Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) was originally described in trauma patients but is now known to occur in critically ill patients with a myriad of acute illnesses. Recent epidemiological studies have characterized the prevalence of intraabdominal hypertension (defi ned as an intraabdominal pressure [IAP] measured at the urinary bladder ¡Ý12 mmHg) between 2% and 33% [1,2] and the prevalence of ACS (defi ned as an IAP ¡Ý20 mmHg and associated organ system dysfunction) between 1% and 15%. These prevalences are similar to those quoted for sepsis and septic shock in trauma patients.

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A 66 year-old female with long-standing history of rheumatoid arthritis on chronic steroid therapy, presented for routine kyphoplasty for a compression fracture of L1 and L2. Pre-operative electrocardiogram (EKG) revealed a normal sinus rhythm and no abnormalities. Her intra-operative course was complicated by severe hypotension. A post operative EKG revealed ST elevation in inferior and lateral leads with ST changes. She underwent a left heart catheterization that revealed normal coronary arteries and an ejection fraction of 70%.

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Nosocomial infections (NIs) are one of the most common complications that occur in ICU patients and confer an increased relative risk of 3.5 for mortality. These types of infections may affect from 5 to 35% of patients who are admitted to ICU’s. Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities by the CDC, and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee [HICPAC] guidelines have become standard. These recommendations have been tested in clinical trials of routine infection control surveillance.

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A 46 year-old Hispanic female with no past medical history, and no history of trauma presented to the hospital with complaints of shortness of breath worsening gradually over past two months. The patient’s physical examination was remarkable for diminished heart sounds at auscultation. A complete blood count chemistry was within normal limit. Collagen vascular profi le was negative. A chest x-ray revealed enlarged cardiac shilloute suggestive of pericardial effusion. A computed tomography (CT) scan of chest showed massive pericardial effusion.

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Herbal medicines are being increasingly used for treatment of variety of disorders. Herbal medicines are generally thought to lack severe side effects. Despite of the general belief, herbal medicines are known to cause serious side effects and toxicities. On the other hand, physicians’ knowledge of herbal medicines and their potential toxicities are generally limited. Neurotoxicity, cardiac toxicity, pulmonary toxicity, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity are potential severe complications of herbal medicines.

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Sepsis is among the most common reason for admission to intensive care units throughout the world. Sepsis is characterized by a generalized microcirculatory injury, which results in tissue dysoxia. Tissue dysoxia is believed to be the causation of multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS) which commonly complicates the course of sepsis. The expedient detection and correction of tissue dysoxia may limit the development of MODS.

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