Microcirculation is the part of the circulation where oxygen, nutrients, hormone, and waste products are exchanged between circulating blood and parenchymal cells. It includes not only vessels with a diameter < 100 μm but also interactions between compounds of blood (circulating cells and coagulation factors) and vessels (endothelium and glycocalyx). All compounds of the microcirculation could be altered in critically ill patients, especially during sepsis. In these patients, persistence of these alterations is associated with a poor outcome. Due to the important role of the microcirculation for oxygen and nutrients exchanges, a better comprehension and its modulation could decrease morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients.

We invite the authors to submit original research or review articles that will contribute to better define, understand, and treat the alterations of microcirculation in critically ill patients. We are interested in articles, which explore aspects of (patho-) physiology, biochemistry, and immunity of all compounds of the microcirculation: muscle, endothelium, glycocalyx, and blood cells (white cells, red cells, platelets, and microparticles). Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Assessment of microcirculation
• Epidemiology of alterations of microcirculation in critically ill patients
• Translational medicine: from animal to human
• Links between microcirculation and macrocirculation
• Effects of fluids on microcirculation
• Effects of catecholamines on microcirculation
• Alterations of microcirculation in cirrhosis
• Alterations of microcirculation during ischemia/reperfusion process
• Microcirculation in brain injury
• Microcirculation in sepsis
• Microcirculation in hemorrhagic shock
• Microcirculation in trauma
• Microcirculation in cardiac failure
• Microcirculation in cardiac arrest
• Link between coagulation and microcirculation
• Effects of hypothermia on microcirculation
• Effects of transfusion on microcirculation
• Hormonal effects on microcirculation
• Role of blood cells on microcirculation
• Platelets as an actor of microcirculation
• Microcirculation and diabetes mellitus

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ccrp/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: