This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Jackson, W L Articles by Waselenko, J K Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Jackson, W L, Jr Articles by Waselenko, J K

Medical management of patients with multiple organ dysfunction arising from acute radiation syndrome

¹ Department of Surgery, Critical Care Medicine Service and ² Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307, USA

Correspondence: Jamie K Waselenko, MD, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Service, Ward 78, 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20307, USA. E-mail: jwasel@comcast.net

Abstract

The growing risk of accidental and intentional radiation exposure mandates an examination of our current understanding and management of a significant radiation injury. A considerable number of those patients sustaining a significant body exposure will require treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU). This review examines the complex medical management of acute radiation syndrome and the potential role of modern intensive supportive care measures in patients suffering from subsequent multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. As with most radiation preparedness planning, the resource expenditures in the ICU are scenario-driven. In particular, a mass casualty scenario mandates early estimation of prognosis in order to direct resources to patients who are most likely to have a survivable radiation exposure at the time of ICU admission.