Levosimendan inhibits release of reactive oxygen species in polymorphonuclear leukocytes in vitro and in patients with acute heart failure and septic shock: a prospective observational study.

Introduction: Levosimendan is an extensively investigated inodilator showing also cardioprotective and antiinflammatory effects. The aim of our study was to explore the influence of levosimendan on polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN), a main source of reactive oxygen species, in vitro and in patients with acute heart failure or septic myocardial depression.

Methods: PMN isolated from healthy volunteers were incubated with levosimendan in vitro.

Teicoplanin pharmacokinetics in critically ill patients on continuous veno-venous hemofiltration.

Pharmacokinetics of teicoplanin (TP) was assessed in critically ill patients on continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH), in eleven patients, after the first dose and in another four after repeated administration. The TP peak concentration amounted to 55.44 +/- 15.

Lemierre's syndrome following infectious mononucleosis.

We report the case of an 18-year-old woman who was admitted to the medical intensive care unit in Innsbruck with severe septic shock and respiratory insufficiency following a prolonged infection of the upper airways (pharyngitis, sinusitis). Abscessing pneumonia and bilateral pleural empyema were diagnosed as focus. Cultures of pleural fluids were positive for Fusobacterium necrophorum.

Enoxaparin vs. unfractionated heparin for anticoagulation during continuous veno-venous hemofiltration: a randomized controlled crossover study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the low molecular weight heparin enoxaparin as anticoagulant in continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) compared with unfractionated heparin.

Design: Prospective randomized controlled crossover study.

Setting: Medical and Surgical Intensive Care Unit of a University Hospital.