Does the age of packed red blood cells, donor sex or sex mismatch affect the sublingual microcirculation in critically ill intensive care unit patients? A secondary interpretation of a retrospective analysis.

In vitro studies have thoroughly documented age-dependent impact of storage lesions in packed red blood cells (pRBC) on erythrocyte oxygen carrying capacity. While studies have examined the effect of pRBC age on patient outcome only few data exist on the microcirculation as their primary site of action. In this secondary analysis we examined the relationship between age of pRBC and changes of microcirculatory flow (MCF) in 54 patients based on data from the Basel Bedside assessment Microcirculation Transfusion Limit study (BaMiTraL) on effects of pRBC on sublingual MCF.

A new high protein-to-energy enteral formula with a whey protein hydrolysate to achieve protein targets in critically ill patients: a prospective observational tolerability study.

Objectives: Current guidelines and expert recommendations stress the need to implement enteral feeds with a higher protein-to-energy ratio to meet protein requirements as recommended while avoiding gastrointestinal side effects and energy overfeeding in ICU patients.

Materials And Methods: Prospective tolerability study in 18 critically ill patients with a high protein formula (high protein-to-energy (HP:E) formula = Fresubin® Intensive; HPG) compared to a contemporary matched conventional therapy group (CTG). The primary outcome was GI intolerance defined as ≥300 ml daily gastric residual volume (GRV), vomiting, or diarrhea on days 1 and 2.

Sublingual microcirculation does not reflect red blood cell transfusion thresholds in the intensive care unit-a prospective observational study in the intensive care unit.

Purpose: Hemoglobin (Hb) transfusion thresholds are established in intensive care units. A restrictive transfusion threshold (Hb 70-75 g/l) is recommended in septic patients, and a liberal transfusion threshold (Hb 90 g/l) for cardiogenic shock. It is unclear whether these historically adopted transfusion thresholds meet the challenges of individual patients.

Sublingual microcirculation: a case report.

Introduction: Sublingual microcirculation monitoring is suitable for bedside use in critically ill patients. We present a case in which severely impaired sublingual microcirculation was the first alarming sign of an early deterioration of the patient's medical situation.

Case Presentation: This is the case of a 58-year-old white woman admitted to our intensive care unit after the removal of parts of her small intestine due to a volvulus.

The value of volume substitution in patients with septic and haemorrhagic shock with respect to the microcirculation.

After decades of ordinary scientific interest, fluid resuscitation of patients with septic and haemorrhagic shock took centre stage in intensive care research at the turn of the millennium. By that time, resuscitation fluids were the mainstay of haemodynamic stabilisation, avoidance of vasopressors and treatment of hypovolaemia in patients in shock, but were accompanied by adverse events such as excessive tissue oedema. With the spread of early goal-directed therapy research intensified and it was realised that type, volume and timing of resuscitation fluids might affect the course and outcome of critically ill patients.

Pantoprazole in Patients at Risk for Gastrointestinal Bleeding in the ICU.

Background: Prophylaxis for gastrointestinal stress ulceration is frequently given to patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), but its risks and benefits are unclear.

Methods: In this European, multicenter, parallel-group, blinded trial, we randomly assigned adults who had been admitted to the ICU for an acute condition (i.e.

The Integrated Care of Asthma in Switzerland (INCAS) Study: Changes in Asthma Control and Perception of Health Care through Asthma Education.

Background: Despite great efforts in establishing optimal asthma management, asthma may remain uncontrolled. To effectively manage chronic diseases, such as asthma, it is important to train patients in self-management skills.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the potential benefit of standardised asthma education in Switzerland for asthma control and patients' perception of received asthma care and of self-management support.

The integrated care of asthma in Switzerland (INCAS)-study: Patients' perspective of received asthma care and their interest in asthma education.

Objective: For successful long-term asthma care, self-management education is a cornerstone. Little is known about associations between patients' interest in education, asthma control and care delivery. We compared patients' characteristics, asthma control and patients' perspective about asthma care in subjects with and without interest in asthma education.