Computed tomography measured epicardial adipose tissue and psoas muscle attenuation: new biomarkers to predict major adverse cardiac events and mortality in patients with heart disease and critically ill patients. Part II: Psoas muscle area and density.

Sarcopenia is a syndrome characterised by loss of skeletal muscle mass, loss of muscle quality, and reduced muscle strength, resulting in low performance. Sarcopenia has been associated with increased mortality and complications after medical interventions. In daily clinical practice, sarcopenia is assessed by clinical assessment of muscle strength and performance tests and muscle mass quantification by dual-energy X-ray absorptio-metry (DXA) or bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

Surgical decompression for the management of abdominal compartment syndrome with severe acute pancreatitis: A narrative review.

Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and contribute to new-onset and persistent organ failure. The optimal management of ACS involves a multi-disciplinary approach, from its early recognition to measures aiming at an urgent reduction of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). A targeted literature search from January 1, 2000, to November 30, 2022, revealed 20 studies and data was analyzed on the type and country of the study, patient demographics, IAP, type and timing of surgical procedure performed, post-operative wound management, and outcomes of patients with ACS.

Humulus lupus extract rich in xanthohumol improves the clinical course in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Background: The systemic inflammatory response following severe COVID-19 is associated with poor outcomes. Several anti-inflammatory medications have been studied in COVID-19 patients. Xanthohumol (Xn), a natural extract from hop cones, possesses strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties.

Endothelial glycocalyx damage in patients with severe COVID-19 on mechanical ventilation - A prospective observational pilot study.

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) associated endotheliopathy and microvascular dysfunction are of concern.

Objective: The objective of the present single-center observational pilot study was to compare endothelial glycocalyx (EG) damage and endotheliopathy in patients with severe COVID-19 (COVID-19 group) with patients with bacterial pneumonia with septic shock (non-COVID group).

Methods: Biomarkers of EG damage (syndecan-1), endothelial cells (EC) damage (thrombomodulin), and activation (P-selectin) were measured in blood on three consecutive days from admission to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Haemodynamic monitoring and management in COVID-19 intensive care patients: an International survey.

Purpose: To survey haemodynamic monitoring and management practices in intensive care patients with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: A questionnaire was shared on social networks or via email by the authors and by Anaesthesia and/or Critical Care societies from France, Switzerland, Belgium, Brazil, and Portugal. Intensivists and anaesthetists involved in COVID-19 ICU care were invited to answer 14 questions about haemodynamic monitoring and management.

Unidentified cachexia patients in the oncologic setting: Cachexia UFOs do exist.

Objectives: Cachexia is an important outcome-modulating parameter in patients with cancer. In the context of a randomized controlled trial on cachexia and nutritional therapy, the TiCaCONCO (Tight Caloric Control in the Cachectic Oncologic Patient) trial, the contacts between patients with cancer and health care practitioners and oncologists were screened. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify in the charts the input of data on body weight (necessary to identify cachexia stage), relevant nutritional data, and nutritional interventions triggered or implemented by oncologists and dietitians.

Early enteral nutrition in critically ill patients: ESICM clinical practice guidelines.

Purpose: To provide evidence-based guidelines for early enteral nutrition (EEN) during critical illness.

Methods: We aimed to compare EEN vs. early parenteral nutrition (PN) and vs.

Intra-abdominal hypertension increases spatial QRS-T angle and elevates ST-segment J-point in healthy women undergoing laparoscopic surgery.

Background: Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) impairs cardiovascular function, however an effect of IAH on cardiac electrophysiology has been poorly documented. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of IAH following pneumoperitoneum on vectorcardiographic variables reflecting cardiac repolarisation and depolarisation.

Methods: Otherwise healthy women undergoing elective gynaecological laparoscopy were studied.

Hemodynamic monitoring in the critically ill: an overview of current cardiac output monitoring methods.

Critically ill patients are often hemodynamically unstable (or at risk of becoming unstable) owing to hypovolemia, cardiac dysfunction, or alterations of vasomotor function, leading to organ dysfunction, deterioration into multi-organ failure, and eventually death. With hemodynamic monitoring, we aim to guide our medical management so as to prevent or treat organ failure and improve the outcomes of our patients. Therapeutic measures may include fluid resuscitation, vasopressors, or inotropic agents.

Hemodynamic monitoring in the era of evidence-based medicine.

Hemodynamic instability frequently occurs in critically ill patients. Pathophysiological rationale suggests that hemodynamic monitoring (HM) may identify the presence and causes of hemodynamic instability and therefore may allow targeting therapeutic approaches. However, there is a discrepancy between this pathophysiological rationale to use HM and a paucity of formal evidence (as defined by the strict criteria of evidence-based medicine (EBM)) for its use.

Maternal body fluid composition in uncomplicated pregnancies and preeclampsia: a bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Objectives: Body fluid composition changes during the course of pregnancy and there is evidence to suggest that these changes are different in uncomplicated pregnancies compared to hypertensive pregnancies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in maternal body fluid composition during the course of an uncomplicated pregnancy and to assess differences in uncomplicated pregnancies versus hypertensive pregnancies by using a bio-impedance analysis technique.

Study Design: Body fluid composition of each patient was assessed using a multiple frequency bioelectrical impedance analyser.

The neglected role of abdominal compliance in organ-organ interactions.

This article is one of ten reviews selected from the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency medicine 2016. Other selected articles can be found online at http://www.biomedcentral.

The effects of advanced monitoring on hemodynamic management in critically ill patients: a pre and post questionnaire study.

In critically ill patients, many decisions depend on accurate assessment of the hemodynamic status. We evaluated the accuracy of physicians' conventional hemodynamic assessment and the impact that additional advanced monitoring had on therapeutic decisions. Physicians from seven European countries filled in a questionnaire in patients in whom advanced hemodynamic monitoring using transpulmonary thermodilution (PiCCO system; Pulsion Medical Systems SE, Feldkirchen, Germany) was going to be initialized as part of routine care.

Cardiac Ultrasonography in the critical care setting: a practical approach to asses cardiac function and preload for the "non-cardiologist".

Cardiac ultrasonography has become an indispensible tool in the management of hemodynamically unstable critically ill patients. Some consider it as the modern stethoscope. Echocardiography is non-invasive and safe while the modern portable devices allow to be used at the bedside in order to provide fast, specific and vital information regarding the hemodynamic status, as well as the function, structure and anatomy of the heart.

Intravenous balanced solutions: from physiology to clinical evidence.

"Balanced" solutions are commonly defined as intravenous fluids having an electrolyte composition close to that of plasma. As such, they should minimally affect acid-base equilibrium, as compared to the commonly reported 0.9% NaCl-related hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis.

Methodological background and strategy for the 2012-2013 updated consensus definitions and clinical practice guidelines from the abdominal compartment society.

The Abdominal Compartment Society (www.wsacs.org) previously created highly cited Consensus Definitions/Management Guidelines related to intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS).

From cardiac output to blood flow auto-regulation in shock.

Shock is defined as a state in which the circulation is unable to deliver sufficient oxygen to meet the demands of the tissues, resulting in cellular dysoxia and organ failure. In this process, the factors that govern the circulation at a haemodynamic level and oxygen delivery at a microcirculatory level play a major role. This manuscript aims to review the blood flow regulation from macro- and micro-haemodynamic point of view and to discuss new potential therapeutic approaches for cardiovascular instability in patients in cardiovascular shock.

Incidence and prognosis of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome in severely burned patients: Pilot study and review of the literature.

Background: Burn patients are at high risk for secondary intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) due to capillary leak and large volume fluid resuscitation. Our objective was to examine the incidence the incidence of IAH and ACS and their relation to outcome in mechanically ventilated (MV) burn patients.

Methods: This observational study included all MV burn patients admitted between April 2007 and December 2009.

A pilot study on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic target attainment in critically ill patients receiving piperacillin/tazobactam.

Background: In critically ill patients, multi-trauma and intensive therapy can influence the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of antibiotics with time-dependent bacterial killing. Consequently, PK/PD targets (%fT>MIC) - crucial for antimicrobial effects -may not be attained.

Methods: Two patients admitted to the surgical ICU of the University Hospital in Hradec Králove for multiple-trauma were given piperacillin/tazobactam by 1-hour IV infusion 4/0.

Initial resuscitation from severe sepsis: one size does not fit all.

Over recent decades many recommendations for the management of patients with sepsis and septic shock have been published, mainly as the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) guidelines. In order to use these recommendations at the bedside one must fully understand their limitations, especially with regard to preload assessment, fluid responsiveness and cardiac output. In this review we will discuss the evidence behind the bundles presented by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign and will try to explain why some recommendations may need to be updated.

Hemodynamic monitoring: To calibrate or not to calibrate? Part 1--Calibrated techniques.

Over recent decades, hemodynamic monitoring has evolved from basic cardiac output monitoring techniques to a broad variety of sophisticated monitoring devices with extra parameters. In order to reduce morbidity and mortality and optimize therapeutic strategies, different monitoring techniques can be used to guide fluid resuscitation and other medical management. Generally, they can be divided in calibrated and non-calibrated techniques.

Critical care ultrasound in cardiac arrest. Technological requirements for performing the SESAME-protocol--a holistic approach.

The use of ultrasound has gained its place in critical care as part of our day-to-day monitoring tools. A better understanding of ultrasound techniques and recent publications including protocols for the lungs, the abdomen and the blood vessels has introduced ultrasound to the bedside of our ICU patients. However, we will prove in this paper that early machines, dating back more than 25 years, were perfectly able to do the job as compared to modern laptop machines with more features but few additional advantages.

Fluid therapy in critically ill patients: perspectives from the right heart.

As right heart function can affect outcome in the critically ill patient, a thorough understanding of factors determining right heart performance in health and disease is pivotal for the critical care physician. This review focuses on fluid therapy, which remains controversial in the setting of impending or overt right heart failure. In this context, we will attempt to elucidate which patients are likely to benefit from fluid administration and for which patients fluid therapy would likely be harmful.

Hemodynamic monitoring: To calibrate or not to calibrate? Part 2--Non-calibrated techniques.

There is much evidence that fluid overload leads to adverse outcomes in perioperative and critically ill patients. Cardiac output monitoring can help us guiding initial and ongoing fluid resuscitation and can help us to assess whether a patient will be responsive to fluids when hypotensive. In recent years, many sophisticated devices that measure a variety of hemodynamic parameters have evolved on the market.

Transpulmonary pressure monitoring during mechanical ventilation: a bench-to-bedside review.

Different ventilation strategies have been suggested in the past in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Airway pressure monitoring alone is inadequate to assure optimal ventilatory support in ARDS patients. The assessment of transpulmonary pressure (PTP) can help clinicians to tailor mechanical ventilation to the individual patient needs.