Current opinion in critical care
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Dec 2023
ReviewThe management of severe traumatic brain injury in the initial postinjury hours - current evidence and controversies.
To provide an overview of recent studies discussing novel strategies, controversies, and challenges in the management of severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) in the initial postinjury hours. ⋯ Advancement of the prehospital and ED care that include stabilization of physiological parameters, rapid correction of impaired coagulation, noninvasive techniques to identify raised ICP, emergent surgical evacuation of mass lesions and/or decompressive craniectomy, and temporary measures to counteract increased ICP play pivotal roles in the initial management of sTBI. Individualized approaches considering the underlying pathology are crucial for accurate outcome prediction.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Dec 2023
ReviewManagement of the kidney transplant recipient in the intensive care units.
Kidney transplantation is the ideal treatment for patients with chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease. While centers are performing more transplants every year, the need for organ transplantation outpaces the supply of organ donors. Due to a growing population of patients with advanced kidney disease and a scarcity of kidneys from deceased donors, patients face extended wait times. By the time patients approach transplantation they have multiple comorbidities, in particular cardiovascular complications. Their risk of complications is further compounded by exposure to immunosuppression post kidney transplantation. Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) are medically complex and may require acute management in the intensive care unit (ICU), as a result of cardiovascular complications, infections, and/or respiratory compromise from lung infections and/or acute pulmonary edema. Acute complication of immunosuppression, such as thrombotic microangiopathy and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome may also warrant ICU admission. This review will cover assessment of high-risk complications and management strategies following kidney transplantation. ⋯ Recognizing potential complications and implementing appropriate management strategies for KTRs admitted to the ICU will improve kidney allograft and patient survival outcomes.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Dec 2023
ReviewRevisiting the promise, practice and progress of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta.
The use of Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) to temporarily control bleeding and improve central perfusion in critically injured trauma patients remains a controversial topic. In the last decade, select trauma services around the world have gained experience with REBOA. We discuss the recent observational data together with the initial results of the first randomized control trial and provide a view on the next steps for REBOA in trauma resuscitation. ⋯ Better understanding of cardiac shock physiology provides a new lens in which to evaluate REBOA through. Patient selection remains a huge challenge. Invasive blood pressure monitoring, combined with machine learning aided decision support may assist clinicians and their patients in the future. The use of REBOA should not delay definitive haemorrhage control in those patients without impending cardiac arrest.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Dec 2023
ReviewThe role of renin-angiotensin system in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury: mechanisms and therapeutic implications.
This review aims to explore the relationship between the renin angiotensin system (RAS) and sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI), a common complication in critically ill patients associated with mortality, morbidity, and long-term cardiovascular complications. Additionally, this review aims to identify potential therapeutic approaches to intervene with the RAS and prevent the development of AKI. ⋯ SA-AKI is a common condition that can involve disturbances in the RAS, particularly the canonical angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) angiotensin-II (Ang II)/angiotensin II receptor 1 (AT-1R) axis. Increased renin levels, a key enzyme in the RAS, have been shown to be associated with AKI and may also guide vasopressor therapy in shock. In patients with high renin levels, angiotensin II administration may reduce renin concentration, improve intra-renal hemodynamics, and enhance signaling through the angiotensin II receptor 1. Further studies are needed to explore the role of the RAS in SA-AKI and the potential for targeted therapies.
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Recently published initiatives spanning the burn care spectrum have substantially changed the standard of care in burn care. The purpose of this article is to describe new impactful concepts in burn first aid, triage, resuscitation, and treatment as well as their impact on future research. ⋯ These changes in burn care, triage, resuscitation, and treatment have challenged traditional burn care standards, created new standards, and are the basis for future prospective randomized trials.