The Utility of C-Reactive Protein, Procalcitonin, and Leukocyte Values in Predicting the Prognosis of Patients with Pneumosepsis and Septic Shock.

The predictive value of changes in C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, and leukocyte levels, which are commonly used in the diagnosis of infection in sepsis and septic shock, remains a topic of debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of changes in CRP, procalcitonin, and leukocyte counts on the prognosis of 230 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with the diagnosis of sepsis and pneumonia-related septic shock between 1 April 2022 and 31 December 2023, and to investigate whether any of these markers have a superior predictive value over the others in forecasting prognosis. This single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional observational study included patients who developed sepsis and septic shock due to community-acquired pneumonia and were admitted to the ICU.

Evaluation of Long-Coronavirus Disease 2019 Cases Readmitted to Intensive Care Units Due to Acute Respiratory Failure: Point Prevalence Study.

Objective:  Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused morbidity and mortality worldwide. Besides the acute effects, subacute and long-term effects are defined as long-COVID causing morbidity. The intensive care unit (ICU) data of long-COVID-19 cases were evaluated with the participation of 11 centers.

Factors affecting 90-day mortality in community and hospital acquired pneumonia patients with or without acute kidney injury.

Background: AKI is a significant risk factor for mortality. Inflammatory markers are commonly used in the prediction of prognosis in pneumonia patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of AKI in hospitalized CAP and HAP patients and to investigate the role of inexpensive, practical, routinely measured serum biomarkers in predicting 90-day mortality.

Evaluation of the Effect of COVID-19 Vaccination on Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Single-Center Study.

Background And Aim:  Vaccinations have been one of the main approaches to reducing mortality and exacerbations caused by infectious agents in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Among viral pathogens, coronaviruses have been described to play a role. This study aims to investigate the role of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination on exacerbation reduction in patients with COPD.

Evaluation of the factors affecting long-term mortality in geriatric patients followed up in intensive care unit due to hospital-acquired pneumonia.

Aging is a normal physiological process involving changes in the respiratory system, thereby causing an increased incidence of pulmonary infections such as hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). The primary aim of this study was to investigate the role of acute-phase reactants and inflammation-based biomarkers in predicting 90-day mortality in patients aged over 65 years who were hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) due to HAP. Clinical records of patients aged ≥65 years who were diagnosed as having HAP and were followed up in ICU were retrospectively evaluated.

Do N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels determine the prognosis of community acquired pneumonia?

Objective: Pneumonia is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, especially in the elderly. The use of clinical risk scores to determine prognosis is complex and therefore leads to errors in clinical practice. Pneumonia can cause increases in the levels of cardiac biomarkers such as N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).

Incidence of pulmonary embolism during COPD exacerbation.

Objective: Because pulmonary embolism (PE) and COPD exacerbation have similar presentations and symptoms, PE can be overlooked in COPD patients. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of PE during COPD exacerbation and to describe the clinical aspects in COPD patients diagnosed with PE.

Methods: This was a prospective study conducted at a university hospital in the city of Ankara, Turkey.

Should the cut-off value of D-dimer be elevated to exclude pulmonary embolism in acute exacerbation of COPD?

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the D-dimer levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation with and without pulmonary embolism (PE) and to attempt to define a new cut-off value for D-dimer to exclude the diagnosis of PE in patients with COPD exacerbation.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed between the June 2012 and January 2013. The COPD patients who were admitted to the emergency department with acute exacerbation were consecutively included.

Does thromboprophylaxis prevent venous thromboembolism after major orthopedic surgery?

Objective: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is an important complication of major orthopedic surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and factors influencing the development of VTE in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery in a university hospital.

Methods: Patients who underwent major orthopedic surgery (hip arthroplasty, knee arthroplasty, or femur fracture repair) between February of 2006 and June of 2012 were retrospectively included in the study.

Pulmonary involvement in inflammatory bowel disease.

Aim: To determine the relationship of pulmonary abnormalities and bowel disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: Thirty ulcerative colitis (UC) and nine Crohn's disease patients, and 20 control subjects were enrolled in this prospective study. Detailed clinical information was obtained.

Primary mediastinal haemangiopericytoma--an unusual cause of massive haemoptysis in a young woman.

We report a case of primary mediastinal haemangiopericytoma in a 29-year-old female patient who presented with haemoptysis, cough and dyspnea. Computed tomography showed a 9 x 6 x 5 cm mass in the left posterior mediastinum. Bronchoscopic examination failed to obtain biopsy because of massive bleeding.