Cortisol and adrenal androgens as independent predictors of mortality in septic patients.

Objective: To determine the prognostic value of cortisol, Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS), together with their ratios (cortisol/DHEA and cortisol/DHEAS), as independent predictors of mortality in septic patients.

Methods: Prospective cohort study of 139 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock. Adrenal hormones were determined within the first 24 hours of the septic process.

[Acute coronary syndrome during a cesarean section in a healthy young woman].

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during pregnancy and delivery is a rare event that is usually related to prior disease or family history. Factors that contribute to the appearance of ACS during delivery in women with healthy coronary arteries include high doses of drugs to suppress contractions or increase uterine muscle tone and cardiovascular instability of any kind. Clinical and electrocardiographic abnormalities (eg, ST segment depression) that are suggestive of ACS have been reported to occur during cesarean section but without subsequent enzyme or echocardiographic abnormalities.

The use of collagen shields impregnated with amphotericin B to treat Aspergillus keratomycosis.

We treated three patients with Aspergillus keratomycosis with collagen shields soaked in amphotericin B (0.50%) for 2 hours at 25 degrees C before application. These shields, replaced daily, were used in conjunction with amphotericin B (0.

[Multiple sphincterotomies in the surgical treatment of cataracts in narrow pupils].

Deficient mydriasis of diverse etiology renders extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation technically difficult. Several techniques are available to improve surgical results when this problem is present. We have used multiple sphincterotomies in 6 patients with narrow pupils undergoing cataract extraction.