Blood transfusions may impair endothelium-dependent vasodilatation during coronary artery bypass surgery.

Objective: The hemolytic product free-hemoglobin (fHb) reduces nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. The present study aims to establish whether administration of different blood transfusions result in increased circulating fHb levels and NO consumption with effects on arterial NO-dependent blood flow in patients undergoing CABG surgery.

Methods: Ninety-five consecutive patients undergoing elective CABG surgery were prospectively divided in four groups based on blood transfusion requirements during surgery: stored blood cells (SBC, n.

Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor as a prognostic biomarker in critically ill patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the role of blood soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) levels in the diagnosis and prognostication of sepsis in critically ill patients.

Methods: Serum suPAR levels were measured prospectively in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients on admission and then daily until ICU discharge (maximum of 14 days) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Normal levels were established in 31 healthy controls.

Can population pharmacokinetic modelling guide vancomycin dosing during continuous renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients?

Treatment of resistant bacteria such as meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) relies on achieving adequate antibiotic concentrations at the site of infection. Strategies to attain such targets in septic critically ill patients receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT) are uncommon but could be useful for increasing the likelihood of therapeutic dosing. The aim of this study was to conduct a population pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis in septic patients undergoing continuous RRT and to determine which parameters were associated with inadequate vancomycin concentrations.

Continuous infusion of vancomycin in septic patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy.

Vancomycin is frequently administered as a continuous infusion to treat severe infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria. Previous studies have suggested a loading dose of 15 mg/kg followed by continuous infusion of 30 mg/kg in patients with normal renal function; however, there are no dosing recommendations in patients with renal failure undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Data from all adult septic patients admitted to a Department of Intensive Care over a 3-year period in whom vancomycin was given as a continuous infusion were reviewed.

suPAR as a prognostic biomarker in sepsis.

Sepsis is the clinical syndrome derived from the host response to an infection and severe sepsis is the leading cause of death in critically ill patients. Several biomarkers have been tested for use in diagnosis and prognostication in patients with sepsis. Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) levels are increased in various infectious diseases, in the blood and also in other tissues.