Publications by authors named "Julian Arias-Ortiz"

Septic shock typically requires the administration of vasopressors. Adrenergic agents remain the first choice, namely norepinephrine. However, their use to counteract life-threatening hypotension comes with potential adverse effects, so that non-adrenergic vasopressors may also be considered.

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Purpose Of Review: To review recently published data on pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) use in critically ill patients and consider optimal use of the PAC in personalized clinical practice.

Recent Findings: Although PAC use has decreased considerably since the mid-1990s, PAC-derived variables can still have an important role in elucidating hemodynamic status and directing management in complex patients. Recent studies have suggested benefit, notably in patients having cardiac surgery.

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Purpose Of Review: To discuss the use of vasopressors and inotropes in cardiogenic shock.

Recent Findings: The classic form or cardiogenic shock requires administration of inotropic and/or vasopressor agents to try to improve the impaired tissue perfusion. Among vasopressors various alpha-adrenergic agents, vasopressin derivatives and angiotensin can be used.

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Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the incidence and hemodynamic consequences of right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in critically ill patients with H1N1 infection.

Patients And Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of all patients admitted to the intensive care unit of an academic hospital between October 2009 and March 2011 with severe H1N1 infection. Hemodynamic measurements and respiratory conditions were noted daily during the intensive care unit stay.

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Context: The renin-angiotensin system is activated in patients with acute severe heart failure, and increased levels of angiotensin II could contribute to microcirculatory defects in these patients.

Objective: To evaluate the microcirculatory effects of angiotensin II antagonists in critically ill patients with severe heart failure.

Methods: After Ethics Committee approval and signed consent, we conducted a prospective observational study using sidestream darkfield (SDF) imaging to evaluate changes in the sublingual microcirculation of 25 adult patients with severe heart failure (ejection fraction < 40% or cardiac index < 2.

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Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the degree of microcirculatory abnormalities in patients with severe influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Methods: We assessed the sublingual microcirculation in seven consecutive patients with acute lung injury related to influenza A (H1N1) infection. The evaluation was carried out using sidestream dark field (SDF) imaging within the first 96 hr after the patients were admitted to the intensive care unit.

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