Gastrointestinal failure in intensive care: a retrospective clinical study in three different intensive care units in Germany and Estonia.

Background: While gastrointestinal problems are common in ICU patients with multiple organ failure, gastrointestinal failure has not been given the consideration other organ systems receive. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of gastrointestinal failure (GIF), to identify its risk factors, and to determine its association with ICU mortality.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of adult patients (n = 2588) admitted to three different ICUs (two ICUs at the university hospital Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany and one at Tartu University Clinics, Estonia) during the year 2002 was performed.

Circulating immune parameters predicting the progression from hospital-acquired pneumonia to septic shock in surgical patients.

Introduction: Hospital-acquired pneumonia after surgery is one of the major causes of septic shock. The excessive inflammatory response appears to be responsible for the increased susceptibility to infections and subsequent sepsis. The primary aim of this study was to investigate immune parameters at the onset of pneumonia, before the development of subsequent septic shock.

Recombinant activated factor VII for refractory bleeding after cardiac surgery--a retrospective analysis of safety and efficacy.

Objective: Analysis of safety and efficacy of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) used as the last resort for refractory bleeding after cardiac surgery.

Design: Retrospective cohort analysis and matched pairs analysis with historic controls were performed. In the rFVIIa group, which also received conventional hemostatic therapy, data were collected for a median of 14 hrs from admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) to the administration of rFVIIa and for the following 24 hrs.