Articles: cations.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Randomized Trial Comparing Burr Hole Craniostomy, Minicraniotomy, and Twist Drill Craniostomy for Treatment of Chronic Subdural Hematoma.
The mainstay of treatment for symptomatic or large chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is surgery, but controversy still exists regarding the best surgical technique. Three different techniques are commonly used: burr hole craniostomy (BHC), minicraniotomy (MC), and twist drill craniostomy (TDC). ⋯ All 3 techniques are effective at treating patients with CSDH with eventual 6-month outcome being similar. Although not reaching statistical significance in our study, BHC offers the lowest recurrence rate combined with manageable complication rate.
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Central sensitization symptoms and pain-related fear avoidance are two common problems in breast cancer survivors. Non-pharmacologic interventions such as therapeutic exercise and patient education can be effective in this population. ⋯ The current study has provided preliminary evidence on the benefits of this intervention in pain-related fear avoidance and central sensitization symptoms in breast cancer survivors. The Spanish version of the Central Sensitization Inventory and the Spanish Fear Avoidance Components Scale demonstrated responsiveness to change.
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Meta Analysis
Circulating Tumor DNA in Adults With Glioma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Biomarker Performance.
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a promising noninvasive biomarker to capture tumor genetics in patients with brain tumors. Research into its clinical utility, however, has not been standardized because the sensitivity and specificity of ctDNA remain undefined. ⋯ ctDNA seems to be a highly sensitive and specific noninvasive biomarker among adults with gliomas. To maximize its performance, CSF should be studied with targeted genetic analysis platforms, particularly in high-grade gliomas. Further studies on ctDNA are needed to define its clinical utility in diagnosis, prognostication, glioblastoma pseudoprogression, and other scenarios wherein neoadjuvant therapies may be considered.
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Critical care nurse · Aug 2022
Case ReportsImpact of COVID-19 on Patient-Provider Communication in Critical Care: Case Reports.
Communication impairment during mechanical ventilation and prolonged critical illness is extremely frustrating and frightening for patients and increases the risk for miscommunication, misinterpretation, and poor outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified patient communication impairment in intensive care units. This article presents 3 case examples from the experience of a team of hospital-based speech-language pathologists providing augmentative and alternative communication support resources and services to intensive care unit patients treated for COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic. Cases were selected to illustrate the protracted and complex in-hospital and rehabilitative recovery of critically ill patients with COVID-19, necessitating creative problem-solving and nursing collaborations with speech-language pathologists to support patient-provider communication. ⋯ Evaluation by augmentative and alternative communication specialists and progressive intervention from speech-language pathologists in collaboration with intensive care unit nurses can greatly improve patient-provider communication during treatment for and recovery from COVID-19 and other prolonged critical illnesses.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Aug 2022
ReviewInotrope and vasopressor use in cardiogenic shock: what, when and why?
Despite increasing interest in the management of cardiogenic shock (CS), mortality rates remain unacceptably high. The mainstay of supportive treatment includes vasopressors and inotropes. These medications are recommended in international guidelines and are widely used despite limited evidence supporting safety and efficacy in CS. ⋯ Review of the current literature fails to show significant mortality benefit with any specific vasopressor or inotropic in CS patients. The upcoming DOREMI 2 and levosimendan versus placebo trials will further tackle the question of inotrope necessity in CS. At this time, inotrope selection should be guided by physician experience, availability, cost, and most importantly, individual patients' response to therapy.