Replacement of Fentanyl Infusion by Enteral Methadone Decreases the Weaning Time From Mechanical Ventilation

The introduction of enteral methadone during weaning from sedation and analgesia in mechanically ventilated patients resulted in a decrease in the weaning time from mechanical ventilation (MV). A double-blind randomized... read more

Replacement of Fentanyl Infusion by Enteral Methadone Decreases the Weaning Time From Mechanical Ventilation

Ventilator Weaning and Discontinuation Practices for Critically Ill Patients

In this observational study of invasive mechanical ventilation discontinuation in 142 ICUs in Canada, India, the UK, Europe, Australia/New Zealand, and the US from 2013 to 2016, weaning practices varied internationally. Among... read more

Ventilator Weaning and Discontinuation Practices for Critically Ill Patients

International Variation in Intubation and Extubation Practices Among Critically Ill Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation

Requiring invasive mechanical ventilation acutely outside an operating room is, for many, the definition of critical illness. Although there may be debate regarding whether patients treated with noninvasive ventilation or... read more

International Variation in Intubation and Extubation Practices Among Critically Ill Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation

Natriuretic Peptide–driven Fluid Management during Ventilator Weaning

Our results suggest that a BNP-driven fluid management strategy decreases the duration of weaning without increasing adverse events, especially in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. In a randomized controlled... read more

Natriuretic Peptide–driven Fluid Management during Ventilator Weaning

High Breath-by-Breath Variability Is Associated With Extubation Failure in Children

High respiratory variability during spontaneous breathing trials is independently associated with extubation failure in children, with very high rates of extubation failure when these children develop postextubation upper... read more

High Breath-by-Breath Variability Is Associated With Extubation Failure in Children

The Utility of Diaphragm Ultrasound in Reducing Time to Extubation

Predicting the optimal time for extubation is challenging, especially in patients with underlying diaphragm dysfunction. Incorporating ultrasound information on diaphragm function into usual care allowed clinicians to identify... read more

The Utility of Diaphragm Ultrasound in Reducing Time to Extubation

Use of Supraglottic Airways During COVID-19 Pandemic

This document is produced in response to questions about the use of supraglottic airways (SGAs) during the current pandemic. The advice that it contains is based on the expert opinion of airway specialists and is meant to... read more

Use of Supraglottic Airways During COVID-19 Pandemic

Compliance With Evidence-Based Processes of Care After Transitions Between Staff Intensivists

No significant impact of transitions of care observed between individual staff physicians on evidence-based processes of care for mechanically ventilated adult patients. However, transitions were associated with a lower likelihood... read more

Compliance With Evidence-Based Processes of Care After Transitions Between Staff Intensivists

Holding Intubated Infants Well Tolerated and Safe

Critically ill infants who are old enough to move on their own but too young to cooperate with care instructions have been among the last to benefit from patient mobility initiatives. Results from a holding intervention... read more

Holding Intubated Infants Well Tolerated and Safe

Changes in Anesthetic and Postoperative Sedation-Analgesia Practice Associated With Early Extubation Following Infant Cardiac Surgery

The implementation of an early extubation clinical practice guideline resulted in a reduction in the dose of opioids and benzodiazepines without a change in volatile anesthetic agent used in the operating room. Intraoperative... read more

Changes in Anesthetic and Postoperative Sedation-Analgesia Practice Associated With Early Extubation Following Infant Cardiac Surgery

Effect of Protocolized Weaning With Early Extubation to Noninvasive Ventilation vs Invasive Weaning on Time to Liberation From Mechanical Ventilation Among Patients With Respiratory Failure

Among patients requiring mechanical ventilation in whom a spontaneous breathing trial had failed, early extubation to noninvasive ventilation did not shorten time to liberation from any ventilation. Among 364 randomized... read more

Effect of Protocolized Weaning With Early Extubation to Noninvasive Ventilation vs Invasive Weaning on Time to Liberation From Mechanical Ventilation Among Patients With Respiratory Failure

Effect of Protocolized Weaning With Early Extubation to Noninvasive Ventilation vs Invasive Ventilation

This complex randomized, controlled trial failed to demonstrate that early extubation to non-invasive ventilation reduced the total time of mechanical ventilation. I will continue to extubate early and will use non-invasive... read more

Effect of Protocolized Weaning With Early Extubation to Noninvasive Ventilation vs Invasive Ventilation

Added Benefit of Noninvasive Ventilation to High-Flow Nasal Oxygen to Prevent Reintubation in Higher-Risk Patients

Liberating patients from ongoing invasive mechanical ventilation is typically a 3-step process. First, clinicians must recognize that patients may no longer require mechanical ventilation, when the reasons for intubation... read more

Added Benefit of Noninvasive Ventilation to High-Flow Nasal Oxygen to Prevent Reintubation in Higher-Risk Patients

Safety and Efficacy of VBF in Critically Ill, Mechanically Ventilated Adults Using the PERFECT Protocol

Underfeeding in critical illness is common and associated with poor outcomes. According to large prospective hospital studies, volume-based feeding (VBF) safely and effectively improves energy and protein delivery to critically... read more

Safety and Efficacy of VBF in Critically Ill, Mechanically Ventilated Adults Using the PERFECT Protocol

Effect of a Low vs Intermediate Tidal Volume Strategy on Ventilator-Free Days in ICU Patients Without ARDS

In patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) without acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who were expected not to be extubated within 24 hours of randomization, a low tidal volume strategy did not result in a greater... read more

Effect of a Low vs Intermediate Tidal Volume Strategy on Ventilator-Free Days in ICU Patients Without ARDS

Risk Stratification Using Oxygenation in the First 24 Hours of Pediatric ARDS

Oxygenation measured 24 hours after acute respiratory distress syndrome onset more accurately stratifies risk, relative to oxygenation at onset, in both children and adults. However, waiting 24 hours is problematic, especially... read more

Risk Stratification Using Oxygenation in the First 24 Hours of Pediatric ARDS

RBC Transfusions Are Associated With Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation in Pediatric ARDS

RBC transfusion was independently associated with longer duration of mechanical ventilation in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome. Hemoglobin transfusion thresholds should be tested specifically within pediatric... read more

RBC Transfusions Are Associated With Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation in Pediatric ARDS

A Familiar Story: Delirium in the Acute Care Setting

A few years ago, I received report that a patient was ready to be weaned from the ventilator. He had no respiratory need for mechanical ventilation, and every time the medical team attempted to wean sedation to extubate,... read more

A Familiar Story: Delirium in the Acute Care Setting

Tracheal extubation with a predicted difficult airway

Management of the difficult airway is an important, but as yet poorly-studied, component of intensive care management. Although there has been a strong emphasis on prediction and intubation of the difficult airway, safe extubation... read more

Tracheal extubation with a predicted difficult airway

Sevoflurane for the treatment of refractory status epilepticus in the critical care unit

A 50-year-old woman with liver failure was admitted to critical care for refractory status epilepticus (RSE). Following tracheal intubation, sevoflurane was administered via the MIRUS system (Pall Medical, Dreieich, Germany).... read more

Sevoflurane for the treatment of refractory status epilepticus in the critical care unit

Weaning from the Ventilator and Extubation in ICU

Current research is focusing on preventing extubation failure, especially in the most challenging cases. The use of weaning protocols – written or computerized – attempts to early identify patients who are able to breathe... read more