Angiotensin converting enzyme defects in shock: implications for future therapy
Patients who develop vasodilatory shock, particularly when caused by an inflammatory condition like sepsis or pancreatitis, have evidence of significant endothelial injury as manifested by coagulation disorders and increased... read more
Antipsychotic Prescribing Patterns During and After Critical Illness
In this study, antipsychotics were used to treat nearly half of all antipsychotic-naïve ICU patients and were prescribed at discharge to 24% of antipsychotic-treated patients. Treatment with an atypical antipsychotic greatly... read more
Differences in attitudes towards end-of-life care among intensivists, oncologists and prosecutors in Brazil
There is great variability in end-of-life care and the legal context may interfere with decisions on limitation of medical treatment. In Brazil, end-of-life care was initially regulated in 2006, but legal controversies still... read more
The Precogs Take On Sepsis
It seems like every week there’s another publicized instance of our impending replacement by artificial intelligence. Big Data, they say, is going to free us of the cognitive burdens of complex thought while maximizing... read more
The impact of age on the innate immune response and outcomes after severe sepsis/septic shock in trauma and surgical ICU patients
Aged, critically ill surgical patients have greater organ dysfunction and incidence of adverse clinical outcomes after sepsis. Biomarker profiles suggest an immunophenotype of persistent immunosuppression and catabolism.... read more
Exploring the Potential Effectiveness of Combining Optimal Nutrition With Electrical Stimulation to Maintain Muscle Health in Critical Illness
This article explores the potential role of nutrition and EMS in maintaining muscle health in critical illness. Within this article, we will evaluate fundamental concepts of muscle wasting and evaluate the effects of EMS,... read more
When health professionals have empathy, patients aren’t the only ones who benefit
What do doctors and religious leaders have in common? At least a couple of big things: individuals in both professions engage with people at some of the most critical moments in their lives and require a high degree of empathy... read more
Feasibility and observed safety of interactive video games for physical rehabilitation in the ICU
Novel use of interactive video games as part of routine PT in critically ill patients is feasible and appears safe in our case series. Video game therapy may complement existing rehabilitation techniques for ICU patients.... read more
Blood test may obviate need for head CTs in brain trauma evaluation
A biomarker test based on the presence of two proteins in the blood appears to be suitable for ruling out significant intracranial injuries in patients with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) without the need... read more
Erasing Death: The Science That Is Rewriting the Boundaries Between Life and Death
Dr. Sam Parnia, Director of the AWARE Study (AWAreness during REsuscitation) and one of the world's leading experts on the scientific study of death and near-death experiences (NDE), presents cutting-edge research from the... read more
Positive Topline Results for Novel Alzheimer’s Drug
A novel drug is showing promise for helping improve cognition in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD), according to new topline results. A phase 3 trial of more than 800 patients showed that those who were... read more
Surviving Refractory Out-of-Hospital Ventricular Fibrillation Cardiac Arrest
Multi-system organ failure is ubiquitous but treatable with adequate hemodynamic support. Neurologic recovery was prolonged requiring delayed prognostication. Immediate 24/7 availability of surgical and medical specialty... read more
Electrical Impedance Tomography in ARDS
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a clinical entity that acutely affects the lung parenchyma, and is characterized by diffuse alveolar damage and increased pulmonary vascular permeability. Currently, computed... read more
Abdominal Sepsis: A Multidisciplinary Approach
Recently released, Abdominal Sepsis examines in detail the topic of sepsis, with a focus on intra-abdominal sepsis. Particular attention is devoted to source control in the management of the infection, antimicrobial therapy... read more
Nurse intuition may play a role in critical-care outcomes
Nurse intuition doesn't sound scientific, but it could play a key role in critical-care outcomes, according to a small study published in DovePress. The researchers conducted a descriptive phenomenological study, interviewing... read more
Alfred ICU Intubation Checklist
Here is the Alfred ICU intubation checklist. We invite you to take it and adopt it whole, or, even better, to modify it to your own department's needs. We have spent considerable time and thought developing it, as well as... read more
Patterns of Early Crystalloid Resuscitation Provided to Sepsis and Septic Shock Patients
Patterns and Outcomes Associated With Timeliness of Initial Crystalloid Resuscitation in a Prospective Sepsis and Septic Shock Cohort. Crystalloid was initiated significantly later with comorbid heart failure and renal failure,... read more
PPIs do not increase risk for C. difficile infection in ICU
Proton pump inhibitors are not associated with an increased risk for Clostridium difficile infection in ICU patients, according to the results of a retrospective cohort study. PPI use was not associated with a significant... read more
Comparison of Two Lidocaine Administration Techniques on Perceived Pain From Bedside Procedures
Bedside procedures are exceedingly common. Data regarding the severity of procedural pain and strategies to mitigate it are important for the informed consent process and patient satisfaction. Overall, pain reported from... read more
Early Mobilization in the PICU
Mobilization of critically ill children, many with central lines, endotracheal tubes, and other life-saving devices, is associated with potential risks and complications. Hence, concerns about safety often guide staff perceptions... read more
Does Lactate Clearance Prognosticates Outcomes in ECMO Therapy
Changes in lactate levels after ECMO implantation is an important tool to assess effective circulatory support and it is found superior to single lactate measurements as a prognostic sign of mortality in our study. Based... read more
Presenting Characteristics Associated With Outcome in Children With Severe TBI
Severe traumatic brain injury is a clinically heterogeneous disease that can be accompanied by a range of neurologic impairment and a variety of injury patterns at presentation. This secondary analysis of prospectively collected... read more
