The Precogs Take On Sepsis

The Precogs Take On Sepsis

It seems like every week there’s another publicized instance of our impending replacement by artificial intelligence. Big Data, they say, is going to free us of the cognitive burdens of complex thought while maximizing... read more

Positive Topline Results for Novel Alzheimer’s Drug

Positive Topline Results for Novel Alzheimer’s Drug

A novel drug is showing promise for helping improve cognition in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD), according to new topline results. A phase 3 trial of more than 800 patients showed that those who were... read more

Oxygen Therapy for Acutely Ill Medical Patients

Oxygen Therapy for Acutely Ill Medical Patients

It is a longstanding cultural norm to provide supplemental oxygen to sick patients regardless of their blood oxygen saturation. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis has shown that too much supplemental oxygen increases... read more

Proton-Pump Inhibitor Prophylaxis in the ICU

Proton-Pump Inhibitor Prophylaxis in the ICU

Critical illness can disrupt local and systemic mechanisms that protect against upper gastrointestinal bleeding, a condition that may be associated with increased mortality, particularly among patients receiving extracorporeal... read more

Chasing Mortality Endpoints is a Fool’s Errand

Chasing Mortality Endpoints is a Fool’s Errand

"There is no mortality benefit for that." How many times have you heard that? The implication is usually the same: that intervention is a waste of time. A smart, evidence-based clinician wouldn't bother with it. But, what... read more

Dopamine Antagonists in ICU Delirium

Dopamine Antagonists in ICU Delirium

Perhaps the most vexing problem in a patient in an intensive care unit (ICU) is an unexpected change in mental status. Historically, "acute encephalopathy" was the term used to encompass such alterations, but "delirium" is... read more

Effect of Cricoid Pressure Compared With a Sham Procedure in the Rapid Sequence Induction of Anesthesia

Effect of Cricoid Pressure Compared With a Sham Procedure in the Rapid Sequence Induction of Anesthesia

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

Haloperidol and Ziprasidone for Treatment of Delirium in Critical Illness

Haloperidol and Ziprasidone for Treatment of Delirium in Critical Illness

The use of haloperidol or ziprasidone, as compared with placebo, in patients with acute respiratory failure or shock and hypoactive or hyperactive delirium in the ICU did not significantly alter the duration of delirium.... read more

Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Mortality and Ventilation in Sepsis Patients

Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Mortality and Ventilation in Sepsis Patients

Dexmedetomidine provides sedation for patients undergoing ventilation; however, its effects on mortality and ventilator-free days have not been well studied among patients with sepsis. This randomized clinical trial compares... read more

Effect of Bronchodilation, Exercise Training, and Behavior Modification on Symptoms and Physical Activity in COPD

Effect of Bronchodilation, Exercise Training, and Behavior Modification on Symptoms and Physical Activity in COPD

Tiotropium/olodaterol, with or without ExT, improved EET in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) taking part in an SMBM program. Combination bronchodilation, with or without ExT, did not provide additional... read more

Stronger evidence for vitamin C use in sepsis treatment

Stronger evidence for vitamin C use in sepsis treatment

A new meta-analysis reveals a positive correlation between incorporating vitamin C in the treatment of sepsis and favorable patient outcomes. Results of the meta-analysis showed a marked reduction in mortality and duration... read more

Clinical Trial Testing Vitamin and Steroid Combination in Sepsis Patients Underway at Emory

Clinical Trial Testing Vitamin and Steroid Combination in Sepsis Patients Underway at Emory

A new clinical trial at Emory University and 45 other sites around the U.S. will test a combination of vitamins and steroids in patients diagnosed with sepsis. Sepsis is caused by the body's overwhelming and life-threatening... read more

Triiodothyronine Replacement in Critically Ill Adults with Non-thyroidal Illness Syndrome

Triiodothyronine Replacement in Critically Ill Adults with Non-thyroidal Illness Syndrome

This study suggests that with triiodothyronine (T3) supplementation there was evidence of serum free T3 normalization without evidence of associated harms. A definitive trial is needed to evaluate clinical effectiveness.... read more

Magnesium Sulfate for Rapid Atrial Fibrillation?

Magnesium Sulfate for Rapid Atrial Fibrillation?

Currently, several medications are recommended for the management of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response in the emergency department including calcium channel blockers, beta blockers and digoxin (the optimal... read more