The course of adrenomedullin and endothelin levels in patients with vasodilatory shock after cardiac surgery compared to patients after uncomplicated elective cardiac surgery.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyse the course of adrenomedullin (ADM) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels in patients with vasodilatory shock after cardiac surgery and to explore differences compared to patients after uncomplicated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. ADM and ET-1 are involved in the vasomotor response during vasodilatory shock.

Materials And Methods: We included 32 patients with vasodilatory shock (study group) and 10 patients after uncomplicated CABG surgery (control group).

Cell-free expression of RNA encoded genes using MS2 replicase.

RNA replicases catalyse transcription and replication of viral RNA genomes. Of particular interest for in vitro studies are phage replicases due to their small number of host factors required for activity and their ability to initiate replication in the absence of any primers. However, the requirements for template recognition by most phage replicases are still only poorly understood.

Compartmentalised RNA catalysis in membrane-free coacervate protocells.

Phase separation of mixtures of oppositely charged polymers provides a simple and direct route to compartmentalisation via complex coacervation, which may have been important for driving primitive reactions as part of the RNA world hypothesis. However, to date, RNA catalysis has not been reconciled with coacervation. Here we demonstrate that RNA catalysis is viable within coacervate microdroplets and further show that these membrane-free droplets can selectively retain longer length RNAs while permitting transfer of lower molecular weight oligonucleotides.

Autologous fibroblast transplantation at the vesico-ureteral junction as potential reconstructive cell replacement in an animal model.

Purpose: To evaluate the cellular survival of donor fibroblasts after transplantation at the vesico-ureteral junction (VUJ) and to analyse their potential for reconstructive cell replacement in an animal model as autologous fibroblasts have been used as soft tissue augmentation material for scared and damaged tissue.

Methods: Muscles biopsies were procured from the lower limb muscles of 4 pigs; cytoplasm of fibroblasts was labelled with nano-sized iron oxide particles. Six weeks after taking of the muscle biopsies, fibroblast transplantation was performed, 3 × 10(6) cells suspended in transplantation medium (in 1-ml syringes) were injected at the VUJ using the modified STING technique.

A survey of the status of education and research in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia.

Background: Current knowledge of the situation of anaesthesia in developing countries is limited. A survey of the status of education and research based on hospital records, records of the anaesthesia section, nursing records, personal observations as well as personal communication with staff, patients and hospital managers was carried out in a 1863-bed university teaching hospital located in the capital of a least developed Sub-Saharan African Country.

Methods: Classification and evaluation of the data was based on the three aspects of the role of university teaching hospitals in Western countries: (I) patient care, (II) university teaching and post-graduation training, as well as (III) research activities.

A prediction model for out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Background: We created a prediction model to be used in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) attempts as a decision tool to omit futile CPR attempts and to save resources.

Methods: In this post hoc analysis, we assessed predictive parameters for neurological recovery after successful CPR. The original study was designed as a blinded, randomized, prospective, controlled, multicenter clinical trial.

Comparing two different arginine vasopressin doses in advanced vasodilatory shock: a randomized, controlled, open-label trial.

Purpose: To compare the effects of two arginine vasopressin (AVP) dose regimens on the hemodynamic response, catecholamine requirements, AVP plasma concentrations, organ function and adverse events in advanced vasodilatory shock.

Methods: In this prospective, controlled, open-label trial, patients with vasodilatory shock due to sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome or after cardiac surgery requiring norepinephrine >0.6 microg/kg/min were randomized to receive a supplementary AVP infusion either at 0.

Macroscopic postmortem findings in 235 surgical intensive care patients with sepsis.

Background: Although detailed analyses of the postmortem findings of various critically ill patient groups have been published, no such study has been performed in patients with sepsis. In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed macroscopic postmortem examinations of surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients who died from sepsis or septic shock.

Methods: Between 1997 and 2006, the ICU database and autopsy register were reviewed for patients who were admitted to the ICU because of sepsis/septic shock, or who developed sepsis/septic shock at a later stage during their ICU stay and subsequently died from of sepsis/septic shock.

Arterial blood pressure during early sepsis and outcome.

Objective: To evaluate the association between arterial blood pressure (ABP) during the first 24 h and mortality in sepsis.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Multidisciplinary intensive care unit (ICU).

The vasopressin and copeptin response to infection, severe sepsis, and septic shock.

Objective: To compare the course of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and copeptin plasma concentrations between patients with infection, severe sepsis, and septic shock.

Design: Prospective, closed-cohort study.

Setting: Twelve-bed general and surgical intensive care unit and 33-bed internal medicine ward in a university hospital.

The vasopressin and copeptin response in patients with vasodilatory shock after cardiac surgery: a prospective, controlled study.

Objective: To evaluate arginine vasopressin (AVP) and copeptin plasma concentrations in patients with vasodilatory shock after cardiac surgery.

Design: Prospective, controlled, clinical study.

Setting: Surgical intensive care unit and cardiac surgery ward in a tertiary university teaching hospital.

Postoperative vasopressin and copeptin levels in noncardiac surgery patients: a prospective controlled trial.

Further information on the endogenous arginine vasopressin (AVP) response in patients with postoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and vasodilatory shock would provide more insight into the pathophysiology of SIRS-associated cardiovascular failure and help indicate AVP therapy. Patients after uncomplicated abdominal surgery without SIRS (n = 10), critically ill patients after noncardiac surgery with SIRS (n = 9), and patients with SIRS plus vasodilatory shock (n = 22) were included in this prospective trial. Plasma AVP (radioimmunoassay) and copeptin (immunoluminometric assay) concentrations together with clinical parameters were documented daily during the first 7 days postoperative.

A comparison of the combination of epinephrine and vasopressin with lipid emulsion in a porcine model of asphyxial cardiac arrest after intravenous injection of bupivacaine.

Background: In a porcine model, we compared the effect of the combination of vasopressin/epinephrine with that of a lipid emulsion on survival after bupivacaine-induced cardiac arrest.

Methods: After administration of 5 mg/kg of a 0.5% bupivacaine solution i.

Anesthesia and its allied disciplines in the developing world: a nationwide survey of the Republic of Zambia.

Background: Many surgical interventions worldwide are performed in developing countries. To improve survival of acutely and critically ill patients in these countries, basic problems and demands of anesthesia care need to be identified. Using this survey, we evaluated the current status of anesthesia and its allied disciplines (intensive care medicine, emergency medicine, and pain therapy) in the Republic of Zambia.

Endogenous vasopressin and copeptin response in multiple trauma patients.

Endogenous arginine vasopressin (AVP) levels in multiple trauma patients are unknown. Arginine vasopressin is considered to play an important role in severe hemorrhage. In this prospective study, 87 multiple trauma patients (Injury Severity Score >15) and 50 healthy volunteers were enrolled.

Comparison of two dose regimens of arginine vasopressin in advanced vasodilatory shock.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of two arginine vasopressin (AVP) dose regimens (0.033 vs. 0.

Arginine vasopressin during sinus rhythm: effects on haemodynamic variables, left anterior descending coronary artery cross sectional area and cardiac index, before and after inhibition of NO-synthase, in pigs.

Unlabelled: We have shown previously that arginine vasopressin (AVP) given during sinus rhythm increases mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery cross sectional area. AVP was assumed to result in vasodilatation via activation of the endothelial nitric oxide system. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of AVP before and after NO-inhibition.

Causes of death and determinants of outcome in critically ill patients.

Introduction: Whereas most studies focus on laboratory and clinical research, little is known about the causes of death and risk factors for death in critically ill patients.

Methods: Three thousand seven hundred patients admitted to an adult intensive care unit (ICU) were prospectively evaluated. Study endpoints were to evaluate causes of death and risk factors for death in the ICU, in the hospital after discharge from ICU, and within one year after ICU admission.

Arginine vasopressin in advanced cardiovascular failure during the post-resuscitation phase after cardiac arrest.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) has been employed successfully during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but there exist only few data about the effects of AVP infusion for cardiovascular failure during the post-cardiac arrest period. Cardiovascular failure is one of the main causes of death after successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest. Although the "post-resuscitation syndrome" has been described as a "sepsis-like" syndrome, there is little information about the haemodynamic response to AVP in advanced cardiovascular failure after cardiac arrest.

Copeptin and arginine vasopressin concentrations in critically ill patients.

Context: Determination of arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentrations may be helpful to guide therapy in critically ill patients. A new assay analyzing copeptin, a stable peptide derived from the AVP precursor, has been introduced.

Objective: Our objective was to determine plasma copeptin concentrations.

Cutaneous vascular reactivity and flow motion response to vasopressin in advanced vasodilatory shock and severe postoperative multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

Introduction: Disturbances in microcirculatory homeostasis have been hypothesized to play a key role in the pathophysiology of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and vasopressor-associated ischemic skin lesions. The effects of a supplementary arginine vasopressin (AVP) infusion on microcirculation in vasodilatory shock and postoperative multiple organ dysfunction syndrome are unknown.

Method: Included in the study were 18 patients who had undergone cardiac or major surgery and had a mean arterial blood pressure below 65 mmHg, despite infusion of more than 0.

Vasopressin during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and different shock states: a review of the literature.

Vasopressin administration may be a promising therapy in the management of various shock states. In laboratory models of cardiac arrest, vasopressin improved vital organ blood flow, cerebral oxygen delivery, the rate of return of spontaneous circulation, and neurological recovery compared with epinephrine (adrenaline). In a study of 1219 adult patients with cardiac arrest, the effects of vasopressin were similar to those of epinephrine in the management of ventricular fibrillation and pulseless electrical activity; however, vasopressin was superior to epinephrine in patients with asystole.

Effects of thrombolysis during out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

In this post hoc analysis, we assessed effects of thrombolysis during out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The original study was designed as a double-blinded, prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial. In this report, 1,219 patients were randomized, but 33 patients were excluded due to missing study drug codes.

Serum vasopressin concentrations in critically ill patients.

Objective: To measure arginine vasopressin (AVP) serum concentrations in critically ill patients.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Twelve-bed general and surgical intensive care unit in a tertiary, university teaching hospital.

Antifactor Xa activity in critically ill patients receiving antithrombotic prophylaxis with standard dosages of certoparin: a prospective, clinical study.

Introduction: Deep venous thrombosis with subsequent pulmonary embolism or post-thrombotic syndrome is a feared complication in the intensive care unit. Therefore, routine prophylactic anticoagulation is widely recommended. Aside from unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparins, such as certoparin, have become increasingly used for prophylactic anticoagulation in critically ill patients.