Early evaluation of heart rate variability can predict the outcome of patients in the ICU

The study evaluated the use of heart rate variability (HRV) to predict the outcome of patients in the ICU. HRV is a way to evaluate the cardiac effects of the autonomic nervous system, and a relation between HRV and outcome... read more

A Guide to Mechanical Circulatory Support: A Primer for Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Clinicians

This unique book details a multidisciplinary approach for providers caring for the Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) patient. Authors discuss the history of MCS, patient selection, surgical and post-operative care, mobility... read more

A Guide to Mechanical Circulatory Support: A Primer for Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Clinicians

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Adults (Respiratory Medicine)

This new edition presents an evidence-based review of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for adults, with a particular focus on veno-venous (VV) ECMO. Due to the dramatic impact of COVID-19, the number of institutions... read more

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Adults (Respiratory Medicine)

Pros and Cons of Disconnecting the Ventilator During Acute Respiratory Decompensation

Disconnecting the ventilator and manual BMV should be performed in cases where device malfunction is the primary cause of decompensation. These instances are quite rare. Disadvantages of switching to BMV include loss of... read more

Mechanical Ventilation: For Fun and Benefit

Illustrated and explained simply this book is for anyone that works in an intensive care unit - residents, pulmonary/critical care fellows, therapists, or nurses who wants a better understanding of mechanical ventilation. Easy... read more

Mechanical Ventilation: For Fun and Benefit

Mechanical Ventilation for the ICU Resident: A Concept Based Approach

This book is written primarily with the intent of helping medical residents understand the basics of mechanical ventilation. It is meant to be read during a one-month rotation in the ICU. It is a compilation of concepts... read more

Mechanical Ventilation for the ICU Resident: A Concept Based Approach

Clinical Application of Mechanical Ventilation

Fundamental concepts of respiratory physiology and the day-to-day duties of a respiratory care professional. Utilizing the wide degree of topics covered, including airway management, understanding ventilator waveforms,... read more

Clinical Application of Mechanical Ventilation

Lung and Diaphragm Protective Ventilation Guided by the Esophageal Pressure

Lung protective ventilatory strategies aim to limit tidal volume, driving pressure and plateau pressure to minimize lung stress and strain and consequently reduce the morbidity and mortality risks associated with mechanical... read more

Care Step Pathway an Effective Tool For Clinicians Caring for Mechanical Ventilated COVID-19 Patients

The Care Step Pathway (CSP) described in this article was developed to increase awareness of the potential association of SARS-CoV-2 infection with invasive fungal infections, particularly pulmonary aspergillosis. The... read more

Dexmedetomidine vs. Propofol Sedation in Critically Ill Adults Requiring Mechanical Ventilation

Dexmedetomidine did not significantly impact ICU length of stay compared with propofol, but it significantly reduced the duration of mechanical ventilation and the risk of delirium in cardiac surgical patients. It also significantly... read more

Protective Ventilation

As ventilator induced lung injury (VILI) importantly impacts outcome of mechanically ventilated patients, even in those without lung injury, it follows that those caring for the critically ill should apply protective ventilatory... read more

Prone Position in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

The use of prone position (PP) during invasive mechanical ventilation was first reported more than 45 years ago as a mean to improve oxygenation in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Improved oxygenation... read more

Bedside PUG Positively Impact Efficiency and Cost Outcomes in the ICU

This study demonstrates bedside percutaneous ultrasound gastrostomy (PUG) leads to decreased Length of Stay (LOS) and total hospital costs in patients with ventilator-dependent respiratory failure. Hospital costs were significantly... read more

Sedation Management Evolution in the ICU

This paper provided an overview of how ICU sedation practices have evolved over the last 20 years. Contemporary ICU sedation practices include light levels of sedation, SAT, and use of non-benzodiazepines. The current... read more

Acquired Weakness and Hospital Functional Mobility Outcomes Following Invasive Mechanical Ventilation in Patients with COVID-19

In critically ill COVID-19 patients, the incidence of ICUAW and acute gait dependence were high. Our study identifies factors influencing both outcomes. Future studies should investigate optimal COVID-19 ARDS management and... read more

Medical Nutrition Therapy and Clinical Outcomes in Critically Ill Adults

Calorie intake was mainly provided according to the targets recommended by the active ESPEN guideline, but protein intake was lower. In patients staying in ICU ≥ 5 days, early moderate daily calorie and protein intakes... read more

Prevalence of PICS in Mechanically Ventilated Patients with COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) patients usually require long periods of mechanical ventilation and sedation, which added to steroid therapy, favours a predisposition to the development of delirium and subsequent mental... read more

New WHO Toolkit Focuses on Severe Acute Respiratory Infection

During the early months of the pandemic, it became imperative to share best practices for the care and treatment of patients with SARS CoV-2. This new infectious agent, with potentially new pathogenesis and an unprecedented... read more

External Chest-wall Compression in Prolonged COVID-19 ARDS with Low-compliance

SARS-CoV-2 can lead to severe respiratory failure (C-ARDS) with some clinical and radiological characteristics that match the presentation of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The management of mechanical ventilation... read more

The impact of physical medicine and rehabilitation consultation on clinical outcomes in the SICU

The impact of a physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) consultation on clinical outcomes in critically ill surgical patients remains unclear. The aim of this study is to examine whether the patients who received PM&R... read more

Prone Position Minimizes the Exacerbation of Effort-dependent Lung Injury

Prone position, independent of positive end-expiratory pressure levels, diminishes a maldistribution of lung stress and inflation imposed by spontaneous effort and mitigates spontaneous effort, resulting in less effort-dependent... read more

ARDS Readmissions: A nationwide Cross-sectional Analysis of Epidemiology

Thirty-day readmission occurred in 18.4% of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in this sample, and early readmission is strongly associated with increased mortality compared to late readmission. Further... read more