[Acidosis in severe acute asthma].

On admission to intensive care units, the acid-base profile in acute severe asthma appears to be more diverse than previously. Especially a mixed or less frequently metabolic acidosis is eventually observed, which is not always caused by elevated lactate. On the other hand, hyperlactatemia is actually rather common, not necessarily accompanied by acidosis.

[Recent data on the physiopathology of septic shock].

This review is going on to emphasize recent advances of the pathophysiology of septic shock (SS) which goes-between the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and the multisystem organ failure (MOF). By several recent studies, our knowledge of the cellular and molecular pathophysiology of the SS has dramatically increased. Bacterial products, immunocompetent cells, soluble mediators, and cell-cell interactions between blood cells and endothelium have been reviewed.

[Spontaneous and iatrogenic pneumothorax in the adult. 217 personal cases].

This study is dedicated to the epidemiology of pneumothoraces (217 cases) during the last 8 years in an Intensive Care Department where most patients were admitted for respiratory diseases. Cases resulting from road-injury or surgery were excluded. Spontaneous pneumothoraces accounted for 61.