[Variations of left ventricular-arterial coupling in septic shock].

Objective: To explore the variations of left ventricular-arterial coupling and elucidate its mechanisms in septic shock.

Methods: Septic shock rabbits were established by an intravenous injection of endotoxin. A total of 12 rabbits were divided randomly into sham operation group (S, n = 6) and endotoxin injection group (E, n = 6).

[Clinical role of evaluating vascular paralysis in septic shock patients].

Objective: To explore the effects of vascular paralysis upon prognosis and tissue perfusion in septic shock patients.

Methods: A total of 73 septic shock patients consecutively admitted into our department from January 2010 to July 2011 were retrospectively studied. Their hemodynamic data, arterial lactate concentration and APACHEII (acute physiology & chronic health evaluation II) score at the beginning of cardiac output monitoring (0h), as well as the outcome of Day 28 post-diagnosis were recorded.

[Value of dynamic arterial elastance in the predication of arterial pressure response to volume loading in shock patients].

Objective: To explore the value of dynamic arterial elastance (Eadyn) in the predication of arterial pressure response to volume loading in shock patients.

Methods: A total of 32 patients with pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PICCO) monitoring at our intensive care unit from January 2011 to December 2012 were retrospectively studied. The decision of fluid replacement was based upon the presence of shock (mean arterial pressure (MAP) ≤ 65 mm Hg, systolic arterial pressure <90 mm Hg or a decrease of 40 mm Hg from baseline) and preserved volume responsiveness condition with a stroke volume variation (SVV) value ≥ 10%.

[Value of power Doppler ultrasound to evaluate acute kidney injury].

Objective: To explore the value of power Doppler ultrasound (PDU) in the evaluation of acute kidney injury(AKI).

Methods: Renal blood flow of 40 AKI cases was monitored by power Doppler ultrasound and 4-level semiquantitative PDU score method employed. All cases were divided into 3 groups by PDU score.

Early versus late percutaneous dilational tracheostomy in critically ill patients anticipated requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Background: Tracheostomy should be considered to replace endotracheal intubation in patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV). However, the optimal timing for tracheostomy is still a topic of debate. The present study aimed to investigate whether early percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) can reduce duration of MV, and to further verify whether early PDT can reduce sedative use, shorten intensive care unit (ICU) stay, decrease the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP), and increase successful weaning and ICU discharge rate.

[Left ventricular-arterial coupling in the resuscitation of refractory septic shock].

Objective: To explore the role of left ventricular-arterial coupling in the resuscitation of refractory septic shock.

Methods: A total of 58 patients with refractory septic shock admitted from January 2010 to July 2011 were retrospectively studied. Hemodynamic data, arterial lactate concentration and APACHEII (acute physiology & chronic health evaluation II) score at the beginning of and 24 hours after cardiac output monitoring, as well as the outcome of Day 28 post-diagnosis were recorded.

[Effects of central venous pressure on acute kidney injury in septic shock].

Objective: To investigate the effects of central venous pressure on acute kidney injury (AKI) in septic shock.

Methods: A total of 86 septic shock patients with PiCCO (pulse indicator continuous cardiac output) monitoring admitted at our department from January 2009 to January 2011 were retrospectively studied. They were divided into 2 groups based on central venous pressure (CVP) at 24 hs after PiCCO monitoring.

[Stroke volume variation in the evaluation of fluid responsiveness in refractory septic shock].

Objective: To evaluate fluid responsiveness by stroke volume variation(SVV) in mechanically ventilated patients with refractory septic shock.

Methods: Forty-two refractory septic shock patients were enrolled in the study. According to the responsiveness of fluid loading, the patients were divided into responsive group and non-responsive group.

[Stress gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill patients and its effect on the prognosis].

Objective: To investigate stress gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill patients and its effect on the prognosis.

Methods: Clinical data of 1148 critically ill patients consecutively admitted to Intensive Care Unit of East Campuses of Peking Union Medical College Hospital during 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. The main contents of investigation included morbility and mortality of stress gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill patients and its relationship with multiple organ dysfunction.

Predictive value of RIFLE classification on prognosis of critically ill patients with acute kidney injury treated with continuous renal replacement therapy.

Background: The optimal timing to start continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) for acute kidney injury (AKI) patients has not been accurately established. The recently proposed risk, injury, failure, loss, end-stage kidney disease (RIFLE) criteria for diagnosis and classification of AKI may provide a method for clinicians to decide the "optimal timing" for starting CRRT under uniform guidelines. The present study aimed: (1) to analyze the correlation between RIFLE stage at the start of CRRT and 90-day survival rate after CRRT start, (2) to further investigate the correlation of RIFLE stage with the malignant kidney outcome in the 90-day survivors, and (3) to determine the influence of the timing of CRRT defined by RIFLE classification on the 90-day survival and malignant kidney outcome in 90-day survivors.