Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Aug 2023
Observational StudyIntrapulmonary and Intracardiac Shunts in Adult COVID-19 Versus Non-COVID Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome ICU Patients Using Echocardiography and Contrast Bubble Studies (COVID-Shunt Study): A Prospective, Observational Cohort Study.
Studies have suggested intrapulmonary shunts may contribute to hypoxemia in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with worse associated outcomes. We evaluated the presence of right-to-left (R-L) shunts in COVID-19 and non-COVID ARDS patients using a comprehensive hypoxemia workup for shunt etiology and associations with mortality. ⋯ There was no evidence of increased R-L shunt rates in COVID-19 compared with non-COVID controls. R-L shunt was associated with increased in-hospital mortality for COVID-19 patients, but this did not persist at 90-day mortality or after adjusting using logistic regression.
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Critical care medicine · Aug 2023
Meta AnalysisThe Efficacy of Glutamine Supplementation in Severe Adult Burn Patients: A Systematic Review With Trial Sequential Meta-Analysis.
Evidence supporting glutamine supplementation in severe adult burn patients has created a state of uncertainty due to the variability in the treatment effect reported across small and large randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We aimed to systematically review the effect of glutamine supplementation on mortality in severe adult burn patients. ⋯ Glutamine supplementation, regardless of administration, does not appear to improve clinical outcomes in severely adult burned patients.
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Critical care medicine · Aug 2023
Disparities in Unilateral Do Not Resuscitate Order Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
A unilateral do-not-resuscitate (UDNR) order is a do-not-resuscitate order placed using clinician judgment which does not require consent from a patient or surrogate. This study assessed how UDNR orders were used during the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ In this multihospital study, UDNR orders were used more often for primary Spanish-speaking patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may be related to communication barriers Spanish-speaking patients and families experience. Further study is needed to assess UDNR use across hospitals and enact interventions to improve potential disparities.
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Critical care medicine · Aug 2023
Randomized Controlled TrialIV Vitamin C in Adults With Sepsis: A Bayesian Reanalysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.
The Lessening Organ Dysfunction with Vitamin C trial showed a harmful effect of vitamin C on 28-day death or persistent organ dysfunction. To maximize interpretation, we present a post hoc Bayesian reanalysis. ⋯ The use of vitamin C in adult patients with proven or suspected infection and vasopressor support is associated with high probability of harm.