Association between lymphocyte expression of the apoptotic receptor Fas and pain in critically ill patients.

Objective: Lymphocyte apoptosis in critical illness is associated with immunosuppression. We explored for the first time the associations between pain ratings and expression of the apoptotic receptor Fas on B and T cells in critically ill patients and the potential mediating effects of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, and substance P (SP).

Design: This is an exploratory correlational study with repeated measurements (14 days followup) and cross-sectional comparisons.

Perceptions of critical and emergency department nurses regarding changes in their professional role.

Objective Preliminary investigation of the way Greek critical and emergency department nurses conceptualize changes in their professional role. Method A qualitative focus-group methodology was applied. Following purposeful sampling and informed consent of participants.

Moral distress, autonomy and nurse-physician collaboration among intensive care unit nurses in Italy.

Aim: To explore the level of moral distress and potential associations between moral distress indices and (1) nurse-physician collaboration, (2) autonomy, (3) professional satisfaction, (4) intention to resign, and (5) workload among Italian intensive care unit nurses.

Background: Poor nurse-physician collaboration and low autonomy may limit intensive care unit nurses' ability to act on their moral decisions.

Methods: A cross-sectional correlational design with a sample of 566 Italian intensive care unit nurses.

Plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine and mortality in patients with acute decompensation of chronic heart failure.

Objectives: To investigate the prognostic value of circulating levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in patients with acute decompensation of (New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV) chronic heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.

Design: Single-centre prospective observational study.

Setting: Tertiary referral centre.

The impact of treatment with omeprazole on the effectiveness of clopidogrel drug therapy during the first year after successful coronary stenting.

Background: Because clopidogrel is converted to its active metabolite by P450 isoenzymes, which are also involved in the metabolism of omeprazole, there is concern regarding whether the action of clopidogrel would be reduced in patients also taking omeprazole.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of omeprazole administration on the effectiveness of clopidogrel drug therapy during the first year following successful coronary stenting (CS).

Methods: A total of 588 consecutive patients who underwent successful CS for stable or unstable coronary artery disease were studied.

The impact of right ventricular involvement on the postdischarge long-term mortality in patients with acute inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Objectives: To investigate the long-term impact of right ventricular myocardial involvement (RVI) after acute inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: A total of 1208 consecutive patients, who survived to discharge after hospitalization for acute inferior STEMI, were studied. Patients were divided into those with (n = 459) or without (n = 749) of RVI involvement, defined as ST-segment elevation > or =1 mm in V4R.

Multimarker strategy for the prediction of 31 days cardiac death in patients with acutely decompensated chronic heart failure.

Background: To investigate the combined prognostic value of admission serum levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), in patients hospitalized because of acutely decompensated severe (New York Heart Association class III/IV) low-output chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods: A total of 577 consecutive patients recruited in the 5 participating centers, were studied. Cardiac mortality by 31 days was the prespecified primary study end point.