Stories Category: Intensive Care
Sodium Bicarbonate Versus Sodium Chloride for Preventing Contrast-Associated AKI
Except for urinary pH, none of the outcomes differed between the two groups. Among ICU patients with stable renal function, the benefit of using sodium bicarbonate rather than isotonic sodium chloride for preventing contrast-associated... read more
How survival of cancer patients in critical care has improved in the last 3 decades
Comprehensive care for critically ill patients with cancer is a collaborative effort, and close cooperation between oncology as well as palliative and critical care is essential. Collaborative decision making is a cornerstone... read more
Thrombocytosis in the ED
Both reactive thrombocytosis and clonal thrombocytosis may be associated with vasomotor symptoms. The key difference is that thrombotic and bleeding events are much more common in myeloproliferative thrombocytosis, whereas... read more
Central Line Versus Peripheral IV Flow Rates In Resuscitation
The indications for central venous catheters (CVCs) include invasive hemodynamic monitoring, transvenous cardiac pacing, hemodialysis, lack of peripheral venous access, administration of vasopressors, nutritional support,... read more
Portable Imaging Device Assesses Tissue Oxygenation
A handheld, battery operated diagnostic imaging device measures oxygen saturation (O2Sat) and other measures in superficial tissues for patients with potential circulatory compromise. The HyperView is intended for use by... read more
Interventions to improve antibiotic prescribing practices for hospital inpatients
This review includes 221 studies (58 RCTs, and 163 NRS). Most studies were from North America (96) or Europe (87). The remaining studies were from Asia (19), South America (8), Australia (8), and the East Asia (3). We found... read more
Catheter System Drains Recurrent Pleural Effusions
A novel catheter system enables patients to drain pleural fluid at home, instead of requiring them to return to the hospital for thoracentesis. The PleurX catheter system consists of a catheter that is inserted in the chest... read more
Deaths After PCI: Study Compares Public Reporting Models Both With and Without Cardiogenic Shock
Three distinct models for reporting risk-adjusted mortality rates among hospitals and physicians performing PCI in New York State demonstrate a high degree of agreement, despite variation in how they handle the inclusion... read more
Crizanlizumab use lowers rates of sickle cell crises
Patients with sickle cell disease treated with high-dose crizanlizumab experienced lower annualized rates of sickle cell crisis compared to placebo treatment, regardless of their baseline use of hydroxyurea. Those treated... read more
Thromboprophylaxis after Knee Arthroscopy and Lower-Leg Casting
The results of our trials showed that prophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin for the 8 days after knee arthroscopy or during the full period of immobilization due to casting was not effective for the prevention of... read more
Social Media Helps Forecast Outbreak Transmission Patterns
A new study suggests then when epidemiological data are scarce, social media and Internet reports can be reliable tools for forecasting infectious disease outbreaks. Researchers at Georgia State University and the U.S. National... read more
Biopsy first: Lessons learned from CALGB 140503
In a carefully monitored cohort of patients with suspected small NSCLC <2 cm, a substantial number are misdiagnosed (benign nodules) or understaged. These patients may not have benefited from a thoracic surgical procedure.... read more
Manufacturer guidelines fall short for endoscope reprocessing
A just-published study finds that current endoscopic manufacturer cleaning instructions for a wide range of GI, urological and respiratory devices used in diagnostic procedures still fail to protect patients from the risk... read more
Hydrocortisone Fails to Prevent Septic Shock
Hydrocortisone failed to reduce the risk of septic shock in severe sepsis patients in recent research, though its authors held out hope that a larger study could show a better result. Current guidelines recommend hydrocortisone... read more
Six myths promoted by the new surviving sepsis guidelines
The Rivers trial and the Surviving Sepsis Campaign popularized sepsis protocols, which saved lives. Massive accomplishment. However, that doesn’t validate the individual components of early goal-directed therapy. Any protocol... read more
Benefits and harms of duloxetine for treatment of stress urinary incontinence
Duloxetine was significantly better than placebo in terms of percentage change in weekly incontinence episodes (mean difference - 13.56%, 95% confidence interval [CI] -21.59% to -5.53%) and change in Incontinence Quality... read more
Scientist Invents Hand-Held Breath Monitor to Detect Flu
Dr. Perena Gouma, a professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, has published an article in the journal Sensors that describes her invention of a hand-held breath monitor designed to detect the flu virus. Gouma’s... read more
