Clinical and imaging factors associated with severe complications of cervical necrotizing fasciitis.

Purpose: Cervical necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) is a severe and debilitating disease that requires intensive care unit (ICU) management and prompt surgical treatment to reduce morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence and factors associated with severe complications of CNF.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of consecutive patients hospitalized in an ICU from 2007 to 2012.

One-year outcome after neurosurgery for intracranial tumor in elderly patients.

Background: The number of elderly patients proposed for brain tumor removal is increasing. Only few data on long-term functional prognosis after intracranial surgery are available.

Materials And Methods: Prospective, observational study of all patients greater than 70 year of age operated for intracranial tumors.

Algorithm for therapeutic management of acute heart failure syndromes.

As for other critically ill diseases, two key factors may markedly improved morbidity and mortality of acute heart failure syndromes (AHFS): early initiation of treatment and tailored therapy. Early initiation aims to stop the negative cascade of heart dysfunction. Tailored therapy should be based on the level of systolic blood pressure at admission and fluid retention.

Lack of alteration of endogenous nitric oxide pathway during prolonged nitric oxide inhalation in intensive care unit patients.

Objective: To compare hemodynamic and gasometric variables and the plasma concentrations of nitric oxide metabolites (cyclic guanosine monophosphate and nitrate and nitrite), endothelin-1, and renin-angiotensin metabolites before and after the start of nitric oxide inhalation, after prolonged nitric oxide inhalation, and before and after nitric oxide withdrawal.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Surgical intensive care unit, university hospital.