Haloperidol for the Management of Delirium in Adult ICU Patients

Among critically ill patients, haloperidol administration compared with placebo does not significantly affect short-term mortality, incidence of delirium, ICU length of stay, or delirium or coma-free days. Additionally, there... read more

High-frequency Oscillatory Ventilation: Still a Role?

In light of emerging data from clinical trials, the place of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) in the management of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is uncertain. Although not first-line, HFOV remains... read more

Cricoid Pressure in Airway Management: The IRIS Trial

This large randomized clinical trial performed in patients undergoing anesthesia with RSI failed to demonstrate the non-inferiority of the sham procedure in preventing pulmonary aspiration. Further studies are required in... read more

Immediate interruption of sedation compared with usual sedation care in critically ill postoperative patients

This trial provides evidence that a strategy of avoiding continuous sedation as early as possible, in the absence of residual neuromuscular blockade and hypothermia, compared with usual sedation care, resulted in improvements... read more

Interventions to Improve the Physical Function of ICU Survivors

ICU admissions are ever increasing across the United States. Following critical illness, physical functioning (PF) may be impaired for up to 5 years. We performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials evaluating... read more

Terlipressin vs. Norepinephrine As Infusion in Patients With Septic Shock

In this multicentre, randomised, double‑blinded trial, we observed no difference in mortality between terlipressin and NE infusion in patients with septic shock. Patients in the terlipressin group had a higher number of... read more

Effect of Levocarnitine vs Placebo as an Adjunctive Treatment for Septic Shock

In this dose-finding, phase 2 adaptive randomized trial, patients with septic shock and moderate organ dysfunction were treated early in the course of illness with low (6 g), medium (12 g), or high (18 g) doses of levocarnitine... read more

Prospective Assessment of the Feasibility of a Trial of Low Tidal Volume Ventilation for Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure

Use of initial tidal volumes less than 8 ml/kg PBW is common at hospitals participating in the NHLBI PETAL Network. After considering the size and budgetary requirement for a cluster-randomized trial of LTVV vs. usual care... read more

Fluid Responsiveness in a Hemodynamically Unstable Patient

Only half of patients who are hemodynamically unstable will respond to a fluid bolus. There are no historical or physical examination findings that can help us decide whether a patient is a fluid responder, but we must treat... read more

Crystalloids vs. Colloids for Fluid Resuscitation in the ICU

This systematic review and meta-analysis, which included only high-level evidence from randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in intensive care settings, revealed that crystalloids were less effective than colloids... read more

Effect of a Program Combining Transitional Care and Long-term Self-management Support on Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients With COPD

In a single-site randomized clinical trial of patients hospitalized due to Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a 3-month program that combined transition and long-term self-management support resulted in significantly... read more

Long-term outcomes in patients with septic shock transfused at a lower versus a higher haemoglobin threshold

Long-term mortality rates and HRQoL did not differ in patients with septic shock and anaemia who were transfused at a haemoglobin threshold of 7 g/dl versus a threshold of 9 g/dl. We may reject a more than 3 % increased hazard... read more

Remodeling ICU Care

A new study finding that two antipsychotics were no more effective than placebo for delirium in critical illness spurs discussion about alternative methods for managing that care. Neither haloperidol nor ziprasidone — both... read more

Decontaminants Don’t Cut Bloodstream Infection Risk in Ventilated ICU Patients

The use of digestive and oral decontaminants in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) who are mechanically ventilated and who have moderate to high antibiotic resistance is not associated with a reduction in ICU-acquired... read more

Vitamin Treatment For Sepsis Is Put To The Test

Dr. Jonathan Sevransky was intrigued when he heard that a well-known physician in Virginia had reported remarkable results from a simple treatment for sepsis. Could the leading cause of death in hospitals really be treated... read more

Drone Doctors

Trials in Australia could be signalling the way ahead for a new role for remotely piloted aircraft in the air medical sphere, as James Paul Wallis reports. Drones have long since proved their worth as an aerial search tool... read more

The Effectiveness of Non-Pharmacological Interventions in Reducing the Incidence and Duration of Delirium in Critically Ill Patients

Current evidence does not support the use of non-pharmacological interventions in reducing incidence and duration of delirium in critically ill patients. Future research should consider well-designed and well-described multicomponent... read more

A Multicentre Randomised Controlled Trial of Levetiracetam vs. Phenytoin for Convulsive Status Epilepticus in Children

Convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) is the most common life-threatening childhood neurological emergency. Despite this, there is a lack of high quality evidence supporting medication use after first line benzodiazepines,... read more

Delirium in Critical Illness: Haloperidol vs Ziprasidone?

Delirium is defined as an acute disorder of consciousness which can occur in up to 80% of mechanically ventilated ICU patients. This acute cognitive dysfunction is associated with prolonged hospital stay, increased mortality,... read more

Cost-effectiveness of Procalcitonin Testing to Guide Antibiotic Treatment Duration in Critically Ill Patients

Although the impact of PCT guidance on total healthcare-related costs during the initial hospitalisation episode is likely negligible, the lower in-hospital mortality may lead to a non-significant increase in costs over a... read more

Septic Shock: Innovative Treatment Options in the Wings

Vitamin C, angiotensin-II, and methylene blue are emerging options on the cutting edge of refractory septic shock treatment that require more investigation, but nevertheless appear promising, Rishi Rattan, MD, said at the... read more

Caffeine Accelerates Emergence from Isoflurane Anesthesia in Humans

Intravenous caffeine is able to accelerate emergence from isoflurane anesthesia in healthy males without any apparent adverse effects. All randomized participants were included in the analysis. The mean time to emergence... read more