During recent years increasing attention has been given to the quality of survival in critical care. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important issue both for patients and their families. Furthermore, admission to the intensive care unit can have adverse psychological effects in critically ill patients. Recent studies conducted in critically ill patients have measured HRQOL. However...

In a prospective, randomized, controlled study involving adults admitted to surgical intensive care units and receiving mechanical ventilation [2], intensive insulin therapy substantially reduced mortality and morbidity. Intensive insulin treatment reduced the number of deaths from multiple organ failure with sepsis. Markers of inflammation were found to be less frequently abnormal in the inten...

Only limited data are available regarding the treatment of critically ill patients with clopidogrel. This trial investigated the effects and the drug concentrations of the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) activated prodrug clopidogrel (n = 43) and the half-life of the similarly metabolized pantoprazole (n = 16) in critically ill patients. ADP-induced aggregometry in whole blood classified 74% (95% conf...

Disorders of sodium and water metabolism are frequently encountered in hospitalized patients. Hyponatremia in critically ill patients can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Inappropriate treatment of hyponatremia can add to the problem. The diagnosis and management of salt and water abnormalities in critically ill patients is often challenging. The increasing knowledge about aquaporins ...