A Comparison of Albumin and Saline for Fluid Resuscitation in the ICU

In this randomized trial, we found that the use of 4 percent albumin or normal saline for intravascular volume resuscitation in a heterogeneous population of patients in the ICU resulted in equivalent rates of death from... read more

How Blood From Coronavirus Survivors Might Save Lives

Hospitals in New York City are gearing up to use the blood of people who have recovered from COVID-19 as a possible antidote for the disease. Researchers hope that the century-old approach of infusing patients with the... read more

Impact of Early Neuraminidase Inhibitor Treatment on Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Influenza B-related Pneumonia

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of early (within 2 days after disease onset) neuraminidase inhibitor (NAI) administration on clinical outcomes in patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza B-related pneumonia... read more

Characteristics and Outcomes of 21 Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients in Washington State

This study represents the first description of critically ill patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the US. Patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (positive result by polymerase chain reaction testing of a nasopharyngeal... read more

Decrease Delirium in Older ICU Adults Using Music

Researchers from the Regenstrief Institute and Mayo Clinic are leading the first study to test whether exposure to music can decrease delirium in older adults who are receiving mechanical ventilation in the Intensive Care... read more

ICU Risk Factors and Outcomes for Each Delirium Subtype

Although included studies reported on many subtype-specific risk factors (hypoactive, hyperactive) and outcomes, heterogeneity in reporting and methodological quality limited the generalizability of the results and the evidence... read more

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Related to ARDS Survivors’ Quality of Life

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), not body functions & structures measures, are related to ARDS survivors' quality of life and should be included in future studies. Bringing greater consistency to outcomes... read more

Comparison of outcomes between vertical and transverse skin incisions in percutaneous tracheostomy for critically ill patients

This retrospective study showed that transverse skin incisions in PTs for critically ill patients, resulted in a significant decrease in overall complications, particularly ulcers in the tracheostomy site. Of the 458... read more

Impact of Protocolized Diuresis for De-resuscitation in the ICU

Using a diuresis protocol for volume de-resuscitation, we demonstrated a significant decrease in net cumulative fluid balance at 72 h following shock resolution, with potential benefit on clinical outcomes including renal... read more

Flow-controlled Ventilation Enhances Lung Aeration

Lung-protective ventilation for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) aims for providing sufficient oxygenation and carbon dioxide clearance, while limiting the harmful effects of mechanical ventilation. This study... read more

Association of Initiation of Dialysis with Hospital Length of Stay and Intensity of Care in Older Adults With Kidney Failure

In this cohort study, compared with non-dialysis care, patients who received maintenance dialysis spent more time in the hospital and were more likely to be admitted to intensive care units. This finding suggests trade-offs... read more

The Dyspnoea-inactivity Vicious Circle in COPD: Development and External Validation of a Conceptual Model

The vicious circle of dyspnoea-inactivity has been proposed, but never validated empirically, to explain the clinical course of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We aimed to develop and validate externally... read more

Harmful Effects of Mechanical Ventilation on Neurocognitive Functions

Whether mechanical ventilation (MV) induces neurotoxicity that can trigger or accelerate chronic cognitive disorders is controversial. The relationship between MV and neurocognitive impairment, that persisted at hospital... read more

New Study on Prehospital Airway Control Trial Underway

Emory University Department of Emergency Medicine and Grady Memorial Hospital will take part in a U.S. Department of Defense-funded clinical trial to compare different ways to help people with traumatic injuries breathe. The... read more

Clinical Characteristics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in China

During the first 2 months of the current outbreak, Covid-19 spread rapidly throughout China and caused varying degrees of illness. Patients often presented without fever, and many did not have abnormal radiologic findings. The... read more

Association Between Hypothermia/Ischemia Ratio and Functional Outcome From Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Although a larger hypothermia/ischemia ratio was associated with good functional outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in this cohort, this association is primarily driven by duration of time to return of spontaneous... read more

eFAST Performance with a Novel vs. Conventional Transducers

Point-of-injury extended focused assessment with sonography in trauma (eFAST) may identify life-threatening torso hemorrhage and expedite casualty evacuation. The purpose of this study was to compare combat medic eFAST performance... read more

Recognition, Assessment, and Pharmacotherapeutic Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome in the ICU

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a complex neurologic disorder that develops after an acute reduction in or cessation of chronic alcohol consumption that alters neurotransmitter conduction. The incidence of AWS in the... read more

Wide Interest in a Vitamin C Drug Cocktail for Sepsis Despite Lagging Evidence

Critical care medicine specialist Paul Marik, MD, has described himself as a status quo destabilizer, and probably nothing illustrates that designation better than the sepsis treatment known as the Marik protocol. In the... read more

Empirical Anti-MRSA Therapy Not Associated with Reduced Mortality for Patients with Pneumonia

This study suggests that empirical anti-MRSA therapy was not associated with reduced mortality for any group of patients hospitalized for pneumonia. These results contribute to a growing body of evidence that questions the... read more

Methylnaltrexone for Treatment of Opioid-induced Constipation in Critically Ill Patients

No evidence to support the addition of methylnaltrexone to regular laxatives for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation in critically ill patients; however, the confidence interval was wide and a clinically important... read more

1 in 5 Patients Die within 90 Days After LVAD Implantation

The aim of the study was to analyze early mortality after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation which remains high. In the EUROMACS registry, approximately 1 in 5 patients die within 90 days... read more