January 2014 Tucson critical care journal club: esmolol in septic shock

Abstract

No abstract available. Article truncated at 150 words. An 86-year old man had a non-contrast thoracic CT for evaluation of a chest x-ray abnormality. Incidentally, the CT scan showed diffuse increase in liver density with Hounsfield units of 105. The normal unenhanced attenuation value is between 55-65 Hounsfield units in a normal liver on CT scan without contrast (1). Hepatic attenuation is reflected in Hounsfield values and depends on combinations of factors including the presence or absence (as well as phase) of IV contrast administration. The patient had no known underlying liver disease and liver function studies were within normal limits. Figure 1 shows coronal and axial views of the CT scan of the patient. There are several intrinsic liver pathologies leading to diffuse changes in liver attenuation including (2): Deposits of certain metals seen in hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis, and Wilson’s disease; Glycogen storage disease(es); Medications/drugs including amiodarone and gold therapy (3-7); Previous Thorotrast administration ...

Keywords

• beta blocker
• catecholamine
• esmolol
• heart rate
• mortality
• norepinephrine
• septic shock
• single center study
• study blinding
• survival