Artificial Intelligence Hold Promise in the ICU

In a 2018 article entitled “Human Cognitive Limitations”, the University of Utah's Alan Morris estimated the number of variables an intensivist has to take into account for a patient on mechanical ventilation. He... read more

Artificial Intelligence Hold Promise in the ICU

New Device for Intubation Through a Laryngeal Mask Airway

On review of the literature, it is abundantly obvious that an endotracheal tube (ETT) with a posterior-facing bevel and curved or tapered tip to center the tube on the scope and reduce hang-up is ideal for intubation over... read more

New Device for Intubation Through a Laryngeal Mask Airway

Laryngeal Radiation Fibrosis: A Case of Failed Awake Flexible Fibreoptic Intubation

In patients with severe upper airway narrowing because of radiation fibrosis, an awake fibreoptic intubation may be impossible and a tracheotomy is the only means of securing this airway; however, there may be no evident... read more

Laryngeal Radiation Fibrosis: A Case of Failed Awake Flexible Fibreoptic Intubation

Breath-holding as a Novel Approach to COVID-19 Risk Stratification

Despite considerable progress, it remains unclear why some patients admitted for COVID-19 develop adverse outcomes while others recover spontaneously. Clues may lie with the predisposition to hypoxemia or unexpected absence... read more

Breath-holding as a Novel Approach to COVID-19 Risk Stratification

Evolving Changes in Mortality of Critically Ill with COVID-19 Over 8 Months

Age and mortality rates have declined over the first 8 months of the pandemic. The use of non-invasive respiratory support (NIRS) as the first respiratory support measure was associated with survival, but causal inference... read more

Evolving Changes in Mortality of Critically Ill with COVID-19 Over 8 Months

Non-invasive Respiratory Support and P-SILI in COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia is associated with hypoxemic respiratory failure, ranging from mild to severe. Due to the worldwide shortage of intensive care unit beds, a relatively high number of patients... read more

Non-invasive Respiratory Support and P-SILI in COVID-19

Protocol and statistical analysis plan for the PREPARE II randomised clinical trial

Cardiovascular collapse is a common complication during tracheal intubation of critically ill adults. Whether administration of an intravenous fluid bolus prevents cardiovascular collapse during tracheal intubation remains... read more

Protocol and statistical analysis plan for the PREPARE II randomised clinical trial

Rapid Sequence Induction: Where Did the Consensus Go?

The conduct of Rapid Sequence Induction (RSI) in current emergency practice is far removed from the original descriptions of the procedure. Despite this, the principles – rapid delivery of a definitive airway and avoiding... read more

Rapid Sequence Induction: Where Did the Consensus Go?

Prone Positioning in Spontaneously Breathing Subjects With Moderate or Severe ARDS During Invasive Ventilation

In a retrospective analysis of consecutive intubated subjects with moderate or severe ARDS, related or not to COVID-19, spontaneous breathing during prone positioning (PP) was well tolerated and achieved significant improvement... read more

Prone Positioning in Spontaneously Breathing Subjects With Moderate or Severe ARDS During Invasive Ventilation

Prone Positioning of Nonintubated Patients with COVID-19

Despite the significant variability in frequency and duration of prone positioning and respiratory supports applied, prone positioning was associated with improvement in oxygenation variables without any reported serious... read more

Prone Positioning of Nonintubated Patients with COVID-19

Discharged IMV COVID-19 Survivors Not Functionally Independent

The majority of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) COVID-19 survivors were not functionally independent at discharge and required significant follow-up medical care. The COVID-19 circumstance has placed constraints on... read more

Discharged IMV COVID-19 Survivors Not Functionally Independent

Expiratory Flow Limitation During Mechanical Ventilation

Expiratory flow limitation (EFL) is present when the flow cannot rise despite an increase in the expiratory driving pressure. The mechanisms of EFL are debated but are believed to be related to the collapsibility of small... read more

Expiratory Flow Limitation During Mechanical Ventilation

Assess the Intensity of Inspiratory Efforts Using CVP Waveforms

Real case: You are passing by the room of an awake mechanically ventilated patient with advanced IPF. Peeking in from outside the room, the following CVP waveform catches your attention. In a recent post, we discussed... read more

Assess the Intensity of Inspiratory Efforts Using CVP Waveforms

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Cuffed vs. Uncuffed Endotracheal Tubes for Infants in the Intensive Care

There was no difference in the primary outcome, though percentage time spent in optimal leak range was significantly higher in cuffed uncuffed endotracheal tube (ETT) group. Cuffed ETTs reduced reintubations to optimise ETT... read more

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Cuffed vs. Uncuffed Endotracheal Tubes for Infants in the Intensive Care