Issue 3 – May 2022
Voriconazole for pulmonary aspergillosis: a case report underlining the necessity of drug monitoring
Abstract Voriconazole is commonly used for the treatment of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Recent guidelines strongly advise routine therapeutic drug monitoring for patients receiving voriconazole. We present a case with subtherapeutic voriconazole serum levels caused by drug interactions and genetic polymorphisms. Introduction Voriconazole is commonly used for the treatment of invasive…
Abstract Background: Continuous renal replacement therapy in the treatment of patients with active COVID-19 is frequently complicated by thrombosis in the extracorporeal circuit resulting in reduced filter lifespan, necessitating a revisited anticoagulation strategy. Methods: The standard regional citrate anticoagulation dose of 2.2 mmol/l was increased to a starting dose of…
Postoperative graft spasm after coronary artery bypass surgery in a patient with hyperparathyroidism
Abstract We present the case of a 70-year-old man who developed postoperative graft spasm after coronary artery bypass surgery, which was successfully treated with calcium channel blockers. An elevated ionised calcium was found and subsequently he was diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism. This case emphasises the importance of being aware of…
Abstract Organ donation after euthanasia is performed in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Canada. In these countries, altruistic patients, who often suffer from a neurodegenerative or psychiatric disease, are able to donate their lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas. In the Netherlands, they even have the possibility to donate their heart.…
Abstract Given the increasing use of transcatheter (para)valvular interventions and mechanical circulatory support, haemolysis is becoming a more frequently encountered complication. In this setting, patients should be actively monitored for signs of haemolysis, given the potential major adverse consequences. Although not commonly used, plasmapheresis is a very effective rescue method…
It has been 10 years since the first organ donation after euthanasia (ODE) was performed in the Netherlands. Since then, many procedures have been carried out and we have learned about the possibilities and potential hazards of this procedure. In this issue of the Netherlands Journal of Critical Care, Bollen…
In the last two years we have experienced the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in our lives and hospitals. Pandemics are part of the history of humanity and we can be certain that in the future new pandemics will appear. In fact, due to the growth in the human population,…