Susceptibility to critical illness: reserve, response and therapy
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Updated: Oct 16, 2026

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
Published on: August 30, 2018
1Birmingham University, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, UK. J.F.Bion@bham.ac.uk
Abstract:
Risk of critical illness is determined both by genetic and environmental influences, particularly those relating to infectious and cardiovascular diseases. Physiologically-based scoring systems cannot measure prior risk because they do not quantify physiological reserve independently of the acute illness. Genetic profiling could be useful for risk assessment. Early detection of critical illness involves identifying physiological 'triggers' for referral; this requires the education of nursing and medical staff in their significance. Analysis of the relationship between risk factors and interventions may need complex modelling techniques. Therapeutic strategies depend on the nature of the underlying problem: the most useful are likely to be those which enhance tissue oxygen delivery and resistance to infection.
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