Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Jun 2015
Case ReportsManagement of Apixaban-Associated Subdural Hematoma: A Case Report on the Use of Factor Eight Inhibitor Bypassing Activity.
We report a case of a patient receiving apixaban who developed a spontaneous subdural hematoma and declining mental status that improved after administration of a single dose of factor eight inhibitor bypassing activity. ⋯ Factor VIII inhibitor bypassing activity may be a viable, nonspecific reversal agent for life-threatening bleeding associated with apixaban.
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Critical care medicine · Jun 2015
Intraosseous Versus Central Venous Catheter Utilization and Performance During Inpatient Medical Emergencies.
Intraosseous access is a rapid and effective route of fluid and drug administration. Its use has been proven in emergency medicine, pediatrics, and the military. We aimed to assess its performance and utilization against landmark-guided central venous catheter placement during inpatient medical emergencies. ⋯ It is feasible to incorporate intraosseous use during medical emergency team calls. Intraosseous had significantly higher first-pass success rates and faster placement compared with central venous catheters. Intraosseous operators reported high satisfaction and confidence in its use. Prospective randomized studies comparing intraosseous and central venous catheter are warranted.
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Critical care medicine · Jun 2015
Treatment of Highly Virulent Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli Pneumonia With Bacteriophages.
To study the effect of bacteriophage treatment on highly virulent extraintestinal Escherichia coli pneumonia in mice and compare it with conventional antimicrobial treatment. ⋯ Bacteriophage treatment was as effective as antibiotherapy to provide 100% survival rate in a lethal model of highly virulent E. coli pneumonia. Adaptation of a bacteriophage is a rapid solution to improve its efficacy toward specific strains. These results suggest that phage therapy could be a promising therapeutic strategy for ventilator-associated pneumonia.
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Critical care medicine · Jun 2015
Editorial CommentFunctional outcomes after critical illness in the elderly.