[Antiretroviral therapy in critically ill patients: a French national study].
METHODS
The HIV-positive population is still increasing because the incidence of the disease remains high while the effectiveness of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has dramatically reduced mortality. HIV infected patients have an increased life expectancy and are more readily admitted to intensive care units.


METHODS
We conducted a nation-wide comparative study in France of how these patients are managed by ICU specialists, on one hand, and HIV specialists, on the other, to better understand the use of antiretroviral therapy in critically ill patients.


RESULTS
The results show heterogeneous responses of ICU specialists with an important proportion of non decisive answers. The answers of HIV specialists are more homogeneous. There appears to be little or no cooperation between the two specialties. The CISIH (French centers for the information and care of human immunodeficiency) are rarely consulted.


CONCLUSIONS
ICU specialists must be better informed on this rapidly evolving disease. Access to updated information or to an HIV specialists must be made easier. Studies should also be made on how HAART is employed in ICUs (pharmacology, pharmacodynamics...).
Dinh
A
A
Service des maladies infectieuses, CHU Raymond-Poincaré, APHP, 104, boulevard Raymond-Poincaré, 92380 Garches, France.
Salomon
J
J
Vuagnat
A
A
De Truchis
P
P
Maury
E
E
Bernard
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents