Objective To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin (PCT) for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CBM, BIOSIS to identify all diagnostic tests which evaluated the diagnostic value of PCT in patients with VAP. QUADAS items were used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (+LR), negative likelihood ratio (-LR), summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve, and the heterogeneity of the included studies were calculated by using the Meta-disk software. Results Five studies which were identified from 103 references met the inclusion criteria. The summary sensitivity, specificity, +LR, and –LR values were 0.70 (95%CI 0.62 to 0.77), 0.76 (95%CI 0.69 to 0.82), 5.651 (95%CI 1.237 to 25.810), and 0.349 (95%CI 0.155 to 0.784), respectively. Overall area under the curve (AUC) of SROC curve was 0.884 (DOR=19.416, 95%CI 2.473 to 152.47), demonstrating significant heterogeneity (I2gt;50%). Conclusion The use of PCT for VAP diagnosis has only a moderate sensitivity and specificity. Although the overall accuracy of VAP diagnosis is relatively high, there is significant heterogeneity between the studies, so more high-quality studies are needed. Besides, using PCT alone to diagnose VAP is not sufficient, and a combination with other clinical evaluations is necessary.
Objective To analyze risk factors and therapy strategies of critically ill patients with acute pulmonary edema(APE)after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake.Methods Data including the level of hemoglobin,mean arterial pressure(MAP),central venous pressure(CVP),serum albumin as well as complications and liquid balance 1 week,3 days,1 day before onset of APE was collected an d an alyzed retrospectively.Resets Among 142 patients during two months after May 12 earthquake APE was detected in 17 cases for 25 times.The hemoglobin Was (86.04 ±16.31)s/L,MAP was(99.40±17.38)mm Hg,CVP Was (13.64 ±4.09)mm Hg and serum albumin was(27.80±8.10)g/L.Acute renal failure,severe infection,cardiovascular disease and extremity lost were more common in APE patients.Theliquid net intake Was (1 725.05±4 624.84)mL for one week,(1 574.70±2 857.13)mL for 3 days and (368.56±1 589.89)mL for 1 day before the onset of APE.The liquid intake Was significantly higher in young group.APE Was alleviated promptly after integrated therapy in all cases.Conclusions Traumapatients with ARF or extremity lost are prone to be compromised with APE.Severe infection and overburden of liquid may be other predisposing factors.
Objective To investigate the efficacy of interdisciplinary therapy in critically ill patients with gas gangrene in the 2008 W enchuan earthquake.Methods Four critically wounded patients with gas gangrene caused by Wenchuan earthquake were treated by interdisciplinary cooperation.Results Two patients received debridement and decompression were not amputated.Two amputated patients did not received futher amputation.Conclusions Interdisciplinary therapy of critically ill patients with gasgangrene in earthquake could limited the area of tissue necrosis,minimized the necessity of amputation and further amputation.
To reduce the infection risk of 2019-novel coronavirus and to protect medical staffs, “Graded personal protection scheme for preventing medical staffs from 2019-novel coronavirus infection in West China hospital” was formulated according to the guidance and notice issued by the National Health Commission combined with the actual situation of West China Hospital. This scheme could provide reference for preventing such disease for medical staffs.
China is facing the serious situation of 2019-novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection. The health care institutions have actively participated in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease. Proper regulation of in-hospital policy may help control virus spreading. We developed seven key clinical questions about the prevention and control of 2019-novel coronavirus infection in hospital, and provided recommendations based on the best available evidence and expert experience. We interpreted the recommendations for better feasibility in Chinese hospital. The current recommendations provide evidence and reference for the domestic medical institutions to reasonably adjust the hospital workflow during 2019-nCoV infection period..