Abdominal infections in the intensive care unit: characteristics, treatment and determinants of outcome
Background: Abdominal infections are frequent causes of sepsis and septic shock in the intensive care unit (ICU) and are associated with adverse outcomes. We analyzed the characteristics, treatments and outcome of ICU patients with abdominal infections using data extracted from a one-day point prevalence study, the Extended Prevalence of Infection in the ICU (EPIC) II.Methods: EPIC II included 13,796 adult patients from 1,265 ICUs in 75 countries. Infection was defined using the International Sepsis Forum criteria. Microbiological analyses were performed locally. Participating ICUs provided patient follow-up until hospital discharge or for 60 days.Results: Of the 7,087 infected patients, 1,…
Changes of coagulation parameters during high altitude expedition
Data on changes of haemostatic parameters at altitudes above 5000 m are very limited. So far it is unknown, whether altered coagulation could contribute to the development of acute mountain sickness.Thirty four healthy mountaineers were randomised to two acclimatisation protocols and undertook an expedition on Muztagh Ata (7549 m) in China. Tests were performed at five altitudes up to 6865 m. Haemostatic parameters, such as PT, aPTT, D-Dimer, APC-Resistance (APCR), von Willebrand Factor activity (RCo), ADAMTS-13C-Natriuretic Peptide (CNP) were assessed together with Lake Louise AMS score.D-Dimer significantly increased with increasing altitude (median 0.62 to 0.81 mcg/L, p0.0001). During as…