Immunocompromised Patients with ARDS

Immunosuppression is frequent in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and infections are the main risk factors for ARDS in these immunocompromised patients. Their management differs from that of immunocompetent... read more

Immunocompromised Patients with ARDS

Do We Know Enough to Recommend Corticosteroids in ARDS?

We read with interest the evidence-based recommendations for the use of prolonged corticosteroids in early moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) published in Critical Care Medicine by the Corticosteroid... read more

Do We Know Enough to Recommend Corticosteroids in ARDS?

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

Muscle Weakness and 5-Year Survival in ARDS Survivors

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

The use of echocardiographic indices in defining and assessing right ventricular systolic function in critical care research

Genomics and Pharmacogenomics of Sepsis: So Close and Yet So Far

Sapru et al. show in this issue of Critical Care that variants of thrombomodulin and the endothelial protein C receptor, but not protein C, are associated with mortality and organ dysfunction (ventilation-free and organ failure-free... read more

Genomics and Pharmacogenomics of Sepsis: So Close and Yet So Far

Harrison’s Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

Featuring a superb compilation of chapters related to pulmonary and critical care topics, this concise, full-color clinical companion delivers the latest knowledge in the field backed by the scientific rigor and authority... read more

Harrison’s Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

Evaluating Muscle Mass in Survivors of ARDS

In the first year after acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), patients gained fat mass and maintained lean mass. We found no association of whole body percent lean mass with commonly hypothesized hospital risk factors.... read more

Evaluating Muscle Mass in Survivors of ARDS

Best PEEP Trials are Dependent on Tidal Volume

Determining the optimal positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome remains an area of active investigation. Most trials individualizing PEEP optimize one physiologic parameter... read more

Best PEEP Trials are Dependent on Tidal Volume

Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of CIRCI in Critically Ill Patients

This part II of the guidelines for the diagnosis and management of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI) in critically ill patients is related to acute illnesses that may be complicated by CIRCI. We... read more

Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of CIRCI in Critically Ill Patients

Limiting Sedation for Patients with ARDS

Current evidence supports the use of protocol-based, light-sedation strategies in critically ill patients with ARDS. Further research into sedation management specifically in ARDS populations is needed. Deep sedation strategies... read more

Limiting Sedation for Patients with ARDS

One-Year Outcomes in Patients With ARDS

Poor functional recovery after invasive mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory distress syndrome is common. Helmet noninvasive ventilation may be the first intervention that mitigates the long-term complications that... read more

One-Year Outcomes in Patients With ARDS

Criteria for Identifying Lung Injury Prior to the Need for Positive Pressure Ventilation

Mortality associated with acute lung injury (ALI) remains high. Early identification of ALI prior to onset of respiratory failure may provide a therapeutic window to target in future clinical trials. This study empirically... read more

Criteria for Identifying Lung Injury Prior to the Need for Positive Pressure Ventilation

Translating Evidence Into Practice in ARDS

Although the treatment of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with low tidal volume (LTV) mechanical ventilation improves mortality, it is not consistently administered in clinical practice. This review examines... read more

Translating Evidence Into Practice in ARDS

Single-Center Experience With Venovenous ECMO for Influenza-Related ARDS

Influenza-related ARDS has a high mortality rate and patients treated only with mechanical ventilation have worse outcome than those managed with VV ECMO. More liberal use of ECMO should be considered in patients with influenza-related... read more

Single-Center Experience With Venovenous ECMO for Influenza-Related ARDS

The Life Cycle of Intensive Care Survivors

I started the Intensive care follow-up clinic to try to make sense of my work with critical patients and get feedback from their physical recovery. Over time, I verified that the patients presented not only physical effects,... read more

The Life Cycle of Intensive Care Survivors

The Randomized Educational ARDS Diagnosis Study

Radiographic criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome have been criticized for poor reliability. Our objective was to test an educational intervention to improve the radiographic identification of acute respiratory... read more

The Randomized Educational ARDS Diagnosis Study