2016 Jun - Update on mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation devices
Rubertsson S.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2016 Jun;22(3):225-9.
Purpose of review: The aim of this review is to update and discuss the use of mechanical chest compression devices in treatment of cardiac arrest.
2016 Jun - High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation: current and future directions
Abella BS.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2016 Jun;22(3):218-24.
Purpose of review: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) represents the cornerstone of cardiac arrest resuscitation care. Prompt delivery of high-quality CPR can dramatically improve survival outcomes; however, the definitions of optimal CPR have evolved over several decades. The present review will discuss the metrics of CPR delivery, and the evidence supporting the importance of CPR quality to improve clinical outcomes.
2016 Apr - Selective decontamination of the digestive tract and oropharynx: after 30 years of debate is the definitive answer in sight?
Price RJ, Cuthbertson BH; SuDDICU collaboration.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2016 Apr;22(2):161-6.
Purpose of review: Selective digestive or oropharyngeal decontamination has been being used as a means to prevent infections and death in intensive care patients for the past 30 years. It remains controversial and its use is limited. In this review, we summarize the recently published data on efficacy of selective decontamination and effects on antibiotic resistances.
2016 Apr - Stress ulcer prophylaxis in the intensive care unit
Krag M, Perner A, Møller MH.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2016 Apr;22(2):186-90.
Purpose of review: Stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) is considered standard of care in the majority of critically ill patients in the ICU. In this review, we will present the current evidence for the use of SUP in ICU patients, including data on the prevalence of gastrointestinal bleeding and the balance between benefits and harms of SUP.
2016 Apr - Emerging strategies for the treatment of patients with acute hepatic failure
Kandiah PA, Olson JC, Subramanian RM.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2016 Apr;22(2):142-51.
Purpose of review: The objective of this article is to review the latest developments related to the treatment of patients with acute liver failure (ALF).
2016 Apr - Glucose control in acute brain injury: does it matter?
Godoy DA, Behrouz R, Di Napoli M.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2016 Apr;22(2):120-7.
Purpose of review: Alterations of blood glucose levels are secondary insults with detrimental consequences for the injured brain. Here, we review various aspects of brain glucose metabolism and analyze the evidence on glycemic control during acute brain injury.
2016 Apr - Critical care management of cerebral venous thrombosis
Fam D, Saposnik G; Stroke Outcomes Research Canada Working Group.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2016 Apr;22(2):113-9.
Purpose of review: Although recent trials of intervention for acute ischemic stroke have been positive, similar benefit in acute cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) remains largely unclear. This review aims to summarize the existing evidence regarding the management of CVT, including anticoagulation and endovascular therapy.
2016 Apr - Noninvasive ventilation for neuromuscular respiratory failure: when to use and when to avoid
Rabinstein AA.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2016 Apr;22(2):94-9.
Purpose of review: Neuromuscular respiratory failure can occur from a variety of diseases, both acute and chronic with acute exacerbation. There is often a misunderstanding about how the nature of the neuromuscular disease should affect the decision on how to ventilate the patient. This review provides an update on the value and relative contraindications for the use of noninvasive ventilation in patients with various causes of primary neuromuscular respiratory failure.
2015 Aug - Using cardiac output monitoring to guide perioperative haemodynamic therapy
McGuinness S, Parke R.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2015 Aug;21(4):364-8.
Purpose of review: The aim of this study was to review recent advances and evidence for the use of cardiac output monitors to guide perioperative haemodynamic therapy.
2015 Aug - Albumin in critically ill patients: the ideal colloid?
Caironi P, Langer T, Gattinoni L.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2015 Aug;21(4):302-8.
Purpose of review: The use of albumin-containing solutions in critically ill patients has been recently revisited, following evidence on harmful effects of synthetic colloids, and novel randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in sepsis. Here, we review the most recent findings on albumin administration in acutely ill and septic patients.
2015 Aug - What is the ideal crystalloid?
Raghunathan K, Nailer P, Konoske R.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2015 Aug;21(4):309-14.
Purpose of review: We discuss the importance of the composition of intravenous crystalloid solutions. On the basis of current physiologic principles, evidence from basic science and clinical experiments, recent observational studies, and clinical trials, we conclude that the ‘ideal crystalloid’ depends on clinical context. We make recommendations on solutions that may be used during critical illness, major surgery, and certain clinical situations.
2015 Aug - Mechanical ventilation strategies for the surgical patient
Schultz MJ, Abreu MG, Pelosi P.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2015 Aug;21(4):351-7.
Purpose of review: To summarize clinical evidence for intraoperative ventilation settings, which could protect against postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in surgical patients with uninjured lungs.
2015 Aug - Are all fluids bad for the kidney?
Mårtensson J, Bellomo R.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2015 Aug;21(4):292-301.
Purpose of review: To describe the harmful effects of intravenous fluids on kidney structure and function and summarize recent comparisons between different fluids and their effect on kidney outcome.
2015 Aug - Microcirculatory disorders during septic shock
Ait-Oufella H, Bourcier S, Lehoux S, Guidet B. ;Curr Opin Crit Care. 2015 Aug;21(4):271-5.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite the progress made over the past 20 years in the treatment of septic shock, mortality remains high. Microcirculatory disorders raise considerable interest aiming to improve the understanding of the physiopathology of septic shock and its management.
2015 Jun - Mechanical devices for chest compression: to use or not to use?
Couper K, Smyth M, Perkins GD.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2015 Jun;21(3):188-94.
Purpose of review: The delivery of high-quality manual chest compressions is rarely achieved in practice. Mechanical chest compression devices can consistently deliver high-quality chest compressions. The recent publication of large prehospital trials of these devices provides important new information about the role of these devices.
2015 Jun - Haemodynamic and ventilator management in patients following cardiac arrest
Topjian AA, Berg RA, Taccone FS.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2015 Jun;21(3):195-201.
Purpose of review: The purpose of this study is to review the recent literature describing how to assess and treat postcardiac arrest syndrome associated haemodynamics and manage oxygenation and ventilation derangements.
2015 Jun - Neurological prognostication after cardiac arrest
Sandroni C, Geocadin RG.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2015 Jun;21(3):209-14.
Purpose of review: Prediction of neurological prognosis in patients who are comatose after successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest remains difficult. Previous guidelines recommended ocular reflexes, somatosensory evoked potentials and serum biomarkers for predicting poor outcome within 72 h from cardiac arrest. However, these guidelines were based on patients not treated with targeted temperature management and did not appropriately address important biases in literature.
2015 Jun - What is microcirculatory shock?
Kanoore Edul VS, Ince C, Dubin A.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2015 Jun;21(3):245-52.
Purpose of review: Microcirculatory shock is a condition defined by the presence of tissue hypoperfusion despite the normalization of systemic and regional blood flow. In this article, we discuss the characteristics of the microcirculation in septic shock, the main form of microcirculatory shock, along with its interaction with systemic hemodynamics, and the response to different therapies.
2015 Apr - Update on acute liver failure
Singanayagam A, Bernal W.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2015 Apr;21(2):134-41.
Purpose of review: Although advances in critical care management and liver transplantation have improved survival in acute liver failure (ALF), mortality remains significant. An evidence base to support management has been lacking, due to the condition's rarity, severity and heterogeneity. The purpose of this review is to critically appraise the latest evidence, updating clinicians on the current understanding of the best management.
2015 Apr - Recommendations for management of large hemispheric infarction
Zha AM, Sari M, Torbey MT.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2015 Apr;21(2):91-8.
Purpose of review: Large hemispheric infarction is a devastating disease that continues to be associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Most often these patients are admitted to the ICU requiring significant physician and nursing resources. This review will address some of the ICU management issues and review the evidence supporting medical and surgical management of malignant cerebral edema.