Crit Care Resusc
-
Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. The Brain Trauma Foundation guidelines advocate for the maintenance of a cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) between 60 and 70 mmHg following severe TBI. However, such a uniform goal does not account for changes in cerebral autoregulation (CA). ⋯ CPPopt represents an alternative target for cerebral haemodynamic optimisation following severe TBI, and early observational data suggest improved neurological outcomes in patients whose CPP is more proximate to CPPopt. The recent publication of a prospective randomised feasibility study of CPPopt guided therapy in TBI, suggests clinicians caring for such patients should be increasingly familiar with these concepts. In this paper, we present a narrative review of the key landmarks in the development of CPPopt and offer a summary of the evidence for CPPopt-based therapy in comparison to current standards of care.
-
To determine the feasibility of a pivotal randomised clinical trial of intravenous (IV) iron and erythropoietin in adult survivors of critical illness with anaemia requiring treatment in the intensive care unit. ⋯ The iron and erythropoietin to heal and recover after intensive care (ITHRIVE) pilot demonstrated feasibility based on predefined participant recruitment, study drug administration, and follow-up thresholds.
-
Masking of an intravenous preparation of ceftriaxone for use in clinical trials: A technical report.
Intravenous antibiotics are often evaluated in clinical trials in hospitalised patients but for blinded trials masking of antibiotics is required. ⋯ 1 g of ceftriaxone can be effectively masked by dilution in 100mL of sodium chloride.
-
Ascorbate, the biologically active form of vitamin C, is the primary neural anti-oxidant. Ascorbate concentrations have never been quantified following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH). ⋯ Post aSAH there is a marked reduction in CSF ascorbate concentration that is most prominent in those who develop vasospasm.
-
To describe a study protocol and statistical analysis plan (SAP) for the identification and treatment of hypoxemic respiratory failure (HRF) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with protection, paralysis, and proning (TheraPPP) study prior to completion of recruitment, electronic data retrieval, and analysis of any data. ⋯ TheraPPP will evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of an HRF and ARDS care pathway.