Anesteziologie a intenzivní medicína, 2005 (vol. 16), issue 4
Duration of pre-anaesthetic assessment: prospective observational studyAnaesthesiology - Original Paper
V. Černý, K. Cvachovec, T. Suchý
Anest. intenziv. Med. 2005;16(4):178-180 
Objective:Pre-anaesthetic assessment is considered an essential part of anaesthetic practice, however there is a lack of studies addressing the duration of the pre-anaesthetic assessment. The aim of the study was to establish the duration of the pre-anaesthetic assessment at two large tertiary care hospitals in the Czech Republic. Design:Prospective non-interventional observantional study. Setting:University Hospital Hradec Kralove, University Hospital Motol Prague. Material and Methods:The prospective study was conducted during a three-month period in 2004. The following data were recorded in...
Influence of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α gene polymorphisms on acute pain perceptionAnaesthesiology - Original Paper
O. Hrazdilová, O. Šerý, P. Ševčík
Anest. intenziv. Med. 2005;16(4):181-184
Objective:The aim of the study was to analyze the association between acute pain and -174 interleukin-6 (IL-6) and -308 tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) gene polymorphisms. Material and methods:The tonsillectomy and tourniquet tests were taken as acute pain perception models. The study population of patients was divided into groups according to pain intensity based on visual analogue scale (VAS) and according to pain tolerance. Both pain intensity and tolerance were measured immediately after the tonsillectomy and tourniquet tests, and compared with -174 IL-6 and -308 TNFα gene polymorphisms. The Spearmann...
Complex approach to oncological and oncosurgical therapy in morbidly obese patient: case reportAnaesthesiology - Original Paper
J. Málek, M. Kubecová, A. Kurzová, J. Pachl, B. Svoboda, M. Tvrdek
Anest. intenziv. Med. 2005;16(4):185-190
A case of morbidly obese 65-year old patient (body mass index BMI = 56) with gynaecological malignant tumour is described. After repeated uneventful subarachnoid blocks she suffered a fracture of the femur and pelvis as a result of falling out of bed. Following successful orthopaedic treatment the malignant gynaecological tumour recurred. The combined gynaecological and plastic surgery under general anaesthesia was followed by failure of vital functions and the patient was admitted to the critical care unit. Finally she recovered completely. The problems of anaesthesia in morbidly obese patients are discussed.
Prognostic significance of apoptotic and genomic plasma free DNA levels in critically ill patientsIntensive Care Medicine - Original Paper
E. Žďárský, J. Fanta, P. Waldauf, L. Slavkovský, F. Duška, E. Čtrnáctá, J. Pachl
Anest. intenziv. Med. 2005;16(4):191-196
Objective:To establish the trends and prognostic value of plasma levels of the free apoptotic (aDNA) and genomic DNA (gDNA) in patients with failure of vital functions. Type of study:Prospective observational study. Setting:University Dept. of Anaesthesiology/CCM and Dept. of Surgery, Charles University, 3rd School of Medicine, Prague. Material and Methods :94 critically ill patientts were evaluated. The blood samples for DNA analysis were taken on the day of admission, the third and fifth day of hospital stay. The following data were collected: ICU admission diagnosis, age and gender, APACHE...
Systemic mycosis in ICU: new diagnostic and treatment opportunitiesIntensive Care Medicine - Original Paper
J. Haber, I. Novák
Anest. intenziv. Med. 2005;16(4):197-202
The incidence of invasive fungal infections in the critical care setting has steadily increased in the past couple of decades. Candida spp. are the fourth most common cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections worldwide. Candidiasis and other invasive mycotic infections have been widely reported in intensive care units (ICU). These infections are particularly severe, with mortality rates ranging from 35% to 60%. Preventing their development is very enticing but treatment can be costly, both financially and with regard to resistance and toxicity. On the other hand pre-emptive treatment has been found a very useful strategy in reducing the incidence...
PIRO concept - "P" (predisposition) and sepsisIntensive Care Medicine - Original Paper
M. Průcha, V. Maťoška
Anest. intenziv. Med. 2005;16(4):203-209
The letter "P" means "predisposition" in the PIRO concept for the staging of sepsis. Different methods of molecular biology enable us to determine the genetic predisposition in both monogenic and polygenic diseases. Sepsis represents an example of a polygenic disease. The determination of genetic polymorphism of inflammatory mediators, parameters of innate immunity and haemocoagulation factors represent just one approach. The DNA microarray technology holds a promise to monitor the interaction of thousands of genes simultaneously and represents the diagnostic tool of the future. It will be necessary to coordinate clinical trials in order to make good...
ANZICS: Statement on withholding and withdrawing treatmentIntensive Care Medicine - Original Paper
ANZICS (Australian and New Zealand Society of Intensive Care; Australská a novozélandská společnost intenzivní péče a spojená katedra intenzivní péče)
Anest. intenziv. Med. 2005;16(4):210-211
The statement on withholding and withdrawing treatment in intensive care issued by the Australian and New Zealand Society of Intensive Care is a guide to promulgate local end-of-life decision making and palliative care guidelines. The statement is a formal professional but not legal document. Nevertheless it clearly presents the position of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Intensive Care, while providing the doctors, nurses, patients and families with a moral as well as factual framework within which discussions surrounding dying and end-of-life care in intensive care can be held. Although independent, the statement fully complies with the...