British journal of anaesthesia
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There is a reproducibility crisis in science. There are many potential contributors to replication failure in research across the translational continuum. In this perspective piece, we focus on the narrow topic of inferential reproducibility. ⋯ Lack of contextualisation using systematic reviews, overinterpretation and misinterpretation of results, and insufficient acknowledgement of limitations are common problems in Discussion sections; these deficiencies can harm the translational process. Proposed solutions include eliminating or not reading Discussions, writing accompanying editorials, and post-publication review and comments; however, none of these solutions works very well. A second Discussion written by an independent author with appropriate expertise in research methodology is a new testable solution that could help probe inferential reproducibility, and address some deficiencies in primary Discussion sections.
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Comparative Study
Vasoactive-inotropic score and the prediction of morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery.
The vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) predicts mortality and morbidity after paediatric cardiac surgery. Here we examined whether VIS also predicted outcome in adults after cardiac surgery, and compared predictive capability between VIS and three widely used scoring systems. ⋯ In adults after cardiac surgery, VISmax predicted a composite of unfavourable outcomes and predicted mortality up to 1 yr after surgery.
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Editorial Comment
Who watches the watchmen and the problem of recursive flea bites.
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A pulmonary hypertensive crisis (PHC) can be a life-threatening condition. We established a PHC model by exposing rats with monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertension to acute hypoxia, and investigated the effects of vasopressin, phenylephrine, and norepinephrine on the PHC. ⋯ In this rat model of a PHC, vasopressin, but not phenylephrine or norepinephrine, resulted in better haemodynamic and vascular recovery.
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Editorial Comment
Dexamethasone and peripheral nerve blocks: back to basic (science).