Critical illness may be associated with dysfunction of major organs and systems including the lungs, the kidneys, and the cardiovascular system. Furthermore, sepsis is frequently the cause of critical illness or complicates its course. It is well known that an excessive production of free radicals contributes to an increased burden of oxidative stress that may be implicated in the pathophysiology of tissue injury of various organs and in systemic dysfunction in critically ill patients.

The formation of reactive oxygen species, the damage caused by them in various tissues, the role of inflammatory mediators or enzymatic scavengers in oxidative stress pathogenesis, and the loss of integrity of antioxidant defense systems have been documented in different aspects of the critical illness. Furthermore, the impact of several drugs and treatments on the regulation of oxidative stress in critically ill patients has been evaluated in several investigations aiming to improve outcomes in critical illness. An intense study of the underlying mechanisms and interventions related to oxidative stress could provide further insight into the understanding of critical illness and could form the basis for novel strategic hypothesis or improved interventions in the management of critically ill patients.

We therefore invite authors to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate the effort to understand thoroughly the underlying mechanisms of oxidative stress, to reveal its impact on major organs and systems, and to illustrate diagnostic and treatment interventions in the critically ill patient.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Pathophysiologic mechanisms of oxidative stress in critically ill patients with heart failure
• Pathophysiology of oxidative stress in reperfusion injury
• Therapeutic interventions targeting increased oxidative burden in critically ill patients with heart failure
• Pathophysiology of oxidative stress in critically ill patients with respiratory failure
• Antioxidants and related strategies targeting increased oxidative burden in critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome or respiratory infections
• Pathophysiologic mechanisms of oxidative stress in critically ill patients with acute or chronic renal failure
• Interventions targeting aiming to reduce oxidative burden in critically ill patients with acute or chronic renal failure
• Increased oxidative stress in sepsis: pathophysiology
• Oxidative stress related pathophysiology in septic cardiomyopathy
• Increased oxidative stress in sepsis: medical interventions