S100B and brain ultrasound: Novel predictors for functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Objective: Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide. This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of serum S100B protein, transcranial color-coded duplex sonography (TCCD), and optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) in predicting functional outcomes in critically ill patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods: In this prospective observational study, 80 adult AIS patients were evaluated.

Highlighting Levels of Indoxyl Sulphate among Critically Ill Patients with Acute Nephrotoxicity; Correlations Between Indoxyl Sulphate Levels and Patients' Characteristics.

Background: Many animal studies suggested that the uremic toxin indoxyl sulphate can add to renal damage following induced nephrotoxicity and this effect has not been proved in patients with such complication.

Methods: This is a prospective, case-control, and an observational study conducted on 74 critically ill patients with acute nephrotoxicity. It was designed to measure serum levels of indoxyl sulphate on the day of enrollment and over the course of their illness using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV) and to test the correlation between these levels and patient's demographics, clinical characteristics, physiological variables, and their outcomes.

Echocardiographic assessment of the right ventricle and its correlation with patient outcome in acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Introduction: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening chest disease associated with a poor outcome and increased mortality. It may lead to pulmonary hypertension and, eventually, right ventricular failure. These changes can be investigated by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) which is considered a non-invasive and cost-effective modality.