A Critical Reappraisal of Vasopressin and Steroids in IHCA

In view of the presented discussion/evidence and until publication of new evidence from a large, ongoing Swedish RCT, we suggest that vasopressin-steroids-epinephrine (VSE) might be considered in in-hospital cardiac arrest... read more

Evidence is stronger than you think: a meta-analysis of vitamin C use in patients with sepsis

Evidence is stronger than you think: a meta-analysis of vitamin C use in patients with sepsis

Despite varying degrees of statistical significance between the original studies, this meta-analysis reveals a positive correlation between incorporating vitamin C in the treatment of sepsis and favorable patient outcomes,... read more

Norepinephrine Shortage and Mortality Among Patients With Septic Shock

Norepinephrine Shortage and Mortality Among Patients With Septic Shock

Drug shortages in the United States are common, but their effect on patient care and outcomes has rarely been reported. This cohort study evaluated whether a national shortage of norepinephrine in the United States in 2011... read more

Vasopressors in Sepsis in 2050

Vasopressors in Sepsis in 2050

Vasopressors are used in sepsis when hypotension is assumed to be mainly due to a decreased arterial tone. However, the appropriate time to initiate vasopressors is not clearly defined, and fluid administration is most... read more

Pooled Analysis of Higher vs Lower Blood Pressure Targets for Vasopressor Therapy Septic and Vasodilatory Shock

Pooled Analysis of Higher vs Lower Blood Pressure Targets for Vasopressor Therapy Septic and Vasodilatory Shock

Targeting higher blood pressure targets may increase mortality in patients who have been treated with vasopressors for more than 6h. Lower blood pressure targets were not associated with patient‑important adverse events... 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

No Requirement for Targeted Theophylline Levels for Diuretic Effect of Aminophylline in Critically Ill Children

No Requirement for Targeted Theophylline Levels for Diuretic Effect of Aminophylline in Critically Ill Children

Aminophylline administration provided a measure of increased diuresis, regardless of dosage, and theophylline trough levels. Therefore, achieving a prescribed therapeutic trough level may not be necessary for full diuretic... read more

Arterial Line Placement

Arterial Line Placement

Approximately eight million arterial lines are placed in the United States yearly. The main indication for arterial line placement is the need for close hemodynamic monitoring. The second-to-second blood pressure variations... read more

Clinical Experience With IV Angiotensin II Administration

Clinical Experience With IV Angiotensin II Administration

Angiotensin II is an endogenous hormone with vasopressor and endocrine activities. This is a systematic review of the safety of IV angiotensin II. Adverse events associated with angiotensin II were infrequent; however, exacerbation... read more

Meta-analysis confirms EGDT for sepsis is unhelpful and wasteful (PRISM)

Meta-analysis confirms EGDT for sepsis is unhelpful and wasteful (PRISM)

Three large, well-conducted randomized trials around the world (ProCESS, ARISE, and ProMISe) all agreed: use of early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) for sepsis does not improve mortality or any other important clinical outcome.... read more

Vasopressors: Future Research

Margaret Parker, MD, MCCM, speaks with Lakhmir S. Chawla, MD, about future research related to the Congress session "Bench-Pressing in the ICU: Which Vasopressor Agent Should I Choose for My Patient?" which he presented... read more

Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock

Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock

The best approach for hemodynamic therapy for sepsis has become more uncertain as evidence has accumulated. This extends even to the degree to which clinicians should use intravenous fluids as a foundation for resuscitation... read more