Over the last decade, liver transplantation has become an operational reality in our part of the world. As a result, clinicians working in an intensive care unit are more likely to be exposed to these patients in the immediate postoperative period, and thus, it is important that they have a working knowledge of the common complications, when they are likely to occur, and how to deal with them. The main focus of this review is to address the variety of critical care issues in liver transplant recipients and to impress upon the need to provide favorable circumstances for the new liver to start functioning and maintain the function of other organs to aid in this process.

Liver transplant procedures require the most blood components, despite the fact that blood use in liver transplantation has declined dramatically over the last decade. Liver transplant recipients present unique challenges, not only in terms of blood supply, but also requirements for specialized blood components, serologic problems, and immunologic effects of transfusion on both the allograft and the recipient. The cause of intraoperative blood loss in liver transplantation is multifactorial, due to both technical factors and poor coagulation control. This procedure carries the risk of massive blood loss, which requires massive transfusions and is associated with postoperative infections, reduced graft survival, multi-organ dysfunction, and higher risk of mortality. Efforts to reduce intraoperative bleeding leading to limitation of blood transfusions are desirable to improve results and also to control costs. Method of literature search:

1. The name of topic is typed and searched in Google search.
2. The name of topic is typed and searched in PubMed search. Related articles were also searched.
3. Some standard books in Transfusion Medicine were also referred.

The disastrous entry of amniotic fluid into the maternal circulation leads to dramatic sequelae of clinical events, characteristically referred to as Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE). The underlying mechanism for AFE is still poorly understood. Unfortunately, this situation has very grave maternal and fetal consequences. AFE can occur during labor, caesarean section, dilatation and evacuation or in the immediate postpartum period. The pathophysiology is believed to be immune mediated which affects the respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological and hematological systems. Undetected and untreated it culminates into fulminant pulmonary edema, intractable convulsions, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), malignant arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. Definite diagnosis can be confirmed by identification of lanugo, fetal hair and fetal squamous cells (squames) in blood aspirated from the right ventricle. Usually the diagnosis is made clinically and by exclusion of other causes. The cornerstone of management is a multidisciplinary approach with supportive treatment of failing organs systems. Despite improved modalities for diagnosing AFE, and better intensive care support facilities, the mortality is still high.

Background: Computerized medical information systems have been popularized over the last two decades to improve quality and safety, and for decreasing medical errors. Aim: To develop a clinician-friendly computer-based support system in the intensive care unit (ICU) that incorporates recording, reminders, alerts, checklists and diagnostic differentials for common conditions encountered in critical care. Materials and Methods: This project was carried out at the Medical ICU CMC Hospital, Vellore, in collaboration with the Computer Science Department, VIT University. The first phase was to design and develop monitoring and medication sheets. Terminologies such as checklists (intervention list that pops up at defined times for all patients), reminders (intervention unique to each patient) and alerts (time-based, value-based, trend-based) were defined. The diagnostic and intervention bundles were characterized in the second phase. The accuracy and reliability of the software to generate alerts, reminders and diagnoses was tested in the third phase. The fourth phase will be to integrate this with the hospital information system and the bedside monitors. Results: Alpha testing was performed using six scenarios written by intensivists. The software generated real-time alerts and reminders and provided diagnostic differentials relevant to critical care. Predefined interventions for each diagnostic possibility appeared as pop-ups. Problems identified during alpha testing were rectified prior to beta testing. Conclusions: The use of a computer-assisted monitoring, recording and diagnostic system appears promising. It is envisaged that further software refinements following beta testing would facilitate the improvement of quality and safety in the critical care environment.

Context: Use of steroids in septic shock is an issue of contention, more so with two major trials reporting conflicting results. Aims: To assess the current knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to the role of steroids in septic shock among intensivists practising in Hyderabad. Setting, Design, Materials and Methods: Questionnaires containing 10 questions pertaining to the role of steroids in septic shock, were distributed to 76 intensivists during the monthly critical care meeting. Results: A great majority of intensivists (82%) agreed that the role of steroids is restricted to septic shock not responding to vasopressors. There was no clear consensus regarding the role of corticotropin stimulation test or the timing of total cortisol level testing, if it has to be performed. Hydrocortisone was clearly the choice of steroid for most intensivists and intravenous bolus injection being the preferred route of administration. There was no agreement regarding the dose of steroids, the role of fludrocortisone and whether steroids should be tapered. Most of the respondents did not extend the steroid therapy beyond seven days and the most common side effect reported was hyperglycemia. Conclusion: There is a lot of ambiguity in the knowledge, attitudes or practices regarding role of steroids in septic shock among intensivists in Hyderabad. Uniform policies and protocols need to be devised at institutional level, with multispecialty inputs, and doctors need to be familiarized accordingly.

Background: Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are the most frequent infections among patients in Intensive care units (ICUs). Aims: To know the bacterial profile and determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the lower respiratory tract isolates from patients admitted to the ICU. Settings and Design: Tertiary care hospital, retrospective study. Materials and Methods: Transtracheal or bronchial aspirates from 207 patients admitted to the ICU were cultured, identified, and antibiotic sensitivity was performed by standard methods. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS software was used for calculation of % R of 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Of 207 specimens, 144 (69.5%) were culture positive and 63 (30.4%) showed no growth. From 144 culture positives, 161 isolates were recovered, of which 154 (95.6%) were Gram negative bacilli (GNB). In 17 (11.0%) patients, two isolates per specimen were recovered. The most common GNB in order of frequency were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (35%), Acinetobacter baumannii (23.6%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (13.6%). A very high rate of resistance (80-100%) was observed among predominant GNB to ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, co-trimoxazole, and amoxycillin/clavulanic acid combination. Least resistance was noted to meropenem and doxycycline. Conclusion: Nonfermenters are the most common etiological agents of LRTIs in ICU. There is an alarmingly high rate of resistance to cephalosporin and β-lactam-β-lactamase inhibitor group of drugs. Meropenem was found to be the most sensitive drug against all GNB. Acinetobacter and Klebsiella spp. showed good sensitivity to doxycycline.

Background and Objective: Acute poisoning is a medical emergency. It is important to know the nature, severity and outcome of acute poisoning cases in order to take up appropriate planning, prevention and management techniques. This study aimed to assess the pattern and outcome of acute poisoning cases in a tertiary care hospital in Karnataka. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective hospital record-based study conducted in a tertiary care hospital attached to a medical institution in Karnataka. The study included 136 cases and data regarding age, sex, time elapsed after intake; circumstances of poisoning, name of the poisonous substance, chemical type, duration of hospitalization, severity and outcome were collected in the prestructured proforma. Results: Incidence was more common among males (75.4%) compared to females (24.3). Most cases of acute poisoning presented among 20- to 29-year age group (31.2%) followed by 12- to 19-year age group (30.2%). A majority of poisoning cases (36.0%) were due to organophosphorus compound (OPC). Total mortality was found to be 15.4%. Mortality rate due to corrosives was significantly high compared with OPC poisoning (χ² = 4.12, P = 0.04). Of the 56 patients of OPC and carbamate poisoning, 13 patients (23.2%) had respiratory arrest and required respiratory support. Time lapse had a significant role on the mortality in cases of acute poisoning (χ² = 10.9, P = 0.01). Conclusion: Poisoning is more common in young males. The overall mortality is substantially high, mainly contributed by self-poisoning with insecticides and corrosives. Early care in a tertiary care center may help to reduce mortality in India.

Aims: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a serious problem in intensive care units, because of development of multiresistance, and also intrinsic resistance to β-lactam antibiotics. The present study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of MRSA and their rate of resistance to different antistaphylococcal antibiotics. Materials and Methods: Between January 2007 and February 2008, the clinical specimens submitted at the microbiology laboratory were processed and all S. aureus isolates were included in this study. All isolates were identified morphologically and biochemically by standard laboratory procedures and antibiotic susceptibility pattern was determined by modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Results : Methicillin resistance was observed in 34.78% of isolates, of which 37.5% were found to be resistant to all commonly used antibiotics. In MRSA isolates, 50% had constitutive resistance, 9.38% had inducible MLS _B resistance and 18.75% had MS phenotype. Conclusions: There is a progressive increase in MRSA prevalence in the country but the present rate is still low in comparison to values found in some other institutes. The rate of inducible MLS _B resistance was also lower in comparison with findings from other parts of the country.

Background and Aim: Central venous catheters (CVC) are important in the management of critically ill patients. Incorrect positioning may lead to many serious complications. Chest radiograph is a convenient means of determining the correct position of the catheter tip. The present study was designed to evaluate the depth of CVC placed through the right and left internal jugular vein (IJV) in order to achieve optimum placement of the catheter tip. Materials and Methods: A total of 107 patients in whom CVCs were put through either the right or left IJV through a central approach were included in this prospective study. Catheter tip position was observed in the post procedure chest radiograph. It was considered correct if the tip was just below the carina in the left-sided catheters and just above carina in the right-sided catheters. The catheters were repositioned based on the chest radiographs. The catheter depth leading to optimum tip placement was noted. Results: In males, catheter repositioning was required in 13 of 58 patients (22.41%) in the right IJV catheters, whereas in 2 of 13 patients (15.38%) in the left IJV catheters. In females, repositioning was required in 12 of 25 patients (48%) in the right IJV catheters and 2 of 11 patients (18.18%) in the left IJV catheters. Repositioning rate was higher in females (14/36) compared with males (15/71), which was statistically significant ( P = 0.05, 95% CI). Repositioning rates were significantly higher in females (12/25) as compared with males (13/58) in the right IJV catheters ( P = 0.019, 95% CI). Conclusion: By cannulating the IJV through a central approach, the catheters can be fixed at a length of 12-13 cm in males and 11-12 cm in females in the right IJV and at a length of 13-14 cm in males and 12-13 cm in females in the left IJV in order to achieve correct positioning.

Results of the PROWESS trial suggested that heparin may reduce the efficacy of recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) and the XPRESS study also showed increased bleeding complications in patients receiving heparin with rhAPC. Although it has been shown that heparin prophylaxis may be used along with rhAPC, no study has shown the interaction between continuous heparin infusion and rhAPC. Here, we report a case of severe sepsis with pulmonary embolism who was concurrently administered heparin and rhAPC infusions, with positive results and no bleeding complications.

We report a case of a four-year-old boy with stage 1 Wilms tumour, who developed Vincristine-induced acute life- threatening hyponatremia, which presented as generalized tonic clonic seizures and coma. He was intubated and mechanically ventilated. There were no localizing neurological signs. CSF study showed no cells and CSF proteins were 20 mg%. Electrocardiography, chest X-ray, echocardiography, CT scan and liver function tests were normal. Evaluation of electrolytes and arterial blood gas showed serum sodium of 113 mEq/L with mild metabolic acidosis. Serum osmolality was 260 mOsm/L (normal value 285-295 mOsm/L) and urine osmolality was 625 mOsm/L (normal range 300-900 mOsm/L), urine sodium 280 mEq/d (normal range 100-260 mEq/d), serum potassium, blood urea, blood sugars were normal. Serial blood cultures showed no bacterial growth. Patient was treated with fluid restriction, hypertonic saline (3%) and other supportive care. Patient improved clinically over three days and was extubated on the third day and shifted to the ward on the fifth day.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, nonirritating, but significantly toxic gas. It is a product of combustion of organic matter in presence of insufficient oxygen supply. Symptoms of mild poisoning include headaches, vertigo and flu like effects, whereas larger exposures can lead to significant toxicity of the central nervous system (CNS), heart, and even death. We are reporting two cases that presented to us in the winter months of December to January with history, sign, symptoms, and radiological evidence of suspected CO poisoning.