Broadening of the red blood cell distribution width is associated with increased severity of illness in patients with sepsis.

Background: Sepsis is a pro-inflammatory state caused by systemic infection. As sepsis progresses, multiple organ systems become affected with subsequent increase in mortality. Elevated red cell distribution width (RDW) has been seen with changes of other inflammatory markers and thus could potentially serve as a means of assessing sepsis severity.

Frequency of hypoxic events in patients on a mechanical ventilator.

Background: Mechanical ventilation is an important tool in the management of respiratory failure in the critically ill patient. Although mechanical ventilation can be a life-saving intervention, it is also known to carry several side-effects and risks. Adequate oxygenation is one of the primary goals of mechanical ventilation.

Cardiac troponin I levels and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient in patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

Background: Patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) appear to have cardiac stress as demonstrated by elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). We hypothesised that myocardial stress and decrease in oxygenation might also lead to elevations of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels in serum.

Objective: The aim of this study was to see if cTnI was associated with the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (DeltaA-a), a marker of severity in CAP.