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients treated with chemotherapy. Echocardiography and NT-proBNP were determined prior to treatment.