Algorithm for rational use of Film Array Pneumonia Panel in bacterial coinfections of critically ill ventilated COVID-19 patients.

The FilmArray Pneumonia Panel has proven to be an effective tool for rapid detection of main respiratory pathogens. However, its rational use needs appropriate knowledge and formation regarding its indication and interpretation. Herein, we provide some advices to help with success of its daily routine use, particularly in critically ill ventilated COVID-19 patients.

[Complications and prognosis of infective endocarditis].

Clinical manifestations of infective endocarditis may involve almost all body organs. They are usually classified as either cardiac or extra-cardiac complications. The first stage of infection is the development of intra-cardiac vegetation, which may further spread with an increase in size and number of vegetations, destructive valve lesions, and perivalvular extension of the infection.

Possible relationship between antiphospholipid antibodies and embolic events in infective endocarditis.

Objective: Antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies may activate platelets and contribute to vegetation growth and embolisation in infective endocarditis (IE). We aimed to determine the value of aPL as predictors of embolic events (EE) in IE.

Methods: We studied 186 patients with definite IE (Duke-Li criteria, all types of IE) from the Nanc-IE prospective registry (2007-2012) who all had a frozen blood sample and at least one imaging procedure to detect asymptomatic or confirm symptomatic EE.

Critical Illness-Related Corticosteroid Insufficiency in Cardiogenic Shock Patients: Prevalence and Prognostic Role.

Background: Cardiogenic shock shares with septic shock common hemodynamic features, inflammatory patterns, and most likely similar complications such as critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency in cardiogenic shock patients and to secondarily assess its prognostic value on 90-day mortality.

Methods: A single-center prospective observational study conducted over a 3-year period and including all patients with cardiogenic shock.

Early prediction of norepinephrine dependency and refractory septic shock with a multimodal approach of vascular failure.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to improve our ability to detect catecholamine dependency and refractory septic shock.

Methods: Fifty-one patients with septic shock were studied within the first 4 hours of norepinephrine administration. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their evolution in the intensive care unit, namely, group A, shock reversal, and group B, no shock reversal.

Death of an alcohol-dependent patient following intentional drug intoxication: implication of baclofen?

Used in the treatment of spasticity at low doses, baclofen is also prescribed off-label at high doses for the treatment of alcohol dependence. Several cases of baclofen intoxication have been reported, but only 1 case deals with the treatment of alcohol dependence. Thus, we report the first death in the context of baclofen off-label use of an alcohol-dependent patient with a high blood baclofen concentration after intentional drug intoxication.

Comparison of norepinephrine-dobutamine to epinephrine for hemodynamics, lactate metabolism, and organ function variables in cardiogenic shock. A prospective, randomized pilot study.

Objective: There is no study that has compared, in a randomized manner, which vasopressor is most suitable in optimizing both systemic and regional hemodynamics in cardiogenic shock patients. Hence, the present study was designed to compare epinephrine and norepinephrine-dobutamine in dopamine-resistant cardiogenic shock.

Design: Open, randomized interventional human study.

[A rare tracheal tumour: solitary fibroma].

Introduction: Solitary fibromas are rare anatomo-pathological entities, described initially in the pleural cavity. The mesenchymal origin of these tumours explains their widespread distribution.

Case Report: The authors report a case of solitary fibroma of the trachea in a woman of 30 years of age, presenting as acute respiratory distress and preceded by a 2 year history of episodes of dyspnoea diagnosed as unstable asthma.