Early Reapplication of Prone Position During VV-ECMO for ARDS

A combination of prone positioning (PP) and venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is safe, feasible, and associated with potentially improved survival for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).... read more

Basics of Mechanical Ventilation

Basics of Mechanical Ventilation

This book is a practical and easily understandable guide for mechanical ventilation. With a focus on the basics, this text begins with a detailed account of the mechanisms of spontaneous breathing as a reference point to... read more

Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Risk Factors in Patients with Severe COVID-19

Patients with COVID-19 are at high risk of VAP, which may be related to issues other than prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) time. Multiple factors increase the chances of these patients developing VAP, including:... read more

Pitfalls in the Management of Mechanical Ventilation: ARDS and Hypermetabolic States

Mechanical Ventilation (MV) is an invaluable, lifesaving therapy for patients with acute respiratory failure, but it must be individualized for each specific underlying physiologic derangement to maximize benefits and minimize... read more

Pressure Support Ventilation During ECMO Support in Patients with ARDS

In the initial phases of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) support for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), ultraprotective controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV) is typically employed... read more

Outcomes for Mechanically Ventilated Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Admitted to Medical vs Cardiac ICUs

In this multicenter, national analysis of ICU admission for critically ill patients with AMI, we found that admission to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) was associated with lower in-hospital mortality than patients... read more

Efficacy of β-Blockers in Decreasing Mortality in Sepsis and Septic Shock Patients

This study suggests that the use of β-blockers in sepsis and septic shock patients is associated with a significant decrease in in-hospital mortality and also associated with better patient outcomes. As β-blockers cause... read more

Navigating the Complexity of ECMO and Positioning in ARDS Treatment

We read with great interest the network meta-analysis by Sud et al. comparing venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO), prone positioning, and supine mechanical ventilation in patients with severe hypoxemic... read more

Antifungal Prophylaxis of COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Ventilated Patients

This study investigated the impact of POSA prophylaxis on risk of CAPA development in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients receiving corticosteroids. We observed a significant variation in CAPA incidence rates among... read more

Another Perspective on Tidal Volume: From Statistics to Uncertainty

We have read with great interest the recent editorial by Pellegrini et al. Undoubtedly, now more than ever, we have begun to question the true role of tidal volume (VT) in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). As... read more

Impact of extended lung protection during mechanical ventilation on lung recovery in patients with COVID-19 ARDS

The extended lung protection with strict control of ΔP for moderate to severe ARDS plus deranged mechanics is feasible and could be implemented in this pilot study with some beneficial impact on the recovery of lung function.... read more

Weaning From Mechanical Ventilation in ICUs Across 50 Countries

Current management practices and outcomes in weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation are poorly understood. We aimed to describe the epidemiology, management, timings, risk for failure, and outcomes of weaning in patients... read more

Early In-Bed Cycle Ergometry in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Among adults receiving mechanical ventilation in the ICU, adding early in-bed Cycling to usual physiotherapy did not improve physical function at 3 days after discharge from the ICU compared with Usual physiotherapy alone.... read more

Mechanical Ventilation in the ICU: A New Approach and Treatment

Mechanical Ventilation in the ICU: A New Approach and Treatment

In the present book, a broad description of the processes carried out in patients with mechanical ventilation in the ICU is made. It covers from an overview of mechanical ventilation and some of its history to the processes... read more

Early Ketamine Sedation Outcomes Among Mechanically Ventilated COVID-19 Patients

In a diverse sample of U.S. hospitals, about one in 30 patients mechanically ventilated with COVID-19 received ketamine infusions. Early ketamine may have an association with higher hospital mortality, increased total cost,... read more

The role of pleural pressure and airway closure during mechanical ventilation

The role of pleural pressure and airway closure during mechanical ventilation

Related to our paper, Van Egmond et al. highlighted key physiological concepts we must be aware of. We believe, however, that the described physiological com-plexity has limited impact on the daily use of esophageal pressure... read more

Immunosuppression Not Associated with a Higher Incidence of ICU-acquired Bacterial Bloodstream Infections

Immunosuppression Not Associated with a Higher Incidence of ICU-acquired Bacterial Bloodstream Infections

In this monocentric, retrospective observational cohort study, the incidence of ICU-acquired bacterial BSI was not different between immunocompromised and non-immunocompromised patients. This suggests that the clinical... read more