In the ICU, pulmonary edema frequently occurs after blood transfusion. The association between infusion of plasma and the development of suspected or possible TRALI may have important implications with regards to etiology and prevention of this syndrome.

Severe sepsis may be associated with depression of myocardial function, attributed to various inflammatory mediators. Myocardial dysfunction in sepsis is characterized by biventricular failure and complicates usual therapy with high-volume fluid resuscitation and vasopressors. However, in patients who survive septic shock, myocardial dysfunction can improve rapidly. We describe a young woman with septic shock due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, complicated by severe but reversible biventricular dysfunction.

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Advances in hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation (HCT) have led to an increasing number of transplantations and a concomitant requirement for physicians skilled in transplantation care. Guidelines for training HCT physicians were published in 2001; however, the past decade has seen a rapid expansion of the medical knowledge and skill set that these physicians need to deliver the highest quality of care. Recognizing the importance of education for transplantation programs, the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation established a Committee on Education in 2010. The Committee's updated guidelines presented here provide an extensive and detailed framework for use by HCT educators and directors in developing HCT training programs and evaluating and mentoring their trainees.

Acute appendicitis in children with acute leukemia is uncommon and often recognized late. Immunocompromised host state coupled with the importance of avoiding treatment delays makes management additionally challenging. Leukemic infiltration of the appendix though rare must also be considered. Although successful conservative management has been reported, surgical intervention is required in most cases. We present our experience with acute appendicitis in children with acute leukemia and a case of complete remission of acute myeloid leukemia with a short course of decitabine. Decitabine may serve as bridging therapy in critically ill patients who are unable to undergo intensive chemotherapy.

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