Interesting Promotion of Steroids for SCI

[Andrew J Bowman]

There is a higher incidence of respiratory complications, pneumonia and
sepsis in pts treated with steroids for SCI. hardly "minimal" complications
as the author touts.

Andrew

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mathias Kalkum" <listen at doc-kalkum.de>
To: "Trauma &amp; Critical Care mailing list" <trauma-list at trauma.org>
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 12:52 PM
Subject: Re: Interesting Promotion of Steroids for SCI


> Sorry Andrew,
>
> >  - snip -Was methylprednisolone given?  This is the high-dose steroid
(30 mg/kg
> intravenous bolus followed by 5.4 mg/kg/hour for 23 hours if it is
> started within 3 hours and for 47 hours if between 3 to 8 hours after
> injury).  It should not be started more than 8 hours after injury.
> Clinical trials have shown that this treatment improves recovery by
> about 20% when given within 8 hours after injury but does not help when
> started more than 8 hours after injury.  While methylprednisolone is not
> a cure, every little bit helps.  Complications are minimal.
>
> what is that piece more than opinion and - let's be polite - "moral
> support" to the family? Where is the hint that steroids may add severe
> harm to the victim?
>
> Mathias
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