Albumin administration improves organ function in critically ill hypoalbuminemic patients: A prospective, randomized, controlled, pilot study.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that administration of albumin to correct hypoalbuminemia might have beneficial effects on organ function in a mixed population of critically ill patients.

Design: : Prospective, controlled, randomized study.

Setting: Thirty-one-bed, mixed medicosurgical department of intensive care.

Association between the TNF-2 allele and a better survival in cardiogenic shock.

Study Objectives: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha has been implicated in the pathophysiology of heart failure. We explored a possible association between TNF-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, and interferon (IFN)-gamma cytokine polymorphisms, their in vivo production, and mortality from cardiogenic shock.

Design: Prospective, observational study.