Prospective Assessment of the Feasibility of a Trial of Low Tidal Volume Ventilation for Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure
Use of initial tidal volumes less than 8 ml/kg PBW is common at hospitals participating in the NHLBI PETAL Network. After considering the size and budgetary requirement for a cluster-randomized trial of LTVV vs. usual care... read more
No Bleeding Required: Anemia Detection via Smartphone
Biomedical engineers have developed a smartphone app with the aim of non-invasive detection of anemia. Instead of a blood test, the app uses photos of someone's fingernails taken on a smartphone to determine whether the level... read more
Fluid Responsiveness in a Hemodynamically Unstable Patient
Only half of patients who are hemodynamically unstable will respond to a fluid bolus. There are no historical or physical examination findings that can help us decide whether a patient is a fluid responder, but we must treat... read more
Clinical Performance of Beta-D-Glucan for the Diagnosis of Pneumocystis Pneumonia in Cancer Patients Tested with PCP PCR
Patients negative by both Beta-D glucan (BDG) and PCR were unlikely to have Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). In patients with a compatible clinical syndrome for PCP, higher BDG values (>200 pg/mL) were consistently associated... read more
Meaning of Intracranial Pressure-to-Blood Pressure Fisher-Transformed Pearson Correlation-Derived Optimal Cerebral Perfusion Pressure
These mechanistic simulations provide insight into the empiric basis of optimal cerebral perfusion pressure and the significance of PRx and Δ CPP. PRx and optimal cerebral perfusion pressure deviations do not directly reflect... read more
Tigecycline in Critically Ill Patients on Continuous RRT
Despite high dialysability, dialysis clearance displayed only a minor contribution to tigecycline elimination, being in the range of renal elimination in patients without AKI. No dose adjustment of tigecycline seems necessary... read more
Dual Antiplatelet Therapy with Aspirin and Clopidogrel for Acute High Risk Transient Ischemic Attack and Minor Ischemic Stroke
What is the role of dual antiplatelet therapy after high risk transient ischemic attack or minor stroke? Specifically, does dual antiplatelet therapy with a combination of aspirin and clopidogrel lead to a greater reduction... read more
Antimicrobial Exposure and the Risk of Delirium in Critically Ill Patients
First-, second-, and third-generation cephalosporins doubled the odds of delirium after baseline co-morbidities, ICU type, the course of critical care, and other competing antimicrobial and psychotropic medication risks were... read more
Crystalloids vs. Colloids for Fluid Resuscitation in the ICU
This systematic review and meta-analysis, which included only high-level evidence from randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in intensive care settings, revealed that crystalloids were less effective than colloids... read more
Risk Factors for 1-Year Mortality and Hospital Utilization Patterns in Critical Care Survivors
One in five ICU survivors die within 1 year, with advanced age and comorbidity being significant predictors of outcome, leading to high resource use. Care process factors indicating high system stress were associated with... read more
Caring for Critically Ill Patients with the ABCDEF Bundle
ABCDEF bundle performance showed significant and clinically meaningful improvements in outcomes including survival, mechanical ventilation use, coma, delirium, restraint-free care, ICU readmissions, and post-ICU discharge... read more
Effect of a Program Combining Transitional Care and Long-term Self-management Support on Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients With COPD
In a single-site randomized clinical trial of patients hospitalized due to Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a 3-month program that combined transition and long-term self-management support resulted in significantly... read more
More Healthcare Workers Born Outside the USA
The healthcare sector continues to lead the way in hiring. A new study found more than 16% of healthcare professionals surveyed in 2016 were born outside the U.S.... read more
Long-term outcomes in patients with septic shock transfused at a lower versus a higher haemoglobin threshold
Long-term mortality rates and HRQoL did not differ in patients with septic shock and anaemia who were transfused at a haemoglobin threshold of 7 g/dl versus a threshold of 9 g/dl. We may reject a more than 3 % increased hazard... read more
Remodeling ICU Care
A new study finding that two antipsychotics were no more effective than placebo for delirium in critical illness spurs discussion about alternative methods for managing that care. Neither haloperidol nor ziprasidone — both... read more
Decontaminants Don’t Cut Bloodstream Infection Risk in Ventilated ICU Patients
The use of digestive and oral decontaminants in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) who are mechanically ventilated and who have moderate to high antibiotic resistance is not associated with a reduction in ICU-acquired... read more
New Sickle Cell Test Can Transform Screening
Sickle cell disease is common throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa. It affects up to 3% of births in some areas and is associated with very high mortality. Many cases go undiagnosed in regions where there are few resources,... read more
Something for the Pain: Compassion and Burnout in the ER
In this eye-opening account of life in the ER, Paul Austin recalls how the daily grind of long, erratic shifts and endless hordes of patients with sad stories sent him down a path of bitterness and cynicism. Gritty, powerful,... read more
Burnout How Can We Improve
The risk of burnout in intensive care is high, there is a great need to look after ourselves and each other to enable us to effectively care for our patients and to be part of not only an effective team but also an enjoyable... read more
Mapping the Brain’s Genetic Landscape
Scientists have taken a step toward building a computer model of the brain's genome, one that may help clarify the genetic roots of schizophrenia, autism and other disorders. For the past two decades, scientists have been... read more
Bedside Ultrasound Assessment of Lung Reaeration in Patients With Blunt Thoracic Injury Receiving High-Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy
High-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy may be considered as an initial respiratory therapy for trauma patients with blunt chest injury. High-flow nasal cannula therapy could improve lung aeration as noted by the transthoracic... read more
Vitamin Treatment For Sepsis Is Put To The Test
Dr. Jonathan Sevransky was intrigued when he heard that a well-known physician in Virginia had reported remarkable results from a simple treatment for sepsis. Could the leading cause of death in hospitals really be treated... read more
