2010 Jun - Mechanical chest-compression devices: current and future roles [Review]

Perkins, Gavin D; Brace, Samantha; Gates, Simon; Current Opinion in Critical Care. 16(3):203-210, June 2010.
Purpose of review: It is recognized that the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an important predictor of outcome from cardiac arrest yet studies consistently demonstrate that the quality of CPR performed in real life is frequently sub-optimal. Mechanical chest-compression devices provide an alternative to manual CPR. This review will consider the evidence and current indications for the use of these devices. 

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2010 Apr - Effect of ICU interventions on gastrointestinal motility

Fruhwald, Sonja; Kainz, Johann; Current Opinion in Critical Care. 16(2):159-164, April 2010.
Purpose of review: Early detection of gastrointestinal motility disturbances is a major goal to reduce the incidence of this potentially disastrous event by prophylactic managements and early goal-directed therapy in patients at risk.

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2010 Apr - Infectious intracranial complications in the neuro-ICU patient population

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2010 Apr - Vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: recent advances in endovascular management [Review]

Pierot, Laurent; Aggour, Mohamed; Moret, Jacques ; Current Opinion in Critical Care. 16(2):110-116, April 2010.
Purpose of review: In a rapidly advancing specialty, it is essential to review the recent studies of alternative new treatments and present their efficacy, safety and outcome. We discuss the recent advances in the endovascular treatment of cerebral vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the past few years with special focus on the literature regarding this subject in the last 18–24 months.

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2010 Apr - The effects of vasopressin and its analogues on the liver and its disorders in the critically ill [Review]

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2010 Feb - Ventilatory support for acute respiratory failure: new and ongoing pathophysiological, diagnostic and therapeutic developments [Review]

Del Sorbo, Lorenzo; Slutsky, Arthur S ;Current Opinion in Critical Care. 16(1):1-7, February 2010.
Purpose of review: Acute respiratory failure and its most severe form, the acute respiratory distress syndrome, are relatively common in the ICU setting and have a high morbidity and mortality. This article will discuss ongoing research in this area, with a focus on relatively novel approaches in terms of pathophysiology, diagnosis and therapeutic advancements.

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2010 Feb - Pharmacological treatments for acute respiratory distress syndrome [Review]

Frank, Angela J; Thompson, B Taylor ;Current Opinion in Critical Care. 16(1):62-68, February 2010.
Purpose of review: Studies of the pharmacologic management of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have yielded conflicting results. The purpose of this review is to discuss recent pharmacologic trials in ARDS, using the conceptual framework of ARDS as a heterogeneous disease.

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2010 Feb - Extracorporeal support as a bridge to lung transplantation

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2009 Nov - Pulmonary/renal interaction

Ricci Z, Ronco C.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2009 Nov 20. [Epub ahead of print]
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Acute kidney injury contributes to the development of acute lung injury and vice-versa. Volume overload that may occur during renal impairment increases pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure. However, experimental evidence clearly shows that lung damage occurs even in the absence of positive fluid balance. However, acute lung injury with its attendant hypoxemia, hypercapnia and mechanical ventilation worsens renal hemodynamics and function.

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2009 Dec - Technological development in mechanical ventilation.

Conti G, Costa R.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2009 Dec 2.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Innovative modes of mechanical ventilation, mainly based on complex closed loop technologies, have been recently developed and are now available for clinical use.

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2009 Dec- Physician communication with families in the ICU: evidence-based strategies for improvement.

Schaefer KG, Block SD.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2009 Dec;15(6):569-77.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Skilled physician-family communication in the ICU has been shown to improve patient outcomes, but until now little attention has been given to the effect of communication on family satisfaction and bereavement outcomes. The aim of this review is to outline the recent evidence that effective physician communication with families, and proactive palliative care interventions, can improve outcomes for both patients and family members in the ICU.

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2009 Dec - Critical care organ support: a focus on extracorporeal systems.

McCunn M, Reed AJ.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2009 Dec;15(6):554-9.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: An extensive search of the literature published in the past 2 years related to critical care organ support was undertaken. This review is limited to those that focus on extracorporeal life support modalities for adults.

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009 Dec - Transfusion therapy in hemorrhagic shock.

Nunez TC, Cotton BA.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2009 Dec;15(6):536-41.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Bleeding and death from hemorrhage remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the trauma population. Early resuscitation of these gravely injured patients has changed significantly over the past several years. The concept of damage control resuscitation has expanded significantly with the experience of the US military in southwest Asia. This review will focus on this resuscitation strategy of transfusing blood products (red cells, plasma, and platelets) early and often in the exsanguinating patient.

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2009 Aug - Stroke: acute stroke receiving facilities and management.

Humpich M, Byhahn C, Fowler RL, Labiche L.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2009 Aug;15(4):295-300.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Management of ischemic stroke is challenging. No prehospital treatment option exists, and the only approved pharmacologic therapy, that is, systemic thrombolysis, requires brain imaging and initiation of therapy within a narrow therapeutic window. This review provides an overview of recent efforts to optimize management of suspected stroke patients by reducing the interval from symptom onset to reperfusion therapy.

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2009 Oct - Sex and critical illness [Review]

Fowler RA, Filate W, Hartleib M, Frost DW, Lazongas C, Hladunewich M.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2009 Oct;15(5):442-9.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The article reviews and speculates on potential mechanisms underlying sex-related differences in admission patterns, care delivery and outcome of critical illness.

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2009 Oct - Aerosolized antibiotics in critically ill ventilated patients [Review]

Palmer LB.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2009 Oct;15(5):413-8.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review will summarize recent clinical data examining the efficacy of aerosolized antimicrobial therapy in treating respiratory tract infections in mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU.

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2009 Aug - Airway management and initial resuscitation of the trauma patient

Diez C, Varon AJ.; Curr Opin Crit Care 2009 Aug 26. [Epub ahead of print]
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review will analyze and comment on selected recent literature pertaining to airway management and initial fluid resuscitation in the trauma patient. It will also review airway devices currently being used in the trauma setting.

Photo courtesy of Dr Arthur CW Lau, PYNEH

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2009 Cardiovascular biomarkers in the ICU [Review]

Noveanu M, Mebazaa A, Mueller C.; Curr Opin Crit Care 2009 Jul 13.


PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Natriuretic peptides are markers of heart failure and/or cardiac dysfunction that provide useful diagnostic and prognostic information in patients with dyspnea and/or respiratory failure in the emergency department. Cardiac troponins (cTn) have markedly simplified the diagnosis of myocardial infarction. In critically ill patients, conditions like coexisting organ dysfunction multiorgan involvement or altered synthesis/clearance may confound interpretation of designated biomarkers, including natriuretic peptides and cTn. This review focuses on recently published articles relating to the use of natriuretic peptides and cTn in critically ill patients.

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2009 Vasoactive drugs for vasodilatory shock in ICU [Review]

Holmes CL, Walley KR.
Curr Opin Crit Care. 2009 Jun 17. [Epub ahead of print]


PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Vasoactive drugs are the mainstay of hemodynamic management of vasodilatory shock when fluids fail to restore adequate tissue perfusion. In this review, studies published during the past year that increase our understanding of the use of vasoactive drugs in the ICU are discussed.

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2009 New treatments for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [Review]

Stryjewski ME, Corey GR.
Curr Opin Crit Care. 2009 Jun 25. [Epub ahead of print]


PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a dynamic pathogen. Rates of MRSA are increasing worldwide. In some centers, MRSA is becoming less susceptible to vancomycin, and these strains have been associated with worse clinical outcomes. Intermediate or fully resistant vancomycin strains of MRSA have emerged clinically, whereas MRSA acquired in the community has become epidemic. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide clinicians with an evidence-based review on new treatments for MRSA.

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