2015 Apr - Reversal of the novel oral anticoagulants dabigatran, rivoraxaban, and apixaban

Liotta EM, Levasseur-Franklin KE, Naidech AM.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2015 Apr;21(2):127-33

Purpose of review: We summarize the available data related to reversing the anticoagulant effect of the oral direct thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors and provide our opinion on treating patients presenting with severe and life-threatening hemorrhage related to these agents.

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2015 Feb - Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist

Navalesi P, Longhini F. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2015 Feb;21(1):58-64.

Purpose of review: Compared with the conventional forms of partial support, neurally adjusted ventilatory assist was repeatedly shown to improve patient–ventilator synchrony and reduce the risk of overassistance, while guaranteeing adequate inspiratory effort and gas exchange. A few animal studies also suggested the potential of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist in averting the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury. Recent work adds new information on the physiological effects of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist.

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2015 Apr - Blood pressure management in acute intracerebral hemorrhage: current evidence and ongoing controversies

Gioia LC, Kate M, Dowlatshahi D, Hill MD, Butcher K.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2015 Apr;21(2):99-106

Purpose of review: Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Although treatment options are limited, a potential acute medical intervention is blood pressure (BP) reduction. The review will summarize the current evidence and remaining knowledge gaps with respect to acute BP management in acute ICH.

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2015 Feb - Discontinuation of ventilatory support: new solutions to old dilemmas

Peñuelas Ó, Thille AW, Esteban A. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2015 Feb;21(1):74-81.

Purpose of review: Weaning from mechanical ventilation implies two separate but closely related aspects of care, the discontinuation of mechanical ventilation and removal of artificial airway, which implies routine clinical dilemmas. Extubation delay and extubation failure are associated with poor clinical outcomes. We sought to summarize recent evidence on weaning.

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2015 Feb - Novel approaches to minimize ventilator-induced lung injury

Terragni P, Ranieri VM, Brazzi L. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2015 Feb;21(1):20-5

Purpose of review: To discuss the mechanisms of ventilator-induced lung injury and the pro and cons of the different approaches proposed by literature to minimize its impact in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

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2015 Feb - Extracorporeal life support for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome

Leligdowicz A, Fan E. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2015 Feb;21(1):13-9

Purpose of review: To provide a summary of the recent literature on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in adults with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), focusing on advances in equipment, current conventional and unconventional indications, complications, and future applications.

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2014 Oct - ICU severity of illness scores: APACHE, SAPS and MPM

Salluh JI, Soares M.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2014 Oct;20(5):557-65

Purpose of review: This review aims to evaluate the latest versions of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation, Simplified Acute Physiology Score and Mortality Probability Model scores, make comparisons and describe their strengths and limitations. Additionally, we provide critical analysis and recommendations for the use of these scoring systems in different scenarios.

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2014 Oct - Antibiotic treatment of ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis: to treat or not to treat?

Craven DE, Hudcova J, Craven KA, Scopa C, Lei Y.: Curr Opin Crit Care. 2014 Oct;20(5):532-41.

Purpose of review: To evaluate the data on antimicrobial therapy for ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT) to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), and its impact on patient outcomes.

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2014 Oct - Is there still a role for low-dose dopamine use in acute heart failure?

Torres-Courchoud I, Chen HH.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2014 Oct;20(5):467-71.

Purpose of review: Acute heart failure (AHF) is a major health problem worldwide, with no proven therapy. Low-dose dopamine has been used in this entity to improve renal outcomes in the past decades. The aim of this article is to review the former and recent clinical trials about the use of low-dose dopamine in AHF.

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2014 Oct - Infection control measures to decrease the burden of antimicrobial resistance in the critical care setting

Landelle C, Marimuthu K, Harbarth S.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2014 Oct;20(5):499-506.

Purpose of review: The prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in ICUs is increasing worldwide. This review assesses the role of infection control measures, excluding antibiotic stewardship programs, in reducing the burden of resistance in ICUs.

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2014 Oct - Postcardiac arrest temperature management: infectious risks

Kuchena A, Merkel MJ, Hutchens MP.: Curr Opin Crit Care. 2014 Oct;20(5):507-15.

Purpose of review: Therapeutic hypothermia following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest improves neurological recovery. Coupled with neurological benefit, multiple complications including infection have been associated with therapeutic hypothermia following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. In this review, we will discuss therapeutic hypothermia, and more broadly, temperature management, as a risk for ICU infection.

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2014 Oct - Fluid removal in acute heart failure: diuretics versus devices

Krishnamoorthy A, Felker GM.; Curr Opin Crit Care. 2014 Oct;20(5):478-83.

Purpose of review: Fluid removal and relief of congestion are central to treatment of acute heart failure. Diuretics have been the decongestive mainstay but their known limitations have led to the exploration of alternative strategies. This review compares diuretics with ultrafiltration and examines the recent evidence evaluating their use.

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2014 Aug - Pulmonary complications in patients receiving a solid-organ transplant

De Gasperi A, Feltracco P, Ceravola E, Mazza E.: Curr Opin Crit Care. 2014 Aug;20(4):411-9.

Purpose of review: Major improvements in perioperative care and immunobiology have not abated the risk for severe pulmonary complications after solid-organ transplantation. The aim of this study is to update information on infectious and noninfectious pulmonary complications after solid-organ transplantation, addressing epidemiology, risk factors, diagnostic workup, and management.

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2014 Aug - Intravenous fluid choices in critically ill children

Carcillo JA.: Curr Opin Crit Care. 2014 Aug;20(4):396-401.

Purpose of review: To review the past year's literature, and selected prior literature relevant to these most recent findings, regarding intravenous fluid choices in the management of critically ill children.

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2014 Aug - Coagulation and transfusion in the postoperative bleeding patient

Kozek-Langenecker SA.: Curr Opin Crit Care. 2014 Aug;20(4):460-6.

Purpose of review: Bleeding can be minimal, severe, life-threatening, or organ-threatening. Depending on the compensatory capacity of the patient, most bleeding events going beyond 20% blood volume may represent an emergency as well as a risk factor for anemia, transfusion, coagulopathy, and tissue hypoperfusion. All these factors are independent predictors for survival in postoperative critical care and are drivers for resource use and costs.

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2014 Aug - Perioperative haemodynamic management: is echocardiography the right tool?

Guarracino F, Bertini P.: Curr Opin Crit Care. 2014 Aug;20(4):431-7.

Purpose of review: This review analyses the application of perioperative echocardiography as an important tool in the management of haemodynamic impairment.

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2014 Aug - Intravenous fluids in traumatic brain injury: what's the solution?

Gantner D, Moore EM, Cooper DJ.: Curr Opin Crit Care. 2014 Aug;20(4):385-9.

Purpose of review: Intravenous fluid is a fundamental component of trauma care and fluid management influences patient outcomes. This narrative review appraises recent clinical studies of fluid therapy in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), with respect to its use in volume resuscitation and prevention of secondary injury.

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2014 Aug - Prophylactic antimicrobials in solid organ transplant

Lee B, Michaels MG.: Curr Opin Crit Care. 2014 Aug;20(4):420-5.

Purpose of review: This review summarizes recent updates in the prevention of infections in solid organ transplant patients using antimicrobial prophylaxis that are pertinent for the intensive care physician.

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2014 Aug - Fluid choices impact outcome in septic shock

Douglas JJ, Walley KR.: Curr Opin Crit Care. 2014 Aug;20(4):378-84.

Purpose of review: We discuss the goals of resuscitation, in both the early and the later phases, measures of organ perfusion, fluid responsiveness and the consequences of tissue edema.

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2014 Aug - Optimal fluid resuscitation in trauma: type, timing, and total

Feinman M, Cotton BA, Haut ER. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2014 Aug;20(4):366-72.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review article explores the recent literature regarding the optimal type and amount of intravenous fluids for the trauma patient from the time of injury through their ICU stay. It discusses damage control principles as well as targeted resuscitation utilizing new technology.

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