In this issue of “Progress in Medicine” we enclose the papers pertaining to the most relevant issues that form our daily routine in the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, as well as in our Pain Clinic.

One of our most vital priorities in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is the diagnosis of sepsis and septic shock. Sepsis is a severe, heterogeneous and potentially fatal condition. Its diverse clinical presentation depends on the type of causative factor, magnitude of infection and most of all – on the status of patient’s immune system. High specificity and sensitivity is a must when it is necessary to choose between sepsis biomarkers. It allows for maximal shortening of the diagnostic process and early introduction of treatment. One of the topics in the current issue is therefore sepsis markers.

Of great interest are the issues discussed in the article, regarding data on the potential use of stem cells in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). High mortality and failures of once promising treatment options call for a search for other potent strategies. There are high hopes for mesenchymal stem cells in this regard, due to their potential for differentiation into mature connective tissue cells and both intrinsic and acquired immune system modulation.