AIM To investigated the prognostic value of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with acute pancreatitis and determined an optimal cut-off value for the prediction of adverse outcomes in these patients. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 490 patients with acute pancreatitis diagnosed between March 2007 and December 2012. NLRs were calculated at admission and 24, 48, and 72 h aft...

We encountered two cases of fatal necrotizing fasciitis caused by Photobacterium damsela in Japan. Both cases occurred in fishermen who became sick after fishing. They developed multiple organ failure within 20 to 36 h from the onset of initial symptoms despite intensive chemotherapy and surgical treatments.

OBJECTIVE To review the role of secretory phospholipase A2 in the pathogenesis of multiple organ failure in the critically ill patient. DATA SOURCES Relevant articles and published reviews on secretory phospholipase A2 in critical illness. SUMMARY OF REVIEW Secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) has an important role in inflammation and in antimicrobial defence. However, excessive activity of s...

The Atlanta Classification defines acute pancreatitis as mild or severe. A number of aspects have been discussed in recent years, such as, how many categories of severity should be considered; whether the patient with organ failure is similar to the patient with infected necrosis; the role of transient organ failure; and how to evaluate organ failure. The meeting “Evidence Based Telemedicine Tr...

The aim of the study was to determine whether extrapancreatic inflammation on computed tomography (EPIC) is helpful in predicting organ failure in the early phase of acute pancreatitis (AP) as defined by the 2012 revised Atlanta classification.Patients (n = 208) who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) within 24 hours after AP onset and admission were retrospectively identified. Each pa...

The shortage of organs for transplantation has led researchers to look for new techniques to expand the donor pool. Preconditioning strategies have the potential to protect organs from transplant associated injury or may improve the function of substandard organs so that they become suitable for transplantation. Translating this type of technology to the clinical setting raises ethical issues, ...

Background & Aims: At present due to brain dead patients’ families refuse to organ donation, the number of available organs is less than the requesting cases. The aim of this comparative descriptive study was to compare opinions of donor and nondonor families about relevant factors in their decision making. Methods: participants included 175 members of 71 families (141 members of 56 donor famil...

Several research papers published in Critical Care throughout 2007 examined the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of sepsis and multiorgan failure. The present review summarizes the findings and implications of the papers published on sepsis and multiorgan failure and places the research in the context of other work in the field.