Intensive care medicine
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Intensive care medicine · Sep 2019
Determinants of the effect of extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal in the SUPERNOVA trial: implications for trial design.
To describe the variability and determinants of the effect of extracorporeal CO2 removal (ECCO2R) on tidal volume (Vt), driving pressure (ΔP), and mechanical power (PowerRS) and to determine whether highly responsive patients can be identified for the purpose of predictive enrichment in ECCO2R trial design. ⋯ The lung-protective benefits of ECCO2R increase with higher alveolar dead space fraction, lower respiratory system compliance, and higher device performance. ADF and Crs, rather than severity of hypoxemia, should be the primary factors determining whether to enroll patients in clinical trials of ECCO2R.
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To provide an update about the rapidly developing changes in the critical care management of acute ischaemic stroke patients. ⋯ While consensus guidelines are available to guide clinical decision making after acute ischaemic stroke, there is limited high-quality evidence for many of the recommended interventions. However, a bundle of medical, endovascular, and surgical strategies, when applied in a timely and consistent manner, can improve long-term stroke outcomes.
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This narrative review focuses on thoracic ultrasonography (lung and pleural) with the aim of outlining its utility for the critical care clinician. The article summarizes the applications of thoracic ultrasonography for the evaluation and management of pneumothorax, pleural effusion, acute dyspnea, pulmonary edema, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, interstitial processes, and the patient on mechanical ventilatory support. ⋯ Its ease of use, rapidity, repeatability, and reliability make thoracic ultrasonography the "go to" modality for imaging the lung and pleura in an efficient, cost effective, and safe manner, such that it can largely replace chest imaging in critical care practice. It is best used in conjunction with other components of critical care ultrasonography to yield a comprehensive evaluation of the critically ill patient at point of care.
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Intensive care medicine · Sep 2019
Multicenter StudyPatient's characteristics and outcomes in necrotising soft-tissue infections: results from a Scandinavian, multicentre, prospective cohort study.
Necrotising soft-tissue infections (NSTI) are characterised by necrosis, fast progression, and high rates of morbidity and mortality, but our knowledge is primarily derived from small prospective studies and retrospective studies. ⋯ Patients with NSTI were heterogeneous regarding co-morbidities, initial symptoms, infectious localisation, and microbiological findings. Higher age and lactate levels were associated with increased mortality, and GAS infection with decreased mortality.