A clinical and EEG scoring system that predicts early cortical response (N20) to somatosensory evoked potentials and outcome after cardiac arrest.

Background: Anoxic coma following cardiac arrest is a common problem with ethical, social, and legal consequences. Except for unfavorable somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEP) results, predictors of unfavorable outcome with a 100% specificity and a high sensitivity are lacking. The aim of the current research was to construct a clinical and EEG scoring system that predicts early cortical response (N20) to somatosensory evoked potentials and 6-months outcome in comatose patients after cardiac arrest.

Angiotensin converting enzyme insertion/deletion genetic polymorphism: its impact on renal function in critically ill patients.

Objective: Previous clinical studies have suggested an association between the insertion/deletion (I/D) genetic polymorphism of angiotensin converting enzyme and acute or chronic diseases. We aimed to test the prognostic value of the I-allele, which is associated with lower angiotensin converting enzyme activity, on acute kidney injury.

Design: Prospective 6-month noninterventional study.

Hyperreninemic hypoaldosteronism syndrome, plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 and outcome in critically ill patients with liver cirrhosis.

Objective: To investigate the relation between the adrenal production of gluco- and mineralocorticoids, the inflammatory status and the outcome in critically ill patients with liver cirrhosis.

Design: Prospective descriptive study.

Setting: Medical intensive care unit (ICU) in a university hospital.

Refractory shock and asystole related to tramadol overdose.

Introduction: Tramadol use is largely considered safe. However, several lethal cases of tramadol intoxication were reported, suggesting an underestimated toxicity. We report for a tramadol overdose case in combination with other central nervous system depressants, leading to refractory shock requiring extracorporeal life support.