Intensive care medicine
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The management of cardiogenic shock is an ongoing challenge. Despite all efforts and tremendous use of resources, mortality remains high. Whilst reversing the underlying cause, restoring/maintaining organ perfusion and function are cornerstones of management. ⋯ This review provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary literature regarding the definition and classification of cardiogenic shock, its pathophysiology, diagnosis, laboratory evaluation, and monitoring. Further, we distill the latest evidence in pharmacologic therapy and the use of mechanical circulatory support including recently published randomized-controlled trials as well as future directions of research, integrating this within an international group of authors to provide a global perspective. Finally, we explore the need for individualization, especially in the face of neutral randomized trials which may be related to a dilution of a potential benefit of an intervention (i.e., average effect) in this heterogeneous clinical syndrome, including the use of novel biomarkers, artificial intelligence, and machine learning approaches to identify specific endotypes of cardiogenic shock (i.e., subclasses with distinct underlying biological/molecular mechanisms) to support a more personalized medicine beyond the syndromic approach of cardiogenic shock.
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Intensive care medicine · Nov 2024
ReviewComplement system activation: bridging physiology, pathophysiology, and therapy.
The complement system is a set of over 50 proteins that constitutes an essential part of the innate immune system. Complement system activation involves an organized proteolytic cascade. Overactivation of complement system activation is the main pathogenic mechanism of several diseases and contributes to the manifestations of many other conditions. ⋯ The complement system is crucial to health but, when overactivated, can cause or contribute to disease. Effective complement inhibitors are now available, although additional data are required to determine optimal regimens. Further research is also needed to better understand the complement system, develop advanced diagnostic tools, and identify markers that allow the personalization of treatment strategies.
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Intensive care medicine · Nov 2024
ReviewChallenging management dogma where evidence is non-existent, weak, or outdated: part II.
Many dogmas influence daily clinical practice, and critical care medicine is no exception. We previously highlighted the weak, questionable, and often contrary evidence base underpinning four established medical managements-loop diuretics for acute heart failure, routine use of heparin thromboprophylaxis, rate of sodium correction for hyponatremia, and 'every hour counts' for treating bacterial meningitis. We now provide four further examples in this "Dogma II" piece (a week's course of antibiotics, diabetic ketoacidosis algorithms, sodium bicarbonate to improve ventricular contractility during severe metabolic acidosis, and phosphate replacement for hypophosphatemia) where routine practice warrants re-appraisal.
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Intensive care medicine · Nov 2024
Implementing palliative care in the intensive care unit: a systematic review and mapping of knowledge to the implementation research logic model.
The importance and effectiveness of palliative care (PC) in intensive care units (ICU) are known. Less is known about the implementation and integration of ICU-based PC interventions. This systematic review aims to use a modified implementation research logic model (IRLM) to identify, map, and synthesise evidence on implementation of ICU-PC (primary and/or specialist) interventions. ⋯ This review provides recommendations for ICUs when designing (stakeholder involvement, ICU-PC collaboration, assessment of culture and resources); implementing (targeted and adapted strategies, champions, and education); and evaluating/reporting (collect effectiveness and implementation data, including mechanisms) ICU-PC interventions. Use of implementation structures and patient/family involvement are both needed and important to be included.
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Intensive care medicine · Nov 2024
From bytes to bedside: a systematic review on the use and readiness of artificial intelligence in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care unit.
Despite its promise to enhance patient outcomes and support clinical decision making, clinical use of artificial intelligence (AI) models at the bedside remains limited. Translation of advancements in AI research into tangible clinical benefits is necessary to improve neonatal and pediatric care for critically ill patients. This systematic review seeks to assess the maturity of AI models in neonatal and pediatric intensive care unit (NICU and PICU) treatment, and their risk of bias and objectives. ⋯ The majority of AI models remain within the testing and prototyping phase and have a high risk of bias. Bridging the gap between designing and clinical implementation of AI models is needed to warrant safe and trustworthy AI models. Specific guidelines and approaches can help improve clinical outcome with usage of AI.