Effect of lidocaine on intraoperative blood pressure variability in patients undergoing major vascular surgery.

Background: Dynamic fluctuations of arterial blood pressure known as blood pressure variability (BPV) may have short and long-term undesirable consequences. During surgical procedures blood pressure is usually measured in equal intervals allowing to assess its intraoperative variability, which significance for peri and post-operative period is still under debate. Lidocaine has positive cardiovascular effects, which may go beyond its antiarrhythmic activity.

Risk factors of complications during noninvasive mechanical ventilation -assisted flexible bronchoscopy.

Purpose: Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) causes airway narrowing and may cause respiratory failure (RF). Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) is used to treat RF. Until recently, little was known about noninvasive mechanical ventilation assisted flexible bronchoscopy (NIV-FB) risk and complications.

Inter-arm differences in blood pressure among subjects with disseminated atherosclerosis scheduled for vascular surgery.

Background: The measurement of blood pressure (BP) is routinely performed in perioperative care. The reliability of results is essential for the implementation of treatment ensuring haemodynamic stability. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and basic determinants of inter-arm BP differences among patients with advanced peripheral atherosclerosis undergoing vascular surgical procedures of the lower limbs.

Day and time of admissions to intensive care units - does it matter?

Background: The literature data pertaining to the significance of day and time of ICU admission for outcomes of patients are inconsistent. The issue has not been analysed in Poland to date. The aim of the study was to gather information about differences between patients admitted to ICU outside regular working hours (off-hours) and those admitted during working hours (on-hours).

A single-centre seven-year experience with mechanical ventilation weaning.

Background: Weaning from mechanical ventilation is a growing and challenging issue in modern intensive care medicine. We aimed to describe a 7-year experience in mechanical ventilation weaning of a single centre in Germany.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed data regarding 403 patients admitted between 2007 and 2013 with difficult or prolonged mechanical ventilation weaning.

Perioperative prognostic factors in patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms treated in the intensive care unit.

Background: The incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysm has been estimated at 20-40 cases per 100,000 per annum. The disease is often asymptomatic; in many cases, its first symptom is shock caused by a ruptured aneurysm. The aim of the present study was to assess retrospectively the selected perioperative factors in patients hospitalised in the intensive care unit (ICU) after repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

[Vaccination against Streptococcus pneumonia and knowledge about it in the cardiology and general practitioners patients].

Unlabelled: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a reason of many infectious diseases, from prosy respiratory tract infections to the grave bacterial hematosepsis which often is a cause of patients death. Infection spreads with droplets or sometimes by direct contact. Symptomatic Staphylococcal infections most often unfold as a otitis, sinusitis, broncho-pneumonia and lobal pneumonia or as a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma aggravation or they can be the cause of many other illnesses like: meningitis and encephalitis, endocarditis, epicarditis, peritonitis, arthritis and hematosepsis.

Left main disease management strategy: indications and revascularization methods in particular groups of subjects.

Surgical revascularization with coronary artery by-pass grafting is still recommended in vast majority of patients with unprotected left main disease. The aim of the paper was to analyze optimal treatment of left main disease in selected groups of patients, on the basis of current guidelines and information gained from literature data. We focused on data in relation to treatment of elderly patients, diabetics and those hemodynamically unstable.

[The clinical spectrum of connective tissue diseases - a single intensive care experience].

Background: Systemic connective tissue diseases are relatively rare disorders of unknown origin, possibly related to autoimmunity. In the retrospective study, we analysed the records of nine patients suffering from connective tissue disorders who were treated during a two-year period in an intensive therapy unit.

Methods: Hospital medical records, observational charts and all other available medical documents were analysed.

[Continuous veno-venous haemofiltration in adult intensive therapy].

Background: Continuous veno-venous haemofiltration (CVVH) has been recommended for renal replacement therapy in acute renal failure (ARF). The aim of the study was to analyse the usefulness of CVVH in intensive therapy settings.

Methods: Sixteen adult patients, treated with CVVH because of ARF complicating multiple organ failure, were allocated to two groups: those who survived and those who did not.

[Vaccination against influenza--recommendations and reality in the assessments of patients of cardiology and family physician center].

Unlabelled: Influenza is one of the most common diseases in the world. It occurs seasonally and is a viral disease contracted by a direct contact (respiratory droplets), causing many serious complications. The best way to prevent influenza is to get vaccinated once a year, which is the cheapest and the most effective protection.

[Results of severe sepsis treatment--two years of experience in a single centre].

Background: Treatment of severe sepsis (SS) is a major challenge for an ITU, because of the high mortality. The severity of 55 is scored according to the number of organ systems that have failed. We analysed the results of treatment of SS in the ITU of the Upper Silesian Medical Centre, and compared them to previously reported data obtained from other centres.

[Reporting on data from cardiopulmonary resuscitation].

Background: In-hospital cardiac arrest is still associated with a high mortality rate, due to late recognition of life-threatening processes such as progressive hypotension, or cerebral ischemia.The aim of the study was to analyse some selected parameters influencing early results of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Methods: We analysed cardiopulmonary resuscitation reports, prepared following in-hospital cardiac arrests, according to the Utstein templates.

Severe fungal infections in intensive therapy.

Background: Identification of pathogens in severe fungal infections, by positive cultures, is usually difficult, delays appropriate therapy, and impairs treatment. Despite progress in biologic sciences, the diagnosis of candidiasis still poses a challenge. Early symptoms are not specific, and cultures are usually negative.