Tag: therapy
Short-term vs. Conventional Glucocorticoid Therapy in Acute Exacerbations of COPD
In patients presenting to the emergency department with acute exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), 5-day treatment with systemic glucocorticoids was noninferior to 14-day treatment with regard to... read more
MODS on Day 1 is a Major Source of Mortality in the PICU
Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) present on Day 1 of admission continues to be a major source of morbidity and mortality in the PICU, but risk of poor neurologic outcome may be improved. Further research is... read more
Assessment of Microcirculation in Cardiogenic Shock
The parameter most frequently used to detect tissue malperfusion is serum lactate. Novel, noninvasive methods to quantify microvascular perfusion have the potential to guide treatment in terms of optimizing organ perfusion... read more
CytoSorb Associated with Decreased Observed vs. Expected 28-day All-cause Mortality in ICU Patients with Septic Shock
CytoSorb was associated with a decreased observed versus expected 28-day all-cause mortality. By IPTW analysis, intervention with CytoSorb may be associated with a decreased all-cause mortality at 28 days compared to CRRT... read more
Vitamin C for Sepsis Suffers a Setback. Or a Step-Forward. It’s Complicated
The CITRIS-ALI study found no difference in primary outcomes among patients with sepsis treated with vitamin C versus placebo. But there was a difference in a secondary outcome - overall mortality. When it comes to sepsis... read more
Candida Bloodstream Infection Under Veno-arterial ECMO Therapy
Cavayas et al. recently described invasive fungal infections in patients under extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry. They found a 1.2% prevalence of Candida... read more
Epinephrine, Inodilator, or No Inotrope in VA-ECMO Implantation
Early epinephrine therapy within the first 24 h after cannulation for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) was associated with poor survival compared to patients with or without any inodilator therapy.... read more
Blood Culture Results Before and After Antimicrobial Administration in Patients With Severe Sepsis
Among patients with severe manifestations of sepsis, initiation of empirical antimicrobial therapy significantly reduces the sensitivity of blood cultures drawn shortly after treatment initiation. Of 3,164 participants... read more
Occupational Therapy in the ICU
The role of occupational therapists in ICU rehabilitation is not currently well established. Current interventions in the ICU are dominated by physical rehabilitation with a growing role in communication and delirium... read more
Refractory Septic Shock: Our Pragmatic Approach
Despite timely intervention, there exists a small subgroup of patients with septic shock who develop progressive multi-organ failure. Seemingly refractory to conventional therapy, they exhibit a very high mortality. Such... read more
Beyond Ventilator-induced Diaphragm Dysfunction
Respiratory muscles are essential to ensure the vital function of breathing. The diaphragm is a unique respiratory muscle, because it contracts throughout the individual's life span without resting, not even during sleep.... read more
Impact of Vasoactive Medications on ICU-Acquired Weakness in Mechanically Ventilated Patients
In mechanically ventilated patients enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of early mobilization, the use of vasoactive medications was independently associated with the development of ICU-acquired weakness. Prospective... read more
Comparison of Diagnostic Accuracy Among Procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, and Interleukin 6 for Blood Culture Positivity in General ICU Patients
Despite various technological advances, it still usually takes at least 24 to 48 h to obtain a blood culture result. The subsequent delays in diagnosis and treatment of infection can negatively impact care in the intensive... read more
Ineffectiveness of Procalcitonin-Guided Antibiotic Therapy in Severely Critically Ill Patients
Procalcitonin-guided (PCT) antibiotic therapy fails to decrease the mortality or length of stay (LOS) of critically ill patients with suspected or confirmed sepsis. PCT-guided cessation of antibiotic therapy could reduce... read more
