Risk Factors for Ventilator-Associated Events in a PICU

There is an association between ventilator-associated condition and infection-related ventilator-associated complication in critically ill children with acute kidney injury, ventilatory support, and neuromuscular blockade.... read more

Risk Factors for Ventilator-Associated Events in a PICU

Should We Manage All Septic Patients Based on a Single Definition?

It is indisputable from the biological and clinical perspectives that not all cases of sepsis are the same. On the contrary, most have great many differences, that is, different portals of entry, clinical manifestations,... read more

Should We Manage All Septic Patients Based on a Single Definition?

Antimicrobials for the Treatment of Drug-Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii Pneumonia in Critically Ill Patients

This Bayesian network meta-analysis demonstrated the comparative effectiveness of fifteen antimicrobial treatments for drug-resistant A. baumannii pneumonia in critically ill patients. For survival benefit, SUL appears to... read more

Antimicrobials for the Treatment of Drug-Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii Pneumonia in Critically Ill Patients

Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Critical Illness-Related Corticosteroid Insufficiency – Part II

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 Critical Illness-Related Corticosteroid Insufficiency – Part II

Alleviating ICU Survivors’ Burden

In a review paper, a team of international researchers highlights how critical illness and critical care affect longer-term outcomes. According to the authors, the severity of acute illness determines the degree of impairment... read more

Alleviating ICU Survivors’ Burden

Are hospital readmission penalties a good idea?

A closely watched experiment in health care has unfolded over the last few years: Financial incentives for hospitals to reduce readmissions. It was a feature of the Affordable Care Act, and researchers are now assessing its... read more

Are hospital readmission penalties a good idea?

Tree-like Color Doppler in Diagnosing Pneumonia in Critically Ill

Pneumonia remains a difficult sonographic diagnosis in the critically ill. It is characterized by hypoechoic areas, irregular margins, heterogeneous echo texture, dynamic air bronchogram, pleural effusion and vascular flow... read more

Tree-like Color Doppler in Diagnosing Pneumonia in Critically Ill

Diagnostic Importance of Pulmonary Interleukin-1β and Interleukin-8 in VAP

BALF IL-1β and IL-8 are amongst the strongest markers yet identified for accurately demarcating VAP within the larger population of patients with suspected VAP. These findings have potential implications for reduction in... read more

Diagnostic Importance of Pulmonary Interleukin-1β and Interleukin-8 in VAP

Efficacy and Safety of Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis in Critically Ill Patients

Our results provide moderate quality evidence that PPIs are the most effective agents in preventing CIB, but they may increase the risk of pneumonia. The balance of benefits and harms leaves the routine use of SUP open to... read more

Efficacy and Safety of Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis in Critically Ill Patients

Diabetes Risks and Outcomes in COPD Patients

The relationship between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and diabetes remains incompletely understood. This study evaluated diabetes risk and post-diabetes outcomes in COPD patients with and without exacerbations.... read more

Diabetes Risks and Outcomes in COPD Patients

New Sepsis Definition (Sepsis-3) and Community-acquired Pneumonia Mortality

qSOFA and CRB outperformed SIRS and presented better clinical usefulness as prompt tools for patients with community-acquired pneumonia in the emergency department. Among the tools for a comprehensive patient assessment,... read more

New Sepsis Definition (Sepsis-3) and Community-acquired Pneumonia Mortality

Corticosteroid Therapy for Critically Ill Patients with the MERS

Corticosteroid therapy in patients with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) was not associated with a difference in mortality after adjustment for time-varying confounders, but was associated with delayed MERS coronavirus... read more

Corticosteroid Therapy for Critically Ill Patients with the MERS

Algorithm Can Diagnose Pneumonia Better than Radiologists

Stanford researchers have developed a deep learning algorithm that evaluates chest X-rays for signs of disease. In just over a month of development, their algorithm outperformed expert radiologists at diagnosing pneumonia.... read more

Algorithm Can Diagnose Pneumonia Better than Radiologists

Hospital Factors May Influence NIV Outcomes Even in Low-Evidence Use

Strong evidence supports use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for patients with respiratory distress from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure – i.e., strong evidence conditions (SECs). A new study of... read more

Hospital Factors May Influence NIV Outcomes Even in Low-Evidence Use

Accuracy and Applications of Lung Ultrasound to Diagnose VAP

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is an accurate tool to diagnose community-acquired pneumonia. However, it is not yet an established tool to diagnose ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Small subpleural consolidations and dynamic... read more

Accuracy and Applications of Lung Ultrasound to Diagnose VAP

Ultrasound-guided Mechanical Ventilation

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is now a tool used worldwide, integrating clinical assessment of the critically ill. In this review, we focus on lung, diaphragm and cardiac ultrasound in the management of the mechanically... read more

Ultrasound-guided Mechanical Ventilation

Oral Antibiotics Preferred for Pediatric Pneumonia

Children with complicated pneumonia should be discharged from the hospital with oral instead of intravenous (IV) antibiotics when possible, according to a new study. The results showed no significant differences in treatment... read more

Oral Antibiotics Preferred for Pediatric Pneumonia

Traditional vs. Extended Cefepime Infusion in Critically Ill Patients

Patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia or pneumonia had a reduced 28-day all-cause mortality and length of stay in the ICU when administered an extended infusion of cefepime.... read more

Traditional vs. Extended Cefepime Infusion in Critically Ill Patients

Steroids for severe CAP. Should I?

Steroids. I always have mixed feelings about them. It's a Love & Hate relationship inside my head. On one hand I cannot stand those who claim steroids are the critical care's Holy Grail. Steroids for sepsis, ARDS, trauma,... read more

Steroids for severe CAP. Should I?

Noninvasive Ventilation in Patients With Hematologic Malignancy

Two-thirds of patients with Hematologic Malignancy and respiratory failure failed Noninvasive Ventilation (NIV) and required endotracheal intubation, and had high subsequent mortality. Patients who failed NIV had higher Paco2,... read more

Noninvasive Ventilation in Patients With Hematologic Malignancy