Shipra Gupta, Ankit Sakhuja Gagan Kumar et el published a retrospective study of culture negative sepsis in December, 2016 issue of Chest. PATIENT POPULATION Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database (USA) from 2000 to 2010, total of 6,843,279 admissions of patients with severe sepsis were studied, 3,226,406 (47.1%) had culture-negative results. WHAT DID THEY … Read more
Michael J. Murray Heidi DeBlock et al published revised guidelines for use of sustained neuromuscular blocking agents in critical care in November issue of critical care medicine. It is an extensive review of current evidence. Here is a summary of recommendations Indications For recommendation Acute ARDS Continuous IV infusion early in the course … Read more
New surviving sepsis guidelines were just been released, incorporating new evidence and new sepsis definition. It is a 38 page document(excluding references) . Here is a concise summary of the new guidelines. FOR RECOMMENDATIONS Treatment and resuscitation should begin immediately. 30 mL/kg of IV crystalloid fluid should be given within the first 3 hours. … Read more
Stephane Legriel, M.D., Virginie Lemiale, M.D., Maleka Schenck, M.D et al published study in NEJM on Dec 22,2016 evaluating use of hypothermia in status epilepticus. Therapeutic hypothermia does not improve outcome but can be a potential tool to treat seizures. The HYBERNATUS (Hypothermia for Brain Enhancement Recovery by Neuroprotective and Anticonvulsant Action After Convulsive Status … Read more
Low tidal volume ventilation in ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) have been shown to improve mortality. However, low tidal volume ventilation invariably leads to hypercapnia. Many strategies have been employed to optimize the ventilation in ARDS using increases in respiratory rate , use of active humidifiers and the tracheal gas insufflation or aspiration of dead space. … Read more
Finally, an alternative to Succinylcholine in USA (short duration paralytic) In December, 2015, FDA approved Bridion (sugammadex) injection to reverse the effects of neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium bromide and vecuronium bromide. Now finally we have an alternative to succinylcholine (Mainly used for its very short duration of action).(1) “Bridion provides a new treatment … Read more
Cristina Valencia, Naïma Hammami et el published a worldwide survey of healthcare professionals in this month’s Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control journal. Overall, only 23% of the ICUs strictly adhere to the guidelines to prevent CLABSI. Just for review, here are the components of CLABSI prevention bundle by the Joint Commission Hand hygiene Hands are … Read more
S. Ten Hoorn, P. W. Elbers and A. R. Girbes published a systemic review in critical care journal in Sept, 2016 about how to communicate with patients on mechanical ventilation. Summary of the review is in this picture In the US, many ICUs use commercially available communication boards. One below is from Vidatak. In the current technology driven era, there are many … Read more
Chest/ American thoracic society released new guidelines for liberation from mechanical ventilation. There are six key recommendations. They all are applicable to patients who are mechanically ventilated for more than 24 hours. For all recommendations, strength is conditional except recommendation for NIV after extubation where it is strong. Initial SBT or spontaneous breathing trial should … Read more
Gershengorn et al published in JAMA a very large retrospective cohort study of 97 844 patients from 165 US ICUs who participate in Project Impact from October 1, 2000, to March 29, 2009. Authors created 4518 propensity-matched pairs of patients with less than 12 hours of Mechanical ventilation and 5761 propensity-matched pairs of patients with mechanical ventilation of more … Read more
The Hydrocortisone for Prevention of Septic Shock (HYPRESS) study was published in JAMA on Oct 3, 2016. 380 patients with sepsis (with evidence of infection plus at least 2 systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria and evidence of organ dysfunction ) were randomized either to receive a continuous infusion of 200 mg of hydrocortisone for 5 days or placebo. There … Read more
Inform trial results were published in NEJM on Oct 24, 2016. 31,497 adult patients at six hospitals in four countries (Australia, Canada, Israel and the U.S) were randomized to receive short or long term stored blood. There was no difference in mortality among two groups. Earlier, a meta analysis of 12 randomized trials showed no … Read more