Review Article

Authors:
Genaro Valladolid, Joseph Varon, Pilar Acosta

The care of the critically ill patient in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) has remained an important topic for those health care providers dealing with children. The purpose of this article is to introduce to the reader a summary of selected papers which we consider relevant to the care of the pediatric critically ill patient and that were published in the year 2006. These articles were selected on the basis of application to the PICU, overall importance and are not to be solely considered authoritative in their field. There are many other useful articles.

Article ID:
20070612215125
Authors:
Sandra L. Kane-Gill, Emily E. Castelli, Levent Kirisci, Ted L. Rice, Mitchell P. Fink

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and resource use in ICU patients receiving rHuEPO in a naturalistic setting. Methods: A retrospective, case-matched (1:2 ratio) study compared patients receiving rHuEPO to a control group. Patients admitted between January 2000 and July 2002 with an ICU length of stay (LOS) ¡Ý3 days were identifi ed by an electronic data repository. Patients, who received rHuEPO prior to ICU admission, had chronic renal failure or were <18 years of age were excluded. Patients were matched by age (¡À5 years), sex, admission year and ICU type.

Article ID:
20070612214758
Authors:
Zoran Vukcevic, Paul E. Marik

The purpose of this review is to summarize the advances in critical care management of the liver transplant ICU patients (patients with end stage liver disease, before and after orthotopic liver transplant). The review is based on search of Medline literature, with a focus on liver failure patients and critical care issues around liver transplantation. Starzl Transplantation Institute at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is one of the global leaders in the treatment of end stage liver disease (ESLD).

Article ID:
20070612214107
Authors:
Bobbak Vahid, Timothy Lin

Abdominal sarcoidosis is an uncommon form of sarcoidosis. The clinical presentation of esophageal, gastric, small bowel, colon, appendicular, spleen, pancreas, and abdominal aortic sarcoidosis are discussed in this review. The differential diagnosis of abdominal sarcoidosis is extensive. Other granulomatous diseases including tuberculosis, fungal infections, parasitic diseases, infl ammatory bowel disease, and Whipple’s disease should be excluded before making the diagnosis of gastrointestinal sarcoidosis. Corticosteroid therapy is the mainstay of medical therapy in abdominal sarcoidosis.

Article ID:
20070302004400
Authors:
Bobbak Vahid

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.

Article ID:
20070302004117
Authors:
Paul E. Marik

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.

Article ID:
20061203231955
Authors:
Caroline Ojeda, Joseph Varon

Not available

Article ID:
20061203224811
Authors:
Bobbak Vahid, Vinia Mendoza, Naisohn Arfai, Paul E Marik

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease that commonly involves the lungs and the heart. Although rare, lifethreatening cardiopulmonary emergencies can occur. Acute respiratory failure, massive hemoptysis, and cardiac emergencies are described in sarcoidosis. These clinical manifestations can be the first clinical presentation of sarcoidosis. The subject of cardiopulmonary sarcoidosis is reviewed.

Article ID:
20060621143412
Authors:
Gabriela Rodríguez, Joseph Varon

Clevidipine is a new third generation intravenous dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. It is a specific arterial vasodilator developed for the acute reduction and control of arterial blood pressure in the perioperative period. This drug has an extremely short half life and is rapidly metabolized by tissue and plasma esterases. Clevidipine is a potent arterial vasodilator with very little or no effect of the myocardial contractility and venous capacitance and also minimal side effects. Clevidipine can also theoretically help to protect against organ reperfusion injury.