Sheila Willatts

TL;DR: The ESICM developed a so-called sepsis-related organ failure assessment (SOFA) score to describe quantitatively and as objectively as possible the degree of organ dysfunction/failure over time in groups of patients or even in individual patients.

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluated the performance of total maximum sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score and a derived measure, delta SOFA (total maximum SOFA score minus admission total SOFA) as a descriptor of multiple organ dysfunction/failure in intensive care.

TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the safety, biological effects, and efficacy of the anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antibody fragment, MAK 195F, in a phase II trial in patients with severe sepsis.

TL;DR: Selective decontamination of the digestive tract may be used selectively in an ITU without ill effects on those patients not receiving SDD; nevertheless, microbiological monitoring is needed to detect emergence of resistant bacteria in the unit.

TL;DR: Isoflurane is a useful agent for prolonged sedation of ventilated patients and does not have any adverse effect on the cardiorespiratory system or on hepatic, renal or adrenal function.