Whole Blood – More than the Sum of Its Components?
This retrospective analysis was conducted in a US Military population across 6 combat hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan between January 2004 and October 2007. Patient's transfused at least 1 unit RBCs met inclusion criteria... read more
A 10-year review of total hospital onset ICU bloodstream infections at an Academic Medical Center
Across all ICUs, the rates of primary BSIs progressively fell from 2.11/1000 patient days in FY05 to 0.32/1000 patient days in FY14; an 85.0% decrease (P<0.0001). Secondary BSIs also progressively decreased from 3.56/1000... read more
Cook County ICU: 30 Years of Unforgettable Patients and Odd Cases
An inside look at one of the nation's most famous public hospitals, Cook County, as seen through the eyes of its longtime Director of Intensive Care, Dr. Cory Franklin. Readers will be riveted by stories of strange medical... read more
Muscle Weakness and 5-Year Survival in ARDS Survivors
At hospital discharge, >1/3 of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) survivors had muscle weakness. Greater strength at discharge and throughout follow-up was associated with improved 5-year survival. In patients with... read more
Passive Detection of Atrial Fibrillation Using a Commercially Available Smartwatch
In this author interview, Gregory M. Marcus, MD, MAS discusses passive detection of Atrial Fibrillation using a commercially available smartwatch.... read more
Ten Shortcomings of the Current Definition of AKI
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is defined as an abrupt decline in kidney function. Although the kidney has many functions, this "abrupt decline" mostly refers to the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) that cannot... read more
Sepsis patients treated and released from emergency departments do well with outpatient follow-up
National guidelines assume that all patients who're diagnosed with clinical sepsis in an emergency department will be admitted to the hospital for additional care, but new research has found that many more patients are being... read more
Early Noninvasive Ventilation and Nonroutine Transfusion for Acute Chest Syndrome in Sickle Cell Disease in Children
Early noninvasive ventilation combined with nonroutine transfusion is well tolerated in acute chest syndrome in children and may spare transfusion in some patients. Early recognition of patients still requiring transfusion... read more
Dr. Ultrasound and Mr. Hyde: my confessions as an educator and ICU geek
I think most people in our field have had some or all of these thoughts. I feel guilty thinking them and certainly have a hard time verbalizing to other team members. Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) has swept the medical... read more
Hot Lights, Cold Steel: Life, Death and Sleepless Nights in a Surgeon’s First Years
This story of Collins' four-year surgical residency traces his rise from an eager but clueless first-year resident to accomplished Chief Resident in his final year. With unparalleled humor, he recounts the disparity between... read more
The use of echocardiographic indices in defining and assessing right ventricular systolic function in critical care research
TAPSE seemed to be the most popular index in the last 2–3 years. Many studies used combinations of indices but, apart from cor pulmonale, we could not find a consistent pattern of RV assessment and definition of RV dysfunction... read more
Medicaid Expansion Associated with Decline in ICU Stays
Medicaid expansion was associated with an early increase in insurance rates among hospitalized patients and a decline in ICU utilization rates among patients hospitalized with ACSCs. Further work is needed to explore whether... read more
Using an ETAD for Traction During a Variceal Tamponade
Here is a demonstration of the Scott Weingart, MD method, where the use of a second ETAD is applied for maintaining traction during a variceal tamponade. Presented by Jess Mason, MD.... read more
Getting Creative with Ketamine
Versatile and safe, Ketamine can help with sedation, induction, asthma and pain. Can a shot of it even treat suicidality? New indications for Ketamine seem to be popping up every day. Its primary ED use is for procedural... read more
