Artificial Intelligence in the Intensive Care Unit: Current Evidence on an Inevitable Future Tool.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technique that attempts to replicate human intelligence, analytical behavior, and decision-making ability. This includes machine learning, which involves the use of algorithms and statistical techniques to enhance the computer's ability to make decisions more accurately. Due to AI's ability to analyze, comprehend, and interpret considerable volumes of data, it has been increasingly used in the field of healthcare. In critical care medicine, where most of the patient load requires timely interventions due to the perilous nature of the condition, AI's ability to monitor, analyze, and predict unfavorable outcomes is an invaluable asset. It can significantly improve timely interventions and prevent unfavorable outcomes, which, otherwise, is not always achievable owing to the constrained human ability to multitask with optimum efficiency. AI has been implicated in intensive care units over the past many years. In addition to its advantageous applications, this article discusses its disadvantages, prospects, and the changes needed to train future critical care professionals. A comprehensive search of electronic databases was performed using relevant keywords. Data from articles pertinent to the topic was assimilated into this review article.

Acute splenic hematoma: A rare complication of snake bite.

Splenic hematoma secondary to snake bite is a potential complication due to snake envenomation and poses a significant risk to the health of the patients. Although relatively rare, this complication once diagnosed, should be initiated with timely anti-venom administration and supportive care. Clinicians must be aware of any signs of hematological abnormalities in snakebite patients, as the development of splenic hematoma can have serious implications for patient outcomes. Awareness of this potential complication and multidisciplinary collaboration among medical teams are crucial to ensuring effective management and optimal patient care in these clinical scenarios. Understanding this concern can improve patient prognosis and advance the overall approach to snakebite management in healthcare settings.

Amphotericin B induced pancytopenia.

Amphotericin B (AMB) has been the irreplaceable drug of choice for countless fungal and protozoal infections. One of the lesser-known adverse effects of AMB is Pancytopenia - very rare with very few cases reported - most commonly observed following prolonged administration. We report the case of a patient suffering from visceral leishmaniasis, who developed worsening pancytopenia four to five days after being administered a single bolus dose of Liposomal Amphotericin B (L-AMB). The diagnosis was clinical and management involved supportive care, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). AMB is an effective drug, but is also associated with numerous side effects. Physicians are well-versed with the more frequently seen adverse drug reactions and their management. However, pancytopenia, being a rare adverse reaction to AMB, is less known and can be easily overlooked. This case report aims to ensure that the physicians must be aware of such possibilities in the first place to make swift diagnoses and management. The condition itself is seemingly self-limiting, although GM-CSF may be needed in refractory cases. It's true that few previous case reports have indicated pancytopenia in association with prolonged AMB exposure, but we believe certain conditions may predispose a patient to a more acute presentation - as seen in our case.

Pharmacokinetic studies of levofloxacin after oral administration in healthy and febrile cow calves.

The present experiment was designed to study the pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin in six healthy cross bred female cow calves (4 to 6 months age) weighing between 40 to 80 kg. Plasma from blood was separated by centrifugation at 10,000 rpm. Quantitative estimation of levofloxacin was done by UV-VIS spectrophotometer at 286 nm. The mean maximum plasma concentration (Cp(max)) of levofloxacin in febrile calves (5.28±0.32 µg/ml) did not differ significantly as compared with healthy calves (4.50±0.22 µg/ml) after single dose (20 mg/kg) oral administration. The mean therapeutic plasma concentration (Cp(ther)) of levofloxacin was maintained for longer period in febrile calves (10 h) as compared to healthy calves ( 8 h). The mean maximum urine concentration (Cu(max)) in febrile (40.86±2.19 µg/ml) also did not differ significantly as compared with healthy calves (39.38±2.43 µg/ml). No significant difference in various pharmacokinetic parameters of plasma was observed in healthy calves ( ß=0.23±0.01/h ; t½ß=3.00±0.17 h and MRT=4.66±0.14 h ) and febrile calves ( ß=0.23±0.01/ h; t½ß=3.05±0.16 h and MRT=5.04±0.14 h). The mean value of ß, and t½ß calculated in urine also did not differ between healthy and febrile calves. However, the value of MRT(3.79±0.07 h) and Cl(B) (1.65±0.09 ml/kg/min) calculated in urine of febrile calves significantly (p<0.05) differ to healthy calves (MRT=3.15±0.03 h;Cl(B)=2.09±0.13 ml/kg/min). Based on kinetic profile levofloxacin may be given orally at the dose rate of 1.49 mg/kg B.W.at 8 h intervals in febrile calves.