Before 2001, the hyperglycemia found in most critically ill patients was considered to be a component of the stress response. Current understanding was completely changed by the publication of the…
First described in the 1970s, stress-related mucosal damage (SMRD) was once considered a common complication of critical illness. However, it is now questionable whether the early descriptive work on the…
Body temperature is a fundamental physiologic parameter that is altered by several pathologic processes. Abnormal or altered body temperature is a key to aid in diagnosis and is often a…
Many critically ill patients are hypovolemic, which may result in impaired cardiac output and organ perfusion, leading to poor outcome. Therefore fluid therapy is a mainstay in the resuscitation of…
Implicit in any attempt to optimize the circulation are two key issues. First, it is important to identify those measures or parameters that constitute the most appropriate treatment options. Second,…
Septic patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) represent some of the sickest patients in the hospital, and optimal initial antibiotic selection is paramount to their survival. In this patient…
The ability to evaluate and manage a critically ill patient is one of the most important skills any intensivist brings to the bedside. Patients already resident in the intensive care…
Rapidly identifying causes of hemodynamic instability is essential during the care of critically ill patients. Central venous pressure catheters, pulse pressure variability devices, and transesophageal echocardiograms are commonly used in…
Over recent decades, we have seen many advancements in mechanical ventilation (MV) and respiratory monitoring, some resulting in documented decreases in mortality. Nevertheless, the mortality attributable to acute respiratory distress…
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common complication of critical illness or injury associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of ARDS involves mechanical and inflammatory injury to…
